Today in PA | A PennLive daily news briefing with Claudia Dimuro

A “pill mill” doctor who illegally prescribed tons of pills—so many, in fact, that he was the leading provider of two types of opioids in the entire state—has pleaded guilty. School officials and teachers have testified against Governor Tom Wolf’s statewide mask mandate. DoorDash is helping to give eligible seniors free food box deliveries. And a man returned 108-year-old beer bottles to a brewery just to get the deposit refund.

 

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Pennsylvania Turnpike drivers may have noticed at one point that their E-ZPasses are being mysteriously charged for fees called V-tolls. Governor Tom Wolf’s administration has released a climate action plan that seeks to reduce Pennsylvania’s carbon emissions. Philadelphia has gotten millions in fed money to fight homelessness. Lastly, a church in Bell Township honors fallen Revolutionary War soldiers by tending to their graves.

 

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A man from Luzerne County has taken it upon himself to pose as minors in order to expose potential child predators, all of which he documents on YouTube. Schools in the western part of the state are starting to crack down on students participating in a viral TikTok challenge. The Flyers will already be down a key player heading into the upcoming NHL season. Plus, the time is ripe to pluck Pennsylvania’s largest native fruit.

 

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A man who accidentally shortchanged a convenience store a whopping 43 cents now faces up to seven years in prison. Governor Tom Wolf has asked for the state Legislature to continue using a statewide database of consumer prescriptions—which a new bill would allow for insurance companies to access—much to the chagrin of doctors. Sorry (not sorry) mosquitoes, but bats are making a comeback throughout the state. And one man miraculously gets people to crack a smile while they’re stuck in traffic.

 

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The state Senate is set to consider a proposal this week that would prevent medical cannabis users from receiving DUIs. There were no planes, but there was a train and a police automobile involved turning the chase for an escaped Altoona perp. Over 40 booze brands have a two-bottle daily purchase limit as of Friday. Plus, a child services’ agency was pleasantly surprised after a kindly benefactor left them in her will.

 

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The Syrian refugee who plotted to bomb a Pittsburgh church in the name of ISIS pleaded guilty in federal court. Lehigh Valley International Airport will be closed for upgrades starting today. Pennsylvania’s student aid agency wants $40 million more than what was allotted to it in the state’s budget. And one Lincoln University professor went above and beyond his job description.

 

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Pennsylvania lawmakers have voted for a subpoena to obtain information such as the driver’s license numbers and partial Social Security numbers of those who voted during the 2020 presidential election. Aetna Better Health of Pennsylvania has been accused of lying about the number of pediatricians in its network in order to win state contracts. A billboard featuring President Joe Biden dressed in Taliban garb has caused much rubbernecking on I-83 in York County. Finally, kindness comes in all forms, breakfast included.

 

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Millions of drivers on the Pennsylvania Turnpike were accidentally treated to free rides in 2020 thanks to uncollected tolls. IBM agreed to pay the state $33 million for failing to deliver on its promise to create a modern, effective unemployment benefits computer system. Pittsburgh’s leading tourism group wants to tack on a two percent rental fee to all Allegheny County hotel rooms. Plus, a Bucks County boy made an explosive discovery while hunting for treasure.

 

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A district attorney has issued a health alert after roughly 70 overdoses from heroin, fentanyl and horse tranquilizers were reported over the weekend. A union representing prison guards is looking for a court review of Governor Tom Wolf’s mandate that orders them to get vaccinated or subject themselves to weekly testing. State hunting licenses get digital. And fall leaves in Pennsylvania will be particularly vibrant this year.

 

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Doctor's notes are being used against the mask mandate. Pa. senator questions the legality of the President’s COVID-19 mandates. Penn State Health revised visiting rules for non-COVID-19 patients. You can win money by watching horror films.

 

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