Thousands of Pennsylvanians with low-level marijuana convictions could soon receive pardons but hurdles remain for people to have their records wiped clean.

Driving the news: The state received 3,539 applications for Gov. Tom Wolf's Marijuana Pardon Project (MPP), a one-time effort directed at non-violent criminal convictions over the drug.

Why it matters: Criminal records create roadblocks to employment, housing, and other opportunities that keep those with them — and their families — in cycles of poverty, according to a 2020 report from the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia.

• Pennsylvania's pardon process can typically take between four and five years and navigating the legal system can be a minefield.

The big picture: President Joe Biden pledged last week to pardon all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession, Axios' Jacob Knutson writes.

• Biden also said he will call on governors to pardon similar state offenses.

Catch up fast: Under a policy directive from Gov. Wolf, the Marijuana Pardon Project accepted applications only through September.

• Eligibility was limited to those with misdemeanor convictions of possession of marijuana and/or a small amount for personal use.

By the numbers: The highest number of applications came from Dauphin County (298), which includes Harrisburg, followed by York County (284).

• Philly, the most populous county in the state, saw only 197 submissions.

Of note: Philly decriminalized marijuana in 2014 and issues citations for small amounts of possession.

How it works: The Board of Pardons will meet on Thursday to consider whether applicants have merit for a pardon and meet the program's requirements.

• The Board will hold public hearings from Dec. 13-16 regarding those seeking pardons and vote on whether to recommend them to the governor. Some applicants may not need to appear for questioning.
• Once Wolf receives the board's recommendations, he can approve the pardons before the end of his term in January.

Yes, but: Pardons don't eliminate criminal records.

• Those who receive pardons must go through the courts to expunge their criminal record, a process that can require fees and take between six to 12 months.

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A sprawling network of ostensible local media outlets is churning out Democrat-aligned news content in midterm battleground states such as Pennsylvania.

• And writers for a D.C.-based media operation run by prominent Democratic operatives are behind it, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: Behind the patina of independent local news, these sites are pumping out content designed to put a sheen of original reporting on partisan messaging, Axios' Lachlan Markay and Thomas Wheatley report.

• It's an increasingly common tactic among political outfits looking to give their team a steady stream of positive content they can then use to boost their own electoral communications.

What's happening: A network of at least 51 locally branded news sites has popped up since last year under names like the Bucks County Standard, Milwaukee Metro Times and the Mecklenburg Herald.

• The sites are focused on key swing states with elections in 2021 and 2022: Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Michigan, New Hampshire, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin.
• Each follows a similar template: aggregated local news content and short write-ups about local sports teams and attractions — interspersed with heavily slanted political news aimed at boosting Democratic midterm candidates and attacking Republican opponents.

The intrigue: "About Us" pages for each of the sites say they're run by a company called Local Report Inc., which was formed in Florida last year.

• Their mastheads indicate involvement by another entity: the American Independent, a Washington-based progressive news outfit.

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🏈 The Eagles snuck by the Arizona Cardinals 20-17 this past weekend to go 5-0. The Birds will be tested on Sunday when they take on the 4-1 Dallas Cowboys at the Linc.

🤑 City-native Kevin Hart made a surprise visit to Robert Morris Elementary School in North Philly and shared his insights about financial literacy with nearly 200 students last week. (CBS Philadelphia)

🖼️ The Neon Museum of Philadelphia is in search of permanent digs again. Officials said they're closing the space at the NextFab Building in December. It had been there since April 2021 and envisioned that as its permanent home. (Inquirer)

🚨 It was a bloody weekend in Philly with at least three people killed and eight injured by gunfire. (Metro)

Pennsylvania brewers took home two medals at this year's Great American Beer Festival, Axios' John Frank reports from the awards ceremony in Denver.

Why it matters: GABF is America's premier beer competition and winning one of the 300-plus medals helps put a brewery on the map.

• This year the festival celebrated its 40th year and a return after a two-year pandemic hiatus.

Details: New Ridge Brewing in Roxborough won a bronze medal for Roxboro Gold, a Munich-style helles lager.

• Pittsburgh's Grist House won a gold for its 8th Anniversary in the competitive wood- and barrel-aged strong stout category.

By the numbers: The 2022 competition was the most competitive to date with 2,154 breweries submitting more than 9,900 beers.

☝️ Pro tip: Be sure to check out New Ridge Brewing's outdoor space next to the Roxborough Pocket Park, which is a superb place to sip beer and enjoy the autumn weather!