Legislature

‘Murder by proxy’: Pa. lawmaker wants tougher penalty for those who guide people toward suicide
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/09/murder-by-proxy-pa-lawmaker-wants-tougher-penalty-for-those-who-guide-people-toward-suicide.html

Keefer, family of suicide victim push for bill upping penalties on aiding suicide
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/politics/2019/09/19/keefer-family-suicide-victim-push-bill-upping-penalties-aiding-suicide/2372791001/

House backs tax credit to boost methane in manufacturing
https://www.witf.org/2019/09/19/house-backs-tax-credit-to-boost-methane-in-manufacturing/

Rep. Sainato’s bill forgiving student loans for first responders passes committee
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190919/rep-sainatos-bill-forgiving-student-loans-for-first-responders-passes-committee

Bill to increase fine for misusing animal traps passes House
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/bill-to-increase-fine-for-misusing-animal-traps-passes-house/

Pa. House Speaker Mike Turzai: public schools are a monopoly and teachers are “special interest people”
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/pa-house-speaker-mike-turzai-public-schools-are-a-monopoly-and-teachers-are-special-interest-people/Content?oid=15880048

Pa. Dems renew call for Sen. Daylin Leach to resign after inquiry cites sex jokes but clears him of workplace discrimination
https://www.inquirer.com/news/daylin-leach-pa-senate-democrats-report-20190919.html

Senate Dems, again, call for Leach to resign. He doesn’t plan to.
https://www.witf.org/2019/09/19/senate-dems-again-call-for-leach-to-resign-he-doesnt-plan-to/

Final report into harassment claims finds Leach did not violate federal law as leadership again calls for his resignation
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/final-report-into-harassment-claims-finds-leach-did-not-violate-federal-law-as-leadership-again-calls-for-his-resignation/

Former Pa. senator Mike Folmer colleague ‘revolted’ over his arrest on child pornography charge
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/09/former-pa-senator-mike-folmer-colleague-revolted-over-his-arrest-for-child-pornography.html

Finding the link: More Ewing sarcoma research is needed
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/09/20/Ewing-sarcoma-link-research-Pennsylvania-cancer/stories/201909230003

Pa’s broken probation laws are fuel for the mass incarceration crisis. We need to fix them now | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/pas-broken-probation-laws-are-fuel-for-the-mass-incarceration-crisis-we-need-to-fix-them-now-opinion/

Business

Colt suspends production of AR-15 for civilian market
https://triblive.com/news/wire-stories/colt-suspends-production-of-ar-15-for-civilian-market/

Fitness center planned for former CVS site in Kingston
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/fitness-center-planned-for-former-cvs-site-in-kingston-1.2535300

Firm seeks liquor license transfer for new business
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/firm-seeks-liquor-license-transfer-for-new-business-1.2535181

Crime/Punishment

Group talks probation, parole reform
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/group-talks-probation-parole-reform-1.2535303

Arrests of Mike Folmer, Felipe Vázquez should place focus on child pornography victims: advocates
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/09/arrests-of-mike-folmer-felipe-vazquez-should-place-focus-on-child-pornography-victims-advocates.html

How social media goes after child porn: Tip led to Pa. Sen. Folmer’s arrest
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/09/after-former-pa-sen-folmers-arrest-experts-discuss-social-medias-role-in-child-porn-investigations.html

Chester shootings leave 1 dead, 2 wounded
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/chester-shootings-leave-dead-wounded/article_f7d3ba40-db13-11e9-8fff-eb0a3df84950.html

Education

Scranton School District seeks to amend incorrect payroll tax ballot question
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-school-district-seeks-to-amend-incorrect-payroll-tax-ballot-question-1.2535104

Reading schools OK $52.6 million bond issue to help fund infrastructure improvements
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-schools-ok-526-million-bond-issue-to-help-fund-infrastructure-improvements

Philly suburbs’ only French-English bilingual school is allowed to expand its campus in Lower Merion
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/french-international-school-bala-cynwyd-campus-expansion-20190919.html

