Legislature
As workers grow desperate, Pa. lawmakers launch nation’s ‘most expansive minimum wage bill’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/one-fair-wage-philadelphia-capital-grille-protest-darden-restauarants-20200930.html
State House GOP pushes ahead plan for ‘election integrity’ panel
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2020/09/30/Pennsylvania-state-House-Republicans-plan-election-integrity-panel/stories/202009290176
Pa. Republicans want to create and control an ‘election integrity’ panel with subpoena power
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/spl/pa-election-integrity-committee-house-republicans-20200930.html
How Pa. state troopers seize big money from drivers, many of whom are never charged
https://www.inquirer.com/crime/spl/pa-state-police-traffic-stops-forfeiture-seizure-illegal-searches-20201001.html
Redistricting reform still possible in 2020; Harrisburg must not let clock run out [editorial] https://lancasteronline.com/opinion/editorials/redistricting-reform-still-possible-in-2020-harrisburg-must-not-let-clock-run-out-editorial/article_6af5677a-02a6-11eb-8723-dbc3ca721f8e.html
Rep. Toohil weighs in on ballot controversy
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/rep-toohil-weighs-in-on-ballot-controversy/article_55f043fd-0995-58ce-809e-04a7e6e0105a.html
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Counties, GOP leaders ask court to deny Wolf on shutdown orders
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2020/09/30/Pa-House-GOP-leaders-ask-court-to-deny-Wolf-on-shutdown-orders/stories/202009300165
Federal appeals court must now decide whether to stay court order regarding state’s covid-19 shutdown
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/federal-appeals-court-must-now-decide-whether-to-stay-court-order-regarding-states-covid-19-shutdown/
Levine discusses lasting COVID-19 effects on ‘long haulers’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/09/30/COVID-19-update-allegheny-pittsburgh-pennsylvania-data-cases-deaths/stories/202009300144
Pa. health secretary concerned about lingering effects of covid-19 on ‘recovered’ patients
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pa-health-secretary-concerned-about-lingering-effects-of-covid-on-recovered-patients/
COVID-19 transmission in schools: N.J. has tracked 43 cases, while Pa. is still trying to dampen college outbreaks
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-covid-19-infections-nj-schools-pa-colleges-20200930.html
Pivik Elementary in Plum temporarily moves to remote learning
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/09/30/Pivik-Elementary-School-remote-learning-Plum-school-district-staff-COVID-19/stories/202009300200
Some students in Central Dauphin’s Linglestown Middle School ordered to work remotely after teacher tests positive for coronavirus
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/some-students-in-central-dauphins-linglestown-middle-school-ordered-to-work-remotely-after-teacher-tests-positive-for-coronavirus.html
Highlands confirms covid-19 case at high school
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/highlands-confirms-covid-case-at-high-school/
2 Schuylkill county employees test positive for coronavirus
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/coronavirus/2-schuylkill-county-employees-test-positive-for-coronavirus/article_cf916014-6525-5da2-a677-901ed5e5a5c2.html
Clairton HS football cancels Saturday game after several athletes show COVID-19 symptoms
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/high-school-football/2020/09/30/Clairton-Bears-football-game-canceled-COVID-19-symptoms-city-school-district/stories/202009300217
Potential coronavirus case shuts down Twin Valley football program
https://www.readingeagle.com/sports/high-school/potential-coronavirus-case-shuts-down-twin-valley-football-program/article_a475d376-036f-11eb-b151-07498bfa9c94.html
Coronavirus case closes Olivet Boys & Girls Club site in Reading
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/coronavirus-case-closes-olivet-boys-girls-club-site-in-reading/article_cd7ee14a-0360-11eb-9a6e-c3ff48a9da39.html
Inmate COVID-19 cases reach 27 at the Allenwood medium-security prison; 6 staff also test positive
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/09/inmate-covid-19-cases-reaches-27-at-the-allenwood-medium-security-prison-6-staff-also-test-positive.html
Wilkes-Barre City Hall closing after employee tests positive for COVID-19
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/wilkes-barre-city-hall-closing-after-employee-tests-positive-for-covid-19/article_9b13b10a-182a-5819-991b-6574374b6f75.html
Allegheny County surpasses 2,000 coronavirus cases for September
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-surpasses-2000-coronavirus-cases-for-september/
Statewide and in Berks County, coronavirus cases climb
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/statewide-and-in-berks-county-coronavirus-cases-climb/article_6b01fbd8-0338-11eb-bc4e-eb1ba5f9bbc3.html
9 new COVID-19 cases in Luzerne County on Wednesday
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/9-new-covid-19-cases-in-luzerne-county-on-wednesday/article_69996cb6-34cc-5581-b948-5f57cc92b8c1.html
Westmoreland County adds 17 new coronavirus cases
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-adds-17-new-coronavirus-cases/
New round of COVID-19 hardships stretches homespun safety net in rural Perry County
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/new-round-of-covid-19-hardships-stretches-homespun-safety-net-in-rural-perry-county.html
The curtains closed on the arts during pandemic. When will they open again?
