Elections
Trump effect? Voter registration is up in Pennsylvania, especially among Democrats
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-pa-lehigh-valley-voter-registration-party-switch-20181018-story.html – nt=oft12aH-3gp2
Casey, Barletta debate ends in emotional exchange over TV ad
https://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-nws-casey-barletta-debate-20181020-story.html – nt=oft12aH-3gp2
Meuser, Wolff agree on need to address deficit
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/meuser-wolff-agree-on-need-to-address-deficit-1.2400205
Older PA voters remain big in number and expected turnout, despite 2018’s young surge
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2018/10/21/Pennsylvania-older-voters-election-midterms-governor-Senate-ads-Medicare-Social-Security/stories/201810210089
Washington D.C
US to pull out of intermediate range nuke pact with Russia
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2018/10/us_to_pull_out_of_intermediate.html
Trump: Saudi arrests in Khashoggi death a ‘good first step’
https://lancasteronline.com/news/politics/trump-saudi-arrests-in-khashoggi-death-a-good-first-step/article_5a587778-84e1-5a75-870a-d47807190057.html
Border tensions boil over as Trump’s frustrations grow
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/nation_world/border-tensions-boil-over-as-trumps-frustrations-grow-20181020.html
State News
Wolf impressed with Erie’s efforts
http://www.goerie.com/news/20181021/wolf-impressed-with-eries-efforts
Late enrollers in Medicare face a hefty penalty
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/late-enrollers-in-medicare-face-a-hefty-penalty-1.2400334
Scranton seeks state grant for South Side sidewalks
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-seeks-state-grant-for-south-side-sidewalks-1.2399967
Push is on to require insurance coverage for all breast screenings
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/push-is-on-to-require-insurance-coverage-for-all-breast-screenings-1.2400208
Capitol Roundup: 2019 ACA health insurance will feature rate decreases, more choices
https://www.timesleader.com/news/722123/2019-aca-health-insurance-will-feature-rate-decreases-more-choices
Local News
Erie plans 200th anniversary celebration for Land Lighthouse
http://www.goerie.com/news/20181021/erie-plans-200th-anniversary-celebration-for-land-lighthouse
From dark to light: Prayer group hopes to turn former abortion doctor’s office into Mercy House
https://www.newsitem.com/news/local/from-dark-to-light-prayer-group-hopes-to-turn-former/article_2daffe59-411f-5627-89a0-ded7b3bb1b3c.html
Near-misses between trains, cars in WB raise crossing safety questions
https://www.timesleader.com/news/722139/near-misses-between-trains-cars-in-wb-raise-crossing-safety-questions
Education
Hempfield school board hits the brakes on attendance realignment plan
https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/hempfield-school-board-hits-the-brakes-on-attendance-realignment-plan/article_d075b1da-d40f-11e8-9602-6b7518c8557b.html
Catholic Church Scandal
Long relegated to counseling and therapy, the clergy sex abuse crisis is now a matter for federal authorities
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/10/clergy_sex_abuse_catholic_prie_2.html
Uniontown priest permanently removed from duties
https://triblive.com/news/adminpage/14196570-74/uniontoown-area-priest-already-removed-from-duties-now-permanently-banned
Opioid Crisis
New Pennsylvania agreement cuts red tape for people seeking opioid use disorder treatment
https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/new-pennsylvania-agreement-cuts-red-tape-for-people-seeking-opioid/article_59270ae2-d230-11e8-be6d-b7c81284d80a.html
Philadelphia
Dozens of Philly teachers are forced out of their classrooms a month into the school year. Is it disruption, or equity?
http://www.philly.com/philly/education/philadelphia-school-district-teachers-forced-out-of-classrooms-leveling-lea-elementary-20180930.html
SEPTA Key problems led to untold numbers of free rides since August
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/transportation/septa-key-card-problems-free-ride-buses-20181019.html
Let ’em ride! Philly needs a bike park | Helen Ubiñas
http://www2.philly.com/philly/columnists/helen_ubinas/helen-ubinas-bike-life-dirt-bikes-atv-dirt-bike-rell-20181019.html
Philly is ground zero in the Trump administration’s war on sanctuary cities
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/illegal-immigration-ice-sanctuary-city-philadelphia-propublica-part-4.html
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh hosts ‘Railvolution’ conference pushing development around transit facilities
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2018/10/21/Railvolution-transit-development-national-conference-Rep-Earl-Bllumenauer-Pittsburgh/stories/201810190126
Bloomberg visiting Pittsburgh to spotlight climate program
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/10/21/Michael-Bloomberg-American-Cities-Climate-Challenge-Bill-Peduto-Pittsburgh-emissions/stories/201810210093
Big Ben’s dogs are everywhere, serving police partners, communities
http://www.post-gazette.com/pets/2018/10/19/K9-police-dogs-Ben-Roethlisberger-Foundation-Giving-Back-Fund-Pittsburgh-Steelers/stories/201810190016