Legislatura
Pashinski introduces property tax reduction bill
https://www.timesleader.com/news/765375/pashinski-introduces-property-tax-reduction-bill
Pashinski proposes property tax rebate plan
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/pashinski-proposes-property-tax-rebate-plan-1.2569487
‘This is not a reform bill’: Big changes to probation, sentencing reform legislation draw ire of advocates.
https://www.penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/this-is-not-a-reform-bill-big-changes-to-probation-sentencing-reform-legislation-draw-ire-of-advocates/
Pharmacy benefit managers at heart of Pa. bills
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/pharmacy-benefit-managers-at-heart-of-pa-bills
Limit the loopholes: Tighten up bill to restrict gifts to public officials
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/12/10/Limit-the-loopholes-Tighten-up-bill-to-restrict-gifts-to-public-officials/stories/201911260051
Empresas
Malvern drug maker is hopeful where others struggle: Fighting deadly ‘superbugs’
https://www.inquirer.com/health/new-drugs-treat-superbugs-are-needed-sales-are-lackluster-this-malvern-firm-sees-opportunity-20191210.html
Times Leader’s Best Places to Work celebrated
https://www.timesleader.com/news/765355/times-leaders-best-places-to-work-celebrated
South Scranton food service retailer closing soon
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/south-scranton-food-service-retailer-closing-soon-1.2569386
Mission BBQ salutes WWII vets at grand opening in W-B Twp.
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/mission-bbq-salutes-wwii-vets-at-grand-opening-in-w-b-twp-1.2569481
Delito/Castigo
Ex-lifer back on track for release amid old Delco shoplifting case
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-man-to-be-released-commuted-life-sentence-david-sheppard-20191210.html
Commuted lifer gets trial date in 27-year-old Delco jeans heist
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/commuted-lifer-gets-trial-date-in–year-old-delco/article_3bdb5076-1ad5-11ea-a865-a7d797a7c3d6.html
Editorial: Victims, justice and the Delaware County D.A.
https://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/editorial-victims-justice-and-the-delaware-county-d-a/article_e3a9717a-1acb-11ea-a390-3b02333d1e92.html
Weighing Fetterman initiative
https://www.altoonamirror.com/opinion/editorials/2019/12/weighing-fetterman-initiative/
A Bucks County man killed himself in jail. Now his family is suing.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/charles-freitag-suicide-federal-lawsuit-bucks-county-correctional-facility-20191209.html
Philly-area rehab owner who illegally profited from others’ addictions will spend 18 months in prison
https://www.inquirer.com/news/joseph-lubowitz-humble-beginnings-philly-opioid-rehab-eric-snyder-real-life-recovery-delray-beach-20191209.html
Former Leechburg police chief jailed again, accused of accessing porn website
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/former-leechburg-police-chief-jailed-again-accused-of-accessing-internet-porn/
2 arrested after Berks DA issues public health alert due to 12 overdoses over the weekend, 3 of them fatal
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-da-issues-public-health-advisory-after-deadly-drug-combination-results-in-12-overdoses-over-the-weekend-3-of-them-fatal
Educación
Dallas may implement cyber snow day this month
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/dallas-may-implement-cyber-snow-day-this-month-1.2569490
North Hills Middle School teacher named Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/north-hills-middle-school-teacher-named-pennsylvania-teacher-of-the-year/
Police investigating death of Bloomsburg student who died in September
https://www.inquirer.com/education/bloomsburg-student-death-investigation-fraternity-alcohol-20191209.html
PAFA sexual assault case underscores issues with Betsy DeVos’ new Title IX regulations | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/pafa-sexual-assault-betsy-devos-title-ix-20191209.html
Johnson College receives $5,000 grant to spay and neuter pets for low-income individuals
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/johnson-college-receives-5-000-grant-to-spay-and-neuter-pets-for-low-income-individuals-1.2569583
Guest opinion: Alvernia, Albright benefit community
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/guest-opinion-alvernia-albright-benefit-community
Elecciones/Política
Inside the swing county of swing-state Pennsylvania where Trump is holding a 2020 rally
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/trump-rally-hershey-dauphin-county-pennsylvania-20191209.html
Pennsylvania warns Dauphin County over defying voting machine edict
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-warns-dauphin-county-over-defying-voting-machine-edict/
Lt. Gov. Fetterman, former Gov. Rendell to be featured on MSNBC before Trump rally
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/12/lt-gov-fetterman-former-gov-rendell-to-be-featured-on-msnbc-before-trump-rally.html
Who is picking up the tab for costs for Trump’s rally? Not the taxpayers
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/12/who-is-picking-up-the-tab-for-costs-for-trumps-rally-not-the-taxpayers.html
State Rep. Tom Mehaffie to seek re-election to a third term
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/12/state-rep-tom-mehaffie-to-seek-re-election-to-a-third-term.html
Gov. Pat Toomey? Lehigh Valley lawmaker eyeing 2022 options
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-pat-toomey-governor-2022-20191209-adogpzxmuvbpzgtr5ndriqojfi-story.html
Sanidad
This isn’t just flu season. For thousands, it’s also sinusitis season.
