Legislature
Guest commentary: Pennsylvania mail-in ballot law up to 2020 challenge: By Sen. Lisa Boscola
https://www.readingeagle.com/opinion/guest-commentary-pennsylvania-mail-in-ballot-law-up-to-2020-challenge-opinion/article_79719392-3d83-11eb-9ee3-e33bf310b4b0.html
Coronavirus – COVID-19
First coronavirus vaccines are administered in Pa. and U.S., with thousands more on their way, as nation’s death toll hits 300,000
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-covid-19-pa-first-vaccine-nj-philly-pandemic-upmc-aid-20201214.html
Who is next in line to get the covid vaccine?
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/who-is-next-in-line-to-get-the-covid-vaccine/
UPMC administers 1st covid-19 vaccines in Pittsburgh
https://triblive.com/local/upmc-to-administer-first-covid-19-vaccines-in-pittsburgh/
St. Luke’s network, Geisinger prepared to receive COVID-19 vaccine this week
https://www.timesleader.com/news/813159/st-lukes-network-geisinger-prepared-to-receive-covid-19-vaccine-this-week
Local hospitals should receive vaccines this week
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/local-hospitals-should-receive-vaccines-this-week/article_3b9ad89b-31ba-58b3-9600-ae5faa222542.html
St. Luke’s, LVHN prepared for first COVID-19 vaccine shipments
https://www.mcall.com/health/mc-hea-health-networks-covid-vaccine-20201214-o3u6covsjjaendkev4o2kjcmxy-story.html
Berks hospitals will receive COVID vaccine this week and next week in first phase of distribution
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/berks-hospitals-will-receive-covid-vaccine-this-week-and-next-week-in-first-phase-of/article_65444774-3e33-11eb-b4ca-a3900870777e.html
Pennsylvania to get more than 100,000 vaccine doses
https://www.timesleader.com/news/813156/pennsylvania-to-get-more-than-100000-vaccine-doses
Many of nation’s long-term care facilities with most coronavirus deaths are in Pennsylvania, including two in the Lehigh Valley, data shows
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-pennsylvania-deaths-report-20201214-hhwarglk2nge5a5wilupjv2acm-story.html
COVID-19 test site in Kingston busy, but not for general public
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/covid-19-test-site-in-kingston-busy-but-not-for-general-public/article_59f04ab1-27a3-50f3-aa60-02f0e8760a1b.html
Westmoreland County adds 666 new covid cases over 2 days
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-adds-666-new-covid-cases-over-2-days/
Clarks Summit rises to the top in new COVID-19 cases
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/clarks-summit-rises-to-the-top-in-new-covid-19-cases/article_1ab75017-5fb4-57d2-8da8-39ad08b62add.html
Montgomery County’s coronavirus positivity rate continues to surge
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/montgomery-countys-coronavirus-positivitry-rate-continues-to-surge/article_1adaf852-74ba-5538-8655-8967e9f0142c.html
COVID hospitalizations reach 168 in Berks County as more than 500 new cases are reported
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/covid-hospitalizations-reach-168-in-berks-county-as-more-than-500-new-cases-are-reported/article_13f6c7c8-3e49-11eb-ad83-1f914b30281f.html
Business
Jobless workers have spent months waiting to get paid Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits: ‘It’s a nightmare’
https://www.inquirer.com/jobs/labor/pua-pennsylvania-pandemic-unemployment-assistance-benefits-help-20201214.html
I can’t get my Pennsylvania Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits. What can I do?
