Legislature
As Pa. Senate session winds down, last-minute push would allow two-year window for clergy abuse victims
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2018/10/14/Pennsylvania-Senate-session-two-year-window-priest-clergy-sex-abuse-victims-statute-limitations/stories/201810140189
House OKs bill to expand prescription drug assistance programs
http://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20181015/house-oks-bill-to-expand-prescription-drug-assistance-programs
Scott Wagner’s Facebook rant is a reminder the Pa. Senate is better without him | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2018/10/scott_wagners_facebook_rant_is.html#incart_river_index
Opening Pennsylvania’s primaries won’t end polarization, experts say
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/opening-pennsylvanias-primaries-wont-end-polarization-experts-say
The quiet death of a bill that could have helped Philly | Editorial
http://www2.philly.com/philly/opinion/editorials/uniformity-clause-philadelphia-tax-reform-uniformity-clauseeditorial-20181015.html
Switch to appointment
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/switch-to-appointment-1.2397488
The Rundown: Sexual abuse demonstration coming to Senate offices in Harrisburg
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/the-rundown-sexual-abuse-demonstration-coming-to-senate-offices-in-harrisburg
Bridge dedicated
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2018/10/bridge-dedicated/
Sexual abuse bill should include civil window, victims’ fund: Sen. Dan Laughlin
http://www.goerie.com/opinion/20181015/sexual-abuse-bill-should-include-civil-window-victims-fund-sen-dan-laughlin
Business
Sears files for Chapter 11 amid plunging sales, massive debt
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20181015_ap_1cbf64586e114ac38bab82a42b8be12e.html?arc404=true
Crime/Punishment
We should be outraged that incarcerated Pennsylvanians now have to pay $150 to read | Opinion
http://www2.philly.com/philly/opinion/commentary/pennsylvania-prison-incarceration-books-ban-inmates-prisoners-20181015.html
Why are so many Pa. prison inmates committing suicide?
https://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pennsylvania-prison-suicides-20181011-story.html
New prison mail policy lands state in hot water with ACLU
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/new-prison-mail-policy-lands-state-in-hot-water-with-aclu
Education
Riverview teachers, school board to talk Monday, first meeting since strike authorization vote
https://triblive.com/news/adminpage/14177190-74/riverview-teachers-school-board-to-talk-monday-first-meeting-since-strike-authorization
A cautionary tale: Girls admit to falsely accusing a boy they disliked
http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2018/10/15/A-cautionary-tale-Seneca-Valley-School-District-MeToo-Girls-admit-falsely-accusing-boy/stories/201810150017
More local colleges are scrapping SAT requirement
http://www2.philly.com/philly/education/local-colleges-scrapping-sat-act-requirement-20181013.html
Elections/Politics
Ahead of the November elections, Democrats go all in on health care
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2018/10/14/Ahead-of-the-November-elections-Democrats-go-all-in-on-health-care/stories/201810140238
As midterms approach, Republicans find immigration is once again a potent line of attack
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2018/10/14/As-midterms-approach-Republicans-find-immigration-is-once-again-a-potent-line-of-attack/stories/201810140239
Lou Barletta, citing grandson with cancer, lashes out at Bob Casey over health-care campaign ad
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/politics/elections/pennsylvania-senate-preexisting-conditions-lou-barletta-citing-grandson-with-cancer-lashes-out-at-bob-casey-over-healthcare-grandson-cancer-bob-casey-ad-20181014.html
Democrat Susan Wild raised $1.3 million last quarter for PA-7 congressional bid
https://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-congress-pa-7-fundraising-wild-nothstein-20181014-story.html
Wolf, Casey stump for Dan Williams in Coatesville
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/wolf-casey-stump-for-dan-williams-in-coatesville/article_976a4eb2-d01a-11e8-a6d9-3bf292333133.html
On Scott Wagner’s wacky moment | John Baer
http://www2.philly.com/philly/columnists/john_baer/on-scott-wagners-wacky-moment-20181015.html
Once-quiet candidates in 14th Congressional District launch ads, exchange barbs
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/14172382-74/once-quiet-candidates-in-14th-congressional-district-launch-ads-exchange-barbs
Defaced Democratic billboard in Berks leads both parties to call for civility
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/defaced-democratic-billboard-in-berks-leads-both-parties-to-call-for-civility
Dems, GOP both see voter registration gains in Erie County
http://www.goerie.com/news/20181014/dems-gop-both-see-voter-registration-gains-in-erie-county
Health Care
UPMC-Highmark split is forcing worried seniors to switch insurers
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14175566-74/upmc-highmark-split-is-forcing-worried-seniors-to-switch-insurers
Local News
Urban urges increase in Luzerne County non-union health care contribution
https://www.timesleader.com/news/721533/urban-urges-increase-in-luzerne-county-non-union-health-care-contribution