https://www.inquirer.com/health/sinus-infections-season-sinusitis-flu-colds-treatments-surgery-saline-rinse-20191210.html
Noticias locales
Scranton council amends budget to include 2.4% tax hike; veto uncertain
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-council-amends-budget-to-include-2-4-tax-hike-veto-uncertain-1.2569595
Changing flood maps could require hundreds of Lackawanna County property owners to buy insurance
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/changing-flood-maps-could-require-hundreds-of-lackawanna-county-property-owners-to-buy-insurance-1.2569596
Scranton Beautiful Blocks improvement program may continue next year
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-beautiful-blocks-improvement-program-may-continue-next-year-1.2569553
Developer seeks tax abatement for Meade Street project in Dunmore
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/developer-seeks-tax-abatement-for-meade-street-project-in-dunmore-1.2569559
Tarentum hires firm to update zoning ordinance, map
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/tarentum-hires-firm-to-update-zoning-ordinance-map/
Frazer votes to allow horses on certain residential properties
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/frazer-votes-to-allow-horses-on-certain-residential-properties/
Latrobe firefighters leave council meeting without reason for their suspensions
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/latrobe-firefighters-leave-council-meeting-without-reason-for-their-suspensions/
Greensburg approves $7,600 in new business grants
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/greensburg-approves-7600-in-new-business-grants/
Project to support single moms for Christmas
https://www.timesleader.com/news/765351/project-to-support-single-moms-for-christmas
Wilkes-Barre’s façade improvement grant application deadline extended for another month
https://www.timesleader.com/news/765344/wilkes-barres-faade-improvement-grant-application-deadline-extended-for-another-month
Wilkes-Barre extending beautification program again
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wilkes-barre-extending-beautification-program-again-1.2569383
Wilkes-Barre sets public hearing on sewer plans
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wilkes-barre-sets-public-hearing-on-sewer-plans-1.2569384
Officer honored for saving man from fire last month
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/officer-honored-for-saving-man-from-fire-last-month-1.2569498
Council to vote on county insurance broker
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/council-to-vote-on-county-insurance-broker-1.2569489
Reading City Council passes 2020 budget with no tax hike
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-city-council-passes-2020-budget-with-no-tax-hike
Spring Township raises taxes 12.7% for 2020
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/springs-raises-taxes-127-for-2020
As Safe Berks leader steps down, she thanks community for its generosity
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/as-safe-berks-leader-steps-down-she-thanks-community-for-its-generosity
Noticias nacionales
Payday lenders have embraced installment loans to evade regulations – but they may be even worse
https://www.penncapital-star.com/working-the-economy/payday-lenders-have-embraced-installment-loans-to-evade-regulations-but-they-may-be-even-worse/
Filadelfia
With $40M in public and private money, a new building is rising for two West Philly schools
https://www.inquirer.com/education/powel-elementary-science-leadership-academy-drexel-university–20191209.html
Pa. Working Families Party looking to build on momentum from Kendra Brooks’ Philly City Council win by hiring her running mate
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nicholas-orourke-working-families-party-philadelphia-20191209.html
Center City alone can’t solve homelessness | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/increasing-homelessness-people-panhandling-public-unease-center-city-20191210.html
St. Joe’s Prep basketball coach Speedy Morris, a Philly legend, to retire at end of season
https://www.inquirer.com/high-school-sports/pennsylvania/speedy-morris-retired-st-josephs-prep-basketball-coach-20191209.html
With salaries capped at $30K, Philly’s classroom aides are demanding more
