Coronavirus – COVID-19
Trump, first lady test positive for the coronavirus
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2020/10/02/Trump-first-lady-test-positive-for-coronavirus-COVID-19/stories/202010020149
President Trump and first lady test positive for COVID-19
https://www.witf.org/2020/10/02/president-trump-and-first-lady-test-positive-for-covid-19/
Timeline of Trump’s activities in week coronavirus hit home
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/timeline-of-trumps-activities-in-week-coronavirus-hit-home/article_d33aa630-5c03-560f-86a7-ba32dd68c868.html
World reacts to Trump infection with shock and sympathy
https://www.post-gazette.com/frontpage/2020/10/02/Shock-sympathy-mockery-World-reacts-to-Trump-infection/stories/202010020148
Top Trump aide Hope Hicks tests positive for coronavirus
https://www.timesleader.com/news/804574/top-trump-aide-hope-hicks-tests-positive-for-coronavirus
Gov. Wolf’s office says crowd limits remain in place for this weekend’s high school games; more guidance next week
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/gov-wolfs-office-says-crowd-limits-remain-in-place-for-this-weekends-high-school-games-more-guidance-next-week.html
Pa. crowd limits are in effect again after court order, though Wolf hints he’s considering fans at school sports events
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-covid-19-pa-crowd-size-limits-gatherings-wolf-nj-20201001.html
Latest federal ruling on spectators creates more doubt for Berks high schools
https://www.readingeagle.com/sports/high-school/latest-federal-ruling-on-spectators-creates-more-doubt-for-berks-high-schools/article_726e964c-040f-11eb-9c1d-43aa3a3cc86b.html
Appeals court allows Gov. Tom Wolf, state to restore covid crowd restrictions
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/appeals-court-allows-pennsylvania-to-restrict-crowd-size/
Attendance limitations restored in Pennsylvania
https://www.citizensvoice.com/sports/attendance-limitations-restored-in-pennsylvania/article_f00bf02d-eefd-5b8e-9404-3a3db2162409.html
Pennsylvania restrictions on crowd sizes restored by federal appeals court; PIAA says spectator limits back in effect
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-crowd-size-appeal-20201001-a64geqkcnzctpfvz5yhky6xbva-story.html
Kane nursing home in Scott sees quick rise in COVID-19 cases
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/10/01/Kane-nursing-home-in-Scott-sees-quick-rise-in-COVID-19-cases/stories/202010010159
16 new COVID-19 cases reported at Westmoreland Manor
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/10/01/16-new-COVID-19-cases-reported-at-Westmoreland-Manor/stories/202010010165
2 Norwin students test positive for coronavirus
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/two-norwin-students-test-positive-for-coronavirus/
Penn State-Beaver students quarantined from COVID-19 at Center Twp. Hotel
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2020/10/01/penn-state-beaver-students-quarantined-covid-19-center-twp-hotel/5883942002/
COVID-19 Update: State tops 160,000 cases; Allegheny County sees uptick with 106 new positive tests
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/10/01/COVID-19-allegheny-county-pittsburgh-pennsylvania-data-cases-deaths/stories/202010010120
12 new COVID-19 cases in Luzerne County on Thursday
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/12-new-covid-19-cases-in-luzerne-county-on-thursday/article_d7820ada-b064-5393-8eb2-09cd7abe0bc6.html
State and local counties see bigger spike in COVID-19 cases
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/state-and-local-counties-see-bigger-spike-in-covid-19-cases/article_a1db4774-7a74-551e-8b96-ba326842653e.html
New coronavirus cases dip in Berks County, but weekly trend still climbs
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/new-coronavirus-cases-dip-in-berks-county-but-weekly-trend-still-climbs/article_56252eb4-0415-11eb-976d-3b7df9f5f233.html
Coronavirus mobile testing unit will roll into Reading this weekend
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/coronavirus-mobile-testing-unit-will-roll-into-reading-this-weekend/article_7d5303ba-0412-11eb-a163-c3069b7734fa.html
Pfizer CEO pushes back against Trump claim on vaccine timing
https://triblive.com/news/world/pfizer-ceo-pushes-back-against-trump-claim-on-vaccine-timing/
The White House supports an added unemployment benefit in last-ditch stimulus talks with Congress
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/congress-steven-mnuchin-coronavirus-stimulus-talks-20201001.html
Legislature
Opinion: COVID policies must give restaurants a fighting chance/Sen. Lisa Boscola
https://www.poconorecord.com/story/opinion/2020/10/02/covid-policies-must-give-restaurants-fighting-chance/5892556002/
Pa. House lawmaker tests positive for COVID-19, delaying legislation on election, rent relief
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/pa-republican-lawmaker-coronavirus-rental-assistance-delays-20201001.html
