Elections/Politics
Supreme Court allows 3-day extension to count Pennsylvania ballots
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2020/10/19/Pennsylvania-ballots-2020-Election-Day-postmarked-Supreme-Court-ruling-Republican-Party-Democratic-Party/stories/202010190141
U.S. Supreme Court allows 3-day extension to count Pennsylvania mail-in ballots
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/spl/pa-mail-ballots-republican-voters-donald-trump-20201020.html
Supreme Court rules Pennsylvania can count ballots received after Election Day
https://www.witf.org/2020/10/20/supreme-court-rules-pennsylvania-can-count-ballots-received-after-election-day/
GOP suffers a blow as U.S. Supreme Court allows 3-day extension to count Pa. mail-in ballots
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/republican-war-against-late-mail-in-ballots-in-pennsylvania-could-harm-gop-voters-too.html
Pa. can count late-arriving ballots, U.S. Supreme Court rules, report
https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/pa-can-count-late-arriving-ballots-u-s-supreme-court-rules-report/
Supreme Court allows Pennsylvania to count ballots received up to 3 days after Election Day
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2020/10/19/supreme-court-allows-penn-count-ballots-received-up-nov-6/5986614002/
Top Pa. election official says ‘overwhelming majority’ of votes will be counted by Friday after Election Day
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/spl/pa-kathy-boockvar-precanvassing-republicans-gov-tom-wolf-20201019.html
Legislation that would allow faster counting of Pennsylvania mail ballots is ‘dead’
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/election-reform-harrisburg-pennsylvania-20201019.html
‘It’s extremely disappointing’: Elections officials brace for long vote count as talks on reform crater in Harrisburg
https://www.penncapital-star.com/election-2020/its-extremely-disappointing-elections-officials-brace-for-long-vote-count-as-talks-on-reform-crater-in-harrisburg/
All eyes are on Erie County, once-reliably blue
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2020/10/19/Trump-Erie-County-PA-Biden-voters-2020-presidential-election-Democrats-GOP/stories/202010190137
Trump held his own in Bucks County in 2016. But it might be slipping away in 2020.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/bucks-county-pennsylvania-trump-biden-20201020.html
Black voters are poised to tip the 2020 election results
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/black-voters-are-poised-to-tip-the-2020-election-results.html
Former second lady Jill Biden urges supporters to vote during drive-in rally
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/former-second-lady-jill-biden-urges-supporters-to-vote-during-drive-in-rally/article_c458455a-cd0f-52f1-90be-ce087194b975.html
More than 100,000 Pennsylvanians live in long-term care facilities. Advocates worry voting will be a ‘logistical nightmare.’
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/nursing-home-long-term-care-voting-pennsylvania-seniors-disenfranchise-20201019.html
1 in 6 Pennsylvania voters has a disability. Why don’t candidates campaign for their support?
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/pennsylvania-2020-election-voters-disabilities-campaign-20201020.html
Pennsylvania is getting lots of swing state attention this week; isn’t it nice to be wanted?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/pennsylvania-is-getting-lots-of-swing-state-attention-this-week-isnt-it-nice-to-be-wanted.html
People are volunteering to be poll workers in record numbers in Philly and the suburbs
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/poll-workers-volunteers-philadelphia-suburbs-20201019.html
Republicans see bright spot in voter registration push
https://www.post-gazette.com/frontpage/2020/10/20/Republicans-see-bright-spot-in-voter-registration-push/stories/202010200108
Commission says it will mute Trump’s and Biden’s microphones during some parts of Thursday’s debate
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/presidential-debate-rules-trump-biden-mute-20201019.html
Democrat Tony DeLoreto challenges incumbent Republican Joe Pittman in 41st Senate District
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/democrat-tony-deloreto-challenges-incumbent-republican-joe-pittman-in-41st-senate-district/
