Legislature
Pa. Senate leaves Capitol without vote on clergy abuse bill
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/politics/state/pennsylvania-child-sexual-abuse-statute-limitations-window-catholic-church-20181017.html
‘It’s a disaster’: Senate leader laments end of sex abuse victims bill, open to talks
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/10/lamenting_the_death_of_a_criti.html#incart_river_index
Pa. Attorney General Josh Shapiro: Senate leaders chose church over clergy sex abuse victims
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/10/pa_attorney_general_josh_shapi.html#incart_river_index
Pennsylvania Senate pulls plans to vote on church abuse bill
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/14187943-74/the-latest-senate-pulls-plans-to-vote-on-church-abuse-bill
Frustration, anger as clergy abuse bill stalls in PA Senate
http://www.witf.org/state-house-sound-bites/2018/10/frustration-anger-as-clergy-abuse-bill-stalls-in-pa-senate.php
Pennsylvania lawmakers limit license suspensions for drug charges
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/14187954-74/pennsylvania-lawmakers-limit-license-suspensions-for-drug-charges
Pa. General Assembly passes bill increasing penalties for repeat DUI offenders
https://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/10/general_assembly_passes_bill_i.html#incart_river_index
Questions arise about why ‘Alina’s Law’ hasn’t been passed
https://www.wpxi.com/news/top-stories/questions-arise-about-why-alina-s-law-hasn-t-been-passed/854924843
Pashinski’s grandparents bill passes Senate, heads to governor
https://www.timesleader.com/news/721833/pashinskis-grandparents-bill-passes-senate-heads-to-governor
On last day of lawmaking: ‘If you thrive on chaos, you enjoy this time of year.’
https://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/10/on_last_day_of_lawmaking_if_yo.html#incart_river_index
Bill to give Harrisburg enhanced taxing authority for five more years wins Senate passage
https://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/10/bill_to_give_harrisburg_enhanc.html#incart_river_index
Sunoco fines will aid local environment; funding approved
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/sunoco-fines-will-aid-local-environment-funding-approved/article_20fe9596-d16c-11e8-93f2-3ba8b08aabfa.html
Reliance on standardized tests decreased
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2018/10/reliance-on-standardized-tests-decreased/
House Majority Leader Dave Reed to take job at bank
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2018/10/17/House-Majority-Leader-Dave-Reed-leaving-First-Commonwealth-Bank-job-indiana-pennsylvania/stories/201810170091
Divorce lawyer withdraws over state Rep. Kevin Haggerty’s nonpayment, other issues
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/divorce-lawyer-withdraws-over-state-rep-kevin-haggerty-s-nonpayment-other-issues-1.2398760
GOP state Reps. Jim Christiana, Mark Mustio say goodbye, share a toast
http://www.timesonline.com/news/20181017/gop-state-reps-jim-christiana-mark-mustio-say-goodbye-share-toast
Business
QVC, HSN fulfillment center coming to Bethlehem — with at least 1,200 jobs expected
http://www.post-gazette.com/business/pittsburgh-company-news/2018/10/17/QVC-HSN-fulfillment-center-Bethlehem-pennsylvania-jobs/stories/201810170134
Tarentum’s new Family Dollar store set to open the day before Thanksgiving
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14185607-74/opening-date-set-for-tarentums-new-family-dollar-store
Crime/Punishment
19-year-old charged with shooting deaths of 10-year-old, her mother and man in New Castle
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/10/18/Steven-Procopio-charged-triple-homicide-New-Castle-Amariah-Emery-lawrence-cannon/stories/201810180090
Bucks DA: Prison guard ran fishing tours while out on workers’ comp
https://www2.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/prison-guard-fishing-tours-workmans-comp-bucks-county-20181017.html
Education
Diocesan schools superintendent stepping down
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/diocesan-schools-superintendent-stepping-down-1.2398779
Penn Hi https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14186904-74/open-letter-from-penn-hills-volleyball-captainlls volleyball captain pens open letter about forfeit to Connellsville
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14186904-74/open-letter-from-penn-hills-volleyball-captain
Some motorists lack patience for stopped school buses
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/some-motorists-lack-patience-for-stopped-school-buses
Abington Heights students can earn associate degrees by graduation
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/abington-heights-students-can-earn-associate-degrees-by-graduation-1.2398883
Cal U. enrollment takes 6-percent dip
https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/cal-u-enrollment-takes–percent-dip/article_e2c4aa84-d27b-11e8-b90a-77622e54ae60.html
Marywood students start shuttle service to downtown
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/marywood-students-start-shuttle-service-to-downtown-1.2398758
PA 529 College Savings Program given a new name: Pa. treasurer
