Legislature
Proposed Pa. hate crimes package would up penalties, extend protections
https://triblive.com/local/regional/proposed-hate-crimes-package-would-up-penalties-extend-protections/
Senate passes legislation aimed at educating parents of student athletes about screening for heart disease
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/10/senate-passes-legislation-aimed-at-educating-parents-of-student-athletes-about-screening-for-heart-disease.html
Lawmakers welcome Pa. corrections secretary’s removal from prison closure process, but they remain skeptical
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/10/lawmakers-welcome-pa-corrections-secretarys-removal-from-prison-closure-process-but-they-remain-skeptical.html
Pa. Senate committee approves bill that makes it easier for people with criminal records to get a job
https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/pa-senate-committee-approves-bill-that-makes-it-easier-for-people-with-criminal-records-to-get-a-job/
Pa. lawmaker addresses furor over fetal remains bill, says it would allow, not force, funerals
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/10/pa-lawmaker-addresses-furor-over-fetal-remains-bill-he-says-bill-would-allow-not-force-parents-to-have-funerals.html
Fetal remains bill draws criticism from Pa. lawmakers and advocates on funeral services for miscarriages and abortion
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/10/fetal-remains-bill-would-force-women-in-pa-to-have-funeral-services-for-miscarriages-and-abortions.html
‘Red flag’ proposal popular among Pennsylvania voters, poll finds
https://www.penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/red-flag-proposal-popular-among-pennsylvania-voters-poll-finds/
Bill to permit some Sunday hunting passes Pennsylvania House
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/bill-to-permit-some-sunday-hunting-passes-pennsylvania-house
Pa. House spends $1.1 million to win court battle to preserve opening prayer tradition
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/10/pa-house-spends-11-million-to-win-court-battle-to-preserve-opening-prayer-tradition.html
Pa. appellate judge bars state from counting Marsy’s Law votes
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2019/10/30/Judge-says-state-can-t-tally-victims-rights-amendment-votes/stories/201910300155
Judge blocks Pennsylvania elections officials from tallying Nov. 5 votes on Marsy’s Law
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/judge-blocks-pennsylvania-elections-officials-from-tallying-nov-5-votes-on-marsys-law/
Should the state help volunteer fire companies? Yes. Let them shield their records from the public? No | Mark O’Keefe
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/should-the-state-help-volunteer-fire-companies-yes-shield-their-records-from-the-public-no-mark-okeefe/
Business
In Washington, United Steelworkers talk messaging and lobbying
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/10/31/United-Steelworkers-Trump-election-politics/stories/201910310028
Bruce Mansfield workers cut, 49 layoffs expected in February
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20191031/bruce-mansfield-workers-cut-49–layoffs-expected-in-february
Crime/Punishment
Charges dropped against Steelers’ Anthony Chickillo, girlfriend in domestic dispute
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/10/30/chickillo-steelers-domestic-violence-alysha-newman-hearing/stories/201910300123
19 suspects indicted on federal drug charges after wiretap investigation
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/10/30/19-suspects-indicted-on-federal-drug-charges-after-wiretap-investigation/stories/201910300189
Authorities bust rival Chester drug gangs, announce end to ‘reign of terror’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/chester-drug-bust-feds-police-delaware-county-us-attorney-mcswain-20191030.html
Education
Two juveniles in custody for school threat
https://www.timesleader.com/news/760486/two-juveniles-in-custody-for-school-threat
Quakertown school district to sue vaping manufacturers
https://www.inquirer.com/education/vaping-lawsuit-school-district-quakertown-pennsylvania-juul-20191030.html
Arnold police serve lunch, build rapport at Hunt Elementary School
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/arnold-police-serve-lunch-build-rapport-at-hunt-elementary-school/
Neighbors on opposite sides of the tracks: A look at Harrison-Morton and Salisbury middle schools
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-education-in-poverty-salisbury-allentown-20191031-7cwfuhqct5aa7mbee2bh43nb4y-story.html
National Guard to launch turn-around program for high school dropouts
https://www.witf.org/2019/10/30/national-guard-to-launch-turn-around-program-for-high-school-dropouts/
Hazleton Area school board member faces DUI charges
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/hazleton-area-school-board-member-faces-dui-charges-1.2553105
Students blast Pa.’s largest community college for cutting mental health services while spending big on renovations
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2019/10/31/student-mental-health-counselors-harrisburg-community-college-pennsylvania/stories/201910310111
La Salle’s Isiah Deas and the basketball court that used to be his home, literally
https://www.inquirer.com/sports/isiah-deas-la-salle-university-starrett-city-brooklyn-bishop-loughlin-20191031.html
Penn State confirms new claim of sexual assault by Jerry Sandusky
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/10/penn-state-confirms-new-claim-of-sexual-assault-by-jerry-sandusky.html
