Coronavirus - COVID-19
Wolf administration to provide $4 million to communities struggling in pandemic
https://triblive.com/local/regional/wolf-administration-to-provide-4-million-to-communities-struggling-in-pandemic/
‘It’s not over yet’: Pa. hospitalizations and deaths keep climbing as vaccines arrive in N.J. and Delaware
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-covid-19-pa-nj-delaware-vaccine-teachers-pfizer-cooper-moderna-20201215.html
New nursing home rules coming in Pa. are being kept secret as COVID-19 roils the industry
https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/covid-19-nursing-home-regulations-pennsylvania-revisions-20201216.html
Here’s what Pa. hospital leaders say about masks, business closures and new public health measures
https://www.witf.org/2020/12/15/heres-what-pa-hospital-leaders-say-about-masks-business-closures-and-new-public-health-measures/
Pa. officials say winter storm won’t hinder vaccine distribution
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/officials-say-winter-storm-wont-hinder-vaccine-distribution/
COVID-19 Vaccine: Who gets it and when? | Phase One breakdown
https://www.penncapital-star.com/covid-19/covid-19-vaccine-who-gets-it-and-when-phase-one-breakdown/
Vaccine rollout begins, with Geisinger among first Pa. recipients
https://www.timesleader.com/news/813261/vaccine-rollout-begins-with-geisinger-among-first-pa-recipients
Pa. passes 500,000 covid cases
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-reports-most-new-covid-19-deaths-this-month/
Allegheny County reports more than 1,000 new covid cases for 6th time this month
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-reports-more-than-1000-new-covid-cases-for-6th-time-this-month/
139 new COVID-19 cases, nine deaths reported in county
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/139-new-covid-19-cases-nine-deaths-reported-in-county/article_d04a40cd-4753-57dd-a06f-0e8a354f88b7.html
COVID-19 deaths surging statewide in the last week
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/covid-19-deaths-surging-statewide-in-the-last-week/article_07b21fe7-0feb-534d-813f-7463d40193d1.html
Getting COVID-19 at an indoor gathering is even likelier than experts once thought. Here’s why.
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/airborne-coronavirus-transmisson-emerging-as-bigger-threat-indoor-gatherings-20201216.html
Berks County adds 312 new cases and 5 deaths in COVID pandemic as Pa. passes 500,000 cases
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/berks-county-adds-312-new-cases-and-5-deaths-in-covid-pandemic-as-pa-passes/article_affd36aa-3f0e-11eb-a4f8-eb2a573b988c.html
Westmoreland Commissioner Gina Cerilli tests positive for covid-19
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-commissioner-gina-cerilli-tests-positive-for-covid-19/
Black woman garners praise as scientist at forefront of COVID-19 vaccine
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/12/black-woman-garners-praise-as-scientist-at-forefront-of-covid-19-vaccine.html
Sen. Bob Casey, North Huntingdon mother highlight need for continued pandemic relief
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/sen-casey-north-huntingdon-mother-highlight-need-for-continued-pandemic-relief/
COVID-19 relief should extend CARES Act work-sharing provisions | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/unemployment-coronavirus-covid-labor-jobs-work-share-20201215.html
Over-the-counter home test for covid-19 gets U.S. green light
https://triblive.com/news/world/over-the-counter-home-test-for-covid-19-gets-u-s-green-light/
Santa, Mrs. Claus expose families to coronavirus during Georgia tree lighting
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/12/santa-mrs-claus-expose-families-to-coronavirus-during-georgia-tree-lighting.html
Legislatura
CCIU honors Dinniman for a lifetime of public service
https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/local/cciu-honors-dinniman-for-a-lifetime-of-public-service/article_9e0e7e90-4eb7-55ce-9a9b-fe71b57b5714.html
What local LGBTQ organizers and legislators say must be done post-election
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/what-local-lgbtq-organizers-and-legislators-say-must-be-done-post-election/Content?oid=18561107
Our opinion: Kaufer, Boback and Toohil lacked the courage to protect your vote
https://www.citizensvoice.com/opinion/editorial/our-opinion-kaufer-boback-and-toohil-lacked-the-courage-to-protect-your-vote/article_d41a74f0-6b1d-5065-a4c9-9e9fb6d8d0e5.html
Sen. Mike Regan backs fraudulent election tampering, yet only selectively | PennLive letters
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/12/sen-mike-regan-backs-fraudulent-election-tampering-yet-only-selectively-pennlive-letters.html