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/10/pa529_college_savings_program.html#incart_river_index
Cheyney president responds to enrollment plunging 38 percent
http://www.phillytrib.com/news/cheyney-president-responds-to-enrollment-plunging-percent/article_245aa3bf-2bc7-52d8-baec-51e5bc8717bd.html
State System’s chief talks to Edinboro University students, faculty
http://www.goerie.com/news/20181018/state-systems-chief-talks-to-edinboro-university-students-faculty
Elections/Politics
In Pennsylvania’s lopsided gubernatorial race, a study in contrasts
http://www.witf.org/state-house-sound-bites/2018/10/in-pennsylvanias-lopsided-gubernatorial-race-a-study-in-contrasts.php
‘They smell blood in the water’ — In Pa., N.J. congressional primaries, Trump, retirements bring a surge of activity
https://www2.philly.com/philly/news/politics/elections/pa-nj-primary-trump-retirements-map-surge-of-activity-candidates-20181017.html
Analysis: Pence visit signals GOP sees path to victory over Cartwright
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/analysis-pence-visit-signals-gop-sees-path-to-victory-over-cartwright-1.2398813
Director: Allocation will cover only a percentage of new voting machines’ cost
https://observer-reporter.com/news/election/director-allocation-will-cover-only-a-percentage-of-new-voting/article_400f3bde-d234-11e8-8f23-ff27da485a76.html
Voter Turnout Could Hit 50-Year Record For Midterm Elections
https://www.npr.org/2018/10/18/658255884/voter-turnout-could-hit-50-year-record-for-midterm-elections?_ga=2.102751489.1896812492.1539777875-143648526.1525781970
Health Care
Planners seek info on work at hospital
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/planners-seek-info-on-work-at-hospital-1.2398808
Local News
Wilkes-Barre’s 2019 budget includes police chief post, though no one in job
https://www.timesleader.com/news/721849/wilkes-barres-2019-budget-includes-police-chief-post-though-no-one-in-job
Payment delayed for downtown Wilkes-Barre train-station property
https://www.timesleader.com/news/721892/payment-delayed-for-downtown-wilkes-barre-train-station-property
WB zoners put Sterling lot in park; board wants more info before deciding
https://www.timesleader.com/news/721857/wb-zoners-put-sterling-lot-in-park-board-wants-more-info-before-deciding
No decision on Sterling parking lot
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/no-decision-on-sterling-parking-lot-1.2398851
Commissioners’ resolution backs resident in Scranton Beltway project fight
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/commissioners-resolution-backs-resident-in-scranton-beltway-project-fight-1.2398903
United Neighborhood Centers announces new leader
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/united-neighborhood-centers-announces-new-leader-1.2398762
City stormwater focus of public forum Tue.
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/city-stormwater-focus-of-public-forum-tue-1.2398800
Haverford leaders defend township and schools against racism complaints
http://www2.philly.com/philly/education/haverford-leaders-defend-township-and-schools-against-racism-complaints-20181017.html
Hatfield passes embattled beekeeping ordinance
https://www2.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/hatfield-passes-embattled-beekeeping-ordinance-20181017.html
Westmoreland Land Bank sells 70th property as it acquires its 100th
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14186776-74/westmoreland-land-bank-sells-70th-property-as-it-acquires-its-100th
Reading firefighters train at high rise
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-firefighters-train-at-high-rise&template=ourcityart
Kutztown resident tells council that railroad exhaust a health hazard
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/kutztown-resident-tells-council-that-railroad-exhaust-a-health-hazard
Editorial: Today’s actions will decide community’s economic future
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-todays-actions-will-decide-communitys-economic-future
Allentown says $1.25 million price tag to demolish building is not final
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-hyman-allentown-council-meeting-20181016-story.html
National News
Who is black in America? Ethnic tensions flare between black Americans and black immigrants.
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/cynthia-erivo-harriet-tubman-movie-luvvie-ajayi-american-descendants-of-slaves-20181018.html
The black senior citizens ordered off a Georgia bus taking them to vote aren’t giving up
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2018/10/17/The-black-senior-citizens-ordered-off-a-Georgia-bus-taking-them-to-vote-aren-t-giving-up/stories/201810170170
Drug-resistant salmonella from raw chicken products sickens nearly 100 in 29 states
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2018/10/17/Drug-resistant-salmonella-from-raw-chicken-products-sickens-nearly-100-in-29-states/stories/201810170181
That 2.8 percent Social Security adjustment could come with a few caveats
http://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2018/10/17/That-2-8-percent-Social-Security-adjustment-could-come-with-a-few-caveats/stories/201810150107
Opioid Crisis
Report: Easy access to fentanyl, Mexican heroin continue to boost overdose deaths in southwestern Pa.
