Coronavirus – COVID-19
Dr. Levine says Pa. is seeing the start of a ‘fall resurgence’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/10/14/COVID-19-pittsburgh-pennsylvania-cases-deaths-pandemic-data/stories/202010140145
Pennsylvania faces a ‘fall resurgence’ as COVID-19 cases rise nationwide
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-covid-19-pa-nj-fall-surge-rising-cases-levine-crowd-20201014.html
Pa. health officials aim to avoid shutdown despite covid uptick
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-health-officials-aim-to-avoid-shutdown-despite-covid-uptick/
No shutdown, no new COVID-19 restrictions, health secretary says
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/no-shutdown-no-new-covid-19-restrictions-health-secretary-says/article_b3c51b6c-91ce-570e-b1a6-0f2c4a6764a6.html
Wolf administration announces plans to tackle fall COVID-19 surge
https://www.penncapital-star.com/covid-19/wolf-administration-announces-plans-to-tackle-fall-covid-19-surge/
Pennsylvania tops 1,000 coronavirus cases for 9th straight day
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-top-1000-coronavirus-cases-for-9th-straight-day/
Allegheny County adds 97 new coronavirus cases
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-adds-97-new-coronavirus-cases/
Montgomery County’s coronavirus positivity rate remains stable
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-countys-coronavirus-positivity-rate-remains-stable/article_514e3548-906b-5a4e-aa66-fc87dbf31364.html
Camden, Allentown, and Reading among most vulnerable cities in U.S. to COVID-19 mental health consequences, report suggests
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-mental-health-camden-20201015.html
Extra safety scrutiny planned as virus vaccine worries grow
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2020/10/14/Extra-safety-scrutiny-planned-as-virus-vaccine-worries-grow/stories/202010140195
Covid-19 cases climb at Westmoreland Manor
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/covid-19-cases-climb-at-westmoreland-manor/
Update: New COVID cases at Gracedale, Cedarbrook force nursing homes to close to visitors again
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-coronavirus-gracedale-home-closes-20201014-pei2q3qigjghxcu3nwuz24zzqi-story.html
Westmoreland 911 center has 2 coronavirus cases
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-911-center-has-2-coronavirus-cases/
Misericordia reports 91 students in quarantine; 8 test positive for COVID-19 in a week
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/misericordia-reports-91-students-in-quarantine-8-test-positive-for-covid-19-in-a-week/article_41f68505-b88f-55c3-a781-534633e1f1d1.html
COVID-19 in schools: Pitt-Johnstown limits in-person classes; Forest Hills begins reopening
https://www.tribdem.com/coronavirus/covid-19-in-schools-pitt-johnstown-limits-in-person-classes-forest-hills-begins-reopening/article_98eb45da-0e79-11eb-9f74-93205133834c.html
Plum High School remains open after 2 students test positive for covid-19
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/plum-high-school-remains-open-after-2-students-test-positive-for-covid-19/
Lake-Lehman student tests positive for COVID-19
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/lake-lehman-student-tests-positive-for-covid-19/article_bc55962b-1020-5ff3-9803-836c7ee4af96.html
Positive COVID-19 case reported in Abington Heights
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/positive-covid-19-case-reported-in-abington-heights/article_dd17bccf-38d6-5f46-a708-a315444f791d.html
Sunrise Elementary School reports 5th coronavirus case
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/sunrise-elementary-school-reports-5th-coronavirus-case/
Coronavirus cases close Daniel Boone Middle School until Tuesday
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/coronavirus-cases-close-daniel-boone-middle-school-until-tuesday/article_15251810-0e70-11eb-a55d-0ba1a9151d38.html
3 covid-19 cases identified in Kiski Area schools; no closures planned
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/3-covid-19-cases-identified-in-kiski-area-schools-no-closures-planned/
Westmoreland bus driver tests positive for virus
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-bus-driver-tests-positive-for-virus/
753 people tested over the first two days of free coronavirus testing in Reading
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/753-people-tested-over-the-first-two-days-of-free-coronavirus-testing-in-reading/article_35b43880-0dae-11eb-ae2f-9b787ce258b6.html
Child care centers don’t drive coronavirus infections, national study shows
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/child-care-centers-dont-drive-coronavirus-infections-national-study-shows.html
State treasurer candidate Stacy Garrity tests positive for COVID-19
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2020/10/14/Pennsylvania-State-treasurer-candidate-Stacy-Garrity-tests-positive-for-COVID-19/stories/202010140169
Nick Saban, Alabama’s football coach, tests positive for coronavirus
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/other-colleges/2020/10/14/Nick-Saban-Alabama-coach-tests-positive-COVID-19-SEC-football-Greg-Byrne/stories/202010140207
Labor secretary in quarantine day after Johnstown visit; Scalia tests negative but wife is positive for COVID-19
https://www.tribdem.com/coronavirus/labor-secretary-in-quarantine-day-after-johnstown-visit-scalia-tests-negative-but-wife-is-positive/article_f07979ca-0e4c-11eb-bd03-5b76da6c1763.html
Legislature
With deadline looming, will Pa. lawmakers pass badly needed election fixes in time?