Plummeting morale, decreasing staff, and shrinking resources leave Pa. nurses in desperate need | Expert Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/nursing-shortages-coronavirus-covid-pennsylvania-20201215.html
Administración
Lawsuits contend Gov. Wolf has no authority to issue new restrictions
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/lawsuits-contend-gov-wolf-has-no-authority-to-issue-new-restrictions/
Pennsylvania school district sues Gov. Tom Wolf over restrictions preventing athletics
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/sports/high-school/2020/12/15/butler-area-school-district-sues-gov-tom-wolf-over-sports-restrictions/3909211001/
Empresas
A Doylestown engineering firm stole $2 million by overbilling townships, boroughs, and businesses, Pa. prosecutors say
https://www.inquirer.com/news/boucher-james-doylestown-fraud-attorney-general-20201215.html
Freeport-based nonprofit supports servers, bartenders through covid closures
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/freeport-based-nonprofit-supports-servers-bartenders-through-covid-closures/
Pa.’s restaurant shutdowns without federal aid will leave thousands more unemployed | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/pennsylvania-restaurant-restrictions-indoor-dining-shutdown-20201215.html
Igloos and cubes become a cool outdoor dining trend in NEPA
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/business/igloos-and-cubes-become-a-cool-outdoor-dining-trend-in-nepa/article_d506707d-8bcb-594a-aaf5-8c92f8513461.html
Restaurant aid justified
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/restaurant-aid-justified/article_7d836bbb-c39e-5690-a817-7ec1fca8aebc.html
Educación
Is a snow day coming? It depends on the school district.
https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-snow-days-school-district-forecast-20201215.html
‘Educators hurt when their students are hurting’: College faculty experience rising rates of stress, burnout due to COVID-19
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/college-faculty-mental-health-philadelphia-covid-pandemic-20201216.html
School superintendent tells families to ‘build a snowman’ and ‘make memories’ on snow day
https://www.pennlive.com/life/2020/12/school-superintendent-tells-families-to-build-a-snowman-and-make-memories-on-snow-day.html
Lincoln University receives $20 million gift as part of $4 billion giveaway by ex-wife of Amazon founder
https://www.inquirer.com/education/lincoln-gift-mackenzie-scott-amazon-jeff-bezos-20201215.html
Moravian College announces it’s becoming a university
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-moravian-college-transitioning-to-a-university-20201216-sxcneufiq5coxpk7fhms34wnmm-story.html
Elecciones/Política
The 2020 election established Montgomery County as a powerful Democratic stronghold in Pennsylvania
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/montgomery-county-pennsylvania-biden-trump-democrats-20201216.html
Pennsylvania congressmen who wanted to throw out their own state’s votes still don’t acknowledge Biden’s win
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/pa-congressmen-texas-lawsuit-biden-20201215.html
Rep. Meuser and legislators who tried to overturn free and fair elections should apologize to Pennsylvanians | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/12/rep-meuser-and-legislators-who-tried-to-overturn-free-and-fair-elections-should-apologize-to-pennsylvanians-opinion.html
County election director Watchilla resigns
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/county-election-director-watchilla-resigns/article_c3bbcaeb-d4e5-5b88-aee3-9804bde1d051.html
Michigan House gives oversight committee subpoena powers to continue election probe
https://www.pennlive.com/elections/2020/12/michigan-house-gives-oversight-committee-subpoena-powers-to-continue-election-probe.html
Sanidad
State-run psychiatric hospital can’t recruit enough workers as Pa. risks violating federal requirements
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/torrance-state-hospital-staffing-federal-funding-risks-coronavirus-20201216.html
Noticias locales
Scranton City Council adopts amended $114.5M budget for 2021
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-city-council-adopts-amended-114-5m-budget-for-2021/article_9339504e-6a00-5403-be5f-7316463c60c6.html
Reading Parking Authority looks to build a parking lot in downtown Reading
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-parking-authority-looks-to-build-a-parking-lot-in-downtown-reading/article_94ad4b90-3f3d-11eb-af96-cf1051700488.html
Marple commissioners unanimously reject plan for Don Guanella site
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/marple-commissioners-unanimously-reject-plan-for-don-guanella-site/article_1f18c070-3f0c-11eb-a529-2bc0b2e7e24c.html
