Legislature
Wolf: State poised to uphold ACA if courts repeal federal law
https://www.poconorecord.com/story/news/2020/09/29/affordable-care-act-defended-pa-democrats-tom-wolf-aca/3572495001/
Activists call for action on gift ban bill before end of legislative session; four arrested in the process
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/activists-call-for-action-on-gift-ban-bill-before-end-of-legislative-session-four-arrested-in-the-process.html
Gun rights and gift ban grab lawmakers’ attention with set of Capitol rallies
https://www.penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/gun-rights-and-gift-ban-grab-lawmakers-attention-with-set-of-capitol-rallies/
Rally brings gun rights advocates to Pennsylvania Capitol
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2020/09/29/Rally-brings-gun-rights-advocates-to-Pennsylvania-Capitol/stories/202009290129
Pa. gun rights supporters rally around right to bear arms at annual Capitol event
https://www.witf.org/2020/09/29/pa-gun-rights-supporters-rally-around-right-to-bear-arms-at-annual-capitol-event/
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Covid Alert PA downloaded more than 165,000 times in 1st week
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/covid-alert-pa-downloaded-more-than-165000-times-in-first-week/
UPMC doctors: Covid vaccine ‘not going to happen’ this year
https://triblive.com/local/upmc-doctors-covid-vaccine-not-going-to-happen-this-year/
7 new COVID-19 cases reported at Westmoreland Manor
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/09/29/seven-new-COVID-19-cases-reported-Westmoreland-Manor/stories/202009290154
University of Scranton students behind Lackawanna County COVID-19 spike
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/university-of-scranton-students-behind-lackawanna-county-covid-19-spike/article_41a49379-fad3-5f71-b033-57ebecedb17b.html
Freedom suspends girls volleyball, soccer after positive COVID-19 tests
https://www.timesonline.com/story/sports/high-school/2020/09/29/freedom-suspends-girls-volleyball-soccer-after-positive-covid-19-tests/3578235001/
Students at Hopewell, Freedom area districts test positive for covid-19, superintendents say
https://triblive.com/local/regional/hopewell-high-school-student-tests-positive-for-covid-19-superintendent-says/
Allegheny County again reports no new COVID-19 deaths; nearly 1,000 new cases in Pa.
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/09/29/covid-19-coronavirus-allegheny-county-western-pennsylvania-cases-deaths-data-pandemic-62/stories/202009290112
Allegheny County sees positivity rate for new covid-19 cases jump
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-sees-positivity-rate-for-new-covid-19-cases-jump/
12 additional cases of COVID-19 reported in county
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/12-additional-cases-of-covid-19-reported-in-county/article_cdd0c152-4831-5c53-a5ae-3b368806b39f.html
Berks County has 50 new coronavirus cases in a single day, the most since September 16
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/berks-county-has-50-new-coronavirus-cases-in-a-single-day-the-most-since-september/article_a8083e30-026a-11eb-be15-37e18338bb40.html
COVID cases, hospitalizations continue to drop in Beaver County
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2020/09/29/covid-cases-hospitalizations-continue-drop-beaver-county/3576672001/
Philly bars and restaurants can increase indoor occupancy, city announces; cases on the rise in Pa., Del., N.J.
