Legislature
Pennsylvania taking steps toward its own ‘Fair Pay to Play Act’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2019/10/01/california-fair-pay-to-play-act-gavin-newsom-pennsylvania/stories/201910010178
Pa. college athletes could earn financial compensation under proposed bill
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-college-athletes-could-earn-financial-compensation-under-proposed-bill/
The Fair Pay to Play Act: James Franklin weighs in; 3 lawmakers plan to propose similar legislation in PA
https://www.pennlive.com/pennstatefootball/2019/10/the-fair-pay-to-play-act-james-franklin-weighs-in-3-lawmakers-plan-to-propose-similar-legislation-in-pa.html
Legislators working on pay-to-play bill
http://www.altoonamirror.com/sports/psu/game-coverage/2019/10/legislators-working-on-pay-to-play-bill/
Chester County officials pass resolution on clean energy
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/chester-county-officials-pass-resolution-on-clean-energy/article_dd77e722-e471-11e9-a8cd-cf5fbd957477.html
Killion joins gun violence survivors to talk about solutions
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/local/killion-joins-gun-violence-survivors-to-talk-about-solutions/article_9bce5684-e481-11e9-b4e7-cb20d244b9e1.html
Delaware County legislator introduces bill to legalize marijuana, sell it in state stores
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20191001/delaware-county-legislator-introduces-bill-to-legalize-marijuana-sell-it-in-state-stores
Delco state rep announces plan to legalize pot use
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/delco-state-rep-announces-plan-to-legalize-pot-use/article_db265e96-e48e-11e9-969f-4b69a2c5c266.html
Stephens bill to pay for PFAS costs passes House
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20191001/stephens-bill-to-pay-for-pfas-costs-passes-house
Pa. House Speaker touts Betsy DeVos’ tax credit plan for private-school scholarship donations
https://www.inquirer.com/education/betsy-devos-mike-turzai-private-school-tax-credit-scholarships-vouchers-20191001.html
Statewide anti-pipeline rally planned
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/statewide-anti-pipeline-rally-planned/article_64455300-e48d-11e9-8add-23553fb04e4e.html
In politicians state schools can’t trust
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/in-politicians-state-schools-can-t-trust-1.2540167
Too many Pa. veterans are dying by suicide. Tell your lawmakers that Red Flag laws save lives | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/paforward/too-many-pa-veterans-are-dying-by-suicide-tell-your-lawmakers-that-red-flag-laws-save-lives-opinion/
Administration
Charter school reforms touted
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2019/10/charter-school-reforms-touted/
PennLive readers side with Wolf, Fetterman and Shapiro — recreational marijuana should be legal | PennLive Editorial
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/10/pennlive-readers-side-with-wolf-fetterman-and-shapiro-recreational-marijuana-should-be-legal-pennlive-editorial.html
Business
New power plant opens near Susquehanna nuclear site
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/new-power-plant-opens-near-susquehanna-nuclear-site-1.2540290
Yuengling and Hershey’s team up to make chocolate beer
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/yuengling-and-hershey-s-team-up-to-make-chocolate-beer-1.2540184
Berks unemployment rises slightly; nonfarm jobs at record high
https://www.readingeagle.com/money/article/berks-nonfarm-jobs-at-record-high
Can Pa. stores keep you out if you openly carry a gun?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/10/can-stores-keep-you-out-if-you-openly-carry-a-gun.html
Tax on beer sold at Pennsylvania breweries goes into effect
https://www.readingeagle.com/article/20191001/AP/310019562/1009
Mack Trucks, local union continue negotiations as current contract expires
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-mack-trucks-uaw-local-677-contract-negotiations-20191001-5ufjfmfovbdghm6eia626tgs4q-story.html
Roundtop Mountain Resort in York County sold as part of Purdue Pharma family bankruptcy
https://www.witf.org/2019/10/01/roundtop-mountain-resort-in-york-county-sold-as-part-of-purdue-pharma-family-bankruptcy/
Crime/Punishment
1 dead in shooting at McKees Rocks apartment
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/1-person-found-dead-at-mckees-rocks-apartment/