Elections/Politics
Republican Sean Parnell to run against Conor Lamb
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2019/10/30/Sean-Parnell-Fox-News-run-Congress-Pennsylvania-Conor-Lamb/stories/201910300148
Former Army Ranger Sean Parnell will challenge Conor Lamb for congressional seat
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/former-army-ranger-sean-parnell-will-challenge-conor-lamb-for-congressional-seat/
Pennsylvania judicial races are sleepy. Even so, groups are spending $2 million on TV ads.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania-2019-judicial-elections-20191030.html
Absentee ballot deadline looms; new polling sites for some
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/absentee-ballot-deadline-looms-new-polling-sites-for-some-1.2553034
Is voting about to get better in Pennsylvania? Will that make a difference? | John Baer
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/10/is-voting-about-to-get-better-in-pennsylvania-will-that-make-a-difference-john-baer.html
Erie County voters by the numbers
https://www.goerie.com/news/20191031/erie-county-voters-by-numbers
Gaming
Groundbreaking set for Westmoreland Mall casino
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/groundbreaking-set-for-westmoreland-mall-casino/
Health Care
Regional Hospital of Scranton workers ink new deal
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/regional-hospital-of-scranton-workers-ink-new-deal-1.2553017
Local News
Late stormwater payers could face liens, $20 fee
https://www.timesleader.com/news/760537/late-stormwater-payers-could-face-liens-20-fee
Conference to connect community, businesses
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/conference-to-connect-community-businesses-1.2553041
Larksville Sewer Authority tries to set record straight about bills
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/larksville-sewer-authority-tries-to-set-record-straight-about-bills-1.2553037
Freeport sewage project cost swells to nearly $16M
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/freeport-sewage-project-cost-swells-to-nearly-16m/
RAWA worker springs into action, performing lifesaving CPR on Reading customer
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/rawa-worker-springs-into-action-performing-lifesaving-cpr-on-reading-customer
Fifth annual ReadingFilmFEST puts the spotlight on female artists
https://www.readingeagle.com/weekend/article/fifth-annual-readingfilmfest-puts-the-spotlight-on-female-artists&template=ourcityart
Harrisburg-area veterans will no longer have to travel to Lebanon County to see heart and lung specialists
https://www.pennlive.com/life/2019/10/harrisburg-area-veterans-will-no-longer-have-to-travel-to-lebanon-county-to-see-some-specialists.html
National News
Fed cuts rates for a 3rd time but signals it will now pause
https://www.inquirer.com/business/federal-reserve-cuts-interest-rates-20191030.html
Opioid Crisis
Lackawanna County gets $900K grant to combat opioid crisis
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-gets-900k-grant-to-combat-opioid-crisis-1.2552767
Philly
Philadelphia police are searching more cars for marijuana — but finding less of it, critics say
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/philadelphia-police-racial-profiling-marijuana-vehicle-stops-20191031.html
Couple, two children found shot to death in West Philadelphia home; son in custody
https://www.inquirer.com/crime/west-philadelphia-shooting-deaths-20191030.html
Philly Mayor Jim Kenney is considering a 2022 run for governor, sources say
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-mayor-jim-kenney-pennsylvania-governor-20191030.html
City Council 10th District: Northeast Philly should pass the torch to Judy Moore | Endorsement
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/general-election-philadelphia-city-council-10th-district-judy-moore-brian-oneill-20191031.html
Philly announces a crackdown on rampant housing theft
https://www.inquirer.com/news/housing-theft-philadelphia-scams-deeds-kenney-records-20191030.html
A South Philly father is in a coma after a night at a local bar. His family wants to know what happened.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/south-philadelphia-man-coma-bar-cookies-beaten-reward-20191030.html
Philly’s Stadium Casino won’t be open for a year. But it’ll start taking online sports bets soon
https://www.inquirer.com/business/pennsylvania-approves-sports-betting-philly-stadium-casino-cordish-20191030.html
Workers at WHYY, Philly’s public radio station, vote to unionize
https://www.inquirer.com/business/whyy-union-vote-passes-philadelphia-public-radio-sag-aftra-20191030.html
School choice is not the source of education’s ills in Philly or elsewhere | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/school-choice-charters-philadelphia-district-pennsylvania-20191031.html
Are business improvement districts a force for good in cities like Philadelphia? Pro/Con | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/business-improvement-districts-philadelphia-italian-market-fishtown-20191030.html
Pitt
Peduto: Fossil fuel industries will take toll on Pittsburgh region
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2019/10/31/Climate-change-petrochemical-fossil-fuels-pittsburgh-region-mayor-shell-plant/stories/201910300196
Federal agents, city police investigate ‘suspicious activity’ at FBI’s Pittsburgh office
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/10/31/FBI-office-pittsburgh-office-suspicious-activity-police/stories/201910310136
Police respond to suspicious vehicle parked outside FBI’s South Side office
