Top 10 Stories: Harrisburg/PA Politics Reported By Local News Media Last Week

Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else--

-- Oct. 15:  A Celebration Of The Life And Legacy Of Dick Thornburgh, University Of Pittsburgh

 

-- Governor’s Race

-- Erie Times: Candidates For PA Governor, U.S. Senate Detail Energy Policies At Shale Gas Conference

-- Inquirer: As Campaign Struggles, Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano Plans ‘40 Days Of Fasting And Prayer’

-- Religion News Service: How PA Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano Uses Faith To Fend Off Criticism - Even From Other Christians 

-- Politics PA: In 2019 Interview, Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano Said Women Who Violate Proposed Abortion Ban Legislation Should Be Charged With Murder

-- The Guardian: PA Republican Gubernatorial Hopeful Mastriano Urged Murder Charges For Women Who Defied Proposed Abortion Ban In Legislation He Sponsored 

-- Politics PA: Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano Says Shapiro Has ‘Grudge Against Catholic Church’  

-- TribLive/Inquirer: Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano Says ‘Lawlessness Is Killing Philadelphia,’ As Protesters Call Him ‘Extremist’

-- NYT: PA Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano’s Sputtering Campaign: No TV Ads, Tiny Crowds, Little Money

-- PennLive - Charles Thompson: What Does A Telephone Rally With Ex-President, Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano Sound Like?

-- Post-Gazette - Julian Routh: Ex-President Stumps For Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano Again During Telephone Rally

-- Post-Gazette - Julian Routh: Supporters Of Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano’s Want Liz Cheney To Campaign Against Their Candidate, Saying She’s Out Of Touch With Republican Voters

-- PennLive: Advisor To Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano Criticizes Singer Lizzo’s Weight, And For Playing Historic Flute

-- Erie Times: COVID Created Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano’s Candidacy In PA

-- PennLive: Rebbie Mastriano Emerges As A Forceful Figure In Husband’s Gubernatorial Campaign

-- Courier Times: Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano Says FBI Arrest Of Bucks County Man For Alleged Assault At Planned Parenthood ‘An Abuse Of Power’

-- PennLive - Charles Thompson: FBI Disputes Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano’s Version Of Abortion Rights Opponent’s Assault Arrest

-- Inquirer: Arrest Of Prominent Bucks County Activist Rallying The Catholic Antiabortion Right

-- AP: Explainer: Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano’s Plan For PA School Choice

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: Shapiro’s Plan To End Some 4-Year Degree Requirements Is A Winner

-- Erie Times: How Shapiro Contrasts With His Opponent, Current PA Governor

-- Post-Gazette: Democrat Shapiro Outspent Republican Rival 27 To 1 In Governor’s Race

-- PennLive - Charles Thompson: In Governor’s Race Fundraising, Shapiro Breaks Records

-- City & State PA: Millions Pouring Into PA’s Race For Governor, Here’s Where It’s Coming From

-- PA Capital-Star: Lt. Gov. Nominee Austin Davis Aims To Be ‘Strong Governing Partner’ For Shapiro

-- Politics PA: F&M Poll: Fetterman Has 3-Point Edge On Dr. Oz; Shapiro Leads Opponent By 14 For Governor

-- Politics PA: Marist Poll: Shapiro +13, Fetterman +10

-- U.S. Senate Race

-- Erie Times: Candidates For PA Governor, U.S. Senate Detail Energy Policies At Shale Gas Conference

-- Erie Times: Americans Trusted Dr. Oz On Health, But Will PA Voters Trust Him On Politics?

-- Erie Times: Fetterman Has Reforged Every Political Office He’s Held, Now What?

-- Washington Examiner: Fetterman Spurns Democratic Anti-Fracking Message In Bid For Rural Support

-- Washington Examiner: Republicans Try To Tie Biden’s Green Agenda Around Fetterman’s Neck In PA

-- TribLive: Fetterman Addresses Stroke Recovery, Defends Record On Crime At Pittsburgh Rally

-- Post-Gazette - Julian Routh: Dr. Oz Relies On His Personal Story To Rebuff Critics’ Out-Of-Touch Millionaire Mantra

-- Post-Gazette - Julian Routh: Dr. Oz Slaps Billboard Ripping Fetterman In The Middle Of Braddock

-- Inquirer: ‘Boring White Guys’ Are Out In PA U.S. Senate Race Focused On Personality

-- USA Today: How Dr. Oz Tightened PA U.S. Senate Race With Fetterman, A Warning Sign For Democrats?