https://www.inquirer.com/education/philly-schools-paraprofessionals-classroom-assistants-union-contract-20191209.html
Reversing Philly’s decreasing tree canopy | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-tree-canopy-pennsylvania-horticultural-society-20191209.html
Women won’t reach men in computer sciences until 2137 — unless we act now | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/women-girls-stem-computer-research-20191209.html
Kenney pushes back rollout of ‘fair workweek’ law as critics cry foul
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/kenney-pushes-back-rollout-of-fair-workweek-law-as-critics/article_08e69bf8-72cd-5bce-a0ec-b4c1fbb38a79.html
Pitt
Council to consider sweeter pension benefit for Harris, other officials
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/12/09/Pittsburgh-Council-considers-sweeter-pension-benefits-elected-officials/stories/201912090097
Pittsburgh City Council wants to eliminate pension provision
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-city-council-wants-to-eliminate-pension/
Sinkhole bus returns to service, but road remains closed in Downtown Pittsburgh
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2019/12/09/Port-Authority-sinkhole-bus-Downtown-Pittsburgh-road-closed/stories/201912090141
Activists seek to sway city budget process
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/12/09/Pittsburgh-activists-city-council-budget-process-economic-justice/stories/201912090095
Pittsburgh activists call for budget transparency during hearing
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-activists-call-for-budget-transparency-during-hearing/
Point Park University adding varsity esports program
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/12/09/Point-Park-University-recruiting-varsity-esports-program-NACE-2020/stories/201912090094
Daulers endow director of Pittsburgh Glass Center
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/art-architecture/2019/12/09/Director-Pittsburgh-Glass-Center-endowed-Dauler/stories/201912090119
Pittsburgh Penguins players make annual holiday visit to UPMC Children’s Hospital
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/pittsburgh-penguins-players-make-annual-holiday-visit-to-upmc-childrens-hospital-2/
Pittsburgh ranked as 6th-best large college city, report says
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-ranked-as-6th-best-large-college-city-report-says/
Gas prices fall in Pittsburgh area, most states, analyst says
https://triblive.com/local/regional/gas-prices-fall-in-pittsburgh-area-most-states-analyst-says/
Noticias del Estado
Federal officials will let LNG be shipped by rail to Greenwich Township port
https://www.inquirer.com/business/federal-approval-lng-trains-repauno-new-fortress-phmsa-20191209.html
Lackawanna again up for PA River of the Year
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-again-up-for-pa-river-of-the-year-1.2569360
Grateful Pa. man raises $18K for fire companies that tried to save his home, dog
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/12/grateful-pa-man-raises-18k-for-fire-companies-that-tried-to-save-his-home-dog.html
Putting the ‘conserve’ in ‘conservative,’ Republican-leaning enviros gather in Harrisburg
https://www.penncapital-star.com/energy-environment/putting-the-conserve-in-conservative-republican-leaning-enviros-gather-in-harrisburg/
Transporte
BARTA ready to add bus line on Route 61 to accommodate warehouse jobs
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/barta-ready-to-add-bus-line-on-route-61-to-accommodate-warehouse-jobs
BARTA gets 2-year hiatus from PennDOT funding cuts
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/barta-gets-2-year-hiatus-from-penndot-funding-cuts
Washington
Democrats poised to unveil 2 articles of impeachment against Trump
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/12/09/impeachment-articles-Trump-House-Democrats-hearing/stories/201912090161
Reschenthaler’s constituents speak up about his role in impeachment
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/12/08/Reschenthaler-s-constituents-speak-up-trump-impeachment/stories/201912080106
GOP opposition appears to fizzle as plan advances to create Space Force, parental leave for federal workers
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/gop-space-force-parental-leave-federal-workers-20191210.html