Legislature
Negotiations over changes to Pennsylvania’s mail voting law are showing signs of life
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/pa-mail-voting-rules-law-update-20201007.html
Closed-door talks hint at new attempt to update Pa.’s mail-in voting law
https://www.pennlive.com/politics/2020/10/closed-door-talks-hint-at-new-attempt-to-update-pas-mail-in-voting-law.html
Pennsylvania secretary of state calls on lawmakers to approve election reforms
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/pennsylvania-secretary-of-state-calls-on-lawmakers-to-approve-election-reforms/article_b03d9278-08ad-11eb-8a4d-6bbac08648ae.html
Focus on Pennsylvania’s real election needs
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/10/08/Focus-on-real-election-needs-election-integrity-vote-by-mail-Pennsylvania-battleground-state/stories/202010070080
Judge dismisses suit by top Pa. senator’s campaign against Spotlight PA journalist, others
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/pa-lawsuit-spotlight-pa-joe-scarnati-dismissed-20201007.html
GOP Pa. state rep. shared Snapchat videos enticing son, 5, to smoke cigar: ‘hit it harder’
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2020/10/07/gop-rep-aaron-bernstine-shared-snapchat-videos-enticing-young-son-smoke-cigar-degrade-women-fmk/5913814002/
State representative calls for impeachment of Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Wecht
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/state-rep-calls-for-impeachment-of-supreme-court-justice-wecht/
Lebanon County representative’s measure seeks impeachment of Pa. Supreme Court justice
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/lebanon-county-representatives-bill-seeks-impeachment-of-pa-supreme-court-justice.html
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Pennsylvania reports 2nd-highest new coronavirus case total since May
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-reports-2nd-highest-new-coronavirus-case-total-since-may/
Pennsylvania coronavirus update: 1,309 newly reported cases is highest since May and Lehigh Valley also sees jump
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-update-oct-7-20201007-vpv3m2ayubbzxa3pie5srj5ioe-story.html
COVID-19 positive test rate ticking up in Pittsburgh region
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/10/07/Pennsylvania-reports-1-309-new-COVID-19-cases-28-deaths/stories/202010070134
Allegheny County adds 43 new coronavirus cases, 3 deaths
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-adds-43-new-coronavirus-cases-3-deaths/
Westmoreland County adds 39 more coronavirus cases
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-adds-39-more-coronavirus-cases/
69 new coronavirus cases for Berks County
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/69-new-coronavirus-cases-for-berks-county/article_93878704-0887-11eb-ad67-5f5de16fe3a5.html
Montgomery County records another decrease in coronavirus positivity rate
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-county-records-another-decrease-in-coronavirus-positivity-rate/article_9c9626ea-84a6-546c-a2f3-cdce0fc877fe.html
Chester County experiencing slight but steady decline in COVID-19
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/coronavirus/chester-county-experiencing-slight-but-steady-decline-in-covid-19/article_66b7baf0-08aa-11eb-9f6b-1f28df742ae5.html
As COVID-19 cases rise in Pa., N.J., and Del., so do hospitalizations
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/pennsylvania-nj-hospitals-seeing-uptick-in-covid-19-cases-20201007.html
2 Westmoreland Manor residents dead as coronavirus cases surge, 1 victim identified
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/more-residents-staffers-of-westmoreland-manor-test-positive-for-coronavirus/
5 dead, 130 infected with covid-19 at Allegheny County’s Kane senior living facility in Scott
https://triblive.com/local/carlynton/5-dead-130-infected-with-covid-19-at-allegheny-countys-kane-senior-living-facility-in-scott/
Norwin closes 5 schools because of coronavirus outbreak
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/norwin-closes-5-schools-because-of-coronavirus-outbreak/
7 Wilkes-Barre cops in quarantine, 1 in isolation for COVID-19
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/7-wilkes-barre-cops-in-quarantine-1-in-isolation-for-covid-19/article_e36332b9-2f0a-52ad-8f0f-2765c22b24a6.html
Westmoreland Prison on lockdown as two guards test positive for coronavirus
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-prison-on-lockdown-as-two-guards-test-positive-for-coronavirus/
Business
Wyomissing-based Penn National lays off 18 workers from casino and race course in Dauphin County
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/wyomissing-based-penn-national-lays-off-18-workers-from-casino-and-race-course-in-dauphin/article_e6b8d302-08cc-11eb-bfd4-9b7caa5fd930.html
Mullane: Awaiting Pa. unemployment checks and facing foreclosure
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/opinion/2020/10/08/bucks-county-still-waiting-pa-unemployment-checks/5907912002/
Crime/Punishment
Man fatally shot in Monroeville Mall parking lot
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/10/07/monroeville-mall-shooting-police-respond/stories/202010070149
Chester County district judge siphoned $4,000 from his campaign fund to feed a gambling habit, AG says
https://www.inquirer.com/news/michael-j-cabry-iii-chester-county-judge-campaign-fund-gambling-20201007.html
Police: Hockey player assaults referee over holding penalty at New Kensington skating rink
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/police-hockey-player-assaults-referee-over-holding-penalty-at-new-kensington-skating-rink/
Education
PIAA: Winter sports are on schedule, so far
https://www.mcall.com/sports/varsity/mc-spt-piaa-board-meeting-20201007-j3b4jiwilzfebftghv2ncipppi-story.html