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-philadelphia-indoor-dining-restaurants-philly-20200929.html
Quest Diagnostics says it has reported results of 15.7 million coronavirus tests
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/quest-diagnostics-says-it-has-reported-results-of-15-7-million-coronavirus-tests/article_a325d3f2-0281-11eb-a9d7-5fafafa1644d.html
How to survive ‘twindemic’ of flu and coronavirus
https://triblive.com/news/health-now/how-to-survive-twindemic-of-flu-and-coronavirus/
Titans suspend in-person activities after positive COVID-19 tests; Steelers game in limbo
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2020/09/29/vikings-titans-covid-positive-tests-steelers-tennessee-week-4/stories/202009290110
Administration
Lt. Gov. John Fetterman talks about legalizing recreational marijuana, calling it ‘the right side of history’
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/lt-gov-john-fetterman-talks-about-legalizing-recreational-marijuana-calling-it-the-right-side-of-history.html
Memo to Wolf: Get real on grass
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/09/30/Memo-to-Wolf-Get-real-on-grass/stories/202009220060
State officials visit Weinberg Food Bank during Hunger Action Month
https://www.timesleader.com/news/804321/state-officials-visit-weinberg-food-bank-during-hunger-action-month
COVID-19 creates higher demand for food pantries
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/covid-19-creates-higher-demand-for-food-pantries/article_9d62daf2-51bb-51ef-b8c1-c18c5cd3f3ba.html
Toomey, other Pa. Republicans, urge Wolf to allow in-person spectators at sporting events; Wolf’s office responds
https://www.pennlive.com/sports/2020/09/toomey-other-pa-republicans-urge-wolf-to-allow-in-person-spectators-at-sporting-events-wolfs-office-responds.html
Business
Shell to cut up to 9,000 jobs in shift to low-carbon energy
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2020/09/30/Shell-to-cut-9-000-jobs-shift-to-low-carbon-energy/stories/202009300126
Ethane cracker plant in Beaver County about 70% complete, Shell executive says
https://triblive.com/local/regional/ethane-cracker-plant-in-beaver-county-about-70-complete-shell-executive-says/
Beaver County cracker plant 70% built, Shell says
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2020/09/29/cracker-plant-70-built/3573027001/
Amazon opens fulfillment center in the Pittsburgh area. Here’s where else the company is hiring in Pa.
https://www.pennlive.com/business/2020/09/amazon-opens-new-fulfillment-center-in-the-pittsburgh-area-heres-where-else-the-company-is-hiring-in-pa.html
Crime/Punishment
Amish man from Clearfield County gets 2 to 14 years for sexual abuse of daughters
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/09/29/Amish-man-Wallace-Schmucker-sentenced-2-14-years-molesting-daughters-Clearfield/stories/202009290164
Wyomissing police release video related to ‘road rage’ shooting
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/wyomissing-police-release-video-related-to-road-rage-shooting/article_75f7371e-02ad-11eb-9247-033cc677c906.html
Education
Judge temporarily halts Scranton School District furloughs
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/judge-temporarily-halts-scranton-school-district-furloughs/article_a9b42d42-7090-524a-8411-2976eb04b8ef.html
Hazleton Area becomes nation’s first school to get hospital-grade disinfecting machine
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/coronavirus/hazleton-area-becomes-nations-first-school-to-get-hospital-grade-disinfecting-machine/article_60ddd94a-e584-5694-8b20-450ee27b861a.html
Idle school bus drivers in Ridley dispatched to deliver food to student families
https://www.inquirer.com/news/hunger-ridley-schools-delaware-county-coronavirus-lunch-school-bus-20200930.html
Toll Foundation gives $50 million to Penn Law to bolster public interest lawyering
https://www.inquirer.com/business/toll-public-interest-penn-law-50-million-gift-scholars-20200929.html
Bucknell president says administration is addressing students’ food concerns
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/bucknell-president-says-administration-is-addressing-students-food-concerns.html
Elections/Politics
Chaotic first debate: Trump and Biden interrupt each other, clash over COVID-19, job losses and Supreme Court
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/09/29/Trump-Biden-first-debate-2020-presidential-election/stories/202009300102
‘Bad things happen in Philadelphia,’ Trump says at debate, renewing false claim about poll watchers
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/trump-poll-watchers-philadelphia-early-voting-20200929.html
Trump says ‘bad things happen in Philadelphia.’ Here’s what actually happened in Philadelphia.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/trump-bad-things-happen-in-philadelphia-debate-20200930.html
