Legislature
The new minimum wage fight, basically the same as the old fight
https://www.witf.org/2019/09/17/the-new-minimum-wage-fight-basically-the-same-as-the-old-fight/
Calls for a red flag gun law in Pa.: ‘This isn’t a gun issue. This is a public health issue.’
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/09/calls-for-a-red-flag-gun-law-in-pa-this-isnt-a-gun-issue-this-is-a-public-health-issue.html
I’m a Pa. veteran. We need an ERPO law to fight the epidemic of veteran suicide | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/paforward/im-a-pa-veteran-we-need-an-erpo-law-to-save-other-veterans-opinion/
Here’s what Pennsylvania is doing to address climate change — and why politics is making it difficult
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania-climate-change-governor-wolf-carbon-state-action-20190918.html
Pa. environmental board will vet proposed rules restricting potent greenhouse gas emissions
https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/pa-environmental-board-will-vet-proposed-rules-restricting-potent-greenhouse-gas-emissions/
Pa. Liquor Control Board’s refusal to share records with state lawmaker sparks court battle
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/09/pa-liquor-control-boards-refusal-to-share-records-with-state-lawmaker-sparks-court-battle.html
CNN anchor Van Jones, Rep. Ed Gainey advocate probation reform in East Liberty
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/cnn-anchor-van-jones-rep-ed-gainey-advocate-probation-reform-in-east-liberty/Content?oid=15867700
Boback named to Pa Women’s Commission
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/boback-named-to-pa-women-s-commission-1.2534249
Pa. senator’s social media account linked to child pornography as far back as 2017: court documents
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/09/state-senator-used-social-media-site-to-download-child-pornography-documents.html
Pa. Sen. Mike Folmer loses leadership post over ‘deeply disturbing’ child porn charges
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/09/state-sen-mike-folmer-loses-post-as-committee-chairman-in-wake-of-child-porn-charges.html
Pa. state senator from Lebanon County charged with possession of child pornography
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania-senator-arrested-mike-folmer-child-pornography-possession-20190918.html
Gov. Tom Wolf calls for immediate resignation of Pa. Sen. Mike Folmer over child porn charges
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/09/gov-tom-wolf-calls-for-immediate-resignation-of-state-sen-mike-folmer-over-child-porn-charges.html
Business
Keurig Dr Pepper facility to bring 378 new jobs to Lehigh Valley
https://www.timesleader.com/news/756047/keurig-dr-pepper-facility-to-bring-378-new-jobs-to-lehigh-valley
UPS to hire nearly 800 holiday-season workers in New Stanton
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/ups-to-hire-nearly-800-holiday-season-workers-in-new-stanton/
GM offers 2% raises to UAW as the company ends strikers’ health care, sources say
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/pittsburgh-company-news/2019/09/17/GM-strike-UAW-workers-health-talks/stories/201909170166
Changing the status quo: Retailers should unite behind Walmart gun stance
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/09/18/Changing-the-status-quo-Retailers-should-unite-behind-Walmart-gun-stance/stories/201909180072
Job seekers on the hunt at Times Leader Career Fair
https://www.timesleader.com/news/756085/job-seekers-on-the-hunt-at-times-leader-career-fair
Crime/Punishment
Pirates pitcher Felipe Vazquez charged with sex crimes in Florida and Westmoreland County
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2019/09/17/Felipe-Vazquez-Pittsburgh-Pirates-arrested-child-pornography-charges/stories/201909170102
Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez arrested on child sex charges from Florida, Westmoreland County
https://triblive.com/sports/pirates-closer-felipe-vazquez-arrested-on-child-sex-charges/
Pitt grad student gets prison for killing McKeesport woman in fatal DUI crash
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/09/17/fatal-dui-crash-west-mifflin-Robert-Darrisaw-Marlee-Hill/stories/201909170106
Ex-Radnor Township board chair Philip Ahr sentenced to more than 12 years in child porn case
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philip-ahr-sentencing-prison-radnor-child-porn-20190917.html
18-year-old charged in shooting death of 16-year-old in Duquesne Heights
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-police-charge-18-year-old-in-shooting-death-of-16-year-old-in-duquesne-heights/
Teen pleads guilty to fatally shooting friend
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/teen-pleads-guilty-to-fatally-shooting-friend-1.2534218
Education
Penn Hills School Board trying to oust financial recovery officer
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/penn-hills-school-board-trying-to-oust-financial-recovery-officer/
Connellsville, Allderdice trade allegations of racial slurs, homophobic comments
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/connellsville-allderdice-trade-allegations-of-racial-slurs-homophobic-comments/
Central Pa. schools reflect increasing diversity of US
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/09/racial-diversity-in-our-schools-how-has-it-changed.html
Elections/Politics
The Biden-Sanders feud ramps up in front of a key Philly union audience
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/09/17/Joe-Biden-Sanders-union/stories/201909170162
Joe Biden touts political longevity in bid for union support at Philly event: ‘You all know me.’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/joe-biden-bernie-sanders-union-aflcio-philadelphia-forum-20190917.html
Health Care
Americans continue to be ignorant or indifferent about the cancer-preventing HPV vaccine
