Legislatura
Officials shut down several ‘stop-and-go’ corner stores in Philadelphia
https://6abc.com/officials-shut-down-several-stop-and-go-corner-stores-in-philly/5742509/
Montgomery County lawmaker moves to add mandatory minimum sentences to criminal justice bills
https://www.penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/montgomery-county-lawmaker-moves-to-add-mandatory-minimum-sentences-to-criminal-justice-bills/
GOP state committees alter five Pa. criminal justice bills causing advocates to drop support
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/gop-state-committees-alter-five-pa-criminal-justice-bills-causing-advocates-to-drop-support/Content?oid=16344222
Four years of debate, but no help yet from Harrisburg for surprise medical bills
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-suprise-bills-20191212-ytdauzjzbbclhcpa7ajomu35ya-story.html
Lawmakers mount a challenge as Pennsylvania shuts state-run facilities for intellectually disabled
https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/white-haven-polk-center-intellectualy-disabled-closure-backlash-20191211.html
She’s the force behind Pa.’s efforts to treat drug addiction. Critics say ‘there is more to the story.’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/social-services/2019/12/12/pa-drug-addiction-services-deb-beck-residential-treatment-lobbyist-pennsylvania-rep-gene-digirolamo/stories/201912120028
End it for all: Repeal of failed policy must apply retroactively
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/12/12/End-it-for-all-Repeal-of-failed-policy-must-apply-retroactively/stories/201912060085
Empresas
Did steel, natural gas and manufacturing jobs in Pa. actually grow in Trump’s first term?
https://www.inquirer.com/business/trump-tariffs-steel-energy-natural-gas-jobs-campaign-2020-20191211.html
Congress restoring $28 million for Army Chinook work at Boeing Pa. plant where 4,600 employed
https://www.inquirer.com/news/boeing-chinook-army-congress-20191211.html
Chevron plans to leave Appalachia, following the footsteps of other giants
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2019/12/11/Chevron-to-leave-Appalachia-marcellus-shale-oil-and-gas-fracking/stories/201912110131
Chevron hints at selling or reducing natural gas production in Appalachia
https://triblive.com/local/regional/chevron-hints-at-selling-or-reducing-natural-gas-production-in-appalachia/
Settlement over bad air in Clairton calls for U.S. Steel to cough up $2 million
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/settlement-over-bad-air-in-clairton-calls-for-u-s-steel-to-cough-up-2-million/
Liberty Property Trust will lay off 94 as it closes its headquarters in Wayne
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/commercial/liberty-property-trust-layoffs-headquarters-closure-wayne-swedesford-prologis-20191211.html
CornellCookson completes $14M expansion project
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/cornellcookson-completes-14m-expansion-project-1.2570388
Delito/Castigo
Police charge former Collier cop with soliciting nude photos from teen girls at tanning salon
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/12/11/collier-police-cory-hurka-arrested-inappropriate-contact-minors/stories/201912110123
Former West Mifflin superintendent charged again with DUI
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/12/11/Daniel-Castagna-West-Mifflin-superintendent-charged-again-DUI-Ambien/stories/201912110129
Former Munhall firefighter who set porch fires could spend 3 years in prison
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/former-munhall-firefighter-who-set-porch-fires-could-spend-3-years-in-prison/
Lyft driver from Harrison accused of exposing himself, groping passenger
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/lyft-driver-from-harrison-accused-of-exposing-himself-groping-passenger/
Keeping data on police traffic stops in Pennsylvania could dispel fears that racism is a factor | PennLive Editorial
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/12/keeping-data-on-police-traffic-stops-in-pennsylvania-could-dispel-fears-that-racism-is-a-factor-pennlive-editorial.html
Coatesville police say 11 questions can reduce domestic violence. Why aren’t more police officers asking them?
