Legislature
Pennsylvania’s sexual abuse laws leave survivors conflicted https://whyy.org/articles/pennsylvanias-sexual-abuse-laws-leave-survivors-conflicted/
Pa. is a step closer to starting a state-based health insurance exchange https://whyy.org/articles/pa-is-a-step-closer-to-starting-a-state-based-health-insurance-exchange/
Pennsylvania boosts aid for clean water near military bases https://www.witf.org/2019/11/30/pennsylvania-boosts-aid-for-clean-water-near-military-bases/
New Pa. law seeks to address Election Day snafus with new voting system that frustrated York Countians https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/11/new-pa-law-seeks-to-address-election-day-snafus-with-new-voting-system-that-frustrated-york-countians.html
Cartwright bill to reauthorize trust fund that turns mine wastes into viable land https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/cartwright-bill-to-reauthorize-trust-fund-that-turns-mine-wastes-into-viable-land-1.2565908
Administration
Amid opposition from physicians, Wolf signs bill tightening opioid prescription rules https://www.penncapital-star.com/health-care/amid-opposition-from-physicians-wolf-signs-bill-tightening-opioid-prescription-rules/
Pa. Game Commission warns of lead’s danger to animals, but hunters say non-lead ammo is too expensive https://www.witf.org/2019/11/29/pa-game-commission-warns-of-leads-danger-to-animals-but-hunters-say-non-lead-ammo-is-too-expensive/
Gov. Wolf encourages Pennsylvanians to prepare for storms, urges holiday travelers to heed weather forecast https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/12/gov-wolf-encourages-pennsylvanians-to-prepare-for-storms-urges-holiday-travelers-to-heed-weather-forecast.html
Business
Merry Clickmas: Black Friday online sales hit record $7.4B https://triblive.com/news/wire-stories/merry-clickmas-black-friday-online-sales-hit-record-7-4b/
Holiday gift-buyers look to local shops on Small Business Saturday https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/holiday-gift-buyers-look-to-local-shops-on-small-business-saturday-1.2566103
Gearing up for Cyber Monday https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/gearing-up-for-cyber-monday-1.2565904
Crime and Punishment
‘It could have been me’: Why we need to reform solitary confinement in Pennsylvania | Opinion https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/it-could-have-been-me-why-we-need-to-reform-solitary-confinement-in-pennsylvania-opinion/
Education
These students speak perfect Spanglish — and now they’re learning to own it https://whyy.org/npr_story_post/these-students-speak-perfect-spanglish-and-now-theyre-learning-to-own-it/
Penn State is pushing for more diversity among STEM scholars https://www.inquirer.com/education/scholars-stem-penn-state-women-minority-millennium-meyerhoff-20191201.html
Parent raises funds for art to continue in Carbondale https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/parent-raises-funds-for-art-to-continue-in-carbondale-1.2566133
‘Catch me if you can’: Lehigh Valley schools enforce residency with students https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-lehigh-valley-schools-student-residency-20191130-y7pfsxhnvnal5peud3xiofllca-story.html
Elections and Politics
Progressive activist challenges longtime incumbent Readshaw in 36th District https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/12/01/Progressive-activist-benham-challenges-Readshaw-36th-district-pennsylvania/stories/201911290134
Editorial: Pa. should push up date of primary vote https://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/editorial-pa-should-push-up-date-of-primary-vote/article_ca0e6d9a-137a-11ea-bfb4-b34e9b09c8f7.html
Environment
Chew on this: Farmers are using food waste to make electricity https://whyy.org/npr_story_post/chew-on-this-farmers-are-using-food-waste-to-make-electricity/
Health
Mental health groups push to restore $84 million in annual funding https://whyy.org/articles/mental-health-groups-push-to-restore-84-million-in-annual-funding/
Teen vaping is an ‘epidemic’ and no one is sure how to stop it https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2019/12/01/Teen-vaping-epidemic-solutions-health-issues-pittsburgh/stories/201911270135
Richard Edley: Services aiding Pa.’s most severely disabled individuals at risk https://triblive.com/opinion/richard-edley-services-aiding-pa-s-most-severely-disabled-individuals-at-risk/
Northest Woman: Local advocate provides care, companionship for seniors and those with disabilities https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/lifestyles/northest-woman-local-advocate-provides-care-companionship-for-seniors-and-those-with-disabilities-1.2564677
Local News
County tax hike likely; officials still looking for expenses to cut https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-tax-hike-likely-officials-still-looking-for-expenses-to-cut-1.2566051
Luzerne County budget summary https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/luzerne-county-budget-summary-1.2566040
New Scranton Controller promises thoroughness https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/new-scranton-controller-promises-thoroughness-1.2566108
Chesco company takes patented attic energy efficiency product international https://www.dailylocal.com/business/chesco-company-takes-patented-attic-energy-efficiency-product-international/article_935bc3fd-90b0-52ed-94d6-be933c34090a.html
Demonstrators shut down pipeline construction https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/demonstrators-shut-down-pipeline-construction/article_8d14a3c2-13a3-11ea-8a3e-2ba31c44ac77.html
National
Flood of lawsuits expected as N.J. opens window for sex abuse survivors https://whyy.org/articles/flood-of-lawsuits-expected-as-n-j-opens-window-for-sex-abuse-survivors/
Wintry weather bedevils holiday weekend travelers around U.S. https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2019/11/30/Wintry-weather-bedevils-holiday-weekend-travelers-around-U-S/stories/201911300066
Philly
At North Philly community gun violence summit, going ‘beyond a conversation’ https://whyy.org/articles/at-north-philly-community-gun-violence-summit-going-beyond-a-conversation/
Police commissioner search process leaves Philadelphians in the dark | Editorial https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/philadelphia-police-commissioner-search-malcolm-jenkins-fop-20191201.html
Pitt
City residents can comment on schools’ ‘ham-handed’ budget proposal https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/11/29/Pittsburgh-residents-comment-schools-budget-proposal/stories/201911300014
Twists, turns, bridges, tunnels could complicate Western Pa. hyperloop projects https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/twists-turns-bridges-tunnels-could-complicate-western-pa-hyperloop-projects/
State News
Deer hunters like starting rifle season on Saturday https://triblive.com/local/regional/most-deer-hunters-like-starting-rifle-season-on-saturday/
Washington
GI Bill payments to veterans were botched last year. The VA says it’s ‘ready to roll’ this time. https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/12/01/GI-Bill-payments-veterans-VA-housing-education-pittsburgh/stories/201912010010
World
Iraqi PM formally submits resignation amid more violence https://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2019/11/30/Iraqi-PM-formally-submits-resignation-amid-more-violence/stories/201911300058