After Pa. lawmaker tests positive for coronavirus, House Democrats urge GOP to take pandemic more seriously
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/after-pa-lawmaker-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-house-democrats-urge-gop-to-take-pandemic-more-seriously.html
COVID-19 in Pa.: State House postpones voting until Oct. 19 after lawmaker tests positive
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/10/01/pa-house-rep-tests-positive-covid-19-delays-voting-until-oct-19/5882134002/
After fiery unveiling, some Republicans express concern with House election integrity panel
https://www.penncapital-star.com/election-2020/after-fiery-unveiling-some-republicans-express-concern-with-house-election-integrity-panel/
Bill protecting young sexual assault victims from being re-victimized at school moves to Pa. House for consideration
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/bill-protecting-young-sexual-assault-victims-from-being-re-victimized-at-school-moves-to-pa-house-for-consideration.html
‘Integrity’ commission defies word
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/integrity-commission-defies-word/article_9602c88a-7571-5e4d-82f5-5abb8dce5d42.html
Outdoors: New law will have hunters seeing the color purple
https://www.timesonline.com/story/sports/outdoors/hunting/2020/10/02/outdoors-new-law-have-hunters-seeing-color-purple/5880059002/
Rent relief program halts in much of Pa., though continuing in Allegheny County
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/social-services/2020/10/01/rent-relief-program-pa-Allegheny-County-house-bill-2868/stories/202010010161
Court issues go beyond SCOTUS seat and includes Pa.’s judiciary | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/election-2020-supreme-court-federal-judiciary-pennsylvania-20201002.html
Electoral compromise
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/10/02/Electoral-compromise/stories/202010010053
Administration
Gov. Wolf talks women’s health care in Malvern
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/gov-wolf-talks-womens-health-care-in-malvern/article_552ef214-0402-11eb-b93f-0faf3539d2ef.html
Business
More than 500 small businesses apply for Berks County coronavirus relief grant program
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/more-than-500-small-businesses-apply-for-berks-county-coronavirus-relief-grant-program/article_efa3a490-03fb-11eb-a545-3f05e9411221.html
Crime/Punishment
New Kensington woman appeals conviction on charges of helping cop killer
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/new-kensington-woman-appeals-conviction-on-charges-of-helping-cop-killer/
Attorneys: Prosecution decision on Courtright sentence rare, but not unheard of
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/attorneys-prosecution-decision-on-courtright-sentence-rare-but-not-unheard-of/article_5f252da7-516a-5497-b4b0-be05880153c3.html
When police violence is a dog bite
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/when-police-violence-is-a-dog-bite.html
Education
Where are all the kindergartners? In a pandemic, some parents aren’t enrolling them in public school
https://www.inquirer.com/education/kindergarten-enrollment-coronavirus-school-education-20201002.html
Parents, teachers question health risks, defendants’ motivation in Scranton School District case
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/parents-teachers-question-health-risks-defendants-motivation-in-scranton-school-district-case/article_86b6e6af-8d01-5ed0-9d67-36e4fa31df5b.html
Scranton paraprofessionals say the district violated judge’s order by canceling insurance
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/scranton-paraprofessionals-say-the-district-violated-judges-order-by-canceling-insurance/article_3eae77b1-fef7-5c4b-b517-5578d50a71ce.html
Delco school districts win billboard tax case at Pa. Supreme Court
https://www.inquirer.com/business/pennsylvania-school-districts-tax-billboards-supreme-court-decision-20201001.html
As need for mental health services rises for college students, rural Pa. campuses face lack of psychiatric providers
https://www.inquirer.com/health/college-mental-health-depression-anxiety-psychiatry-20201002.html
West Chester University: local university, national reputation
https://www.readingeagle.com/living/west-chester-university-local-university-national-reputation/article_e21f8dae-fcfb-11ea-9fc4-3fee551769cf.html
Kutztown University signs dual admission transfer deal with Johnson College
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/education/kutztown-university-signs-dual-admission-transfer-deal-with-johnson-college/article_d4e0b182-0411-11eb-bbad-f3e202dfa3f1.html
Elections/Politics
Biden leads Trump by 7 points among Lehigh Valley voters
https://www.mcall.com/news/elections/mc-nws-muhlenberg-poll-president-20201002-ea3ev5zirnemdeno2pv5n6ybzq-story.html
Biden, Fred Rogers’ widow Joanne have virtual chat during former VP’s campaign stop in Western Pa.
