Legislatura
As COVID-19 surges, second state shutdown unlikely
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/as-covid-19-surges-second-state-shutdown-unlikely/article_ab756f1b-ca8e-5b22-b65e-92eaaf4ffeee.html
Prosecutors decline charges over swastika note sent to Jewish lawmaker
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/prosecutors-decline-charges-over-swastika-note-sent-to-jewish-lawmaker/article_7db7e6f1-0789-5288-8e01-3f44cc2f2774.html
By pushing to impeach a state Supreme Court justice for his opinions, Pa. lawmakers undermine democracy | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/david-wecht-impeach-pennsylvania-supreme-court-20201013.html
Let’s come together to give direct service providers the support they need – and deserve | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/lets-come-together-to-give-direct-service-providers-the-support-they-need-and-deserve-opinion/
Camera Bartolotta: Freight rail boosts region’s economic growth
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2020/10/14/Pennsylvania-state-Sen-Camera-Bartolotta-Freight-rail-boosts-southwestern-Pennsylvania-region-s-economic-growth/stories/202010150032
Coronavirus - COVID-19
Pa. health officials ask residents to cooperate with contact tracers
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-health-officials-ask-residents-to-cooperate-with-contact-tracers/
Pa. reports 1,342 COVID-19 cases; Westmoreland’s positivity rates exceed 6%
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/10/13/covid-19-coronavirus-allegheny-county-western-pennsylvania-cases-deaths-data-pandemic-64/stories/202010130119
Pennsylvania continues trend of 1,000-plus new covid-19 cases
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-continues-trend-of-1000-plus-new-covid-19-cases/
Pa. names 14 counties to watch for coronavirus as positive test rate continues to rise
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/10/pa-names-14-counties-to-watch-for-coronavirus-as-positive-test-rate-continues-to-rise.html
Region’s new COVID-19 cases surpass 100 mark again
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/regions-new-covid-19-cases-surpass-100-mark-again/article_4a430501-2445-56e1-a6bd-4b707110d9e0.html
82 more coronavirus cases for Berks County
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/82-more-coronavirus-cases-for-berks-county/article_ce04676c-0d41-11eb-baff-07ba2f428cff.html
Montgomery County records 1 death, 334 new coronavirus cases over 7-day period
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-records-1-death-334-new-coronavirus-cases-over-7-day-period/article_bc8d03ed-d114-57cc-97d5-002a63693538.html
Experts: Rise of covid cases in Western Pennsylvania not surprising
https://triblive.com/local/regional/experts-rise-of-covid-cases-in-western-pennsylvania-not-surprising/
Allegheny County reports no new covid-19 deaths for 4th day
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-reports-no-new-covid-19-deaths-for-4th-day/
Coronavirus outbreaks close three Philly-area schools
https://www.inquirer.com/education/coronavirus-school-close-delran-council-rock-neumann-goretti-20201013.html
COVID-19 prompts WB Area to go remote at Solomon Plains, Coughlin
https://www.timesleader.com/news/806107/covid-19-prompts-wb-area-to-go-remote-at-solomon-plains-coughlin
Greater Latrobe reports new coronavirus cases, continues full-time classroom instruction
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/greater-latrobe-reports-new-coronavirus-cases-continues-full-time-classroom-instruction/
2 coronavirus cases reported in Belle Vernon Area School District
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/2-coronavirus-cases-reported-in-belle-vernon-area-school-district/
Milton Hershey School has 26 cases of COVID-19: report
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/milton-hershey-school-has-26-cases-of-covid-19-report.html
Number of Luzerne County prison workers testing positive for coronavirus rises to 13
https://www.timesleader.com/news/806095/number-of-luzerne-county-prison-workers-testing-positive-for-coronavirus-rises-to-13
Westmoreland jail virus outbreak explodes
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-jail-virus-outbreak-explodes/
5 more coronavirus cases at Westmoreland Manor
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/5-more-coronavirus-cases-at-westmoreland-manor/
Lancaster County contact tracers reaching 61% of those exposed to COVID-19 patients
https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/lancaster-county-contact-tracers-reaching-61-of-those-exposed-to-covid-19-patients/article_b470a12c-0d95-11eb-8dd9-d70bf096ce79.html
Larger groups now allowed at private residences in West Chester
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/coronavirus/larger-groups-now-allowed-at-private-residences-in-west-chester/article_5e1f3118-0d58-11eb-9204-fbe4c38eb7db.html
NFL takes several new steps to combat COVID-19, but has no bubble plans
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2020/10/14/NFL-takes-new-steps-to-combat-COVID-19-but-has-no-bubble-plans/stories/202010140120
Americans are dying in the pandemic at rates far higher than in other countries
https://www.witf.org/2020/10/14/americans-are-dying-in-the-pandemic-at-rates-far-higher-than-in-other-countries/
Administración
To jump-start relief program, Wolf gives landlords more flexibility to collect unpaid rent
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/spl/pa-coronavirus-rent-relief-program-wolf-landlords-payment-plans-20201013.html
Pa. loosens rent relief rules
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/social-services/2020/10/13/Pa-loosens-rent-relief-rules/stories/202010130135
Wolf points to hemp industry in making the pitch for legal recreational weed in Pa.