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/10/01/pennsylvania-theater-and-arts-groups-lost-billions-revenue-2020-and-nearly-100-000-jobs/3534321001/
New study at Pitt is aimed at keeping COVID-19 patients out of the hospital
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/09/30/University-of-Pittsburgh-School-of-Medicine-study-COVID-19-patients-hospital/stories/202009300175
Steelers-Titans postponed after positive COVID-19 tests
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2020/09/30/titans-covid-19-outbreak-pittsburgh-steelers-reaction-nfl-week-4/stories/202009300142
Business
Chewy hiring 1,000 at new Archbald fulfillment center
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/chewy-hiring-1-000-at-new-archbald-fulfillment-center/article_4e794ba8-da3d-51a6-81e8-e25cb45fffb2.html
Westmoreland doles out 1st batch of coronavirus relief funds to small businesses
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-doles-out-fist-batch-of-coronavirus-relief-funds-to-small-businesses/
Cleveland-Cliffs will acquire ArcelorMittal USA for $1.4B, Coatesville and Conshohocken steel plants to be sold
https://www.dailylocal.com/business/cleveland-cliffs-will-acquire-arcelormittal-usa-for-1-4b-coatesville-and-conshohocken-steel-plants-to/article_47c54e6d-6158-5b68-aadc-5675b104cc6e.html
Crime/Punishment
Prosecutors seeks eight to 10 years in prison for Courtright
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/crime-emergencies/prosecutors-seeks-eight-to-10-years-in-prison-for-courtright/article_e18344ac-40d9-57d6-9c7a-794cb805c94a.html
Berks County Prison officials say inmate population is on the rise
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-county-prison-officials-say-inmate-population-is-on-the-rise/article_059b50ea-0320-11eb-967f-732ebd9ad312.html
3 teens charged in Bethlehem shooting death of Whitehall High School student
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-bethlehem-police-investigate-shooting-20200930-oyhzb5urjnbuhk7sd7chnmasye-story.html
Education
AG: Former Scranton SD superintendent and COO coverup of lead and asbestos problems was criminal
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/ag-former-scranton-sd-superintendent-and-coo-coverup-of-lead-and-asbestos-problems-was-criminal/article_c78698d7-25fc-5783-b0d2-79fb8d8d83f6.html
Pa. school officials charged with child endangerment, accused of covering up lead, asbestos contamination
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/pa-school-officials-charged-with-child-endangerment-accused-of-covering-up-lead-asbestos-contamination.html
‘We were lied to’. Members of Scranton School District community react to indictment over asbestos, lead
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/crime-emergencies/we-were-lied-to-members-of-scranton-school-district-community-react-to-indictment-over-asbestos/article_8fe45b0a-c7d4-56c5-916c-3be799ac378c.html
Return to classrooms or stick with remote learning? The debate divides a large Pa. school district
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/return-to-classrooms-or-stick-with-remote-learning-the-debate-divides-a-large-pa-school-district.html
Hershey School proposes a Pa. network of six early childhood centers with $350 million
https://www.inquirer.com/news/hershey-school-pennsylvania-child-centers-josh-shapiro-20200930.html
Norristown Area School District reaches one million meal milestone
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/norristown-area-school-district-reaches-one-million-meal-milestone/article_215b4e50-9bba-564e-9e77-044282dd30fb.html
District 11 opts out of PIAA football playoffs
https://www.standardspeaker.com/sports/district-11-opts-out-of-piaa-football-playoffs/article_11040708-13a0-5ff4-8d34-7fd120b10aa2.html
Elections/Politics
Biden ends his Amtrak tour with a message for blue-collar Pa. voters: Trump ‘doesn’t have a plan to help you’
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/joe-biden-pennsylvania-train-tour-trump-debate-20200930.html
Biden rips Trump during campaign stop in Pittsburgh
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/09/30/Joe-Biden-Pennsylvania-Ohio-train-tour-Pittsburgh-campaign-speech-Trump/stories/202009300186
Biden scores big union wins on train trek through Western Pennsylvania
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/biden-scores-big-union-wins-on-train-trek-through-western-pennsylvania/
Joe Biden Express rolls into Western Pennsylvania for whistle-stop train tour
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/joe-biden-express-rolls-into-western-pennsylvania-for-whistle-stop-train-tour/
Private Biden visit to Johnstown, Pa. draws supporters, detractors
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2020/09/30/private-biden-visit-johnstown-draws-supporters-detractors/5875607002/
Poll shows Trump holding onto advantage in northeast Pa. counties.