-- Post-Gazette - Julian Routh: Western PA Community, Faith Leaders Tell Dr. Oz Level-Headed Solutions Needed To Clean Up Crime

-- TribLive: Dr. Oz Says Fetterman Should Be More Transparent In His U.S. Senate Campaign

-- Post-Gazette: Fmr Gov. Ridge Endorses Dr. Oz In PA U.S. Senate Race

-- Post-Gazette Guest Essay: Fetterman’s Handling Of His Stroke Could Have Created A Constitutional Crisis - Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre)

-- TribLive: Fetterman - Dr. Oz In Statistical Dead Heat Heading Into Home Stretch Of U.S. Senate Campaign

-- PennLive: Fetterman Sees Unfavorable Rating Spike In Latest Franklin & Marshall Poll

-- Post-Gazette: Fetterman’s Lead In U.S. Senate Race Shrinking, Latest Franklin & Marshall Poll Shows

-- Politics PA: F&M Poll: Fetterman Has 3-Point Edge On Dr. Oz; Shapiro Leads Opponent By 14 For Governor

-- Politics PA: Emerson Poll: Fetterman +2 Over Dr. Oz, Shapiro +10 Over Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano

-- PennLive: Fetterman, Shapiro Lead In Latest Polls: PA Voters Still Have Unfavorable View Of Dr. Oz

-- Politics PA: Marist Poll: Shapiro +13, Fetterman +10

-- November 2022 Election

-- Spotlight PA: Launches Comprehensive 2022 Election Center Website

-- Post-Gazette: PA Counties Inundated With Records Requests By Election Deniers 

-- PennLive - Jan Murphy: PA Election Offices Challenged By Surge Of Voting Record Requests

-- Post-Gazette: Commonwealth Court: PA Counties Can Help Voters Fix Problems With Mail-In Ballots

-- Spotlight PA: How To Serve As A Poll Worker On Nov. 8

-- WESA: PA Voters Rank Economy, Abortion As Top Election Issues In New Muhlenberg College Poll

-- Politics PA: PA House Preview: Capital Region

-- Politics PA: PA House Preview - South Central

-- Politics PA: PA House Preview - Philadelphia

-- Politics PA: PA House Preview - Lehigh Valley

-- WHYY: Republican Rep. Stephens Faces Off Against Challenger Melissa Cerrato

-- LancasterOnline: Republican Candidate Challenging Rep. Sturla Turns Down Debate

-- PennLive: Republican Cong. Perry Spars With Challenger Daniels In TV Forum

-- PennLive - John Baer: A Close U.S. Senate Race Could Mean PA Mail-In Madness All Over Again

-- MCall - Paul Muschick: Is Post Office Ready For Mail Voting? Red Flags Raised About Philadelphia

-- TribLive: Republican Commissioners Remove Ballot Drop Box From Westmoreland Courthouse

-- TribLive Editorial: Is This The Right Year To Cut Ballot Drop Boxes, Westmoreland County?

-- Inquirer: PA Republicans Gaining On Democrats In Registered Voters, What That Really Means

-- Election Reform/2020 Election Fallout

-- Erie Times: 4 PA Republican Lawmakers Used Mail-In Ballots After Signing A Pledge Against Them, Including Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward

-- PennLive - John Baer: A Close U.S. Senate Race Could Mean PA Mail-In Madness All Over Again

-- MCall - Paul Muschick: Is Post Office Ready For Mail Voting? Red Flags Raised About Philadelphia

-- Post-Gazette: Commonwealth Court: PA Counties Can Help Voters Fix Problems With Mail-In Ballots

-- TribLive: Republican Commissioners Remove Ballot Drop Box From Westmoreland Courthouse

-- TribLive Editorial: Is This The Right Year To Cut Ballot Drop Boxes, Westmoreland County?

