Legislature
Once again, Pa. House will bar nonbelievers from giving invocations https://whyy.org/articles/once-again-house-will-bar-nonbelievers-from-giving-invocations/
Funding transportation in Pennsylvania has been a bumpy road https://www.timesleader.com/news/757908/funding-transportation-in-pennsylvania-has-been-a-bumpy-road
Bill would put White Haven Center closure plans on hold https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/bill-would-put-white-haven-center-closure-plans-on-hold-1.2541589
New legislation aims to make natural gas the new coal industry in NEPA https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/new-legislation-aims-to-make-natural-gas-the-new-coal-industry-in-nepa-1.2541585
Administration
Wolf will allow bill that expands federal immigration work checks to become law https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/wolf-will-allow-bill-that-expands-federal-immigration-work-checks-to-become-law/
Governor signs new restrictions on robocalls in Pennsylvania https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/governor-signs-new-restrictions-on-robocalls-in-pennsylvania/
Wolf Won’t Veto Controversial E-Verify Bill And Other Takeaways From #AskGovWolf https://www.wesa.fm/post/wolf-wont-veto-controversial-e-verify-bill-and-other-takeaways-askgovwolf
Business
U.S. adds 136,000 jobs; unemployment hits 50-year low of 3.5% https://www.inquirer.com/economy/us-unemployment-50-year-low-september-jobs-report-20191004.html
PayPal pulls out of Facebook’s Libra cryptocurrency project https://www.post-gazette.com/business/tech-news/2019/10/04/Libra-Facebook-PayPal-cryptocurrency-out/stories/201910040196
Crime
Priests accused of sexual abuse continue to teach, counsel and foster children without supervision: investigation https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/10/unsupervised-accused-priests-teach-counsel-foster-children.html
DA Krasner wants to reduce charge in Rittenhouse stabbing case from murder to manslaughter https://www.inquirer.com/news/michael-white-sean-schellenger-rittenhouse-square-stabbing-krasner-trial-20191005.html
Ex-Center City real estate agent gets 3½ to 7 years in fatal shooting of boyfriend. His dad calls sentence ‘a disgrace.’ https://www.inquirer.com/news/center-city-real-estate-agent-jeanette-wakefield-sentenced-voluntary-manslaughter-terry-corrigan-20191004.html
Narcotics cop busted for using confiscated Porsche on stepdaughter’s school prom day https://www.inquirer.com/news/james-coolen-narcotics-philadelphia-police-department-porsche-prom-20191004.html
Jury asks about ‘reasonable doubt’ in hate-crime assault trial for ex-Bordentown Township police chief https://www.inquirer.com/news/new-jersey/nucera-frank-police-chief-bordentown-township-hate-crime-assault-trial-isis-racial-slurs-20191004.html
Latest on search for Dulce Maria Alavez: Officials hopeful N.J. girl is alive, 911 audio released https://www.inquirer.com/news/new-jersey/dulce-alavez-911-call-missing-bridgeton-new-jersey-20191004.html
Mixed results in investigation of Greensburg priest https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2019/10/04/Greensburg-priest-cleared-of-sexual-abuse-allegation-Catholic-diocese/stories/201910040176
Man who killed friend when he was 16 becomes Pa.’s 448th juvenile lifer to be resentenced https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/10/man-who-killed-friend-when-he-was-16-becomes-pas-448th-juvenile-lifer-to-be-resentenced.html
Fifth sexual abuse lawsuit filed against diocese over same priest https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/fifth-sexual-abuse-lawsuit-filed-against-diocese-over-same-priest-1.2541685
Education
Asbestos-tainted Philly school building to be closed indefinitely; district seeks alternate sites for 1,000 students https://www.inquirer.com/news/asbestos-ben-franklin-sla-building-school-closed-20191004.html
Paying student-athletes fundamentally changes college sports — and maybe not for the best | Opinion https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/ncaa-california-ruling-student-athletes-endorsement-paid-20191005.html
We asked Tobias Harris and other insiders: Should Pa. legalize paying student-athletes? | Opinion https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/ncaa-fair-pay-play-student-athletes-money-20191005.html
Holy Family University receives $2 million federal grant to support and retain low-income students https://www.inquirer.com/education/holy-family-university-receives-2-million-federal-grant-support-retain-low-income-students-20191004.html
Cheyney partnerships: Some successful, others see no movement https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/cheyney-partnerships-some-successful-others-see-no-movement/article_89fca215-b4eb-55e2-9afc-005040c26cf2.html
