Coronavirus - COVID-19
Gov. Wolf, health officials want Pennsylvanians to stay home for the holidays
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/gov-wolf-health-officials-want-pennsylvanians-to-stay-home-for-the-holidays/
CDC: Stay home for the holidays
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/cdc-stay-home-for-the-holidays/
Nursing home defends reporting of COVID-19 data
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/nursing-home-defends-reporting-of-covid-19-data/article_8c4705ad-8aef-56de-abeb-8ab6d324da6f.html
Western Pa. nursing homes scramble for staff to care for covid patients
https://triblive.com/local/regional/western-pa-nursing-homes-scramble-for-staff-to-care-for-covid-patients/
Nursing home residents have rights. Here’s what they are in Pennsylvania, and what to do if they’re violated.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nursing-home-rights-pennsylvania-new-jersey-ombudsman-20201214.html
The COVID-19 vaccine wasn’t tested in pregnancy, but experts say it’s still worth considering if you’re expecting
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/pregnancy-covid-vaccine-healthcare-workers-20201214.html
Working through a pandemic: Ambulance services getting flooded with covid calls
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/working-through-a-pandemic-ambulance-services-getting-flooded-with-covid-calls/
As virus cases, deaths mount, Westmoreland hospital officials plead for public’s help
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/as-virus-cases-deaths-mount-westmoreland-hospital-officials-plead-for-the-publics-help/
344 cases of COVID-19 reported in Luzerne County on Sunday
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/344-cases-of-covid-19-reported-in-luzerne-county-on-sunday/article_b73f92c9-b04e-5cfb-a0ff-d4bc1497477c.html
Cambria leading nation in new cases per capita, adds 11 COVID-19 deaths
https://www.tribdem.com/coronavirus/cambria-leading-nation-in-new-cases-per-capita-adds-11-covid-19-deaths/article_2bebbf0e-3d78-11eb-bb07-27879f203baf.html
Trump says he’s nixing plan for early vaccine at White House
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/trump-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-government-officials-20201214.html
How to navigate a physically distant holiday season if you’re struggling emotionally | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/12/how-to-navigate-a-physically-distant-holiday-season-if-youre-struggling-emotionally-opinion.html
Legislatura
A family’s push to change Pennsylvania’s DUI law seemed like an easy win. But it died a slow death in Harrisburg.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/deanas-law-roseann-derosa-dui-harrisburg-tom-killion-20201214.html
Local GOP state reps explain why they signed brief in election case
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/local-gop-state-reps-explain-why-they-signed-brief-in-election-case/article_9ac2f6d6-6744-5f6b-9aab-cb1570a898ee.html
Baker fears Wolf’s measures will be tough on workers, families
https://www.timesleader.com/news/812803/baker-fears-wolfs-measures-will-be-tough-on-workers-families
Eviction crisis weeks away
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/eviction-crisis-weeks-away/article_613fbdbd-df90-547a-90b5-f9daa68f73b9.html
Even minor voting glitches harm confidence | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/voting-ballots-electoral-college-2020-election-biden-challenges-20201214.html
An open letter to the State Senate leadership | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/12/an-open-letter-to-the-state-senate-leadership-opinion.html
Washington, D.C. could learn a lot from Pa. leadership | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/washington-d-c-could-learn-a-lot-from-pa-leadership-opinion/
Empresas
Business owners buckle down for new covid restrictions
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/business-owners-buckle-down-for-additional-covid-restrictions/
Local farms say Christmas tree sales lag with new restrictions
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/local-farms-say-christmas-tree-sales-lag-with-new-restrictions/article_6fd12e70-a709-5d0a-a9b2-ffaf067cbadb.html
Some Pa. restaurants defy indoor-dining ban, others comply with takeout, outdoor seating
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/12/some-pa-restaurants-defy-indoor-dining-ban-others-comply-with-takeout-outdoor-dining.html
Pennsylvania on Pause: Business owners clamor for federal aid amid new shutdown orders
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/coronavirus/2020/12/12/business-owners-clamor-federal-aid-amid-new-shutdown-orders/6511370002/
Delito/Castigo
Pa. corrections dept. tells officer with COVID-19 symptoms to return to work early
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/spl/pennsylvania-prisons-coronavirus-corrections-officer-20201214.html
Inside Pennsylvania’s prison outbreak, where catching COVID-19 can land you in ‘the hole’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania-doc-covid-outbreak-sci-coronavirus-state-prisons-lockdown-20201212.html
DOJ probe of Catholic church abuse goes quiet 2 years later
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/roman-catholic-church-priest-abuse-justice-department-20201213.html
Officials: Pittston detention facility at center of scandal is closed
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/officials-pittston-detention-facility-at-center-of-scandal-is-closed/
Educación
Educators and parents: This school year will be a setback for children’s education
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/12/14/pennsylvania-educators-admit-school-year-setback-for-kids-as-parents-fight-for-in-person-learning/3828268001/
‘You question your worth:’ Looking at fifth year without raise, Scranton teachers leave district feeling defeated
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/education/you-question-your-worth-looking-at-fifth-year-without-raise-scranton-teachers-leave-district-feeling/article_9d935c6b-9832-524e-95e1-f4d27229ea76.html
Already facing a shortage, COVID causes added stress to the substitute teacher pool
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/already-facing-a-shortage-covid-causes-added-stress-to-the-substitute-teacher-pool/article_92dc9d36-3969-11eb-b150-4bd1d2a213d5.html
Rally set for North Allegheny over district’s extended remote learning plan
https://triblive.com/local/rally-set-for-north-allegheny-over-districts-extended-remote-learning-plan/
Survey: Parents weigh-in on education, exposure risk during the pandemic | The Numbers Racket
https://www.penncapital-star.com/education/survey-parents-weigh-in-on-education-exposure-risk-during-the-pandemic-the-numbers-racket/
Pensions for teachers: Why taxpayers, not educators, will pay more for weak investment returns
https://www.inquirer.com/columnists/psers-pensions-teachers-tax-20201214.html
Nursing students should keep training in-person during COVID | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/nurses-covid-philadelphia-pennsylvania-students-training-20201214.html
Point Park University introduces scholarship for transfer students from state university system
https://triblive.com/local/point-park-university-introduces-scholarship-for-transfer-students-from-state-university-system/
Elecciones/Política
Here’s how to watch the Electoral College cast Pa’s official vote for president, vice president
https://www.pennlive.com/elections/2020/12/heres-how-to-watch-the-electoral-college-cast-pas-official-vote-for-president-vice-president.html
Electoral College vote a big step to move past election
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/electoral-college-vote-a-big-step-to-move-past-election/
Why does the Electoral College exist, and how does it work? 5 essential reads | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/election-2020/why-does-the-electoral-college-exist-and-how-does-it-work-5-essential-reads-opinion/
EDITORIAL: Pa.’s GOP: Pro-Trump, anti voting
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/opinion/editorials/2020/12/13/editorial-pa-s-gop-pro-trump-anti-voting/6533567002/
Texas? Really?