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/poll-shows-trump-holding-onto-advantage-in-northeast-pa-counties/article_c25a4694-d8ef-5440-bf6b-334fc74453da.html
Jill Biden meets with small business leaders at Rizzo’s Malabar Inn in Crabtree
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/jill-biden-meets-with-small-business-leaders-at-rizzos-malabar-inn-in-crabtree/
Philadelphia’s Black and Latino firefighters upset over local union’s decision to endorse Trump
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/philadelphias-black-and-latino-firefighters-upset-over-local-union-s-decision-to-endorse-trump/article_e1250657-27de-5239-b881-c30e1524e768.html
Trump’s latest complaints about Philadelphia poll watchers is “disinformation,” PA secretary of state says
https://www.mcall.com/news/elections/mc-nws-pa-elections-boockvar-defends-philadelphia-luzerne-20200930-ypt4h7xhkvbq5aoujxbpucero4-story.html
York NAACP: Trump’s debate comments embolden white supremacists
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/politics/2020/09/30/york-naacp-trumps-debate-comments-embolden-white-supremacists/5868879002/
Debate commission says it will make changes to format
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/vote2020/2020/09/30/Debate-commission-says-it-will-make-changes-to-format/stories/202009300163
‘Make It Stop’: An anti-Trump video campaign hits the right note with Pa. women | Maria Panaritis
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/election-biden-trump-pennsylvania-suburban-women-schiffrin-videos-maria-panaritis-20201001.html
St. Louis couple that pulled guns on protestors advocate for 2nd Amendment, Trump in NEPA
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/st-louis-couple-that-pulled-guns-on-protestors-advocate-for-2nd-amendment-trump-in-nepa/article_143d3063-a72c-5072-b344-e5a1b276f239.html
Fewer people may vote by mail than expected. That could mean Election Day ‘chaos’
https://www.witf.org/2020/10/01/fewer-people-may-vote-by-mail-than-expected-that-could-mean-election-day-chaos/
Glitches in Pa. voter services website not the result of ‘any malicious activity,’ state’s top election official says
https://www.pennlive.com/elections/2020/09/glitches-in-pa-voter-services-website-not-the-result-of-any-malicious-activity-states-top-election-official-says.html
9 discarded ballots weren’t fraud, state election chief says
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/9-discarded-ballots-werent-fraud-state-election-chief-says/article_0eed7994-d3bb-5ebb-8131-afadfa94aa29.html
Protestors blast Luzerne County over discarded military ballots
https://www.timesleader.com/news/804437/protestors-blast-luzerne-county-over-discarded-military-ballots
Election board meeting rescheduled again over legal advertising issues
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/election-board-meeting-rescheduled-again-over-legal-advertising-issues/article_ac622f49-b124-50d6-900d-17310df23e48.html
What we’re talking about when we’re talking about the ‘Black vote’ | Ana White
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/what-were-talking-about-when-were-talking-about-the-black-vote-ana-white/
Mail could make voting easier, but naked ballot rules could make it harder | John Baer
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/mail-could-make-voting-easier-but-naked-ballot-rules-could-make-it-harder-john-baer.html
The Pa. Supreme Court made the wrong call with mail-in ballot ruling | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/the-pa-supreme-court-made-the-wrong-call-with-mail-in-ballot-ruling-opinion/
Want to hand-deliver your ballot in Pa.? Here’s a map of election offices and drop boxes.
