Why tech giants limited the spread of NY Post story on Biden
By BARBARA ORTUTAY AP Technology Writer
OAKLAND, California (AP) — When Facebook and Twitter moved quickly this week to limit the spread of an unverified political story published by the conservative-leaning New York Post, it led to predictable cries of censorship from the right. But it also illustrated the slippery hold even the largest tech companies have on the flow of information, particularly in the midst of a raucous presidential election campaign. For the first time in recent memory, the two social media platforms enforced rules against misinformation on a story from a mainstream media publication. That article, which has not been confirmed by other publications, cited unverified emails from Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s son.

Deadline looms to defuse Pennsylvania’s budget time bomb
By MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s Legislature and governor are facing a deadline at the end of November to finish the state’s partial budget and plug a multibillion-dollar funding hole. The budget that Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf signed in May was incomplete by design. It was passed amid uncertainty about the scale of federal support and the pandemic’s effect on revenues and costs. The $25.8 billion deal included just five months of funding for many governmental functions and programs. That five-month period runs out on Nov. 30, the last day of the two-year legislative session.

Biden out-raises Trump $383M to $248M in September
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump was out-raised by Democrat Joe Biden in September and is being outgunned financially by his rival with just weeks to go until Election Day. Trump’s campaign, along with the Republican National Committee and associated groups, raised $248 million in September, well short of the $383 million raised by Biden and the Democratic National Committee in the same period. Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh tweeted that the Trump effort had $251 million on hand at the end of September, compared with $432 million for Biden.

(File Photo)

BRADDOCK, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania State Police say they won’t charge a woman who was recorded directing a racial slur against the wife of Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor at a grocery store. In a release issued Thursday, police said investigators concluded the woman’s actions were a violation of state criminal law, but Gisele Fetterman and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman don’t wish to see her prosecuted. The woman followed as Fetterman retreated to her vehicle in the store parking lot, and was seen using a slur during a two-second clip that Fetterman posted to social media. Gisele Fetterman says she’d prefer that the woman get assistance from social service agencies and other help.

Avalanche of early votes transforming 2020 election
By NICHOLAS RICCARDI and ANGELIKI KASTANIS Associated Press
A record-setting amount of early voting has changed the 2020 election. More than 17 million people have voted so far, which is about 12% of all votes cast in 2016. Experts predict there may be higher turnout in this election than in any presidential contest since 1908. Democrats so far are overwhelmingly more engaged than Republicans. That does not necessarily mean Democrats will win the election, because most Republicans are expected to vote on Election Day. President Donald Trump has persuaded many of his voters to avoid mail voting that has fueled much of the early turnout.

Keystone State News Connection

October 15, 2020

Religious Leaders Deliver “A Sermon to Heal America”

Andrea Sears

PHILADELPHIA — Faith leaders from Pennsylvania and around the country are raising their voices to support candidates in this year’s election who believe in the values of love, justice and inclusion.

They call themselves the New Moral Majority, and come from churches of many denominations and from across the country.

Bishop Dwayne Royster, national political director of the group Faith in Action and a native of Philadelphia, said their goal is to deliver a message that offers a different vision of what America and the world could be.

“Really leaning in on the side of compassion, the side of partnership with those that have been marginalized and hurting the deepest, and wanting to see every person in this nation be able to thrive,” Royster explained.

The New Moral Majority is releasing a video it’s calling “A Sermon to Heal America.” Royster emphasized it asks voters to see going to the polls as a sacred act.

Rev. Ryan Eller, founder of the New Moral Majority, believes the fact that some church leaders still support President Donald Trump – despite policies like family separation, and his lies and alleged financial fraud – make this a referendum on true Christian values.

“Many faith leaders recognize the moral crossroads that we are at as a nation,” Eller stressed. “And recognize that this is really a battle for the soul of our nation, and for our very democracy.”

He noted religious leaders who have traditionally been reluctant to express political opinions are now speaking out in record numbers, saying they will vote for change.

And Bishop Royster pointed out those joining the New Moral Majority include evangelicals and Pentecostals, as well as members of more mainstream denominations.

“We cross a variety of different theological spectrums,” Royster observed. “But we’re holding on deeply to this message from the gospel that each of us is created in the image and likeness of God; and that as a result of that, we ought to treat each other with dignity and respect, and see each other as fully valued members of our community.”

This week, another bipartisan group of Christian leaders launched a new political action committee with a similar message in a digital ad called “Not Our Vote, Not Our Faith.”

Keystone State News Connection

October 16, 2020

“Naked Ballot” Rule Could Void Thousands of PA Votes

Andrea Sears

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Thousands of Pennsylvania votes could be thrown out in November under a strict new rule for mail-in ballots.

Last month, the state Supreme Court handed down rulings that were seen as largely a win for Democrats. They extended the deadline for absentee ballots, allowed more ballot dropboxes and removed the Green Party candidate from the ballot for failing to follow proper procedures.

But the court also ruled that “naked ballots,” mail-in ballots returned without the second secrecy envelope, must be thrown out.

Scott Seeborg is state director of the group All Voting is Local. He said that could be as many as 40,000 ballots in Philadelphia alone, and 100,000 statewide.

“Those numbers are based on 2019 absentee ballot returns,” said Seeborg. “And I’m hoping that all that voter education that the state and lots of other folks have done will drive that number down.”

In 2016, Donald Trump won Pennsylvania by just 44,000 votes. Pennsylvania is one of 16 states that require a secrecy envelope for mail-in ballots.

Seeborg said that in response to that ruling, the Pennsylvania Department of State, county election officials and voting-advocacy groups are urging all voters using mail-in ballots to make sure they use the secrecy envelope and sign the outer envelope before mailing.

“All Voting is Local is putting together a public service announcement campaign and some ads on Facebook,” said Seeborg. “I think that advocates and folks in voter education are really laser focused on this and want to make sure that everybody’s vote is counted.”

Advocates fear that with many people new to mail-in voting expected to vote by mail for the first time because of the COVID pandemic, the number of naked ballots is likely to rise.

Seeborg said multiple bills in the General Assembly aim to try to improve the voting process in Pennsylvania, including a bipartisan measure to allow county officials to start processing mail-in ballots before Election Day.

“Every county is asking for this and the Legislature is unable to unite around that, so I hope they can reach a decision on this and work together,” said Seeborg. “And let’s say I’m cautiously pessimistic for that one.”

Support for this reporting was provided by The Carnegie Corporation of New York.

HARRISBURG― Washington County’s former clerk of courts pleaded guilty today to stealing more than $96,000 from taxpayers and will serve 24 months on Home Electronic Monitoring and 7 years of probation, and pay more than $100,000, Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced this afternoon.

Frank Scandale pleaded guilty to Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition of Funds Received, Theft by Unlawful Taking, and Misapplication of Entrusted Property and Property of Government or Financial Institutions before Senior Visiting Fayette County Judge Gerald Solomon.

“Mr. Scandale broke the law and the oath he took on behalf of the people of Washington County when he stole nearly $100,000 from the public,” Attorney General Josh Shapiro said today. “As a public official, Mr. Scandale had a duty to serve with integrity, and instead he admitted in court to violating the public’s trust. My office will continue to root out public corruption without fear or favor so we can have faith in the people who serve us.”

Scandale frequently accepted cash payments from individuals, provided receipts, and then voided either the total amount – or significant portions – of the deposits. County audits revealed 24 deposits that should have been deposited into Washington County’s bank account were used by Scandale for his own purposes. The total of the missing deposits was $96,716.04.

Deputy Attorney General Evan Lowry prosecuted this case.