News Digest :: October 26, 2021

Legislatura

Pa. redistricting: Panel OKs data for drawing Assembly, Congress maps – WHYY

Lawmakers get started on bills aimed at lobbyist influence | WITF

‘This is how we remain competitive’: Advocates call on lawmakers to pass bill allowing in-state tuition, aid for undocumented residents – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

The clock is ticking for lawmakers to draw Pa.’s legislative maps. Here’s why – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Los legisladores de Pa. presionan de nuevo para cambiar el sistema de libertad condicional, pero ¿pueden hacerlo? - pennlive.com

‘Just ban gifts’: House panel unanimously approves gift ban bill | City & State PA (cityandstatepa.com)

Pa. Rep. Nelson, group of parents, file suit against 4 Westmoreland school districts over mask mandate | TribLIVE.com

Bethlehem lawmaker prepares bill to track drug-exposed newborns in real time | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Lawmakers advance bill intended to boost Pennsylvania breweries in competition with out-of-staters – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Coronavirus - COVID-19

What the U.S. can — and cannot — do for vaccine equity – WHYY

Economic toll of pandemic hits Black and Latino households hardest – WHYY

Moderna says its low-dose COVID shot works for kids 6 to 11 – WHYY

Pa. Health Dept.: More than 10K new COVID-19 cases over weekend; 71.4% of adult Pa. residents are fully vaccinated – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

An infectious disease expert explains mix-and-match boosters and how they help | Opinion – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

COVID-19 cases falling, but trouble signs arise as winter looms | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

U.S. issues new pandemic travel rules for vaccination, testing | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Region’s virus cases dip; Cambria still adds 138 positives over weekend | Coronavirus | tribdem.com

Moderna to supply Africa with up to 110 million COVID doses | Coronavirus | tribdem.com

First responders in Delaware County get COVID vaccine boosters (delcotimes.com)

Bucks County Democrats look to hold control as GOP seeks comeback (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Empresa/Trabajo

SEPTA strikes through the years: Which SEPTA strike was the latest? The longest? (inquirer.com)

Kellogg Co. offers to restart talks with striking workers in Lancaster County and other states | WITF

Workers fed up with nights, weekends seek flexible schedules | Times Leader

Delito/Castigo

Johnny Dougherty-Bobby Henon Comcast deal – WHYY

It’s time to untangle the inconsistencies in the SEPTA sexual assault case | Editorial (inquirer.com)

The accused Jefferson Hospital shooter was found incompetent to stand trial, pausing his criminal case for now (inquirer.com)

‘Unite the Right’ rally’s planners accused in civil trial (inquirer.com)

Fayette County priest pleads no contest to abusing 11-year-old altar boy | WITF

Cresco priest arrested after encounter with amateur predator catcher (poconorecord.com)

Educación

Fidelity data shows Boomers shoulder highest monthly repayment terms on student loans (inquirer.com)

‘Skeletal item’ found at Central High School prompts Philadelphia School District search for remains (inquirer.com)

When you attack teachers, school boards over pandemic, you’re attacking your neighbors | Opinion – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

These Pa. universities are considered the best in the world by U.S. News – pennlive.com

A look at the groups supporting school board protesters nationwide | 90.5 WESA

Sobering new numbers show fall college enrollment continuing to slump across Pa., U.S. | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Still think it’s not a college sport? Buckle up: Esports is now an academic pursuit, too | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pennsbury president supports plan to address threats against school district leaders (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Elecciones/Política

Powerful special interests are pouring millions into the 2021 Pa. Supreme Court race (inquirer.com)

Philly voters will decide whether to keep a 1950s anti-corruption rule that some say limits diversity among city workers (inquirer.com)

After four years of high-profile prosecutions and progressive policies, Bucks County’s DA is seeking reelection (inquirer.com)

Local Black Greeks launch get-out-the-vote events | Local News | phillytrib.com

Criminal justice reform is on the Nov. 2 ballot. What you need to know | Tuesday Morning Coffee – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Wolf, Casey, Shapiro endorse Wanda Williams in Harrisburg mayor race – pennlive.com

Allegheny County officials discuss preparations ahead of Nov. 2 election | 90.5 WESA’

Gainey has huge campaign war chest for final mayoral drive against Moreno | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Plans for Amazon site spur 3 Churchill residents’ write-in candidacies for borough council | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Swoyersville candidate reports missing ballot detail in his race | Times Leader

Critics decry city distribution of flyers urging ‘yes’ votes on Johnstown referendums | News | tribdem.com

Titus outraises, outspends Davis in Erie County executive race (goerie.com)

Erie County voters’ guide to the Nov. 2 municipal election (goerie.com)

Days before the election, groups petition for an end to cash bail in Chester County – Daily Local

Medio ambiente

UN: Greenhouse gas emissions hit a new record in 2020 – WHYY

Infraestructura

Fixing the digital divide doesn’t mean what you think it does | Rebuilding Philly (inquirer.com)

Federal officials concur with PennDOT’s options to address funding shortfall | State | standardspeaker.com

Salud

Marijuana vaping among teens has more than doubled since 2013 | 90.5 WESA

Noticias del Estado

What can be done about police officer shortage? | TribLIVE.com

Pennsylvania and New Jersey could soon get their first national park | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Noticias nacionales

The Facebook Papers: What you need to know – WHYY

Halyna Hutchins shooting renews calls for banning use of real guns on set – WHYY

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg chose growth over safety, insiders say (inquirer.com)

Noticias locales

Latrobe fire department study suggests closing stations, changing chief selection process | TribLIVE.com

Berks County officials get first glimpse of census data (readingeagle.com)

Pitt

Seniors in Pittsburgh’s Hill District feel trapped in substandard housing | 90.5 WESA

Newly renovated rec center with emphasis on tech training opens in the Hill District | 90.5 WESA

’60 Minutes’ Michael Keaton interview covers his love of Pittsburgh | TribLIVE.com

New Urban League president vows to help make city livable for all, promises visibility for Black Pittsburghers | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Filadelfia

New SW Philly facility to help prevent, care for victims of gun violence – WHYY

Philly marks 100 years since ship brought back Unknown Soldier – WHYY

SEPTA releases guide for riders in case of strike – WHYY

Philly Cider Week returns with two dozen tasting events – On top of Philly news (billypenn.com)

Introducing Rebuilding Philly, a series on creating a more equitable city in the wake of COVID-19 | Opinion (inquirer.com)

Philadelphia weather forecast has nor’easter, rain, flooding possible (inquirer.com)

Fraud Street Run returns in 2021 at Four Seasons Total Landscaping (inquirer.com)

Philadelphia’s racial segregation in housing remains high (inquirer.com)

Philly controller says executive-level city employees lack diversity – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Washington

What is the ‘wealth tax’ that Biden is proposing and how would it work? | AP explainer – pennlive.com

Lawmakers defer some Jan. 6 document requests, seek others | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Officials: Iran behind drone attack on U.S. base in Syria | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

YouTube, TikTok, Snap execs face senators on kids’ safety | Coronavirus | tribdem.com