School’s out for climate strike? Here’s why teens across Pennsylvania may skip class on Friday
https://www.penncapital-star.com/education/schools-out-for-climate-strike-heres-why-teens-across-pennsylvania-may-skip-class-on-friday/

‘More options and opportunities’: At Harrisburg Catholic school, DeVos pushes $5 billion program for private, religious school scholarships
https://www.penncapital-star.com/education/more-options-and-opportunities-at-visit-to-harrisburg-catholic-school-devos-pushes-5-billion-program-for-private-religious-school-scholarships/

Gov. Mifflin elementary school’s green roof includes plants, beehives, birdhouses and a butterfly hatchery
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/mifflin-park-elementary-schools-green-roof-providing-a-natural-education-for-students

Pa. state university faculty, administrators reach tentative deal on four-year contract
https://www.inquirer.com/education/state-university-faculty-contract-pennsylvania-20190919.html

Survey: Parents with student debt are saving for college while their kids are still young
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/09/19/college-savings-foundation-529-plans-student-loans-debt-highered-borrowing-finance/stories/201909190124

Elections/Politics

Democratic presidential candidate O’Rourke to visit Erie
https://www.goerie.com/news/20190920/democratic-presidential-candidate-orourke-to-visit-erie

Two Pa. House members might consider designation as Republican candidate for Senate seat vacated by Mike Folmer
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-replace-folmer-20190919-t376vk3vxba5dajd5gkcob7ap4-story.html

Health Care

Lehigh Valley Health Network intends to acquire Coordinated Health
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/lehigh-valley-health-network-intends-to-acquire-coordinated-health-1.2535252

Local News

Stormwater fee defaulters urged to pay
https://www.timesleader.com/news/756258/stormwater-fee-defaulters-urged-to-pay

Forty Fort airport transforms into iconic ‘gin joint’ for ‘An Evening in CASAblanca’
https://www.timesleader.com/news/756274/forty-fort-airport-transforms-into-iconic-gin-joint-for-an-evening-in-casablanca

Arena lease for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins signed, terms disclosed
https://www.timesleader.com/news/756279/arena-lease-for-wilkes-barre-scranton-penguins-signed-terms-disclosed

WVW grad hunts for drug lord’s millions on Discovery show
https://www.timesleader.com/news/756277/wvw-grad-hunts-for-drug-lords-millions-on-discovery-show

Kingston gets park grant
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/kingston-gets-park-grant-1.2535264

Hazleton zoning board conditionally approves new apartment units
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/hazleton-zoning-board-conditionally-approves-new-apartment-units-1.2535245

Dunmore council deems landfill not a structure with 4-3 vote
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/dunmore-council-deems-landfill-not-a-structure-with-4-3-vote-1.2535244

Dems challenge most third-party Scranton mayor candidates
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/dems-challenge-most-third-party-scranton-mayor-candidates-1.2535120

GOP tries to nix Bolus from Scranton mayor ballot
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/gop-tries-to-nix-bolus-from-scranton-mayor-ballot-1.2535015

Spano calls for Cummings to resign from election board
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/spano-calls-for-cummings-to-resign-from-election-board-1.2535124

Avonmore has taken its licks, but it still celebrates with Harvest Jubilee
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/avonmore-has-taken-its-licks-but-it-still-celebrates-with-harvest-jubilee/

Editorial: Mayor should let successor pick deputy chief
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-mayor-should-let-successor-pick-deputy-chief

Chester Water urges rate payers to contact legislators in fight against takeover
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/local/chester-water-urges-rate-payers-to-contact-legislators-in-fight/article_1f2949e4-daf5-11e9-a2c4-139ed52a29e6.html

3 Bucks towns get $377K in state grants
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20190919/3-bucks-towns-get-377k-in-state-grants

Ground broken for $8.1 million trail project in East Goshen
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/ground-broken-for-million-trail-project-in-east-goshen/article_78243d6c-da35-11e9-b99c-df72b4da02e4.html