How Penn State is cutting greenhouse emissions in half — and saving money https://whyy.org/npr_story_post/how-penn-state-is-cutting-greenhouse-emissions-in-half-and-saving-money/
Elections/Politics
David Lloyd running for Pa. Senate seat vacated by Mike Folmer https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/10/david-lloyd-running-for-pa-senate-seat-vacated-by-mike-folmer.html
York Co. businessman Tom Ryan runs for Pa. Senate seat vacated by Mike Folmer https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/10/york-co-businessman-tom-ryan-runs-for-pa-senate-seat-vacated-by-mike-folmer.html
Bernie Sanders had a heart attack, campaign says https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/bernie-sanders-heart-attack-confirmed-20191004.html
In Delaware County, a historic race looms as Democrats seek their first council majority https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/delaware-county-council-democrats-municipal-election-2019-20191005.html
Microsoft says group linked to Iran’s government tried hack of U.S. presidential campaign https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/iran-computer-hacking-us-presidential-campaign-microsoft-20191004.html
Elizabeth Warren nets $24.6M in Q3 fundraising, exceeding Biden but trailing Sanders https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/10/04/Elizabeth-Warren-24-6-million-third-quarter-fundraising-Biden-Sanders/stories/201910040154
Health Care
Trump’s order will deny visas to immigrants who lack health-care coverage https://www.inquirer.com/politics/immigrants-visas-health-care-trump-white-house-20191005.html
Pennsylvania reports first vaping-related death https://www.inquirer.com/health/vaping-death-pennsylvania-e-cigarette-lung-illness-20191004.html
Pennsylvania health secretary advises ‘extreme caution’ after one death linked to vaping https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/pennsylvania-health-secretary-advises-extreme-caution-after-one-death-linked-to-vaping/
Sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise in Lehigh Valley cities. Here are the numbers. https://www.mcall.com/health/mc-hea-std-allentown-bethlehem-20191004-2bd4fqjsjvg7firyqm3yfcbmve-story.html
Breast Cancer Awareness | Nanty Glo survivor encourages routine mammograms https://www.tribdem.com/news/breast-cancer-awareness-nanty-glo-survivor-encourages-routine-mammograms/article_6a5cf622-e6fd-11e9-bc90-a379dd69b19c.html
Local News
Crashed plane in Susquehanna River: Where it’s from, what happened, more https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/10/crashed-plane-in-susquehanna-river-where-its-from-what-happened-more.html
Decades after closure, Moonlite Drive-In returns https://www.timesleader.com/news/757893/decades-after-closure-moonlite-drive-in-returns
Author at Wyoming Area sparks debate on Civil War photography https://www.timesleader.com/news/757918/author-at-wyoming-area-sparks-debate-on-civil-war-photography
Gazenski on board with mayoral nomination to Wilkes-Barre Housing Authority https://www.timesleader.com/news/757910/gazenski-on-board-with-mayoral-nomination-to-wilkes-barre-housing-authority
Auditor says city made ‘mistakes’ with pension plans https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/auditor-says-city-made-mistakes-with-pension-plans-1.2541652
Luzerne awaits OT costs for cyberattack https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/luzerne-awaits-ot-costs-for-cyberattack-1.2541633
West Reading’s murals are a hidden cultural treasure [Video Tour] https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/west-readings-murals-are-a-hidden-cultural-treasure-video-tour
Reading’s community development director resigns https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/readings-community-development-director-resigns
‘We’re not making this up’: Aliquippa residents face high bills, brown water https://www.timesonline.com/news/20191005/were-not-making-this-up-aliquippa-residents-face-high-bills-brown-water
Erie Innovation District becomes freestanding organization https://www.goerie.com/news/20191005/erie-innovation-district-becomes-freestanding-organization
Daughter following in dad’s footsteps as firefighter, paramedic https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/daughter-following-in-dad-s-footsteps-as-firefighter-paramedic/article_b754d864-848d-5cec-8537-5351d42c6978.html
Op-Ed: New train station shows Levittown is back https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/opinion/20191005/op-ed-new-train-station-shows-levittown-is-back
National News
U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear Atlantic Coast Pipeline case https://www.penncapital-star.com/energy-environment/u-s-supreme-court-agrees-to-hear-atlantic-coast-pipeline-case/