Mullery, Chura square off in 119th
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/mullery-chura-square-off-in-119th/article_03519f78-0860-5b76-9cdd-c192df981436.html
U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, Auditor General Eugene DePasquale meet in fiesty second debate in Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional race
https://www.pennlive.com/elections/2020/10/us-rep-scott-perry-auditor-general-eugene-depasquale-meet-in-fiesty-second-debate-in-pennsylvanias-10th-congressional-race.html
Perry and DePasquale exchange words over Obamacare, QAnon at second debate
https://www.penncapital-star.com/election-2020/perry-and-depasquale-exchange-words-over-obamacare-qanon-at-second-debate/
Republicans ahead of Democrats in Lancaster County, according to voter registration data
https://lancasteronline.com/news/politics/republicans-ahead-of-democrats-in-lancaster-county-according-to-voter-registration-data/article_c5a0fa98-1257-11eb-b4b7-9f3ab5f17765.html
Luzerne County: New ballot-opener debuts as voters queue
https://www.timesleader.com/news/806798/luzerne-county-new-ballot-opener-debuts-as-voters-queue
In-person voting proves popular on Monday in Luzerne County
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/in-person-voting-proves-popular-on-monday-in-luzerne-county/article_c27c8eba-2ea6-547e-894f-68f73d42b437.html
More ballot delays in Westmoreland County
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/more-ballot-delays-in-westmoreland-county/
About half of mail-in, absentee ballots sent by Lackawanna County have been returned
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/election/about-half-of-mail-in-absentee-ballots-sent-by-lackawanna-county-have-been-returned/article_b83fc9bf-370f-5a1c-87d9-7bb900ab9ee4.html
Fayette County, Pa. billboard attacking Biden misspells “dimensia”
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/fayette-county-pa-billboard-attacking-biden-misspells-dimensia/Content?oid=18211455
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Wolf, Levine ask public to unite against COVID
https://www.timesleader.com/news/806834/wolf-levine-ask-public-to-unite-against-covid
Amid resurgence of COVID-19, Wolf says now is ‘the time to double down on our efforts’
https://www.witf.org/2020/10/19/amid-resurgence-of-covid-19-wolf-says-now-is-the-time-to-double-down-on-our-efforts/
As Pa. coronavirus cases reach April levels, officials warn about small gatherings but hold off on new restrictions
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-cases-pennsylvania-new-jersey-covid19-restrictions-20201019.html
Covid resurgence is here, Pa. officials say after 14 days of new cases topping 1,000
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/covid-resurgence-is-here-state-officials-say-after-14-days-of-new-cases-topping-1000/
These charts tell the story of Pennsylvania’s uptick in coronavirus cases
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/10/these-charts-tell-the-story-of-pennsylvanias-uptick-in-coronavirus-cases.html
COVID-19 Update: Pa. reports 2,372 new cases, 43 more deaths for past two days
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/10/19/COVID-19-Update-Allegheny-County-pittsburgh-pennsylvania-cases-deaths-data/stories/202010190093
Coronavirus spread in Lackawanna County is ‘substantial,’ state says
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/coronavirus-spread-in-lackawanna-county-is-substantial-state-says/article_976650b9-4a03-5b6a-b43c-5adf391e4968.html
Berks faces substantial risk of community spread of coronavirus, according to state metrics
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/berks-faces-substantial-risk-of-community-spread-of-coronavirus-according-to-state-metrics/article_81f49636-1236-11eb-9f9d-1fb53994d391.html
Berks County coronavirus cases rise to 8,377 as 165 new cases are reported over a 2-day span
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/berks-county-coronavirus-cases-rise-to-8-377-as-165-new-cases-are-reported-over/article_331fd542-123c-11eb-8bf1-37d3016d146a.html
Westmoreland County gets respite from triple-digit new covid cases
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-gets-respite-from-triple-digit-new-covid-cases/
Concern grows over rising COVID-19 cases in Luzerne County; 45 added Monday
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/concern-grows-over-rising-covid-19-cases-in-luzerne-county-45-added-monday/article_dcdade79-fcfa-5036-b10d-ee6bbe1f06f9.html
