Legislature
Kayden’s Law heads to full Pa. Senate
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2020/09/22/kaydens-law-child-custody-pennsylvania/5863598002/
Lawmakers’ power to redraw Pa.’s political maps could be more limited in 2021
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/pa-gerrymandering-redistricting-transparency-rules-lawmakers-20200922.html
Bill relaxing restrictions on restaurants and bars passes Pa. Senate
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/bill-relaxing-restrictions-on-restaurants-and-bars-passes-pa-senate.html
Pennsylvania Senate OKs bill to loosen virus limits on restaurants, bars
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/pennyslvania-senate-loosens-bars-restaurant-restrictions-20200922.html
Pa. Senate passes bill imposing stiffer penalties on motorists who don’t slow down or steer clear of emergency response scene
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/pa-senate-passes-bill-imposing-stiffer-penalties-for-motorists-who-dont-slow-down-or-steer-clear-of-emergency-response-scene.html
Legislature set to finish a troubled September without solving its two, biggest problems
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/legislature-set-to-finish-a-troubled-september-without-solving-its-two-biggest-problems/
State rental assistance program fix moves forward with bipartisan backing
https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/state-rental-assistance-program-fix-moves-forward-with-bipartisan-backing/
Pa. House schedules Wednesday session to consider an override vote on high school sports bill vetoed by Wolf
https://www.pennlive.com/highschoolsports/2020/09/pa-house-schedules-wednesday-session-to-consider-an-override-vote-on-high-school-sports-bill-vetoed-by-wolf.html
Pa. Republican leaders seek stay on state Supreme Court ruling on elections
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/pa-republican-leaders-seek-stay-on-state-supreme-court-ruling-on-elections.html
In first post-Ginsburg test, GOP wants Supreme Court to review Pennsylvania mail-in voting
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/mail-voting-pennyslvania-supreme-court-gop-20200922.html
Legalizing recreational cannabis will open a Pandora’s box of problems for law enforcement | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/legalizing-recreational-cannabis-will-open-a-pandoras-box-of-problems-for-law-enforcement-opinion/
Scarnati posture troubling
https://www.altoonamirror.com/opinion/editorials/2020/09/scarnati-posture-troubling/
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Judge rejects Wolf’s request for stay on shutdown ruling
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/09/22/pennsylvania-appeals-Judge-william-stickman-rejects-tom-Wolf-request-stay-shutdown-restrictions-gatherings-COVID-19/stories/202009220131
Federal judge denies Gov. Tom Wolf’s request for stay on pandemic restrictions ruling
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/federal-judge-denies-gov-tom-wolfs-request-for-stay-on-pandemic-restrictions-ruling.html
Federal judge denies Gov. Wolf’s request to stay order invalidating Pennsylvania coronavirus mitigation measures
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-wolf-coronavirus-stay-denied-20200922-c7a57h3jv5byreypjfxon72cva-story.html
Westmoreland care facility reports 32 residents COVID-19 positive after recent testing
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/09/22/westmoreland-manor-care-facility-testing-positives-residents-health-positives/stories/202009220140
More coronavirus cases found at Westmoreland Manor
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/more-coronavirus-cases-found-at-westmoreland-manor/
Highlands Middle School soccer player tests positive for covid-19, principal states
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/highlands-middle-school-soccer-player-tests-positive-for-covid-19-principal-states/
Third Conrad Weiser elementary school staff member tests positive for coronavirus
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/third-conrad-weiser-elementary-school-staff-member-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/article_8a2f60f8-fd08-11ea-b6b0-57d224202df6.html
Gov. Mifflin High School shuts down due to student coronavirus case
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/education/gov-mifflin-high-school-shuts-down-due-to-student-coronavirus-case/article_248e99a8-fd0d-11ea-b93e-d76b1944e2ea.html
Carlisle School District shuts down in-person classes and sports for a week over positive COVID tests
https://www.pennlive.com/sports/2020/09/carlisle-announces-positive-covid-tests-in-school-district-in-person-learning-athletics-shut-down-for-week.html
COVID-19 outbreak reported at Giant Distribution Center in Carlisle
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/covid-19-outbreak-reported-at-giant-distribution-center-in-carlisle.html
