Legislature
Legislation would establish security grants for synagogues and other institutions in Pa.
https://www.witf.org/2019/10/28/legislation-would-establish-security-grants-for-synagogues-and-other-institutions-in-pa/
Pa. corrections secretary draws more fire for remarks about planned prison closing, and he says he deserves it
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/10/pa-corrections-secretary-draws-more-fire-for-remarks-about-planned-prison-closing-and-he-says-he-deserves-it.html
Bill to allow 3 Sunday hunting days tweaked in state House
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/10/bill-to-allow-3-sunday-hunting-days-tweaked-in-state-house.html
Three more changes made to Sunday hunting bill, House vote to come soon
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2019/10/28/three-more-changes-made-sunday-hunting-bill-pa-house-pa-game-commission-deer-season/2485120001/
Sunday deer hunting on target to become a reality in Pennsylvania
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/sunday-deer-hunting-on-target-to-become-a-reality-in/article_31dcc786-f991-11e9-a58a-2bdd0d7c5d77.html
Bill would exclude volunteer fire, rescue squads from Right-to-Know requests
https://www.theintell.com/news/20191028/bill-would-exclude-volunteer-fire-rescue-squads-from-right-to-know-requests
Pashinski bill could spell trouble for the vaping industry
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/pashinski-bill-could-spell-trouble-for-the-vaping-industry-1.2551825
Proposed legislation could eliminate candidates from cross-filing
https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/proposed-legislation-could-eliminate-candidates-from-cross-filing/article_72264cb2-eec1-5342-81d4-50e021158c35.html
‘The stakes are too high’: Climate skeptics meet their own critics at state House committee hearing
https://www.penncapital-star.com/energy-environment/the-stakes-are-too-high-climate-skeptics-meet-their-own-critics-at-state-house-committee-hearing/
Pa. Republican boss Tabas sticks by defense of lawmakers’ controversial campaign spending
https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/pa-republican-boss-tabas-sticks-by-defense-of-controversial-campaign-spending-by-lawmakers/
Fire chiefs hope Sainato bill isn’t last step
https://www.ncnewsonline.com/news/local_news/fire-chiefs-hope-sainato-bill-isn-t-last-step/article_f1a0a0a8-8994-52bf-9203-5266a777179e.html
I almost died because of insurance prior authorization rules. Pennsylvania has legislation to fix them. | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/insurance-prior-authorization-pennsylvania-adverse-events-20191028.html
Security isn’t religious issue for state
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/security-isn-t-religious-issue-for-state-1.2551716
Senate right to deal house
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/senate-right-to-deal-house-1.2551718
Pa.’s hospitals are fighting for nurses’ safety. Here’s how | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/pa-s-hospitals-are-fighting-for-nurses-safety-heres-how-opinion/
Business
Urban Outfitters’ Anthropologie opens home goods, furniture outlet near Pittsburgh
https://www.inquirer.com/business/urban-outfitters-pittsburgh-philadelphia-home-goods-discount-20191028.html
New Dollar General store in Nanticoke plans grand opening
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/new-dollar-general-store-in-nanticoke-plans-grand-opening-1.2551870
New Manufacturers Resource Center leader wants to continue building
https://www.readingeagle.com/business-weekly/article/new-mrc-leader-wants-to-continue-building
Crime/Punishment
Police search for gunman after triple shooting in Jeannette leaves 1 dead
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/10/28/Police-searching-for-gunman-after-triple-shooting-in-Jeannette/stories/201910280142
1 dead, 2 injured in Jeannette shooting
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/at-least-one-person-shot-in-jeannette/
Greensburg doctor admits illegal distribution of opioid addiction drug
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/10/28/Greensburg-doctor-admits-illegal-distribution-of-opioid-addiction-drug/stories/201910280109
Westmoreland prison population surge expected to be temporary
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-prison-population-surge-expected-to-be-temporary/
10 charged in drug gang slayings, including quadruple murder
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/10-charged-in-drug-gang-slayings-including-quadruple-murder/
10 members of drug ring charged with 6 murders in Reading
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/10-members-of-drug-ring-charged-with-6-murders-in-reading
Lackawanna County OYFS caseworkers charged in child endangerment case
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-oyfs-caseworkers-charged-in-child-endangerment-case-1.2551681
‘This is about using our budget dollars wisely’: Pa. Corrections Dept. establishes new guidelines for former inmates seeking help
https://www.penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/this-is-about-using-our-budget-dollars-wisely-pa-corrections-dept-establishes-new-guidelines-for-former-inmates-seeking-help/
Education
Riverview schools to open Tuesday after threat deemed not credible
