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

Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else--

-- Post-Gazette: Thornburgh Memorial Service Set For Oct. 16

-- Governor’s Race

-- Courier Times: Ex-President’s PAC Donates To PA Republican Candidates Who Pushed The ‘Big Lie,’ But Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano Got Snubbed

-- Inquirer: Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano Has Fervent Base; Dr. Oz Trying To Reach PA Swing Voters

-- MCall: Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano Says ‘We Are Starting To Look Like East Germany’ At Lehigh Valley Campaign Stop

-- Post-Gazette: Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano’s Unconventional Campaign May Be Quietly Building Support, Despite Poll Numbers

-- Erie Times: 2020 Election Denial Is On The Ballot In PA This Year, These Are The Candidates

-- LancasterOnline: Why Some Republicans Are Endorsing Shapiro For PA Governor

-- Politics PA: Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano: ‘Sexualization Of Kids, Pole Dancing And Other Crap’ Will Be Forbidden In Schools On Day 1

-- Spotlight PA: Where Candidates For Governor Stand On College Funding, Transparency, Debt Forgiveness

-- PennLive - Charles Thompson: Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano To Launch TV Ad Campaign

-- PennLive Guest Essay: PA Council Of Churches Asking Christians To Talk About White Nationalism In America, And For Good Reason

-- PennLive - Charles Thompson: Shapiro, Dr. Oz  Stake Out Political Middle At PA Chamber forum

-- Post-Gazette: Shapiro Campaign Reaching Out To Younger Voters Using Power Of TikTok

-- Inquirer Editorial: Josh Shapiro Is Clear Choice For PA Governor

-- U.S. Senate Race

-- Inquirer: Dr. Oz, Fetterman Have Big Debate Oct. 25, How Many People Will Have Voted By Then?

-- PennLive - Charles Thompson: Shapiro, Dr. Oz  Stake Out Political Middle At PA Chamber forum

-- Post-Gazette - Julian Routh: Cook Political Report Says Dr. Oz - Fetterman U.S. Senate Race Now A ‘Toss-Up’

-- Erie Times: 2020 Election Denial Is On The Ballot In PA This Year, These Are The Candidates

-- City & State PA: Fetterman Pulls In $22 Million, Dr. Oz Raises $17 Million In Last Quarter

-- Post-Gazette: Fetterman ‘Rolls Up His Sleeves’ In Hometown Rally

-- Inquirer: Why Are Undecided Voters In PA Still Unconvinced.  We Asked

-- Inquirer: Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano Has Fervent Base; Dr. Oz Trying To Reach PA Swing Voters

-- PennLive: The Lands Of Dr. Oz; Do Voters Care If He’s From New Jersey?

-- PennLive: Dr. Oz Fires Back In Controversy Over Animal Abuse Allegations

-- Inquirer: In The Midst Of A Tight Race For U.S. Senate, Dr. Oz Visits Philly Black Clergy Members

-- Inquirer: Gun Safety Group Launches $2.1 Million Ad Campaign Criticizing Dr. Oz, Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano Over Gun Laws

-- PA Capital-Star: Crime, Community Safety Become Focal Points In PA U.S. Senate Race

-- The Hill: Fetterman, Dr. Oz At Odds Over Natural Gas, Environmental Concerns

-- PennLive: Love Him Or Not, Fetterman Left His Mark On His Adopted Hometown Of Braddock

-- WESA: Fetterman’s Record On Crime Is More Complex Than Political Ads Would Have You Believe

-- AP: How Much Work Has Fetterman Done As Lt. Governor? Calendar Shows Gaps

-- PennLive - John Baer: Dr. Oz vs. Fetterman: So Far Not What It Was Cracked Up To Be

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: Fetterman Hurting Himself By Not Releasing Medical Records

-- Courier Times: Ex-President’s PAC Donates To PA Republican Candidates Who Pushed The ‘Big Lie,’ But Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano Got Snubbed

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: Dr. Oz’s Specious Medical Claims Raise Questions Of Financial Integrity

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: Strike Down Felony Murder Law 

-- November 2022 Election

-- Spotlight PA - Stephen Caruso/Katie Meyer: Unresolved Gray Areas In PA Mail-In Voting Law Likely To Spur Fresh Confusion, Legal Challenges

-- Erie Times: 2020 Election Denial Is On The Ballot In PA This Year, These Are The Candidates

-- TribLive/AP: Ex-President Is ‘King’ To Some In Pennsylvania, But Will It Help Republicans?

