The state Senate approved a bill that will increase penalties for people fleeing arrest on foot. Here is the Playbook.
News
‘Senate OKs bill to criminalize fleeing arrest on foot’: The Associated Press reports that “Pennsylvania’s state Senate on Tuesday approved a bill that would make it a crime to flee a police officer who is trying to arrest them, and an additional crime if a police dog is hurt in the pursuit.”
‘Deep-pocketed donors pour money into Pa. Supreme Court race’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “with a seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court at stake, Philadelphia trial lawyers and a pro-charter school political action committee linked to a suburban Philadelphia hedge fund manager have once again reached deep into their pockets to spend big on politics.”
‘U.S. Labor secretary to join striking Kellogg’s workers Wednesday’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh will meet with unionized workers striking outside the Kellogg cereal-making plant in East Hempfield Township on Wednesday afternoon, his office has announced.”
‘As FBI and SEC probes grind on, Pa. state treasurer holds off paying big pension fund’s defense lawyers’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “as legal costs stemming from federal probes of Pennsylvania’s biggest pension fund crest $1.6 million, the state treasurer has been rejecting or holding off paying charges submitted to the PSERS plan by the high-priced law firms it has hired to cope with investigations by the FBI and financial regulators.”
‘’Your 3 kids will be fatally shot’ among threats Schmidt faced after 2020 election’: KYW Newsradio reports that “Philadelphia City Commissioner Al Schmidt shared some of the terrifying threats he received in the wake of the 2020 election, at a U.S. Senate hearing Tuesday in Washington.”
‘Pa. House panel votes to take health secretary to court over school mask order’: PennLive reports that “the House Health Committee is appealing a decision by a bipartisan panel that upheld the statewide mask order for Pennsylvania schools and child care centers.”
‘Pa. lawmakers push again to change probation system, but can they get it done?’: PennLive reports that “criminal justice reform advocates and some state lawmakers have been working to change Pennsylvania’s probation system for years, and now those efforts may be gaining traction.”
‘COVID-19 vaccines for younger kids are coming soon. What does it mean for Pa.’s school mask order?’: PennLive reports that “with COVID-19 vaccines expected to be available for younger children next month, Gov. Tom Wolf said it could be a key step in lifting the statewide mask order on schools.”
‘Bill outlines rules when district attorneys lose law license’: The Associated Press reports that “procedures for a district attorney’s office to operate when the district attorney’s law license has been suspended or revoked passed the Pennsylvania House unanimously on Tuesday.”
‘VIDEO: On eve of Tree of Life anniversary, Wolf, allies call for passage of anti-gun violence bills’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “on the eve of the three year anniversary of the mass shooting at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue, which claimed the lives of 11 people, Gov. Tom Wolf, his Democratic allies in the General Assembly, and advocates made a renewed push for a package of anti-gun violence bills that they said will help prevent the future loss of life.”
‘Bipartisan group surveys 1,500 people and creates redistricting map’: CBS21 reports that “a bipartisan group of Pennsylvanians have been working on a redistricting map that takes everyone’s voice into account.”
‘Overdose deaths, suicides in Pennsylvania would get scrutiny from ‘review teams’ under Lehigh Valley lawmaker’s bill’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “two types of tragic deaths — overdoses and suicides — would be investigated by government-sanctioned “review teams” under a bill approved by a state House committee on Tuesday.”
‘Pennsylvania’s GOP Senate Primary Shows Trump’s Lingering Influence’: The Dispatch reports that “there are still six months to go before the primary election to determine who will run for retiring Sen. Patrick Toomey’s seat, but the race so far shows that Donald Trump is still a dominating force in Republican politics and that his influence shapes candidates’ campaign strategies.”
‘’It was a struggle:’ Some Pennsylvania families are still owed money for last year’s missed meals’: WESA reports that “Pennsylvania’s Pandemic-EBT program is supposed to provide money to families to make up for missed school meals during COVID-related school closures. But parents and advocates say the funds still haven’t reached everyone who was supposed to receive them.”
‘Dowling asked to be placed on leave while recovering from crash’: The Observer-Reporter reports that “following a serious automobile accident earlier this month, state Rep. Matthew Dowling has asked to be placed on official leave so he can focus on his recovery.”