https://www.inquirer.com/health/hpv-vaccine-gardasil-cancer-prevention-20190918.html
Local News
Luzerne County Flood Authority agreement with county on hold
https://www.timesleader.com/news/756103/luzerne-county-flood-authority-agreement-with-county-on-hold
Flood authority tables vote on agreement with county
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/flood-authority-tables-vote-on-agreement-with-county-1.2534336
Lehman Township staying in stormwater program
https://www.timesleader.com/news/756079/lehman-township-staying-in-stormwater-program
WVSA, Lehman Twp. reach agreement on stormwater program
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wvsa-lehman-twp-reach-agreement-on-stormwater-program-1.2534337
Judge rejects objections to county’s voting district plan
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/judge-rejects-objections-to-county-s-voting-district-plan-1.2534317
Illegal dumping recurring problem in Wilkes-Barre neighborhood, cleanup taking time
https://www.timesleader.com/news/756100/illegal-dumping-recurring-problem-in-wilkes-barre-neighborhood-cleanup-taking-time
$600K earmarked for 4 projects in county
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/600k-earmarked-for-4-projects-in-county-1.2534331
Two county fire departments to receive grant money
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/two-county-fire-departments-to-receive-grant-money-1.2534332
Track, trails in Lackawanna County receive state grants
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/track-trails-in-lackawanna-county-receive-state-grants-1.2534201
Time’s up for old parking meters in Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/time-s-up-for-old-parking-meters-in-scranton-1.2534048
Scranton to take credit card payments for permits
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-to-take-credit-card-payments-for-permits-1.2534195
Lawsuit by Bob Bolus challenges Nay Aug Park parking pact between Scranton and Geisinger CMC hospital
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lawsuit-by-bob-bolus-challenges-nay-aug-park-parking-pact-between-scranton-and-geisinger-cmc-hospital-1.2534248
Harwood Fire Company, Hazle Twp. Fire & Rescue consolidation in the works
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/harwood-fire-company-hazle-twp-fire-rescue-consolidation-in-the-works-1.2534228
Gaming grant to fund City Hall renovations
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/gaming-grant-to-fund-city-hall-renovations-1.2534223
HHA plans outline improvement projects
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/hha-plans-outline-improvement-projects-1.2534230
New head of West Hazleton parade committee named
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/new-head-of-west-hazleton-parade-committee-named-1.2534224
Wright Twp. plans road projects, improvements to park playground
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/wright-twp-plans-road-projects-improvements-to-park-playground-1.2534233
Neighbors angry over plan to open a shelter for undocumented migrant children in Devon
https://www.inquirer.com/news/immigration-unaccompanied-minors-border-shelter-devon-vision-quest-20190917.html
Green projects in Chester County get funding to tune of $740,000
https://www.phoenixvillenews.com/green-projects-in-chester-county-get-funding-to-tune-of/article_b51ed47d-3285-571c-90da-d904fea5b412.html
Freeport Community park gets $240K state grant
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/freeport-community-park-gets-240k-state-grant/
Former Mineral Spring Hotel in Reading could become a veterans service center
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/former-mineral-spring-hotel-could-become-a-veterans-service-center
Group intent on saving Bern Township one-room schoolhouse
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/group-intent-on-saving-bern-township-one-room-schoolhouse
$25,000 grant focuses on public health, food
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190918/25000-grant-focuses-on-public-health-food
National News
Men more likely to not wear helmet, get injured while biking
https://www.inquirer.com/health/bicycle-injuries-helmets-fatalities-children-men-20190918.html
Opioid Crisis
Hospitals seeing shift in ODs
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2019/09/18/Hospitals-overdoses-opioids-heroin-fentanyl-cocaine-methamphetamine-UPMC-Pennsylvania/stories/201909170095
Hospital admissions for opioid overdoses decline in Pennsylvania
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/hospital-admissions-for-opioid-overdoses-decline-in-pennsylvania/
Opioid overdose admissions decline more slowly in Luzerne County than statewide
https://www.timesleader.com/news/756117/opioid-overdose-admissions-decline-more-slowly-in-luzerne-county-than-statewide
State kicks off ‘Get Help Now Week’ to stop overdoses in PA
https://www.timesleader.com/news/756101/state-kicks-off-get-help-now-week-to-stop-overdoses-in-pa
NEPA opioid overdose hospitalizations drop
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/nepa-opioid-overdose-hospitalizations-drop-1.2534316
Heroin hospitalizations down in Pa. but amphetamine cases rise
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/09/heroin-hospitalizations-down-in-pa-but-amphetamine-cases-rise.html
Pennsylvania study finds decrease of 833 opioid overdose hospital admissions in 2018
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2019/09/18/pa-phc-4-study-finds-decrease-opioid-overdose-hospitalization-admission/2350179001/
Philly
Why Philly structure fires doubled and response times worsened
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-fire-structure-cooking-medical-emergency-paramedic-firefighter-thiel-20190918.html
Philadelphia can’t impose conditions on charter operator seeking to open middle school, state appeal board rules
