Legislature
Important work undone: Lawmakers should complete child sex abuse bill
http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2018/10/26/Important-work-undone-Lawmakers-should-complete-child-sex-abuse-bill/stories/201810260058
Bill Tracker: Loading up ammo at prison guard towers
https://cumberlink.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/bill_tracker/bill-tracker-loading-up-ammo-at-prison-guard-towers/article_9a6f06ab-2a71-5126-b624-4739b723a9b7.html
Stinger takes stand at sting trial of Pa. lawmaker
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/vanessa-brown-stinger-takes-stand-at-sting-trial-of-pa-lawmaker-20181025.html
Our view: New laws fill key care gap
http://www.goerie.com/opinion/20181026/our-view-new-laws-fill-key-care-gap
Administration
Gov. Wolf signs bill allowing Harrisburg to leave Act 47: What’s next?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/10/gov_wolf_signs_bill_allowing_h.html#incart_river_index
Pennsylvania ag secretary visits Bell & Evans plant
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/pennsylvania-ag-secretary-visits-bell–evans-plant
Business
New print shop opens in West Side
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/new-print-shop-opens-in-west-side-1.2402365
Army depot holding job fair
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/army-depot-holding-job-fair-1.2402366
Cigar business breaks ground for expansion
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/cigar-business-breaks-ground-for-expansion-1.2402407
Erie Coke still operating after sister plant closes
http://www.goerie.com/news/20181026/erie-coke-still-operating-after-sister-plant-closes
Crime/Punishment
Feds make ‘largest seizure’ of meth in Western Pa. history
https://triblive.com/local/regional/14214997-74/feds-make-largest-seizure-of-meth-in-western-pa-history
Education
Amid harassment claims in Scranton, auditor general to demand policies statewide
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/amid-harassment-claims-in-scranton-auditor-general-to-demand-policies-statewide-1.2402219
Crestwood students to return to class Friday, with two-hour delay
https://www.timesleader.com/news/722660/crestwood-students-to-return-to-class-friday-with-two-hour-delay
Crestwood school board opts to end bus contract
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/crestwood-school-board-opts-to-end-bus-contract-1.2402543
Mid Valley Eight honored with plaque
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/mid-valley-eight-honored-with-plaque-1.2402681
OPENING THE BOOK ON IMAGINATION
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/opening-the-book-on-imagination-1.2402677
Homework help, hot meals and ‘safe haven’ – Greater Johnstown touts after-school program
https://www.tribdem.com/news/homework-help-hot-meals-and-safe-haven-greater-johnstown-touts/article_0d7c13dc-d8a0-11e8-aa85-f3ac5fa7bec7.html
Consolidation critic lodges complaint, calls for cancellation of WBA hearing
https://www.timesleader.com/news/722718/consolidation-critic-lodges-complaint-calls-for-cancellation-of-wba-hearing
Head football coach at Pa. high school resigns in wake of child porn charges
https://www.pennlive.com/daily-buzz/2018/10/head_football_coach_at_pa_high.html#incart_river_index
Villanova basketball not planning to visit Donald Trump at White House after winning NCAA championship
http://www2.philly.com/philly/sports/colleges/villanova/villanova-basketball-white-house-trump-visit-ncaa-championship-20181025.html
Elections/Politics
Chrissy Houlahan and Greg McCauley, two political novices, running for open U.S. House seat in Chester, Berks
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/politics/elections/pennsylvania-congress-sixth-district-chrissy-houlahan-greg-mccauley-chester-berks-20181025.html
Barletta backs, then backs off, Trump claim about ‘Middle Easterners’ in Mexico migrant caravan
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/politics/elections/barletta-backs-then-backs-off-trump-claim-about-middle-easterners-in-mexico-migrant-caravan-20181025.html
Campaigns center on ‘sanctuary cities’ to wade into immigration debate
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2018/10/25/sanctuary-cities-Pennsylvania-Lou-Barletta-Scott-Wagner-Guy-Reschenthaler-Bob-Casey/stories/201810240117
Barletta: Casey TV ad ‘crossed the line’
https://www.timesleader.com/news/722677/barletta-casey-tv-ad-crossed-the-line
Republicans feel more confident about keeping their Senate majority in the midterms
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2018/10/25/Republicans-feel-more-confident-about-keeping-their-Senate-majority-in-the-midterms/stories/201810250261
Gun control: Here’s how Congressional candidates Scott Perry and George Scott stand on the issue
