Legislature
Local advocates join Philadelphia lawmaker for a discussion on racial inequities
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/local-advocates-join-philadelphia-lawmaker-for-a-discussion-on-racial-inequities/article_3e48512a-efdc-5c95-85ac-23bfa9189a92.html
Route 222 off ramp dedicated to Berks Marine wounded at Iwo Jima in World War II
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/route-222-off-ramp-dedicated-to-berks-marine-wounded-at-iwo-jima-in-world-war/article_87838378-0f16-11eb-b71d-43ba6d1f42d9.html
Lawmaker aims to rename South Coatesville road after lynching victim
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/lawmaker-aims-to-rename-south-coatesville-road-after-lynching-victim/article_4a83f30c-0e46-11eb-8d4a-fb7e54c131d2.html
Killion sponsors hate crime legislation after special needs man sucker punched
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/killion-sponsors-hate-crime-legislation-after-special-needs-man-sucker-punched/article_983e2fe4-0f28-11eb-97d2-333ce333b7de.html
World watches Pennsylvania; don’t blow it
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/world-watches-pennsylvania-dont-blow-it/article_748a6610-4849-5013-af11-744a3f639406.html
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Anthony Fauci talks with Jefferson doctors about coronavirus vaccines, herd immunity, and how long we’ll need masks
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/covid19-fauci-vaccine-november-jefferson-masks-social-distance-20201015.html
Pennsylvania reports 1,598 new coronavirus cases, 21 new deaths
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-reports-1598-new-coronavirus-cases-21-new-deaths/
Pennsylvania coronavirus update: 1,598 more cases Thursday, including 54 in Lehigh Valley
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-20201015-gndjtyk3xbf45m4676b7ruvzs4-story.html
2 more coronavirus-related deaths reported at Westmoreland Manor
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/two-more-coronavirus-related-deaths-reported-at-westmoreland-manor/
54 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County; 1,598 statewide
https://www.timesleader.com/news/806302/54-new-cases-of-covid-19-confirmed-in-luzerne-county
Region sets new high in new COVID-19 cases since April
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/region-sets-new-high-in-new-covid-19-cases-since-april/article_ee8db2bb-eac6-5e54-9414-a8cec1d3ce9b.html
Berks County adds 74 coronavirus cases in Pennsylvania reporting
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/berks-county-adds-74-coronavirus-cases-in-pennsylvania-reporting/article_fe146f42-0e8b-11eb-bbba-3bec7dd295d3.html
Westmoreland County sees biggest jump in reported coronavirus cases
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-sees-biggest-jump-in-reported-coronavirus-cases/
Wyoming Valley West High School closed Friday due to probable COVID-19 case
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/wyoming-valley-west-high-school-closed-friday-due-to-probable-covid-19-case/article_fe0873b8-26bd-56a3-a826-9d1ec33fb1b2.html
Dunmore School District has two confirmed cases of COVID-19
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/dunmore-school-district-has-two-confirmed-cases-of-covid-19/article_bf284843-fcc8-5602-8bb3-33e2e0c6be3a.html
T.J. Maxx in Pittston Twp. closes temporarily due to COVID-19 cases
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/t-j-maxx-in-pittston-twp-closes-temporarily-due-to-covid-19-cases/article_750a5c42-deb1-545f-a4ae-32ad6e78fc76.html
Greensburg City Hall closed this week due to suspected coronavirus case
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/greensburg-city-hall-closed-this-week-due-to-suspected-coronavirus-case/
Montgomery County to increase coronavirus testing capacity at four sites
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-to-increase-coronavirus-testing-capacity-at-four-sites/article_38179565-a09a-5def-9cba-aacf0f28516a.html
COVID-19 will likely get worse in the winter, thanks to biology and behavior
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/weather-covid-19-spread-climate-temperature-humidity-winter-cold-20201015.html
Chris Christie, after week in ICU, says he was wrong not to wear mask in White House
