With time running out ahead of the 2020 election, Harrisburg lawmakers are making one final push to prevent long delays in vote counting, Spotlight PA reports.

State Rep. Kevin Boyle (D., Philadelphia) has introduced legislation solely focused on giving counties more time to process the millions of mail-in and absentee ballots that are expected. Right now, county election offices can't start processing those ballots until the day of the election on Nov. 3.

Boyle's bill would let them start the process, known as pre-canvassing, 10 days ahead of Election Day. Meanwhile, House Republicans are considering giving counties four or five extra days to process mail-in ballots.

The Context: Pennsylvania is pretty important — its voters could decide who becomes president. But county leaders worry that anxious election-watchers across the U.S. will be waiting days or weeks for results, which could in turn lead to court battles and chaos. 

Bucks County Commissioner Gene DiGirolamo, a Republican and former state lawmaker, wrote in a column last month that inaction by the legislature and governor could lead to a "man-made disaster."

DiGirolamao told Spotlight PA that he doesn't think pre-canvassing gives an advantage to Republicans or Democrats. "It just allows the counties to avert an awful lot of confusion," he said.

“I hope people will bury the hatchet for the greater good for the Democratic party. I do it all the time. I kiss up and do what I have to do.”

PUMPKIN-SPICED NOSTALGIA: Thirteen years ago, I wrote about a pumpkin carving contest hosted by the Chadds Ford Historical Society. The carving skills were amazing — especially for Medusa. I've always wanted to return. This year, the event is virtual (and it also happens to have a strict no politics rule). Fingers crossed for 2021.

BUS VS. STREET: I forgot about the time a Pittsburgh street swallowed a Port Authority bus. Fortunately, TribLIVE did not and has this update, nearly a year after the meme-inspiring incident.

THE ONLY DEBATE WORTH WATCHING: Yesterday was National Pierogi Day, a made-up holiday I celebrated by watching this years-old WNEP segment approximately 100 times. In it, people call into the Scranton-area TV station to fight about how to say "pierogi." One more reason to save local news. 

GOOD BOOKS: Several Pennsylvania authors have been named finalists for a prestigious National Book Award. They include Lancaster's Omar Mohamed, who co-wrote a graphic novel that details his experience growing up in a refugee camp, and Wilkinsburg's Deesha Philyaw. 

SHOW WILL GO ON? Northampton County's Roxy Theatre, shut down since March, has covered expenses by renting out its marquee and theater for small anniversaries or birthday parties, The Morning Call reports. It is one of many theaters facing uncertainty.