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/texas-really/article_d02cc03f-5582-5f25-8c98-e0eee1bdb2ff.html
Noticias locales
Lackawanna County to receive third wave of federal funding to help provide shelter
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-to-receive-third-wave-of-federal-funding-to-help-provide-shelter/article_11e6ed20-0af1-5638-b4f5-39596b73109f.html
MONDAY UPDATE: Lackawanna County, Scranton continue to explore potential for local health department as pandemic rages
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/monday-update-lackawanna-county-scranton-continue-to-explore-potential-for-local-health-department-as-pandemic/article_5478a3ca-12bf-5e57-bf2d-d5ab335c01e2.html
Former Serrenti building available as COVID-19 overflow site, just in case
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/former-serrenti-building-available-as-covid-19-overflow-site-just-in-case/article_373b5ad8-607d-54a0-a9e5-d12051205f49.html
Queen City seeing influx of new businesses
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/queen-city-seeing-influx-of-new-businesses/article_167d7430-2e30-5933-bbee-25b4ba13b03b.html
‘Leave one, take one’: In Slatington, warm clothes hang on clothelines for those in need to take
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/heroes/mc-nws-hometown-heroes-slatington-project-warm-cozy-clothing-line-20201214-76w4sys6svgrhft43tovkbl3ni-story.html
Erie’s first Black female firefighter reaches another milestone: She is now a lieutenant
https://www.goerie.com/story/news/local/2020/12/14/city-eries-first-black-female-fire-officer-follows-dream/3860597001/
New Delco Public Defender shaking things up
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/new-delco-public-defender-shaking-things-up/article_c9e3cbda-366f-11eb-aef9-d33751be874f.html
Bucks County tourism ads plant seeds for travel now and post-pandemic
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2020/12/14/visit-bucks-county-advertisements-highlight-tourism-holidays-post-pandemic/3893719001/
Metz Culinary Management donates $35K to Dinners for Kids
https://www.timesleader.com/news/813026/metz-culinary-management-donates-35k-to-dinners-for-kids
North Huntingdon says ‘no’ to Wolf’s limits on indoor crowds
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/north-huntingdon-says-no-to-wolfs-limits-on-indoor-crowds/
Noticias nacionales
U.S. investigating computer hacks of Treasury and Commerce departments; Russia a possible culprit
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/treasury-commerce-departments-computer-hacks-20201213.html
Millions of Americans are heading into the holidays unemployed and more than $5,000 behind on rent
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/housing/coronavirus-rent-eviction-unemployment-moratorium-20201213.html
Report: Cleveland Indians changing name after 105 years
https://www.timesleader.com/sports/813016/report-cleveland-indians-changing-name-after-105-years
Filadelfia
3 dead, 9 people shot in another violent overnight in Philly
https://www.inquirer.com/crime/homicides-gun-violence-shootings-philadelphia-december-2020-20201213.html
Tiny-house villages coming to NE and West Philly, part of deal that closed Parkway homeless encampment
https://www.inquirer.com/news/homeless-tiny-house-parkway-encampment-philadelphia-20201212.html
A support group for gunshot survivors is now the focus of a documentary — and it’s beautiful | Helen Ubiñas
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/philadelphia-gunshot-victims-paralyzed-film-glenn-holsten-helen-ubinas-20201214.html
Pitt
Pittsburgh players opt out of potential bowl game
https://www.witf.org/2020/12/12/pittsburgh-players-opt-out-of-potential-bowl-game/
Noticias del Estado
Official: Weather may be factor in dip in demand for state heating assistance
https://triblive.com/local/regional/official-weather-may-be-factor-in-dip-in-demand-for-state-heating-assistance/
Washington
Pat Toomey is ready to work with Joe Biden. A little.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/pat-toomey-senate-joe-biden-20201213.html
Vandals hit Black churches during weekend pro-Trump rallies
https://www.timesleader.com/top-stories/812972/vandals-hit-black-churches-during-weekend-pro-trump-rallies