COVID-19 Update: Pa. reports 834 new cases, 19 more deaths
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/09/22/covid-19-coronavirus-allegheny-county-western-pennsylvania-cases-deaths-data-pandemica/stories/202009220106
New Allegheny County covid-19 cases tie 14-day low
https://triblive.com/local/new-allegheny-county-covid-19-cases-tie-14-day-low/
Wolf: York County site of ‘concerning’ infection rate
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/local/2020/09/22/york-county-has-one-new-death-linked-covid-19-u-s-death-toll-surpasses-200-k/5865861002/
Montgomery County records 1 coronavirus death over 7-day period
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-records-1-coronavirus-death-over-7-day-period/article_cb7273f6-db83-50b5-97c8-1edeb8a3e8e5.html
COVID-19 hospital admissions in Lancaster fall to lowest number since March
https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/covid-19-hospital-admissions-in-lancaster-fall-to-lowest-number-since-march/article_82dca2c8-fd0a-11ea-be43-bbd84ba72616.html
200,000 people in the U.S. have died of COVID-19
https://www.inquirer.com/news/covid-19-coronavirus-200000-deaths-united-states-us-toll-cases-20200922.html
70% of imported KN95 masks fail U.S. filtration standards, study finds
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/kn95-n95-covid-mask-hospital-20200922.html
As CDC reverses itself on COVID-19, Americans are losing trust, warn public-health veterans
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/covid19-cdc-reversal-aerosol-airborne-political-pressure-20200922.html
Area lawmakers react to COVID death total
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/area-lawmakers-react-to-covid-death-total/article_438667a6-6c92-5b6c-8b03-0852f2990969.html
Administration
Pennsylvania doles out half of federal $300 weekly benefit fund
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/state-doles-out-half-of-federal-300-weekly-benefit-fund/
Unemployment in Pennsylvania: Gig workers, independent contractors could see delayed benefit payments
https://www.poconorecord.com/news/20200922/unemployment-in-pennsylvania-gig-workers-independent-contractors-could-see-delayed-benefit-payments
Empty veto
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/09/23/Empty-veto/stories/202009220052
Business
Airlines plead for mandatory virus tests to prop up demand
https://www.inquirer.com/business/airlines-coronavirus-covid-tests-flights-philadelphia-international-20200922.html
‘On the brink of collapse’: How the hotel industry has been rocked by COVID-19
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/on-the-brink-of-collapse-how-the-hotel-industry-has-been-rocked-by-covid-19.html
Giant, Karns drop Taste of Sicily restaurant family member’s Gumbas sauces
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/09/giant-karns-drop-taste-of-sicily-restaurant-owners-gumbas-sauces.html
Pipeline builders pay $700,000 for violations during construction of Atlantic Sunrise
https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/pipeline-builders-pay-700-000-for-violations-during-construction-of-atlantic-sunrise/article_bb6fde1a-fd29-11ea-8560-4f2ee292ac22.html
Crime/Punishment
Celeste Trusty | Pa. needs more opportunities for second chances
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2020/09/22/Pennsylvania-needs-more-opportunities-for-second-chances-Celeste-Trusty/stories/202009220017
Police charge 26, seize weapons in crackdown on gang-related gun violence
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/crime-emergencies/police-charge-26-seize-weapons-in-crackdown-on-gang-related-gun-violence/article_f44d2338-c11e-5340-8240-5bd47a4a0ac1.html
U.S. government executes killer obsessed with witchcraft
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/us-government-executes-killer-obsessed-with-witchcraft.html
Education
Valley View, Carbondale to delay hybrid openings
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/valley-view-carbondale-to-delay-hybrid-openings/article_35115e1d-7ffa-5900-bb67-fdd1b9baf6e9.html
New Kensington-Arnold near ‘tipping point’ that would force change to hybrid schedule
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/new-kensington-arnold-near-to-tipping-point-that-would-force-change-to-hybrid-schedule/
Conrad Weiser, Muhlenberg moving ahead with increased spectator capacity for athletic events
https://www.readingeagle.com/sports/high-school/conrad-weiser-muhlenberg-moving-ahead-with-increased-spectator-capacity-for-athletic-events/article_3eff9c4c-fcf9-11ea-92b5-cfc022a61100.html
More Pa. school districts opt to exceed state limits on gatherings for sports events
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/sports/high-school/2020/09/22/more-pa-school-districts-opt-exceed-state-limits-gatherings/5864136002/
Elections/Politics
Cindy McCain endorses Biden for president in rebuke of Trump
