Legislature
Survivors’ stories ‘made an impact’ on senators weighing changes to Pa.’s statutes of limitations
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/10/survivors-stories-made-an-impact-on-senators-weighing-changes-to-pas-statutes-of-limitations-on-sexual-abuse-crimes.html
Pennsylvania is once again debating how to address the victims of ‘predator priests.’ Here’s what we know.
https://www.penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/pennsylvania-is-once-again-debating-how-to-address-the-victims-of-predator-priests-heres-what-we-know/
Pennsylvania bill would legalize pot, make state the only seller
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-bill-would-legalize-pot-make-state-the-only-seller/
Tanqueray and chronic? Pa. House Democrat wants to sell legal cannabis in state liquor stores
https://www.penncapital-star.com/working-the-economy/tanqueray-and-chronic-pa-house-democrat-wants-to-sell-legal-cannabis-in-state-liquor-stores/
Recreational pot advocates tout economic benefits for Pennsylvania
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/recreational-pot-advocates-tout-economic-benefits-for-pennsylvania/article_0e24a7d8-e559-11e9-8e62-1f9c92429a20.html
Think tank backs marijuana legalization in Pennsylvania
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20191003/think-tank-backs-marijuana-legalization-in-pennsylvania
Pro/Con: Should Pa. legalize recreational marijuana? | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/recreational-marijuana-pennsylvania-legal-governor-tom-wolf-20191002.html
Legislators hype region as potential natural gas hub
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/legislators-hype-region-as-potential-natural-gas-hub-1.2540665
Pa. Sen. Daylin Leach sues Inquirer, reporter, alleging defamation
https://www.inquirer.com/news/daylin-leach-lawsuit-defamation-inquirer-couloumbis-20191003.html
Five myths about raising the minimum wage — debunked | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/five-myths-about-raising-the-minimum-wage-debunked-opinion/
Editorial: Killion keeps gunning for common-sense gun solutions
https://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/editorial-killion-keeps-gunning-for-common-sense-gun-solutions/article_54d4c090-e50a-11e9-b5e9-73e032b49eeb.html
Administration
Wolf: Marijuana pardons won’t be rubber-stamped
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/wolf-says-marijuana-pardons-wont-be-rubber-stamped/
Wolf pushes faster pot pardons
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2019/10/wolf-pushes-faster-pot-pardons/
Gov. Wolf aims to raise Pa.’s profile in climate change fight by joining multi-state carbon tax program
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/10/gov-wolf-aims-to-raise-pennsylvanias-profile-in-climate-change-fight-by-joining-multi-state-carbon-tax-program.html
Pennsylvania to move forward on power plant emission caps
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-to-move-forward-on-power-plant-emission-caps/
Business
Sheetz says it will boost workers’ pay by $16.8M
https://triblive.com/local/regional/sheetz-says-it-will-boost-workers-pay-by-16-3-million/
Hidden fees: How cable companies could be adding $450 a year to your bill
https://www.inquirer.com/business/comcast/comcast-bill-hidden-fee-verizon-charter-20191003.html
Kidder Street McDonald’s holds grand re-opening ceremony
https://www.timesleader.com/news/757615/kidder-street-mcdonalds-holds-grand-re-opening-ceremony
Bed Bath & Beyond to close 60 stores
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2019/10/bed-bath-beyond-to-close-60-stores.html
Education
Scranton principal, others hiding children’s books throughout region
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-principal-others-hiding-children-s-books-throughout-region-1.2540790
Auditors, W-B Area officials to meet today
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/auditors-w-b-area-officials-to-meet-today-1.2540698
W-B Area’s new school: Gym walls, stage and pool show big progress
https://www.timesleader.com/news/757626/w-b-areas-new-school-gym-walls-stage-and-pool-show-big-progress
Pennsylvania schools look to a ‘reset’ to solve tuition crisis | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/tuition-reset-college-affordability-private-schools-20191002.html
Pa., N.J. college officials laud judge’s decision in Harvard affirmative action case
https://www.inquirer.com/education/harvard-court-affirmative-action-asian-students-20191002.html
Cannabis Certificate Program comes to Lackawanna College
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/cannabis-certificate-program-comes-to-lackawanna-college-1.2540567
Despite complaints, Penn State sticks with its traffic and parking plan
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/10/despite-complaints-penn-state-sticks-with-its-traffic-and-parking-plan.html
Changing college landscape front and center for Big Ten
https://www.witf.org/2019/10/03/changing-college-landscape-front-and-center-for-big-ten/
Elections/Politics
Voters must register by Monday for the Nov. 5 election
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/10/02/Voters-registration-deadline-November-election-pennsylvania/stories/201910010186
Luzerne County Election Board issues recommendation on new voting system
https://www.timesleader.com/news/757617/luzerne-county-election-board-issues-recommendation-on-new-voting-system
Election board splits with Pedri on voting machines
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election-board-splits-with-pedri-on-voting-machines-1.2540704
Gaming
