Today in PA | A PennLive daily news briefing with Claudia Dimuro

Whether you love it or hate it, Halloween is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the U.S If you love it, though, you may want take your Halloween celebrations outside of Pennsylvania if you’re looking for an actual good, spooky time. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A group of Satanists claimed they were discriminated against after a school banned all clothing and accessories with “satanic” imagery on them. A newly proposed $16 million project would convert all of Pittsburgh’s streetlights to LED. The Penguins’ Sidney Crosby is still recovering from a wrist surgery. And a bank offers to pay the electric bills of an iconic sign in Scranton so it can keep shini...

The felony charge against a homeless man who accidentally stole 43 cents has been dropped. SEPTA has released a service interruption plan should its employees indeed strike. Opening day for trout season gets an official date in 2022. Lastly, a dog was fortunately saved from a fire. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A congressman’s Twitter account was suspended over a post he published concerning former Pennsylvania Secretary of Health, Dr. Rachel Levine. In order to combat a labor shortage seen across the country, one local school district has approved increasing its substitute teacher pay by 110 percent. A state-run program allows for seniors to get matched with those looking for affordable housing. And the...

A Delaware County prosecutor has said that the story of how SEPTA passengers merely pulled out their phones and recorded a woman’s rape is false. The North Allegheny school board is looking to consider a policy change that would give its members the authority to approve all novels used in the district’s schools. Not all businesses are complying with spotted lanternfly permit requirements. Finally,...

A new lawsuit claims that UPMC won’t give kids medical exemptions for the statewide school mask mandate. A member of the County Cares Commission in Luzerne County plans to present a proposed “bill of rights” for the homeless. Salmonella has broken out in 37 states, Pennsylvania included. And a volunteer organization in Pittsburgh was all treat and no tricks when it gave out free Halloween costumes...

A man who attempted to rob a Brinks truck driver had the tables quickly turned on him. Brewers in York City are worried the proposed sale of the city’s wastewater system may affect their beer. Pennsylvania casinos hit big last month, revenue-wise. Plus, there are some pretty weird laws that still exist in each state, Pennsylvania included. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Instead of intervening, SEPTA passengers seemingly pulled out their phones and recorded a woman’s rape. The Port Authority’s plan to rebrand itself remains paused because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It may be warmer today, but rest assured, cold is coming. And a full moon with an appropriately spooky name will rise this week. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

No one intervened as a woman repeatedly pushed away the man who raped her on the SEPTA Market-Frankford line last week. Doctors informed a woman that she can’t get a kidney transplant because she won’t get the COVID-19 vaccine, a hesitancy which stems from health concerns. Pennsylvania is now focusing on stimulant and polysubstance abuse along with opioids in the battle to end its drug epidemic. F...

A man from Philadelphia was busted for dealing drugs after the cops pulled him over during a traffic stop. Pittsburgh will expand upon its affordable housing after receiving several low-income housing tax credits. Vulgar graffiti directed at President Joe Biden was removed from I-81 in Scranton the other day. Lastly, Bucks County voters accidentally cast their mail-in ballots into a drop box that...

Philadelphia has become the first large city in the U.S. to adopt legislation that will prevent cops from pulling people over for low-level traffic offenses. The former head of a child welfare agency who cleared a backlog of cases pleaded guilty to child endangerment. An inmate uprising broke out at a Philadelphia prison. Also, guess how much Pennsylvanians spent on liquor last year? See acast.com...

Whether or not to make disease data publicly accessible has become a hot point of contention for state lawmakers. A murder suspect asked a York County judge to preside over something else other than his trial. Federal funding will go towards training Pittsburgh police on how to use the National Crime Database. And those weren’t birds or planes—those were people parachuting from a skyscraper in Phi...

The trucker who was fatally shot by state troopers at an I-80 rest stop last week had reportedly fired at multiple vehicles beforehand. Defense attorneys have argued that the anti-Semitic comments made by the man who shot and killed 11 people at the Tree of Life synagogue building should be suppressed in court. The Wells Fargo Center has updated its code of conduct as the NBA and NHL season gets u...