Police: Man fatally shot in car in Homewood
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/police-1-person-dead-following-overnight-shooting-in-homewood/
Kids-for-cash judge Ciavarella officially disbarred
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/kids-for-cashjudge-ciavarella-officially-disbarred-1.2540229
Former Scranton Mayor Courtright’s sentencing delayed
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/former-scranton-mayor-courtright-s-sentencing-delayed-1.2539953
Education
Westmoreland County’s Kiski School plans to cut tuition by 20%
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/10/01/Kiski-School-tuition-cut-20-private-boarding-school-pennsylvania/stories/201909250150
Hanover Area OKs tax break for state police HQ project, eyes pool fix
https://www.timesleader.com/news/757506/hanover-area-oks-tax-break-for-state-police-hq-project-eyes-pool-fix
Results are in for Berks County’s 18 school districts
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/results-are-in-for-berks-county-schools
Steel Valley School District closed Wednesday due to bed bugs
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/steel-valley-school-district-closed-wednesday-due-to-bed-bugs/
Dunmore School District to close after threat
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/dunmore-school-district-to-close-after-threat-1.2540234
Mobile Ag Ed Science Lab visits Mid Valley
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/mobile-ag-ed-science-lab-visits-mid-valley-1.2540338
Dallas students encouraged to register to vote, get involved
https://www.timesleader.com/news/757487/dallas-students-encouraged-to-register-to-vote-get-involved
Local lawmakers assist Dallas students at voter registration drive
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/local-lawmakers-assist-dallas-students-at-voter-registration-drive-1.2540238
Penn, Drexel get $22 million to study Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, other dementias
https://www.inquirer.com/health/penn-drexel-receive-millions-alzheimers-parkinsons-dementia-virginia-lee-laura-gitlin-trojanowski-grossman-20191001.html
Which state has the highest college tuition, and where does Pa. rank?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/g66l-2019/10/f88464d9eb1549/you-have-a-dream-college-but-can-you-afford-it-heres-a-look-at-college-tuition-by-state.html
Pennsylvania colleges grapple with declining enrollment that could affect future
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-college-enrollment-down-20191002-expmwou5ufh3jlwr5ojdtp6w6u-story.html
Elections/Politics
Pa. voters will decide constitutional amendment on rights of crime victims
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-voters-will-decide-constitutional-amendment-on-rights-of-crime-victims/
Pa.’s upcoming election features a contentious ballot question: Marsy’s Law, or not?
https://www.witf.org/2019/10/02/pa-s-upcoming-election-features-a-contentious-ballot-question-marsys-law-or-not/
Luzerne County voting machine recommendations released
https://www.timesleader.com/news/757448/luzerne-county-voting-machine-recommendations-released
County voting machine reports released; financial info redacted
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-voting-machine-reports-released-financial-info-redacted-1.2540232
Health Care
Why Tower Health says it needed to buy St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children
https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/why-tower-health-wants-buy-st-christophers-hospital-children-20191002.html
Geisinger health system strengthens foothold in Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/geisinger-health-system-strengthens-foothold-in-scranton-1.2540219
Local News
Five Luzerne County assistant district attorneys promoted
https://www.timesleader.com/news/757509/five-luzerne-county-assistant-district-attorneys-promoted
Arena GM answers questions on merger
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/arena-gm-answers-questions-on-merger-1.2540222
Harry West: WARM thoughts of a radio legend
https://www.timesleader.com/news/757497/harry-west-warm-thoughts-of-a-radio-legend
Radio pioneer Harry West passes away
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/radio-pioneer-harry-west-passes-away-1.2540248
On-street parking in Scranton could rise to $2 an hour next year
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/on-street-parking-in-scranton-could-rise-to-2-an-hour-next-year-1.2540062
