Legislatura
UPMC Altoona nurses rally for ‘safe staffing’
https://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2019/12/upmc-altoona-nurses-rally-for-safe-staffing/
Schools urge cyber reform
https://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2019/12/schools-urge-cyber-reform/
Bartolotta bill provides additional reimbursements for nursing home ventilator care
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20191205/bartolotta-bill-provides-additional-reimbursements-for-nursing-home-ventilator-care
New law will expand online training for firefighters
https://www.tribdem.com/news/new-law-will-expand-online-training-for-firefighters/article_f29bc65d-e53b-5beb-b08f-b239a0003ddd.html
Erie-area volunteer EMS services ask for legislators’ help
https://www.goerie.com/news/20191205/erie-area-volunteer-ems-services-ask-for-legislatorsrsquo-help
State Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell, charged with $500k theft, hands in resignation
https://www.inquirer.com/news/rep-movita-johnson-harrell-resigns-legislature-charged-20191205.html
Metcalfe to join Pennsylvania panel that reviews plan for climate action
https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/metcalfe-to-join-pennsylvania-panel-that-reviews-plan-for-climate-action/
Pa. lawmakers address child abuse — but don’t go far enough | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/grand-jury-shapiro-statute-of-limitations-predator-priests-abuse-victims-editorial-20191206.html
Update Pa’s charter school law to foster innovation, bolster accountability | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/update-pas-charter-school-law-to-foster-innovation-bolster-accountability-opinion/
Administración
Governor commutes life sentences of 8 more prisoners
https://www.witf.org/2019/12/05/governor-commutes-life-sentences-of-8-more-prisoners/
Wolf commutes 8, brings clemency total to 19, the third-highest among Pa. governors
https://www.penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/wolf-commutes-8-brings-clemency-total-to-19-the-third-highest-among-pa-governors/
Fetterman blasts Copeland over plans to re-arrest inmate on old theft charge
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/fetterman-blasts-copeland-over-plans-to-re-arrest-inmate-on/article_b6060670-1823-11ea-aed0-f3ddfe630058.html
Empresas
Uber disclosed 3,000 sexual assaults in U.S. rides last year in its long-awaited safety report
https://www.inquirer.com/business/technology/uber-sexual-assaults-report-last-year-20191206.html
Feds join city, state in investigating Jeannette hemp-drying business
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/feds-join-city-state-in-investigating-jeannette-hemp-drying-business/
Nostalgic for outdoor cocktails? Clarks Summit eatery has you covered
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/nostalgic-for-outdoor-cocktails-clarks-summit-eatery-has-you-covered-1.2567967
Too many American workers are barely surviving on low-paying jobs | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/12/too-many-american-workers-are-barely-surviving-on-low-paying-jobs-opinion.html
Delito/Castigo
Husband-wife duo accused of bilking Pa. out of $10M by faking 20 companies in tax credit scheme
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/husband-wife-duo-accused-of-bilking-pa-out-of-10m-by-faking-20-companies-in-tax-credit-scheme/
Inmate charged with attacking other inmate at SCI-Retreat
https://www.timesleader.com/news/764828/inmate-charged-with-attacking-other-inmate-at-sci-retreat
Pa. police chief’s stepson is embroiled in deer torture video, but solicitor vows ‘no favoritism’
https://www.pennlive.com/crime/2019/12/pa-police-chiefs-stepson-is-embroiled-in-deer-torture-video-but-solicitor-vows-no-favoritism.html
In case of Berks County mom accused of killing children by hanging, did the system fail?
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-berks-hanging-children-experts-20191206-pbhgvq2chzdjvedgujqubsocnu-story.html
Educación
Pennsylvania’s urban school districts call for change; say state funding, charter laws crippling them
https://www.inquirer.com/education/charter-school-reform-pennsylvania-urban-districts-norristown-tom-wolf-20191205.html
State audit flags WVW for disappearing fund balance, reporting error
https://www.timesleader.com/news/764933/state-audit-flags-wvw-for-disappearing-fund-balance-reporting-error
University of Scranton fails to recognize conservative student club
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/university-of-scranton-fails-to-recognize-conservative-student-club-1.2567922
Is college worth it? Berks students and parents can finally get clarity
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/is-college-worth-it-berks-students-and-parents-can-finally-get-clarity
Sanidad
Measles cases up in the U.S. and globally
https://www.inquirer.com/health/measles-deaths-us-global-children-epidemic-outbreak-vaccine-20191205.html
Help offered for 92 laid off from Ellwood City’s hospital
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20191205/help-offered-for-92-laid-off-from-ellwood-citys-hospital/1
Sunbury hospital closing mirrors national trend of struggling rural hospitals
https://www.dailyitem.com/news/local_news/sunbury-hospital-closing-mirrors-national-trend-of-struggling-rural-hospitals/article_e3bdd62f-613d-5e42-830f-3fa5c1534009.html
Noticias locales
Mayor Evans, touting progress, proclaims the future of Scranton is bright
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/mayor-evans-touting-progress-proclaims-the-future-of-scranton-is-bright-1.2567870
Longtime Scranton controller Roseann Novembrino dies, weeks after resignation
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/longtime-scranton-controller-roseann-novembrino-dies-weeks-after-resignation-1.2568091
Lackawanna County Recycling Center forced labor suit similar to others filed nationwide
