Legislature

Supreme Court hears argument on elimination of General Assistance program
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/10/16/general-assistance-program-pa-supreme-court-argument/stories/201910160160

Inspired by Meek Mill, Michael Rubin sets a goal: Get 1 million people out of the criminal justice system
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/10/inspired-by-meek-mill-michael-rubin-sets-a-goal-get-1-million-people-out-of-the-criminal-justice-system.html

Legalization may be off the table for Pennsylvania’s GOP majority. Decriminalization is another matter
https://www.penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/legalization-may-be-off-the-table-for-pennsylvanias-gop-majority-decriminalization-is-another-matter/

Dreamers’ future front and center at Greater Reading Immigration Program session at Albright College
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/dreamers-future-front-and-center-at-greater-reading-immigration-program-session-at-albright-college

Yudichak: Train leaving ‘a terrible blow’
https://www.tnonline.com/yudichak-train-leaving-‘-terrible-blow’

Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway to end tourist trains over Jim Thorpe tax decision
https://www.timesleader.com/news/759016/lehigh-gorge-scenic-railway-to-end-tourist-trains-over-jim-thorpe-tax-decision

Scenic train ride operator says it’s shutting down in Jim Thorpe
https://www.pennlive.com/life/2019/10/scenic-train-ride-operator-says-its-shutting-down-in-jim-thorpe.html

Popular scenic train ride in Jim Thorpe shutting down over tax dispute, owner says
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-jim-thorpe-railroad-20191016-475bhcgonfddvnglp6fp36g4qa-story.html

Senate bill aims to legalize adult-use marijuana
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20191016/senate-bill-aims-to-legalize-adult-use-marijuana

Legislators divided welfare recipients getting to work
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/legislators-divided-welfare-recipients-getting-to-work-1.2546731

Major Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board shipping contract draws scrutiny
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/10/major-pennsylvania-liquor-control-board-shipping-contract-draws-scrutiny.html

Kim Ward: Pennsylvania must reform its vehicle emissions testing program
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2019/10/17/Kim-Ward-Pennsylvania-must-reform-its-vehicle-emissions-testing-program/stories/201910170050

Toohil: Region must think about education
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/toohil-region-must-think-about-education-1.2546802

Fentanyl test strips should be legal in Pennsylvania, auditor general says
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/fentanyl-test-strips-should-be-legal-in-pennsylvania-auditor-general-says/

Pa. auditor general says fentanyl test strips could save lives, urges lawmakers to legalize them
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/10/pa-auditor-general-says-fentanyl-test-strips-could-save-lives-urges-lawmakers-to-legalize-them.html

Auditor General DePasquale calls for Legislature to legalize fentanyl testing strips
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20191016/auditor-general-depasquale-calls-for-legislature-to-legalize-fentanyl-testing-strips

In Pennsylvania, more law means less justice. That needs to change | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/in-pennsylvania-more-law-means-less-justice-that-needs-to-change-opinion/

Crime/Punishment

‘Cold-blooded’ violence or psychotic break? Questions linger as Walmart shooting trial begins
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/keenan-jones-walmart-shooting-trial-opening-arguments-20191016.html

Accused teen killer moved to new mental hospital
https://www.timesleader.com/news/759067/accused-teen-killer-moved-to-new-mental-hospital

South Park man admits to stealing more than $1 million from Upper St. Clair church
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/south-park-man-admits-to-stealing-more-than-1-million-from-upper-st-clair-church/

DOC hearing on SCI-Retreat closure set for Thursday
https://www.timesleader.com/news/759026/doc-hearing-on-sci-retreat-closure-set-for-thursday

Prosecutors: Man accused of killing New Kensington officer was armed drug dealer
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/prosecutors-say-man-accused-of-killing-officer-brian-shaw-was-an-armed-drug-dealer/

Detective: Lackawanna County attorney stole from clients
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/detective-lackawanna-county-attorney-stole-from-clients-1.2546773

Education

Mt. Lebanon provides update on school safety
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2019/10/16/LX-Mt-Lebanon-school-district-safety-summit-Steinhauer/stories/201910160146

Upper Darby superintendent recommends firing of teacher after racist tirade
https://www.inquirer.com/education/teacher-racist-upper-darby-drexel-hill-middle-school-renee-greeley-20191016.html

Springfield child hurt after being hit by car exiting school bus
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/child-hit-school-bus-springfield-20191016.html

Wyoming Area students help with new community food distribution program
https://www.timesleader.com/news/759070/wyoming-area-students-help-with-new-community-food-distribution-program

2 Penn Hills juveniles struck by vehicles in 2 days
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/2-penn-hills-juveniles-struck-by-vehicles-in-2-days/