After 10 months and 3 attempts, Delco Council votes to overhaul prison oversight board
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/delaware-county-board-of-prison-inspectors-george-w-hill-20191001.html
Westmoreland Conservation District marks 70th anniversary
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-conservation-district-marks-70th-anniversary/
Tarentum to begin seeking bids for building demolitions
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/tarentum-to-begin-seeking-bids-for-building-demolitions/
A Mennonite cottage industry flourishes in the Kutztown area
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/a-mennonite-cottage-industry-flourishes-in-the-kutztown-area
Mayor Wally Scott’s budget seeks 1 mill tax increase for Reading property owners
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/mayor-wally-scotts-budget-seeks-1-mill-tax-increase-for-reading-property-owners&template=ourcityart
Children’s Home of Reading celebrates options for boys in juvenile justice system
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/childrens-home-of-reading-celebrates-options-for-boys-in-juvenile-justice-system&template=ourcityart
Spotted lanternfly ornament debuts next month at Berks Christmas tree farm
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/spotted-lanternfly-ornament-debuts-next-month-at-berks-christmas-tree-farm
National News
Smoking ban at VA facilities has some veterans fuming
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2019/10/01/Smoking-ban-at-VA-facilities-has-some-veterans-fuming/stories/201910020117
Jury convicts ex-Dallas police officer who fatally shot neighbor
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/10/01/Former-Dallas-police-officer-guilty-fatal-shooting-neighbor/stories/201910010152
New Jersey
Baby boy taken from UPMC Children’s found in Tennessee
https://www.inquirer.com/health/vaping-death-new-jersey-woman-20191001.html
Opioid Crisis
Review finds DEA failed to act on rising overdoses
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2019/10/01/DEA-rising-overdoses-opioids-report-department-justice-critical/stories/201910010146
Editorial: Tobacco settlement a poor guide to solving opioid crisis
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-tobacco-settlement-a-poor-guide-to-solving-opioid-crisis
Philly
City Council members want the Philadelphia School District to release hidden attendance data
https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-attendance-edison-high-school-city-council-records-truancy-20191002.html
Can Philly fix its slow and complex process for vacant land sales? A reform bill advances in City Council.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-vacantproperty-land-bank-city-council-development-perogative-20191001.html
Philly DA’s Office reviewing murder convictions after claims of coerced confessions by now-retired detectives
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-police-worrell-devlin-krasner-false-murder-confession-probe-20191001.html
Her youngest son is dead, her oldest charged with the murder. But the alleged shooter was given immunity.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-district-attorney-larry-krasner-felony-murder-kareem-luke-demetrius-thomas-julius-luke-justin-diaz-20191002.html
The youngest victims of domestic violence, innocent children are often overlooked | Jenice Armstrong
https://www.inquirer.com/news/domestic-violence-murder-suicide-philly-jenice-armstrong-20191001.html
Three years after her son’s death, a mother gets justice. And it still feels empty. | Helen Ubiñas
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/helen-ubinas-homicide-murder-crime-philadelphia-raymond-pantoja-20191001.html
Week-long celebration offers resources for minority-owned businesses
https://www.penncapital-star.com/working-the-economy/week-long-celebration-offers-resources-for-minority-owned-businesses/
Bankrupt Philly refinery wants to hand out more executive bonuses, this time in secret
https://www.inquirer.com/business/philly-refinery-pes-bankruptcy-court-employee-bonuses-20191001.html
Philadelphia traffic deaths on the rise, despite Vision Zero promise
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/philadelphia-traffic-deaths-on-the-rise-despite-vision-zero-promise/article_ad13acff-8906-533e-9c46-feab29f62f61.html
