Legislature
Pa. lawmakers introduce bill to end ‘period poverty’ in high schools
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/pa-lawmakers-introduce-bill-to-end-period-poverty-in-high/article_6c00adcb-c088-5e94-8677-fe05461a09ac.html
Pa. Senate approves legislation to restore school police arrest powers
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/10/pa-senate-approves-legislation-to-restore-school-police-arrest-powers.html
Pa. House passes bills to address firefighter shortage by offering property tax credits, college loan forgiveness and more
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/10/pa-house-passes-bills-to-address-firefighter-shortage-by-offering-property-tax-credits-college-loan-forgiveness-and-more.html
Marsy’s Law ballot question: Here’s what you need to know
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/10/marsys-law-ballot-question-heres-what-you-need-to-know.html
Is Marsy’s Law constitutional? A judge will make the first decision soon.
https://www.witf.org/2019/10/23/is-marsys-law-constitutional-a-judge-will-make-the-first-decision-soon/
Will Marsy’s Law votes count? State judge to rule soon on November crime victims amendment
https://www.penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/will-marsys-law-votes-count-state-judge-to-rule-soon-on-november-crime-victims-amendment/
Pa. legislature abruptly abandons attempt to limit public access to campaign expenses
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/spl/pennsylvania-election-campaign-expenses-spotlight-pa-20191023.html
She’s paid by taxpayers. So why is top Pa. Senate aide wining and dining on campaign credit card?
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2019/10/24/Pennsylvania-campaign-financing-senate-aide-shelly-brown-joe-scarnati/stories/201910240058
‘No one can ever tell me we don’t exist’: Dual victims caught in the cracks of Pa.’s criminal justice system call for justice | John L. Micek
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/no-one-can-ever-tell-me-we-dont-exist-dual-victims-caught-in-the-cracks-of-pa-s-criminal-justice-system-call-for-justice-john-l-micek/
Business
Guns are emotional. When emotions flare, gun companies profit.
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/10/24/dicks-sporting-goods-gun-sales-walmart-firearm-industry-smartgun/stories/201910160164
Ernst & Young training compares women’s brains to pancakes. Eat up, ladies! | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/ernst-young-leadership-training-women-pancakes-waffles-20191023.html
Snyder of Berlin sold to competitor Utz
https://triblive.com/local/regional/snyder-of-berlin-sold-to-competitor-utz/
Rite Aid sold a distribution center to Walgreens, which doesn’t want it, so 350+ are losing their jobs
https://www.pennlive.com/life/2019/10/rite-aid-sold-this-distribution-center-to-walgreens-who-doesnt-want-it-so-now-its-closing.html
Crime/Punishment
Pennsylvania has one of the nation’s highest rates of supervision, driven by unusual laws that leave judges unchecked. But many people fail, ending up in jail or in a cycle of ever more probation.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/inq/probation-parole-pennsylvania-philadelphia-criminal-justice-system-20191024.html
Probation is meant to keep people out of jail. But intense monitoring leaves tens of thousands across the state at risk of incarceration.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/inq/probation-parole-pennsylvania-philadelphia-criminal-justice-system-violations-poverty-20191024.html
When it comes to probation, Pennsylvania has left judges unchecked to impose wildly different versions of justice.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/inq/probation-parole-pennsylvania-philadelphia-judges-criminal-justice-system-20191024.html
Courts recognize substance-use disorder is a disease. Yet some judges continue punishing relapse with ever-longer probation and even prison.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/inq/probation-parole-pennsylvania-philadelphia-addiction-criminal-justice-system-20191024.html
Comporting with evolving law: Expedited pardons for marijuana offenses are sensible
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/10/24/Comporting-with-evolving-law-Expedited-pardons-for-marijuana-offenses-are-sensible/stories/201910210006
‘It looked like Vietnam:’ 30 years later, the Camp Hill Prison riots still echo through Pa.’s corrections system
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/10/it-looked-like-vietnam-30-years-later-the-camp-hill-prison-riots-still-echo-through-pas-corrections-system.html
Whether regional or local, policing is growing more expensive
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/local/2019/10/23/whether-regional-local-policing-growing-more-expensive/1502001001/
Education
Bucks, Montco educators hear case for later HS start times
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20191023/bucks-montco-educators-hear-case-for-later-hs-start-times
North Allegheny redistricting will send hundreds to different schools
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/north-allegheny-redistricting-will-send-hundreds-to-different-schools/
Bomb threat closes Fox Chapel Area High School
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/10/24/Bomb-threat-closes-Fox-Chapel-Area-High-School/stories/201910240130
Highlands disputes claims made by former principal who sued school district
