Legislature
Top Pa. Senate Republicans: Sex-abuse-victims bill has ‘glaring problems’
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/pennsylvania-senate-republican-leaders-criticize-lawsuit-bill-sexual-abuse-victims-20180925.html
Pa. Senate leaders say child sex abuse reforms need work; no consensus on two-year window for civil suits
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/09/senate_leaders_discuss_plan_fo.html#incart_river_index
With time running out, Senators say they won’t pass sex abuse bill as-is
http://www.witf.org/state-house-sound-bites/2018/09/with-time-running-out-senators-say-they-wont-pass-sex-abuse-bill-as-is.php
Advocates cite new study in calling for earlier parole eligibility for Pa. lifers
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2018/09/25/pa-abolitionist-law-project-life-sentences-reform-racial-disparities-koch-brothers/stories/201809180097
General Assembly advances bills on conventional drilling, pipeline vandalism
http://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2018/09/25/General-Assembly-advances-bills-on-conventional-drilling-pipeline-vandalism-shale/stories/201809250140
Shrinking size of Pa. state House takes a hit from lawmakers who demand a smaller Senate as well
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/09/game_of_chicken_over_shrinking.html#incart_river_index
Pennsylvania House again backtracks on bill to cut its size
http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pennsylvania-reduce-house-20180925-story.html
Pa. House acts on camera-based speed enforcement; measure still needs Senate action
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/09/pa_house_acts_on_camera-based.html#incart_river_index
Rep. Wheatley introduces bill to legalize marijuana for recreational use in Pa.
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14115600-74/wheatley-introduces-recreational-marijuana-legalization-bill
What makes Harrisburg so special? Legislators grill mayor over taxes he wants to keep
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/09/harrisburg_act_47_hearing_hous.html#incart_river_index
This year, dozens of states have passed significant gun bills. Pa. isn’t one of them
https://papost.org/2018/09/26/this-year-dozens-of-states-have-passed-significant-gun-bills-pa-isnt-one-of-them/
Waive tuition for foster kids
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/waive-tuition-for-foster-kids-1.2390131
Editorial: Senate must act swiftly to pass child sex abuse measure
http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-senate-must-act-swiftly-to-pass-child-sex-abuse-measure
Our view: Senate owes victims path to justice
http://www.goerie.com/opinion/20180926/our-view-senate-owes-victims-path-to-justice
Clergy Sex Abuse
Pa. Supreme Court to hear arguments Wednesday on still-secret names in clergy abuse report
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2018/09/25/Pennsylvania-Supreme-Court-clergy-sex-abuse-grand-jury-report-catholic-church/stories/201809250173
Will Pennsylvania Supreme Court lift order that is keeping secret the names of some priests in grand jury report?
http://www.mcall.com/news/police/mc-nws-catholic-clergy-abuse-grand-jury-supreme-court-arguments-20180925-story.html
Attorney general: Allentown Bishop Schlert helped cover up child sex abuse
http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-shapiro-allentown-20180920-story.html
Crime/Punishment
Judge sentences Bill Cosby to 3 to 10 years in prison, labels the comic a ‘sexually violent predator’
http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/tv-radio/2018/09/25/Bill-Cosby-sentencing-sexual-assault-2004-predator/stories/201809250103
Cosby accusers savor reckoning: ‘I have waited 32 years for this day’
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/cosby/bill-cosby-prison-sentence-reaction-sexual-assault-20180925.html
Attorney disputes claim of planned hate crime
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/attorney-disputes-claim-of-planned-hate-crime-1.2390124
Obstruction charge added to counts against suspended Duryea police sergeant
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/obstruction-charge-added-to-counts-against-suspended-duryea-police-sergeant-1.2390216
Central Court calendar expanding to Fridays
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/central-court-calendar-expanding-to-fridays-1.2390210
Education
Dallas contract details suggest teachers could have done better
https://www.timesleader.com/news/719475/dallas-contract-details-suggest-teachers-could-have-done-better
Penn-Trafford teachers may strike over contract
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14117490-74/penn-trafford-teachers-may-strike-over-contract
Haverford Schools to face charges of racial harassment at public forum
http://www2.philly.com/philly/education/haverford-schools-racism-public-forum-20180926.html
Montour School District investigates bomb threat
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14118772-74/montour-school-district-investigates-bomb-threat
Bucks college campus in Newtown closed Wednesday due to threat
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/bucks-college-campus-in-newtown-closed-wednesday-due-to-threat-20180925.html
State College is one of the best college towns for home games — but it’s not No. 1, study says