https://www.penncapital-star.com/election-2020/with-deadline-looming-will-pa-lawmakers-pass-badly-needed-election-fixes-in-time/
Pennsylvania becomes a battleground over election security
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/vote2020/2020/10/15/Pennsylvania-battleground-state-election-security-voters-ballots/stories/202010150117
State could allow milk to remain on grocers’ shelves longer
https://www.dailyitem.com/news/state-could-allow-milk-to-remain-on-grocers-shelves-longer/article_c4ad2236-ef06-5e6a-92ed-7e3efb2015e0.html
COVID recovery shouldn’t include frivolous anti-business lawsuits | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-businesses-pennsylvania-recovery-lawsuits-20201015.html
Administration
Gisele Fetterman addresses racist incident: ‘It’s painful and it’s terrible’
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/state/2020/10/14/pennsylvania-lt-gov-john-fetterman-helps-erie-families-food/3659056001/
Racial slur directed at Fetterman’s wife shows how far we still have to go | Jenice Armstrong
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/gisele-fetterman-john-pennsylvania-trump-racial-jenice-armstrong-20201014.html
State police ID woman in video using racial slur against Pennsylvania’s second lady
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/east/2020/10/14/Gisele-Fetterman-video-woman-identified-Pennsylvania-State-Police-harassment/stories/202010140211
Pipelines
As the Mariner East pipelines become a permanent underpinning of Pennsylvania, secrecy and a patchwork of emergency plans have left many communities in the dark about what to do in case of an accident.
https://www.inquirer.com/business/energy/spl/sunoco-mariner-east-pipeline-pennsylvania-natural-gas-20201015.html
Emergency plans fail to consider complexity of Mariner East pipelines, and those most at risk in an accident
https://www.inquirer.com/business/energy/spl/sunoco-mariner-east-pipelines-emergency-plans-danger-20201015.html
Business
Study: Trades are misunderstood opportunities in region
https://www.timesleader.com/news/806285/study-trades-are-misunderstood-opportunities-in-region
Here are the Reading businesses that received coronavirus pandemic loan assistance
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/here-are-the-reading-businesses-that-received-coronavirus-pandemic-loan-assistance/article_ce29c5d2-09ab-11eb-865b-0f0d0bfa81b8.html
Crime/Punishment
2 dead after dispute between siblings in Allegheny Township
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/dispute-between-siblings-turns-to-murder-suicide-in-allegheny-township/
Monroeville Mall shooting victim remembered as selfless, loving
https://triblive.com/local/monroeville/monroeville-mall-shooting-victim-saheed-gayle-20-remembered-by-friends-family-as-selfless-nice-loving/
2 Pittsburgh-area postal workers charged with throwing away mail
https://triblive.com/local/south-hills/2nd-local-postal-worker-suspended-for-allegedly-dumping-mail-in-trash/
Education
PIAA will not allow McDowell golfers Brosig and McClain to enter state tournament
https://www.goerie.com/story/sports/2020/10/14/piaa-not-allow-mcdowell-golfers-brosig-and-mcclain-enter-state-tournament/5965633002/
Pa. state universities asks for $35 million more in state funding for 2021-22
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/pa-state-universities-asks-for-35-million-more-in-state-funding-for-2021-22.html
State System plan puts Cal U, Clarion and Edinboro on path to becoming one
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/10/14/State-System-of-Higher-Education-Cal-Clation-Edinboro-inegration-Greenstein-enollment-Pennsylvania/stories/202010140147
Officials at Pennsylvania state universities move forward with merger study, as IUP aims at its own restructuring plan
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/officials-at-pennsylvania-state-universities-move-forward-with-merger-study-as-iup-aims-at-its-own-restructuring-plan/
IUP president announces restructuring
Faculty cuts and university integrations loom, as enrollment declines at Pennsylvania state universities
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-faculty-cuts-integration-looms-pa-state-universities-20201015-pb4gftdbsnebjizywpx7ciodcm-story.html