Luzerne County staff size changes highlighted
https://www.timesleader.com/news/721530/luzerne-county-staff-size-changes-highlighted
George to present 2019 W-B budget plans today
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/george-to-present-2019-w-b-budget-plans-today-1.2397714
Wilkes-Barre uses flu clinic to test emergency plan
https://www.timesleader.com/news/721446/wilkes-barre-uses-flu-clinic-to-test-emergency-plan
LHVA looks to connect trails to rails in Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lhva-looks-to-connect-trails-to-rails-in-scranton-1.2397775
The view of California, Pa., depends on where you look
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2018/10/14/California-pennsylvania-our-towns-unversity-frank-stelar-technology-park/stories/201807100137
East Deer official: Underground fire at former Pittsburgh Glass Works not hurting air quality
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14173989-74/east-deer-official-underground-fire-at-former-pittsburgh-glass-works-not-hurting
Reading gets positive audit, but work remains
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-gets-postiive-audit-but-work-remains
Editorial: Making a splash for Reading recreation
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-making-a-splash-for-reading-recreation
Marijuana
Looming legalization raises questions about how marijuana may change Canada’s culture
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2018/10/14/Looming-legalization-raises-questions-about-how-marijuana-may-change-Canada-s-culture/stories/201810140231
Opioid Crisis
As opioid crisis creates orphans, grandparents take on parenthood again, often with few resources
https://triblive.com/local/regional/14177820-74/as-opioid-crisis-creates-orphans-grandparents-take-on-parenthood-again-often-with
New standard
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/new-standard-1.2397490
Philly
Seattle is the leader in worker protection laws. What can Philly learn as it considers a ‘fair workweek’?
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/fair-workweek-secure-scheduling-law-seattle-enforcement-20181015.html
Why do you hit every red light? How pedestrians, construction, and computerized signals choke traffic.
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/philadelphia/traffic-lights-red-philadelphia-penndot-curious-philly-20181015.html
20 arrested after hundreds of dirt bikers ride through Philly to honor slain rider
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/report-dirt-bikers-ride-through-philadelphia-to-honor-slain-friend-20181014.html
3 men shot as they left party near Temple University
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/3-men-shot-as-they-left-party-near-temple-university-20181014.html
Teen critically injured in Cedar Park shooting
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/teen-critically-injured-in-cedar-park-shooting-20181014.html
Pitt
Undercover Pittsburgh detectives brawl with reputed Pagans in South Side bar
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/10/13/pittsburgh-police-kopy-s-bar-pagans-undercover-narcotics-detectives-brawl-south-side/stories/201810130079
Some Pittsburgh school board members are skeptical of Children’s Fund proposal
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2018/10/15/Some-Pittsburgh-education-advocates-skeptical-of-Children-s-Fund-proposal/stories/201810110168
Duolingo coworkers cross 15 bridges in 20-mile ultimate Pittsburgh nerd hike
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14177964-74/duolingo-coworkers-cross-15-bridges-in-20-mile-ultimate-pittsburgh-nerd-hike
State News
Indiana County native last living member of the Venona project, a Soviet code-breaking team
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14174937-74/indiana-county-native-last-living-member-of-the-venona-project-a-soviet
Butler VA holding town hall meeting Wednesday at Armstrong County outpatient clinic
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14176947-74/butler-va-holding-town-hall-meeting-wednesday-at-armstrong-county-outpatient-clinic
EPCAMR will host litter cleanup effort at Centralia site
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/epcamr-will-host-litter-cleanup-effort-at-centralia-site-1.2397634
Parents discovered a lack of help for special needs children. Now they’re pushing the state for more licensed therapists
https://papost.org/2018/10/12/parents-discovered-a-lack-of-help-for-special-needs-children-now-theyre-pushing-the-state-for-more-licensed-therapists/
Central Pa. Growers And Researchers Work To Stop The Spotted Lanternfly
http://radio.wpsu.org/post/central-pa-growers-and-researchers-work-stop-spotted-lanternfly
Berks County Conservation District offers money to control spotted lanternfly
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-county-conservation-district-offers-money-to-control-spotted-lanternfly
Washington
Trump says climate change isn’t a hoax, but it may not be man-made and will ‘change back’
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/science/2018/10/14/Trump-says-climate-change-isn-t-a-hoax-but-it-may-not-be-man-made-and-will-change-back/stories/201810140228
Few changes found in FAA funding bill
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2018/10/few-changes-found-in-faa-funding-bill/