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-recycling-center-forced-labor-suit-similar-to-others-filed-nationwide-1.2567974
LSA grant applications approved, venue change requested for Wilkes-Barre sewer sale presentation
https://www.timesleader.com/news/764929/lsa-grant-applications-approved-venue-change-requested-for-wilkes-barre-sewer-sale-presentation
Watchilla to be Luzerne County’s new election director
https://www.timesleader.com/news/764880/watchilla-to-be-luzerne-countys-new-election-director
Innovation Center owner exploring options on property
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/innovation-center-owner-exploring-options-on-property-1.2568101
W-B will forward gaming grant applications, despite opposition
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/w-b-will-forward-gaming-grant-applications-despite-opposition-1.2568092
Hazleton Area Recreation Program hopes grant will extend reach
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/hazleton-area-recreation-program-hopes-grant-will-extend-reach-1.2568041
Grants support medical, senior shuttle services in Alle-Kiski Valley area
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/grants-support-medical-senior-shuttle-services-in-alle-kiski-valley-area/
‘Produce to People’ food bank finds new winter home in Tarentum
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/produce-to-people-food-bank-finds-new-winter-home-in-tarentum/
Festival of Trees to light up River Forest starting Friday
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/festival-of-trees-to-light-up-river-forest-starting-friday/
Latrobe firefighters suspended, mayor says
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/latrobe-firefighters-suspended-mayor-says/
Freeport Council could change engineering firms to complete sewage project
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/freeport-council-plans-to-change-engineering-firms-to-complete-sewage-project/
Reading scrambles to fill ranks of depleted police department
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-scrambles-to-fill-ranks-of-police-department
Berks County Commissioner Mark Scott urges his successors to keep fighting landfills
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-county-commissioner-mark-scott-urges-his-successors-to-keep-fighting-landfills
Noticias nacionales
The blind Tennessee inmate Lee Hall is executed for a woman’s 1991 killing
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/12/05/Lee-Hall-blind-Tennessee-inmate-execution-death-electric-chair-killing-ex/stories/201912050203
West Virginia corrections employees are suspended for performing a Nazi salute in a photo
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2019/12/05/West-Virginia-corrections-photo-Nazi-salute-employees-suspended/stories/201912050201
Nueva Jersey
New Jersey moves closer to banning plastic bags — and paper ones, too
https://www.inquirer.com/news/new-jersey-plastic-bag-ban-20191205.html
Filadelfia
New Pa. law aimed to disarm accused domestic abusers within 24 hours. Hundreds in Philly haven’t turned in guns.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-pennsylvania-domestic-violence-gun-law-sheriff-20191206.html
Philly wants to bring back a version of an old strategy to fight gun violence. Specifics are pending.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-focused-deterrence-david-kennedy-group-violence-intervention-20191206.html
Philly’s real estate boom spurs fear of eviction among one building’s senior citizens
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/housing/seniors-housing-apartment-tenant-renters-eviction-20191206.html
Philly renames street after former local NAACP president Jerry Mondesire
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/jerry-whyatt-mondesire-way-philadelphia-street-city-council-germantown-naacp-20191206.html
David Cohen is a 2020 political player. His sway at home in Philadelphia has become another question.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/david-cohen-comcast-philadelphia-presidential-politics-20191206.html
Jefferson University gets $70 million gift to help pay for new research tower in Philly
https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/thomas-jefferson-university-sidney-kimmel-donation-70-million-20191206.html
Philly City Council reaches compromise on plastic bag ban and regulations on bed bugs infestations
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/plastic-bag-ban-bed-bug-amendment-city-council-20191205.html
Philadelphia to restrict sales of flavored e-cigarettes
https://www.inquirer.com/health/consumer/flavored-e-cigarettes-vaping-ban-philadelphia-20191205.html
Philly leaders ask parents to check their kids’ rooms for guns
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/philly-leaders-ask-parents-to-check-their-kids-rooms-for/article_564aa255-d8f9-5c3b-be8e-801d776cbd03.html
Philly City Council amends 10-year tax abatement bill after Mayor Jim Kenney’s threat to block it
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-tax-abatement-mayor-jim-kenney-council-20191205.html
City Council caves under Kenney’s veto threat, pushes back proposed tax abatement reforms
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/city-council-caves-under-kenney-s-veto-threat-pushes-back/article_afaab49b-94f9-58db-b773-f68af57cc71b.html
Pitt
Cash-strapped Hill House seeks emergency court approval to sell 2 remaining buildings
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2019/12/05/Hill-House-emergency-motion-properties-sales-Hillman-McCune-foundations/stories/201912050130
Racism as a public health crisis focus of city council meetings
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/12/05/Racism-public-health-crisis-Pittsburgh-city-council-Burgess-Lavelle-inequality-gender-race/stories/201912050123
Racism widespread and systemic in Pittsburgh, experts say
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/racism-widespread-and-systematic-in-pittsburgh-experts-say/
