News Digest :: October 22, 2021

Legislature

Higher wages, sick pay now attached to Pennsylvania’s incentives – WHYY

Doug Mastriano is waiting on a financial sign from God about running for governor (inquirer.com)

Panel upholds school mask rule after House GOP sought review | WITF

Can magic mushrooms help fight mental illness? A bipartisan group of Pa. lawmakers think so – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

The ongoing fight over raising the minimum wage shows why the data is so important | Opinion – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Pa. companies must pay higher minimum wage if they get state loans or tax breaks, Gov. Wolf orders – pennlive.com

Coronavirus – COVID-19

CDC expands booster rollout, OKs mixing shots – WHYY

Fla.’s governor wants to make businesses liable for any medical harm that results from a mandatory vaccination – pennlive.com

Federal lawsuit seeks injunction against state officials, UPMC over refusals to grant mask exemptions | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Business/Jobs

The Great Resignation 2021: Pennsylvania workers are quitting their jobs, following a national trend (inquirer.com)

Philadelphia-based flight attendants authorize a strike at American Airlines regional carrier Piedmont (inquirer.com)

Don’t expect to see a price break at the pump anytime soon in Western Pa. | TribLIVE.com

Mortgage rates rise amid growing concerns about inflation | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Supply chain issues mean toilet paper, coffee, chicken hard to find (goerie.com)

Crime/Punishment

Delco DA disputes narrative of bystander inaction during alleged rape – WHYY

PPD Officer Joseph Marion reinstated, then charged with another assault – WHYY

Pa. 911 operator hung up on Spanish-speaking caller who died in house fire, lawsuit alleges – pennlive.com

Federal lawsuit accuses Pittsburgh police of using excessive force during George Floyd protest arrest | TribLIVE.com

Drivers must stop for school buses, state officials urge (readingeagle.com)

Education

Wolf Administration ramps up efforts to recruit school bus drivers – WHYY

With ongoing crises and a looming mayoral primary, new Philly schools chief will need support and stamina | Editorial (inquirer.com)

Some colleges across the U.S. put new vaccine mandates in place — for the flu (inquirer.com)

Temple discusses its Cecil B. Moore Scholars Program | Local News | phillytrib.com

Lawsuit challenges Delaware Valley School District’s masking policy | Coronavirus | standardspeaker.com

Elections/Politics

Election 2021: Montco magisterial judge candidate forum – WHYY

Texas GOP leader pays illegal voting ‘bounty’ to Democrat in Pennsylvania | WITF

DNC, Planned Parenthood launch major Pa. blitz ahead of Nov. 2 election | Friday Morning Coffee – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

A new battleground: Pa. school board races mirror national partisan clashes – pennlive.com

Fetterman, Bartos strengthen campaign war chests in third quarter | City & State PA (cityandstatepa.com)

Brenton Davis: Questions arise as Erie County election nears (goerie.com)

Berks County officials take responsibility for mistakes with Spanish-language mailed ballots (readingeagle.com)

Environment

Air advocates have targeted a Neville Island metal recycler for years. Now, the feds have stepped in | 90.5 WESA

EPA set to regulate PFAS chemicals, which have already been found in McKeesport, Coraopolis | 90.5 WESA

U.S.: More threats, more desperate refugees as climate warms | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Transportation

Biden says infrastructure will improve Pa. Here’s what a few voters in his birthplace say is needed. | WITF

Health

Philadelphia teens drank less soda after beverage tax, study finds – On top of Philly news (billypenn.com)

Health problems tied to global warming on the rise – WHYY

‘They treat me like I’m old and stupid’: Seniors decry health providers’ age bias (inquirer.com)

Chemicals found in shampoo, perfume, and makeup are connected to premature deaths, study finds – pennlive.com

How the kidney of a pig might offer hope for those in need of transplants | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

National Guard members heading to Berks Heim as nurse aides due to staffing shortage (readingeagle.com)

State News

Here’s how Pa.’s school pension fund keeps its communications secret from the public | WITF

Should states and localities have official languages? | City & State PA (cityandstatepa.com)

National News

Trump announces launch of his very own social media site – Daily Local

Local News

3 tornadoes confirmed in region, power being restored | TribLIVE.com

Crestwood board bombarded with mask questions | Times Leader

Mountain Top businesswoman greets Biden at airport during NEPA visit | Business | standardspeaker.com

Greater Johnstown Water Authority gets state low-interest loan for sewer work | Local News | tribdem.com

5 inducted into Berks County Military Hall of Fame (readingeagle.com)

Amazon needs 3,900 seasonal workers in Delaware Valley to handle holidays (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Pitt

Pennsylvania officials demanded $528,821.12 from Allegheny County during WIC dispute | 90.5 WESA

Free clinic to offer dental care this weekend Downtown | 90.5 WESA

‘Such a mess’: Officials worried by Allegheny County Jail deaths, lack of information | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Four area real estate agents indicted in alleged HUD-related house-flipping schemes | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Special order: DoorDash to open engineering office in Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Philly

In fits and starts, live shows are coming back to Philly theaters – WHYY

Philly’s health department gets sassy on social media – WHYY

Philadelphia gets $35 million for rental assistance – WHYY

Philly broadband: 84 percent of homes have high-speed internet – WHYY

Ida flooding in Philadelphia area leaves residents still without homes (inquirer.com)

City Council approves hearings to address SEPTA safety issues | Local News | phillytrib.com

Washington

Coalition implores Biden administration to help endangered Afghans leave Afghanistan (inquirer.com)

White House, Dems hurriedly reworking $2 trillion Biden plan (inquirer.com)

China vows no concessions on Taiwan after Biden comments – Delco Times