Legislature
Pa. senate’s residency fight drags out tension of election
http://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/pa-senate-s-residency-fight-drags-out-tension-of-election/article_cc612eb8-fbc8-11e8-9f56-abbeafb90707.html
Price of hacked election is incalculable
https://www.citizensvoice.com/opinion/price-of-hacked-election-isincalculable-1.2420089
Gov’t should be footing bill for voting machines
http://www.altoonamirror.com/opinion/editorials/2018/12/govt-should-be-footing-bill-for-voting-machines/
Pa. split in purple-state power grab
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2018/12/pa-split-in-purple-state-power-grab/
Ward sets office sites
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2018/12/ward-sets-office-sites/
Redistricting
Pennsylvania redistricting reform advocates ready for a fight
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/pennsylvania-redistricting-reform-advocates-ready-for-a-fight
More people voted for a Democrat for state House. But GOP kept majority
http://www.witf.org/news/2018/12/in-pa-381k-more-people-voted-for-a-democrat-for-state-house-but-gop-kept-the-majority.php
Education
Scranton teachers ask to resume negotiations as district includes no raises in budget
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-teachers-ask-to-resume-negotiations-as-district-includes-no-raises-in-budget-1.2420219
In Pa., four current or former private school leaders among top 30 nationally in earnings
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2018/12/09/College-university-president-Kenneth-Starr-pay-compensation-Carnegie-Mellon-Duquesne-Penn-Chronicle/stories/201812070121
Elections/Politics
Voter rolls at 15 percent of Westmoreland precincts exceed state recommendations
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14389272-74/voter-rolls-at-15-percent-of-westmoreland-precincts-exceed-state-recommendations
Local News
Luzerne County Council to decide plans for $5.8 million in leftover funds
https://www.timesleader.com/news/727050/luzerne-county-council-to-decide-plans-for-5-8-million-in-leftover-funds
County council set to vote on budget Tuesday
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-council-set-to-vote-on-budget-tuesday-1.2420178
Wilkes-Barre area in focus for efforts to improve transit, walkability
https://www.timesleader.com/news/727082/wilkes-barre-area-in-focus-for-efforts-to-improve-transit-walkability
Revenue down at W-B’s Hollenback Golf Course
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/revenue-down-at-w-b-s-hollenback-golf-course-1.2420179
Nanticoke Mayor Rich Wiaterowski passes away
https://www.timesleader.com/news/local/727041/nanticoke-mayor-rich-wiaterowski-passes-away
Nanticoke Mayor Wiaterowski remembered for compassion, service to the community
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/nanticoke-mayor-wiaterowski-remembered-for-compassion-service-to-the-community-1.2420177
Final night of Hanukkah celebrated for last time at Wilkes-Barre JCC
https://www.timesleader.com/news/727066/final-night-of-hanukkah-celebrated-for-last-time-at-wilkes-barre-jcc
Community celebrates final night of Hanukkah with torch run, festivities
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/community-celebrates-final-night-of-hanukkah-with-torch-run-festivities-1.2420170
Scranton city, school district explore sharing of services
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-city-school-district-explore-sharing-of-services-1.2420260
Kwanzaa festival founder: Black people need to show unity
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/kwanzaa-festival-founder-black-people-need-to-show-unity-1.2420214
Lecture topic: making Scranton more walkable
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lecture-topic-making-scranton-more-walkable-1.2420189
For the holidays, you can’t beat someone else’s home
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/for-the-holidays-you-can-t-beat-someone-else-s-home-1.2420254
Elizabeth Borough police chief placed on administrative leave
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/12/09/Elizabeth-Borough-police-chief-Tim-Butler-administrative-leave-Garrett-Kimmell/stories/201812090158
Move afoot to rename Vandergrift Bridge in honor of MLB’s Rudy Minarcin
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14389245-74/move-afoot-to-rename-vandergrift-bridge-in-honor-of-mlbs-rudy-minarcin
World War II vets gather to reminisce at the Lower Burrell VFW
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14387720-74/world-war-ii-vets-gather-to-reminisce-at-the-lower-burrell-vfw
Latest Census numbers show a mixed bag of poverty indicators for Reading, Berks County
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/latest-census-numbers-show-a-mixed-bag-of-poverty-indicators-for-reading-berks-county
‘Conversion therapy’ resolution scheduled for vote in Harrisburg