National News

Feds reverse decision ending immigrant medical relief
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/feds-reverse-decision-ending-immigrant-medical-relief-20190920.html

Missing: Nearly 3 billion birds that once lived in North America
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2019/09/19/Missing-Nearly-3-billion-birds-that-once-lived-in-North-America/stories/201909200086

Opioid Crisis

Pittsburgh scientists set their sights on longer-lasting Narcan to combat opioid overdoses
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-scientists-set-their-sights-on-longer-lasting-narcan-to-combat-opioid-overdoses/

Philly

Philly’s next sheriff is throwing a party for a former sheriff before he goes to prison | Clout
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/clout/rochelle-bilal-john-green-philadelphia-sheriff-corruption-federal-prison-mayor-kenney-20190920.html

The reasons 60,000 people leave Philadelphia every year is another tale of two cities | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/why-people-move-out-of-philadelphia-jobs-schools-safety-pew-gentrification-20190920.html

I have Alzheimer’s. Here’s what happened when I traveled on SEPTA.
https://www.inquirer.com/health/alzheimers-traveling-confusion-septa-regional-rail-20190920.html

A stray bullet cost this Philly rugby star his Army dreams. Then the brass read The Inquirer. | Mike Newall
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/north-philadelphia-rugby-shooting-army-recruit-patrick-murphy-20190920.html

Tattooed Mom bar on South Street lends its edgy vibe to new Philly coworking-event space mashup
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/commercial/tatooed-mom-coworking-event-space-south-street-christian-dalzell-counter-culture-20190919.html

State board sides with Philly charter in appeal of School District restrictions
https://www.inquirer.com/news/franklin-towne-charter-philadelphia-appeals-board-20190919.html

Tribune honors Most Influential African Americans 2019
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/tribune-honors-most-influential-african-americans/article_8b66e2ca-db3a-11e9-8bca-bba9a1eb09fb.html

Landlords, safety advocates continue battle over Philly lead abatement bill
https://www.inquirer.com/news/lead-abatement-children-philadelphia-council-blondell-reynolds-brown-20190919.html

Why is poverty increasing in Northeast Philly? Aging population, immigration, gentrification
https://www.inquirer.com/news/poverty-northeast-philadelphia-aging-gentrification-immigration-20190919.html

Councilman Kenyatta Johnson gets help from city-hired lawyer as FBI probes land sales, ties to Kenny Gamble nonprofit
https://www.inquirer.com/news/city-hires-lawyer-for-kenyatta-johnson-fbi-kenny-gamble-20190919.html

Philadelphia City Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson is under federal investigation
https://www.witf.org/2019/09/19/philadelphia-city-councilmember-kenyatta-johnson-is-under-federal-investigation/

Hepatitis A case confirmed at Kensington doughnut shop
https://www.inquirer.com/health/hepatitis-a-case-vaccine-kensington-donut-shop-20190919.html

Facebook ads have appeared on sidewalks across Philly. The city does not like them.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/facebook-dating-ads-sidewalks-philadelphia-20190919.html

Pitt

Nearly 300 structures identified as historic by Pittsburgh are gone, most of them the result of neglect by the city and their owners
https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/historic-buildings/index.php

No end in sight: City appeals Mount Washington billboard ruling
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2019/09/19/Lamar-Mount-Washington-billboard-Sprint-National-Flag-Foundation/stories/201909190232

Pittsburgh appealing court ruling on Lamar sign atop Mt. Washington
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-appealing-commonwealth-court-ruling-on-lamar-sign-adop-mt-washington/

Duquesne Light leans into electric transportation, just as the federal government goes in the opposite direction
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2019/09/19/Duquesne-Light-electric-vehicles-transportation-charging-stations-federal-government-trump-California-emissions-Wheeler/stories/201909180162

Alcosan wet weather plan flows forward
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2019/09/19/Alcosan-wet-weather-plan-gets-federal-approval/stories/201909190236

Alcosan unveils $2 billion Clean Water Plan that extends to 2036
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/alcosan-unveils-2-billion-clean-water-plan-that-extends-to-2036/