Sportsbook at The Meadows Casino in Washington County set to launch
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/meadows-casino-sports-book-coming-next-week-2/
Tight labor market exacts a price: Pa. casino fined $152,500 for failing to hire enough security
https://www.inquirer.com/business/pennsylvania-fines-mohegan-sun-failure-security-levels-labor-shortage-20191003.html
DraftKings aims to play in Pennsylvania’s booming online sports-betting market
https://www.inquirer.com/business/draftkings-pennsylvania-approves-10th-legal-sports-betting-casino-meadows-20191002.html
Health Care
Insurers unveil Pittsburgh-area Medicare Advantage offerings for 2020
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2019/10/02/Medicare-Advantage-UPMC-Health-Plan-Highmark-Aetna-United-Healthcare-premiums/stories/201910010171
‘Unprecedented’ demand for shingles vaccine leads to shortage
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/unprecedented-demand-for-shingles-vaccine-leads-to-shortage/
Flu shots, required vaccines for school, more: How Pa. ranks among U.S. states in immunizing its residents
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2019/10/flu-shots-required-vaccines-for-school-more-how-pa-ranks-among-us-states-in-immunizing-its-residents.html
Local News
Rare one-day Section 8 application acceptance scheduled Thursday
https://www.timesleader.com/news/757628/rare-one-day-section-8-application-acceptance-scheduled-thursday
Judges order Bolus off ballot in Scranton mayoral election; three other challenges rejected
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/judges-order-bolus-off-ballot-in-scranton-mayoral-election-three-other-challenges-rejected-1.2540495
Cummings, O’Malley voice frustrations over state AG prison probe
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/cummings-o-malley-voice-frustrations-over-state-ag-prison-probe-1.2540565
City parked in reverse
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/city-parked-in-reverse-1.2540636
Dunmore resident launches write-in campaign after landfill vote
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/dunmore-resident-launches-write-in-campaign-after-landfill-vote-1.2540754
WWII-era bomber in fatal Conn. crash visited Hazleton Regional Airport
https://www.timesleader.com/news/757580/wwii-era-bomber-in-fatal-conn-crash-visited-hazleton-regional-airport
Firefighter memorial gets much needed renovation
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/firefighter-memorial-gets-much-needed-renovation-1.2540581
Reading resident petitions City Council for traffic light at Second and Buttonwood streets
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-resident-petitions-city-council-for-traffic-light-at-second-and-buttonwood-streets
Taking stock of housing in Berks: low supply, high demand
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/taking-stock-of-housing-in-berks-low-supply-high-demand
Former Reading Mayor Vaughn Spencer’s sentence for corruption is appropriate, federal prosecutors argue
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/former-reading-mayor-vaughn-spencers-sentence-for-corruption-is-appropriate-federal-prosecutors-argue
DoubleTree hotel in Reading hosts Coffee with a Cop
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/doubletree-hotel-hosts-coffee-with-a-cop&template=ourcityart
Officials celebrate finished Reading Public Museum pathways
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/officials-celebrate-finished-reading-public-museum-pathways
Bucks County homes are at ‘increased risk’ from lead paint. A new $1.5M grant aims to help.
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20191003/bucks-county-homes-are-at-increased-risk-from-lead-paint-new-15m-grant-aims-to-help
Downingtown Main Street Association dedicates Armor Alley
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/downingtown-main-street-association-dedicates-armor-alley/article_c601e6b4-e558-11e9-a260-7fdf8cb5cfd0.html
National News
Lung damage from vaping resembles chemical burns, a Mayo report says
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2019/10/02/vaping-lung-illnesses-toxic-chemical-Mayo/stories/201910020237
This is what’s at stake in the three LGBTQ rights cases now before the Supreme Court | Analysis
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/this-is-whats-at-stake-in-the-three-lgbtq-rights-cases-now-before-the-supreme-court-analysis/
Opioid Crisis
AG Shapiro talks combatting opioids during symposium in W-B
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/ag-shapiro-talks-combatting-opioids-during-symposium-in-w-b-1.2540609
Hard facts and a personal moment: Combatting opioid crisis
https://www.timesleader.com/news/757595/hard-facts-and-a-personal-moment-combatting-opioid-crisis
Philly
Asbestos concerns cancel classes for at least the rest of the week for Ben Franklin, SLA
https://www.inquirer.com/education/asbestos-school-district-ben-franklin-sla-closed-health-20191002.html
Philly lawyers, residents lobby for policy change to make it easier to save homes in foreclosure
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/housing/homeowners-foreclosure-phfa-policy-liens-debts-mortgage-modification-philly-20191002.html
A West Philly block captain is immortalized in a mural. Again.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/mural-philadelphia-louise-fletcher-west-philly-university-of-the-sciences-20191002.html
Judge: Philly supervised injection site proposal does not violate federal law
https://www.inquirer.com/health/opioid-addiction/safehouse-supervised-injection-site-ruling-philadelphia-mchugh-opioids-20191002.html