https://papost.org/2019/12/12/coatesville-police-say-11-questions-can-reduce-domestic-violence-why-arent-more-police-officers-asking-them/
Educación
WVW teacher grievance sheds light on fentanyl fears in grade school
https://www.timesleader.com/news/765560/wvw-teacher-grievance-sheds-light-on-fentanyl-fears-in-grade-school
Exeter School District investigating incident of motorist boarding bus
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/exeter-school-district-investigating-incident-of-motorist-boarding-bus
Kutztown High School considers ending football
https://www.readingeagle.com/sports/article/kutztown-high-considers-ending-football
‘We don’t believe in punishment’: Student-led youth court could come to Harrisburg school
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/12/we-dont-believe-in-punishment-student-led-youth-court-could-come-to-harrisburg-school.html
SHINE after-school program gets $20,000 from Cabot Oil
https://www.timesleader.com/news/765550/shine-afterschool-program-gets-20000-from-cabot-oil
State System board gives final approval to four-year contract with 5,000 university faculty members
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/12/11/State-System-of-Higher-Education-Pennsylvania-faculty-APSCUF-labor-contract-higher-education/stories/201912110099
Elecciones/Política
For Democrats, municipal races are dress rehearsal for 2020 | Mark O’Keefe
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/for-democrats-municipal-races-are-dress-rehearsal-for-2020-by-mark-okeefe/
Noticias locales
Lackawanna County OKs purchase of new voting system
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/lackawanna-county-oks-purchase-of-new-voting-system-1.2570446
Former Scranton School District fleet manager to serve house arrest
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/former-scranton-school-district-fleet-manager-to-serve-house-arrest-1.2570283
Democrats about to take over Delaware County say Republicans are punting on a tax hike
https://www.inquirer.com/news/delaware-county-budget-2020-taxes-republicans-democrats-20191211.html
Long after layoffs in Bucks County, this Men of Harmony steelworker choir melts tough-guy hearts | Maria Panaritis
https://www.inquirer.com/news/columnists/men-of-harmony-steelworkers-chorus-trade-agreement-fairless-hills-pa-maria-panaritis-20191212.html
Community honors retiring county Commissioner Chuck Anderson and his wife
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/community-honors-retiring-county-commissioner-chuck-anderson-and-his-wife/
Wreaths Across America to honor veterans buried in 3 Norwin cemeteries
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/wreaths-across-america-to-honor-veterans-buried-in-3-norwin-cemeteries/
Irwin plans crack down on speeders
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/irwin-plans-crack-down-on-speeders/
Arnold adopts budget with no tax increase, seeks funding for sewer projects
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/arnold-adopts-budget-with-no-tax-increase-seeks-funding-for-sewer-projects/
Schuylkill commissioners OK plan to buy new voting machines
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/schuylkill-commissioners-ok-plan-to-buy-new-voting-machines-1.2570418
New police vehicle start of Kline Twp. Upgrades
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/new-police-vehicle-start-of-kline-twp-upgrades-1.2570397
Arena board receives project updates on WiFi, hotel construction
https://www.timesleader.com/news/765563/arena-board-receives-project-updates-on-wifi-hotel-construction
Tax hike not end of county budget story
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/tax-hike-not-end-of-county-budget-story-1.2570368
Outgoing Wilkes-Barre mayor reflects on his time in office
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/outgoing-wilkes-barre-mayor-reflects-on-his-time-in-office-1.2570376
Tense Maxatawny meeting ends with supervisor getting township health care
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/tense-maxatawny-meeting-ends-with-supervisor-getting-township-health-care
Erie chamber’s $5.2 million plan should yield 2,000 new jobs
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20191212/erie-chambers-52-million-plan-should-yield-2000-new-jobs
After $3.2M was embezzled, Kennett Township officials put in safeguards
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/after-m-was-embezzled-kennett-township-officials-put-in-safeguards/article_369967aa-1c48-11ea-935c-bb1b35546a2e.html
NOVA to open expanded office in Falls to help more victims
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20191211/nova-to-open-expanded-office-in-falls-to-help-more-victims
Filadelfia
Ten years ago, OxyContin sales dominated Philly’s pharmacies. How the powerful painkiller helped fuel a crisis.