Pa. Supreme Court orders Pittsburgh’s Section 8 law back to lower court
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/09/19/Pennsylvania-Supreme-Court-orders-Pittsburgh-Section-8-law-back-lower-court/stories/201909190128

Mayor Peduto stands with advocates for immigrants in decrying new federal rule
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/09/19/Bill-Peduto-advocates-immigrants-decry-new-federal-rule-Homeland-Security/stories/201909190160

Cost jumps $30M for Downtown-Oakland rapid bus project
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2019/09/19/Downtown-Pittsburgh-Oakland-bus-rapid-transit-BRT-project-cost-traffic/stories/201909190126

25 RADical Days celebrate 25 years of saying thank you to taxpayers
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/09/19/25-free-RADical-Days-celebrate-years-Allegheny-County-taxpayers/stories/201909130145

Retired Pittsburgh police officer plans to challenge Mayor Peduto in 2021 primary
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/retired-pittsburgh-police-officer-plans-to-challenge-bill-peduto-in-2021-primary/

3 people, several pets rescued in flood from Carrick water main break
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/3-rescued-after-carrick-water-main-break-floods-roads-yards/

State News

Pennsylvania set for big expansion of utility assistance for low-income consumers — at a cost of $102 million
https://www.inquirer.com/business/energy/pennsylvania-utility-bills-low-income-assistance-puc-20190919.html

New utility policy aims to reduce energy burden for Pennsylvania’s poor
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2019/09/19/low-income-energy-burden-pennsylvania-public-utility-commission-bill-ratepayers/stories/201909190230

Pa. State Police stopped tracking the race of drivers who get pulled over, making profiling hard to detect
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/spl/pa-state-police-race-racial-profiling-traffic-stops-pennsylvania-20190920.html

Pennsylvania State Police welcomes new troopers
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/pennsylvania-state-police-welcomes-new-troopers-1.2535390

Karen Kane: Grand jury justice? There’s no such thing
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/karen-kane/2019/09/20/grand-jury-justice-due-process-judicial-transparency/stories/201909190032

Three Mile Island to shut down for good on Friday, after Pennsylvania said no to financial rescue
https://www.inquirer.com/business/nuclear-three-mile-island-tmi-shutdown-last-day-pennsylvania-20190920.html

Three Mile Island nuclear power station is closing today: Will you miss it when it’s gone?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/09/three-mile-island-nuclear-power-station-is-closing-today-will-you-miss-it-when-its-gone.html

DA: Wildlife officer cleared in Blue Chip dog shooting
https://www.timesleader.com/news/756239/da-wildlife-officer-cleared-in-blue-chip-dog-shooting

Naloxone kits distributed
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/naloxone-kits-distributed-1.2535265

AP: Age-bias claims cost Pennsylvania $225K
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/ap-age-bias-claims-cost-pennsylvania-225k/

Nearly 500 doses of free Naloxone distributed in Chester County
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/nearly-doses-of-free-naloxone-distributed-in-chester-county/article_34b43c3a-db2f-11e9-a1aa-4b42fb7fd434.html

Transportation

Westmoreland transit authority to seek bids for bus and shared ride operator
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-transit-authority-to-seek-bids-for-bus-and-shared-ride-operator/

Roundabouts are decreasing accidents, a new PennDOT study shows
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/penndot-study-says-roundabouts-decreasing-accidents

Washington

Lamb to EPA chief: You’re on the ‘wrong side’ after methane rule rollback
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/09/19/Conor-Lamb-Andrew-Wheeler-EPA-methane-natural-gas-fracking/stories/201909190034

Whistleblower complaint about Trump by intelligence official centers on Ukraine, two sources say
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/trump-ukraine-whistleblower-intelligence-official-complaint-20190921.html

After her partner’s suicide, Susan Wild broadens legislative platform to tackle mental health
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-susan-wild-mental-health-suicide-20190920-icchsub73fhstlr55fqgpm3rlq-story.html