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/highlands-disputes-claims-made-by-former-principal-who-sued-school-district/
Crestwood hires business manager, refinances $18.9 million debt
https://www.timesleader.com/news/759771/crestwood-hires-business-manager-refinances-18-9-million-debt
Live bullet discovered at Rice Twp. School
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/live-bullet-discovered-at-rice-twp-school-1.2549803
Petition calls for suspension of Kutztown High School principal
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/petition-calls-for-suspension-of-kutztown-high-school-principal
Greek life is at a crossroads on some campuses, with fraternity and sorority membership decreasing
https://www.inquirer.com/education/fraternity-sorority-membership-college-hazing-alcohol-piazza-20191024.html
LCCC nursing program accredited to 2027
https://www.timesleader.com/news/759768/lccc-nursing-program-accredited-to-2027
Elections/Politics
Joe Biden’s big-dollar fund-raising is starting to slip in Pennsylvania
https://www.inquirer.com/news/joe-biden-pennsylvania-fundraising-20191023.html
Joe Biden really loves Scranton. His hometown fans love him back — but want to see more fight.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/joe-biden-scranton-rally-2020-primary-presidential-trump-pennsylvania-20191023.html
Biden tells supporters he will restore, strengthen America’s middle class
https://www.timesleader.com/news/759707/biden-tells-supporters-he-will-restore-strengthen-americas-middle-class
Biden blasts Trump, talks economic issues at rally in Scranton
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/biden-blasts-trump-talks-economic-issues-at-rally-in-scranton-1.2549777
Former vice president visits childhood home, hoagie shop
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/former-vice-president-visits-childhood-home-hoagie-shop-1.2549783
CNN seeking local female voters for 2020 focus groups
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/cnn-seeking-local-female-voters-for-2020-focus-groups-1.2549706
Delco OKs $6 million purchase of new voting machine system
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/local/delco-oks-million-purchase-of-new-voting-machine-system/article_2b5dadc6-f5d1-11e9-a9f5-733a60b974f0.html
Health Care
Regional Hospital workers rally for fair contract
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/regional-hospital-workers-rally-for-fair-contract-1.2549673
Breast-implant illnesses spark stronger FDA safety proposals; advocates push for more
https://www.inquirer.com/health/fda-new-warning-breast-implants-cancer-20191023.html
Local News
Pedri outlines county’s plans for stormwater fee agreement
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/pedri-outlines-county-s-plans-for-stormwater-fee-agreement-1.2549814
Two Luzerne County libraries receive Keystone grants
https://www.timesleader.com/news/759760/two-luzerne-county-libraries-receive-keystone-grants
Anti-litter campaign designed to improve Luzerne County’s curb appeal
https://www.timesleader.com/news/759678/anti-litter-campaign-designed-to-improve-luzerne-countys-curb-appeal
Lackawanna County commissioners table action on court project contracts
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-commissioners-table-action-on-court-project-contracts-1.2549656
Scranton Mayors’ Annual Prayer Breakfast frames the future
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-mayors-annual-prayer-breakfast-frames-the-future-1.2549647
Community, connection and continuing education
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/community-connection-and-continuing-education-1.2549607
Fall cleanup for area near shopping center
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/fall-cleanup-for-area-near-shopping-center-1.2549727
Ex-Greensburg officials sue city, alleging systemic age discrimination under new administration
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/10/23/Greensburg-city-employees-systemic-age-discrimination-lawsuit-mayor-robert-bell/stories/201910230193
Volunteers pull about 300 tires from Yough River
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/volunteers-pull-about-300-tires-from-yough-river/
Harmar supervisors say public needs to be prepared for tougher stormwater runoff rules
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/harmar-supervisors-say-public-needs-to-be-prepared-for-tougher-stormwater-runoff-rules/
Reading Area Water Authority files suit, accusing 3 former top officials of profiting from their roles
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-area-water-authority-files-suit-accusing-3-former-top-officials-of-profiting-from-their-roles
Reading Parking Authority to start search for new executive director
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-parking-authority-to-start-search-for-new-executive-director&template=ourcityart
Robesonia gets $279,533 grant to clean up historic furnace site
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/robesonia-gets-279533-grant-to-clean-up-historic-furnace-site
Facing constraints, Lehigh County commissioners reluctantly approve first tax increase in nearly a decade
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-lehigh-county-tax-hike-vote-20191024-aj3manb42bhdfo6tpgcsd7bmaa-story.html
Philly
Philly’s controller: Gun violence could cost the city millions in lost tax revenue, property value