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/10/01/Biden-Fred-Rogers-widow-Joanne-virtual-chat-latrobe/stories/20201001010
In big states, tiny counties, Trump attacking voting rules
https://www.timesleader.com/news/804565/in-big-states-tiny-counties-trump-attacking-voting-rules
Nina Ahmad spent big to win the Pa. auditor general primary. Now she’s tied with an opponent with much less money.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/clout/pennsylvania-auditor-general-nina-ahmad-tim-defoor-20201002.html
Westmoreland County fires deputy director of election bureau
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/westmoreland/2020/10/01/Westmoreland-County-Election-Bureau-deputy-director-Scott-Sistek-fired/stories/202010010187
Westmoreland County fires deputy director of elections with Nov. 3 election looming
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/county-fires-deputy-director-of-elections-bureau-with-nov-3-election-looming/
Her Biden lawn signs were stolen, so rural Pa. supporter turned her home into a campaign billboard
https://www.inquirer.com/news/trump-biden-sign-harris-pence-campaign-vandalism-rural-20201001.html
Mail voting steps for the Nov. 3 General Election explained
https://www.timesleader.com/news/804620/mail-voting-steps-for-the-nov-3-general-election-explained
Carbon County ready to mail out ballots
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/carbon-county-ready-to-mail-out-ballots/article_7073aba2-f002-55ad-b7f5-784d1301b3a1.html
Lehigh County will send out its absentee and mail-in ballots Tuesday
https://www.mcall.com/news/elections/mc-nws-pa-election-lehigh-county-ballots-mailing-oct-6-20201001-ttq4ehfoqfakrk5yltux3f7gnm-story.html
Election 2020: Nine poll changes in York County prompt criticism and conspiracy theories
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/10/01/election-2020-polling-place-changes-york-county-prompt-criticism-public-facebook/5877573002/
Conservative hoaxers face charges over false voter robocalls
https://www.pennlive.com/politics/2020/10/conservative-hoaxers-face-charges-over-false-voter-robocalls.html
Get to know Pa.’s Auditor General candidates: Tim DeFoor
https://www.penncapital-star.com/election-2020/get-to-know-pa-s-auditor-general-candidates-tim-defoor/
Get to know Pa.’s Auditor General candidates: Green Party candidate Olivia Faison
https://www.penncapital-star.com/election-2020/get-to-know-pa-s-auditor-general-candidates-olivia-faison/
Health Care
Contract expires on more than 200 Mercy Fitzgerald hospital nurses
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/contract-expires-on-more-than-200-mercy-fitzgerald-hospital-nurses/article_aa85fd02-0411-11eb-9491-df28ce909672.html
Local News
BARTA, Red Rose transit workers rally outside Berks County Services Center for hazard pay
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/barta-red-rose-transit-workers-rally-outside-berks-county-services-center-for-hazard-pay/article_90f02b00-040d-11eb-a5d8-8765e40e5529.html
Time running out to get counted in the 2020 census
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/time-running-out-to-get-counted-in-the-2020-census/article_e592271c-0331-11eb-afb7-535eba43e8eb.html
Reading introduces a proposed $92 million budget with a tax increase
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/reading-introduces-a-proposed-92-million-budget-with-a-tax-increase/article_a7f98bb2-042f-11eb-a04d-47e1b02d010a.html
Wilkes-Barre loses more than 20 old oak trees around LCTA project site
https://www.timesleader.com/news/804607/wilkes-barre-loses-more-than-20-old-oak-trees-around-lcta-project-site
Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority responds to railroad’s stormwater suit
https://www.timesleader.com/news/804624/wyoming-valley-sanitary-authority-responds-to-railroads-stormwater-suit
How one central Pennsylvania community is trying to put MLK’s lessons to work | Charles D. Allen
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/how-one-central-pennsylvania-community-is-trying-to-put-mlks-lessons-to-work-charles-d-allen/
National News
Breonna Taylor grand jury recording slated to be released Friday
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/10/02/Breonna-Taylor-grand-jury-recording-slated-to-be-released/stories/202010020142
California milestone: 4 million acres burned in wildfires
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2020/10/02/California-milestone-4-million-acres-burned-in-wildfires/stories/202010020146