Pennsylvania’s state-owned universities are experiencing the lowest enrollment they’ve seen in decades. Somebody spread the ashes of somebody else at Heinz Field after the Steelers game on Sunday. Wawa is continuing to roll out self-checkouts at certain locations, a number of which are in Pennsylvania. Plus, the majority of Keystone State residents are apparently pretty pleased by what they see in...

Pennsylvania still technically recognizes Columbus Day although many of its cities are today observing Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Philly is thinking of making a 15 percent cap on food delivery fees for services like Grubhub permanent. This is the 4-1-1 on where to see the best fall foliage in the state. Finally, this pumpkin in Allentown grew to be so big, Cinderella could use it as an SUV. See acas...

Raise a glass, everyone, because beer and wine makers in Pennsylvania just got $2 million to help increase their production. Pittsburgh is considering a proposal to amend its parking code which includes items such as virtual permitting offerings as well as non-resident permits. The state Fish and Boat Commission recently released thousands of striped bass into the wild. And, as put by the Pittsbur...

One state representative’s newly proposed bill has sparked quite the conversation about reproductive rights, specifically because it requires all men to get a vasectomy when they hit 40. Nursing homes throughout Pennsylvania are accepting less residents due to staffing shortages. The price of bacon is noticeably going up. Finally, don’t forget, the Draconid meteor shower will be visible right on t...

“If there are such things as ghosts, now I know why.”   These are the words of Carrie Donaldson, a genealogy enthusiast who accidentally stumbled upon a 106-year-old cold case involving a young girl whose bones were found in the basement of a Harrisburg home.   Donaldson’s story—as well as the media sensationalism, conspiracy theories and paranoia that took a city by storm—is now being told in sev...

If you live in Philly, chances are you’ll see your flood insurance rates go up. An explosion that occurred in Allentown over the weekend is currently under investigation. Penn State professors are protesting the school’s COVID-19 policies this week. And at long last, Kodiak the sea eagle is back at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A missing bulldog led to the discovery of an illegal dog kennel in Monroe County. A rise in natural gas prices could mean higher heat bills for many residents throughout the state this winter. Health insurance may go up a teensy bit in 2022. And after no food staff showed up, a principal in Philadelphia treated her 400 students to pizza. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Pittsburgh International Airport is facing a new “epidemic” as more handguns are being confiscated at its security checkpoints. PennDOT is now considering a public-private partnership to fix up or replace nine of the state’s major bridges (at a pretty hefty price tag, too). Sorry, Steelers fans in central Pennsylvania, but you won’t be able to watch them play the Packers this Sunday on TV. Plus, j...

A dog has been terrorizing a mailman in Westmoreland County so much so that postal service has been delayed for over a month. The Hershey Co. wants one cookie maker to kiss the alleged use of its iconic logo goodbye. Offense linemen injuries continue to plague the Eagles. And someone placed a bet that’s out of this world…literally. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

One university sparked a debate regarding free speech after releasing a memo warning students that misgendering someone could lead to consequences. A state Senate committee has voted for the use of coronavirus relief funds for environmental purposes. Those driving through Pittsburgh may run into some delays and closures this week. Finally, some Pennsylvanian humans will soon have their groceries d...

Transgender women in Pennsylvania are looking to combat state laws that bar those who committed felonies from legally changing their names. Some areas will see postal service slow down starting next month, those in Pennsylvania included. A group of girls in Lawrence County accidentally reeled in a deadly catch while “magnetic fishing.” And one man realizes he’s purchased a million-dollar scratch-o...

Government officials have confirmed that the Philadelphia International Airport is currently the main hub for Afghan refugees in the country. Senator Bob Casey is pushing a bill that’ll have banks and business help seniors avoid getting scammed. This fall could see more stink bugs around. Lastly, if you’re a coffee addict (guilty), this Pennsylvanian city is the place for you. See acast.com/privac...