IJR News

Pennsylvania Plans Unapproved Vape Enforcement October 19Health — 1dPennsylvania will begin enforcing Act 57 on October 19, barring retailers from selling vape and e-cigarette products not listed in the state’s approved directory. Officials say inspections will initially emphasize compliance education, while repeat violations can bring escalating fines and other penalties; retailers warn the restrictions could affect much of their inventory.

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Shapiro, Garrity Clash in Pennsylvania’s Sole Gubernatorial Debate — 1dPennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Republican challenger Stacy Garrity clashed in their only scheduled debate over data-center development, the measles outbreak, education and other issues, while trading criticism over their leadership and political alliances. Shapiro defended state safeguards and his record; Garrity called for a pause on new data centers and attacked his administration’s transparency.

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Poll: PA GOP Favors Fetterman More Than Dems — 14hSen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) has become more popular with Republicans in Pennsylvania than with Democrats, according to a new poll. His surge in popularity with the GOP follows his… — by Sandra Rhodes

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Maya Lindstrom If Republicans are rating him higher it probably means his votes on energy and Israel are landing better with them than with the left wing of his own party.

Pennsylvania CSAM Cases Bring Charges, SentencingPolitics — 2dPennsylvania authorities charged Pottstown resident Timothy Paul Hoffman with 82 felonies related to possessing and sharing child sexual abuse material; a judge denied him bail, calling him a danger to the community. In separate cases, Edward T. Bommarito was sentenced to incarceration and probation after pleading guilty to possession, while David Frank Greenawalt was charged with 100 counts after investigators reportedly found suspected material on his devices.

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Johnson campaigns for Pennsylvania Republicans in tight races — 3dHouse Speaker Mike Johnson campaigned across Pennsylvania with Republican Reps. Scott Perry and Rob Bresnahan, casting their competitive races as crucial to preserving the GOP’s narrow House majority. Perry faces a rematch with Janelle Stelson, while Bresnahan is challenged by Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti; Johnson promoted Republican policies and acknowledged political headwinds, including rising fuel prices.

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Most Influential Women in World HistoryYourlist — RankingFrom ancient queens who ruled empires to modern activists who changed laws, these women left indelible marks on politics, science, and culture. Vote for who you think shaped history most profoundly.

PA Nears 1,000 Measles Cases — 6dPennsylvania’s reported measles cases are nearing 1,000 for 2026. The Pennsylvania Department of Health Department confirmed the figure is well past 900. “977 measles cases have… — by Sandra Rhodes

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Sam Okafor Health officials should focus outreach on the specific counties driving most of the new infections.

Voters cite inflation, economy ahead of 2026 midtermsPolitics — 4dInflation and the cost of living are major concerns for voters heading into the midterms, cited by early voters in Ohio and New Mexico and by Latino voters in Pennsylvania. In New Mexico, a poll found inflation was the top issue for one-third of voters, while Pennsylvania voters expressed differing views of the economy and President Trump’s performance.

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Pennsylvania Police Plan Statewide Skill-Game SeizuresPolitics — 4dAfter Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court classified skill-game machines as slot machines, businesses outside licensed casinos and qualifying truck stops must remove them by Oct. 13, 2026; state police say enforcement, including seizures and possible criminal charges, begins Oct. 14. Lawmakers have proposed regulating the machines but have not reached agreement on a new framework before the deadline.

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Pennsylvania Issues Hybrid Homeschool Cease-and-Desist — Oct 2, 2026Pennsylvania ordered a north Pittsburgh hybrid homeschool serving roughly 150 families to cease operating without childcare certification after a March surprise inspection.

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Chris Dalton Pennsylvania shouldn't force these flexible learning setups to get full daycare licenses just to help families.

Early voting opens in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois and Maine counties — 4dEarly voting is underway or beginning across parts of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois and Maine, with options including in-person voting, vote centers and mail or absentee ballots. Deadlines and hours vary by location; Election Day is Nov. 3, and Maine also allows eligible residents to register and vote during early voting or on Election Day.

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Maya Lindstrom Maine's same day registration during early voting should help more folks turn out without extra hassle.

Pennsylvania Senate Passes PFAS Foam Ban BillPolitics — 4dPennsylvania’s Senate approved a bipartisan bill, 48-1, to phase out PFAS-containing firefighting foam, restricting its manufacture, sale and distribution beginning in July 2027 and its use starting in 2028. The measure also requires warning labels on protective gear containing PFAS, chemicals linked to health risks and environmental contamination; a companion bill passed the House unanimously in 2025.

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Madonna vs Lady GagaYourlist — VS BattleThe Queen of Pop versus the artist who studied at her throne.

