Legislatura
Calling Pa. laws ‘antiquated,’ bipartisan group pushes parole reform
http://www.witf.org/state-house-sound-bites/2019/01/calling-pa-laws-antiquated-bipartisan-group-pushes-parole-reform.php
Probation reforms pushed by Pennsylvania senators seeking savings, fairness
https://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pennsylvania-probation-reform-20190128-story.html
State Sen. Bartolotta co-sponsors probation reform bill
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20190128/state-sen-bartolotta-co-sponsors-probation-reform-bill
Rescued canine helps puppy mill legislation, coalition urges environmental action: Today at the Pa. Capitol
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/01/rescued-canine-helps-puppy-mill-legislation-coalition-urges-environmental-action-today-at-the-pa-capitol.html
Church abuse victims waiting on Pa. legislature to act
https://www.timesleader.com/news/731816/church-abuse-victims-waiting-on-pa-legislature-to-act
N.Y. law change would deliver abuse survivors day in court, hope to Pennsylvanians
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/14553409-74/ny-law-change-would-deliver-abuse-survivors-day-in-court-hope-to
Senate Republicans name former newspaper owner to help oversee Harrisburg’s finances
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/01/former-newspaper-owner-named-to-oversee-harrisburgs-finances.html
Lawmaker calls on officials to investigate pipeline players
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/lawmaker-calls-on-officials-to-investigate-pipeline-players/article_658e4418-2324-11e9-82f7-ff005c9e706a.html
Killion introduces pair of bills aimed at saving lives
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/killion-introduces-pair-of-bills-aimed-at-saving-lives/article_5d1dd990-233a-11e9-bd02-e3e0c491c140.html
Lawmaker wants to expand list of crimes that could cost public employees, officials their pensions
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/01/lawmaker-wants-to-expand-list-of-crimes-that-could-cost-public-employees-officials-their-pensions.html
Pa. State Police staffing study should take priority over any talk of legalizing pot | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/01/pa-state-police-staffing-study-should-take-priority-over-any-talk-of-legalizing-pot-opinion.html
Pa. needs automatic voter registration
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2019/01/29/Pa-needs-automatic-voter-registration/stories/201901280106
Redistribución de distritos
Where to count inmates an issue in redistricting
http://www.witf.org/news/2019/01/inmates-redistricting-census.php
Administración
Gov. Wolf proposes converting assistance program into housing
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2019/01/28/Pennsylvania-Tom-Wolf-proposes-converting-assistance-program-PHARE-housing-poor-low-income/stories/201901250134
After some awkward moments, kids dressed as the Lorax meet Gov. Wolf — and make their point
http://www.witf.org/news/2019/01/after-some-awkward-moments-kids-dressed-as-the-lorax-meet-gov-wolf-and-make-their-point.php
Empresas
A $15 minimum wage hurts workers | Opinion
http://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/minimum-wage-pennsylvania-fight-for–20190128.html
Online convenience driving return of grocery deliveries in Western Pennsylvania
https://triblive.com/local/regional/14552978-74/online-convenience-driving-return-of-grocery-deliveries-in-western-pennsylvania
Two more stores closing at Wyoming Valley Mall
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/two-more-stores-closing-at-wyoming-valley-mall-1.2438586
Delito/Castigo
Returned Christmas cards anger prison activists, inmates’ loved ones
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14553389-74/returned-christmas-cards-anger-prison-activists-inmates-loved-ones
Pennsylvania is poised for much-needed criminal justice reform, but can we abolish life without parole? | Opinion
http://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/pennsylvania-incarceration-life-without-parole-prison-sentencing-20190128.html
Scammers targeting former Sanford-Brown students, Pa. Attorney General warns
http://www.philly.com/business/sanford-brown-student-loan-debt-scam-pennsylvania-josh-shapiro-20190128.html
Elderly Westmoreland woman scammed out of $58K
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14551613-74/elderly-westmoreland-woman-scammed-out-of-58k
Former Lackawanna County Prison guard seeks dismissal of sex abuse charge
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/former-lackawanna-county-prison-guard-seeks-dismissal-of-sex-abuse-charge-1.2438706
Educación
Pa. school districts stressed over pensions costs, special-ed and charters
http://www.witf.org/news/2019/01/pa-school-districts-stressed-over-pensions-costs-special-ed-and-charters.php
Muzzling the public: West Mifflin board gets poor grade for civics
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/01/29/Muzzling-the-public-West-Mifflin-board-gets-poor-grade-for-civics/stories/201901290019
Scranton school board to consider moving fifth grades, changing pre-k enrollment
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-school-board-to-consider-moving-fifth-grades-changing-pre-k-enrollment-1.2438707
Using phones for dorms or dining access at Temple, the first school here with student ID tech
http://www.philly.com/news/temple-student-id-card-phones-apple-wallet-google-pay-owl-20190128.html
Wilkes University awarded ‘It’s On Us’ grant
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wilkes-university-awarded-it-s-on-us-grant-1.2438617
Elecciones/Política
Some top Dems fear a Trump re-election if ex-Starbucks CEO Schultz runs
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/01/28/former-Starbucks-CEO-Howard-Schultz-considering-president-2020-Democrats-Trump/stories/201901280144
Build trust in elections
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/build-trust-in-elections-1.2438571
Juegos
Mohegan Sun Pocono sports betting: What you need to know
https://www.timesleader.com/news/731713/mohegan-sun-pocono-signs-deal-to-add-sports-betting
Mohegan Sun Pocono to offer sports betting, online gaming
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/mohegan-sun-pocono-to-offer-sports-betting-online-gaming-1.2438687
Two area casinos see decline in table, slots revenue
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/two-area-casinos-see-decline-in-table-slots-revenue-1.2438594
Cierre del Gobierno
Government employees back to work … but still in ‘shutdown mode’
http://www.philly.com/news/government-shutdown-over-back-pay-unemployment-20190129.html
Sanidad
WBGH, nurses still negotiating
https://www.timesleader.com/news/731835/wbgh-nurses-still-negotiating
New machine at Penn State Health St. Joseph advances treatment for cancer patients
https://www.readingeagle.com/life/article/new-machine-at-penn-state-health-st-joseph-advances-treatment-for-cancer-patients
In Pennsylvania Coal Region’s hollowed-out towns, many are forced to travel long distances to get the health care they need.
