News Digest:: November 1, 2023

Legislature

Gun Control News for Chester County – MyChesCo

Pennsylvania State Senators Co-Host Public Hearing on Universal Background Checks for Firearm Purchases – MyChesCo

‘A significant step’: U.S. Steel unveils its new battery-operated locomotive | News | bradfordera.com

Bill repealing ban on religious garb worn by teachers heads to Shapiro’s desk | News | bradfordera.com

Bills to combat hate crimes gain Pennsylvania House approval | WITF

Sen. Schwank proposes bills that would aid school mergers (newsbreak.com)

New Pa., NJ bills aim to improve maternal health outcomes | Lehigh Valley Regional News | wfmz.com

Senate Democrats examine Pennsylvania’s urgent water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure challenges | Underground Construction (undergroundinfrastructure.com)

Democrats, Republicans seek PA court and Allegheny county seats (publicsource.org)

News | alliednews.com

Methane Emission Monitoring Catches Attention in Pennsylvania (heartlanddailynews.com)

‘A significant step’: U.S. Steel unveils its new battery-operated locomotive | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Study finds gas-powered tools emit tons of pollutants (audacy.com)

Pennsylvania lawmakers pass bill allowing teachers to wear religious garb (abc27.com)

New laws in Pa. add to low count of enacted legislation in 2023 | News | alliednews.com

Bill repealing ban on religious garb worn by teachers goes to Shapiro’s desk – pennlive.com

Nurses Picket Outside Lower Bucks Hospital Seeking Better Contract, Improved Staffing – LevittownNow.com

Private funding for public electric vehicle chargers on the move | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Pa. moves legislation to end death penalty | WITF

Pennsylvania House passes package of bills that would strengthen and expand the state’s anti-hate crime laws – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Business/Jobs

Walmart and Aldi Thanksgiving 2023 meal price drops start today (11/1) – pennlive.com

Dunkin’ decks the halls with holiday menu and a new oatmeal cookie in a cup – pennlive.com

Company tells state it’s closing central Pa. office, laying off 180 workers – pennlive.com

COVID-19

Allegheny County residents turn out for new COVID shot amid supply chain issues | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Crime/Punishment

North Dakota Woman Accused of Poisoning Boyfriend With Antifreeze for Inheritance – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

1 killed, 1 critically injured in Pa. shooting: reports – pennlive.com

Cornell student arrested in connection with antisemitic threats on NY campus : NPR

Hundreds of bags of fentanyl found in Pa. drug counselor’s home: DA – pennlive.com

Pa. man, 19, accused of severely beating his ex-girlfriend’s toddler – pennlive.com

Education

University tuition may freeze for more state support after all | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Pennsylvania House passes state-related university funding and requires schools to freeze tuition – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

4 Pennsylvania universities closer to getting millions | WITF

Nearly 70K Pa. school, government retirees have had no COLA increase in 21 years – pennlive.com

Biden administration moving student loan relief toward those who need it the most – pennlive.com

Temple University students robbed at gunpoint near campus, officials say | Local News | phillytrib.com

Elections/Politics

Democrats, Republicans seek PA court and Allegheny county seats (publicsource.org)

Democrats Rally In Falls Twp. Ahead Of General Election – LevittownNow.com

Pa. election 2023: When to expect results | WITF

Environment

Study finds gas-powered tools emit tons of pollutants (audacy.com)

Transportation

Private funding for public electric vehicle chargers on the move | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Transit agencies across U.S. offer free trips to riders as taxpayers pick up cost | National | thecentersquare.com

Electric vehicles increase costs for towing companies | WITF

U.S. Steel introduces first-ever electric battery-powered locomotive in Mon Valley Works – CBS Pittsburgh (cbsnews.com)

Gun Safety

Gun Control News for Chester County – MyChesCo

Democratic lieutenant governors, advocates, discuss solutions to prevent gun violence – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

More Than 60,000 Fortress Gun Safes Recalled After Report of Child’s Death – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Philadelphians hope a cleaner city will reduce gun violence. Will Oh or Parker make it a reality? | Local News | phillytrib.com

Health

FDA warns WanaBana fruit pouches contain high lead levels, endangering children : NPR

Patient dies weeks after experimental pig-heart transplant – pennlive.com

FDA warns restaurants in Pennsylvania, 5 other states about contaminated oysters | ABC27

Bipartisan, 33-state coalition sues Meta, alleging harms to youth mental health | California | thecentersquare.com

State News

Governor Shapiro Hosts Ceremonial Bill Signing with Legislative Leaders, Advocates, Following Through on Commitment to Address Maternal Mortality in First Year | Erie County Democratic Party (eriedems.com)

‘This is only a start’: Shapiro, lawmakers celebrate signing of maternal mortality bill – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Company tells state it’s closing central Pa. office, laying off 180 workers – pennlive.com

Police warning worries tarot readers statewide | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

4 Pennsylvania universities closer to getting millions | WITF

National News

Biden to Travel to Minnesota to Highlight Rural Investments – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Biden launches ‘Investing in Rural America’ push with Cabinet officials – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Biden mandates A.I. advance ‘equity and civil rights’ | National | thecentersquare.com

New Hampshire is the first-in-the-nation primary but it has a cost for Democrats : NPR

Harris to Announce Steps to Curb Risks of A.I. – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Ohio’s restrictive abortion ban is on hold. Now, voters will decide its future : NPR

FBI director: Threats to US from Islamic terrorist groups rise to ‘whole other level’ | National | thecentersquare.com

5 things to know about a stunning week for the economy | WITF

Can public officials block you on social media? | WITF

Governors ask NCAA to reconsider transgender athlete policy | National | thecentersquare.com

Local News

Route 30 shut down after Lancaster County crash – pennlive.com

Dauphin County landmark ‘slowly falling in disrepair’ is being torn down – pennlive.com

Emmaus High School crash: Boy, 16, killed on Cedar Crest Boulevard (mcall.com)

Boo is back: Community celebrates the spookiest night of the year with family fun, adventure, art – Daily Local

Pitt

Pittsburgh weather: Lake-enhanced snow, frigid wind chills grip region | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Antisemitic and hateful graffiti in Squirrel Hill has residents on edge, police increasing patrols | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

‘Not acceptable’: TSA pleads with flyers to stop bringing guns to airport security checkpoint | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Warhol Museum set to move ahead with $45 million North Shore entertainment venue | TribLIVE.com

Philly

Philadelphia picks winning design for Harriet Tubman statue after controversy over original choice – Butler Eagle

Most City Council members are running unopposed | Local News | phillytrib.com

Philadelphians hope a cleaner city will reduce gun violence. Will Oh or Parker make it a reality? | Local News | phillytrib.com

Greater Philadelphia area wins Tech Hub designation from U.S. | Local News | phillytrib.com

Washington

Eye on the Capitol: How Casey, Fetterman, Kelly voted last week | Local News | ncnewsonline.com

Casey leads McCormick in new Pennsylvania Senate race poll (abc27.com)

Casey: Democrats must support Innamorato in Allegheny County executive race | 90.5 WESA

Democratic lieutenant governors, advocates, discuss solutions to prevent gun violence – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)