Legislature
Human trafficking law signed into law with help from local lawmakers
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/human-trafficking-law-signed-into-law-with-help-from-local/article_586a9a52-d6b2-11e8-bb50-97075a7cb0b1.html
Keystone alternatives are needed
http://www.altoonamirror.com/opinion/editorials/2018/10/keystone-alternatives-are-needed/
PA lawmakers passed some good laws last week, but missed a chance to protect taxpayers
https://www.mcall.com/opinion/muschick/mc-opi-pa-legislature-last-minute-accomplishments-muschick-20181017-story.html
Funeral held for Rep. Kavulich
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/funeral-held-for-rep-kavulich-1.2400817
Beyond the Byline: Farewell Sid and Sue
https://www.timesleader.com/news/722345/beyond-the-byline-farewell-sid-and-sue
Editorial: Measure’s defeat a tough blow for smaller government
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-measures-defeat-a-tough-blow-for-smaller-government
Our view: Hazing penalties now match crime
http://www.goerie.com/opinion/20181023/our-view-hazing-penalties-now-match-crime
Business
How much has Airbnb paid in taxes in Philly and PA?
https://www2.philly.com/philly/news/airbnb-tax-hotel-pennsylvania-new-jersey-20181023.html
ArcelorMittal will host Nov. 1 community meeting in Monessen
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14202996-74/arcelormittal-will-host-nov-1-community-meeting-in-monessen
Rivertowne Brewery sale delayed again
https://triblive.com/local/regional/14203035-74/rivertowne-brewery-sale-delayed-again
Wyomissing job fair packs Crowne Plaza ballroom
https://www.readingeagle.com/money/article/wyomissing-job-fair-packs-crowne-plaza-ballroom
Mariner East 2 pipeline work falls further behind schedule
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/mariner-east-pipeline-work-falls-further-behind-schedule/article_328f1010-d62b-11e8-8aac-cb5e2dd2e2db.html
Catholic Church
‘It’s a beginning’: Catholics vent anger over sexual abuse in Greensburg
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2018/10/22/It-s-a-beginning-Catholics-vent-anger-in-Greensburg-sexual-abuse-grand-jury-report-dioceses-church/stories/201810220152
Culture change espoused as Greensburg diocese listens to priest abuse concerns
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14203578-74/culture-change-espoused-as-greensburg-diocese-listens-to-priest-abuse-concerns
Crime/Punishment
Feds charge former Pittsburgh health-care employees in multimillion-dollar Pa. Medicaid scheme
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/10/22/pennsylvania-medicaid-ripoff-scheme-home-health-care-fraud-charged-federal-pittsburgh/stories/201810220083
Officials: Prisoner attempted to smuggle drugs in to facility
https://www.timesleader.com/news/local/722329/officials-prisoner-attempted-to-smuggle-drugs-in-to-facility
Police: Romanians with possible organized crime ties swindle $100K using bogus debit cards
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/police-romanians-with-possible-organized-crime-ties-swindle-100k-using-bogus-debit-cards-1.2400718
Bill Cosby hires Harrisburg law firm to work on his appeals
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/10/cosby_brings_in_harrisburg_law.html#incart_river_index
37 Years Later, Inmate Asks Pennsylvania Court To Reconsider Her Life Sentence
http://www.wesa.fm/post/37-years-later-inmate-asks-pennsylvania-court-reconsider-her-life-sentence#stream/0
Education
‘Spectacular’ growth in teaching profession, but big changes are afoot, landmark Penn study says
http://www2.philly.com/philly/education/teaching-profession-big-changes-afoot-landmark-penn-study-says-20181023.html
Exeter schools forum hits on taxes, funding, safety
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/exeter-schools-forum-hits-on-taxes-funding-safety
Erie School District must fix a big hole at Wilson
http://www.goerie.com/news/20181023/erie-school-district-must-fix-big-hole-at-wilson
State agency to offer low-cost loans to help Pa. college students cover their unmet financial need
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/10/state_agency_to_offer_low-cost.html#incart_river_index
Elections/Politics
Gun control, once a third rail, now a key issue as Democrats seek to control House
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/gun-control-rights-election-2018-midterms-pennsylvania-houlahan-parkland-20181023.html
TV stations stop airing ad alleging Democrat Scott Wallace helped fund cop-killer Mumia Abu-Jamal’s defense