-- Post-Gazette: Women’s Rights Marchers Urge People To Vote Nov. 8

-- WESA: In PA State House Races, Democrats Emphasize Support For Abortion Rights

-- Politics PA: PA House Preview - Philly West ‘Burbs

-- Politics PA: PA House Preview - Montgomery County

-- Politics PA: PA House Preview - Delaware County

-- Politics PA: PA Senate Preview - North

-- Politics PA: PA Senate Preview - Southwest

-- TribLive: Republican Congressional Candidate Mike Doyle Share Name With Retiring Democrat, Sowing Confusion

-- MCall: Lehigh Valley Congressional Candidates Trade Attacks Before ‘Lively’ Audience

-- PA Capital-Star: In Bellweather PA Seat, Democrat Cong. Wild Touts Record As She pursues Third Term

-- PennLive: Democrat Daniels Says She Can Overcome Funding Disadvantage In Race Against Republican Cong. Scott Perry

-- Post-Gazette: Why Western PA’s 17th Congressional District Could Serve As A Bellwether For Working-Class Voters Across The U.S.

-- Post-Gazette - Salena Zito: Battle Royale In PA 17th Congressional Seat In Western PA

-- Post-Gazette: Political Newcomers Key To The Battle For Control Of Congress

-- PennLive: ‘Don’t Be Caught Naked’ PA Democrats Warn Mail-In Voters

-- TribLive: Westmoreland County Sent Out Over 14,000 Mail-In Ballots To Voters

-- Citizens Voice: Luzerne County Sends Out 26,000 Mail-In Ballots To Voters

-- LancasterOnline: 35,000 Mail-In Ballots Ready To Sent To Voters In Lancaster County

-- Election Reform/2020 Election Fallout

-- Spotlight PA - Stephen Caruso/Katie Meyer: Unresolved Gray Areas In PA Mail-In Voting Law Likely To Spur Fresh Confusion, Legal Challenges

-- PennLive: Lycoming County To Do Hand Recount Of 2020 Votes For President, One Row Office

-- PA Capital-Star: Allies Of Ex-President Interviewed Nearly 200 Election Officials In PA, Elsewhere To Probe For Weaknesses

-- PennLive Guest Essay: Character Matters - Mark Singel

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

-- Post-Gazette: Crawford County Man Latest To Be Charged With Crimes Related To Assault On U.S. Capitol 

-- Post-Gazette: Washington County Couple To Plead Guilty To Crimes Related To Assault On U.S. Capitol 

-- Erie Times: Crawford County Man Charged With Crimes Related To Assault On U.S. Capitol Claimed 2nd Amendment Rights Were Violated, He Lost

-- AP: Proud Boys Member Pleads Guilty To Seditious Conspiracy Criminal Charges Related To Assault On U.S. Capitol [Philadelphia Has A Chapter]

-- USA Today: Republicans Want To Win School Board Seats, They’re Winning In White Counties By Running On Race [PA Included]

-- Gov. Wolf Announced The Availability of $5 Million In Security Enhancement Grants For Groups Targeted By Hate Crimes

-- State Constitutional Amendments

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

 

-- PA Politics Of Russian Invasion

-- MCall: With Winter Approaching, Heating Oil Prices Are Rising, Should Customers Lock In Now Or Wait? [Heating Oil 49% Higher Than Last Year]

-- Erie Times: Energy Costs Are On The Rise, Ways To Save Money, Where To Get Help

-- Scranton Times: Gasoline Prices Rising Again In NE PA 

-- WPost: U.S. Is World’s Largest Oil & Natural Gas Producer, But You’ll Still Pay More For Gasoline, Natural Gas 

-- AP Explainer: How Will OPEC+ Production Cuts Affect Oil Prices, Inflation?  [Spoiler - Prices, Inflation Go Up]

-- TribLive: AAA Says Tight Supply, Increased Demand Main Reasons For Rising Gasoline Prices

-- USA Today: More Pain At The Pump As OPEC+ Cuts Oil Production By 2 Million Barrels

-- Reuters: U.S. Shale Oil, Natural Gas Producers To Remain On Sidelines If OPEC+ Cuts Output Energy Executives Say  

-- Bloomberg: Solar Energy Now 33% Cheaper Than Natural Gas Power In U.S.  