Bedbugs discovered at Penn Middle School in Penn Township
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/bedbugs-discovered-at-penn-middle-school-in-penn-township/

School-based mental health program now at Deer Lakes
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/school-based-mental-health-program-now-at-deer-lakes/

Parents urge WVW officials to keep gifted program at Kingston school
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/parents-urge-wvw-officials-to-keep-gifted-program-at-kingston-school-1.2546854

Hazleton Area School District building project ends; another begins
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/hazleton-area-school-district-building-project-ends-another-begins-1.2546819

Keeping students safe is a growth industry struggling to fulfill its mission | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/keeping-students-safe-is-a-growth-industry-struggling-to-fulfill-its-mission-opinion/

Pennsylvania state universities move toward more shared services, cost savings
https://www.inquirer.com/education/state-university-pennsylvania-consolidate-funding-20191016.html

Elections/Politics

GOP challenger to Trump raises alarm on deficit in Pittsburgh visit
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/10/17/Mark-Sanford-GOP-Trump-challenger-Pittsburgh-visit/stories/201910170121

Mark Sanford kicked off his presidential campaign against Donald Trump in Philly. One person showed up.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/mark-sanford-campaign-kickoff-in-philadelphia-donald-trump-2020-20191016.html

Health Care

Pennsylvania is still staring down an Affordable Care Act and health care crisis | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/affordable-care-act-pennsylvania-constitutional-lawsuit-20191017.html

The time for Pa. to lead fight against childhood cancer is now
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2019/10/17/The-time-for-Pa-to-lead-fight-against-childhood-cancer-is-now/stories/201910160156

Local News

Families of White Haven Center residents protest decision to close facility
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/families-of-white-haven-center-residents-protest-decision-to-close-facility-1.2546832

Solicitor: Election board does not have much power
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/solicitor-election-board-does-not-have-much-power-1.2546824

Nearly $1 million budget increase proposed for Luzerne County correctional system
https://www.timesleader.com/news/759065/nearly-1-million-budget-increase-proposed-for-luzerne-county-correctional-system

Zoning board denies WB homeless shelter application
https://www.timesleader.com/news/759051/zoning-board-denies-wb-homeless-shelter-application

Wilkes-Barre zoning board rejects homeless shelter plan
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wilkes-barre-zoning-board-rejects-homeless-shelter-plan-1.2546825

Maternal & Family Health Servicespresent awards at annual luncheon
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/maternal-family-health-servicespresent-awards-at-annual-luncheon-1.2546750

Developers sue Scranton Sewer Authority for $378,000 over East Mountain sewer line
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/developers-sue-scranton-sewer-authority-for-378-000-over-east-mountain-sewer-line-1.2546941

State Rep. Marion L. Munley next addition to Distinguished Citizens Memorial in Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/state-rep-marion-l-munley-next-addition-to-distinguished-citizens-memorial-in-scranton-1.2546601

Water main upgrades underway in Old Forge
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/water-main-upgrades-underway-in-old-forge-1.2546698

Family members, friends celebrate Maddon’s return to Angels
https://www.standardspeaker.com/sports/family-members-friends-celebrate-maddon-s-return-to-angels-1.2546788

Dickson City Ambulance dismisses paid staff; borough officials want answers
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/dickson-city-ambulance-dismisses-paid-staff-borough-officials-want-answers-1.2546745

More towns, more potholes, less service
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/more-towns-more-potholes-less-service-1.2546712

Veterans facility in Reading celebrates second anniversary
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/veterans-facility-in-reading-celebrates-second-anniversary&template=ourcityart

Berks County plans to accept strays from any county municipality for $50 fee starting November 1
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/animal-rescue-league-of-berks-county-plans-to-accept-strays-from-any-county-municipality-for-50-fee-starting-november-1

Suits claims Glenolden ordinance violates state law
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/suits-claims-glenolden-ordinance-violates-state-law/article_2bcd8644-f060-11e9-b261-27e9945918fc.html

National News

Chicago teachers to strike in nation’s 3rd largest district
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/chicago-teachers-union-strike-schools-walkout-20191017.html

British family detained in Berks County deported, as U.S. border police dispute details of arrest
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/10/16/Berks-county-british-family-deported-washington-state-connors/stories/201910160187

New York to close notorious Rikers Island jail complex by 2026
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2019/10/new-york-to-close-notorious-rikers-island-jail-complex-by-2026.html

Philly

Appeals court rules against Krasner in fight with judge
https://www.inquirer.com/news/larry-krasner-scott-diclaudio-catherine-smith-girlfriend-superior-court-20191017.html

Sixers’ Al Horford surprises students with basketball clinic at Thomas Edison High
https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/philadelphia-sixers-al-horford-thomas-edison-high-school–20191017.html