Issues affecting Pa. voters on center stage during debate
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2020/09/29/Trump-Biden-first-debate-2020-presidential-election-Pennsylvania-voters-issues/stories/202009290174
Trump ban on inclusion training for federal contractors worries workplace diversity experts
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2020/09/trump-ban-on-includsion-training-for-federal-contractors-worries-workplace-diversity-experts.html
Cartwright: Biden is “going to channel his Scranton roots” and “grittiness”
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/cartwright-biden-is-going-to-channel-his-scranton-roots-and-grittiness/article_dc55d322-d801-5c48-a830-4ecf47b42b37.html
Luzerne County party heads weigh in on debate
https://www.timesleader.com/news/804291/luzerne-county-party-heads-weigh-in-on-debate
Here’s what role Pennsylvania played in contentious Trump-Biden presidential debate
https://www.mcall.com/news/elections/mc-nws-presidential-debate-pennsylvania-20200930-wlwkfeo7bvcxxhmnoufy6de4tu-story.html
Republicans warn Pa. shale gas industry of economic ‘disaster’ if Democrats win
https://www.inquirer.com/business/toomey-trump-energy-secretary-pennsylvania-shale-conference-fracking-ban-20200929.html
Mail-in ballots about to go out as county prepares for election
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/mail-in-ballots-about-to-go-out-as-county-prepares-for-election/article_3de7f1da-e175-5afa-b9e5-e8a0e4020e1e.html
Lackawanna County officials plan to start mailing ballots next week
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/election/lackawanna-county-officials-plan-to-start-mailing-ballots-next-week/article_4f2c2f93-5f6c-56dd-bd57-76d423bdb699.html
White Oak ditches $75 yard sign deposit after ACLU warning
https://triblive.com/news/politics-election/white-oak-ditches-75-yard-sign-deposit-after-aclu-warning/
Lehigh Valley ballot drop off locations for mail in voting: Map and list
https://www.mcall.com/news/elections/mc-nws-lehigh-valley-ballot-drop-off-locations-20200929-5xu7fgjugnemdadfbq2jssrdae-story.html
Campaign Finance 101: How big money influences our politics, and how small money could be an answer
https://www.penncapital-star.com/election-2020/campaign-finance-101-how-big-money-influences-our-politics-and-how-small-money-could-be-an-answer/
Health Care
Time for a flu shot
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2020/09/30/Time-for-a-flu-shot/stories/202009180087
Montgomery County health officials offer no-cost flu shots at clinics
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-health-officials-offer-no-cost-flu-shots-at-clinics/article_9a846892-884c-5cbd-96fe-b57ac9d7d1eb.html
If Obamacare goes away, here are eight ways your life will be affected | Analysis
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/if-obamacare-goes-away-here-are-eight-ways-your-life-will-be-affected-analysis/
Local News
New food pantry opens in Reading’s Glenside neighborhood
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/new-food-pantry-opens-in-readings-glenside-neighborhood/article_55a210b8-0282-11eb-8973-9bb57a413c45.html
Muhammad Ali’s former training site in Schuylkill County restored and open to the public
https://www.readingeagle.com/berks-country/muhammad-alis-former-training-site-in-schuylkill-county-restored-and-open-to-the-public/article_9d2b6ca0-dccf-11ea-91de-6b7455aaad22.html
3 Berks leaders will receive 2020 Community Champion awards
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/central-pa-voters-react-with-disgust-to-trump-biden-debate.html
Day care dilemma putting crimp on many Chester County families
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/day-care-dilemma-putting-crimp-on-many-chester-county-families/article_2ef47270-0274-11eb-adf7-238eee150af7.html
Mexican consul pays courtesy call to Wilkes-Barre
https://www.timesleader.com/news/804315/mexican-consul-pays-courtesy-call-to-wilkes-barre
Times Leader honors 12 ‘Distinctive Women’ at luncheon
https://www.timesleader.com/news/804293/times-leader-honors-12-distinctive-women-at-luncheon
Incident leaves Beech Mountain Lakes family hurt, humiliated, feeling unwelcome
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/incident-leaves-beech-mountain-lakes-family-hurt-humiliated-feeling-unwelcome/article_a7211be3-5b8d-58be-84c8-a57f210e489f.html
Latrobe Council debates remote attendance at meetings beyond pandemic
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/latrobe-council-debates-remote-attendance-at-meetings-beyond-pandemic/
York City Police Commissioner Osborne ‘Moe’ Robinson to resign after less than a year
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/09/29/york-city-police-commissioner-resign/3580512001/
