Legislature
Inequity in state education funding challenges Scranton, other districts
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/inequity-in-state-education-funding-challenges-scranton-other-districts-1.2555044
We must end prison gerrymandering to restore power to communities who need it most | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/11/we-must-end-prison-gerrymandering-to-restore-power-to-communities-who-need-it-most-opinion.html
Elections/Politics
Poll: Biden leads Democratic candidates against Trump in Pa.
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/11/04/nyt-poll-pennsylvania-trump-biden-sanders-warren/stories/201911040120
IT’S ELECTION DAY: Polls open today until 8 p.m.
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/11/05/what-time-do-polls-open-in-allegheny-county-polls-close-voting-november-election/stories/201911040126
Election HQ: Information on state, county, municipal races in Western Pa.
https://triblive.com/news/election-hq-information-on-state-county-municipal-races-in-western-pa/
Pa. Supreme Court backs ruling to not count Marsy’s Law votes
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/11/04/marsy-law-pennsylvania-supreme-court-referendum/stories/201911040124
Marsy’s Law votes won’t be counted, Pa. Supreme Court rules in split opinion
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/marsys-law-votes-wont-be-counted-pa-supreme-court-rules-on-split-vote/
Low voter turnout expected across Western Pennsylvania on Election Day
https://triblive.com/local/regional/low-voter-turnout-expected-across-western-pennsylvania/
Local, state races top ballots today
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/local-state-races-top-ballots-today-1.2555124
Changes made to voting districts
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/changes-made-to-voting-districts-1.2555053
A procrastinator’s guide to Berks County’s general election
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/a-procrastinators-guide-to-berks-countys-general-election
It’s election day. Here’s why it’s worth your attention
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/11/its-election-day-heres-why-its-worth-your-attention.html
Playful head butt from dog leads to successful brain cancer surgery for central Pa. candidate
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/11/playful-head-butt-from-dog-leads-to-successful-brain-cancer-surgery-for-central-pa-candidate.html
Bob Casey stops in Reading to rally with and for Berks County Democrats ahead of Tuesday’s election
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/casey-rallies-with-for-berks-county-democrats-ahead-of-november-5-election
Business
‘It’s bonkers’: California hits Philly-area Amazon seller with $1.6 million sales-tax bill
https://www.inquirer.com/business/california-sales-tax-amazon-seller-philadelphia-business-20191105.html
Pennsylvania businesses signed deals with Ukraine while it was trying to woo Trump
https://www.inquirer.com/business/xcoal-ge-transportation-westinghouse-electric-poroshenko-trump-ukraine-20191104.html
WVIA cutting four jobs
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wvia-cutting-four-jobs-1.2555018
Crime/Punishment
Trial in New Kensington cop killing opens with footage of fatal encounter
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/11/04/rahmael-holt-trial-new-kensington-police-officer-brian-shaw-shooting-death/stories/201911040101
Video, audio of foot chase, shooting of New Kensington officer played during murder trial
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/prosecution-defense-give-opening-statements-in-rahmael-holt-trial/
Trafford police say driver accused of 6th DUI told them he used heroin, meth, cocaine
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/driver-accused-of-6th-dui-told-trafford-police-he-used-heroin-meth-and-cocaine/
Education
Union urges West Side CTC to reconsider proposal to settle 2-year contract dispute
https://www.timesleader.com/news/761101/union-urges-west-side-ctc-to-reconsider-proposal-to-settle-2-year-contract-dispute
Event to focus on school district inequities
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/event-to-focus-on-school-district-inequities-1.2554999
Gaming
Mount Airy set to launch online poker
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/mount-airy-set-to-launch-online-poker-1.2555011
Health Care
UnitedHealthcare penalized $1 million for violations
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2019/11/04/UnitedHealthcare-penalty-1-million-mental-health-parity-violations-insurance/stories/201911040107
Local News
Eyesore former Nanticoke bowling alley in tax auction Thursday
https://www.timesleader.com/news/761094/eyesore-former-nanticoke-bowling-alley-in-tax-auction-thursday
LCTA wants Wilkes-Barre to turn over streets on site of new home at former Murray Complex
https://www.timesleader.com/news/761077/lcta-wants-wilkes-barre-to-turn-over-streets-on-site-of-new-home-at-former-murray-complex
LCTA requests portion of Wilkes-Barre streets for transit hub
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/lcta-requests-portion-of-wilkes-barre-streets-for-transit-hub-1.2555054