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/10/15/Chris-Christie-says-he-was-wrong-not-to-wear-mask-in-White-House/stories/202010150191
Administration
Gisele Fetterman decides not to press charges against racist woman
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/10/15/State-police-Pennsylvania-second-lady-Gisele-Fetterman-Lt-Gov-John-Fetterman-racist-slurs-video-grocery/stories/202010150180
Business
Inspectors clock over 50,000 checks of Pa. bars, restaurants to back up COVID-19 efforts
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2020/10/16/Pennsylvania-COVID-19-bars-restaurants-Pittsburgh-liquor-inspectors-masks/stories/202010120110
Crime/Punishment
Accused Tree of Life shooter’s request to drop some charges is denied by federal judge
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/10/15/Robert-Bowers-Tree-of-Life-synagogue-accused-shooter-request-drop-charges-denied/stories/202010150196
The fatal police shooting of a man with a knife in Lancaster was justified, prosecutors say
https://www.inquirer.com/news/lancaster-police-shooting-ricardo-munoz-justified-district-attorney-ruling-20201015.html
Education
Camel Project delivers backpacks with anti-bullying messages to Reading school
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/camel-project-delivers-backpacks-with-anti-bullying-messages-to-reading-school/article_d55bb9c0-0f1c-11eb-9db0-eb3a36dd56f1.html
Allerdice High School history teacher recognized as Yale Educator of the Year
https://triblive.com/local/allerdice-high-school-history-teacher-recognized-as-yale-educator-of-the-year/
New Kensington-Arnold superintendent acknowledges distancing problem in 3rd-grade classes
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/new-kensington-arnold-superintendent-acknowledges-distancing-problem-in-third-grade-classes/
How State College Area High School sports returned this fall
https://www.witf.org/2020/10/16/how-state-college-area-high-school-sports-returned-this-fall/
Bucks County Community College staying mostly online for spring semester
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2020/10/15/bucks-county-community-college-staying-mostly-online-spring/3670142001/
Cheyney encourages voter registration for students
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/cheyney-encourages-voter-registration-for-students/article_bb605706-0f0d-11eb-82b9-1f200b8b9a77.html
Nick Saban questions NCAA rule prohibiting remote coaching from isolation
https://www.pennlive.com/sports/2020/10/nick-saban-questions-ncaa-rule-prohibiting-remote-coaching-from-isolation.html
Elections/Politics
Pa. could become ‘ground zero’ for court battles on — and after — Election Day
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/spl/pa-supreme-federal-courts-election-decisions-20201016.html
Pennsylvania has rejected 372,000 mail ballot applications, bewildering voters and straining elections staff
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/pennsylvania-mail-ballot-rejections-duplicate-applications-20201016.html
Over 125 mayors across Pa. announce they’re backing Biden for president
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2020/10/15/pennsylvania-mayors-endorse-support-biden-president-clinton-trump-pittsburgh/stories/202010150130
Biden reiterates in Philadelphia town hall that he does not want to ban fracking
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2020/10/15/biden-insists-he-wont-ban-fracking-philadelphia-town-hall/3673154001/
Donald Trump, Joe Biden go at it — from a distance — in town halls
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/vote2020/2020/10/15/Trump-evasive-Biden-rambling-in-dueling-town-halls/stories/202010150186
Dueling town halls with Biden in Philly and Trump in Miami make for a 2020 split-screen moment
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/joe-biden-philadelphia-abc-town-hall-trump-20201015.html
In this Pennsylvania town, racism ‘was quiet.’ Then Trump stoked fears of violence
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/columnists/christopher-maag/2020/10/16/pennsylvania-town-racism-was-quiet-then-trump-stoked-fear/3624404001/
Cartwright, Bognet talk Green New Deal, federal funding at chambers’ forum
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/cartwright-bognet-talk-green-new-deal-federal-funding-at-chambers-forum/article_8f705722-262b-5b29-b1cd-1a59c5a982ae.html