Westmoreland prison, manor register additional coronavirus cases
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-prison-manor-register-additional-coronavirus-cases/
SCI Greene reports first inmate death from COVID-19
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/10/19/SCI-Greene-reports-first-inmate-death-COVID-19-pennsylvania/stories/202010190116
Norwin tracks 7 more cases of coronavirus; school board majority supports full reopening
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/norwin-tracks-7-more-cases-of-coronavirus/
2 staff members at Kiski Area High School test positive for covid-19
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/2-staff-members-at-kiski-area-high-school-test-positive-for-covid-19/
3 coronavirus cases among staff using Muhlenberg High School to teach students virtually leads to closure of building
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/3-coronavirus-cases-among-staff-using-muhlenberg-high-school-to-teach-students-virtually-leads-to/article_b915b2f2-1228-11eb-bbcf-cb96f070008f.html
Misericordia students in quarantine or isolation drops
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/misericordia-students-in-quarantine-or-isolation-drops/article_082a639b-cb38-587b-9542-5ad35a61774b.html
Lafayette College closes buildings, suspends sports because of increase in positive cases
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-lafayette-college-positive-covid-cases-20201019-746eju4zgbf5tnyfsrmgmxi2ee-story.html
Scranton Rite Aid to offer drive-through testing
https://www.timesleader.com/news/806819/scranton-rite-aid-to-offer-drive-through-testing
As pandemic started, U.S. fatal overdoses soared in the first quarter of 2020, new data show
https://www.inquirer.com/health/opioid-addiction/coronavirus-cdc-overdose-death-data-pandemic-20201020.html
OraSure subsidiary’s saliva collection device now can be used in COVID-19 testing
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-orasure-subsidiary-dna-genotek-salivia-collection-approval-20201019-wmonqbalqbeurdkyhj5xrtru6u-story.html
UK to start controversial ‘challenge’ vaccine research trial for COVID-19
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/10/20/UK-to-start-controversial-challenge-vaccine-research-trial-COVID-19/stories/202010200112
Australia COVID-19 quarantine blood-testing blunder prompts calls for hundreds to take HIV test
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2020/10/20/Australia-Covid-19-quarantine-blood-testing-blunder-prompts-calls-for-hundreds-to-take-HIV-test/stories/202010200109
Legislature
Bill legalizing robot deliveries on Pa. roadways clears the state House
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/bill-legalizing-robot-deliveries-on-pa-roadways-clears-the-state-house.html
Pa. lawmakers question the impact of combining six state universities into two
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/pa-lawmakers-question-the-impact-of-combining-six-state-universities-into-two.html
State House Dems balk at Grove’s bill featuring COVID-19 liability protection
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/local/2020/10/19/state-house-dems-balk-groves-bill-featuring-covid-19-liability-protection/3680721001/
A public records victory
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/10/20/A-public-records-victory/stories/202010160050
Pay freeze should lead to annual vote
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/pay-freeze-should-lead-to-annual-vote/article_6a613ebf-23c5-55a5-8837-96a954ce61a3.html
Business
Manufacturer announces permanent closure of Ambridge plant after fire in July destroyed facility
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2020/10/19/Ambridge-Beaver-County-Sukup-Steel-Structures-permanent-closure-after-fire-in-July-destroyed-facility/stories/202010200046
Warehouse demand in the Lehigh Valley, and beyond, outpacing last year
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-lehigh-valley-warehouse-demand-still-booming-amid-pandemic-20201019-me2qtyb3aba7tjyrokgokgkqbi-story.html
Crime/Punishment
6 Russian intelligence officers indicted by U.S. for alleged cyber attacks
https://triblive.com/news/6-russian-military-officers-charged-in-vast-hacking-campaign/
Education
Cyber charter enrollments are surging. School districts are picking up the tab.