Downtown business group hears about PA Cyber School
https://www.timesleader.com/news/761009/downtown-business-group-hears-about-pa-cyber-school
Social Security Administration leaving Oppenheim for Marketplace at Steamtown
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/social-security-administration-leaving-oppenheim-for-marketplace-at-steamtown-1.2555012
Voluntary Action Center of NEPA drops RSVP program
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/voluntary-action-center-of-nepa-drops-rsvp-program-1.2555098
Scranton City Council wants gas stations to preserve video of gas card transactions
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-city-council-wants-gas-stations-to-preserve-video-of-gas-card-transactions-1.2555101
Jessup council mulls fate of historic former church
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/jessup-council-mulls-fate-of-historic-former-church-1.2555135
Good news for Reading taxpayers: No tax increase in 2020
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/good-news-for-reading-taxpayers-no-tax-increase-in-2020
Union Township couple pushes to get Geigertown sewer project back on track
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/union-township-couple-pushes-to-get-geigertown-sewer-project-back-on-track
National News
FBI arrests self-proclaimed white supremacist in alleged plot to blow up historic synagogue
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/colorado-synagogue-arrest-20191104.html
Philly
The head of the Philly soda-tax-funded Rebuild program has resigned
https://www.inquirer.com/news/rebuild-soda-tax-nicole-westerman-director-parks-recreation-centers-kenney-20191105.html
More asbestos found; parents say they won’t send their kids back to North Philly school
https://www.inquirer.com/education/asbestos-philadelphia-school-district-peirce-20191105.html
Amy Klobuchar came to Philly and talked Trump, working with Republicans — and, yes, the Eagles
https://www.inquirer.com/news/amy-klobuchar-fishtown-philadelphia-20191105.html
In Philly: Black candidates seek new gains; third-party hopefuls could make inroads
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/in-philly-black-candidates-seek-new-gains-third-party-could-make-inroads/
Nicetown man, already awaiting trial for a 2011 murder, is charged in 5 other Philly killings
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/michael-blackston-nicetown-north-philadelphia-charges-five-killings-20191104.html
Election Day weather: Slight chance of showers in Philly, near 100% chance it won’t affect turnout
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/2019-election-weather-pa-nj-philadelphia-rain-kennedy-nixon-20191104.html
Pitt
Pittsburgh City Council approves $10M purchase of police body cams
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-city-council-approves-10-million-purchase-of-body-cams/
Four Pittsburgh City Council members urge votes against parks tax
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/11/04/allegheny-county-parks-property-tax-referendum-election-pittsburgh-city-council/stories/201911040102
Give up the fight: Peduto has spent enough on go-nowhere billboard dispute
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/11/05/Bill-Peduto-billboard-dispute-Lamar-Mount-Washington-Pittsburgh/stories/201910280002
City schools propose tax increase for 2020
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/11/05/City-schools-propose-tax-increase-for-2020/stories/201911040151
Pittsburgh Foundation executive joins Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/pittsburgh-company-news/2019/11/05/Pittsburgh-Foundation-executive-joins-Carnegie-Museums-of-Pittsburgh/stories/201911040118
Biden in town for private fundraiser in 2020 run for president
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/11/04/Joe-Biden-to-host-private-fundraiser-in-Pittsburgh-election-2020/stories/201911040144
Heinz pickle pin among surprises found in 113-year-old cornerstone of former Tree of Life synagogue
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/heinz-pickle-pin-among-surprises-found-in-113-year-old-cornerstone-of-former-tree-of-life-synagogue/
State News
Pa., N.J. 2019 tornado count climbs to 43
https://www.inquirer.com/news/tornadoes-pennsylvania-new-jersey-storm-damage-climate-change-20191104.html
Yanora joins Pa. Public Utility Commission
https://www.timesleader.com/news/761088/yanora-joins-pa-public-utility-commission
442 tons of prescription drugs collected nationwide during DEA Drug Take Back Day
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/442-tons-of-prescription-drugs-collected-nationwide-during-dea-drug-take-back-day/
Our gun violence epidemic is a uniquely American problem. But Americans have the expertise to solve it | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/our-gun-violence-epidemic-is-a-uniquely-american-problem-but-americans-have-the-expertise-to-solve-it-opinion/
Washington
Former Ukraine ambassador lays out White House campaign to oust her in Trump impeachment testimony
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/former-ukraine-ambassador-lays-out-white-house-campaign-oust-her-trump-impeachment-testimony-20191105.html