https://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/10/where_they_stand_a_look_at_the_1.html#incart_river_index
Deminski hopes to unseat Comitta in House race
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/deminski-hopes-to-unseat-comitta-in-house-race/article_24c5faae-d863-11e8-a48b-bbdc336f791d.html
Brooks, Mulvey to talk at 50th Senatorial District forum in Grove City
https://www.meadvilletribune.com/news/brooks-mulvey-to-talk-at-th-senatorial-district-forum-in/article_95a1d9d4-d898-11e8-b027-5f1b54ad43e4.html
Pa. special elections mean voters get to vote for U.S. House twice, sometimes for different candidates
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/politics/elections/pennsylvania-special-elections-midterm-2018-congress-scanlon-kim-wild-nothstein-20181025.html
Survivor of ‘60s civil rights fight can’t believe 2018’s voter suppression is so ‘blatant’ | Will Bunch
https://www2.philly.com/philly/columnists/will_bunch/voter-suppression-2018-midterms-georgia-bus-kemp-abrams-civil-rights-1960s-20181025.html
Election hijinks? Delco township worker took Democrats’ campaign signs. | Clout
http://www2.philly.com/philly/columnists/clout/clout-delaware-county-township-employee-stole-campaign-signs-larry-krasner-ponytail-20181026.html
Gaming
Hearings scheduled on mini-casinos planned for Beaver, Westmoreland counties
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2018/10/25/Pennsylvania-gambling-mini-casinos-hearings-Stadium-Mount-Airy-Hempfield-Beaver-westmoreland/stories/201810250117
Public hearing scheduled for Westmoreland County mini casino proposal
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14212667-74/public-hearing-scheduled-for-westmoreland-county-mini-casino-proposal
Local News
Bidders purchase 101 properties at Luzerne County back-tax auction
https://www.timesleader.com/news/722697/bidders-purchase-101-properties-at-luzerne-county-back-tax-auction
Nameless no longer, Hollenback Cemetery grave marker identifies orphans
https://www.timesleader.com/news/722703/nameless-no-longer-hollenback-cemetery-grave-marker-identifies-orphans
$25,000 on the line, and the winner is …
https://www.timesleader.com/news/722691/25000-on-the-line-and-the-winner-is
Re-examine recycling contract
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/re-examine-recycling-contract-1.2402386
Solar panel fight ends in triumph for Chester County man
https://www2.philly.com/philly/business/energy/solar-power-chester-county-roof-regulations-20181025.html
Westmoreland County fires chief deputy of sheriff’s department
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14214423-74/westmoreland-county-fires-chief-deputy-of-sheriffs-department
Demand high for Harrison recycling event
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14213547-74/demand-high-for-harrison-recycling-event-saturday-few-reservations-remain
$378,000 earmarked for improving Schuylkill River water quality
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/378000-earmarked-for-improving-schuylkill-river-water-quality
National News
Megyn Kelly is off the ‘Today’ show, negotiating NBC exit
http://www2.philly.com/philly/entertainment/television/megyn-kelly-today-nbc-blackface-al-roker-20181025.html
Investigators search for person who sent mail bombs, motive
https://www2.philly.com/wires/ap/investigators-search-for-person-who-mailed-bombs-motive-20181026.html-2
Fox host Lou Dobbs latest Trump ally to peddle baseless conspiracy theory about pipe bombs
https://www2.philly.com/philly/news/lou-dobbs-fox-business-false-flag-pipe-bomb-conspiracy-rush-limbaugh-20181025.html
Curt Schilling, former Phillie and Red Sox hero turned far-right provocateur, not invited to join 2004 teammates at World Series
https://www2.philly.com/philly/sports/curt-schilling-red-sox-hero-turned-far-right-provocateur-not-invited-2004-teammates-fenway-20181025.html
Natural Gas
Shale Insight conference closes quietly
https://observer-reporter.com/business/shale-insight-conference-closes-quietly/article_7543534c-d795-11e8-8886-27afc14cc8b5.html
Opioid Crisis
Montgomery County receives $1 million to lower opioid overdoses
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/montgomery-county-receives-1-million-to-lower-opioid-overdoses
Drug overdose deaths drop nationwide and in Lehigh County, but authorities remain wary
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-drug-overdose-deaths-decrease-20181019-story.html
Philly
Accused of harming children at its North Philly shelter, VisionQuest now plans to house immigrant youth here
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/visionquest-immigrant-children-philadelphia-shelter-abuse-20181026.html
Philly has bad news for Bird, Lime: Electric scooters aren’t street legal in Pa.