https://www.mcall.com/business/healthcare/mc-nws-access-health-coal-country-20180913-htmlstory.html
Noticias locales
Luzerne County seeks investment manager
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/luzerne-county-seeks-investment-manager-1.2438613
Luzerne County Council vacancy process criticized
https://www.timesleader.com/news/731794/luzerne-county-council-vacancy-process-criticized
Democrat Gilbert to run for a second term on Wilkes-Barre city council
https://www.timesleader.com/news/731808/democrat-gilbert-to-run-for-a-second-term-on-wilkes-barre-city-council
Grants will pay for computer upgrade, fund new city post
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/grants-will-pay-for-computer-upgrade-fund-new-city-post-1.2438631
City, Fermin reach settlement
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/city-fermin-reach-settlement-1.2438647
Scranton council passes stricter ethics code; next comes seating an ethics board
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-council-passes-stricter-ethics-code-next-comes-seating-an-ethics-board-1.2438674
Throop amends zoning ordinance to add warehousing and distribution
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/throop-amends-zoning-ordinance-to-add-warehousing-and-distrbution-1.2438758
Loyalhanna Watershed group seeks 6 conservation interns
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14553416-74/loyalhanna-watershed-group-seeks-6-conservation-interns
Gina Cerilli to seek another term as Westmoreland County commissioner
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14552450-74/gina-cerilli-to-seek-another-term-as-westmoreland-county-commissioner
Allegheny Township looks to borrow money for $1.6M building project
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14553139-74/allegheny-township-looks-to-borrow-money-for-16m-building-project
Reading’s Act 47 administrator says city’s not yet ready to handle its own finances
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/readings-overseer-says-citys-not-yet-ready-to-handle-its-own-finances
Souper Bowl tackles homelessness in Reading
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/souper-bowl-tackles-homelessness-in-reading
Pay-what-you-want restaurant planned for Reading
https://www.readingeagle.com/business-weekly/article/a-cafe-called-hope
Reading auditor retires over disagreement about pay raise
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-auditor-retires-over-disagreement-about-pay-raise
Exeter officials nix medical marijuana dispensary site OK’d by state
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/exeter-officials-nix-medical-marijuana-dispensary-site-okd-by-state
Vigil held for victims of State College bar shooting
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/01/vigil-held-for-victims-of-state-college-bar-shooting.html
Noticias nacionales
FBI officials urge residents to report hate incidents as pieces to a larger puzzle
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/01/28/FBI-Lawrenceville-hate-incidents-crimes-Federal-Bureau-of-Investigation-Pittsburgh/stories/201901280134
4 Houston police officers are shot in a gunbattle that kills 2 suspects
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/01/28/five-police-officers-shot-Houston-shooting-suspect/stories/201901280147
Bill Gates sells nuclear power as the only viable alternative energy source to slow climate change
http://www.philly.com/business/energy/bill-gates-nuclear-power-lobbying-washington-climate-change-20190128.html
Booze? Sure! Medicine? No!