If charter schools help kids of color, why aren’t the Democrats more supportive? | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/charter-schools-pennsylvania-vouchers-education-trump-20201007.html
Pa. college plans to power two farms from cafeteria waste, cow manure, and brewery scraps
https://www.inquirer.com/science/climate/dickinson-college-pennsylvania-biodigester-climate-change-20201007.html
West Chester University announces no winter or spring sports
https://www.inquirer.com/college-sports/west-chester-covid-19-cancels-winter-spring-sports-20201007.html
West Chester University cancels sports for winter and spring seasons due to COVID
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/coronavirus/west-chester-university-cancels-sports-for-winter-and-spring-seasons-due-to-covid/article_1a55ff6c-0906-11eb-b731-5725e061f976.html
Kutztown University has not decided fate of sports for rest of academic year
https://www.readingeagle.com/sports/college/kutztown-university-has-not-decided-fate-of-sports-for-rest-of-academic-year/article_a089907c-08f1-11eb-96a2-bfe43797c8d2.html
Duquesne University fires professor who used racial slur in class
https://triblive.com/news/education-classroom/duquesne-university-fire-professor-who-used-racial-slur-in-class/
Elections/Politics
Pence, Harris spar over COVID-19, economy in vice presidential debate
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/vote2020/2020/10/07/Pandemic-likely-to-dominate-debate-between-Mike-Pence-Kamala-Harris/stories/202010070164
Takeaways from the vice presidential debate between Harris and Pence
https://triblive.com/news/politics-election/takeaways-from-the-vice-presidential-debate-between-harris-and-pence/
Fact-checking the vice presidential debate between Mike Pence and Kamala Harris
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/vice-presidential-debate-mike-pence-kamala-harris-fact-check-20201008.html
Pa.’s fracking jobs enter debate fray
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/10/07/vice-presidential-debate-Mike-Pence-Kamala-Harris-fracking-2020-election/stories/202010070200
Luzerne County Democrats tout support for Biden’s plans
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/luzerne-county-democrats-tout-support-for-bidens-plans/article_3c1319fc-e52e-580f-97e4-703e68170c0d.html
2nd Trump-Biden debate to be virtual due to Trump’s COVID-19
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/2020/10/08/2nd-trump-biden-debate-virtual-due-trumps-covid-19/5920971002/
Republican fundraiser sparks criticism from candidate in 39th District state Senate race
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/republican-fundraiser-sparks-criticism-from-candidate-in-39th-state-senate-race/
Pa. voting issues resting primarily in the courts
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2020/10/07/Pa-voting-issues-resting-primarily-in-the-courts/stories/202010070120
The Inquirer’s guide to who’s on your Pennsylvania ballot
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/inq/2020-election-ballots-pennsylvania-candidates-races-20201008.html
County on track to send out mail-in ballots by weekend
https://www.timesleader.com/news/805394/county-on-track-to-send-out-mail-in-ballots-by-weekend
Ballots in mail to tens of thousands of Lackawanna County voters
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/election/ballots-in-mail-to-tens-of-thousands-of-lackawanna-county-voters/article_493901b8-b921-5c29-a421-93eec4b0fce1.html
Polling place changes to affect Lackawanna County voters in 14 districts
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/election/polling-place-changes-to-affect-lackawanna-county-voters-in-14-districts/article_9991e189-169a-510b-b619-8cca23e4a174.html
It doesn’t look good for Trump in Pa., but don’t count on the election year ending soon | John Baer
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/it-doesnt-look-good-for-trump-in-pa-but-dont-count-on-the-election-year-ending-soon-john-baer.html
How to vote by mail in Pennsylvania: What you need to know
https://www.mcall.com/news/elections/mc-nws-pa-mail-in-voting-guide-20201008-7wehr3ed35aadly4ffljh3nf4a-story.html
To maintain or to purge?: How the practice of maintaining voter lists become so polarized | Battle for the Ballot
https://www.penncapital-star.com/election-2020/to-maintain-or-to-purge-how-the-practice-of-maintaining-voter-lists-become-so-polarized-battle-for-the-ballot/
Local News
Delaware County to host forum on marijuana decriminalization next week
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/delaware-county-to-host-forum-on-marijuana-decriminalization-next-week/article_fc085464-0901-11eb-a8bd-57c392d5153c.html
Tarentum schedules meetings for public to comment, officials to act on comprehensive plan
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/tarentum-schedules-meetings-for-public-to-comment-officials-to-act-on-comprehensive-plan/
City administrators monitoring pandemic’s impact on finances
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/city-administrators-monitoring-pandemics-impact-on-finances/article_c37ec2d4-d325-55a3-9941-be9bea6cce65.html
Natural Gas
Natural gas is key to Pa.’s economic future
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2020/10/08/Leters-to-the-editor-Natural-gas-is-key-to-Pa-s-economic-future/stories/202010010154
Philly
1 in 4 Philadelphians knows someone who has died of COVID-19, and nearly half have lost jobs or wages, Pew study says
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic-philadelphia-protests-george-floyd-city-kenney-response-pew-survey-20201007.html
Philly and Pennsylvania are gearing up to protect the election from Trump
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/pennsylvania-2020-election-voting-protection-20201007.html
SEPTA was attacked by ransomware, sources say. It’s still restoring operations stifled since August.