https://www.pennlive.com/expo/life-and-culture/erry-2018/09/ef2b02a7105453/state-college-is-one-of-the-be.html#incart_river_index
Penn State student recovering from type of bacterial meningitis
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/09/penn_state_student_recovering.html#incart_river_index
Elections/Politics
Gov. Wolf’s campaign advertising budget: $10M since June
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/politics/elections/tom-wolf-scott-wagner-pennsylvania-governor-race-campaign-finance-20180925.html
Pivot to white nationalist rhetoric shows Wagner is running scared | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2018/09/pivot_to_white_nationalist_rhe.html#incart_river_index
National Republican group that pulled money from Pa. race says it still supports Keith Rothfus
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2018/09/25/nrcc-spending-keith-rothfus-conor-lamb-pa-17-congressional-district-steve-stivers-america-first-action-super-pac/stories/201809250160
Alle-Kiski Valley libraries participate in National Voter Registration Day
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14116866-74/alle-kiski-valley-libraries-participate-in-national-voter-registration-day
Chrin advocates economic plan
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/chrin-advocates-economic-plan-1.2390129
Election Security Commission recommends immediate action on vulnerable voting machines
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/14115703-74/election-security-commission-recommends-immediate-action-on-vulnerable-voting-machines
Gaming
Harrah’s Philadelphia is 3rd Pa. casino to apply for sports betting license
http://www2.philly.com/philly/business/tourism_casinos/harrahs-philadelphia-3rd-pa-casino-sports-betting-license-20180925.html
Health Care
Can Yelp help you find a hospital — a good one?
http://www2.philly.com/philly/health/health-costs/yelp-google-facebook-hospital-reviews-ratings-20180926.html
Don’t wait to get a flu shot, doctors urge
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14117134-74/dont-wait-to-get-a-flu-shot-doctors-urge
Don’t risk new pandemic
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/don-t-risk-new-pandemic-1.2390133
UPMC hospital workers plan Oct. 4 strike
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14116568-74/upmc-hospital-workers-plan-oct-4-strike
Local VA’s wait times in primary, specialty care better than average
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/local-va-s-wait-times-in-primary-specialty-care-better-than-average-1.2390218
Vets center discusses wait times at town hall
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/vets-center-discusses-wait-times-at-town-hall-1.2390329
Local News
Wilkes-Barre mayor says watches benefit firefighters’ health
https://www.timesleader.com/news/719499/wilkes-barre-mayor-says-watches-benefit-firefighters-health
Luzerne County Council approves new employment deal with Pedri
https://www.timesleader.com/news/719465/luzerne-county-council-approves-new-employment-deal-with-pedri
County extends Pedri’s contract
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-extends-pedri-s-contract-1.2390221
Developer purchases first parcel for 340-acre project in Hanover, Nanticoke
https://www.timesleader.com/news/719438/developer-purchases-first-parcel-for-340-acre-project-in-hanover-nanticoke
Officials discuss possibility of ‘mini transit hub’ in Nanticoke
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/officials-discuss-possibility-of-mini-transit-hub-in-nanticoke-1.2390215
City officer bitten by K-9 during training exercise
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/city-officer-bitten-by-k-9-during-training-exercise-1.2390222
Training needed on W-B police records system
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/training-needed-on-w-b-police-records-system-1.2390202
Tentative agreement reached to release sewer sale money to Scranton pensions
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/tentative-agreement-reached-to-release-sewer-sale-money-to-scranton-pensions-1.2390211
Medals might not arrive in time for Steamtown Marathon
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/sports/medals-might-not-arrive-in-time-for-steamtown-marathon-1.2390201
Council willing to consider some of mayor’s revenue-generating ideas
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/council-willing-to-consider-some-of-mayor-s-revenue-generating-ideas-1.2390192
Army Corps lifts stop-order on $350 million contract for nuclear waste cleanup
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14117371-74/army-corps-lifts-stop-order-on-350-million-contract-for-nuclear-waste-cleanup
Farm tour touts Allegheny Township’s farm heritage
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14116977-74/farm-tour-touts-allegheny-townships-farm-heritage
Removing fire rubble could cost Harrison $50K
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14115642-74/removing-fire-rubble-could-cost-harrison-50k
Lancaster decriminalizes some recreational marijuana use, possession
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/09/lancaster_city_decriminalizes.html#incart_river_index
Pa. city’s unexpected bills could put it $300,000 in the red by year’s end
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/09/sunbury_running_out_of_money_d.html