Philly’s police misconduct cases drain taxpayer money | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/police-misconduct-arbitration-philadelphia-settlements-back-pay-20191001.html
Can reporters prevent gun violence? This Philadelphia journalist wants to find out
https://www.penncapital-star.com/paforward/can-reporters-prevent-gun-violence-this-philadelphia-journalist-wants-to-find-out/
Pitt
Peduto releases preliminary 2020 budget
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/10/01/Peduto-preliminary-2020-budget-no-tax-increase-paving-streets-public-safety-parks-pittsburgh/stories/201910010143
Peduto proposes $606 million operating budget for 2020 with no real estate tax increase
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/peduto-proposes-606-million-operating-budget-for-2020-with-no-real-estate-tax-increase/
Small crowd mostly in favor of mandating ‘net-zero’ energy efficient municipal buildings
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/10/01/Pittsburgh-Peduto-net-zero-energy-efficient-municipal-buildings/stories/201910010181
Bakery Square to grow still more with deal to acquire another East End building
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2019/10/01/Bakery-Square-East-End-Matthews-Walnut-Capital-offices-Shadyside/stories/201910010167
Judge upholds White Oak’s termination of police officer over domestic violence case
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/10/01/white-oak-police-officer-fired-upheld-domestic-violence-estep/stories/201910010172
Pittsburgh region jobs drop, jobless rate rises slightly
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pittsburgh-region-jobs-drop-jobless-rate-rises-slightly/
THC breathalyzer in the works at Pitt, but there’s still no solid link with intoxication
https://www.witf.org/2019/10/01/thc-breathalyzer-in-the-works-at-pitt-but-theres-still-no-solid-link-with-intoxication/
Trump’s labor board won’t stop Pitt grad students’ union push
https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/trumps-labor-board-wont-stop-pitt-grad-students-union-push/
State News
REAL ID is a real opportunity to do good
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2019/10/02/REAL-ID-is-a-real-opportunity-to-do-good/stories/201910010154
Planning to fly a year from now? Better double-check your driver’s license
https://www.witf.org/2019/10/02/planning-to-fly-a-year-from-now-better-double-check-your-drivers-license/
Westmoreland’s first hemp harvest is a bit rocky
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmorelands-first-hemp-harvest-is-a-bit-rocky/
Pennsylvania agency warns seniors about genetic testing scam
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/pennsylvania-agency-warns-seniors-about-genetic-testing-scam
Remembering the West Nickel Mines Amish school shooting in 2006
https://www.pennlive.com/crime/2019/10/remembering-the-west-nickel-mines-amish-school-shooting-in-2006.html
Trump proposal would end food stamps for some families
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20191001/trump-proposal-would-end-food-stamps-for-some-families
Here’s why most of Pa. doesn’t have high-speed internet — and won’t for at least 6 years
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/local/2019/10/01/pennsylvania-u-s-lagging-behind-wireless-wi-fi-connectivity/2213630001/
Transportation
FBI probe into fraud at SEPTA looks at a second business, this one in N.J.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/fbi-investigation-septa-fraud-spending-credit-card-transit-transportation-20191001.html
Wrecking ball taking down much of Klinesville for Interstate 78 improvements in northern Berks
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/wrecking-ball-taking-down-much-of-klinesville-near-i-78-for-highway-improvements
Road Warrior: I want to trick drivers into slowing down. Is that legal?
https://www.mcall.com/business/transportation/road-warrior/mc-biz-road-warrior-hair-dryer-enforcement-20191002-o5vdbee2hrhlbbhxkuzfqh3u5u-story.html
Washington
Rudy Giuliani hires former Watergate prosecutor
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/10/01/Rudy-Giuliani-hires-former-Watergate-prosecutor/stories/201910020111
Gun control risks losing momentum as impeachment fever rises
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/gun-control-impeachment-distraction-las-vegas-forum-20191002.html
Pompeo, Democrats trade intimidation charges in Trump investigation
https://triblive.com/news/politics-election/mike-pompeo-accuses-democrats-of-bullying-in-impeachment-probe/