https://www.inquirer.com/health/opioid-addiction/philadelphia-opioid-crisis-purdue-pharma-oxycontin-sales-reformulation-20191212.html
Philadelphia police sergeant caught on video punching a handcuffed man is arrested
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/philadelphia-police-sergeant-jason-reid-arrest-da-larry-krasner-20191211.html
Women outnumber men at medical schools in Philadelphia area and across the nation
https://www.inquirer.com/health/women-majority-medical-students-aamc-drexel-penn-temple-pcom-cooper-rowan-20191212.html
Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner fires back at Trump: ‘You and me. Let’s go.’
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/larry-krasner-donald-trump-hershey-rally-20191211.html
Temple University addressing ‘unacceptable’ student TikTok referring to North Philly as ‘the ghetto’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/temple-student-tik-tok-calls-north-philly-the-ghetto-20191211.html
Philly DA drops charges against twin in fatal shooting of brother, says boys’ father, a convicted felon, ‘is responsible’ for ‘horrific accident’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/mastery-charter-faayadh-gillard-murder-charges-dropped-shooting-twin-brother-suhail-gillard-20191211.html
Krasner calls dad ‘responsible’ in death of teen by twin brother
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/krasner-calls-dad-responsible-in-death-of-teen-by-twin/article_8da22211-535e-5629-95ae-cc03c2df5698.html
A Philly charter school bought this church building, and now it faces a preservation battle
https://www.inquirer.com/education/boys-latin-charter-school-church-preservation-philadelphia-historical-commission-20191211.html
Drexel wants to evict food trucks from part of Market Street
https://www.inquirer.com/food/drexel-food-trucks-evicted-from-market-st-council-bill-blackwell-20191211.html
Philly-area Black Hebrew Israelites leader responds to reports linking alleged Jersey City killers to his group
https://www.inquirer.com/news/jersey-city-shootout-black-hebrew-israelites-kosher-supermarket-jewish-deli-20191211.html
Philadelphia can do more to fight traffic congestion | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/traffic-congestion-philadelphia-parking-tickets-ppa-20191211.html
Got a fine for overdue books? Philly libraries will soon forgive them
https://www.witf.org/2019/12/12/got-a-fine-for-overdue-books-philly-libraries-will-soon-forgive-them/
Pitt
For Pittsburgh, grimly familiar news comes out of Jersey City
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2019/12/11/Jersey-city-shootings-tree-off-life-pittsburgh/stories/201912110148
City Council votes to declare racism a health crisis, postpones pension bill
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/12/11/Pittsburgh-City-council-racism-health-crisis-pension-offset-Burgess-Harris/stories/201912110101
Voters in early states are hearing from Pittsburghers — thanks to Bernie Sanders
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/12/11/Bernie-Sanders-pittsburgh-voters-iowa-new-hampshire-election-2020-democrats/stories/201912040174
Pittsburgh police shoot, kill pit bull after violent dog fight in Perry North
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/12/11/Pittsburgh-police-shoot-kill-pit-bull-after-violent-dog-fight-in-Perry-North/stories/201912110166
Family, activists gather to honor the nearly 80 victims of fatal gun violence in Allegheny County in 2019
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/12/12/Family-activists-gather-to-honor-the-nearly-80-victims-of-fatal-gun-violence-in-Allegheny-County-in-2019/stories/201912110159
City wants to hire pros faster to speed up contract process
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/12/11/Pittsburgh-wants-to-hire-professionals-fast-contracting/stories/201912110124
Opportunity Fund gives over $860,000 to local arts and social justice groups
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2019/12/11/Pittsburgh-arts-social-justice-grants-Opportunity-Fund-2019/stories/201912110125
Epidemiologist says single case of TB at Pittsburgh middle school ‘not an emergency’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/12/11/Allegheny-County-Health-epidemiologist-Kristen-Mertz-tuberculosis-case-Pittsburgh-school/stories/201912110111