Helfrich: Hold spots for minorities on agencies, boards and commissions
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/2020/09/29/helfrich-hold-spots-minorities-agencies-boards-and-commissions/3580884001/
National News
ICE preparing targeted arrests in sanctuary cities, amplifying president’s campaign theme
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/ice-sanctuary-cities-philadelphia-trump-administration-20200929.html
Natural Gas
Shale Insight conference focuses on fossil fuels’ impact on economy, tech and election
https://triblive.com/local/regional/shale-insight-conference-focuses-on-fossil-fuels-impact-on-economy-tech-and-election/
Philly
Back to the drawing board for SEPTA advertising guidelines | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/septa-political-ads-ban-aclu-editorial-20200930.html
Jailed 10 months, West Philly woman sues, claiming she was misidentified as a male armed robber
https://www.inquirer.com/news/bryonna-mack-upper-darby-robbery-eyewitness-identification-sunoco–20200930.html
American Airlines set to layoff 1,900 employees at Philadelphia International Airport on Thursday
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/american-airlines-set-to-layoff-1-900-employees-at-philadelphia-international-airport-on-thursday/article_fb1bdfa6-ebc5-57e1-8663-13c356931428.html
Pitt
Hairstyle, Juneteenth bills remain in County Council committee
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2020/09/29/Hairstyle-Juneteenth-bills-remain-in-Allegheny-County-Council-committee-for-second-time-this-month/stories/202009290156
Pittsburgh Catholic diocese raises attendance limit for Masses
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2020/09/29/Catholic-Diocese-of-Pittsburgh-raise-Mass-attendance-limit/stories/202009290155
Judge Tranquilli asks court to remove Ebonics claim from misconduct case
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/09/29/Pittsburgh-Judge-Tranquilli-misconduct-case-requests-remove-Ebonics-claim/stories/202009290144
2 shot in Pittsburgh’s Lincoln-Lemington neighborhood
https://triblive.com/local/2-shot-in-pittsburghs-lincoln-lemington-neighborhood/
URA gives $250K in neighborhood funds to three Hill District projects
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/09/29/URA-gives-250K-in-neighborhood-funds-to-three-Hill-District-projects/stories/202009290118
New brand aims to better sell Pittsburgh to companies, tourists and talent
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/09/29/Pittsburgh-brand-talent-attraction-investment-Allegheny-Conference-Amazon-Pashman/stories/202009290139
Pittsburgh’s economic development leaders launch ‘Next is Now’ campaign
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pittsburghs-economic-development-leaders-launch-next-is-now-campaign/
County Councilman Tom Baker hired by North Hills charity, won’t seek 3rd term
https://triblive.com/local/sewickley/county-councilman-tom-baker-hired-by-north-hills-charity-wont-seek-3rd-term/
Pittsburgh area jobless rates drops to 10.2%
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/pittsburgh-area-jobless-rates-drops-to-10-2/
State News
Pa. Superior Court rules gun law unconstitutional, says lawsuit in teen’s death can proceed
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/09/29/plcaa-unconstitutional-lawsuit-gun-manufacturer-mt-pleasant-jr-gustafson-shooting-springfield-arms-saloom/stories/202009290126
State court strikes blow for gun safety
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/state-court-strikes-blow-for-gun-safety/article_159832f5-9430-5af1-a7c1-fa54c94e5c20.html
A changing story by police on a rural Pa. shooting helped fuel white vigilantes and misinformation
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/spl/pa-state-police-bedford-shooting-civil-rights-marchers-20200930.html
New laws will affect Pennsylvania archery hunters as season opens Saturday
https://triblive.com/sports/new-laws-will-affect-pennsylvania-archery-hunters-as-season-opens-saturday/
Berks County native selected as vice president of Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/berks-county-native-selected-as-vice-president-of-pennsylvania-fish-and-boat-commission/article_2fe7a50a-fe80-11ea-9f87-cbe351886684.html
Transportation
Pa. Turnpike won’t make $112.5M transit payment, but service will continue
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/09/29/PA-Turnpike-deferred-transit-payment-PennDOT-service-maintained-Port-Authority/stories/202009290168
Washington
Rep. Kelly coauthors letter asking for probe of Times’ sources for Trump tax story
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/09/29/Trump-taxes-Rep-Mike-Kelly-author-letter-investigation-New-York-Times-tax-report/stories/202009290169