Legislature
Senate approves bill following state prison closures in 2017
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/senate-approves-bill-following-state-prison-closures-in-2017-1.2397896
Bill giving options to high-stakes graduation tests going to the governor
https://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/10/bill_giving_options_to_high-st.html#incart_river_index
Pa. Senate approves anti-hazing bill named after Timothy Piazza
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/10/15/anti-hazining-legislation-Timothy-Piazza-penn-state-university-beta-theta-pi-fraternity/stories/201810150188
Anti-hazing bill, inspired by the ‘courage’ of the Piazzas, passes Senate
https://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/10/fraternity_hazing_bill_inspire.html#incart_river_index
Activists wait in vain for Senate to extend time limit to sue for abuse
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2018/10/15/Activists-wait-in-vain-for-Senate-to-act-on-abuse-bill-clergy-abuse-bill-pennsylvania/stories/201810150201
Scarnati willing to negotiate on statute of limitations reform bill; but bill as amended is imperiled
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/10/scarnati_willing_to_negotiate.html#incart_river_index
Attorney general: Clergy abuse measures will pass Senate if put to a vote
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/14180702-74/attorney-general-clergy-abuse-measures-will-pass-senate-if-put-to-a
State Rep. Mike O’Brien remembered for dedication to his city
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/state-rep-mike-obrien-remembered-for-dedication-to-his-city-20181015.html
House vote sinks effort to trim Pennsylvania Legislature
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/14180712-74/house-vote-sinks-effort-to-trim-pennsylvania-legislature
House vote kills latest attempt to shrink size of Legislature
https://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/10/house_vote_kills_latest_attemp.html#incart_river_index
Bill to help out Harrisburg with its finances wins House passage
https://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/10/bill_to_help_out_harrisburg_wi.html#incart_river_index
Homebuyers’ bill passes state House
http://www.goerie.com/news/20181015/homebuyers-bill-passes-state-house
Is Pa. getting shortchanged on drug costs? Legislators want to know.
https://www2.philly.com/philly/business/pa-pharmacy-benefit-managers-medicaid-cvs-auditor-general-20181015.html
Pa. Senate security force convulsed by harassment complaints, lawsuits
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/politics/pa-senate-security-force-convulsed-by-harassment-complaints-lawsuits-20181016.html
New report on shale industry spending is a clarion call for campaign finance reform | Editorial
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2018/10/new_report_on_shale_industry_s.html#incart_river_index
Harrisburg hypocrisy: Work zone cameras but no radar for local police
https://www.mcall.com/opinion/muschick/mc-opi-pa-work-zone-cameras-radar-muschick-20181008-story.html
Administration
Gov. Wolf says FEMA ‘chose to ignore’ evidence in denying appeal for disaster aid
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2018/10/15/tom-wolf-FEMA-funding-request-pa-landslides/stories/201810150169
Business
Westmoreland County brewer announces acquisition of Rivertowne Brewing
http://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2018/10/15/Westmoreland-County-brewer-announces-acquisition-of-Rivertowne-Brewing-helltown-brewing-co/stories/201810150124
U.S. Steel, United Steelworkers reach tentative contract agreement
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14179778-74/us-steel-united-steelworkers-reach-tentative-agreement-thwart-possible-strike
Shoppers lament looming closure of New Kensington Kmart
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14179938-74/new-ken-kmart-closing-a-shame-shoppers-say
Berks County stores aren’t on the list of Sears closings
https://www.readingeagle.com/money/article/sears-files-for-bankruptcy-amid-plunging-sales-massive-debt
Kmart in Allentown among the 142 stores Sears plans to close as part of restructuring
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-sears-closing-kmart-in-allentown-amid-bankruptcy-20181015-story.html
Crime/Punishment
‘I feel hopeless’: Families call new Pa. prison mail policy devastating
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania-doc-prison-secretary-corrections-john-wetzel-smart-communications-k2-20181015.html
Effort to help counties reduce prison population with mental illness
http://www.witf.org/news/2018/10/pa-launches-effort-to-help-counties-reduce-prison-population-with-mental-illness.php
Education
Study finds costs for special education outpacing state education aid
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2018/10/14/Study-finds-costs-for-special-education-outpacing-state-education-aid/stories/201810140021
