Legislature

Sen. Lindsey Williams and Rep. Sara Innamorato: Now is not the time to raise PWSA rates
https://triblive.com/opinion/sen-lindsey-williams-and-rep-sara-innamorato-now-is-not-the-time-to-raise-pwsa-rates/

Voting victories for Democrats in Pa. might have closed the door on more election reform
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/pa-election-november-mail-ballots-supreme-court-tom-wolf-20200918.html

Republican lawmakers slam Pa. Supreme Court ruling on elections: ‘It is about allowing one party to steal this election’
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/republican-lawmakers-slam-pa-supreme-court-ruling-on-elections-it-is-about-allowing-one-party-to-steal-this-election.html

CWA chair testifies in support of ratepayer vote bill
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/cwa-chair-testifies-in-support-of-ratepayer-vote-bill/article_72c775a0-f92e-11ea-9eab-131159bb9708.html

Pa. statehouse power grab is climate change denial in disguise | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/regional-greenhouse-gas-initiative-gop-wolf-trump-election-year-20200918.html

September is Suicide Prevention Month. Pass this important bill — and save lives | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/september-is-suicide-prevention-month-pass-this-important-bill-and-save-lives-opinion/

DiSanto failed Pa. voters on redistricting reform | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/disanto-failed-pa-voters-on-redistricting-reform-opinion/

Coronavirus – COVID-19

Why the ruling against Wolf’s COVID-19 restrictions faces long odds on appeal, explained
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/spl/pa-coronavirus-orders-tom-wolf-unconstitutional-legal-analysis-john-roberts-20200917.html

Judge: Groups suing Gov. Wolf over COVID-19 restrictions must respond by Monday to motion to stay
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/09/17/Judge-William-Stickman-deadline-plaintiffs-response-motion-stay-Gov-Tom-Wolf-COVID-19-restrictions/stories/202009170146

Group of Pa. doctors fault Republicans for fighting Gov. Wolf’s pandemic restrictions
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/group-of-pa-doctors-fault-republicans-for-fighting-gov-wolfs-pandemic-restrictions.html

Wolf pushes back cutoff time for alcohol sales to 11 p.m.
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/wolf-pushes-back-cutoff-time-for-alcohol-sales-to-11-p-m/article_beff2753-9821-5204-8376-870827fc554b.html

Gov. Wolf changes rule on alcohol sales in restaurants and bars, moving last call to 11 p.m.
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/gov-wolf-changes-rule-on-alcohol-sales-in-restaurants-and-bars-putting-last-call-at-11-pm.html

Wolf signs order cutting off alcohol sales at Pennsylvania’s restaurants at 11 p.m., starting Monday
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-wolf-levine-restaurant-occupancy-order-alcohol-curfew-20200917-ybeltf5krfghtgolx7pcsxru6i-story.html

Gov. Tom Wolf signs order increasing indoor dining capacity to 50%
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2020/09/17/gov-tom-wolf-signs-order-increasing-indoor-dining-capacity/3484246001/

Following certification, Pa. restaurants can increase indoor dining capacity to 50%
https://www.witf.org/2020/09/18/following-certification-pa-restaurants-can-increase-indoor-dining-capacity-to-50/

Thousands live to hear COVID debate
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/thousands-live-to-hear-covid-debate/article_eeb8bfcf-773c-5bd4-a674-5cd26b88fc6b.html

2 cases of covid-19 reported at Mt. Lebanon elementary school in as many days, building closed for 5 days
https://triblive.com/local/south-hills/two-cases-of-covid-19-reported-at-mt-lebanon-elementary-school-in-as-many-days-building-closed-for-five-days/

Neshaminy student tests positive for COVID-19 day after attending orientation
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2020/09/17/neshaminy-maple-point-middle-school-student-coronavirus/3488432001/

COVID-19 Update: Pa. reports more than 900 new cases, 10 deaths
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/09/17/COVID-19-allegheny-county-pittsburgh-pennsylvania-cases-deaths-data/stories/202009170137

Allegheny County reports 79 new covid-19 cases, 3 new deaths
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-reports-79-new-covid-19-cases-3-new-deaths/