https://www.witf.org/2020/10/13/wolf-points-to-hemp-industry-in-making-the-pitch-for-legal-recreational-weed-in-pa/
Gov. Wolf pushes legal weed in Poconos visit
https://www.poconorecord.com/story/news/drugs/marijuana/2020/10/13/wolf-and-madden-call-general-assembly-legalize-cannabis/3641938001/
Empresas
SBA loan forgiveness prompts relief, but also confusion about timeline and rules
https://www.inquirer.com/news/sba-ppp-loan-forgiveness-application-rules-stimulus-cares-act-switchboard-20201014.html
Coronavirus hasn’t vanished, so why did hazard pay, Lehigh Valley employers ask
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-nws-coronavirus-hazard-pay-20201014-d26mqs4lqbg25bgimyuzxfonjy-story.html
Coworking space opens in Bethlehem, with plans to become a ‘business beehive’ and expand to Allentown, Easton
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-venture-x-coworking-space-bethlehem-20201014-e3hlan2ldvd2hfjx543vu3mapa-story.html
Bundle up: Outdoor dining at central Pa. restaurants is about to get chilly as winter arrives
https://www.pennlive.com/food/2020/10/bundle-up-outdoor-dining-at-central-pa-restaurants-is-about-to-get-chilly-as-winter-arrives.html
Delito/Castigo
Constable accused of protecting drug dealer in rape case
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/constable-accused-of-protecting-drug-dealer-in-rape-case/article_f1e55ac7-db4c-5176-a200-ad5b1f9b2323.html
Jail Oversight Board to hire consultant to analyze prison transition
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/jail-oversight-board-to-hire-consultant-to-analyze-prison-transition/article_52186af0-0d9f-11eb-9eff-9303b6b63e96.html
Educación
State to consider two new cyber charter schools amidst enrollment boom
https://www.penncapital-star.com/education/state-to-consider-two-new-cyber-charter-schools-amidst-enrollment-boom/
Swarthmore suspends all sports for the spring semester, too
https://www.delcotimes.com/sports/swarthmore-suspends-all-sports-for-the-spring-semester-too/article_e4dff9c8-0dab-11eb-9c05-17b88f4f2d66.html
Elecciones/Política
Jill Biden’s Philly ‘grit’
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/a/jill-biden-joe-election-2020-philadelphia-pennsylvania-20201014.html
Mail-in ballot requests pass 2.6M in Pennsylvania
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/2020/10/13/Pennsylvania-mail-in-ballot-requests-2-6-million-registered-voters-PA-2020/stories/202010130153
Pa. Dems say Middletown Borough Council member sent state House candidate an inappropriate email
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/pa-dems-say-middletown-borough-council-member-sent-state-house-candidate-an-inappropriate-email.html
Candidates for Pennsylvania Senate District 33 share why they deserve your vote
https://www.eveningsun.com/story/news/local/2020/10/13/2020-election-q-a-candidates-pennsylvania-state-senate-mastriano-sterner-franklin-adams-york/5976516002/
Auditor general candidates discuss how they would tackle the job of state fiscal watchdog
https://www.pennlive.com/elections/2020/10/auditor-general-candidates-discuss-how-they-would-tackle-the-job-of-state-fiscal-watchdog.html
Voters turn out in person to return absentee ballots
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/voters-turn-out-in-person-to-return-absentee-ballots/article_f16cdfa4-0d9b-11eb-8de8-dff51574a0f3.html
Like in ’16, Trump pledges surge in prosperity for Johnstown
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/10/13/Johnstown-Trump-rally-2020-presidential-reelection-campaign-visit-Pennsylvania/stories/202010130161
Trump says he feels like a coronavirus ‘Superman’ at Pennsylvania rally as virus cases surge in the state
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/trump-johnstown-pennsylvania-rally-20201013.html-2
Unions were Democratic shock troops — until 2020 | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/unions-trump-support-biden-pennsylvania-election-2020-20201014.html
NAACP get out the vote campaign in Pennsylvania targets low frequency black voters
https://www.witf.org/2020/10/14/naacp-get-out-the-vote-campaign-in-pennsylvania-targets-low-frequency-black-voters/
Westmoreland mail-in ballots on their way to voters; drop boxes to be available
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-mail-in-ballots-on-their-way-to-voters-drop-boxes-to-be-available/
Walk-in voting option starts this week