A pop-up voter services center can open in Chester this weekend as Delco judge throws out legal challenge
https://www.inquirer.com/news/chester-delaware-county-voting-center-pop-up-republican-philadelphia-union-20201015.html
Judge allows votes to be collected at Union stadium
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/judge-allows-votes-to-be-collected-at-union-stadium/article_5af8fef4-0f26-11eb-940b-235efe673c72.html
Luzerne County voters take advantage of new on-demand, ballot-casting option
https://www.timesleader.com/news/806386/luzerne-county-voters-take-advantage-of-new-on-demand-ballot-casting-option
CNN, New York Times spotlight Westmoreland County as key in presidential race
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/cnn-new-york-times-spotlight-westmoreland-county-as-key-in-presidential-race/
Westmoreland County approves drop box sites for mail-in ballots
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-approves-drop-box-sites-for-mail-in-ballots/
Berks election board votes to open second ballot drop box location on Monday
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/elections/berks-election-board-votes-to-open-second-ballot-drop-box-location-on-monday/article_f9b3439e-0f0b-11eb-bdf3-cf094f9d315e.html
Attorney general candidates talk about how they would use the office to protect Pennsylvanians
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/attorney-general-candidates-talk-about-how-they-would-use-the-office-to-protect-pennsylvanians.html
More than 17 million Americans have already voted, transforming the 2020 presidential election
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2020/10/more-than-17-million-americans-have-already-voted-transforming-the-2020-presidential-election.html
Lebanon County politics: In a sea of Republicans, where are the Democrats?
https://www.ldnews.com/story/news/2020/10/15/lebanon-county-republican-stronghold-but-dems-fighting/3641005001/
Health Care
Average ACA health insurance rates fall 3.3% for 2021, state officials report
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2020/10/15/ACA-health-insurance-rates-Pennie-Altman-federal-2021-open-enrollment/stories/202010150131
State urges residents to get flu vaccine as pandemic continues
https://www.timesleader.com/news/806391/state-urges-residents-to-get-flu-vaccine-as-pandemic-continues
Geisinger 65 Forward center to open Monday in downtown Wilkes-Barre
https://www.timesleader.com/news/806379/geisinger-65-forward-center-to-open-monday-in-downtown-wilkes-barre
Local News
Lackawanna County’s draft 2021 budget does not hike taxes
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-countys-draft-2021-budget-does-not-hike-taxes/article_d6366377-d73a-5ffd-b674-786e2ed99056.html
Keystone Mission holds 24-hour conversation on homelessness
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/keystone-mission-holds-24-hour-conversation-on-homelessness/article_2455106c-2e0d-51e3-9d50-177a56540cf2.html
Reading Downtown Improvement District says keeping city clean is a heavy task
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-downtown-improvement-district-says-keeping-city-clean-is-a-heavy-task/article_607217ce-0e5b-11eb-9eb5-c3077f5cbb5a.html
Westmoreland Municipal Authority to upgrade McKeesport water intake
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-municipal-authority-to-upgrade-mckeesport-water-intake/
Mayor Brown seeks fee hike to balance ’21 Wilkes-Barre budget
https://www.timesleader.com/news/806352/mayor-brown-seeks-fee-hike-to-balance-21-wilkes-barre-budget
State of Luzerne County employee pension fund discussed
https://www.timesleader.com/news/806374/state-of-luzerne-county-employee-pension-fund-discussed
National News
Nationwide coalition of prosecutors — including Larry Krasner and Josh Shapiro — vows not to enforce antiabortion laws
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/abortion-laws-prosecutors-will-not-criminalize-larry-krasner-josh-shapiro-20201015.html
30-year mortgage rate drops to record low
https://www.inquirer.com/business/mortgage-interest-rates-record-low-homes-refinance-30-year-15-20201015.html
Philly
Philadelphia’s early voting plans keep getting scaled back
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/philadelphia-satellite-elections-offices-staffing-20201015.html