No new regional COVID-19 deaths reported for fifth straight day
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/no-new-regional-covid-19-deaths-reported-for-fifth-straight-day/article_9f30c912-e9ad-509f-988e-5f469c0f5a6e.html

41 coronavirus cases for Berks County run the past week average up to a mid-May level
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/41-coronavirus-cases-for-berks-county-run-the-past-week-average-up-to-a-mid/article_862aff86-f8cf-11ea-8e2a-97530bdf993f.html

CMU, Pitt developing covid antibody test that gives results within seconds
https://triblive.com/local/cmu-pitt-developing-covid-antibody-test-that-gives-results-within-seconds/

Area CVS stores to offer drive-through testing for COVID-19
https://www.timesleader.com/news/802453/area-cvs-stores-to-offer-drive-through-testing-for-covid-19

CVS to add coronavirus testing site in Berks County
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/cvs-to-add-coronavirus-testing-site-in-berks-county/article_fffdbc30-f911-11ea-82db-bf139c3fcf05.html

Westmoreland Manor staff to be tested for coronavirus
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-manor-staff-to-be-tested-for-coronavirus/

Months into the unknown, light-years from normal
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/inq/coronavirus-cases-pennsylvania-philadelphia-nj-us-timeline-20200918.html

Administration

Beleaguered unemployment compensation computer modernization project likely to be delayed once again
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/beleaguered-unemployment-compensation-computer-modernization-project-likely-to-be-delayed-once-again.html

Unemployment in Pennsylvania: State approved for $2.8B loan for trust fund
https://www.poconorecord.com/news/20200918/unemployment-in-pennsylvania–state-approved-for-28b-loan-for-trust-fund

Business

Florida company to buy two Pittsburgh-area cannabis companies
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2020/09/17/Florida-company-to-buy-cannabis-companies-PennPure-and-Solevo-Wellness/stories/202009170139

‘I’m so grateful:’ Restaurant owners react to Carbon County grant awards
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/business/im-so-grateful-restaurant-owners-react-to-carbon-county-grant-awards/article_15bf8ac7-a5a7-5c05-9b6a-295e8afd04a9.html

Berks companies among those receiving grants to provide fresh food access to communities
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/berks-companies-among-those-receiving-grants-to-provide-fresh-food-access-to-communities/article_e707c60a-f914-11ea-90c7-238218d5c7a2.html

$175,000 in grant funding to be offered to women-owned PA restaurants
https://www.poconorecord.com/news/20200918/175000-in-grant-funding-to-be-offered-to-women-owned-pa-restaurants

Giant plans to hire 4,000 permanent, temporary employees to meet demand
https://www.delcotimes.com/business/giant-plans-to-hire-4-000-permanent-temporary-employees-to-meet-demand/article_41236a1a-7160-5658-917e-9f12e9383a66.html

Crime/Punishment

A flawed pardon system
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/09/18/A-flawed-pardon-system/stories/202009170047

Education

New Kensington-Arnold may go to a hybrid schedule if too many students want to come back to schools
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/new-kensington-arnold-may-go-to-a-hybrid-schedule-if-too-many-students-want-to-come-back-to-schools/

Some districts to reopen the gates to hundreds of high school football fans
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/high-school-football/2020/09/17/high-school-football-COVID-19-fans-limit-Butler-Belle-Vernon-districts/stories/202009170200

Burrell spectator policy keeps out visiting fans for football, indoor events
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/burrell-spectator-policy-keeps-out-visiting-fans-for-football-indoor-events/

Wilson plans to expand capacity at Friday’s season-opening football game
https://www.readingeagle.com/sports/high-school/wilson-plans-to-expand-capacity-at-fridays-season-opening-football-game/article_b98b33c8-f91f-11ea-9c1c-878f2c496202.html

Attendance cap will cost school districts thousands when high school football begins
https://www.pennlive.com/highschoolsports/football/2020/09/attendance-cap-will-cost-school-districts-thousands-when-high-school-football-begins.html

Ahead of kickoff, Wolf punts on new sports fan rule
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/2020/09/17/ahead-kickoff-wolf-punts-new-sports-fan-rule/3480373001/