Scranton superintendent demands to know who leaked letter about harassment
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-superintendent-demands-to-know-who-leaked-letter-about-harassment-1.2397968
Harrisburg school district needs full-time chief financial officer
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/10/harrisburg_school_district_chi.html#incart_river_index
Wilkes-Barre Area superintendent taking coffee chats on the road
https://www.timesleader.com/news/721599/wilkes-barre-area-superintendent-taking-coffee-chats-on-the-road
Cheyney enrollment plummets amid broader decline at Pa. state universities
http://www2.philly.com/philly/education/cheyney-university-enrollment-plummets-state-university-20181015.html
Enrollment at Pennsylvania’s state universities drops for eighth straight year
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/14180141-74/enrollment-at-pennsylvanias-state-universities-drops-for-eighth-straight-year
Elections/Politics
Ahead in polls, Casey outraises Barletta again
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/ahead-in-polls-casey-outraises-barletta-again-1.2397971
Casey pulls TV ad from Scranton after Barletta’s objection
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/congressional/20181015_ap_c5f918dae35f4c9596c3b15b41cad867.html?arc404=true
Mesuer, Wolff differ on immigration reform
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/mesuer-wolff-differon-immigration-reform-1.2397899
Can the Democrats’ blue wave break in this Erie congressional race? | Analysis
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2018/10/can_the_democrats_blue_wave_br.html#incart_river_index
Berks GOP confident going into midterms
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-gop-confident-going-into-midterms
A dozen voices on education in the heart of Wolf, Wagner country
http://www.witf.org/news/2018/10/a-dozen-voices-on-education-in-the-heart-of-wolf-wagner-country.php
State says it gave Pat Browne campaign wrong information about competitor
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/elections/mc-nws-pinsley-libel-allegations-20181012-story.html
Local News
No tax hike in W-B 2019 budget proposal
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/no-tax-hike-in-w-b-2019-budget-proposal-1.2397976
W-B Area’s new high school to cost $6.3M a year in debt payments
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/w-b-area-s-new-high-school-to-cost-6-3m-a-year-in-debt-payments-1.2397900
Energy-savings firm completes $3.95M in Luzerne County government projects
https://www.timesleader.com/news/721597/energy-savings-firm-completes-3-95m-in-luzerne-county-government-projects
No tax hike in Lackawanna County’s 2019 budget
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/no-tax-hike-in-lackawanna-county-s-2019-budget-1.2397789
Audit: Lackawanna County’s general fund surplus grew again in 2017
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/audit-lackawanna-county-s-general-fund-surplus-grew-again-in-2017-1.2397926
Scranton council urges meeting on stormwater flooding
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-council-urges-meeting-on-stormwater-flooding-1.2397967
County residents picked to stun first responders
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-residents-picked-to-stun-first-responders-1.2397853
McKeesport demolishes former school building that collapsed last week
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/east/2018/10/15/McKeesport-Highland-Grove-school-building-collapse-demolition/stories/201810150112
Westmoreland County comprehensive plan soon to be released to the public
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14179998-74/westmoreland-county-comprehensive-plan-soon-to-be-released-to-the-public
Officials OK conditional use of old Jeannette Glass site for Elliott Group
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14178771-74/officials-ok-conditional-use-of-old-jeannette-glass-site-for-elliott-group
Forum in Reading explores how to spot fake news online
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/forum-in-reading-explores-how-to-spot-fake-news-online
Reading auditor asks council for a pay raise
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-auditor-asks-council-for-a-pay-raise&template=ourcityart
Marijuana
World’s biggest cannabis deal, MedMen’s merger with PharmaCann, brokered in Philly
http://www2.philly.com/philly/business/cannabis/cannabis-deal-medmen-pharmacann-fox-rothschild-20181015.html
National News
Microsoft co-founder, philanthropist Paul Allen dies at 65
http://www.philly.com/philly/obituaries/20181015_ap_81a3564e5d1d4af3b8573741242e2e97.html?arc404=true
A new study says global warming may leave people crying in their costlier beer
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2018/10/15/A-new-study-says-global-warming-may-leave-people-crying-in-their-costlier-beer/stories/201810150217
