Legislature

Debate emerges over $500M education bill; some fear it may lead to full-fledged school vouchers in Pa.
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/debate-emerges-over-500m-education-bill-some-fear-it-may-lead-to-full-fledged-school-vouchers-in-pa.html

Use Boscola’s transparency bill as stopgap
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/use-boscolas-transparency-bill-as-stopgap/article_4f599e33-9198-5119-9638-a8517d26bf9d.html

RGGI is good for children’s health
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2020/10/04/RGGI-is-good-for-children-s-health/stories/202010040062

Yudichak: Wolf’s decision to shut down state’s economy ‘arbitrary’
https://www.timesleader.com/news/804788/yudichak-wolfs-decision-to-shut-down-states-economy-arbitrary

Coronavirus – COVID-19

COVID-19 Update: Pa. reports 2,251 new cases, 37 more deaths over past 2 days
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/10/04/COVID-19-pittsburgh-pennsylvania-allegheny-county-data-cases-deaths-3/stories/202010040169

Allegheny County posts 204 coronavirus cases, no deaths over past 2 days
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-posts-204-coronavirus-cases-no-deaths-over-past-2-days/

36 new COVID-19 cases reported in Luzerne County over the weekend
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/36-new-covid-19-cases-reported-in-luzerne-county-over-the-weekend/article_219e053d-510a-5097-84d2-f9a5713ded68.html

Westmoreland County adds 63 new coronavirus cases for 2 days
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-adds-63-new-coronavirus-cases-for-two-days/

Berks records 93 new coronavirus cases over two days
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/berks-records-93-new-coronavirus-cases-over-two-days/article_14eeb5de-0675-11eb-990c-7b6721445627.html

COVID-19 shutdown has changed things for many in Berks County, but consequences still being figured out
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/covid-19-shutdown-has-changed-things-for-many-in-berks-county-but-consequences-still-being/article_f54fcc9a-038b-11eb-91d8-6ff209657100.html

Penn State says it has issued dozens of suspensions or housing removals for violating COVID-19 rules
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/10/03/Penn-State-COVID-19-suspensions-housing-cases-Sims-University-Park-Altoona/stories/202010030072

West Chester virus outbreak points to West Chester University
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/west-chester-virus-outbreak-points-to-west-chester-university/article_46f15aa8-059b-11eb-b2ed-bff0ea0b93d9.html

Level Green Elementary closes for 14 days after 2 more coronavirus cases
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/level-green-elementary-closes-for-14-days-after-2-more-coronavirus-cases/

Number of inmates with COVID-19 at an Allenwood prison nearly doubles in four days
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/number-of-inmates-with-covid-19-at-an-allenwood-prison-nearly-doubles-in-four-days.html

Trump declares ‘I get it,’ then briefly leaves hospital to greet supporters
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/10/04/Doctor-Trump-improving-health-condition-concerning-coronavirus-hospital/stories/202010040163

U.S. congressmen from Pa. tested for COVID-19 after flying with Trump to Harrisburg rally
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/10/02/pa-congressman-tested-covid-19-after-flying-trump-rally/5894676002/

5 things about Dr. Sean Conley, the Bucks County native overseeing President Donald Trump’s COVID-19 treatment
https://www.inquirer.com/news/trump-doctor-sean-conley-coronavirus-osteopathic-medicine-walter-reed-philadelphia-doylestown-20201004.html

One small part of a human antibody has the potential to work as a drug for both prevention and therapy of COVID-19 | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/one-small-part-of-a-human-antibody-has-the-potential-to-work-as-a-drug-for-both-prevention-and-therapy-of-covid-19-opinion/

Administration

Websites down at several Pa. agencies because of computer problems
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/websites-down-at-several-pa-agencies-because-of-computer-problems/

Pennsylvania’s voter services website went down over the weekend as deadlines for mail ballots loom
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/pennsylvania-voter-services-website-down-outage-mail-in-ballot-november-2020-election-20201004.html

Business

As Shell’s construction moves into final stage, citizens organize environmental self-defense classes
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2020/10/05/Shell-petrochemical-plant-Pittsburgh-Beaver-County-construction/stories/202010010175