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/riverview-schools-to-open-tuesday-after-threat-deemed-not-credible/
DEP sets ‘informal conference’ on W-B Area high school issue for after election
https://www.timesleader.com/news/760326/dep-sets-informal-conference-on-w-b-area-high-school-issue-for-after-election
Finan recommends Scranton superintendent appointment
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/finan-recommends-scranton-superintendent-appointment-1.2551778
Pa. state commission postpones vote on controversial school mascot
https://www.witf.org/2019/10/28/pa-state-commission-postpones-vote-on-controversial-school-mascot/
Local News
Luzerne County $5 vehicle fee will be in effect another year
https://www.timesleader.com/news/760331/luzerne-county-5-vehicle-fee-will-be-in-effect-another-year
Wilkes-Barre’s third quarter balance near $6 million
https://www.timesleader.com/news/760329/wilkes-barres-third-quarter-balance-near-6-million
Landfill attorneys: Dunmore mayor’s veto is invalid
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/landfill-attorneys-dunmore-mayor-s-veto-is-invalid-1.2551776
Scranton city council, Shrive, talk easements in closed session
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-city-council-shrive-talk-easements-in-closed-session-1.2551775
New ethics code rule trips up most Scranton mayor candidates
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/new-ethics-code-rule-trips-up-most-scranton-mayor-candidates-1.2551702
Concrete damage limits access to Latrobe parking garage while city looks for fix
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/concrete-damage-limits-access-to-latrobe-parking-garage-while-city-looks-for-fix/
Reading Mayor Wally Scott asks DA to reconsider filing criminal charges against former RAWA officials
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-mayor-wally-scott-asks-da-to-reconsider-filing-criminal-charges-against-former-rawa-officials
Northern Berks police $43,000 over legal-fees budget
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/northern-berks-police-43000-over-legal-fees-budget
Use it or lose it: Bethlehem must spend $1.5 million
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/bethlehem/mc-nws-bethlehem-leftover-tif-projects-20191028-55c43y4a7raqznguhqejbn35xq-story.html
National News
Chance the Rapper’s Chicago teachers strike shoutout is a sign of the times
https://www.inquirer.com/news/chance-the-rapper-chicago-teachers-strike-snl-20191028.html
Opioid Crisis
Opioid presentation slated for tonight at LCCC
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/opioid-presentation-slated-for-tonight-at-lccc-1.2551868
Philly
When real-life terrors make Philly residents leave their own neighborhoods for Halloween
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/halloween-trick-or-treating-philadelphia-shootings-gun-violence-20191029.html
At town hall on policing, Meek Mill, Malcolm Jenkins turn the mic over to residents
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/meek-mill-malcolm-jenkins-policing-reform-town-hall-philadelphia-20191029.html
Rapper Meek Mill joins call for transparency in search for Philly’s new police chief
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/rapper-meek-mill-joins-call-for-transparency-in-search-for/article_62f07795-75b6-5a5f-be39-832790c60b01.html
‘It’s not safe for kids to be in this school’: North Philadelphia parents demand answers about asbestos
https://www.inquirer.com/education/asbestos-philadelphia-school-district-peirce-lead-parents-20191028.html
This ‘breakthrough’ benefit for trans workers at Mazzoni Center could be a model for other employers
https://www.inquirer.com/news/mazzoni-center-workers-first-contract-union-pto-gender-confirmation-surgery-lgbtq-20191029.html
Former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter promotes marijuana company
https://www.inquirer.com/business/weed/nutter-michael-marijuana-cannab-gleaf-green-leaf-gloucester-city-20191029.html
Cory Booker slams opponents for skipping Philly prison reform town hall: ‘Where are you? Seriously.’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/cory-booker-kamala-harris-eastern-state-penitentiary-justice-votes-town-hall-criminal-justice-reform-20191028.html
Next week’s ballot questions: A mixed bag | Endorsement
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/general-election-philadelphia-ballot-question-charter-constitutional-amendment-20191029.html
Pitt
Port Authority bus extracted from Downtown sinkhole; road closures indefinite
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2019/10/28/Port-Authority-falls-sinkhole-in-Downtown-Pittsburgh/stories/201910280067
Activists call on Pittsburgh Public Schools to extend suspension ban up to 5th grade
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/activists-call-on-pittsburgh-public-schools-to-extend-suspension-ban-up-to-5th-grade/
World War II Bible of Pittsburgh man, found in Belgium, now ‘home’ with grandson in Clarion
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2019/10/28/World-War-II-mystery-bible-returned-to-pittsburgh-belgium-howard-nesbitt/stories/201910260006
Ex-city officer gets probation for lying to FBI about bank holdup
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/10/28/Ex-city-officer-gets-probation-for-lying-to-FBI-about-bank-holdup-antoine-cain/stories/201910280081
