Way back in March, I predicted that both the Phillies and Pirates would make the postseason. I went just one for two on that bold prediction, with the Phils barely making a very brief playoff appearance.
But even though our baseball teams are in offseason hibernation mode (and who knows for how long, with the owners due to lock out players come Dec. 1), there’s still plenty of Pennsylvania sports news to chew on.
🏀 The LeBron James era is off to a thrilling start. The 76ers spoiled the New York Knicks’ championship banner-raising opening night celebration Tuesday at Madison Square Garden, and rallied from 29 points down to win the home opener Thursday—the biggest comeback win of James’s storied career. The GOAT also managed to anger President Trump.
🏈 The Steelers are in Paris to play the New Orleans Saints, amid recent civil unrest in the city. Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers expressed confidence in the NFL to make security decisions around the game. A weekend event for Steelers fans was canceled Thursday because of security concerns.
🦅 The Eagles are hosting the Dallas Cowboys for Monday Night Football. The matchup between the sworn NFC East enemies feels kind of ho-hum given the Eagles’ 2-4 start and quarterback Jalen Hurts expected to miss the rest of the season because of blood clots. The Eagles’ handling of Hurts’ blood clots continues to draw scrutiny.
🏒 Pittsburgh Penguins forward Ben Kindel is back in Pittsburgh and recovering after collapsing on the team’s flight back from Utah earlier this week. The team said Thursday the 19-year-old Kindel fell ill about 10 minutes after the club left Salt Lake City on Tuesday at the end of a four-game road trip. Team medical personnel attended to Kindel immediately, and he quickly regained consciousness.
|
|
|
|
|
Your thoughts about voting could inspire your fellow Pennsylvanians. Tell us what’s inspiring your vote this year in a short, selfie-style video, and we may feature it in our newsletter or on social.*
Tell us why you’re voting →
|
|
|
|
There’s political attack ads, and then there’s Republican US Rep. Scott Perry’s latest commercial, which is based on an unsubstantiated allegation of public nudity against his Democratic opponent in the Central Pennsylvania congressional race, former television news anchor Janelle Stelson. Never mind the fact that the uncorroborated accusation relies on an alleged nude photo of Stelson in her backyard that Perry’s campaign does not have—and which the neighbor who claims to have taken it won’t share.
It just so happens that our QOTW is: Are political ads actually influencing how you think about candidates?
Here’s what you’re saying (find more responses here).
“Ads that denigrate opponents turn me off. Tell me what you would like to achieve, don’t tell me lies.” — Pat Foley, Huntingdon Valley
“Containing so many ridiculous claims, half-truths, and outright falsehoods, political ads are nothing more than brain rot. They do not have any effect on my views about a candidate.” — Steve Rowland, Erie
“I have reached a point where I place little to no trust in the messaging of any politician or political party in the US. While I find the current administration and Congress to be particularly unreliable, this issue is widespread across the political spectrum. Consequently, political advertisements fail to capture my attention, as I prefer not to expend the time and energy required to parse their messaging for small kernels of truth. When deciding how to cast my vote, I rely instead on verified, objective metrics. I compare a candidate’s public statements directly against their voting record. Furthermore, I evaluate the actual time and effort the candidate devotes to fulfilling the duties of their elected office, and I weigh these factors carefully against their opposition.” — Edward Anderson, Hanover
“Political ads have taken the meaning of mudslinging to new heights (or maybe lows). Everything needs to be fact checked because of misrepresentation. As I research I find my opinions of some candidates can change. But I still think the money spent on all these ads could be put to better use for constituents and their communities.” — Ann Benasutti, Archbald
Reply with your answer below.
|
|
|
|
Amy Bridger and her husband, John, owners of Farmstead Scattering Garden, are shown at their Cambridge Township farm. (USA Today Network via Reuters Connect)
|
The seeds of a new business were sown during a marathon card-playing weekend at John and Amy Bridger’s Crawford County farm.
At one point, the discussion turned to the cremated remains that they held in storage, waiting to be scattered.
That topic led the couple to ask a question: Were other people out there looking for a suitable place to scatter ashes?
Amy Bridger, assistant dean for innovation and corporate strategy at Penn State Behrend, saw an opportunity for her and her husband, who raise beef cattle, horses, dogs and two teenagers on their 185-acre farm.
The Bridgers, whose family has been farming for four generations, launched Farmstead Scattering Garden LLC in 2024.
The venture is still in its fledgling stages, but it’s gaining traction. So far, they have spread the cremated remains of people and pets for customers from 19 states.
“A lot of people don’t know what to do with them,” she said. “There’s a pretty solid need.”
Learn more about the couple’s path to starting Farmstead Scattering Garden in this story.
|
|
|
• Taxpayers in NEPA are covering about $524 million of federal spending on mass deportations, according to the Economic Policy Institute’s new Cost of Deportations Calculator. Learn more in this story.
• From a bill banning student use of cell phones in schools to a measure aimed at improving consistency in the handling and tracking of sexual assault evidence, the state legislature sent dozens of bills to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk this week. Here’s a roundup.
• Many employees in Allegheny County will soon be eligible to receive up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after officials passed the first policy of its kind in the country. Get the details here.
|
|
|
This looks like a pretty perfect day in the Delaware Water Gap, courtesy of Christy Connolly of Stroudsburg.
LET’S SEE YOUR PENNSYLVANIA—whether it’s a gorgeous sunset, sparkling fall foliage, or something purely Pennsylvania, like an intersection with a Wawa at one corner, a Sheetz at another corner, and a horse and buggy parked outside a Rutter’s at another corner.
Send us your photos with your name, location, and a brief description of what you’re sharing.
|
|
|
Would you recommend this newsletter to your friends and family?
|
|
|
*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOTING, REGISTERING TO VOTE, OR PROOF OF VOTING IS NOT REQUIRED. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. and D.C., 18+. Entry Period: 12:00 a.m. ET 10/19/26 – 11:59 p.m. ET 10/23/26. Void where prohibited. Subject to Official Rules. Sponsor: Courier Newsroom, Inc.
|
|
|
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.
Our mailing address is:
The Keystone / COURIER Newsroom
3229 Greenpoint Ave., PMB 532
Long Island City, New York 11101
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or from this list.
|
|
|
|