‘Somerset County DA Thomas to have formal arraignment Nov. 4 on sexual assault, other charges’: The Johnstown Tribune-Democrat reports that “Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas’ formal arraignment for his sexual assault case has been set for next week.”
‘Sen. Casey tackles bullying, safe schools during tour of Phoenixville School District’: The Daily Local News reports that “U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) joined U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten for a tour of the Phoenixville Area School District, where they heard from students directly about the challenges they face and discussed their work to support students at the federal level, including Casey’s bipartisan, bicameral Safe Schools Improvement Act (S.2410).”
‘Pa. Health Dept. program contributes to fall in ‘risky’ opioid prescriptions’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “despite last year’s high water mark for opioid overdoses, data from the Pennsylvania Department of Health presented at a quarterly meeting Tuesday show that the state’s effort to reduce risky and high-dose prescription rates is working.”
‘Pennsylvania Superior Court rejects Mumia Abu-Jamal’s latest appeal’: KYW Newsradio reports that “The Pennsylvania Superior Court has quashed Mumia Abu-Jamal’s latest effort for an overturned conviction and new trial — nearly 40 years after he was convicted of killing Philadelphia Police Officer Daniel Faulkner.”
‘The Philadelphia district attorney race: DA Larry Krasner and Charles Peruto’: WHYY talked with Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and GOP challenger Charles Peruto about the race for Philadelphia District Attorney.
‘As critics slam him on gun violence, Philly DA Larry Krasner looks past election to next term’: WHYY reports that “it’s extremely likely that come Nov. 2, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner will win another four years as the city’s top prosecutor. Sitting in his Center City office about a week before the general election, in which he’ll face Republican defense attorney A. Charles Peruto Jr., Krasner wasn’t sweating it.”
‘Supreme Court candidate makes visit to Erie’: WJET reports that “Judge Kevin Brobson is running for Supreme Court Justice, touring counties across the commonwealth. Brobson toured the Erie County Courthouse alongside Erie County District Attorney Jack Dinerey.”
‘Prosecutors say Bobby Henon helped PPA in exchange for windows given to his girlfriend’: WHYY reports that “prosecutors in the federal corruption trial of City Councilmember Bobby Henon began Tuesday to present the evidence behind their allegation that Henon was bribed to oppose an audit of the Philadelphia Parking Authority’s finances and operations.”
‘A former Bucks County prosecutor is running to unseat her old boss as district attorney’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “Antonetta Stancu said improving mental-health considerations in the criminal justice system is her top priority. But she says change doesn’t mean upheaval.”
‘Pittsburgh Councilman Anthony Coghill faces challenge from Green Party’s Connor Mulvaney in District 4’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “Pittsburgh City Councilman Anthony Coghill, who represents the city’s southern neighborhoods, including Beechview, Brookline and Carrick, is facing an election challenge in November from Green Party candidate Connor Mulvaney.”
‘Allentown mayoral candidates square off at town hall’: WFMZ reports that “in a town hall Tuesday night hosted by Allentown Young Professionals at Mountainville Youth Center, Democrat Matt Tuerk and Republican Tim Ramos answered tough questions, including about gun control and the rise in crime in the city.”
‘Reading receives good news from its latest financial audit’: The Reading Eagle reports that “Reading received high praise from a team of auditors who looked at the city’s books from 2020, and that is good news for a city expected to leave financial oversight next year.”
‘The ACLU is suing Montgomery County, saying it’s illegally jailing people without hearings’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “the ACLU of Pennsylvania sued Montgomery County court and probation officials on Tuesday, contending their practice of detaining people accused of even minor probation violations for months without a hearing is illegal, excessive, and destructive for defendants trying to care for children, maintain employment, or manage life-threatening health conditions.”
‘One year after the police killing of Walter Wallace, Philadelphia agrees to give Tasers to all patrol officers’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “the city of Philadelphia said Tuesday it would equip its patrol officers with Tasers, a step announced on the one-year anniversary of the death of Walter Wallace Jr., a mentally distressed Black man shot and killed by police outside his West Philadelphia home.”