Some in Berks object to FDA’s plan to ban vape flavors
http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/some-in-berks-object-to-fdas-plan-to-ban-vape-flavors
Caenarvon Township supervisors advertise ordinances for mini-casino
http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/caenarvon-township-supervisors-advertise-ordinances-for-mini-casino
Philly
American Airlines adding three new flights from Philly to Florida this winter
http://www2.philly.com/philly/business/american-airlines-flights-philly-florida-20180925.html
Mayor Kenney wants to raise minimum wage for city contractors to $15/hour
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/minimum-wage-city-contractors-law-15-hour-municipal-socialism-20180926.html
To combat poverty, Mayor Kenney needs to get serious about attracting jobs to the area (and not just Amazon) | Opinion
http://www2.philly.com/philly/opinion/commentary/to-combat-poverty-mayor-kenney-needs-to-get-serious-about-attracting-jobs-to-the-area-and-not-just-amazon-opinion-20180925.html
Air Force helicopter deal keeps 500 jobs at Philly-area Boeing and Leonardo plants, suppliers
http://www2.philly.com/philly/blogs/inq-phillydeals/air-force-helicopter-deal-keeps-500-jobs-philadelphia-boeing-leonardo-plants-suppliers-20180925.html
As Philly development booms, what happens to all our trees? | Opinion
http://www2.philly.com/philly/opinion/commentary/trees-philadelphia-development-construction-horticulture-green-space-20180925.html
Pitt
Peoples Gas files complaint over PWSA rate hike proposals
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2018/09/26/Peoples-Gas-PWSA-rate-hike-proposals-complaints-morgan-o-brien-pittsburgh-water/stories/201809250167
Tom Hanks brings star power to get-out-to-vote rally in Oakland
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2018/09/25/voter-registration-pa-when-we-all-vote-campaign-tom-hanks-pittsburgh-michelle-obama-kiya-tomlin-james-conner-josh-dobbs/stories/201809250181
Tom Hanks implores ‘We the People’ to get out and vote during Pittsburgh event
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14117544-74/tom-hanks-implores-we-the-people-to-get-out-and-vote-during
Pa. grant helps Allegheny County tackle ballistics evidence backlog
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/09/26/Allegheny-County-medical-examiner-ballistics-backlog-pittsburgh-police-grant-gun-violence-pa/stories/201809250154
New Pittsburgh Downtown bike lanes will connect to Great Allegheny Passage
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/09/25/bike-lanes-bicycle-great-allegheny-passage-trail-downtown-pittsburgh/stories/201809250129
Pittsburgh would mandate sprinklers in high-rises under new proposal
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/09/25/Pittsburgh-sprinklers-high-rise-mandate-fatal-fire-Midtown-Towers/stories/201809250095
Pittsburgh City Council to consider new sprinkler regulations for high-rise buildings
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14115796-74/pittsburgh-city-council-to-consider-new-sprinkler-regulations-for-high-rise-buildings
After years of planning, Light of Life proposing new facility on the North Side
http://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2018/09/25/Light-of-Life-Rescue-Mission-North-Side-homeless-planning-building/stories/201809250064
Giving back: Two celebrities invest in the city
http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2018/09/26/Giving-back-Two-celebrities-invest-in-the-city/stories/201809260041
Movie theater planned for old Bally Total Fitness in Pittsburgh’s Downtown
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14117780-74/movie-theater-planned-for-old-bally-total-fitness-in-pittsburghs-downtown
New Clairton office building, warehouse to receive tax break
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14117174-74/new-clairton-office-building-warehouse-to-receive-tax-break
Brighton Heights residents fight plan for recovery home in neighborhood
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14115885-74/brighton-heights-residents-fight-plan-for-recovery-home-in-neighborhood
State News
Pregnancy center proponents and critics at odds over a woman’s choices
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2018/09/26/Pregnancy-center-anti-abortion-proponents-woman-s-choices/stories/201809050118
#UtilityCareers initiative aims to draw attention to utility-sector jobs in Pa.
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/14118499-74/utilitycareers-initiative-aims-to-draw-attention-to-utility-sector-jobs-in-pa
Memorial honoring area’s coal miners to be unveiled next month
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/memorial-honoring-area-s-coal-miners-to-be-unveiled-next-month-1.2390297
State puts Aqua water,sewer rate hikes on hold
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/state-puts-aqua-water-sewer-rate-hikes-on-hold-1.2390183
With first spotting of spotted lanternfly eggs, let the next phase of eradication begin
http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-spotted-lanternfly-egg-mass-20180925-story.html
Transportation
Latrobe’s rail heritage inspires new Route 981 signal design
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14116925-74/latrobes-rail-heritage-inspires-new-route-981-signal-design