Poll: Fetterman More Popular With GOP Than Democrats — 2dA Quinnipiac poll found Sen. John Fetterman is viewed favorably by 72% of Pennsylvania Republicans but unfavorably by 69% of Democrats; statewide, 46% viewed him unfavorably and 37% favorably. His breaks with Democrats and appearances at Republican events have fueled questions about his party loyalty, though Fetterman has said he will remain a Democrat.

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Deer Season Opens in Pennsylvania, Minnesota Licensing ChangesEnvironment — 6dMinnesota’s new mostly digital licensing system has prompted the DNR to urge deer hunters to buy licenses early, with harvests also requiring electronic validation instead of physical tags. Pennsylvania’s archery season now includes Sunday hunting and updated rules for disposing of potentially disease-carrying deer parts, while proposals to let Pennsylvania hunters choose the firearms opener and restore baiting in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula face uncertain prospects.

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Def Leppard, Goo Goo Dolls Announce 2027 TourEntertainment — 1dDef Leppard will embark on a 45-date North American tour in 2027 with the Goo Goo Dolls and The Struts, beginning March 2 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and ending July 2 in Indianapolis. The tour includes stops in Detroit and the Little Rock area; presales begin October 12, with general ticket sales starting October 16.

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Fifth measles death reported in Pennsylvania as Bangladesh outbreak grows — Sep 30, 2026A newborn and a 6-week-old are among five Pennsylvania measles deaths in 2026—the only U.S. measles deaths reported this year—after 35 years without one in the state.

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What were you actually built to do?Quizie — QuizNot the job you have — the one your wiring has been begging for. Twelve questions and the AI writes the job description.

Price Is Right Live planned across North AmericaEntertainment — 2dThe Price Is Right Live is taking its interactive, non-televised stage show to venues across North America in 2027, including stops in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ontario and Kentucky. Audience members selected at random can compete in familiar games for cash and prizes; this season also adds Secret X and a chance to win a trip to Los Angeles to attend a TV-show taping.

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WHYY Names Vigeant WPSU General ManagerBusiness — 3dWHYY has named public media veteran Fred Vigeant general manager of WPSU, effective Oct. 26, after completing its acquisition of the Pennsylvania station from Penn State. He will oversee WPSU’s radio, television and digital services as the outlet retains its name and local focus under WHYY’s ownership.

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Boil Water Advisories Affect Savannah, Titusville, BiggarEnvironment — 3dSavannah issued a precautionary boil-water advisory for about 100 homes near East Gwinnett Street, between Pennsylvania and Minnesota avenues, after fiber-installation work damaged a water main. Residents should boil water for at least one minute before drinking or using it for food preparation until the city lifts the advisory.

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Smart Glasses Face Push for RestrictionsTech — 3dGovernments and schools are moving to restrict smart glasses over covert recording, privacy and security risks, and potential cheating: Pennsylvania advanced a bill requiring recording indicators, while a Pakistani court summoned officials over a petition seeking a sales ban. School districts in North Carolina have adopted employee-use restrictions, and Worcester officials are considering a student ban with exceptions for medical needs or disabilities.

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Human Remains Found in Reading Home; Investigation OngoingWorld — 6dA property owner discovered human remains at a recently purchased home in Reading, Pennsylvania, and a deputy coroner confirmed they were human. Police are investigating and say the incident appears isolated, with no threat to the public.

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Motorcycle Crashes Kill Three, Injure RidersAuto — 5dSeparate motorcycle crashes in Kentucky and Ohio were fatal, killing two adults in Frankfort and an 18-year-old in Sandusky County. Other crashes in Ohio, Missouri and Pennsylvania left riders and passengers seriously or moderately injured, with investigations ongoing or few details available.

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Golfers Qualify, Advance Across Regional TournamentsSports — 4dDistrict golf tournaments sent Sandpoint’s Bode Eacret, Ella Mahlum and Hannah Majors, along with Bridgeport champion Alyvia Harless and Sidney and Chadron’s girls teams, to their respective state meets. In Pennsylvania, Peters Township’s Camden Reyes and Trinity’s Gavin Bricker also qualified for the Class 3A state tournament.

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Newly Unsealed Footage Shows Mangione’s Pennsylvania Arrest — Oct 2, 2026Unsealed bodycam from eight Altoona officers shows Mangione’s Dec. 9, 2024 McDonald’s arrest; Carro barred the store magazine but allowed the station gun and notes.

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Priya Raman Bodycam from the Altoona stop gives a clearer picture of how they handled the December arrest.

Rock Shops Highlight Mineral Finds Across Five StatesLifestyle — 4dFeature stories spotlight five rock and mineral shops as unusual destinations: Dave’s Down to Earth in Illinois, Rock Star Crystals in New York, Peggy’s Rock Shop in Missouri, Bey’s Rock Shop in Pennsylvania and Rockhound Rock Shop in Michigan. Each article emphasizes the shops’ extensive collections of minerals, crystals and fossils and their distinctive settings.

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