PHEAA looks to maintain maximum state grant award in 2021-22 without asking the state for more money
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/pheaa-looks-to-maintain-maximum-state-grant-award-in-2021-22-without-asking-the-state-for-more-money.html

Wilkes University starts scholarships for students from Luzerne, Lackawanna counties
https://www.timesleader.com/news/802447/wilkes-university-starts-scholarships-for-students-from-luzerne-lackawanna-counties

Temple University announces anti-racism initiative
https://www.penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/temple-university-announces-anti-racism-initiative/

About 1,000 Kutztown University students leave campus over coronavirus; $3.5 million in revenue lost, officials say
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/about-1-000-kutztown-university-students-leave-campus-over-coronavirus-3-5-million-in-revenue/article_9f1069de-f90e-11ea-981d-272e83253602.html

Harrisburg University host HUE Invitational one of the largest esports tournaments in U.S.
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/09/17/harrisburg-university-hue-invitational-pillars-collegiate-esports/5814857002/

Elections/Politics

Pa. Supreme Court rules in favor of mail-in ballot extension
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/vote2020/2020/09/17/Pa-Supreme-Court-rules-in-favor-of-mail-in-ballot-extension/stories/202009170157

A trio of Pennsylvania Supreme Court rulings will likely boost Biden against Trump in a key state
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/pennsylvania-mail-ballot-deadlines-state-supreme-court-ruling-20200917.html

The Pa. Supreme Court ruled on critical election questions Thursday. Here’s what you need to know
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/the-pa-supreme-court-ruled-on-critical-election-questions-thursday-heres-what-you-need-to-know/

The Green Party’s presidential candidate is off the ballot in a big win for Pennsylvania Democrats
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/clout/green-party-presidential-candidate-off-pennsylvania-ballot-20200917.html

Biden: Trump’s response to pandemic ‘criminal’
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/biden-trumps-response-to-pandemic-criminal/article_7d192bc8-0f9d-54da-846f-1537fb2daa32.html

Biden says Trump ‘only cares about the stock market’ in town hall meeting outside Scranton
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/joe-biden-scranton-town-hall-cnn-20200917.html

‘He knew it and did nothing’: Biden in Moosic blasts Trump’s ‘criminal’ virus response
https://www.timesleader.com/news/802436/he-knew-it-and-did-nothing-biden-in-moosic-blasts-trumps-criminal-virus-response

Biden: Trump’s failure to deliver relief helped lead to furloughs in Scranton School District
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/biden-trumps-failure-to-deliver-relief-helped-lead-to-furloughs-in-scranton-school-district/article_7426692c-d0e5-5d04-bdfb-b5cf5eb7e0fb.html

WB Councilman asks Biden about combating violence
https://www.timesleader.com/news/802459/wb-councilman-asks-biden-about-combating-violence

Locals get to address Biden at town hall while Trump supporters gather nearby
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/locals-get-to-address-biden-at-town-hall-while-trump-supporters-gather-nearby/article_e4dd23ba-8ad7-57f5-979e-ae3e4d0f8fe3.html

Kamala Harris makes her Pa. campaign debut with a message to Black and Latino voters in Philly
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/kamala-harris-philadelphia-campaign-visit-20200917.html

Trump heads to Pittsburgh on Tuesday for airport rally
https://triblive.com/local/regional/trump-heads-to-pittsburgh-on-tuesday-for-airport-rally/

Luzerne County mail-in ballots to be sent soon
https://www.timesleader.com/news/802455/luzerne-county-mail-in-ballots-to-be-sent-soon

Elections board waits on responses from 20 municipalities on drop boxes
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/elections-board-waits-on-responses-from-20-municipalities-on-drop-boxes/article_3ef58c74-f930-11ea-9755-1352ab88b61d.html

Gaming

Slot machine arrival marks milestone in Hempfield casino construction
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/slot-machine-arrival-marks-milestone-in-hempfield-casino-construction/

Pa. has record-breaking sportsbook wagers in August
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pa-has-record-breaking-sportsbook-wagers-in-august/

Local News

Reading Redevelopment Authority sells seven properties for over $450,000
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-redevelopment-authority-sells-seven-properties-for-over-450-000/article_533642d2-f93a-11ea-84c0-b32b4a534a13.html