https://www.penncapital-star.com/education/philadelphia-cant-impose-conditions-on-charter-operator-seeking-to-open-middle-school-state-appeal-board-rules/
Black people see themselves in viral video of N. Philly teen in police cruiser | Solomon Jones
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/philadelphia-police-officer-stop-frisk-teen-north-philly-video-20190917.html
Philly elections officials touted new electronic poll books. Now the city says they don’t work right.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/philly-epollbook-electronic-systems-should-not-be-used-city-says-20190917.html
Residents want community benefits from Germantown High School’s developer. Now, they must decide what to request.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/germantown-high-school-redevelopment-fulton-community-benefits-agreement-philly-azran-20190917.html
Spotted lanternfly invasion prompts a horror film, Halloween inspiration, and carnage in Philly
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/philadelphia-spotted-lanternfly-invasion-20190917.html
As climate changes and seas rise, Philadelphia International Airport is in the crosshairs
https://www.inquirer.com/science/climate/philadelphia-international-airport-climate-change-sea-level-rise-flooding-delaware-river-20190917.html
Philly airport workers are being forced to sign away their rights to take their employer to court
https://www.inquirer.com/news/forced-arbitration-agreements-otg-unite-here-20190917.html
SEPTA’s natural gas plant in Nicetown drew controversy. An important ruling could come next month.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/septa-natural-gas-generator-power-nicetown-environmental-fracking-greenhouse-gases-climate-change-20190917.html
FOP president John McNesby calls for leadership change over faulty city payroll software
https://www.inquirer.com/news/fop-sues-kenney-administration-over-onephilly-payroll-mess-20190916.html
‘Colonial Phil’ is out as Community College of Philadelphia’s longtime mascot; ‘Roary,’ the lion, is in
https://www.inquirer.com/education/community-college-of-philadelphia-roary-lion-mascot-20190917.html
How a 3-person strike in Baltimore is taking Philly workers off the job
https://www.inquirer.com/news/dhl-express-strike-teamsters-baltimore-philadelphia-20190918.html
No separation of church and cyclist needed | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/church-parking-bike-lanes-philadelphia-clash-20190918.html
Pitt
Report: Pittsburgh’s black population trails other cities in quality of life
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/09/17/Pittsburgh-black-population-better-life-quality-comparable-city-gender-equity-commission-race/stories/201909170114
Report offers stark picture of inequalities by gender, race in Pittsburgh
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/report-offers-stark-picture-of-inequalities-by-gender-race-in-pittsburgh/
Pittsburgh lobbyist faces new fraud, theft charges
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/09/17/pittsburgh-lobbyist-Joseph-Kuklis-new-fraud-dced-shapiro/stories/201909170093
First things first: Mayor Peduto needs to maintain the trees
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/09/18/div-class-libPageBodyLinebreak-First-things-first-div/stories/201909160021
A plot twist: URA seeks proposals to redevelop historic Hazelwood library
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/09/17/Carnegie-Library-Hazelwood-Urban-Redevelopment-Authority-Pittsburgh/stories/201909170137
Rabid raccoon found in Monroeville
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2019/09/17/raccoon-rabies-found-Monroeville-Patton-Street/stories/201909170112
Venus Williams shows off Downtown Pittsburgh’s skyline, gold Sister Bridges
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/venus-williams-shows-off-downtown-pittsburghs-skyline-gold-sister-bridges/
GOP challenger for Allegheny County executive proposed 5 debates
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/gop-challenger-for-allegheny-county-executive-proposed-5-debates/
State News
State to look into death of former Steeler Sam Davis in personal care home
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2019/09/17/Pennsylvania-investigating-death-former-Steelers-Sam-Davis-personal-care-home/stories/201909170097
In a record deal, Delaware County sewer system serving 42 towns is sold for $276 million
https://www.inquirer.com/business/aqua-pennsylvania-acquires-delcora-sewer-authority-philadelphia-record-deal-20190917.html
Philadelphia resident may have Pa.’s first 2019 human case of West Nile Virus
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/philadelphia-resident-may-have-states-first-2019-human-case-of-west-nile-virus/
Summer 2019 ties hottest on record, just not in Western Pennsylvania
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/summer-2019-hottest-on-record-just-not-in-western-pennsylvania/
County woman will lead state’s celebration of nation’s 250th birthday
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-woman-will-lead-state-s-celebration-of-nation-s-250th-birthday-1.2534312
Western Pa. Shred-It events accept unwanted documents, electronics
https://triblive.com/local/regional/shred-it-event-accepts-unwanted-documents/
DEP: First statewide PFAS testing results due within weeks
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20190917/dep-first-statewide-pfas-testing-results-due-within-weeks
‘There’s such an allure here for you.’ Court records reveal the stories of Pennsylvania immigrants arrested for illegally returning to the U.S.
https://www.mcall.com/news/police/mc-nws-pennsylvania-immigration-prosecutions-illegal-reentry-20190918-ldgqjb2b3vailnnrsjgviqb7gy-story.html
Transportation
Gasoline prices spike after drone attack in Saudi Arabia
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2019/09/17/U-S-Pittsburgh-gasoline-prices-spike-drone-attack-Saudi-Arabia/stories/201909170096