Councilwoman Darlene Harris sues city to nix campaign rules
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/12/11/Pittsburgh-Councilwoman-Darlene-Harris-campaign-finance-lawsuit-Bill-Peduto-ethics/stories/201912110138
Pittsburgh councilwoman Darlene Harris sues city over campaign finance ordinance
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-councilwoman-darlene-harris-sues-city-over-campaign-finance-ordinance/
Noticias del Estado
Paycheck to paycheck: New United Way study shows how many in Lehigh Valley walk a dangerous financial tightrope
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-united-way-alice-20191211-rq6qpwxrojenzitjim6dtlknfq-story.html
4 Berks programs receive grants from Pa. Commission on Crime and Delinquency
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/4-berks-programs-receive-grants-from-pa-commission-on-crime-and-delinquency
Fiscal watchdog urges shutdown of Berks immigrant detention center
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/12/11/Berks-immigrant-detention-center-shutdown-auditor-general-depasquale-pennsylvania/stories/201912110147
Pennsylvania auditor general calls for Berks County Residential Center to be shut down
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/state-auditor-general-calls-for-berks-residential-center-to-be-shut-down
Berks County Commissioner Christian Leinbach disagrees with call to close residential center
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-county-commissioner-christian-leinbach-disagrees-with-call-to-close-residential-center
Washington County teen dies in dirt bike crash
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/washington/2019/12/11/Monongahela-teen-dies-in-fatal-dirt-bike/stories/201912110167
PA dumps dozens of hedge funds in cost-cutting move
https://www.inquirer.com/business/vanguard-hedge-funds-pennsylvania-psers-blackrock-montgomery-county-20191212.html
Outrage grows over Pennsylvania deer-torture video as investigation continues
https://triblive.com/local/regional/outrage-grows-over-pennsylvania-deer-torture-video-as-investigation-continues/
Fatbergs, globs of solid waste, threaten sewers this season | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/fatberg-removal-costs-cause-garbage-grease-20191212.html
Ohio River, Buffalo Creek among nominees for Pennsylvania’s River of the Year
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/ohio-river-buffalo-creek-among-nominees-for-pennsylvanias-river-of-the-year/
Transporte
Hulton Road in Penn Hills to remained closed into January
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/hulton-road-in-penn-hills-to-remained-closed-into-january/
New turnpike entrance opens on Route 283 in Dauphin County
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/12/new-turnpike-entrance-opens-on-route-283-in-dauphin-county.html
Mount Rose project contractor demands more money, more time from PennDOT
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/local/2019/12/11/mount-rose-project-contractor-demands-more-money-more-time-penndot/4397137002/
Washington
Trump administration proposes Social Security rule changes that could cut off thousands of disabled recipients
https://www.inquirer.com/news/social-security-ssi-ssdi-trump-administration-disability-20191212.html
Casey continues push to end pay disparities for Tobyhanna employees
https://www.timesleader.com/news/765562/casey-continues-push-to-end-pay-disparities-for-tobyhanna-employees
Trump impeachment: What state delegation is saying
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/trump-impeachment-what-state-delegation-is-saying-1.2570478
U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey will vote against Trump’s new trade deal; here’s why
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/12/us-sen-pat-toomey-will-vote-against-trumps-new-trade-deal-heres-why.html
Former Pa. Gov. Tom Ridge says Trump asking a foreign leader for a political favor is an ‘abuse of power’
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/12/former-pa-gov-tom-ridge-says-trump-asking-a-foreign-leader-for-a-political-favor-is-an-abuse-of-power.html
PFAS provisions struck from must-pass defense bill, disappointing Pa.’s Dean & Fitzpatrick
https://www.penncapital-star.com/energy-environment/pfas-provisions-struck-from-must-pass-defense-bill-disappointing-pa-s-dean-fitzpatrick/