Coronavirus doesn’t stop United Way’s Day of Caring in Berks
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/coronavirus-doesnt-stop-united-ways-day-of-caring-in-berks/article_6a032270-f83e-11ea-af53-1f704fda300e.html

East Deer to use $100K state grant to tear down 10 blighted buildings
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/east-deer-to-use-100k-state-grant-to-tear-down-10-blighted-buildings/

Luzerne County offering virus relief funding to tourist attractions
https://www.timesleader.com/news/802451/luzerne-county-offering-virus-relief-funding-to-tourist-attractions

Speakers at Greensburg rally urge action to achieve unity
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/speakers-at-greensburg-rally-urge-action-to-achieve-unity/

Eviction coming to residents of Allentown’s ’Tent City’ homeless encampment
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-allentown-tent-city-eviction-20200918-ai2vesasl5efda7zmjedn2gk5i-story.html

National News

U.S. judge blocks Postal Service changes that slowed mail
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/postal-service-changes-blocks-changes-20200917.html

Philly

18,000 Philly school families still lack reliable internet; board hears of coming financial pain
https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-internet-comcast-school-board-school-closings-20200917.html

Philly City Council approves police reform measures, including banning choke holds
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/philadelphia-police-reform-bill-bans-chokeholds-20200917.html

Philadelphia puts ban on police chokeholds into law
https://www.witf.org/2020/09/17/philadelphia-puts-ban-on-police-chokeholds-into-law/

City Council approves a pair of police reform bills
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/city-council-approves-a-pair-of-police-reform-bills/article_b23ee17a-d500-58c1-88eb-e070846004c0.html

‘A deadly epidemic’: Philly Council pushes city to declare gun violence emergency
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/a-deadly-epidemic-philly-council-pushes-city-to-declare-gun-violence-emergency/article_0a0c8a7c-eb02-51cc-b0e0-79a01ab593e9.html

A month after her son died in Philadelphia jail, a mother is still fighting to learn why
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-jail-assault-frankie-diaz-jr-protest-death-detention-center-20200917.html

‘Please help,’ Spring Garden residents tell city leaders after quintuple shooting that killed 2 men
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-spring-garden-roberto-clemente-playground-gun-violence-quadruple-shooting-20200917.html

Pa. Supreme Court halts Philly criminal trials streamed on YouTube over possible harassment
https://www.inquirer.com/news/youtube-broadcasts-philadelphia-supreme-court-krasner-20200917.html

Philadelphia increases coronavirus rent relief payments
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/rent-relief-philadelphia-tenants-landlords-20200917.html

Hilco’s refinery plan will help Philly and its schools | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/hilco-refinery-school-board-vote-taxes-pilots-koz-20200917.html

Pitt

Allegheny County will open election offices for over-the-counter voting, ballot returns
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2020/09/17/Allegheny-County-new-election-offices-over-the-counter-voting-ballot-returns/stories/202009170179

Allegheny County to open new elections offices for ballot drop-offs, voting help
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-to-open-new-elections-offices-for-ballot-dropoffs-voting-help/

Community shows division on fate of Columbus statue in Schenley Park
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/09/17/Christopher-Columbus-statue-Schenley-Park-hearing-Pittsburgh-Art-Commission/stories/202009170196

Elderly female pedestrian dies after being hit by shuttle bus in Oakland
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/09/17/Female-pedestrian-dies-after-hit-by-a-shuttle-bus-in-Oakland/stories/202009170178

Disciplinary court denies Tranquilli’s request to be paid during suspension
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/09/17/court-judicial-discipline-denies-mark-Tranquilli-s-request-to-be-paid-during-suspension/stories/202009170166

Port Authority lays out plans to improve bus service as COVID-19 caused missed trips
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/09/17/Port-Authority-lays-out-plan-to-improve-bus-service/stories/202009170151

Post-Gazette accuses its unions of ‘bad-faith’ bargaining as possible strike looms
https://triblive.com/local/post-gazette-accuses-its-unions-of-bad-faith-bargaining-as-possible-strike-looms/

State News

Western Pa. nonprofit turns to public for diaper donations during pandemic
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/western-pa-nonprofit-turns-to-public-for-diaper-donations-during-pandemic/