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/philly-escooter-electric-bird-lime-skip-20181025.html
Why Glaxo isn’t meeting with Mayor Kenney while he’s in London
http://www2.philly.com/philly/blogs/inq-phillydeals/glaxosmithkline-gsk-mayor-kenney-drug-reps-eagles-london-20181026.html
Resolution honoring Gritty passed by Philadelphia City Council
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/philadelphia/gritty-resolution-philadelphia-city-council-20181025.html
Philadelphia 100: Fast growth + historic low unemployment = hiring challenges
http://www2.philly.com/philly/business/small_business/philadelphia-100-fast-growth-historic-low-unemployment-hiring-20181026.html
Why 4 home health firms made the Philadelphia 100 fastest growing firms list. Hint: There’s lots of demand
http://www2.philly.com/philly/business/home-health-philadelphia-bayada-100-fastest-growing-penn-20181026.html
Philly needs higher wages, better hours and a broader and deeper safety net | Opinion
http://www2.philly.com/philly/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-poverty-rates-fair-work-week-low-income-20181026.html
Pitt
Community leaders try to stall sale of Hill House properties
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/10/25/Hill-House-sale-properties-community-leaders-stall/stories/201810250212
Allegheny County wins $2 million grant to help cut jail population
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/10/25/Allegheny-County-MacArthur-foundation-grant-reduce-jail-population-racial-disparity-zappala-manning/stories/201810250188
Zappala questions Pittsburgh police handling of Kopy’s Bar brawl with Pagans
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/10/25/pagans-pittsburgh-zappala-police-kopy-s-bar-body-cameras-video-south-side/stories/201810250166
DA Zappala has many questions, concerns about police vs. Pagans bar brawl
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14213502-74/da-zappala-has-many-questions-concerns-about-police-vs-pagans-bar-brawl
Police arrest 11 protesters during rally for transgender rights in front of Allegheny County Jail
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/10/25/allegheny-county-jail-protest-transgender-rights-inmates-pittsburgh-police/stories/201810250206
Protester arrested outside Allegheny County Jail charged, released
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14216021-74/protester-arrested-outside-allegheny-county-jail-charged-released
Leon Ford, police shooting survivor, announces bid for Pittsburgh City Council
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/10/25/Leon-Ford-Pittsburgh-City-Council-campaign-Ricky-Burgess-shooting-settlement/stories/201810250142
Allegheny County man claims in lawsuit that Rite Aid employee publicly revealed HIV status
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/10/25/rite-aid-pittsburgh-lawsuit-pharmacist-noblestown-road-hiv-revealed-allegheny-county/stories/201810250200
Chelsea Pompeani sits down with Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14216176-74/chelsea-pompeani-sits-down-with-pittsburgh-mayor-bill-peduto
Anonymous airplane banner calls for bishop’s resignation
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2018/10/25/Airplane-banner-bishop-zubik-grand-jury-Catholic-Pennsylvania/stories/201810250210
Elliott, Mount Washington see road improvements after landslides
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/10/25/Pittsburgh-landslides-Mount-Washington-Elliott-road-closures-improvements-drainage/stories/201810250202
Pittsburgh crews fix landslide-damaged roadways in Elliot, Mt. Washington
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14213038-74/city-fixes-landslide-damaged-roadways-in-elliot-mt-washington
Public hearing set for Pittsburgh proposal for sprinklers in high rises
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/10/25/Pittsburgh-high-rises-sprinklers-legislation-public-hearing-Midtown-Towers-fire/stories/201810250190
Emergency track repairs to partially shut down T service
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14216141-74/repairs-shut-down-some-light-rail-service
Pittsburgh Public Schools board opposes Chick-fil-A as Pittsburgh marathon sponsor
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14212589-74/pittsburgh-public-schools-board-opposed-chick-fil-a-as-pittsburgh-marathon-sponsor
State News
Chester County DA calls for dismissal of state police union’s lawsuit over ‘do not call’ list
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/chester-county-thomas-hogan-state-police-union-lawsuit-20181025.html
Fall trout making appearances in local waters
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14214734-74/fall-trout-making-appearances-in-local-waters
Historic 1784 Pennsylvania inn moved in its entirety to new location
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/14212061-74/historic-1784-pennsylvania-inn-moved-in-its-entirety-to-new-location
State Supreme Court to hear case of rape defendant barred from questioning his victim
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/state-supreme-court-to-hear-case-of-rape-defendant-barred-from-questioning-his-victim-1.2402667
Land added to Pinchot State Forest
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/land-added-to-pinchot-state-forest-1.2402477
Cash prizes offered for best congressional maps for Pennsylvania
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/cash-prizes-offered-for-best-congressional-maps-for-pennsylvania
Transportation
PennDOT continues transit subsidies without $112.5 million payment from PA Turnpike
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2018/10/25/PennDOT-PA-Turnpike-transit-subsidies-Port-Authority-SEPTA/stories/201810250122
New display at local airport highlights famous local athletes
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/new-display-at-local-airport-highlights-famous-local-athletes-1.2402195
Deer are on the move, and that’s bad news for Pennsylvania drivers
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/deer-are-on-the-move-and-thats-bad-news-for-pennsylvania-drivers
Editorial: Anniversary of highway completion worth celebrating
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-anniversary-of-highway-completion-worth-celebrating
Washington
Trump sending troops to border, an issue that fires up base
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/presidential/20181025_ap_e7ffd2d5764244cdb1d1474bd895a863.html?arc404=true