-- Reuters: U.S. Natural Gas At $4 to $5 Is A Thing Of The Past, Says Tellurian Chairman 

-- Reuters: Global Natural Gas Markets To Remain Tight Next Year Amid Supply Squeeze, IEA  

-- Bloomberg: Floating LNG Terminal Rates Spike In Europe On Ship Shortage 

-- Reuters: White House Rules Out Ban On Natural Gas Exports This Winter [Even With Natural Gas Price Spikes]

-- Baker Hughes PA Natural Gas Drill Rig Count At 23 - Same Number For Last 8 Out Of 9 Weeks

-- Reuters: U.S. Oil & Gas Rig Count Falls For First Time In 4 Weeks - Baker Hughes

-- Bloomberg: Oil Up 16% This Week, Biggest Weekly Gain Since March On Supply Fears As OPEC+ Decision Tightens Markets 

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: Biden’s Drawdown Of Oil Reserves Has Weakened America, For His Party’s Benefit

-- Harrisburg Politics Potpourri

-- York Daily Record: PA Chief Justice’s Death Leaves Vacancy In Court And Gov. Wolf With A Decision

-- TribLive: Experts Say PA Supreme Court Vacancy Should Be Filled Quickly

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: Wolf Should Let Next Governor Fill Now Vacant PA Supreme Court Seat

-- Post-Gazette: Harrisburg Senators [Baseball] Go Viral For Response To Being Mistaken For Lawmakers

-- WHYY/Billy Penn: Why The Philly Union League Is Honoring Florida Republican Gov. DeSantis

-- PennLive Editorial: Too Many Americans Are Pitched For Battle Over Something As Simple As Pronouns

-- Budget 2022

-- Dept. Of Revenue Reports September Revenues $135.8 Million Above Estimates, $196.2 Million Above Estimates FYTD

-- Independent Fiscal Office Reports September State Revenues $422.2 Million Over IFO Estimates, $583.9 Million Over FYTD 

-- Gov. Wolf: Rainy Day Fund Reaches Record High Balance

-- Dept. Of Revenue: Taxpayers Affected by Hurricane Ian Have More Time To File Tax Returns

-- Altoona Mirror: State Commission Advises Allocation Of $100 Million To Mental Health To Strengthen Workforce

-- Liquor Control Board Reports Record Net Income In FY 2021-22 

-- PennLive: PA Liquor Stores Hosting Big 50% Clearance Sale

-- TribLive: Westmoreland Communities Place Their Bets On Windfall From Casino Revenue

-- Warren Times: Strong Sports Betting Helps Gambling Industry Grow

-- Post-Gazette: Live! Casino Pittsburgh Property In Westmoreland Acquired As Part Of $1.81 Billion Deal

-- COVID Pandemic/Health

-- Centre Daily Times: PA Counties At High COVID Community Transmission Rises From 4 To 7  [Bradford, Elk, Mifflin, Snyder, Sullivan, Warren, Susquehanna]

-- MCall: PA COVID Update: State, Lehigh Valley Cases Dip Below High Transmission Threshold

-- Post-Gazette: Allegheny County COVID Numbers Drop, But Long COVID Remains A Problem

-- PA Capital-Star: Study: More Republicans Than Democrats Likely Died Of COVID; There Were 14,146 Vaccine-Preventable Deaths In PA

-- Gov. Wolf  Reminds Older Pennsylvanians Of Upcoming Medicare Open Enrollment Period, Free Insurance Counseling Available Through PA MEDI

-- Post-Gazette: PA Health Insurance Reform Bill Stalls While Rates For Small Business Rise

-- PA Capital-Star: As Session Nears End, PA Counties Urge Legislature To Act On Mental Health Funding

-- Altoona Mirror: State Commission Advises Allocation Of $100 Million To Mental Health To Strengthen Workforce

-- Spotlight PA: Chronically Ill Patients Could Get Easier Access To New Treatments If PA Lawmakers Act Soon

-- WHYY: Admissions Of Children With Respiratory Illnesses Up At Delaware Valley Hospitals 

-- COVID - Schools

-- PennLive: Monkeypox Case Confirmed At Cumberland County Elementary School

-- TribLive: Some Western PA Students Grapple With Post-COVID Learning Loss

-- Opioid Deaths

-- PennLive: Ex-Owner Of PA Pharmacy That Sold More Oxycodone Than Any Other Store In U.S. Sentenced To Prison

-- WHYY: Philadelphia Nonprofit Sounds Alarm On Rising Drug Use

-- Altoona Mirror: Fentanyl Epidemic Can’t Be Dismissed

-- School Districts/Higher Education

-- WESA: Nearly 3,000 Allegheny County Students Known To Lack Homes

-- WHYY: ACLU Files Federal Complaint Alleging Central Bucks Schools Created A ‘Hostile Environment’ For LGBTQ Students

-- Courier Times: Bucks County School Book Ban Group Sets Sights On Sex, Sexuality And Mein Kampf?