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/septa-malware-attack-ransomware-fbi-employees-cybersecurity-20201007.html
From nail salon to near billionaire: How Par Funding owner amassed a fortune
https://www.inquirer.com/business/par-funding-sec-lisa-mcelhone-porsche-dean-vagnozzi-forte-prison-fraud-20201008.html
With Philly case looming: The U.S. Supreme Court v. LGBT Americans | Analysis
https://www.penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/the-u-s-supreme-court-v-lgbt-americans/
Philly cemetery operator StoneMor issued 2020 calendar with quote from infamous Nazi SS leader
https://www.inquirer.com/business/stonemor-calendar-cemetery-nazi-ss-himmler-trevose-jewish-holocaust-20201008.html
Philadelphia sues Pennsylvania over inability to enact city-specific gun laws
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-violence-gun-control-lawsuit-preemption-pennsylvania-20201007.html
Philadelphia files court challenge of ban on local gun laws
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/10/07/Philadelphia-files-court-challenge-of-ban-on-local-gun-laws/stories/202010070172
Philly City Council hears from protesters hit by tear gas and rubber bullets. Now it will consider banning those tactics.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/tear-gas-rubber-bullet-ban-philadelphia-police-protest-20201007.html
As City Council hears of ATV safety concerns, some call for an ATV park
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-atvs-dirt-bikes-city-council-public-safety-hearing-20201007.html
A Girl Scout from the Northeast is Philly’s new Youth Poet Laureate
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-youth-poet-laureate-cydney-brown-abington-friends-20201007.html
Pitt
Report that Trump may hold campaign event next week in Pittsburgh spurs criticism
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/10/07/Pittsburgh-Trump-campaign-event-New-York-Times-report-Fitzgerald-Peduto/stories/202010070197
Owner demolishes 1840s Ewalt House in Lawrenceville
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/10/07/Ewalt-House-demolition-Lawrenceville-Rupert-historic-nomination/stories/202010070145
Let’s talk: High office vacancies forcing landlords to wheel and deal, report finds
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/10/08/office-vacancies-Pittsburgh-Downtown-Jones-Lang-LaSalle-US-Steel-One-Oxford/stories/202010080088
Two restaurants planned for former Original Hot Dog Shop location in Oakland
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/dining/2020/10/07/The-Original-Hot-Dog-Shop-Mero-Restaurant-Group-Oakland/stories/202010070132
Dozens more temporary election staffers set to be hired by Allegheny County
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2020/10/07/Allegheny-County-election-workers-2020-mail-in-ballots-absentee-voting/stories/202010070188
Pittsburgh City Council scrutinizes purchase of crowd control devices
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/10/07/Pittsburgh-Public-Safety-officials-purchased-25K-bean-bag-rounds-tear-gas-grenades-early-June/stories/202010070123
Don’t expect a mailer about that Citizen Police Review Board ballot question
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/10/07/Pittsburgh-Citizen-Police-Review-Board-ballot-referendum-voters-Ricky-Burgess/stories/202010070181
Allegheny County asks for cooperation as covid restrictions loosen
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-ask-for-cooperation-as-covid-restrictions-loosen/
State News
Most Philly-area towns are letting parents decide whether kids can trick-or-treat
https://www.inquirer.com/news/halloween-trick-or-treat-philadelphia-pennsylvania-new-jersey-phoenixville-west-chester-20201008.html
This is what experts recommend for the first trick-or-treat season of the pandemic
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/this-is-what-experts-recommend-for-the-first-trick-or-treat-season-of-the-pandemic/article_fc69eac2-072a-11eb-ac72-dfcd2d298587.html
Berks farmers react to new details released on virtual Pennsylvania Farm Show
https://www.readingeagle.com/berks-country/berks-farmers-react-to-new-details-released-on-virtual-pennsylvania-farm-show/article_15a61f24-08bb-11eb-9e2b-47b4d274c4e2.html
How a Lancaster-based political blog and Russian propaganda pushers were tangled on the web: civil rights group
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/10/lancaster-based-blog-and-russia-propaganda-tangled-in-websites-that-could-deceive-voters-civil-rights-group-finds.html