Legislature
Top. Pa. Senate Democrat introduces campaign finance reform bill
https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/top-pa-senate-democrat-introduces-campaign-finance-reform-bill/
Don’t call Pa.’s new female lawmakers ‘girlie’ or they’ll hold another rally about tampons | Maria Panaritis
https://www.inquirer.com/news/columnists/women-pennsylvania-politics-senator-maria-collett-menstrual-rally-maria-panaritis-20191025.html
Ban on flavored e-cigarettes proposed for Pennsylvania
https://www.inquirer.com/news/flavored-e-cigarette-ban-vaping-pa-20191025.html
Bucks lawmakers look at first aid for first responders
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20191025/bucks-lawmakers-look-at-first-aid-for-first-responders
Solano honored by PA Senate; thanked for his service and sacrifice
https://www.timesleader.com/news/760019/solano-honored-by-pa-senate-thanked-for-his-service-and-sacrifice
Bill could usher Pennsylvania elections into a new era
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/10/bill-could-usher-pennsylvania-elections-into-a-new-era.html
House takes firehose to transparency
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/house-takes-firehose-to-transparency-1.2550766
Editorial: Campaign laws must improve in Pennsylvania
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-campaign-laws-must-improve-in-pennsylvania
Business
GM workers could be back on the job this weekend
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2019/10/25/GM-workers-could-be-back-on-the-job-this-weekend/stories/201910250156
Why Philly GM workers — on strike for 40 days — voted down a deal that just got approved by its union
https://www.inquirer.com/news/gm-strike-philly-vote-contract-20191025.html
Crime/Punishment
Juvenile lifer resentenced to 38 years to life in prison for fatal shooting on Memorial Day 2012
https://www.inquirer.com/news/juvenile-lifer-resentencing-robert-shabazz-davis-victim-antwan-pack-20191025.html
Education
Shapiro: Much more to come in Scranton School District investigation
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/shapiro-much-more-to-come-in-scranton-school-district-investigation-1.2550654
Downingtown schools data breach: ‘Brute-force’ hack or 21st-century teen curiosity?
https://www.inquirer.com/news/downingtown-school-district-hacking-students-assassin-game-20191025.html
LCCC president’s salary low among community colleges
https://www.timesleader.com/news/760013/lccc-presidents-salary-low-among-community-colleges
These Pa. colleges and universities are among best in nation, report says
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/10/these-pa-colleges-and-universities-are-among-best-in-nation-report-says.html
Elections/Politics
Billionaire George Soros is back in Pa. with $1M, and some of that is supporting a Delco Democrat for DA
https://www.inquirer.com/news/george-soros-billionaire-delaware-county-district-attorney-race-jack-stollsteimer-katayoun-copeland-20191025.html
‘MAGA’ and warnings of ‘radical extremists’: Trump-era political acrimony makes its way to Philly-area races
https://www.inquirer.com/news/trump-delaware-montgomery-county-elections-20191026.html
Health Care
Medicine has changed. As an emergency doctor, I have too. | Perspective
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/doctors-stay-in-your-lane-advocacy-harm-reduction-medicine-20191027.html
Retired Reading Hospital doctor to receive Pennsylvania Medical Society’s Distinguished Service Award
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/retired-reading-hospital-doctor-to-receive-pennsylvania-medical-societys-distinguished-service-award
Mental health admissions high for Carbon, Schuylkill counties
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/mental-health-admissions-high-for-carbon-schuylkill-counties-1.2550819
Local News
EPA: We didn’t mandate stormwater fee
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/epa-we-didn-t-mandate-stormwater-fee-1.2550878
WNEP’s Schaffer tells grandparents ‘you are saving children’s lives’
https://www.timesleader.com/news/760026/wneps-schaffer-tells-grandparents-you-are-saving-childrens-lives
Conference focuses on grandparents raising grandchildren
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/conference-focuses-on-grandparents-raising-grandchildren-1.2550724
NAACP keynote speaker highlights importance of pardon system
https://www.timesleader.com/news/760011/naacp-keynote-speaker-highlights-importance-of-pardon-system
Bruce Phillips, respected attorney and Wilkes-Barre Twp. solicitor, has died
https://www.timesleader.com/news/759920/bruce-phillips-respected-attorney-and-wilkes-barre-twp-solicitor-has-died
New gas card policy goes out to Scranton’s employees
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/new-gas-card-policy-goes-out-to-scranton-s-employees-1.2550763
Catholic Social Services cuts services in Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Milford
https://www.timesleader.com/news/759917/catholic-social-services-cuts-services-in-wilkes-barre-scranton-milford
Nearly $28,000 raised for family of 13-year-old Scranton boy killed in fire
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/nearly-28-000-raised-for-family-of-13-year-old-scranton-boy-killed-in-fire-1.2550603
Lackawanna County coroner appeals to salary board to increase pay for deputies
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-coroner-appeals-to-salary-board-to-increase-pay-for-deputies-1.2550653
Updated loitering ordinance proposed in Hazleton
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/updated-loitering-ordinance-proposed-in-hazleton-1.2550835
Clean Slate Law, local attorneys lauded at Berks Pro Bono Celebration
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/clean-slate-law-local-attorneys-lauded-at-berks-pro-bono-celebration
Opioid Crisis
Pennsylvania’s opioid settlement funds would go to communities but not individuals, AG Josh Shapiro says
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-shapiro-opioid-settlement-church-reforms-20191025-oiipipi72jc7dgxvt5sm5m3y4m-story.html
Philly
The kids from North Philly formed an unlikely rugby team. Now their underdog story is a movie.