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/booze-sure-medicine-no-1.2438573
Nueva Jersey
New Jersey state senator flips from Republican to Democrat
http://www.philly.com/politics/new-jersey/new-jersey-state-senator-flips-republican-democrat-20190129.html
Filadelfia
Why is Philly stuck in traffic?
http://www.philly.com/transportation/inq/traffic-philadelphia-center-city-bike-lanes-subway-bus-transit-solutions-20190129.html
Philly DA Larry Krasner promised an aggressive Conviction Integrity Unit. Judges have pushed back.
http://www.philly.com/news/larry-krasner-conviction-integrity-unit-philadelphia-district-attorney-judges-20190129.html
Philly City Council president to intervene in controversy over St. Laurentius site in Fishtown
http://www.philly.com/real-estate/housing/st-laurentius-catholic-church-fishtown-stones-philadelphia-licenses-and-inspections-darrell-clarke-20190129.html
First charges revealed in feds’ Local 98 probe, with contractor’s guilty plea
http://www.philly.com/news/local-charges-johnny-doc-john-dougherty-george-peltz-mjk-electric-20190128.html
New Democratic nominee in state 190th District vetted by Philly ward leaders for financial woes
http://www.philly.com/news/vanessa-lowery-brown-philadelphia-state-house-special-election-democrats-20190128.html
International newspapers unfairly criticize Philly | Opinion
http://www.philly.com/opinion/philadelphia-international-newspapers-health-trade-20190129.html
Where’s the money? The city shouldn’t be asking that question when it looks at its checkbook. | Editorial
http://www.philly.com/opinion/editorials/missing-money-city-treasury-reconciliation-editorial-20190129.html
Pitt
Debate and amendments ahead for Pittsburgh’s proposed gun laws
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/01/28/Debate-amendments-Pittsburgh-proposed-gun-laws-gun-control-gun-rights-second-amendment/stories/201901280120
Are you ready for below-zero temps? Pittsburgh officials are prepping for Arctic cold
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/01/28/Pittsburgh-officials-prepare-frigid-weather-cold-extreme/stories/201901280091
Pittsburgh preparing for Arctic blast predicted for Tuesday and Wednesday
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14553171-74/pittsburgh-preparing-for-arctic-blast-predicted-for-tuesday-and-wednesday
As temperatures drop, county and protective services wary of self-neglect among seniors
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/aging-edge/2019/01/28/Elderly-self-neglect-older-adults-extreme-cold-protective-services-hypothermia/stories/201901280008
Jail inmate dies after having trouble breathing
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/01/28/Allegheny-County-Jail-inmate-dies-after-trouble-breathing/stories/201901280108
Rachel Carson Bridge to close for more than a year beginning Feb. 11
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2019/01/28/Rachel-Carson-Bridge-Ninth-Street-Pittsburgh-North-close-rehabilitation-February-11/stories/201901280088
Pittsburgh’s Rachel Carson Bridge closing in February for more than a year
https://triblive.com/news/adminpage/14553128-74/pittsburghs-rachel-carson-bridge-closing-in-february-for-more-than-a-year
Pittsburgh political convener Morton Coleman dies
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/01/28/Pittsburgh-political-convener-Morton-Coleman-dies/stories/201901280130
Mount Washington resident attempts to file petition to impeach Mayor Peduto
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/01/28/Mount-Washington-resident-files-petition-to-impeach-Mayor-Peduto/stories/201901280078
Mt. Washington woman takes aim at impeaching Mayor Bill Peduto
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14553070-74/mt-washington-woman-takes-aim-at-impeaching-mayor-bill-peduto
Noticias del Estado
State park and forest maintenance “crumbling” amid $1 billion funding shortfall
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2019/01/28/State-parks-and-forests-face-1-billion-maintenance-funding-shortfall/stories/201901270203
Events aim to “demystify” court for landlords and tenants
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/01/28/What-s-it-like-to-go-to-court-for-a-housing-case-Pennsylvanians-for-Modern-Courts-Bruce-Boni/stories/201901280118
Polluted runoff fees support community solutions to local pollution, flooding | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/01/polluted-runoff-fees-support-community-solutions-to-local-pollution-flooding-opinion.html
Is the deck stacked against patients? Fight over medical malpractice lawsuits returns to Pa.
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/01/medical-malpractice-fight-returns-to-life-in-pa.html
Transporte
Pa. bans certain vehicles from I-78, other highways ahead of winter storm
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/2019/01/pa-bans-certain-vehicles-from-i-78-other-highways-ahead-of-winter-storm.html
Utilities
Peoples’ customers could face double-digit rate hikes as pipeline projects ramp up
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2019/01/28/Peoples-natural-gas-customers-Equitable-double-digit-rate-hikes-pipeline-repair-replacement-projects/stories/201901280124
Peoples Gas wants to raise rates by 14 to 19 percent to pump $95M into replacing pipelines
https://triblive.com/local/regional/14554046-74/peoples-gas-wants-to-raise-rates-by-14-to-19-percent-to
UGI files for natural gas rate increases with the PUC
https://www.timesleader.com/news/731751/ugi-files-for-natural-gas-rate-increases-with-the-puc
UGI requests rate hike for natural gas customers
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/ugi-requests-rate-hike-for-natural-gas-customers-1.2438618
UGI seeks nearly 17 percent rate hike for most Berks customers
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/ugi-seeks-natural-gas-rate-hike-for-berks-customers