Alec Baldwin urges midterm voters to ‘overthrow’ the U.S. government under Trump
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2018/10/15/Alec-Baldwin-urges-midterm-voters-to-overthrow-the-U-S-government-under-Trump/stories/201810150223
Father, son plead guilty to $27M health care scam
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/nation_world/20181015_ap_32267648245748b8aa8175cc6462a8da.html?arc404=true
‘Elder orphans’ often face challenges of aging on their own
https://triblive.com/news/healthnow/14181158-74/elder-orphans-often-face-challenges-of-aging-on-their-own
In Florida, determining hurricane death toll proves elusive
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/nation_world/20181016_ap_029dd249f88f450eae456041017b8268.html?arc404=true
Opioid Crisis
ODs dominate drug-abuse talk, but new report shows problem runs much deeper
https://www.timesleader.com/news/721666/ods-dominate-drug-abuse-talk-but-new-report-shows-problem-runs-much-deeper
Pennsylvania hospitals treat greatest number of patients for opioid abuse in 10 years
https://www.mcall.com/business/healthcare/mc-nws-medical-opioid-problems-20181015-story.html
Philly
Pa. GOP chair accused me of ‘indoctrinating’ my students. Here’s why he’s wrong | Opinion
http://www2.philly.com/philly/opinion/commentary/central-high-flier-liberal-indoctrination-republican-gop-val-digiorgio-pennsylvania-20181015.html
United Way slashes 37 positions as it adjusts to narrower mission
http://www2.philly.com/philly/business/united-way-slashes-37-positions-as-it-adjusts-to-narrower-mission-20181015.html
Review of Starbucks arrests shows racial bias by Philly cops, commission finds
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/philadelphia/review-of-starbucks-arrests-shows-racial-bias-by-philly-cops-commission-finds-20181015.html
Skyscraper, not strip mall, now planned on North Broad Street, courtesy of Trump tax break
http://www2.philly.com/philly/business/real_estate/opportunity-zones-trump-philadelphia-skyscraper-north-broad-20181015.html
Philadelphia bail watch volunteers document daily injustices of cash bail | Opinion
http://www2.philly.com/philly/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-cash-bail-watch-volunteers-criminal-justice-20181016.html
Safe injection sites are a well-meaning, but flawed solution to the opioid crisis | Dom Giordano
http://www2.philly.com/archive/dom_giordano/safe-injection-sites-opioids-philadelphia-ed-rendell-sister-mary-scullion-dom-giordano-20181015.html
Pitt
A whale of a catch: Strip District building gets new owner
http://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2018/10/15/A-whale-of-a-catch-Strip-District-building-gets-new-owner-Wholey-s-JMC-Sampson-Morris-storage/stories/201810150131
Parklet in Pittsburgh’s Elliott neighborhood to see $650,000 overhaul
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/10/15/Townsend-Parklet-Chartiers-Avenue-Elliott-Pittsburgh-improvements-capital-budget-DCNR/stories/201810150133
Pittsburgh planning rehabilitation of Townsend Parklet in Elliott neighborhood
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14179792-74/pittsburgh-planning-rehabilitation-of-townsend-parklet-in-the-elliott-neighborhood
Port Authority begins replacing 190 bus shelters
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2018/10/15/Port-Authority-190-new-bus-shelters-Brasco-International-Inc-south-busway-west-park-and-ride/stories/201810150006
For many, economy takes center stage in key swing precincts around Pittsburgh
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2018/10/15/Economy-tax-cuts-tariffs-Pittsburgh-wages-unemployment-labor-election/stories/201810140013
Netflix series ‘Mindhunter’ brings filming to Pittsburgh’s city hall
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/10/15/Netflix-Mindhunter-Pittsburgh-filming-City-County-Building-Grant-Street/stories/201810150180
Pittsburgh’s City-County Building transforms for ‘Mindhunter’ filming
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14179095-74/pittsburghs-city-county-building-transforms-for-mindhunter-filming
Pittsburgh sprinkler proposal faces council decision Tuesday
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/10/15/Pittsburgh-sprinkler-requirement-faces-council-decision-Tuesday/stories/201810150150
State News
Ukrainian Catholic bishop pledges cooperation with Pa. abuse probe
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2018/10/16/Ukrainian-Catholic-bishop-pledges-cooperation-clergy-sex-abuse-probe-pennsylvania/stories/201810150219
A handicapped girl’s journey paves the way to help others in Western Pennsylvania
https://triblive.com/local/regional/14180323-74/a-handicapped-girls-journey-paves-the-way-to-help-others-in-western
This year sure to be one of NEPA’s wettest ever
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/this-year-sure-to-be-one-of-nepa-s-wettest-ever-1.2398056