Tuesday November 2, 2021 at 10:16 AM
By MARC LEVY and MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania voters are poised to pick four jurists to serve on statewide appeals courts. The marquee race on Tuesday is for a seat on the state Supreme Court, but the result will not change the Democrats’ partisan control of the high court. Democrats went into Election Day with a 5-2 majority on the court that in recent years has played critical roles in election litigation and the COVID-19 pandemic response. The sole vacancy is an opening required by the mandatory retirement this year of Republican Justice Thomas Saylor. It’s being contested by two lower-court judges — Republican Kevin Brobson from Commonwealth Court and Democrat Maria McLaughlin from Superior Court.

Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at 10:12 AM
By MIKE SCHNEIDER Associated Press
The 2020 U.S. census missed an estimated 1.6 million people, but given hurdles posed by the pandemic and natural disasters, the undercount was smaller than expected. That’s according to an analysis by a think tank. The analysis released Tuesday by the Urban Institute estimates there was a 0.5% undercount. If that modeled estimate holds true, it would be greater than the 0.01% undercount in the 2010 census but in the same range as the 0.49% undercount in the 2000 census. The official undercount of the census won’t be known until next year when the Census Bureau releases a report card on the count.

(Photos of fire crews battling pool house fire taken by David Novak. Used with permission)
(Story by Frank Sparks News/Program Director
Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at 08:53 AM
(Moon Twp., Pa.) An investigation is underway after a fire broke out in the pool house of the Thorn Run Apartments complex off of Lee Drive in Moon Twp. Monday afternoon, November 1, 2021.
Multiple police, fire and paramedic units were called to the scene.
Photos from the scene show extensive damage to the pool house.
There were no injuries were reported as crews continue to investigate.

(Redding scrapes an egg mass with a hunting knife. Photo provided by PA Department of AG)

Tuesday November 2, 2021 at 7:48 AM

Harrisburg, PA – Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today reminded Pennsylvanians of the importance of vigilance against the Spotted Lanternfly as the bugs begin laying eggs on flat surfaces to overwinter and hatch in the spring.

“Every Spotted Lanternfly egg mass not scraped and destroyed now is up to 50 more of these invasive, destructive bugs we can expect to hatch next spring,” said Redding. “We need every Pennsylvanian to hunt for egg masses this fall and winter and destroy them – or we’re in for a scary spring.”

Spotted Lanternfly egg masses are a light gray wax-like substance that take on the appearance of mud and encompass an average of 30-50 individual eggs. Egg masses can be found on many flat surfaces including trees, rocks, and outside objects such as picnic tables, playground equipment, grills, and sidings of homes.

Property owners can scrape egg masses whenever encountered using a hard or rigid tool such as a credit card, putty knife, or a stick. Research has not yet confirmed whether egg masses can survive if scraped onto the ground, so it is best to scrape the egg masses in a downward motion into a container or bag with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer.

“From hunters, to businesses, to even our youngest Pennsylvanians, we can all do our part to stomp out this nuisance bug,” added Redding. “If you’re a hunter, keep your eyes peeled while you’re in the woods this fall. If you’re a PA business, get a permit and check out our business toolkit to see how you can be a part of the solution. And if you’ve got young kids, send them outside of your house for an egg mass treasure hunt. It’s up to all of us to stop this pest for the sake of our $132.5 billion agriculture industry and the quality of life for more than 13 million Pennsylvanians.”

The Spotted Lanternfly is an inch-long black, red, and white insect native to Southeast Asia and first identified in Pennsylvania in 2014. The invasive insect feeds on agricultural commodities produced in the state such as grapes, tree fruit, and hardwoods.

Pennsylvanians are encouraged to report sightings of the insect through the online reporting tool or by calling 1-888-4BAD-FLY, a hotline managed by our partners at Penn State Extension.

A Spotted Lanternfly Business Toolkit is available to help operations learn about why the spotted lanternfly is bad, how the quarantine works, if they need a permit, and responsibilities of holding a permit.

For more information on Spotted Lanternfly, visit agriculture.pa.gov/spottedlanternfly.

Tuesday November 2, 2021 at 7:29 PM

(Pittsburgh, Pa.) University of Pittsburgh announced yesterday that all students, faculty and staff at all of their campuses must be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved exemption by December 6, 2021.
Current students who do not meet the deadline will not be eligible to enroll in spring classes or live in residence halls as of Jan. 1, 2022.
The university said in a statement that faculty and staff who do not meet the deadline will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

(File Photo from 2020 General Election taken by Eddy Crow at the Ambridge Borough Building)
Story by Frank Sparks News/Program Director
Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at 7:00 AM
(Beaver County , Pa.) Today is Election Day in Pennsylvania. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
We have listed some of the things you should know before you head out to your local polling place if you are voting person.

• If you’re voting at your local polling place for the first time, you must bring an ID with you, such as a Pennsylvania driver’s license, a U.S. passport or government-issued identification. Non-photo identification that includes your name and address is also accepted.
• If you have voted at your polling place before, you do not need to show identification.
• More than 1 million Pennsylvania voters requested a mail-in ballot
• If you have not mailed in your ballot yet, you need to physically drop it off by 8 p.m. Today at The Beaver County Election Bureau.
• If you requested a mail-in ballot, but did not return it, and want to vote at your local polling place you can by voting with a provisional ballot.

Story by Frank Sparks News/Program Director
November 2, 2021 at 6:54 AM
(New Castle, Pa.) An 18-year-old New Brighton Man who was wanted by New Castle police for the shooting death of 21-year-old Devon Thompson at an apartment on Leasure Street on October 24, 2021 in the city has been arrested.
Daniel Lee Tweedlie was taken into custody around 12:10 a.m. this morning at a home on McClearly Avenue in New Castle.
Tweedlie is being charged with criminal homicide and other offenses.
Additional charges may be filed against people who helped Tweedlie avoid capture since the homicide took place.

November 2, 2021 at 6:00 AM
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Employees under Gov. Tom Wolf are being offered five days of paid leave for getting fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of the year. The administration told employees Monday that the five days of “verification leave” can be used between Dec. 20 and March 31. It says employees who don’t use the days will be paid for them and employees who already verified their fully vaccinated status will automatically receive the days. Treasurer Stacy Garrity says Wolf’s plan is fiscally irresponsible and he should abandon it. Her office says the cost to taxpayers for paying employees who don’t use the days could amount to more than $100 million.