-- York Dispatch Editorial: Improve PA Elections By Expediting Mail-In Ballot Work

-- Inquirer: Fmr Abacam Congressman Ozzie Myers Headed Back To Federal Prison For Election Fraud

-- PA’s Role In Assault On U.S. Capitol

-- York Daily Record: 2 Cumberland County Men Sentenced To Prison For Crimes Related To Assault On U.S. Capitol

-- PennLive - Charles Thompson: 2 Cumberland County Men Get 3+ Years In Prison For Crimes Related To Assault On U.S. Capitol

-- PennLive: Prosecutors: Jurors Need To See ‘Extreme Views’ Of Cumberland County Woman Charged With Crimes Related To Assault On U.S. Capitol

-- Post-Gazette: Feds Now Want Mercer County Woman Charged With Crimes Related To The Assault On U.S. Capitol Confined To Home Pending Trial

-- Post-Gazette: Federal Judge Orders Mercer County Woman Confined To Her Home Until Trial On Criminal Charges Related To Assault On U.S. Capitol 

-- Erie Times: Crawford County Resident Charged With Using Bike Rack To Trip Police Officer During Assault On U.S. Capitol

-- Post-Gazette: Prosecutors Seek To Prevent Uniontown Man From Claiming Self-Defense In Criminal Charges Related To Assault On U.S. Capitol

-- LancasterOnline: Republican Rep. Zimmerman Reveals He Received FBI Subpoena Related To Probe Of Assault On U.S. Capitol

-- York Daily Record: YDR, 2 Other Media Organizations Request Documents In Seizure Of Republican Cong. Scott Perry’s Cell Phone

-- WITF/NPR: Calls Grow For Tougher Legal Approach To White Nationalist Group Patriot Front [In PA, Other States]

-- State Constitutional Amendments

-- AP: Wolf Takes Another Lawsuit Challenging The Constitutionality Of Proposed Constitutional Amendments To Lower State Court

-- Spotlight PA: There Will Be No Constitutional Amendments On Nov. 8 Ballot, But Big Ones Are Looming

-- TribLive Editorial: Did PA Republican Lawmakers Overplay Hand With State Constitution Amendment Package?

-- Spotlight PA: Complete Guide To More Than 70 Proposed Amendments To State Constitution

 

-- PA Politics Of Russian Invasion

-- Forbes: Why Natural Gas Prices Quadrupled In Two Years

-- Forbes: U.S. Natural Gas Production Set New Record, But Don’t Expect Relief On Your Heating Bills [LNG Exports Link U.S./PA To High Prices]

-- Baker Hughes PA Natural Gas Drill Rig Count Drops Back To 23 - Same Number For Last 7 Out Of 8 Weeks

-- S&P Global: U.S. Natural Gas Supporting Long, Challenging Climb Of Atlantic Coast LNG Projects  [LNG Exports Link U.S./PA To High Prices]

-- Reuters: U.S. Natural Gas Production Will Need to Increase Significantly To Continue LNG Exports And To Ensure The Fuel Remains Affordable For U.S. Users

-- Bloomberg: Oil, Natural Gas Producers Go From Boom-Bust Bets To Safety Plays - Investors Want ‘Fat Yields’ To Continue

-- Scranton Times: Home Heating Oil Prices On The Rise

-- TribLive: PA Bucks Nation With Gasoline Prices Continuing To Fall

-- TribLive: Pittsburgh To Spend An Extra $2 Million To Cover Gasoline Costs For City Vehicles

-- Reuters: Exxon Orders Shale Drilling Stand-Down Over Rash Of Oilfield Worker Injuries, Including 2 Deaths

-- Reuters: EU Countries Approve Energy Windfall Tax, Turn To Natural Gas Price Cap

-- Harrisburg Politics Potpourri

-- Post-Gazette: PA Supreme Court Chief Justice Max Baer Passed Away Overnight

-- AP: Max Baer, PA Supreme Court’s Chief Justice, Dies

-- PA Capital-Star: Justice Debra Todd Becomes First Woman To Lead PA Supreme Court

-- PennLive - Jan Murphy: Political Realities Could Leave 7-Member PA Supreme Court One Justice Short

-- Courier Times Guest Essay: Lawmaker Gift Ban, Dozens Of Other Bipartisan Problem-Solving Bills Disappearing In General Assembly - Fair Districts PA

-- WITF/AP: Churches Defend Clergy Loophole In Child Sexual Abuse Reporting In PA, Other States

-- PA Capital-Star: PA’s Child Welfare System Is ‘Exhausted’ New Report Concludes

-- TribLive Editorial: Fix Income Ceilings For Property Tax & Rend Rebates - Permanently

-- PA Capital-Star: Experts, Advocates Discuss Challenges Facing ‘Grandfamilies’ In PA