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/politics/democrat-scott-wallace-ad-mumia-abu-jamal-daniel-faulkner-congress-20181022.html
Barletta talks energy, Saudi Arabia during Washington County campaign stop
https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/barletta-talks-energy-saudi-arabia-during-washington-county-campaign-stop/article_9b3e59f6-d601-11e8-9371-1fd15faa2d5a.html
LG candidate Jeff Bartos of Montco, calm ballast on the Republican ticket
https://www2.philly.com/philly/news/politics/elections/bartos-the-voice-of-reason-on-an-otherwise-tempestuous-pa-gubernatorial-ticket-20181022.html
Vice president, Eric Trump aim to boost eastern Pennsylvania House candidate
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/14203280-74/vice-president-eric-trump-aim-to-boost-eastern-pennsylvania-house-candidate
Tickets available for Pence rally visit
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/tickets-available-for-pence-rally-visit-1.2400903
Eric Trump to stump for Chrin
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/eric-trump-to-stump-for-chrin-1.2400900
Meuser, Wolff trade barbs at debate in Lebanon
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/meuser-wolff-trade-barbs-at-debate-in-lebanon
Will you vote in November’s midterm election? Tell us why or why not
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2018/10/22/midterm-election-poll-voting-demographics-pittsburgh-region-pennsylvania-november/stories/201810220130
Study ranks Pennsylvania 31st in ease of voting
http://www.witf.org/state-house-sound-bites/2018/10/study-ranks-pennsylvania-31st-in-ease-of-voting.php
Health Care
New rehab unit opens at John Heinz Institute
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/new-rehab-unit-opens-at-john-heinz-institute-1.2400795
Local News
Wilkes-Barre off CreditWatch, still on negative outlook
https://www.timesleader.com/news/722355/wilkes-barre-off-creditwatch-still-on-negative-outlook
Works begins on Wilkes-Barre’s Public Square
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/works-begins-on-wilkes-barre-s-public-square-1.2400906
Landmark Hazleton property in Thursday’s Luzerne County back-tax auction
https://www.timesleader.com/news/722350/landmark-hazleton-property-in-thursdays-luzerne-county-back-tax-auction
Duffy’s name cleared in return to Wilkes-Barre force; federal termination suit pending
https://www.timesleader.com/news/722340/duffys-name-cleared-in-return-to-wilkes-barre-force-federal-termination-suit-pending
W-B Twp. man wins national leadership award
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/w-b-twp-man-wins-national-leadership-award-1.2400788
City seeks grants to fund downtown projects
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/city-seeks-grants-to-fund-downtown-projects-1.2401011
Scranton needs 30 days to provide fire chief’s son’s application, citing request’s “extensive nature”
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-needs-30-days-to-provide-fire-chief-s-son-s-application-citing-request-s-extensive-nature-1.2400700
Lackawanna County to hold four public budget hearings Nov. 1
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-to-hold-four-public-budget-hearings-nov-1-1.2400674
Study of Mt. Pleasant brownfield site will develop plan for potential uses
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14202813-74/study-of-mt-pleasant-brownfield-site-will-develop-plan-for-potential-uses
Free essential oils to kill mold, mildew available for flooded West Newton areas
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14202436-74/free-essential-oils-to-kill-mold-mildew-available-for-flooded-west-newton
Harrison manager hire cites ‘risk’ in declining job offer
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14203498-74/harrison-manager-hire-cites-risk-in-declining-job-offer
$7M LSA pot attracts $18.4M in requests
https://observer-reporter.com/business/m-lsa-pot-attracts-m-in-requests/article_e75bc19a-d23f-11e8-9f9b-2754a28a378e.html
Reading mayor doesn’t want to leave state recovery program
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-mayor-doesnt-want-to-leave-state-recovery-program
Former Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski sentencing Tuesday
https://www.mcall.com/news/police/mc-nws-allentown-mayor-ed-pawlowski-sentencing-things-to-know-20181022-story.html
Councilwoman wants to shut down Allentown after-hours club; says video ‘sickening to watch’
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-pol-allentown-view-club-security-guard-punch-follow-20181022-story.html
Marijuana
CBD: A marijuana ‘miracle’ that comes at a very high price