Rural Pa. roots help guide leader of outdoor retailer REI, whose gear is coveted during pandemic
https://www.inquirer.com/business/retail/rei-outdoors-kayak-camping-hiking-covid-20201005.html

New overtime rules go into effect Saturday in Pennsylvania, more workers eligible
https://triblive.com/local/regional/new-overtime-rules-go-into-effect-saturday-in-pennsylvania/

Winter is coming: As colder days arrive, struggling Lehigh Valley restaurants work to warm up outdoor dining experience
https://www.mcall.com/entertainment/food-drink/restaurants/mc-ent-lehigh-valley-restaurants-outdoor-dining-plans-fall-and-winter-20201002-c2znuhdlubeafhuw2vo42hnvmy-story.html

Crime/Punishment

Attorneys say federal prosecution of protesters both ‘unnecessary’ and ‘unusual’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/10/05/Pittsburgh-protest-charges-federal-state-US-Attorneys-Office/stories/202009240131

Wilkes-Barre police investigating fatal shooting
https://www.timesleader.com/news/805032/wilkes-barre-police-investigating-fatal-shooting

Court: Pot smell alone can’t form basis for vehicle search
https://www.witf.org/2020/10/03/court-pot-smell-alone-cant-form-basis-for-vehicle-search/

Education

Judge rules Scranton School District violated Sunshine Act with furlough vote
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/judge-rules-scranton-school-district-violated-sunshine-act-with-furlough-vote/article_d5ff2574-46d9-5abd-b515-b5a218928239.html

Parents seek answers as Pennsbury works on reopening plan
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2020/10/03/pennsbury-reopening-plan/5888961002/

Berks County college officials say help is available with federal student aid applications for 2021-22
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/berks-county-college-officials-say-help-is-available-with-federal-student-aid-applications-for-2021/article_d780ef0a-033b-11eb-9375-0ff94757e667.html

Local on-campus dining programs rise above challenges of pandemic
https://www.timesleader.com/news/805020/local-on-campus-dining-programs-rise-above-challenges-of-pandemic

2 Pa. university students plunge from 4-story roof while taking selfies at party
https://www.pennlive.com/crime/2020/10/2-pa-university-students-plunge-from-4-story-roof-while-taking-selfies-at-party.html

Elections/Politics

Pa. elections officials rebuff claims that election will be marred by fraud
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/pa-elections-officials-rebuff-claims-that-election-will-be-marred-by-fraud.html

‘Running out of time’: Efforts to speed up counting mail ballots stall in battleground states
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/10/05/mail-ballots-efforts-stall-speed-up-counting-battleground-states/3616427001/

In the hunt for a Democratic majority, Wolf pumps $1.3 million into state legislative races
https://www.penncapital-star.com/election-2020/in-the-hunt-for-a-democratic-majority-wolf-pumps-1-3-million-into-state-legislative-races/

Conor Lamb knows how to win Trump voters. Now he’s trying to do it for Joe Biden.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/conor-lamb-sean-parnell-pennsylvania-congressional-race-20201005.html

Logistics, not partisan tampering, stand best chance at influencing election
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/vote2020/2020/10/04/Logistics-and-procedures-are-threats-to-election-integrity/stories/202010040064

Sen. Pat Toomey won’t run for reelection or for Pennsylvania governor, sources say
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/pat-toomey-reelection-pennsylvania-governor-race-20201004.html

Sen. Toomey will reportedly not seek reelection or run for Pa. governor
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2020/10/04/Senator-Pat-Toomey-reelection-republican-battleground-state-pennsylvania/stories/202010040168

Report: Sen. Pat Toomey may not seek reelection
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/report-sen-pat-toomey-may-not-seek-reelection/

Bognet, Cartwright discuss economy, policing
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/bognet-cartwright-discuss-economy-policing/article_1d57f711-9131-5159-9b89-912ff18acb02.html

8th Congressional District candidates discuss Social Security, Medicare / Medicaid, health care and COVID-19
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/8th-congressional-district-candidates-discuss-social-security-medicare-medicaid-health-care-and-covid-19/article_a85203f8-e05a-5b9f-9ddd-7928984eb245.html