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-gun-violence-home-prices-property-tax-controller-rhynhart-20191023.html
Philly cops: 2 men arrested in fatal shooting of 2-year-old girl, whose father was target in drug feud
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/philadelphia-kensington-2-year-old-girl-shot-killed-arrest-murder-charges-20191023.html
South Philly neighbors are fighting over parking, and the China trade war is to blame
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/philadelphia-street-safety-vision-zero-bicycle-china-tariff-road-20191024.html
Man who terrorized Northern Liberties residents gets jail sentence, probation
https://www.inquirer.com/news/northern-liberties-attempted-sexual-assault-burglary-theft-lakim-wilson-sentencing-20191023.html
Ruthlessly competitive fuel market creates closed-station blight — and opportunity for reuse
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/commercial/gas-stations-redevelopment-wawa-20191023.html
Philly Mayor Jim Kenney endorses Elizabeth Warren for president
https://www.inquirer.com/news/mayor-jim-kenney-endorses-elizabeth-warren-president-democrat-primary-2020-20191023.html
Philly schools’ test scores mostly rising, but just 36% of children meet state English standards
https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-schools-test-scores-reading-math-pssa-20191023.html
A brutal summer for Philly hospital workers is driving nurses to fight for ‘successorship’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/successorship-hospitals-st-christophers-nurses-union-pasnap-20191023.html
Pitt
A violent culture? The roots of radicalization run deep
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/10/24/tree-of-life-synagogue-robert-bowers-white-nationalism-radicalization/stories/201910230002
Anti-Semitic action and rhetoric are pervading American public life, experts say
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/anti-semitic-action-and-rhetoric-are-pervading-american-public-life-experts-say/
Both sides talk parks tax ballot question at Wednesday night public hearing
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/10/23/pittsburgh-parks-tax-ballot-question-public-hearing-conservancy/stories/201910230150
If the kids ran Scotland …
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2019/10/23/growing-up-through-the-cracks-children-s-neighbourhoods-scotland-child-poverty-laws/stories/201910230153
#EssentiallyPittsburgh: Nature walk in Point State Park
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/neighborhood/2019/10/24/Essentially-Pittsburgh-Nature-walk-Point-State-Park/stories/201909060156
Microsoft eyes North Side expansion
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2019/10/23/Microsoft-North-Side-One-Progress-Court-Avere-Systems-Liberty-Center/stories/201910230143
HIAS chief: Trump’s rhetoric has only made things worse since Tree of Life shooting
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/10/24/HIAS-Trump-Mark-Hetfield-hate-speech-Tree-of-Life-refugee-resettlement/stories/201910240017
It’s a new day – literally – at this weekend’s Dirty Dozen bike race
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/recreation/2019/10/24/Dirty-Dozen-bike-race-Oct-26-2019-Pittsburgh-change-date-danny-chew-13-hills/stories/201910230139
Mt. Lebanon surveys residents on communications
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2019/10/24/Mt-Lebanon-residential-survey/stories/201910240055
AG Barr honors three employees of Pittsburgh U.S. attorney’s office
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/10/23/justice-department-awards-pittsburgh-russian-hackers/stories/201910230167
City returns to normalcy as Trump leaves Pittsburgh
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/10/23/Donald-Trump-president-visit-Pittsburgh-Shale-Insight-Conference-running-file/stories/201910230091
Pitt benches food-delivery robots after complaint from a student
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/tech-news/2019/10/23/robot-starship-university-of-pittsburgh-disabilities-higher-education-campus-life/stories/201910230137
Tree of Life shooting has shaken the neighborhood, but residents insist the community will prevail
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/tree-of-life-shooting-has-shaken-squirrel-hill-but-residents-insist-the-community-will-prevail/
State News
E-cigarette maker Juul sued by Pa. family over 13-year-old’s nicotine addiction
https://www.inquirer.com/health/juul-vaping-e-cigarette-lawsuit-pa-20191023.html
Shut down Mariner East before it kills us, pipeline foes implore Pennsylvania agency
https://www.inquirer.com/business/sunoco-mariner-east-pipeline-foes-ask-state-to-halt-construction-20191023.html
Transportation
Report: Traffic-related deaths rise in Pa., continue to drop across U.S.
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/report-pa-sees-rise-in-traffic-related-fatalities-as-such-deaths-continue-to-drop-across-u-s/
Washington
In Pittsburgh visit, Trump reiterates commitment to withdraw from Paris climate accord
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/10/23/Pittsburgh-Paris-Donald-Trump-reiterates-commitment-withdraw-Paris-climate-accord/stories/201910230158
Trump touts jobs, industry at Marcellus shale conference in Pittsburgh
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/trump-touts-jobs-industry-at-marcellus-shale-conference-in-pittsburgh/