U.S. judge: Injection sites don’t violate federal drug laws
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/u-s-judge-injection-sites-dont-violate-federal-drug-laws/
The court ruled, and Philly is out of excuses. We need a supervised injection site now. | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/judge-ruling-supervised-injection-site-safehouse-philadelphia-20191002.html
Women board members outnumbered by men at Philly’s colleges and hospitals, new study finds
https://www.inquirer.com/news/lasalle-wlni-nonprofit-boards-hospitals-colleges-20191003.html
How a Philly teen is changing the lives of thousands of Liberians
https://www.inquirer.com/news/clean-water-student-fundraiser-carver-philadelphia-20191006.html
Green Party’s Jill Stein threatens legal challenge to Philly’s new, $29M voting machines
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/jill-stein-philly-voting-machines-2016-recount-settlement-20191002.html
Former Philly cop Richard Frank charged with sexually assaulting a minor
https://www.inquirer.com/news/richard-frank-philadelphia-police-charged-child-indecent-assaut-upper-southampton-20191002.html
Philadelphians are paying some of the highest ATM fees in the nation, survey says
https://www.inquirer.com/business/philadelphia-overdraft-atm-fee-bank-bankrate-highest-20191002.html
‘Our voice still matters’: Philadelphia looks to register people on probation and parole to vote
https://www.witf.org/2019/10/02/our-voice-still-matters-philadelphia-looks-to-register-people-on-probation-and-parole-to-vote/
Fearing a sale, nurses at Temple University Hospital want to protect their jobs
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/fearing-a-sale-nurses-at-temple-university-hospital-want-to/article_e3f69cbc-008f-55dd-b81d-ed69fd5cc8e1.html
Pitt
Bedbugs again force Duquesne Incline shutdown; Steel Valley schools also affected
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/10/02/Bedbugs-again-force-Duquesne-Incline-shutdown/stories/201910020179
Warren Buffett’s son visits 2-1-1 call center for people in crisis as part of Pittsburgh stop
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2019/10/02/Peter-Buffett-Warren-Buffett-United-Way-PA-2-1-1-call-center/stories/201910020173
Pittsburgh Public Schools launches pilot program to diversify teacher workforce
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/10/02/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-launches-pilot-program-to-diversify-teacher-workforce/stories/201910020216
Council roundup: City to get internal ‘racial equity toolkit’, Finance Department looking to better manage tax collection
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/10/02/Pittsburgh-city-council-peduto-racial-equity-toolkit-firefighter-diversity-online-tax-collection/stories/201910020171
Yet another alligator found roaming Pittsburgh
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/10/02/Yet-another-alligator-found-roaming-Pittsburgh-lawrenceville-huimane-animal-rescue-gus-allegheny-river/stories/201910020201
10.27 Healing Partnership opens doors to those affected by Tree of Life shooting
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2019/10/02/Tree-of-life-synagogue-massacre-10-27-healing-partnership/stories/201910020169
Study highlights prevalence of ticks in Pittsburgh parks
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/study-highlights-prevalence-of-ticks-in-pittsburgh-parks/
Pennsylvania provides $96,000 for urban farming in Allegheny County
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pennsylvania-provides-96000-for-urban-farming-in-allegheny-county/
Allegheny County temporarily closes WIC offices in Springdale, Mt. Oliver
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/allegheny-county-temporarily-closes-wic-offices-in-springdale-mt-oliver/
Pittsburgh sets record for warmest low temp, extending growing season
https://triblive.com/local/regional/warm-pittsburgh-weather-set-record-low-temp-extends-growing-season/
State News
A war on the poor: Proposal would limit help to SNAP recipients
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/10/03/War-on-the-poor-food-stamps-proposal-limit-SNAP-help/stories/201909270038
Study: Those facing deportation need legal representation
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2019/10/02/Penn-State-Law-Center-Immigrant-Rights-Clinic-study-deportation-public-defender/stories/201910020134
How Pennsylvania failed to protect boys from abuse at Glen Mills and other state-licensed juvenile programs.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/a/pennsylvania-reform-school-abuse-scandal-dhs-oversight-glen-mills-20191003.html
TheSkimm’s co-founders speak at Pa. Conference for Women about reaching 7 million subscribers
https://www.inquirer.com/news/theskimm-danielle-weisberg-carly-zakin-pa-conference-for-women-20191002.html
Pa. marijuana grower urges regulation for disclosure of vaping ingredients
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-marijuana-grower-urges-regulation-for-disclosure-of-vaping-ingredients/
Pa. state parks funding failing to keep pace with inflation: report
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/10/pa-state-parks-funding-failing-to-keep-pace-with-inflation-report.html
Transportation
Route 910 bridge in West Deer reopens ahead of schedule
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/route-910-bridge-in-west-deer-reopens-ahead-of-schedule/
Work on Sans Souci Parkway on schedule
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/work-on-sans-souci-parkway-on-schedule-1.2540624