Ag Secretary Perdue to small farmers: Stop whining, your demise is inevitable | Opinion https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/ag-secretary-perdue-to-small-farmers-stop-whining-your-demise-is-inevitable-opinion/
U.S. Supreme Court takes on high-stakes abortion case https://www.penncapital-star.com/health-care/u-s-supreme-court-takes-on-high-stakes-abortion-case/
Opioid Crisis
Purdue opioid settlement plan criticized by Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware attorneys general https://www.inquirer.com/business/drugs/purdue-pharma-settlement-sackler-oxycontin-pennsylvania-new-jersey-delaware-20191004.html
Philly
After a landmark federal ruling, what’s next for Philly’s supervised injection site? https://www.inquirer.com/health/opioid-addiction/philadelphia-supervised-injection-site-kensington-whats-next-20191004.html
While updating water meters, Philadelphia will develop database of city’s lead pipes https://whyy.org/articles/while-updating-water-meters-philadelphia-will-develop-database-of-citys-lead-pipes/
‘Sisters’ adopted from China reunite outside Philadelphia https://www.inquirer.com/news/adopted-girls-china-reunite-philadelphia-20191006.html
Philadanco gets $420k grant to help lay groundwork for Joan Myers Brown’s succession https://www.inquirer.com/arts/philadanco-joan-myers-brown-mellon-grant-50th-anniversary-20191004.html
Philadelphia workers greet new cashless-store ban: ‘I feel like we can serve everyone now’ https://www.inquirer.com/business/cashless-ban-philadelphia-stores-sweetgreen-bluestone-lane-20191004.html
A new bill by Quiñones-Sánchez aims to speed up Philly’s development process https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/a-new-bill-by-qui-ones-s-nchez-aims-to/article_e0dff069-b4b8-535c-a8e7-215b16a8ef65.html
Building industry endorses changes to 10-year tax abatement as City Council mulls next steps https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/building-industry-endorses-changes-to–year-tax-abatement-as/article_c6525cb0-e0da-5f62-acfa-59dd853794a9.html
Celebrating ‘Notorious’ Ruth Bader Ginsburg at Philly Jewish museum https://whyy.org/articles/celebrating-notorious-ruth-bader-ginsburg-at-philly-jewish-museum/
Philly Rail Park’s first public art festival highlights its locomotive history https://whyy.org/articles/philly-rail-parks-first-public-art-festival-spotlights-its-locomotive-history/
Pitt
City adopts U.N. sustainability goals https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/10/05/Pittsburgh-adopts-United-Nations-Sustainable-Development-Goals-Mayor-Bill-Peduto/stories/201910040168
Gene Therapy: As journalism thins its ranks, the corrupt quietly celebrate https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/gene-collier-columns/2019/10/05/Newspapers-journalism-Khashoggi-jobs-Gene-Therapy/stories/201910050006
‘We have nothing to lose but our chains’: Pittsburgh protesters demand change for black women https://www.witf.org/2019/10/05/we-have-nothing-to-lose-but-our-chains-protesters-demand-change-for-black-women/
Pittsburgh adopts UN sustainable development goals, but Mayor Peduto offers few specifics https://www.witf.org/2019/10/04/pittsburgh-adopts-un-sustainable-development-goals-but-mayor-peduto-offers-few-specifics/
State News
Yes, there are competitive meat judging teams. They came to Pennsylvania last weekend. https://www.inquirer.com/news/meat-paleo-pennstate-texastech-florida-beef-20191005.html
Washington
Impeachment probe reaches into White House with new subpoena https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/impeachment-trump-democrats-subpoena-white-house-20191004.html
A 2nd official is thinking about blowing the whistle on Trump’s Ukraine dealings, sources say https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/10/04/2nd-whistleblower-Trump-Ukraine-impeachment-inquiry/stories/201910040186
House chairmen request documents from Pence in the impeachment inquiry https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/10/04/Pence-Ukraine-Trump-House-impeachment-inquiry-documents/stories/201910040170
Revelations in impeachment inquiry rattle State Department https://www.witf.org/2019/10/05/revelations-in-impeachment-inquiry-rattle-state-department/
World
Taliban meet U.S. peace envoy for first time since ‘dead’ deal https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/taliban-us-peace-deal-afghanistan-trump-20191005.html
Hong Kong suspends trains, again rallies after ‘dark day’ https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/hong-kong-protesters-suspends-trains-carrie-lam-20191005.html
Iraqi security forces open fire on anti-government protesters https://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2019/10/04/Iraqi-security-forces-open-fire-on-anti-government-protesters-as-top-cleric-backs-their-demands/stories/201910040179