California passes a first-of-its-kind law to consider reparations for slavery
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/across_america/california-passes-a-first-of-its-kind-law-to-consider-reparations-for-slavery/article_2493dc1c-234c-576d-9e23-8608ba30577e.html
Philly
The Trump campaign sued Philadelphia over its new elections offices for mail voting
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/trump-philadelphia-mail-in-ballots-offices-lawsuit-20201001.html
Security lapses continue at Philly’s voting machine warehouse amid a probe into stolen laptop, USB drives
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-election-voting-machines-theft-integrity-trump-city-commissioners-20201001.html
Charges after road rage incident with Philly’s chief homicide prosecutor were excessive | Jenice Armstrong
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/philadelphia-district-attorney-homicide-unit-voci-khasandra-franklin-jenice-armstrong-20201001.html
The Sixers hire Doc Rivers to deliver an NBA title in the Embiid-Simmons era
https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/philadelphia-sixers-hire-doc-rivers-coach-20201001.html
A few USPS plants are reinstalling mail sorting machines. But in Philly, more changes that could cause delays are happening.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/postal-service-delays-philadelphia-usps-mail-sorting-machines-20201001.html
DA Larry Krasner, other leaders urge more legal protection for transgender people after recent killing
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-district-attorney-larry-krasner-protections-lgbt-community-black-transgender-women-20201001.html
Councilwoman wants to remove Wells Fargo name from arena over bank CEO’s racially insensitive comments
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/councilwoman-wants-to-remove-wells-fargo-name-from-arena-over-bank-ceos-racially-insensitive-comments/article_79ab4449-6c47-5c1f-b7cc-80771803a5e3.html
Pitt
‘You can’t just flip a switch’ Pittsburgh Mayor Peduto says of police reform
https://triblive.com/local/you-cant-just-flip-a-switch-pittsburgh-mayor-peduto-says-of-police-reform/
Allegheny County coronavirus inspection team still turning up restaurant, bar violations
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2020/10/02/Allegheny-County-inspection-team-COVID-19-pandemic-rules-bars-restaurants-masks/stories/202010010177
Port Authority expects two new payment options to be available early next year
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/10/01/Port-Authority-payment-method-rubber-bracelet-mobile-phone-app-early-2021/stories/202010010088
Hospitalized man dies several days after incident in Allegheny County Jail
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/10/01/Allegheny-County-Jail-inmate-Cody-T-Still-death-hospital-after-incident/stories/202010010190
Want to bring your ballot Downtown but worried about parking? Several officials offer up their spots
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/10/01/ballot-drop-off-Pittsburgh-parking-Corey-OConnor-2020-election-ballots-voters/stories/202010010136
Woman shot in the chest overnight in Carrick
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/10/01/pittsburgh-carrick-shooting-brownsville/stories/202010010105
State News
Drought warning, watch areas expand to almost half of Pennsylvania
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2020/10/01/Drought-warning-watch-areas-expand-to-almost-half-of-Pennsylvania/stories/202010010124
Latest banned books list topped by works delving into gender identity, LGBTQ issues
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/latest-banned-books-list-topped-by-works-delving-into-gender-identity-lgbtq-issues/
United Way expands regional volunteer efforts with Week of Caring
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/united-way-expands-regional-volunteer-efforts-with-week-of-caring/
New overlay code will trigger 10-digit dialing in 814 area
https://triblive.com/local/regional/new-overlay-code-will-trigger-10-digit-dialing-in-814-area/
Hickory Run State Park turns 75
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/hickory-run-state-park-turns-75/article_2cf49033-a536-5368-b7da-8df0df9bffc1.html
Washington
Trump includes letter with food boxes to the needy, sparking charges of politicizing hunger
https://www.inquirer.com/news/hunger-trump-food-boxes-election-20201001.html