https://www.inquirer.com/education/nomads-rugby-north-philly-film-festival-20191026.html
Billy Ciancaglini wants to be Philadelphia’s first Republican mayor in decades. The problem? Many voters ‘have never heard of me.’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-mayor-jim-kenney-democrat-billy-ciancaglini-republican-general-election-20191026.html
A revitalizing North Broad Street girds for surge of apartments with two major projects planned
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/commercial/toll-brothers-apartment-tower-north-broad-street-rail-park-20191025.html
Gun violence is expensive. So is responding to it in the wrong way. | Brain Trust
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/gun-violence-homicide-shooting-cost-housing-values-20191026.html
Philly Council member wants retail businesses to corral their shopping carts or face fines
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/philly-council-member-wants-retail-businesses-to-corral-their-shopping-carts-or-face-fines/
Pitt
Two organizations pump $760,000 into parks referendum
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/10/25/pittsburgh-parks-tax-ballot-question-conservancy-PUMP-referendum/stories/201910260042
Echoes of Scotland’s anti-poverty revolution
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2019/10/25/growing-up-through-the-cracks-scotland-child-poverty-truth-community/stories/201910250126
Sacred space or defiled space: What to do with the Tree of Life building?
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/10/26/tree-of-life-synagogue-building-future-mass-shooting-sites-sandy-hook-school-site/stories/201910260005
Allegheny County DA candidates each raise more than $200,000 leading up to race
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/10/26/DA-candidates-raise-200-000-each-allegheny-county-middleman-zappala/stories/201910250159
Port Authority offering free bus trips to Sunday Tree of Life memorial service
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2019/10/25/Free-bus-service-to-Sunday-memorial-service-Tree-of-Life/stories/201910250128
Port Authority reviews and reduces bus stops to be eliminated, defends review process
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2019/10/25/Port-Authority-eliminating-bus-stops-Carrick-Brighton/stories/201910250124
How Pittsburgh police are approaching one year after Tree of Life
https://www.witf.org/2019/10/25/how-pittsburgh-police-are-approaching-one-year-after-tree-of-life/
State News
Aging with dignity: Co-living helps seniors survive
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/10/26/Aging-with-dignity-Co-living-helps-seniors-survive/stories/201910230025
Former spokesman for Gov. Tom Ridge to lead Boston-based advertising agency’s new central Pa. office
https://www.pennlive.com/life/2019/10/former-spokesman-for-gov-tom-ridge-to-lead-boston-based-advertising-agencys-new-central-pa-office.html
Berks locations will accept unused drugs on Saturday’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-locations-will-accept-unused-drugs-on-saturdays-national-prescription-drug-take-back-day
‘Many dead children:’ Pipeline neighbors tell of fears at hearing
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/local/many-dead-children-pipeline-neighbors-tell-of-fears-at-hearing/article_15ac15a6-bf66-55d7-9fe7-ee4ba1bb0c74.html
Washington
No more hidden fees: Bill would make hotel rates transparent
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/10/26/No-more-hidden-fees-Bill-would-make-hotel-rates-transparent/stories/201910230027