‘He makes it into a joke’: For Philly COVID patients, Trump’s cavalier attitude stings
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/trump-coronavirus-treatment-healthcare-access-philadelphia-20201016.html
Philly florists bring beauty back to voting with public installations across the region
https://www.inquirer.com/news/united-by-blooms-art-flowers-philadelphia-voting-20201015.html
Philadelphia issues guidelines for winterizing outdoor restaurants
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/outdoor-dining-winter-cold-weather-philadelphia-restaurants-20201015.html
Philly region’s hot real estate market continued through September
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/housing/real-estate-market-philadelphia-interest-rate-seller-september-20201016.html
How LGBTQ Philadelphians are casting their votes this year
https://www.penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/how-lgbtq-philadelphians-are-casting-their-votes-this-year/
Student-run Penn yearbook wants to donate some profit to Philadelphia public schools, hopes others do the same
https://www.inquirer.com/education/penn-school-district-profit-pilot-taxes-20201015.html
Philly’s 10-year tax abatement and construction tax are back on the agenda. Here’s what’s different this time.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/abatement-construction-tax-philadelphia-city-council-20201015.html
Philly Council delays tax abatement bill as lawmakers call for 1% construction impact tax
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/philly-council-delays-tax-abatement-bill-as-lawmakers-call-for-1-construction-impact-tax/
Pitt
2 injured following shooting in Sheraden
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/10/15/Sheraden-shooting-Bergman-Street-3000-block-Pittsburgh-police-two-injured/stories/202010150188
Port Authority hopes to draw riders back by marketing cleanliness
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/10/15/Port-Authority-marketing-campaign-cleaning-hand-sanitizing-face-masks-COVID-19/stories/202010150161
Allegheny County Council committee recommends hairstyle, Juneteenth bills to general council
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2020/10/15/Allegheny-County-Council-bills-hair-Juneteenth-unanimous-recommendations/stories/202010150178
Pitt law school adjunct professor resigns after using a racial slur in class
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/10/15/University-of-Pittsburgh-Pitt-law-school-racial-slur-race-teaching-colleges-Pennsylvania/stories/202010150163
Court to allow Ebonics claim in Tranquilli case
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/10/15/pittsburgh-judge-mark-tranquilli-court-judicial-discipline-ebonics-race/stories/202010150159
Allegheny County activates online search tool for faulty ballots
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2020/10/15/Allegheny-County-election-online-search-tool-voters-faulty-incorrect-ballots-pittsburgh/stories/202010150145
Split decision on motions in misconduct case against Allegheny County Judge Tranquilli
https://triblive.com/local/split-decision-on-motions-in-misconduct-case-against-allegheny-county-judge-tranquilli/
FestivalAFRICANA celebrates Black creatives in new virtual event series
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/fashion/2020/10/16/FestivalAFRICANA-MoonLook-Demeatria-Boccella-Nelly-Wandji-Saran-Koly-Ghana/stories/202010160046
Port Authority will purchase face masks for employees
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/10/15/Port-Authority-face-masks-federal-lawsuit-new-policy-COVID-19/stories/202010150181
412 Food Rescue hosting virtual concert fundraiser with Wiz Khalifa
https://triblive.com/aande/music/412-food-rescue-hosting-virtual-concert-fundraiser-with-wiz-khalifa/
Pittsburgh barber cutting into profit to help raise money for Lemieux Foundation
https://triblive.com/lifestyles/more-lifestyles/pittsburgh-barber-cutting-into-profit-to-help-raise-money-for-lemieux-foundation/
State News
My story, my experience make me best suited to be Pa.’s victim advocate | Jennifer Storm
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/my-story-my-experience-make-me-best-suited-to-be-pa-s-victim-advocate-jennifer-storm/
Greene says ‘no’ to KKK
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2020/10/16/Greene-says-no-to-KKK/stories/202010140084