New Kensington’s proposed budget includes no tax increase
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/new-kensingtons-proposed-budget-includes-no-tax-increase/
East Deer Commissioners approve 35% water rate increase for 2021
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/east-deer-commissioners-approve-35-water-rate-increase-for-2021/
Voice of Westmoreland to air local public health concerns in Zoom forum
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/voice-of-westmoreland-to-air-local-public-health-concerns-in-zoom-forum/
Luzerne County Council unanimously OKs no-tax-hike budget
https://www.timesleader.com/news/813246/luzerne-county-council-unanimously-oks-no-tax-hike-budget
Noticias nacionales
Eviction is the New Year’s gift that no one deserves but millions could get | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/eviction-moratorium-housing-cdc-order-extend-20201215.html
Nueva Jersey
N.J. weed bill clears final hurdle before major votes Thursday
https://www.pennlive.com/marijuana/2020/12/nj-weed-bill-clears-final-hurdle-before-major-votes-thursday.html
Filadelfia
Philly students want school board voting power, more representation
https://www.inquirer.com/education/philadelphia-school-district-board-student-voting-members-20201215.html
Philly Police Capt. Frank Milillo, who died of COVID-19, honored at funeral Mass
https://www.inquirer.com/news/frank-milillo-philadelphia-police-death-covid-19-funeral-20201215.html
Pitt
Allegheny County announces new initiatives to combat youth homelessness
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-announces-new-initiatives-to-combat-youth-homelessness/
Pgh. City Council shifts over $9M away from police, Mon-Oakland Connector in proposed budget
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/pgh-city-council-shifts-over-9m-away-from-police-mon-oakland-connector-in-proposed-budget/
Allegations of sexual misconduct against a former Pittsburgh Post-Gazette journalist were an open secret. Did the universities he worked for help keep it that way?
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/allegations-of-sexual-misconduct-against-a-former-pittsburgh-post-gazette-journalist-were-an-open-secret-did-the-universities-he-worked-for-h/Content?oid=18561096
Noticias del Estado
Populations continue to decline in Westmoreland, Allegheny counties
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/populations-continue-to-decline-in-westmoreland-allegheny/
Washington
Joe Biden picks Pete Buttigieg, Jennifer Granholm for his Cabinet
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/biden-buttigief-transportation-secretary-20201215.html
Raise stakes for threats in elections
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/raise-stakes-for-threats-in-elections/article_bf1f9745-5a7d-5832-ba54-76458084b6f8.html
Winter Storm
With a winter storm packing a wallop, here’s what you need to know
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/with-a-winter-storm-packing-a-wallop-heres-what-you-need-to-know/article_3712ab8d-0641-5b1b-9d36-1d958e91f3af.html
Snow is forecast for Philly on Wednesday, with a big range of accumulation totals likely
https://www.inquirer.com/weather/snow-forecast-philadelphia-winter-storm-warning-how-much-expected-20201215.html
Winter storm could bring up to 8 inches of snow Wednesday
https://triblive.com/local/regional/winter-storm-could-bring-up-to-6-inches-of-snow-wednesday/
Berks hunkers down for snow storm; governor declares an emergency
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-hunkers-down-for-snow-storm-governor-declares-an-emergency/article_72bf3e46-3f31-11eb-8319-3bc63e47a340.html
Ready or not: Major winter storm takes aim at Lehigh Valley, with thundersnow and ‘near-blizzard conditions’ likely
https://www.mcall.com/news/weather/mc-nws-sprawling-winter-storm-takes-aim-at-lehigh-valley-20201216-7ppip3ooqjguhjn6sltlpmuyzi-story.html
Bad news, Lehigh Valley. Jim Cantore has arrived for winter storm coverage.
https://www.mcall.com/news/weather/mc-nws-jim-cantore-allentown-winter-storm-20201215-jwvxnk4fqngeban34cjsbjyyi4-story.html
The end of snow days? With everybody already at home, storms have a different look
https://www.mcall.com/news/weather/mc-nws-pa-snowstorm-anxiety-20201215-htjlsy7ovjcw5gmpcjhjxn5tqu-story.html
Vehicle restrictions announced; motorists urged to ‘avoid traveling’ during snowstorm: PennDOT
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/12/vehicle-restrictions-announced-motorists-urged-to-avoid-traveling-during-snowstorm-penndot.html
PennDOT, county officials ready for first storm of the season
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/penndot-county-officials-ready-for-first-storm-of-the-season/article_e84638dc-d4a7-5eca-9fe0-e03f3e1738b5.html