Philly officials propose restricting e-cigarette sales to ‘protect young people’
https://www.inquirer.com/health/philly-restricting-vaping-sales-minors-ecigarette-20191016.html

Philly refinery blast released 5,000 pounds of deadly chemical, federal investigators say
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2019/10/16/Aging-thin-pipe-cause-Philadelphia-refinery-fire/stories/201910160138

Philly pension board drops Ken Fisher as money manager after derogatory comments about women
https://www.inquirer.com/business/ken-fisher-philadelphia-city-pension-board-sexist-comments-20191016.html

Philly school board to vote on ending charter agreements for two Aspira-run schools
https://www.inquirer.com/education/aspira-olney-stetson-charter-renaissance-schools-philadelphia-20191017.html

Community co-ops are the only truly local grocers | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-co-ops-local-grocery-organic-20191016.html

NBA debacle in Philly and beyond shows Americans finally waking up to Chinese censorship | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/76ers-china-tweet-lebron-james-united-states-business-20191016.html

Pitt

YWCA leader departs after 3 months on the job
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/pittsburgh-company-news/2019/10/16/YWCA-Greater-Pittsburgh-Janine-Woods-departure-Melanie-Gefert-Azur/stories/201910160176

Allow the new election: Pitt should heed proposed PLRB ruling
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/10/17/Pitt-union-election-PLRB-labor-relations-ruling/stories/201910150002

Tree of Life’s ‘minyanaires’ maintain a daily community
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2019/10/17/Morning-Minyan-Tree-of-Life-synagogue-massacre-Beth-Shalom/stories/201910160090

Some want apologies and reparations from Pittsburgh for racial injustices
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/10/16/reparations-pittsburgh-black-residents-quality-of-life-report-racial-injustices/stories/201910160170

City council urged to confront inequities, institutions hindering Pittsburgh’s black residents
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/city-council-urged-to-confront-inequities-institutions-hindering-pittsburghs-black-residents/

Pitt brings visitors face to face with the Holocaust in ‘Lest We Forget’ exhibition
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/10/16/University-Pittsburgh-Holocaust-survivors-Lest-We-Forget-exhibition-Luigi-Toscano/stories/201910160182

Judge dismisses effort by Pittsburgh gun-ban opponents to force DA Zappala’s hand
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/10/16/Pittsburgh-gun-ban-opponents-argue-lawsuit-against-DA-Zappala/stories/201910160142

Judge: DA not required to pursue private criminal complaints over Pittsburgh gun ban
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/gun-advocates-argue-pittsburgh-mayor-council-broke-law-with-firearms-ban/

City set to spend $3.1 million on new automatic defibrillators
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/10/16/Pittsburgh-council-likely-approval-AED-defibrillators-public-safety-cardiac-heart-health/stories/201910160148

President Trump planning to visit Pittsburgh next Wednesday
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/10/16/President-Donald-Trump-planning-visit-Pittsburgh-October-23-Shale-Insight/stories/201910160143

What happens to cars abandoned at Pittsburgh airport? Sold at auction
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/what-happens-to-cars-abandoned-at-pittsburgh-airport-sold-at-auction/

Spirit announces direct flight to Cancun from Pittsburgh
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/spirit-announces-direct-flight-to-cancun/

State News

AG Shapiro drops probe related to Tree of Life shooter’s favored social media site
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/10/16/Pennsylvania-Josh-Shapiro-Tree-of-Life-Robert-Bowers-Gab-com-social-media-rants/stories/201910160175

Protesters to demand Devereux agency halt its plans for migrant children’s shelter
https://www.inquirer.com/news/migrant-children-immigration-trump-devereux-vision-quest-20191017.html

Plains Twp. native to be inducted into Maritime Industry Museum Hall of Honor
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/plains-twp-native-to-be-inducted-into-maritime-industry-museum-hall-of-honor-1.2546846

911 recording: Boy found hanging in home with sister was bullied, ‘didn’t want to go alone’
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/911-recording-boy-found-hanging-in-home-with-sister-was-bullied-didnt-want-to-go-alone/

Central PA Convention & Visitors Bureau renamed to boost name recognition, local tourism
https://www.witf.org/2019/10/16/central-pa-convention-visitors-bureau-renamed-to-boost-name-recognition-local-tourism/

Washington

U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, Maryland Democrat who was longtime advocate for civil rights, dies at 68
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/obituaries/2019/10/17/U-S-Rep-Elijah-Cummings-baltimore-congressman-dead-obituary/stories/201910170124

Prepare for impeachment around Thanksgiving, McConnell tells GOP senators
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/mitch-mcconnell-impeachment-trump-republicans-20191017.html