-- York Dispatch: York County School Board Member’s Exit Speech: Bible Is ‘Scientifically Proven’

-- USA Today: Republicans Want To Win School Board Seats, They’re Winning In White Counties By Running On Race [PA Included]

-- Post-Gazette: Allegheny County School District Votes To Keep ‘Indian’ Mascot Without The Logo

-- Post-Gazette: Pitt Students Protest After Sexual Assaults On Campus

-- TribLive: Student Loan Relief Explainer For Pennsylvanians: Who Qualifies And When To Apply

-- TribLive: Community Colleges Tapped To Address Cybersecurity Talent Gap

-- PennLive - Jan Murphy: State-Owned Universities See 12-Year Enrollment Decline Begin To Reverse Course

-- PennLive - Jan Murphy: PA State-Owned Consolidated University Sees Upside To Its Enrollment Decline

-- Post-Gazette: State-Owned California U’s Enrollment Fell 17% This Fall But Accounts For All Freshman Enrollment Gains At New PennWest University

-- Scranton Times Editorial: Enrollment Momentum For State-Owned Universities

-- NPR: At Conservative Grove City College, Anti-Critical Race Theory Still Looms Large

-- WESA: Pitt To Extend SAT Or ACT Test-Optional Policy Through 2025

-- Post-Gazette: Robert Morris University Receives $18 Million Gift For Business School

-- Gun Violence/Law Enforcement

-- Post-Gazette: Gov. Wolf Vetoes Bill That Could Have Kept Prisoners Behind Bars Longer

-- Gov. Wolf Announced The Availability of $5 Million In Security Enhancement Grants For Groups Targeted By Hate Crimes

-- PA Capital-Star: Protesters At PA House Panel’s Hearing On Philly Crime Were ‘Circus Animals,’ Its Republican Chair Says

-- Inquirer Guest Essay: 182 Kids Have Been Shot In Philly In 2022, Here’s How To  Help Survivors

-- WHYY: Judge Bars Philadelphia From Enforcing Ban On Guns At Rec Centers, Playgrounds

-- WHYY: Philly Carjackings Way Up, Homicides Down Slightly

-- TribLive: 15-Year-Old Charged In Kennywood Amusement Park Shooting In Pittsburgh

-- PennLive: 1 Injured When ‘Dozens’ Of Shots Fired Near Harrisburg Playground: Police

-- MCall: Montgomery County Teen Threatened To Shoot Up Bethlehem H.S., Police Charge

-- Inquirer: High School Football Game Canceled In Chester County Due To Threats

-- TribLive: Butler Man Stormed Onto School Bus And Threatened Students, Police Say

-- WESA: How Some PA Cities Are Using Federal American Rescue Plan Funds To Fight Violence

-- WITF: Reading Invests Nearly $3 Million In Community Groups To Fight Violence

-- WHYY/Billy Penn: Why Gun Owners Of America Keeps Winning In Philadelphia, Blocking Local Firearms Regulations

-- WHYY/Billy Penn: How Local News Can Help Heal Philly’s Gun Violence Crisis, Instead Of Make It Worse

-- PennLive Guest Essay: We Can Address Crime And Violence Through Smart Justice - Rep. Benninghoff, House Majority Leader

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: Strike Down Felony Murder Law 

​​-- PA Capital-Star Guest Essay: Pennsylvania's SCI Chester Gets A Scandinavian-Style Makeover And Shows How The U.S. Penal System Could Become More Humane

-- TribLive: Legislation To Set State Standards For Public Defenders, Fill Gaps In County Funding Passes First Hurdle In State Senate

-- TribLive Editorial: Public Defender Program Needs To Be Better Spelled Out In PA

-- Post-Gazette: Feds Want Jail Time For Islamic Extremist Who Named Pittsburgh FBI Agents In Online Threats

-- Post-Gazette: Lawsuit Alleges ‘Rampant’ Use Of Detainers At Allegheny County Jail Violates Constitution

-- Post-Gazette: Allegheny County Jail Warden Responds To Pitt Study On County Jail, Criticism From Activists

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: The Uncounted Dead in Allegheny And Other County Jails

-- PA Economy

-- Altoona Mirror: State Commission Advises Allocation Of $100 Million To Mental Health To Strengthen Workforce

-- TribLive Editorial: Rental Assistance Flub Is Object Lesson In Govt. Screw-Ups

-- PA Municipal League, PA Economy League Study Of Municipal Tax Structure - I’ts Not 1965 Any More

 

-- Other

-- Post-Gazette: Italian Heritage Group Says It Will Appeal Ruling On Removing Columbus Statue In Pittsburgh

-- Post-Gazette: Allegheny County School District Votes To Keep ‘Indian’ Mascot Without The Logo

-- AP: Philadelphia Apologizes For Experiments On Black Inmates In 1950s, 1970s

[Posted: October 9, 2022]