5 stories to follow: Oct. 4

Happy Friday. Here's your quick look at five stories to know about before the weekend hits:

1. Government staying shutdown: The partial shutdown of the federal government remains in place today. Six area Republican lawmakers are among those trying to bring an end to the impasse with a bipartisan plan. In Philadelphia, the shutdown is threatening food benefits for low-income women and children and a science-education nonprofit.

2. Nanotech center opens: The University of Pennsylvania's new Singh Center for Nanotechnology officially opens today. The site at 32nd and Walnut streets is expected to make Penn a hub for nanotechnology research. Architecturally, the glass building enlivens the eastern edge of Penn's campus.

3. N.J. debates: New Jersey voters should get ready for a slew of debates in the state's high-profile elections. Beginning this afternoon, five debates are scheduled for the next two weeks in the races for Senate and governor. Today's Senate debate between Democrat Cory Booker and Republican Steve Lonegan will take place at 1 p.m. and be broadcast on 6ABC at 9:30 a.m. Sunday.

4. Capitol Hill shooting: Police in D.C. on Thursday fatally shot a woman who -- with a 1-year-old girl in her car -- led law enforcement on a chase from the White House to the Capitol, trying to pass security barriers at the sites. The Capitol was briefly on lockdown. Authorities said the incident did not appear to have any terrorism connection, but remains under investigation. Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey was a witness to the shooting.

5. Ex-Penn State student in court: Ross William Ulbricht, the former Penn State physics grad student charged with running a massive black market drug scheme is due in court today.