Elections/Politics
Danielson for Senate in the 31st District | PennLive Editorial
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/10/danielson-for-senate-in-the-31st-district-pennlive-editorial.html
‘A really destructive scenario’: Pennsylvania could hold up outcome of presidential election
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2020/10/15/Pennsylvania-voters-ballots-presidential-election-court-suits/stories/202010150118
Everything Pa. poll watchers can — and can’t — do on Election Day, explained
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/spl/pa-poll-watchers-can-cant-do-election-day-explainer-20201015.html
Pa. Supreme Court will decide counties’ ability to evaluate ballot signatures
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2020/10/14/Pennsylvania-Supreme-Court-counties-ability-legality-evaluate-ballot-signatures-election/stories/202010140152
Pa. women are coming for it all: The White House, the legislature, the agenda | Maria Panaritis
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/election-suburban-women-trump-pennsylvania-turnpablue-represent-maria-panaritis-20201015.html
This is your brain on Trump: Four years of chaos has changed us. What would four more do?
https://www.inquirer.com/news/presidential-election-stress-trump-biden-anxiety-political-polarization-20201015.html
Luzerne County mail-in ballots: What you need to know
https://www.timesleader.com/news/806275/luzerne-county-mail-in-ballots-what-you-need-to-know
Election board hears update on county election preparations; more than 60K ballots have been mailed
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/election-board-hears-update-on-county-election-preparations-more-than-60k-ballots-have-been-mailed/article_ff6df721-d8c4-5a49-9691-07b929529d34.html
Freshman lawmaker Brandon Markosek faces John Ritter for 25th State House District seat
https://triblive.com/local/plum/freshman-lawmaker-brandon-markosek-faces-john-ritter-for-25th-state-house-district-seat/
Westmoreland approves poll changes in wake of coronavirus concerns
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/westmoreland-approves-poll-changes-in-wake-of-coronavirus-concerns/
New terms for incumbent state reps
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/new-terms-for-incumbent-state-reps/article_3f6a38aa-453f-5716-98d9-57a99398887b.html
‘I’m sorry she took offense,’ Middletown borough council member says about ‘disgraceful’ language in email to candidate
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/im-sorry-she-took-offense-middletown-borough-council-member-says-about-disgraceful-language-in-email-to-candidate.html
Will rise in coronavirus cases impact Pa.’s vote, and maybe the election outcome? | John Baer
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/will-rise-in-coronavirus-cases-impact-pas-vote-and-maybe-the-election-outcome-john-baer.html
Health Care
Commonwealth Health agrees to sell Berwick hospital
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/commonwealth-health-agrees-to-sell-berwick-hospital/article_43c9c6ad-7151-50c6-a0dd-b4612ddf3753.html
Local News
Cognetti backtracks on interim fire chief’s salary, averts potential dispute with council
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/cognetti-backtracks-on-interim-fire-chiefs-salary-averts-potential-dispute-with-council/article_e40c484f-a756-53b1-9fef-1b0ceeb212d7.html
Keystone Mission to host 24-hour discussion on homelessness in region
https://www.timesleader.com/news/806265/keystone-mission-to-host-24-hour-discussion-on-homelessness-in-region
There is such a thing as a free lunch: Leechburg Methodist church starts local Feeding Our Neighbors
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/there-is-such-a-thing-as-a-free-lunch-leechburg-methodist-church-starts-local-feeding-our-neighbors/
Plum officials approve ‘town center’ plans, need state permit before seeking contract bids
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/plum-officials-approve-town-center-plans-need-state-permit-before-seeking-contract-bids/
Lehigh Valley residents ask, why did the mail come so late or not at all?