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/walk-in-voting-option-starts-this-week/article_9d3ae5d9-c655-5965-91ad-0eb528e0b0aa.html
Editorial: Time running out to register to vote
https://www.readingeagle.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-time-running-out-to-register-to-vote/article_74ed344a-0d7a-11eb-9616-5fc3298144fd.html
Sanidad
Is Pennsylvania ready for ‘drastic impact’ on health care if Obamacare is repealed?
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2020/10/14/obamacare-repeal-pennsylvania-healthcare/5887977002/
From the ‘donut hole’ to lifetime limits, here are other key Obamacare provisions in danger
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2020/10/14/obamacare-scotus-health-pennsylvania-healthcare/5913399002/
Noticias locales
Stuck on you: Scranton may use ‘Barnacle’ windshield blocker to crack down on parking scofflaws
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/stuck-on-you-scranton-may-use-barnacle-windshield-blocker-to-crack-down-on-parking-scofflaws/article_907abc11-6227-5223-8c21-9d1bd759f92b.html
Deeley: Benefits consultant contract could save Scranton $500G plus
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/deeley-benefits-consultant-contract-could-save-scranton-500g-plus/article_54f5e962-3e2f-5337-acd3-d5bda3cd67c0.html
Reading’s managing director Pedro Cortes is leaving
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/readings-managing-director-pedro-cortes-is-leaving/article_a1a5b840-0d66-11eb-a045-43203aa9d019.html
Braddock council can now form commission to begin regionalization of police force
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2020/10/13/police-force-regionalization-Braddock-Borough-Council-commission-Mon-Valley/stories/202010130162
Luzerne County Council to perform election bureau inquiry
https://www.timesleader.com/news/806122/luzerne-county-council-to-perform-election-bureau-inquiry
Pedri releases 2021 county budget proposal
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/pedri-releases-2021-county-budget-proposal/article_9261bb51-6617-5ad6-bf0b-8423719aa171.html
Westmoreland County to use $7.7 million to cope with coronavirus
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-to-use-7-7-million-to-cope-with-coronavirus/
Whitehall Township police to spend $338,000 on body cameras for officers, begin use by 2021
https://www.mcall.com/news/police/mc-nws-whitehall-police-body-cameras-20201013-3ucp5373njegnn2nla7y3jqelu-story.html
Former Sixers’ coach Brett Brown takes special pride in his daughter’s work
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/mainlinetimes/former-sixers-coach-brett-brown-takes-special-pride-in-his-daughter-s-work/article_45a76d04-09c9-11eb-809d-fbc51b378d3e.html
Noticias nacionales
Cut cable shuts down Virginia’s online voter registration
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/vote2020/2020/10/13/Cut-cable-shuts-down-Virginia-s-online-voter-registration/stories/202010130157
Supreme Court stops 2020 Census from continuing through the end of October
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/supreme-court-census-october-20201013.html
Filadelfia
Benjamin Franklin Parkway homeless encampment to be closed ‘amicably’ by the end of the week
https://www.inquirer.com/news/homeless-encampment-benjamin-franklin-parkway-black-lives-matter-protest-20201013.html
Philly increases crowd size limits, allowing fans at Eagles games
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-coronavirus-covid-restrictions-eagles-lincoln-financial-field-20201013.html
During Black Lives Matter protests, donations poured in to a Philly community fund. Here’s how the nonprofit distributed the money.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-black-lives-matter-protest-donations-bread-roses-community-fund-20201013.html
Eagles fan who died in the stands didn’t receive medical attention for 30 minutes, lawsuit alleges
https://www.inquirer.com/news/eagles-fan-death-joe-nocero-lincoln-financial-field-stands-emt-response-time-nfl-medical-emergency-20201013.html
A Philadelphia high school principal is honored as the nation’s best
https://www.inquirer.com/education/principal-of-the-year-robeson-richard-gordon-naasp-20201013.html
Philly nonprofit links people in need with benefits they don’t even know they deserve
