by Jenny Blanchard

Both the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times failed to endorse a candidate in the 2024 presidential election, breaking a decades-long tradition of doing so. Journalists across the globe have condemned this decision as a dereliction of duty in an election where the choice could not be starker. It is important to note that both papers are owned by billionaires whose own fortunes would benefit from the economic and tax policies of a Trump administration.

Newspapers should be an independent public forum exempt from the interests of corporate entities or high net worth individuals. The failure to endorse reflects cowardice on the part of both papers, and a number of senior editors have resigned in protest. The Washington Post is fond of boasting that “democracy dies in darkness.” It appears that sometimes it dies in broad daylight.

by Matthew Thornburg

At the risk of preaching to the converted, tomorrow is the last day in Pennsylvania to register to vote and participate in the 2024 election. I of course urge anyone who may have overlooked this, to register and make your voice heard in a few short weeks. But it’s also important to remember that next door in Ohio, that deadline passed two weeks ago. On the other hand, in some states, such as our neighbor to the south, Maryland, folks may register to vote on Election Day if they wish. And in one state—North Dakota—there is no voter registration.

Justice Louis Brandeis famously called the states “laboratories of democracy.” And so it is that this patchwork of state laws has the advantage of showing us which practices work and which do not. No surprise either, that people lead busy lives, procrastinate, and wait until the last minute to register to vote—often missing the deadline. We know from comparison that allowing voters to show up, register, and vote leads to an increase in turnout of about 3 percentage points among those eligible.

Every day further away from the election you set the deadline to register to vote results in literally thousands of people missing the window across a state and having to sit out the election. I therefore urge you to register to vote if you have not already, and support reforms in our state that make it easier to do so.

by Isaac Von Rue

According to the PA 2024 State of Education Report, 66% of PA schools said that student mental health issues are their biggest concern. In the report school leaders reported that on average 46.4% of their students have some degree of mental health need. With nearly 1.7 million students enrolled in PA schools, this means over 750,000 students have some degree of mental health needs in PA.

While PA ranks 11th nationally in spending per student, only a little over 1% of school spending is dedicated to health and mental health services. When students have unaddressed mental health needs, it is hard for them to focus on learning. I encourage you to use your vote to elect leaders who will help ensure that schools are funded appropriately, and that the mental health needs or students don’t continue to go unfulfilled.

https://www.psba.org/2024-state-of-education-report/

by Brian Dugas

Luzerne County, PA — In This Together NEPA, along with impacted voters, has filed an injunction with the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas, seeking injunctive relief to reinstate mail ballot drop boxes for the upcoming November 5, 2024 General Election. We are proud to be represented in this action by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). CFC November ACLU, CFC October Action Together NEPA.

The decision by Luzerne County’s administration to eliminate all drop boxes just weeks before a major election is a clear violation of voter rights, disproportionately affecting seniors, individuals with disabilities, working voters, and voters who rely on these secure and accessible options. Since 2020, drop boxes have provided a trusted, secure method for voters to cast their ballots in Luzerne County, with strict security measures in place, including video surveillance and secure chain of custody. Their removal poses a significant threat to voter access and participation. Luzerne County Council meeting Tuesday, October 8th, Board of Elections meeting Wednesday, October 9th.

The Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank, under the umbrella of CEO, distributes food to organizations feeding those in need in four counties in NEPA. These organizations include food pantries, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, group homes for the disabled, day care centers, children's camps, and senior citizens. One of the members of our congregation (Jenny) volunteers at one of these food pantries serving Lackawanna County: BreadBasket of NEPA.

When a group of UU members volunteered at the Weinberg Food Bank in August, we learned that the need for food has never been more serious than during the last year. The Weinberg Food Bank has had difficulty meeting this rising demand. In the past, the Weinberg Food Bank made weekly deliveries to participating organizations. BreadBasket was just informed that for the remainder of the 2024 calendar year, the Weinberg Food Bank will only be able to deliver food every other week to all organizations that depend on these donations.

We have established an internal food pantry to help members of our own UU congregation, and we remain committed to this important project. Our food pantry is located in the lower level of the church, and it is open to anyone in need. The generosity of our community keeps this pantry well-stocked, and we are grateful. I'd like to ask the congregation to also consider a designated donation of one critically-needed item of food each month for the BreadBasket Food Pantry.

Jenny could communicate this need to Monica in the announcements (for example: October Is cereal, November peanut butter, etc.). In this way, we could support both our own UU congregation and the greater community, where the need is dire and growing. At the BreadBasket Food Pantry in downtown Scranton, we feed on average 100 households a week (that gives you a picture of the scope of the problem, as we are only one of seven food pantries in Lackawanna County).

The Women's March in Washington, D.C. and other locations is planned on NOVEMBER 2, 2024. (Saturday) Climate Reality NEPA, Saturday, October 26th, 4:00PM. Solar Sparks and Campfire Chat - learn about the value of solar power by visiting Rob and Margaret’s solar panel array. Meet and talk with other people from the Wyoming Valley concerned about our environmental welfare.