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/10/17/Opioid-crisis-southwestern-Pennsylvania-fentanyl-Mexican-heroin/stories/201810170113
Latina health group to focus on opioid crisis
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/latina-health-group-to-focus-on-opioid-crisis
Philly
No Sanctuary: Philly vs. the Feds
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/illegal-immigration-ice-sanctuary-city-philadelphia-propublica-part-4.html
Study: Philly’s community schools, a Kenney soda-tax priority, show mixed results
http://www2.philly.com/philly/education/philadelphia-soda-tax-community-schools-kenney-20181018.html
Comcast to open lobby in new tower to public on Thursday
http://www2.philly.com/philly/business/comcast/comcast-lobby-new-tower-public-art-20181017.html
SEPTA is eyeing a big conversion to green energy
http://www2.philly.com/philly/business/transportation/septa-green-energy-renewable-power-nicetown-20181018.html
2-year sentence for ‘Skinny Joey’ Merlino, reputed longtime Philly mob boss
https://www2.philly.com/philly/news/crime/joey-merlino-philadelphia-mob-boss-sentenced-federal-prison-gambling-20181017.html
Philadelphia expected the Rail Park to generate new development. Instead, we might get a self-storage facility. | Inga Saffron
https://www2.philly.com/philly/columnists/inga_saffron/philadelphia-self-storage-density-zoning-board-michael-grasso-planning-commission-20181018.html
Arizona-based agency plans to house undocumented immigrant children in Philly shelter, city officials vow to fight
https://www2.philly.com/philly/news/unaccompanied-minors-immigration-philly-trump-vision-quest-20181017.html
First lady Melania Trump visits Philadelphia to highlight opioid-exposed newborns
http://www2.philly.com/philly/health/first-lady-melania-trump-newborn-opioid-dependence-philadelphia-thomas-jefferson-university-20181017.html
Starbucks report says police need training in anti-bias. Police disagree. | Editorial
http://www2.philly.com/philly/opinion/editorials/starbucks-report-says-police-need-training-in-anti-bias-police-disagree-editorial-20181018.html
Pitt
Sides clash over who decides whether Allegheny County gets new voting machines
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/10/17/OpenPIttsburgh-Allegheny-County-clash-new-electronic-voting-machines-home-rule-charter/stories/201810170126
See Lawrenceville’s ongoing transformation with the opening of Condado Tacos
http://www.post-gazette.com/life/dining/2018/10/17/Condado-Tacos-opening-first-look-Lawrenceville/stories/201810170086
PWSA secures millions in state money for lead line replacements
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/10/17/PWSA-lead-line-replacements-pittsburgh-Pennsylvania-Infrastructure-grant-loan/stories/201810170120
State awards PWSA nearly $50 million for replacement of lead water lines
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14186853-74/state-awards-pwsa-nearly-50-million-for-replacement-of-lead-water-lines
Pittsburgh gun violence dips in 2018 as police clear more homicide cases
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/10/17/Gun-violence-homicide-shootings-clearance-Pittsburgh-2018-victor-joseph-police-gvi-gang/stories/201810160133
Cement City joins railroad and village exhibit at Carnegie Science Center
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14188288-74/cement-city-joins-railroad-and-village-exhibit-at-carnegie-science-center
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette violated labor law, judge rules
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14187588-74/judge-post-gazette-violated-labor-law-must-cover-union-employees-health-premium-hike
Pittsburgh council confirms Yvonne Hilton as new city solicitor
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14186689-74/pittsburgh-council-confirms-peduto-nominee-as-new-city-solicitor
Community College of Allegheny County plans skilled trades fair
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14186692-74/ccac-plans-skilled-trades-fair-for-nov-20
State News
Pa. Supreme Court should exercise compassion when grappling with issues related to pregnancy and drug addiction | Opinion
http://www2.philly.com/philly/opinion/commentary/pennsylvania-supreme-court-opioids-pregnancy-drugs-child-abuse-20181017.html
1 dead in Washington County ATV crash
https://triblive.com/news/adminpage/14187768-74/1-dead-in-washington-county-atv-crash
Flight 93 park ranger will present a program on the creation of memorials
https://triblive.com/local/regional/14187165-74/flight-93-park-ranger-will-present-a-program-on-the-creation-of
Trails projects get state funds
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/trails-projects-get-state-funds-1.2398733
River section slated for year-round fishing
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/river-section-slated-for-year-round-fishing-1.2398809
Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots top $1.3 billion combined in next drawings
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/10/after_no_one_wins_powerball_or.html#incart_river_index
Transportation
LCTA introduces new rates for the shared ride program
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/lcta-introduces-new-rates-for-the-shared-ride-program-1.2398777
Reading Regional Airport faces financial crisis
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-regional-airport-faces-financial-crisis
Reading-to-Philly bicycle trail to be completed by 2020
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-to-philly-bicycle-trail-to-be-completed-by-2020
Washington
Facing flak, Sen. Warren doesn’t think her claim to have Native American DNA was a mistake
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2018/10/17/Facing-flak-Sen-Warren-doesn-t-think-her-claim-to-have-Native-American-DNA-was-a-mistake/stories/201810170169