https://triblive.com/news/politics-election/cindy-mccain-endorses-biden-for-president-in-rebuke-of-trump/
Jill Biden talks community college education with virtual Pa. audience
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2020/09/22/jill-biden-erie-pennsylvania-audience/3497587001/
Democrats call Trump rally a ‘super spreader’ ahead of Western Pa. visit
https://triblive.com/news/politics-election/democrats-call-trump-rally-a-super-spreader-ahead-of-western-pa-visit/
Rallying at Pittsburgh International, Trump gives rundown of nation’s political tenor
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/09/22/Trump-rally-Pittsburgh-International-Airport-visit-presidential-campaign/stories/202009220157
Trump plays to strengths in crowd-pleasing stop at Pittsburgh International Airport
https://triblive.com/news/politics-election/trump-plays-to-strengths-in-crowd-pleasing-stop-at-pittsburgh-international-airport/
Pennsylvania General Election 2020: Your guide to the Nov. 3 presidential and statewide elections
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/pennsylvania-general-election-2020-your-guide-to-the-nov-3-presidential-and-statewide-elections/
Pennsylvania mail-in ballots: How to make sure your vote is counted
https://www.mcall.com/opinion/mc-opi-pa-mail-ballot-supreme-court-ruling-muschick-20200923-vtrf4dyvsjd5nplaxyaybdaavy-story.html
Pa. is poised to take an unusually restrictive approach to mail-in ballots
https://www.witf.org/2020/09/23/pa-is-poised-to-take-an-unusually-restrictive-approach-to-mail-in-ballots/
Chester County elections officials take steps for mail-in balloting
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/chester-county-elections-officials-take-steps-for-mail-in-balloting/article_ee75454e-fd00-11ea-b263-1f0377865743.html
DA: Feds investigating Luzerne County ballot issues
https://www.timesleader.com/news/803208/da-feds-investigating-luzerne-county-ballot-issues
DA: Feds investigating issues with Luzerne County ballots
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/da-feds-investigating-issues-with-luzerne-county-ballots/article_d8e079d6-e776-54e2-893c-ce261c900830.html
Health Care
Meet Pennie, Pennsylvania’s new ACA marketplace for health insurance
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2020/09/22/Pennie-Pennsylvania-new-ACA-marketplace-for-health-insurance-jessica-altman/stories/202009220120
Pennsylvania launches its own health insurance marketplace
https://www.inquirer.com/health/consumer/aca-obamacare-marketplace-health-insurance-pennie-pa-20200922.html
Who should get the flu vaccine and when?
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/09/23/Who-should-get-the-flu-vaccine-and-when/stories/202009230038
Gregory E. Deavens becomes Independence Blue Cross’ first African American leader as Dan Hilferty retires
https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/ibx-ibc-health-insurance-philadephia-ceo-african-american-cigna-blue-cross-unitedhealth-20200922.html
Pennsylvania needs nurse practitioners to meet a looming shortage of primary care physicians | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/09/pennsylvania-needs-nurse-practitioners-to-meet-a-looming-shortage-of-primary-care-physicians-opinion.html
Local News
Scranton seeks grant to raze blighted buildings, city structures
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-seeks-grant-to-raze-blighted-buildings-city-structures/article_0f60c64e-a87a-5527-a91c-8cbc170de4fd.html
Coronavirus forces Montgomery County sheriff sale to go virtual; sale set for Oct. 28
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/coronavirus-forces-montgomery-county-sheriff-sale-to-go-virtual-sale-set-for-oct-28/article_da3fe0b7-b794-5a01-ab4c-4d8667bb628d.html
Berks County teens create anti-racism pledge
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-county-teens-create-anti-racism-pledge/article_6884b048-fcd6-11ea-90c7-071bd3c37a93.html
Luzerne County Council again debates Mackey review
https://www.timesleader.com/news/803176/luzerne-county-council-again-debates-mackey-review
Wilkes-Barre identifies use of additional CARES Act funds
https://www.timesleader.com/news/803201/wilkes-barre-identifies-use-of-additonal-cares-act-funds
Appeal to ‘able-bodied’ gun owners nixed amid police concerns
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/appeal-to-able-bodied-gun-owners-nixed-amid-police-concerns/article_68af044a-eec2-5b8a-9508-7d9b9fdc1dfd.html
York County 911 to reduce nonemergency services to first responders
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/crime/2020/09/22/york-county-911-reduce-non-emergency-services-first-responders/5865815002/
National News
Louisville declares state of emergency in preparation for AG’s announcement on possible charges in Breonna Taylor’s death
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/breonna-taylor-louisville-police-charges-announcement-restrictions-20200922.html