Russians indicted in Pittsburgh on computer hacking, bank fraud accusations
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/12/05/maksim-yakubets-igor-turashev-russian-computer-hacking-bank-fraud-indictment-pittsburgh/stories/201912050117
Jason Momoa is still doing things in Pittsburgh
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/movies/2019/12/05/Jason-Momoa-Pittsburgh-duck-hodges-devin-bush-joe-musgrove-kameron-canaday/stories/201912050134
Lamar rips city over Mount Washington billboard appeal
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2019/12/06/Lamar-billboard-Mount-Washington-Bill-Peduto-Supreme-Court/stories/201912060091
Four Pittsburgh area high schools get national STEM recognition, Shady Side Academy tops list
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/12/05/Four-Pittsburgh-area-high-schools-get-STEM-recognition/stories/201911250089
Oversight board approves $75,000 to continue naloxone program at Allegheny County Jail
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/12/05/Oversight-board-approves-75-000-to-continue-naloxone-program-at-Allegheny-County-Jail/stories/201912050178
Allegheny County Jail to use inmate funds to supply overdose reversal kits
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-county-jail-board-oks-using-inmate-money-to-pay-for-overdoserecovery-kits/
Carnegie natural history museum director leaves for North Carolina
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/12/05/Eric-Dorman-Carnegie-natural-history-museum-director-leaves-for-Raleigh-NC/stories/201912050153
Slippery roads? City to turn on the tablets and salt
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/12/05/Slippery-roads-tablets-salt-tracker-Quetica-Mike-Gable-Department-Public-Works/stories/201912050121
Better practices: Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media should use resources to improve management
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/12/06/Pittsburgh-Center-Arts-Media-resources-management-Regent-Square-Harris-Theater/stories/201912030004
Wilkinsburg lands $3M grant for downtown revitalization
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/wilkinsburg-lands-3m-grant-for-downtown-revitalization/
Merry … Krampusnacht? Pittsburgh celebrates darker, edgier Christmas
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/merry-krampusnacht-pittsburgh-celebrates-darker-edgier-christmas-creature/
Noticias del Estado
State testing finds elevated levels of PFAS chemicals in some Pa. drinking water, but only one sample exceeded federal health levels
https://www.witf.org/2019/12/05/pfas-water-contamination-not-widespread-pennsylvania-says/
State: PFAS contamination not “widespread” in PA
https://www.theintell.com/news/20191205/state-pfas-contamination-not-ldquowidespreadrdquo-in-pa
PA Society: ‘It’s an annual tradition and a must-attend event’ for politicians and power brokers
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/12/pa-society-its-an-annual-tradition-and-a-must-attend-event-for-politicians-and-power-brokers.html
A Republican Party remade by President Trump arrives in Manhattan for Pennsylvania Society | Clout
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/clout/president-donald-trump-pennsylvania-society-republican-party-20191206.html
Karen Kane: An unconscionable means to a worthy end
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/karen-kane/2019/12/06/Grand-jury-report-clergy-abuse-Josh-Shapiro-justice-due-process/stories/201912060035
Their church has been vandalized repeatedly, but they’re stressing forgiveness for Christmas
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/our-lady-guadalupe-catholic-church-doylestown-vandalism-20191205.html
Pennsylvania criminalizes accidental overdoses to the detriment of its people | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/pennsylvania-opioid-overdose-deaths-charging-friends-dealers-20191206.html
Indiana County bridges named for 14th Quartermaster reservist, astronaut candidate
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/indiana-county-bridges-named-for-14th-quartermaster-reservist-astronaut-candidate/
Court reinstates $8 million verdict against prison medical provider
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/court-reinstates-8-million-verdict-against-prison-medical-provider-1.2568194
Citizen activist Gene Stilp burns Trump campaign flags to protest the president’s ‘misguided’ values
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/12/citizen-activist-gene-stilp-burns-trump-campaign-flags-to-protest-the-presidents-misguided-values.html
Deer hunter fatally shoots self with crossbow in Alsace Township
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/deer-hunter-fatally-shoots-self-with-crossbow-in-alsace-township
Transporte
6-month project to repair slide along Reis Run Road in Ross completed; road reopened
https://northjournal.triblive.com/6-month-project-to-repair-slide-along-reis-run-road-in-ross-completed-road-reopened/
PennDOT announces lane and shoulder restrictions on Parkway East
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/penndot-announces-lane-and-shoulder-restrictions-on-parkway-east/
Washington
Don’t enact SNAP cuts
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/don-t-enact-snap-cuts-1.2567980
Phone logs in impeachment report renew concern about security of Trump communications
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/phone-calls-trump-impeachment-security-rudy-giuliani-20191206.html
Susan Wild ‘mostly likely’ to support at least one impeachment charge against Trump
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-congress-trump-impeachment-susan-wild-20191206-obsjw2mogzb4xi6lv4l57uvdwy-story.html
VP Pence set to visit Beaver County veterans group
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/12/05/VP-Pence-set-to-visit-Beaver-County-veterans-group/stories/201912050169