-- Gov. Wolf Signs Bill Extending Authority Of State Horse Racing Commission

-- Inquirer: Fmr State Sen. Fumo Faces New Trial Over IRS Demand He Pay $3 Million In Back Taxes

-- The Guardian: Philadelphia’s Rising Democratic Star Rep. Kenyatta On Another School Shooting: ‘I Can’t Become Resigned To It’ 

-- PA Capital-Star: Some Philly Union League Members Oppose Club Honoring Florida Republican Gov. DeSantis

-- Post-Gazette - Salena Zito: Pulling Up Roots: What A Community Loses When Small Businesses Can’t Survive

-- PennLive Guest Essay: Hurricane Ian Just Might Unite Two Bitter Rivals For The Common Good - By Mark Singel

-- Budget 2022

-- PA Gaming Control Board Releases 2021-2022 Annual Report

-- MCall: Bethlehem Casino Tops Pre-COVID Revenue; 6 Things To Know About Gaming Board’s Annual Report

-- COVID Pandemic/Health

-- Centre Daily Times: New COVID Cases Down In PA; Bradford, Susquehanna, Mifflin, Carbon Counties Remain At High Community Spread

-- Post-Gazette: Allegheny County COVID Case Counts Fall

-- PennLive: Lebanon County Pharmacy Gives Seniors Wrong Kind Of COVID Vaccine

-- LancasterOnline Editorial: PA Health Dept. Denies, Delays COVID Data Request

-- PA Capital-Star Guest Essay: Lessons Of The Pandemic - What PA Can Do To Reduce Future Evictions - By PA Budget & Policy Center

-- Gov. Wolf Reminds Pennsylvanians To Explore Health Care Insurance Options Through Pennie Website

-- Dept. Of Insurance Announces 2023 Health Insurance Rates, More Plan Options Available

-- Gov. Wolf, Lt. Gov. Fetterman: Time Running Out To Apply For PA Marijuana Pardon Project

-- PA Capital-Star: More Than 2,500 Apply For Pardon Under PA Marijuana Pardon Project

 

-- COVID - Schools

-- TribLive Editorial: How Will We Handle Schooling In The Next Emergency?

-- Opioid Deaths

-- Post-Gazette: PA To Receive $80 Million+ From Feds To Fight Opioid Crisis

-- School Districts/Higher Education

-- Inquirer: High School Football Games In Montgomery County, Philadelphia Called Off Due To Threats

-- PennLive: Third Williamsport Educator Accused Of Engaging In Sexual Activity With Student

-- PA Capital-Star: PA’s Child Welfare System Is ‘Exhausted’ New Report Concludes

-- PennLive: Furious Debate Over A Book Ban Reignites In Central York School District

-- MCall - Bill White: School Book Bans Of Anything Remotely Offensive Are Wrong

-- Courier Times: Central Bucks Teachers Say They Will Defy Transgender Name Policy

-- Citizens Voice: Teacher In Luzerne County School District Asked To Remove Rainbow Flag From Classroom

-- Inquirer Guest Essay: Teacher Shortage In Philly Schools Isn’t The Real Issue - Private Charter School Waiting List Is Over 40,000 Students Long

-- TribLive Editorial: How Will We Handle Schooling In The Next Emergency?

-- Post-Gazette: Allegheny College Offers 100% Tuition Coverage For Students From Families Meeting Income Threshold

-- Post-Gazette: First National Bank Corp. Commits $1 Million To Pittsburgh Promise For College Scholarship Program

-- Spotlight PA: Schools Like Penn State Self-Police Student Athlete Endorsement Deals

-- Citizens Voice Editorial: Transparency Price For More Funding For Penn State

-- Post-Gazette: Slippery Rock State University Mounts A ‘Free Rocky’ Campaign For Old Mascot

-- NPR: Biden’s Student Debt Cancellation Plan Targeted By Libertarian Group Lawsuit

-- NYT: 6 Republican-Led States Sue To Block Biden’s Plan To Erase Student Loan Debt

-- Gov. Wolf: More Than 1.7 Million Pennsylvanians Eligible For Federal Student Loan Relief

-- NPR: In Reversal, U.S. Education Dept. Is Excluding Many From Student Loan Relief

-- MCall Guest Essay: Biden’s Very Bad Decision To Cancel Student Loans - Anthony O’Brien, Lehigh University Professor

-- Gun Violence/Law Enforcement

-- PA Capital-Star: Elected Officials, Gun Crime Activists Call On Voters To Elect Gun Reform Candidates