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-lehigh-valley-mail-late-20201014-tsxneszuhzeyforhah5hb2uvna-story.html
Suspended Ambridge police chief found not guilty
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2020/10/14/mann-found-not-guilty/3644249001/
Marijuana decriminalization draws support in Delaware County
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/marijuana-decriminalization-draws-support-in-delaware-county/article_c03c7718-0e73-11eb-b3d5-23c54c3b1c58.html
Gretsky named new police commissioner in Chester
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/gretsky-named-new-police-commissioner-in-chester/article_a949763c-0e82-11eb-bd09-9b88a3957100.html
National News
U.S. Postal Service agrees to reverse service changes that slowed mail delivery nationwide
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/vote2020/2020/10/14/Postal-Service-agrees-to-reverse-service-changes-that-slowed-mail-delivery-nationwide/stories/202010140200
Dangerous network of militia members has spread to 16 states, including Pa.: report
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2020/10/dangerous-network-of-militia-members-has-spread-to-16-states-including-pa-report.html
Philly
Philly’s housing deal with occupants of Parkway homeless encampment seen as ‘unprecedented’ nationwide
https://www.inquirer.com/news/homeless-encampment-benjamin-franklin-parkway-housing-poverty-20201014.html
$14 million structural and biking upgrades to Grays Ferry Bridge should be finished in the spring
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/grays-ferry-bridge-project-penndot-bike-lanes-20201014.html
Philly City Council to consider delaying tax abatement changes until 2024 and adding a new construction tax
https://www.inquirer.com/news/10-year-abatement-philadelphia-construction-tax-20201014.html
Four shot at Southwest Philadelphia gas station
https://www.inquirer.com/news/shooting-southwest-philadelphia-police-gas-station-20201014.html
Some Philly students may not be allowed to return to class this school year, Hite says
https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-reopening-plan-hite-20201014.html
There’s no way to ‘safely reopen’ Philadelphia’s schools | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-public-school-reopening-nov-30-teacher-20201014.html
Charitable organizations can’t be the only ones working to solve hunger and housing crises | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/hunger-housing-homelessness-election-bills-20201014.html
Philly sues e-cigarette company JUUL over vaping ‘epidemic’ among young people
https://www.witf.org/2020/10/14/philly-sues-e-cigarette-company-juul-over-vaping-epidemic-among-young-people/
Report details ‘lack of transparency’ in police department’s handling of Facebook posts by cops
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/report-details-lack-of-transparency-in-police-departments-handling-of-facebook-posts-by-cops/article_be0ffcb3-348c-568f-8338-b392f6306632.html
Pitt
Officials: Nearly 29K Allegheny County voters received incorrect ballots, new ones being mailed
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2020/10/14/Election-ballots-mail-in-absentee-incorrect-allegheny-county-pittsburgh-voters/stories/202010140139
Nearly 29K Allegheny County voters receive wrong mail-in ballots
https://triblive.com/news/politics-election/nearly-30k-allegheny-county-voters-receive-wrong-mail-in-ballots/
Pittsburgh plans to revitalize business districts in minority neighborhoods
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/10/14/Pittsburgh-plans-to-revitalize-business-districts-in-minority-neighborhoods/stories/202010140177
Allegheny County officials attribute slowed covid rise to mask cooperation
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-officials-attribute-slowed-covid-rise-to-mask-cooperation/
Man, 26, dies of injuries from Manchester shooting
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/10/14/Manchester-shooting-North-Franklin-Street-Pittsburgh-man-shot-in-head-critical/stories/202010140201
YMCA closing branches in Bellevue, U.S. Steel Tower
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2020/10/14/YMCA-Pittsburgh-closing-branches-Bellevue-U-S-Steel-Tower-COVID-19-pandemic/stories/202010140159
Cameron Heyward’s foundation donates 350 backpacks to Pittsburgh students
https://triblive.com/sports/steelers/cameron-heywards-foundation-donates-350-backpacks-to-pittsburgh-students/
State News
Amid ‘dewatering,’ the main lock at Emsworth becomes a fascinating marvel
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/10/14/Emsworth-locks-and-dams-closure-maintenance-Army-Corps-Engineers-lock-dam-gates/stories/202010140202
UGI starts program to help struggling customers pay bill
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/ugi-starts-program-to-help-struggling-customers-pay-bill/article_fc85d876-c8cc-5f51-86b4-461a871db906.html
How Pa. police departments reaped a windfall of military gear, explained | Analysis
https://www.penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/how-pa-police-departments-reaped-a-windfall-of-military-gear-explained-analysis/