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/police-respond-to-suspicious-vehicle-parked-outside-fbis-south-side-office/
Pittsburgh officials plan to appeal court’s gun ordinance ruling
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-officials-plan-to-appeal-courts-gun-ordinance-ruling/
Illegal laws: Defense of city gun control ordinances is a waste
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/10/31/Illegal-laws-Defense-of-city-gun-control-ordinances-is-a-waste/stories/201910310071
The ‘crown jewel’: City, developer reach agreement on new condos, offices and retail on the North Shore
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2019/10/30/Pittsburgh-Stadium-Authority-Continental-agreement-condos-offices-retail-North-Shore-Heinz-Field-PNC-Park/stories/201910300161
New, multi-use development coming to North Shore
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/new-multi-use-development-coming-to-north-shore-by-2024/
Animal welfare group files complaint against Pitt for monkey deaths, injuries
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2019/10/30/University-of-Pittsburgh-primates-lab-animals-died-complaint-USDA/stories/201910300166
Port Authority announces final bus stop cuts for 16 Brighton and 51 Carrick
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2019/10/30/Port-Authority-closing-bus-stops-16-Brighton-51-Carrick/stories/201910300181
Chelsa Wagner: I love our parks, but I also love democracy
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2019/10/31/Chelsa-Wagner-vote-no-parks-tax/stories/201910310067
Summons for obstruction issued for woman suing Churchill officer for civil rights violations
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/summons-for-obstruction-issued-for-woman-suing-churchill-officer-for-civil-rights-violations/
Northview Heights Public Safety Center named in honor of Pittsburgh Officer Calvin Hall
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/northview-heights-public-safety-center-named-in-honor-of-pittsburgh-officer-calvin-hall/
State News
A majority of Pennsylvania voters support the Trump impeachment inquiry, poll says
https://www.inquirer.com/news/president-trump-impeachment-inquiry-pennsylvania-voters-franklin-marshall-college-poll-20191031.html
Polling finds Pennsylvania voters break along party lines on Trump impeachment
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/polling-finds-pennsylvania-voters-break-along-party-lines-on-impeachment-with-democrats-and-independents-favoring-proceedings/
Majority in Pa. back impeachment inquiry
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/majority-in-pa-back-impeachment-inquiry-1.2553149
Teachers’ pension fund has a secret plan for urban renewal in Harrisburg. They won’t talk about it.
https://www.inquirer.com/business/phillydeals/pensions-pennsylvania-teachers-public-psers-harrisburg-real-estate-20191031.html
Pa. DEP fines Equitrans $650k for unmapped wells in the path of a coal mine
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2019/10/30/Pennsylvania-DEP-Equitrans-Swarts-natural-storage-field-Consol-Harvey-coal-mine/stories/201910300158
Pa. and N.J. towns moved trick-or-treating due to rain, and the outrage machine is coming for them
https://www.inquirer.com/news/halloween-trick-or-treat-hours-day-changed-weather-rain-forecast-20191031.html
Game officer struck by ATV, warrant issued for NJ man
https://www.timesleader.com/news/760484/game-officer-struck-by-atv-warrant-issued-for-nj-man
Nealon elected president of state trial judges
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/nealon-elected-president-of-state-trial-judges-1.2553184
For many slaves, the Underground Railroad and road to freedom ran through York County, Pa.
https://www.ydr.com/in-depth/news/2019/10/29/underground-railroad-conductors-location-york-county-pa-harriet-tubman/3958310002/
Scientists plot spotted lanternfly gene using a pest from Reading Pagoda
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/scientists-plot-spotted-lanternfly-gene-using-a-pest-from-reading-pagoda
Pa. court agrees to decide if probationers can use medical marijuana
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/10/pa-court-agrees-to-decide-if-probationers-can-use-medical-marijuana.html
Transportation
PennDOT: Pavement cuts on Sans Souci Parkway necessary ‘by design’
https://www.timesleader.com/news/760500/penndot-pavement-cuts-on-sans-souci-parkway-necessary-by-design
Distracted and drunk drivers pose dangers for trick-or-treaters
https://www.timesleader.com/news/760517/distracted-and-drunk-drivers-pose-dangers-for-trick-or-treaters
Westmoreland County Transit will bring bus and paratransit services in-house next year
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-transit-will-bring-bus-and-paratransit-services-in-house-next-year/
Work zone speed cameras to be deployed in Pennsylvania
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/work-zone-speed-cameras-about-to-be-deployed-in-pennsylvania/
Washington
Trump’s fired VA secretary, David Shulkin, says shadow government threatened treatment for veterans
https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/david-shulkin-va-secretary-shadow-government-trump-20191031.html
Preserving hometowns: Rebuild the economy from inside to out
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/10/31/Preserving-hometowns-Rebuild-the-economy-from-inside-to-out/stories/201910280037
Senate passes Casey, Toomey bill that tightens penalties for stalking minors
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20191030/senate-passes-casey-toomey-bill-that-tightens-penalties-for-stalking-minors