http://www2.philly.com/philly/business/cannabis/cbd-cannabis-cost-epidiolex-dosing-ibx-bouquet-tuttleman-little-babys-20181023.html
National News
Fury over reported federal plan targeting transgender people
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/presidential/20181022_ap_2ba2749a85fd4db69d4e7ec964c4c9ae.html?arc404=true
When it comes to taxes, more business owners should be like Trump adviser Jared Kushner
http://www2.philly.com/philly/business/taxes-business-owners-trump-jared-kushner-20181022.html
NYT, Washpo, PG editors discuss First Amendment, risks to journalists during Duquesne U. session
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/10/22/martin-baron-first-amendment-pittsburgh-khashoggi-dean-baquet-david-shribman-duquesne-university/stories/201810220099
Over 7K-strong, migrant caravan pushes on; still far from US
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/nation_world/20181022_ap_c3eaa50bbf8a4cdf9fc5c0952225e1bc.html?arc404=true
Opioid Crisis
Mon Valley Opioid Coalition’s National Night Out rescheduled to Thursday in Monessen
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14201096-74/mon-valley-opioid-coalitions-national-night-out-rescheduled-to-thursday-in-monessen
Philly
Fire destroys 14 garages in Kensington; no injuries reported
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/fire-destroys-14-garages-harrowgate-kensington-russell-street-20181022.html
Charges to be dropped against boy in toy gun incident, lawyers say
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/crime/toy-gun-charges-dropped-boy-grays-ferry-larry-krasner-philadelphia-20181022.html
Vascular Access Centers to pay $3.8 million in whistleblower case
http://www2.philly.com/philly/business/vascular-access-centers-to-pay-3-8-million-in-whistleblower-case-20181022.html
Philly voters could win free tickets to a TLA concert on election day
https://www2.philly.com/philly/entertainment/celebrities/election-day-philadelphia-kiiara-tla-ivoted-20181022.html
The cheap, but unsexy, way to tackle some of Philly’s transportation challenges | Opinion
http://www2.philly.com/philly/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-transportation-traffic-transit-septa-connect-20181022.html
Citywide table talks designed to bring Philadelphians together | Opinion
http://www2.philly.com/philly/opinion/on-the-table-philly-conversation-lets-talk-20181022.html
Pitt
City, county sent private letter to judge trying to protect some Amazon bid details
http://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2018/10/22/City-county-private-letter-to-judge-protect-Amazon-HQ2-bid/stories/201810220131
Pittsburgh extras needed for Seth Rogen ‘Pickle’ movie; filming begins Oct. 29
http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/movies/2018/10/22/Pittsburgh-paid-extras-Seth-Rogen-Pickle-movie-filming-Oct-29/stories/201810220106
Ahead of court hearing on controversial Pittsburgh law, restaurants remain divided on paid sick leave
http://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2018/10/22/Paid-sick-leave-Pittsburgh-law-restaurants-health-care/stories/201707300004
Allegheny County to correct erroneous poll letters
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14203706-74/allegheny-county-to-correct-erroneous-poll-letters
State News
Charles B. Smith, 78, Chester County senior judge and U.S. Magistrate
http://www2.philly.com/philly/obituaries/charles-b-smith-78-chester-county-senior-judge-and-u-s-magistrate-20181022.html
Pa.’s outdoor spaces at risk due to Congressional neglect. Here’s what needs to change | Opinion
https://www2.philly.com/philly/opinion/commentary/land-water-conservation-fund-congress-pennsylvania-outdoor-spaces-20181022.html
Mountain areas in Westmoreland, Somerset see first sign of winter
https://triblive.com/local/regional/14202719-74/mountain-areas-in-westmoreland-somerset-see-first-sign-of-winter
State police collecting coats
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/state-police-collecting-coats-1.2400727
Transportation
Group sues to block replacement of 206-year-old stone bridge in Bucks County
http://www2.philly.com/philly/health/science/group-sues-to-block-replacement-of-206-year-old-stone-bridge-in-bucks-county-20181022.html
Road to Nowhere gone but Route 222 corridor work continues
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/road-to-nowhere-gone-but-222-corridor-work-continues
Washington
Trump escalates immigration rhetoric at rally to boost Ted Cruz
https://triblive.com/politics/politicalheadlines/14203524-74/trump-escalates-immigration-rhetoric-at-rally-to-boost-ted-cruz