‘I just don’t trust the system any more’: Voters on edge as election nears | Battle for the Ballot
https://www.penncapital-star.com/election-2020/i-just-dont-trust-the-system-any-more-voters-on-edge-as-election-nears/

Is American Democracy at risk? Philly scholars see creeping fascism and historic parallels.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-scholars-america-democracy-fascism-20201005.html

Presidential parade hits streets of Hazleton
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/presidential-parade-hits-streets-of-hazleton/article_f536f1af-8dc8-5bc6-a37f-6c0e4821f3e9.html

Local News

Locomotives on center stage at Steamtown National Historic Site
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/locomotives-on-center-stage-at-steamtown-national-historic-site/article_f5909628-423c-5653-a01b-04dc35bfe0d8.html

Delaware County prosecutors are bringing a proven, data-driven gun violence prevention program to Chester
https://www.inquirer.com/news/focused-deterrence-chester-delaware-county-district-attorney-gun-violence-20201005.html

Delco does a drive-in at Rose Tree Park
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/coronavirus/delco-does-a-drive-in-at-rose-tree-park/article_ea995c8e-059e-11eb-9bc6-eb50b0a16dd6.html

ReadingFilmFEST set for next weekend online and at FirstEnergy Stadium
https://www.readingeagle.com/living/weekend/readingfilmfest-set-for-next-weekend-online-and-at-firstenergy-stadium/article_0b26808e-03e3-11eb-bc91-7fc7c28722e3.html

Science center opens in downtown Reading
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/science-center-opens-in-downtown-reading/article_935ac5c4-05ae-11eb-a706-8b56267d3bef.html

County, WVSA resume talks on stormwater fee agreement
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-wvsa-resume-talks-on-stormwater-fee-agreement/article_eff6a9aa-106d-5523-a830-fa9c05da636b.html

Philly

Philadelphia’s traffic congestion was bad before the pandemic. It could get worse.
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/philadelphia-traffic-congestion-covid-pandemic-cars-septa-20201005.html

SEPTA is safe during COVID. Transit access is not. | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/septa-coronavirus-safety-philadelphia-transportation-access-20201005.html

Struggling families’ diaper need is growing as pandemic grinds on
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pandemic-diapers-poverty-children-parents-diaper-bank-20201005.html

Trump has put Philly on the front lines of his attack on voting
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/trump-philadelphia-pennsylvania-voting-20201003.html

Pitt

Port Authority’s new buses have softer lights, plastic seats, display screens for riders
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/10/04/Port-Authority-54-new-buses-Gillig-prototype-features/stories/202010030076

Manchester farm epitomizes Food Policy Council’s priorities in new action plan
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/diana-nelson-jones/2020/10/05/Walkabout-Diana-Nelson-Jones-Freeman-Family-Farm-Manchester-food-action-plan-pittsburgh/stories/202010050005

Business of Pittsburgh: How diverse is the region’s workforce?
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/bop/2020/10/05/How-diverse-is-the-region-s-workforce/stories/202010050011

State News

Salvation Army sets out to ‘Rescue Christmas’ due to impact of COVID-19
https://www.delcotimes.com/life/salvation-army-sets-out-to-rescue-christmas-due-to-impact-of-covid-19/article_52f52ef4-0502-11eb-af3d-4b8468a6ed3f.html

It’s the season to be smashing those lanternfly eggs [editorial] https://lancasteronline.com/opinion/editorials/its-the-season-to-be-smashing-those-lanternfly-eggs-editorial/article_bbe432a6-0503-11eb-a7fe-df41fccad693.html

Transportation

Traffic deaths down for 2019 but officials concerned about spike in death rates during virus
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/10/04/National-Highway-Traffic-Safety-Administration-2019-traffic-deaths-COVID-19-death-rate-increase/stories/202010020208

Numbers small, but electric car use gaining speed across Pa.
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/transportation/numbers-small-but-electric-car-use-gaining-speed-across-pa/article_e6b5682c-0410-11eb-9f20-87b7fd53ab6b.html