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/12/conversion-therapy-resolution-scheduled-for-vote-in-harrisburg.html#incart_river_index
Former Philadelphia Eagles great Seth Joyner speaks at church in Pottstown
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/former-philadelphia-eagles-great-seth-joyner-speaks-at-church-in-pottstown
If at first you don’t succeed: Allentown Council meets tonight to try again on 2019 budget
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-budget-amendments-again-20181207-story.html
Editorial: County officials, Berks Heim unions should keep talking
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/county-officials-berks-heim-unions-should-keep-talking
Marijuana
Luzerne County farmer to lead Pa. Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer and Rancher Committee
https://www.timesleader.com/news/727080/luzerne-county-farmer-to-lead-pa-farm-bureaus-young-farmer-and-rancher-committee
Marlboro maker places $1.8 billion bet on marijuana
https://www.timesleader.com/news/727089/marlboro-maker-places-1-8-billion-bet-on-marijuana
Natural Gas
Two hurt in accident on gas line in Westmoreland County
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/westmoreland/2018/12/10/Westmoreland-County-Penn-Township-gas-line-accident-two-hurt/stories/201812100091
2 workers hurt overnight when valve malfunctions at drilling site in Claridge
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14389583-74/2-workers-hurt-overnight-when-valve-malfunctions-at-drilling-site-in-claridge
Opioid Crisis
A young Pa. mayor, his friend, and a fatal attraction to opioids
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/14386681-74/a-young-pa-mayor-his-friend-and-a-fatal-attraction-to-opioids
Philly
In Philadelphia, Comcast’s hometown, the chasm between internet haves and have-nots looks intractable, new census data show
http://www2.philly.com/news/comcast-digital-internet-access-philly-poor-people-20181210.html
Cities are using data to make decisions more than ever. Are they calculating risks for bias?
http://www2.philly.com/news/data-algorithm-bias-toolkit-artificial-intelligence-decision-philadelphia-20181210.html
New data on Philly’s commutes show strong subway and bike use, need for better buses
http://www2.philly.com/transportation/census-transit-community-philadelphia-bike-train-subway-bus-20181209.html
How saving Philly’s historic sacred spaces can make the city stronger | Opinion
http://www2.philly.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-sacred-spaces-development-20181210.html
5-alarm apartment building fire displaces dozens in West Philly’s Overbrook section
http://www2.philly.com/news/five-alarm-fire-apartment-building-west-philadelphia-overbrook-20181210.html
Pitt
Pittsburgh police investigating anti-Semitic pamphlets in Squirrel Hill, other neighborhoods
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/12/09/Pittsburgh-police-investigating-anti-semitism-Squirrel-Hill-pamphlets-hate-speech/stories/201812090156
Pittsburgh police investigating anti-Semitic pamphlets in Squirrel Hill; Jewish Federation reacts
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14387134-74/city-officials-investigating-spreading-of-anti-semitic-pamphlets-in-squirrel-hill-other-neighborhood
Mayor Bill Peduto representing U.S. mayors at climate conference in Poland
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/12/09/pittsburgh-mayor-bill-peduto-united-nations-cop24-climate-summit-poland/stories/201812090161
State News
What will a Pa. Supreme Court decision mean for regulating sites like Airbnb?
http://www2.philly.com/real-estate/pennsylvania-supreme-court-case-airbnb-home-sharing-regulation-hamilton-slice-of-life-20181210.html
Queen of Cannabis: Pa.’s biggest weed dealer is a brash and bold entrepreneur who is also an enthusiastic patient
http://www2.philly.com/philly/business/cannabis/pennsylvania-medical-marijuana-cannabis-visco-terravida-weed-women-20181211.html
Wolf, Cabinet members promote judicial reform
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/wolf-cabinet-members-promote-judicial-reform
Transportation
Hanover Twp. road barrier crumbling; future uncertain
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/hanover-twp-road-barrier-crumbling-future-uncertain-1.2420120
Washington
Top House Democrats mull Trump’s possible ‘impeachable offenses’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2018/12/09/President-Donald-Trump-payments-impeachable-offense-House-Democrats-Nadler/stories/201812090174
GOP senator doesn’t know whether UN pick is up to the job
http://www2.philly.com/news/nation-world/gop-senator-doesnt-know-whether-un-pick-is-up-job-20181209.html
Comey: FBI probe of Russia initially looked at 4 Americans
http://www2.philly.com/politics/nation/comey-fbi-probe-russia-initially-looked-americans-20181210.html