Philly
Credible, ‘horrifying’ sexual-abuse accounts at Curtis Institute of Music, law firm finds
https://www.inquirer.com/news/curtis-institute-report-sexual-abuse-lara-st-john-philadelphia-20200922.html
Southwest Philadelphia teen ordered to stand trial for two slayings
https://www.inquirer.com/news/tyseem-murray-murder-handgun-philadelphia-judge-david-conroy-grocery-store-teenager-20200922.html
An employee in Philly’s Office of Violence Prevention was arrested on gun charges
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-office-of-violence-prevention-morris-hobson-gun-arrest-group-violence-intervention-20200922.html
Philadelphia school board reverses itself and approves Hilco tax break
https://www.inquirer.com/business/philadelphia-school-board-reversal-approves-hilco-koz-tax-break-20200918.html
Mayor Kenney tests negative for coronavirus after exposure, remains in self-quarantine
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/mayor-kenney-tests-negative-for-coronavirus-after-exposure-remains-in-self-quarantine/article_6119886e-f1f9-5f4a-acae-34ef051152f6.html
Philabundance unveils $12M new facility in North Philadelphia neighborhood
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/philabundance-unveils-12m-new-facility-in-north-philadelphia-neighborhood/article_b5c59983-51fc-5c0a-a5d6-a556de09a0cf.html
Pitt
Pittsburgh Columbus Day Parade canceled due to COVID-19
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/09/23/Pittsburgh-Columbus-Day-Parade-canceled-due-to-COVID-19/stories/202009230099
Primed? Another big retailer may be eyeing the old Sears Outlet in Lawrenceville
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/09/23/Amazon-Sears-Outlet-Lawrenceville-Spear-Street-Capital/stories/202009230069
Al fresco remains the way to go, despite increase of indoor dining limits
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/dining/2020/09/23/restaurants-COVID-19-customers-indoor-dining-Pittsburgh-restaurant-industry/stories/202009230088
Rental scooters will not be subject to Allegheny County’s rental vehicle tax
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2020/09/22/scooters-Allegheny-County-rental-vehicle-tax-council-bill-scooter-rentals/stories/202009220145
Report calls for free fares, route changes for low-income Port Authority riders
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/social-services/2020/09/21/Route-changes-fares-low-income-bus-riders-pittsburgh-transit-report-Port-Authority/stories/202009210088
Outreached Arms feeds from afar in 2020 version of Ryan’s Night to Remember
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/09/22/Ryans-Night-to-Remember-2020-Outreached-Arms-Fogo-de-Chao/stories/202009220153
Pittsburgh City Council approves bill to regulate facial recognition technology
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2020/09/22/Pittsburgh-City-Council-approves-bill-to-regulate-facial-recognition-technology/stories/202009220113
Mayor Peduto to sign legislation restricting facial recognition in Pittsburgh
https://triblive.com/local/mayor-peduto-to-sign-legislation-restricting-facial-recognition-in-pittsburgh/
Allegheny County restaurant task force shuts down 2 repeat offenders for covid-19 violations
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-restaurant-task-force-shuts-down-2-repeat-offenders-for-covid-19-violations/
U.S. Energy Secretary promotes energy versatility in Pittsburgh visit
https://triblive.com/local/regional/u-s-energy-secretary-promotes-energy-versatility-in-pittsburgh-visit/
Pittsburgh, Allegheny County officials talk about household lead issues with experts
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny-county-officials-talk-about-lead-issues-with-national-experts/
Washington
Toomey trades principle for opportunism
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/toomey-trades-principle-for-opportunism/article_7a9ab133-9520-5285-8639-2f6b22949369.html
As Senate locks up votes, Toomey supports moving forward on Trump nominee to Supreme Court
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/09/22/Senate-Pat-Toomey-Donald-Trump-Supreme-Court-nominee-Ruth-Bader-Ginsburg-Bob-Casey/stories/202009220108
Nancy Pelosi announces bipartisan spending deal to avert government shutdown Oct. 1
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/nancy-pelosi-steven-mnuchin-spending-bill-avoid-shutdown-20200922.html
Census Bureau needs more time, and Congress must act fast to make sure everyone gets counted | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/census-pandemic-congressional-action-data-analysis-deadline-extension-20200923.html
World News
China, top global emitter, aims to go carbon-neutral by 2060
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2020/09/23/China-top-global-emitter-aims-to-go-carbon-neutral-by-2060/stories/202009230102