>>State's Highest Court Upholds Mail-in Voting
(Harrisburg, PA) -- The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled to uphold the state's mail-in voting law. The justices ruled five to two Tuesday that there should be no restrictions on mail-in voting per the state constitution. Two republican justices voted against the idea. The ruling makes it very likely that expanded voting-by-mail will be in place for the November elections, including those for governor and U.S. Senate.
>>Most of PA's GOP Congressional Delegation Supporting Mastriano for Governor
(Harrisburg, PA) -- All but one of Pennsylvania's republican congressmen say they'll support GOP nominee for governor state Sen. Doug Mastriano. Their endorsement Monday comes after the Pennsylvania GOP delegation met with Mastriano. A spokeswoman for Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, the only holdout for endorsing Mastriano, says the congressman hasn't yet met with the state senator. But she tells The Hill dot com that Fitzpatrick hopes to do so before the fall elections.
>>Governor Wolf Wants Pennsylvania Opportunity Program Revisited
(Harrisburg, PA) -- Governor Tom Wolf says he wants to reintroduce the "Pennsylvania Opportunity Program." He says it would make the state provide funds to families who are struggling in the current state of the economy. On Tuesday, he was in Folcroft to reintroduce the program. If the legislation passes, eligible residents would get $2,000 from the state in direct payments. The program is limited to households making $80,000 or less.
>>U.S. Justice Department Closes Investigation Into PSERS Retirement System
(Harrisburg, PA) -- The U.S. Department of Justice has closed its investigation of Pennsylvania's Public School Employees' Retirement System. State officials say the year-long inquiry came after PSERS miscalculated its investment returns, which resulted in 100,000 teachers paying more out of their checks toward their retirement. Officials say an SEC investigation, however, is on-going.
>>PA Turnpike Commission Approves 5% Toll Hike
(Harrisburg, PA) -- If you drive the Pennsylvania Turnpike, you'll be paying higher prices for tolls beginning next year. The Turnpike Commission Tuesday approved a five percent hike for 2023. The most-common toll for E-ZPass holders will go from a dollar and 70-cents to a dollar 80. Toll-by-plate customers' fees will go up by 30 cents. The Turnpike Commission says it needs to keep raising tolls to, among other things, make required payments to the state department of transportation (PennDOT) for funding for transportation projects.
>>Acting Secretary Of State Applauds Decision To Uphold No-Excuse Mail-In Voting
(Harrisburg, PA) -- Acting Secretary of State Leigh M. Chapman says she's pleased at the state Supreme Court's decision to uphold mail-in voting in the commonwealth. She says the ruling will make sure residents can vote regardless of barriers such as illness, work schedules, childcare, or other events. State records show more than five million mail-in ballots have been cast in the five elections since mail-in voting became law two years ago.
>>Deadlines In Place for Applying for Mail-In Or Absentee Ballots
(Harrisburg, PA) -- State election officials want to remind residents that some deadlines are in place to apply for mail-in or absentee ballots. Registered voters have until 5 p.m. November 1st to apply for the "no excuse" mail-in ballots. The completed forms must be received at local county election offices by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. The recently upheld Act 77 ruling established annual mail-in and absentee ballot voter lists. It also extended by 15 additional days the period for residents to register to vote before an election.
>>Phillies Busy With Trades Before MLB Deadline
(Philadelphia, PA) -- The Phillies were among the most active teams at the MLB trade deadline. Philadelphia acquired pitcher Noah Syndergaard and outfielder Brandon Marsh in a pair of trades with the Angels. The Phillies sent back minor league outfielders Mickey Moniak and Jadiel Sanchez for Syndergaard and dealt minor league catcher Logan O'Hoppe for Marsh. Philadelphia also flipped minor league pitcher Ben Brown to the Cubs for relief pitcher David Robertson.
>>Senators and First National Bank Partner for "Homefield Makeover" Initiative
(Harrisburg, PA) -- The Harrisburg Senators and First National Bank are teaming up to announce the start of their "Homefield Makeover" initiative. It gives one local youth baseball or softball league an updated field, based on their applications, and need for updates. Members of the Senators front office and FNB employees are donating their time and 10-thousand-dollars in goods and services to help with the field renovation. The renovation will tentatively take place in October with a grand opening slated for the 2023 season.
>>Reading Shooting Victim in Critical Condition
(Reading, PA) -- Police say a man has been shot as he sat in his car early Monday morning. He's been taken to the hospital in critical condition. Reading police found the victim while responding to a shots-fired call near Greenwich and Locust streets. The 36-year-old victim's name hasn't been released.
>>Stoudt's Brewing Re-Opens with New Distributor
(Adamstown, PA) -- A multiple award-winning craft brewery in Lancaster is back. Stoudt's Brewing Company, which had grown to become one of the top breweries on the East Coast, closed two years ago when founder Carol Stoudt retired. Company officials say they re-opened the business this past week after finding a new partner. Evil Genius Beer Company, a Philadelphia-based regional brewery, filled the ticket. The partnership released Stoudt's famous Oktoberfest lager Monday.
>>Berks County Begins Mosquito Spraying Operation
(Reading, PA) -- A mosquito-spraying operation has begun in Berks County. The county conservation district says it has detected high counts of adult mosquitoes capable of transmitting the Nile Virus in some areas. Those include North 11th and Union streets and the Charles Evans Cemetery. The areas between North Fifth Street, Centre Avenue and Robeson Street have also seen high counts. The district is using a truck-mounted sprayer to get to the bugs.
>>Phillies' Bryce Harper Cleared to Increase Activity After Getting Pins Out
(Philadelphia., PA) -- Phillies' pitcher Bryce Harper has been cleared to ramp back up his activity after getting three pins removed from his thumb. The reigning National League MVP was injured more than a month ago by a 90-mile-per-hour ball that hit him while he was at bat. The Phillies have not provided a timetable for Harper's return. The pitcher says he'll likely be sent to a minor league assignment to re-hab until he can get back to his own team.
>>First Woman Police Chief Takes Office in Selinsgrove
(Williamsport, PA) -- For the first time in nearly 30 years, there is a new police chief in Selinsgrove - and it's a woman. Shanee Mitchell was sworn in Monday night as Selinsgrove's first female chief. She is not only the first woman to hold the office but also Selinsgrove's first Black police chief. Mitchell succeeds Thomas Garlock, who retired after 27 years. She is the married mother of three kids and is a two-time cancer survivor.
>>Kids Can Enter State Contest for Artwork to Go to Space
(Williamsport, PA) -- Pennsylvania's Department of Education is one of the sponsors for the Moonshot Poster Contest. It's a chance for students in grades three to 12 to send their artwork to the moon. A panel of STEM-discipline judges from across the state will rate submissions ahead of Astrobotic's launch in late 2022. The Pittsburgh Aerospace company is developing space robotics technology for moon and planet missions. The deadline for submitting posters is at the end of November.