‘Pittsburgh City Council takes up bill on lead safety for children’: WESA reports that “a newly proposed bill introduced in Pittsburgh City Council would require regular lead safety assessments for older rental properties, and take other steps to reduce the threat posed by the neurotoxin.”
‘To study Washington County or not to study?’: The Observer-Reporter reports that “when Washington County voters go to the polls Nov. 2, in addition to voting on the traditional elective offices and judge races, they will have the opportunity to vote on a ballot initiative. This will ask voters whether a commission of their peers should study the county’s current governing structure to determine if improvements can be made to how the Washington County government works.”
‘Lancaster County elections office hopes for smooth mail-in ballot election following problems in primary’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “Lancaster county elections officials are hoping the counting of mail-in ballots for the Nov. 2 municipal election will go smoother than the May primary or last November’s election when results were delayed for days.”
‘Strohm lays out ARP spending plan’: Altoona Mirror reports that “City Manager Omar Strohm on Monday proposed a tentative plan to City Council for spending all $39.6 million that Altoona will be receiving through the American Rescue Plan.”
‘Scranton teachers to strike’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “teachers in the Scranton School District will strike next week after contract negotiations failed.”
‘Castellani appointed to Luzerne County Election Board’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “Butler Township resident Patrick Castellani will fill a Republican seat on the five-member Luzerne County Election Board, county council decided Tuesday.”
‘Healthcare cost savings different from reduction in Wilkes-Barre’s proposed 2022 budget’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “Mayor George Brown was right about lowering healthcare costs in his proposed 2022 budget. How much of a reduction needed some clarification, however.”
‘Erie County Council to vote on creating a rail future commission’: WJET reports that “Erie County Council will use one million dollars to create a rail future commission from the gaming settlement money if the ordinance passes on October 26th.”
‘Can the Centre Region reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030? Here’s the plan’: The Centre Daily Times reports that “after two years of development, the Centre Region Council of Governments has released its first Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and is now looking for public comment before the ambitious plan is implemented.”
‘Penn State officials, student groups denounce far-right speaker — but can’t stop campus appearance’: The Centre Daily Times reports that “a controversial right-wing personality tied to hate speech against various groups is set to speak on Penn State’s campus next week, drawing widespread condemnation from both the student body and university leaders.”
‘Philly Council advances bill to stop demolition of University City Townhomes’: WHYY reports that “a contested bill designed to preserve an affordable rental housing complex in West Philadelphia is one step closer to becoming law. City Council’s Committee on Rules approved the measure following a lengthy hearing on Tuesday.”
‘Pa. Health Dept.: More than 3,700 new COVID-19 cases; More than 2,700 hospitalized’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “the Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed 3,742 new cases of COVID-19 in the commonwealth on Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases to more than 1.54 million since the start of the pandemic.”
Opinion
Mary Gay Scanlon: Philadelphia’s eviction diversion program is a national model — let it continue
Alejandro N. Mayorkas: Fight ongoing to eradicate hate 3 years after Pittsburgh tragedy
Paul Muschick: How Gov. Wolf engineered a way to raise the minimum wage for some Pennsylvania workers
Chris Kelly: I have a date with Teddy Daniels
Gene Therapy: Jeffrey Clark to testify Friday? Get the popcorn ready.
Beth Ann Rosica: I Found My Democratic Ideals in the Libertarian Party
Quinn O’Callaghan: The Folly of Philly’s Driving Equality Bill
Adam Lake: Pa. lawmakers must legalize syringe services programs
John L. Micek: Criminal justice reform is on the Nov. 2 ballot. What you need to know | Tuesday Morning Coffee
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: PACs have already picked the next mayor
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Learning from W.Va. neonatal drug rules
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: For US Media Literacy Week, how to seek reliable sources, plus other tips on being a savvy news consumer
Elaine Maimon, PhD: How Childcare Is Key To College Success
Chris Freind: SEPTA train attack should never have happened
Sascha D. Meinrath: 12GHz spectrum is the tool we need to help bridge the digital divide
Jake Ahlquist: How one teacher’s views evolved on student smartphone use