https://www.inquirer.com/news/benefits-data-trust-benephilly-food-stamps-medicaid-covid-20201014.html
Philly School District to begin in-person learning Nov. 30 – for some students
https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-reopening-hybrid-learning-20201013.html
Police identify the four officers who fired during last week’s fatal shooting of a man in Germantown
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-police-james-vinson-lee-mcinerney-lilli-leonardis-ancelo-ibrahimi-shooting-germantown-20201013.html
In jail, Philly cop killer bragged of the shooting, prosecutor says
https://www.inquirer.com/news/james-oconnor-swat-philadelphia-police-officer-shot-hassan-elliot-khalif-sears-bilal-mitchell-sherman-easterling-20201013.html
A 5-year-old boy was stabbed and found facedown in a bathtub in West Philadelphia, police say
https://www.inquirer.com/news/boy-stabbed-drowned-bathtub-west-philadelphia-20201013.html
Vote yes on all four Philly ballot questions | Endorsement
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/philadelphia-ballot-questions-2020-crime-police-transit-20201014.html
Pitt
Cut! Board OKs plans to convert SouthSide Works Cinema to office space
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/10/14/Pittsburgh-Planning-Commission-SouthSide-Works-movie-theater-Somera-Riad/stories/202010140099
City Council eliminates requirement that townhouses include off-street parking
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/10/13/Off-street-parking-spot-no-longer-required-single-family-attached-townhouses-Pittsburgh/stories/202010130115
Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge John Zottola, founder of Veterans Court, dies
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/10/13/judge-john-zottola-allegheny-county-pittsburgh-veterans-court-dies/stories/202010130116
Game 7 Gang moves 60th anniversary of Pirates’ World Series celebration to PNC Park
https://triblive.com/sports/game-7-gang-moves-60th-anniversary-of-pirates-world-series-celebration-to-pnc-park/
Allegheny County council president wants Columbus statue to remain
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-council-president-wants-columbus-statue-to-remain/
Noticias del Estado
Feds: Police training drills at Butler VA threatened safety of veterans, employees
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2020/10/13/Office-Special-Counsel-Inspector-General-Veterans-Affairs-Butler-Police-Training/stories/202010130011
Forest Service proposes fires in part of Allegheny National Forest to help oaks grow
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2020/10/13/oak-tree-regeneration-Allegheny-National-Forest-prescribed-burn-Forest-Service/stories/202010130144
Billionaire Leon Black of Apollo Global apologizes to Pa. pension officials, others, for his ties to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein
https://www.inquirer.com/columnists/leon-black-jeffrey-epstein-apollo-apology-20201013.html
2 postal workers accused of tossing undelivered mail
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/10/13/postal-workers-carriers-accused-of-throwing-out-undelivered-mail/stories/202010130113
Pa. Supreme Court sets hearing in clergy abuse case
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/10/13/Pennsylvania-Supreme-Court-hearing-priest-clergy-abuse-case-Renee-Rice-Catholic-Diocese-Altoona-Johnstown/stories/202010130133
When ‘temporary’ isn’t short term
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/10/14/When-temporary-isnt-short-term-PUC-end-to-shutoff-moratorium-wise-editorial/stories/202010140010
Pennsylvanians must stand up
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/pennsylvanians-must-stand-up/article_159c1e82-20ba-5079-b766-21768c5d5198.html
State official brought into federal suit over private grant funding for the Nov. 3 election
https://www.pennlive.com/politics/2020/10/state-official-brought-into-federal-suit-over-private-grant-funding-for-the-nov-3-election.html
Washington
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett refuses to commit to a recusal from election disputes
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/amy-coney-barrett-supreme-court-confirmation-hearings-update-20201013.html
Commonsense green
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/10/14/Commonsense-green-global-warming-environmental-protection-stewardship/stories/202009260021