The worst U.S. stock market crash on record turns 90
https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/stock-market-crash-1929-pittsburgh/
Neighbors say city is falling short on Penn Plaza guarantees
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/10/28/penn-plaza-development-east-end-lg-realty/stories/201910280091
Pittsburgh residents concerned about reconfiguration of East Liberty’s Enright Parklet
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-residents-concerned-about-reconfiguration-of-enright-parklet/
Pittsburgh yard-waste recycling scheduled for November
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-yard-waste-recycling-scheduled-for-november/
State News
Enough kids to open a day care: Activists push anew to shut down Berks detention center
https://www.inquirer.com/news/berks-detention-center-child-migrants-20191029.html
Berks County commissioner working with state to find alternative use for residential center
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-county-commissioner-working-with-state-to-find-alternative-use-for-residential-center
Gov. Wolf and a Berks County official are plotting ways to close an immigrant detention center
https://www.witf.org/2019/10/28/gov-wolf-and-a-berks-county-official-are-plotting-ways-to-close-an-immigrant-detention-center/
Shapiro, other attorneys general, oppose EPA proposal
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2019/10/28/Shapiro-other-attorneys-general-oppose-EPA-proposal/stories/201910280123
Judge OKs Aqua’s bid for Peoples Natural Gas, bringing deal one step closer
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2019/10/29/Judge-okays-Aqua-s-bid-for-Peoples-Natural-Gas-bringing-deal-one-step-closer/stories/201910280113
Continuing services: Successful mental health programs need funding
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/10/29/Continuing-services-Successful-mental-health-programs-need-funding/stories/201910230019
Is the world’s biggest Ouija board in Western Pa. or Massachusetts? Yes. No. Goodbye.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/haunted-ghost-halloween-ouija-horror-joker-20191029.html
Giving circles, where people pool their money for charity, have quadrupled, especially among women
https://www.inquirer.com/news/giving-circles-project-w-impact100-women-of-vision-philadelphia-20191029.html
Newest PUC commissioner, Yanora, is from Northeast Pa.
https://www.timesleader.com/news/760333/newest-puc-commissioner-yanora-is-from-northeast-pa
Auditor General announces extra money for municipal pensions across Pennsylvania
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/auditor-general-announces-extra-money-for-municipal-pensions-across-pennsylvania/
DePasquale announces $6.85M in pension aid for county
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/depasquale-announces-6-85m-in-pension-aid-for-county-1.2551757
Earth Conservancy receives $200K grant
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/earth-conservancy-receives-200k-grant-1.2551871
DCNR plans grant workshop
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/dcnr-plans-grant-workshop-1.2551873
New state liquor store in Luzerne plans grand opening
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/new-state-liquor-store-in-luzerne-plans-grand-opening-1.2551875
Which central Pa. nursing homes are among the best in the U.S. — and which are not?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/10/which-central-pa-nursing-homes-are-among-the-best-in-the-us-and-which-are-not.html
Woman leaves 1-month-old baby with LANTA bus driver, walks away in tears, police say
https://www.mcall.com/news/police/mc-nws-bethlehem-baby-left-with-bus-driver-20191028-qbt2uomwnffvpdlsaxd7tfi6ua-story.html
Transportation
SEPTA train hits, kills 16-year-old girl on Media/Elwyn line
https://www.inquirer.com/news/septa-train-fatality-swarthmore-media-elwyn-line-20191028.html
Sections of Saw Mill Run closing for bridge replacement project
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/sections-of-saw-mill-run-closing-for-bridge-replacement-project/
Restrictions lifted on Logans Ferry Road bridge near Plum-Lower Burrell border
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/restrictions-lifted-on-logans-ferry-road-bridge-near-plum-lower-burrell-border/
County receives $2M from PennDOT for local bridge project
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-receives-2m-from-penndot-for-local-bridge-project-1.2551876
Washington
Army officer to testify he raised flags about Trump’s Ukraine call
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/10/28/Trump-Ukraine-call-impeachment-White-House-official-Alexander-Vindman/stories/201910280149
Nancy Pelosi says House to vote this week on impeachment inquiry
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/nancy-pelosi-says-house-vote-this-week-impeachment-inquiry-20191028.html
Rep. Katie Hill vows to battle revenge porn, which critics blame for her downfall
https://www.inquirer.com/wires/wp/rep-katie-hill-vows-battle-revenge-porn-which-critics-blame-her-downfall-20191028.html
Sen. Bob Casey offers bill requiring colleges disclose hazing incidents on their websites
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20191028/sen-bob-casey-offers-bill-requiring-colleges-disclose-hazing-incidents-on-their-websites