https://www.inquirer.com/jobs/labor/pua-pandemic-unemployment-assistance-help-identity-fraud-idme-20201214.html
Dozens of Pennsylvania restaurants and gyms remain open as health secretary begs businesses: ‘work with us’
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/pennsylvania-coronavirus-restrictions-businesses-open-restaurants-gyms-wolf-covid-20201214.html
Some Pennsylvania restaurants say they will defy indoor-dining ban, trade group says
https://www.inquirer.com/food/indoor-dining-prla-governor-wolf-philadelphia-pennsylvania-20201215.html
Schuylkill restaurants open for indoor dining despite restrictions
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/coronavirus/schuylkill-restaurants-open-for-indoor-dining-despite-restrictions/article_7ac1364f-b930-50b9-9634-8ca77a1eb129.html
Restaurant owner sues Braddock mayor, claims defamation
https://triblive.com/local/restaurant-owner-sues-braddock-mayor-claims-defamation/
FedEx Supply Chain to hire 50-plus positions in Hazleton
https://www.timesleader.com/news/813163/fedex-supply-chain-to-hire-50-plus-positions-in-hazleton
Should stores stop selling masks in Pennsylvania? | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/12/should-stores-stop-selling-masks-in-pennsylvania-opinion.html
Crime/Punishment
Covid cases on the rise at Westmoreland County Prison
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/covid-cases-on-the-rise-at-westmoreland-county-prison/
Inmate gets 50-to-100-year sentence for attempted murder of troopers in Indiana County
https://triblive.com/local/regional/inmate-gets-50-to-100-year-sentence-for-attempted-murder-of-troopers-in-indiana-county/
Police on hunt after city convenience store worker shot ‘in cold blood’
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/cops-and-courts/police-on-hunt-after-city-convenience-store-worker-shot-in-cold-blood/article_67ed0d6f-07dc-5ad8-9105-a00f1d6297e5.html
Berks County detectives opened fire on a vehicle suspected to be involved in a shooting Friday afternoon
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/crime/berks-county-detectives-opened-fire-on-a-vehicle-suspected-to-be-involved-in-a-shooting/article_acb25a28-3e57-11eb-9dc6-e77e1abe831f.html
Berks County detectives investigate killing in South Heidelberg Township home
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/crime/berks-county-detectives-investigate-killing-in-south-heidelberg-township-home/article_2a30bb6c-3e16-11eb-9a4a-277320a9c51c.html
Education
Study: PA shorted poor school districts with federal COVID aid
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/study-pa-shorted-poor-school-districts-with-federal-covid-aid/article_10eec67f-ee45-515d-a96d-5f2750c522cc.html
Elections/Politics
‘Ticket-splitting’ voters in Bucks County show it’s the most competitive Philly suburb
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/bucks-county-pennsylvania-ticket-splitters-biden-fitzpatrick-20201215.html
Mailed ballots, tight deadlines caused a crunch for Pa. elections officials. Now, comes the reckoning.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/spl/pennsylvania-mail-ballot-request-deadline-change-2020-election-20201215.html
Electoral College makes it official: Joe Biden won, Donald Trump lost
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/joe-biden-electoral-college-trump-president-united-states-20201214.html
Pennsylvania electors cast their votes for Biden
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/electoral-college-votes-to-take-biden-1-step-closer-to-the-white-house/
As Electoral College meets, Trump’s effort to subvert it could have lasting effect
https://www.pennlive.com/elections/2020/12/as-electoral-college-meets-trumps-effort-to-subvert-it-could-have-lasting-effect.html
Health Care
Interest is lively at deadline for ‘Obamacare’ sign-ups
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/obamacare-sign-up-deadline-20201214.html
We’re future OB-GYNs. Pa. needs to drop its support for ‘crisis pregnancy’ centers | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/were-future-ob-gyns-pa-needs-to-drop-its-support-for-crisis-pregnancy-centers-opinion/
Local News
Some traffic stops in Scranton end in free meal vouchers rather than ticket
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/some-traffic-stops-in-scranton-end-in-free-meal-vouchers-rather-than-ticket/article_14378789-c41e-5b8f-b5eb-f97f41185fd0.html
Dunmore passes budget with $374,000-plus deficit
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/dunmore-passes-budget-with-374-000-plus-deficit/article_0ac94035-c2db-5b2a-b63c-7dc79ef587c6.html
Reading passes 2021 budget and raises real estate tax 2.5%
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-passes-2021-budget-and-raises-real-estate-tax-2-5/article_c522a220-3e7a-11eb-b853-1f7a50d567cc.html
3 dead, 4 injured in horse and buggy crash with dump truck in Lancaster County
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/fatal-horse-buggy-accident-lancaster-county-20201214.html
Harrisburg City Council approves 2021 budget that creates 18 new police jobs
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/12/harrisburg-city-council-approves-2021-budget-that-creates-17-new-police-jobs.html
Philly
Philly’s COVID-19 hotels for homeless people are shutting down over loss of federal funding
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/covid-hotel-philadelphia-moving-20201214.html
Stressed by too much screen time, these Philly high school students staged a protest
https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-screen-time-protest-kensington-capa-20201214.html
As shootings soar, Philly Police and DA pledge a new collaboration on gun crimes
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-gun-violence-shootings-danielle-outlaw-larry-krasner-city-council-20201214.html
Philly Police identify 50-year-old Feltonville man shot and wounded by an officer last week
https://www.inquirer.com/news/police-involved-shooting-feltonville-taser-philadelphia-police-department-jose-cerda-walter-wallace-20201214.html
Superintendent Hite’s grades slip in latest school board evaluation
https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-hite-superintendent-evaluation-school-board-20201214.html
Free internet access available for some now struggling to afford it, city says
https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-free-internet-comcast-philadelphia-school-district-20201214.html
Shaming exhausted parents for their kids’ school attendance issues is misguided and unfair | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/school-attendance-absenteeism-philadelphia-20201214.html
Savvy Philly property mogul has pulled off eye-popping flips. Some now want to see him in court.