https://www.inquirer.com/education/pennsylvania-cyber-charter-schools-enrollment-coronavirus-20201019.html
Struggling to connect through a screen, Reading School District special education teachers make house calls
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/struggling-to-connect-through-a-screen-reading-school-district-special-education-teachers-make-house-calls/article_3bb9385e-0fb4-11eb-a89d-8bf0bd0716b5.html
Scranton School District unveils hybrid plan, pending rising coronavirus cases
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/scranton-school-district-unveils-hybrid-plan-pending-rising-coronavirus-cases/article_6da639ed-492b-5c9a-94b9-d8dd4a357fb0.html
Reading School District superintendent named Pennsylvania Superintendent of the Year
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/reading-school-district-superintendent-named-pennsylvania-superintendent-of-the-year/article_608cbfce-121c-11eb-a4e8-23d20d82a664.html
Upper Darby School District faces resistance on building plans
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/upper-darby-school-district-faces-resistance-on-building-plans/article_35d7d4fe-123e-11eb-9514-4333283112c5.html
Gaming
Hempfield casino ready for Nov. 24 opening
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/hempfield-casino-ready-for-nov-24-opening/
Local News
Fell Twp. officials considering options after controversial mine project receives extension
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/fell-twp-officials-considering-options-after-controversial-mine-project-receives-extension/article_cd0f3342-440a-581e-87ff-7c02f72d03dd.html
More than 70 Scranton residents sign up for Mayor’s Volunteer Corps
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/more-than-70-scranton-residents-sign-up-for-mayors-volunteer-corps/article_71d43302-6a9d-521d-80a3-f61bb15f5754.html
Berks World War II veterans, both 99, meet at long last
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/berks-world-war-ii-veterans-both-99-meet-at-long-last/article_98ca7548-125d-11eb-9543-47554a7a82fc.html
New Chester County police trading card program promotes good will between officers, community
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/new-chester-county-police-trading-card-program-promotes-good-will-between-officers-community/article_00e1e0ce-1224-11eb-8f89-7f1f9317bac4.html
Philly
Philadelphia teachers facing first strike vote in decades after contract talks with district fall short
https://www.inquirer.com/education/pft-contract-extension-strike-philadelphia-teachers-20201019.html
Philly school board member resigns abruptly
https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-board-ameen-akbar-resignation-20201019.html
In-person teaching puts my family at risk, but the Philly school district leaves me few options | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-school-district-reopening-teacher-immunocompromised-20201019.html
The fastest growing consumer plastic isn’t being recycled. Two Philadelphia area companies hope to change that.
https://www.inquirer.com/science/climate/flexible-plastic-packaging-philadelphia-recycling-20201020.html
Support City Council bill to ban toxic pesticides from Philly’s public spaces | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/pesticides-philadelphia-city-council-bill-cindy-bass-20201019.html
Ballot questions ask voters to weigh in on police reform, stop and frisk, city borrowing
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/ballot-questions-ask-voters-to-weigh-in-on-police-reform-stop-and-frisk-city-borrowing/article_b75b5519-6746-52ca-bf9c-1cb9872e7427.html#/questions
Pitt
Task force on police reform announces its recommendations
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/10/19/Pittsburgh-police-Task-force-reform-announces-recommendations-conduct-changes-social-justice/stories/202010190099
Task force issues recommendations for reforming Pittsburgh police
https://triblive.com/local/task-force-issues-recommendations-for-reforming-pittsburgh-police/
Allegheny County prepares convention center for jury selection amid pandemic
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/10/19/Allegheny-County-court-jury-trials-selection-COVID-19-Lawrence-Convention-Center/stories/202010190115
$8,957 for a parking space? That’s what one developer will pay on the North Shore
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/10/19/Continental-Real-Estate-Alco-Parking-garage-North-Shore-Pittsburgh-PNC-Heinz/stories/202010190134
Allegheny County election phone lines jammed with more than 7,000 calls a day
https://triblive.com/local/with-15-days-until-election-day-heres-what-you-need-to-know-to-vote-in-allegheny-county/
Pittsburgh set to settle lawsuit filed by former cop for $250k
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-set-to-settle-lawsuit-filed-by-former-cop-for-250k/
State News
Pa. State Police commissioner sued by young gun owners over alleged constitutional violations
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/10/19/Second-and-Fourteenth-Amendment-lawsuit-Pennsylvania-State-Police-commissioner/stories/202010190133
Federal lawsuit challenges Pa. age requirement to be 21 to obtain a license to carry
https://triblive.com/local/federal-lawsuit-challenges-pa-age-requirement-to-be-21-to-obtain-a-license-to-carry/
Virtual town hall to spotlight CASA programs statewide
https://www.timesleader.com/news/806794/virtual-town-hall-to-spotlight-casa-programs-statewide
DHS, AG encourage families to protect children from online dangers
https://www.timesleader.com/news/806759/dhs-ag-encourage-families-to-protect-children-from-online-dangers
Transportation
No, there’s no coronavirus grace period for expired car registrations
https://www.inquirer.com/philly-tips/car-registration-temporary-tags-vehicle-driver-license-pennsylvania-philadelphia-coronavirus-covid19-20201019.html