https://www.penncapital-star.com/election-2020/want-to-hand-deliver-your-ballot-in-pa-heres-a-map-of-election-offices-and-drop-boxes/
Benninghoff’s, GOP’s attacks on Wolf’s COVID-19 plans are endangering Pennsylvanians | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/benninghoffs-gops-attacks-on-wolfs-covid-19-plans-are-endangering-pennsylvanians-opinion/
Health Care
Geisinger offers free telephone assessments for breast cancer risk
https://www.timesleader.com/news/804474/geisinger-offers-free-telephone-assessments-for-breast-cancer-risk
Local News
Berks County launches grant program to help organizations hurt by coronavirus pandemic
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-county-launches-grant-program-to-help-organizations-hurt-by-coronavirus-pandemic/article_a8be6834-01bd-11eb-b7b9-2fa2086ef161.html
EPA continues testing of Norwood Landfill
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/epa-continues-testing-of-norwood-landfill/article_81e1e252-0340-11eb-85d5-3b52bea224c5.html
United Way gives kids COVID-combatting goodie bags
https://www.timesleader.com/news/804458/united-way-gives-kids-covid-combatting-goodie-bags
National News
Census takers: We’re being told to finish early, cut corners
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/09/30/Census-takers-We-re-being-told-to-finish-early-cut-corners/stories/202009300208
Natural Gas
Peco seeks 9% rate increase for natural gas customers
https://www.inquirer.com/business/peco-requests-natural-gas-rate-increase-puc-pennsylvania-20200930.html
Philly
Mayor Kenney says Philly is preparing for voter intimidation after Trump’s debate comments
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/philadelphia-trump-debate-voter-intimidation-20200930.html
Memory sticks used to program Philly’s voting machines were stolen from elections warehouse
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/philadelphia-election-trump-equipment-stolen-usb-laptop-20200930.html
A brief history of bad things that actually did — and didn’t — happen in Philadelphia elections
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/trump-debate-philadelphia-elections-history-20200930.html
City election official rebuffs Trump campaign’s demand to place poll watchers in satellite election offices
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/city-election-official-rebuffs-trump-campaigns-demand-to-place-poll-watchers-in-satellite-election-offices/article_23725d6c-34e6-5171-8c0d-68c8e5c7fade.html
Report: Sixers expected to offer head-coaching job to Doc Rivers
https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/philadelphia-sixers-doc-rivers-ty-lue-mike-dantoni-20200930.html
The Afro pick sculpture is back. It’s bigger and traveling around Philly.
https://www.inquirer.com/arts/afro-pick-sculpture-west-philly-hank-willis-thomas-20200930.html
Appellate court rules Philadelphia Bail Fund has no First Amendment right to record hearings
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-bail-hearings-audio-recording-first-amendment-da-larry-krasner-aclu-20200930.html
Philly man argued with a transgender woman before killing her, police say
https://www.inquirer.com/news/fatal-shooting-transgender-woman-mia-green-abdullah-el-amin-jaamia-argument-20200930.html
Pitt
Allegheny County officials update residents on sports, testing and mail-in ballots
https://triblive.com/news/health-now/allegheny-county-officials-update-residents-on-sports-testing-and-mail-in-ballots/
New developers of former Kaufmann’s store Downtown plan rooftop ice skating rink, other upgrades
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/09/30/Kaufmann-s-Macy-s-Downtown-Core-Realty-Lubert-Adler-AJ-Capitak-Smithfied-Street-ice-rink-clock/stories/202009300192
Police investigate Manchester shooting; bullets strike vacant medic unit parked nearby
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/09/30/Manchester-shooting-Bidwell-Street-Pittsburgh-police-first-responders-unit/stories/202009300204
Pittsburgh police investigating after woman shot in Carrick
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-police-investigating-after-woman-shot-in-carrick/
Port Authority sued over ban on Black Lives Matter masks
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/09/30/Port-Authority-sued-over-ban-on-Black-Lives-Matter-masks/stories/202009300151
Port Authority employees sue over Black Lives Matter masks
https://triblive.com/local/port-authority-employees-sue-over-black-lives-matter-masks/
Greater Pittsburgh Food Action Plan released
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/food/2020/09/30/Greater-Pittsburgh-Food-Action-Plan-released-Food-Policy-Council/stories/202009290122
Pittsburgh foundation receives share of $8.5 million from Gates Foundation to be used for COVID-19 relief
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2020/09/30/POISE-Gates-foundation-COVID-19-relief-Black-minorities-pittsburgh-nonprofit/stories/202009300091
Fireball streaks across the sky over Pittsburgh
https://triblive.com/local/regional/fireball-streaks-across-the-sky-over-pittsburgh/
Pittsburgh region marks 5 years in global Age-Friendly program led by WHO, AARP
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-region-marks-five-years-in-global-age-friendly-program-led-by-who-aarp/
State News
Devereux abandons a plan to house 40 undocumented migrant children in Chester County
https://www.inquirer.com/news/devereux-devon-chester-migrant-children-unaccompanied-immigrants-abuse-sexual-massachusetts-20201001.html
What’s that smell? Stink bugs back in big numbers
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2020/09/30/stink-bug-trap-counts-numbers-brown-marmorated-bugs-population-increase-2020/stories/202009300179
Armstrong, Butler counties added to drought watch
https://triblive.com/local/regional/good-news-bad-news-more-sunny-days-but-part-of-region-in-drought/
Transportation
Expiration dates on commercial licenses and permits extended again: PennDOT
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/09/expiration-dates-on-commercial-licences-and-permits-extended-again-penndot.html