https://www.inquirer.com/business/chris-rahn-philadelphia-real-estate-deals-20201215.html
Philly survived COVID’s first wave, with tough losses. How do we survive the next one? | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-coronavirus-stay-at-home-cases-increasing-20201215.html
As homicides rise, Philly police must quit the lip service and start building community bonds | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-police-shootings-homicide-community-relations-20201209.html
Philadelphia aims to bring Black and brown advisers into next city master plan
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/philadelphia-aims-to-bring-black-and-brown-advisers-into-next-city-master-plan/article_ec89521d-ff48-5a0a-8a06-d32f653ffe6f.html
Pitt
Trib Total Media announces $1 million Shop Local Marketing Grant program
https://triblive.com/local/regional/trib-total-media-announces-1-million-shop-local-marketing-grant-program/
‘Stop the Violence Fund’ shifted from Pittsburgh police budget after outcry
https://triblive.com/local/stop-the-violence-fund-shifted-from-pittsburgh-police-budget-after-outcry/
Crack’d Egg flouts shutdown as deputies quarantined for dining, taking photos with owner
https://triblive.com/local/south-hills/crackd-egg-flouts-shutdown-as-deputies-quarantined-for-dining-taking-photos-with-owner/
412 Food Rescue helping restaurants feed the hungry this winter
https://triblive.com/lifestyles/food-drink/412-food-rescue-helping-restaurants-feed-the-hungry-this-winter/
Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank celebrates 40 years of feeding the hungry
https://triblive.com/local/greater-pittsburgh-food-bank-celebrates-40-years-of-feeding-the-hungry/
Pittsburgh’s Menorah Parade traveling an alternate route
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburghs-menorah-parade-traveling-an-alternate-route/
Police: Man shot and killed in Penn Hills
https://triblive.com/local/police-man-shot-and-killed-in-penn-hills/
Covid quarantines in Allegheny County jail raise nutrition, staffing concerns
https://triblive.com/local/covid-quarantines-in-allegheny-county-jail-raise-nutrition-staffing-concerns/
State News
Loyalhanna, Buffalo creeks in the running for Pa.’s 2021 River of the Year, chosen by public vote
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/loyalhanna-creek-in-the-running-for-pa-s-2021-river-of-the-year-chosen-by-public-vote/
New Pennsylvania report calls on hunters to stop spread of chronic wasting disease
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/environment/new-pennsylvania-report-calls-on-hunters-to-stop-spread-of-chronic-wasting-disease/article_c31f8488-3e44-11eb-81e8-b78f84646172.html
Gun sales in PA skyrocket amid a year of political chaos, riots and more time to hunt
https://www.goerie.com/story/sports/outdoors/2020/12/14/pa-gun-shops-see-record-sales-numbers-due-covid-19-politics-riots/6506959002/
Washington
Attorney General Bill Barr is resigning, will leave before Christmas, Trump says
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/trump-attorney-general-bill-barr-resigns-20201214.html
Pa. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon pushes to make intimidation of elections officials a federal crime
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/mary-gay-scanlon-doj-election-officials-intimidation-20201214.html
Two regional reps disgrace themselves
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/two-regional-reps-disgrace-themselves/article_c107fadc-0b30-5b33-9f0b-c412e5b6d94a.html