-- Inquirer: Mothers Of Homicide Victims Testify At House Republican Hearing In Effect To Impeach Philly DA

-- PA Capital-Star: House Committee On Philadelphia Crime Hears Stories Of Loss From Gun Violence Survivors

-- Inquirer: House Republicans Seek To Highlight Gun Possession Cases At Hearing Targeting Philly DA

-- Inquirer: High School Football Games In Montgomery County, Philadelphia Called Off Due To Threats

-- MCall: 15-Year-Old H.S. Student Killed In Broad Daylight Shooting Near Allentown Park

-- MCall: 16-Year-Old Charged In Shooting Death Of 15-Year-Old Allentown H.S. Student

-- Inquirer: 14-Year-Old Killed, 4 Other Students Wounded In Shooting Near Philadelphia School Athletic Field

-- TribLive: 15-Year-Old Charged In August Shooting In Pittsburgh

-- PennLive: 19-Year-Old At Large After Shooting 15-Year-Old In Head In Harrisburg

-- PennLive: Student Found With Gun In Cumberland County School

-- WHYY: Police: 5 Shooters Launched Targeted Attack At Philly H.S.

-- MCall/AP: 3 Fmr Police Officers To Face Trial In Third-Grader’s Shooting Death After Football Game In Delaware County

-- Inquirer Column: We’re Running Out Of Words As More Bloodshed Adds To The Unending Shame Of Philadelphia

-- MCall - Paul Muschick: Teens And Guns, Why I’m Not Hopeful Allentown Can Solve Its Problem

-- Inquirer Editorial: Shooting At Philly H.S., And The Absurd State Law That Limits Local Gun Safety Measures

-- TribLive: Kennywood Amusement Park Shooting Puts Spotlight On Park Security, Metal Detectors

-- AP: Kennywood Amusement Park Adds New Security Changes After Shootings In Pittsburgh

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: Kennywood Amusement Park Shooting Should Alert Other Venues

-- Courier Times: Why Is Bucks County Casino Using Metal Detectors At Bensalem Gaming Hall?

-- Inquirer Column: Philly Fishtown Neighborhood Hired Private Security, Too Bad Others Can’t Do The Same

-- TribLive Editorial: Impact Of Gun Violence Transcends Victims And Must Be Addressed

-- Inquirer Guest Essay: Philly Kids Ransacking Wawa Was ‘A Scene From The Apocalypse’

-- Inquirer: Safety Concerns In Center City Philadelphia Lead To More Unarmed Bike Patrols, Security Guards As Workers Return

-- Inquirer: ATF Offering $15,000 Reward For Information In Montgomery County Gun Store Burglary

-- York Daily Record: York Leaders Welcome Firearm Legislation Amid Struggles With Gun Violence

-- TribLive: Westmoreland Eyes Construction Of County Gun Range

-- PA Capital-Star: Prison Staff Shortages In PA, Elsewhere Take Toll On Guards, Inmates

-- WVIA: Prison Advocates Highlight Water Supply Issue At Muncy State Prison

-- Williamsport Sun: Fmr Attorney General Preate Says Legal/Prison System Is ‘Broken’

-- Inquirer: After 40 Years In Prison For A Murder He Didn’t Commit, A Chester Man Is Free

-- Post-Gazette: Protesters Call For Ban On Facial Recognition Technology In Pittsburgh

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: Ban Facial Recognition Until Legal Safeguards In Place

-- Erie Times: State Court Blasts Erie County Human Relations Commission’s Ruling In Landlord Discrimination Case

-- PA Economy

-- Inquirer: Safety Concerns In Center City Philadelphia Lead To More Unarmed Bike Patrols, Security Guards As Workers Return

-- Gov. Wolf:  $25 Million State Child Care Tax Credit Will Support 221,000 Working Families In PA

-- PA Capital-Star Guest Essay: Lessons Of The Pandemic - What PA Can Do To Reduce Future Evictions - By PA Budget & Policy Center

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh Security Provider’s Report Finds Ransomware Attacks On Businesses To Be Increasing

-- Post-Gazette: Tax Relief For Allegheny County Homeowners From Assessment Ruling Won’t Come Quickly, If At All

-- Erie Times: State Court Blasts Erie County Human Relations Commission’s Ruling In Landlord Discrimination Case

[Posted: October 2, 2022]