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

A principal of a middle school stated how students are “promoting, recording, and celebrating physical violence” on campus. The state Senate has passed a bill that would allow for parents to control their kids’ access to books deemed sexually explicit. One state lawmaker’s preparing to propose a later start time for school. Finally: a Kevin Bacon update.

Cops found books containing “exorcism spells” in the house of a man accused of shooting his girlfriend. A school district got hit with a cyberattack. Pennsylvania is among the states that are suing Meta. And a woman will open up a cafe in the bank that once denied her a loan.

A school board is considering hiring someone to work with teachers on getting rid of what they believe is math instruction’s “racist” nature. The state’s tax credits are a “mixed bag” as far as job creation goes. Schools are trying to figure out what to do with a bunch of empty student housing. Plus, this is what Pennsylvanians plan on dressing up as for Halloween (and what they’re dressing their dogs up as, too).

Pennsylvania has a deep and storied history with zombies, believe it or not, a history a trail tells to all who dare follow it.

The Pennsylvania Farm Show is coming back next year, baby, butter sculpture and all.

While violent crime rates are dropping — a trend seen nationwide — homicides in Philadelphia aren’t nearly what they were before the pandemic. Residents in the Mechanics burg area are still being told to conserve water after a creek got contaminated. A gigantic Amazon fulfillment center is all set to open next week. And this cancer treatment is said to be “more personalized.”

An American Airlines executive was “dismissive” in his response to safety concerns after the death of a flight attendant in a Philadelphia hotel last month, according to a union statement. State and federal law may sour Reese’s new sweepstakes. There’s some new updates on Beaver Stadium’s renovations. Lastly, he’s loose, footloose.

Rite Aid has filed for bankruptcy. SEPTA has released the findings of its study on AI’s potential usefulness in combatting traffic violations. A very mountain lion-like animal was spotted in Lehigh Valley. And Pennsylvania’s one of America’s “spookiest states.”

Pennsylvania has a favorite Halloween candy, although it may not be the one you’re thinking of.

Businesses and consumers alike in Pittsburgh are preparing themselves for the ban on plastic bags that’ll go into effect tomorrow. Open enrollment for Medicare is also coming up. One school wants to let its business students invest in real estate projects. Plus, this is one of the U.S.’s best spots for Halloween.