Coronavirus – COVID-19
Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf tests positive for the coronavirus, other officials in quarantine
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/spl/tom-wolf-coronavirus-positive-test-20201209.html
Gov. Tom Wolf tests positive for covid
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/gov-tom-wolf-tests-positive-for-covid/
How Pa. politicians reacted to news of Wolf’s COVID diagnosis
https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/how-pa-politicians-reacted-to-news-of-wolfs-covid-diagnosis/
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf says he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is isolating: ‘I have no symptoms’
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-wolf-tests-positive-20201209-hj4cy7pqgjcs3nh4uhvfsafmty-story.html
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf tests positive for COVID-19
https://www.poconorecord.com/story/news/2020/12/09/pennsylvania-gov-tom-wolf-tests-positive-covid-19/3866977001/
Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf’s security team members test positive for COVID-19
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/12/pa-gov-tom-wolfs-security-team-members-test-positive-for-covid-19.html
Pa. said to be weighing indoor dining, gym shutdowns, N.J. may consider new restrictions, and Gov. Wolf announces he has COVID-19
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-pa-surge-restrictions-wolf-philly-nj-montco-hospitalizations-dining-gyms-20201209.html
Allegheny County officials: State covid restrictions are needed
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-officials-state-covid-restrictions-are-needed/
Allegheny County officials say restrictions won’t be a shutdown, need to be uniform across the state
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2020/12/09/allegheny-county-officials-say-state-restrictions-wont-shutdown/3869743001/
Pennsylvania reports 220 new coronavirus deaths, 8,703 new cases
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-reports-220-new-coronavirus-deaths-8703-new-cases/
Luzerne County adds 7 more COVID-19 deaths
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/luzerne-county-adds-7-more-covid-19-deaths/article_11aedace-3080-52b3-ab0f-b215bc2e1d63.html
New COVID-19 case numbers fall back to pre-holiday levels
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/new-covid-19-case-numbers-fall-back-to-pre-holiday-levels/article_004c520e-880f-51c6-8ce8-f40fe6397c62.html
In Berks County there’s now a 25% chance one person in a group of 10 has COVID, according to online tool
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/in-berks-county-theres-now-a-25-chance-one-person-in-a-group-of-10/article_4dbb8624-3a34-11eb-9b84-73bf9532c913.html
Coronavirus hospitalizations surge in Montgomery County; more hospitalized now than in spring
https://www.mainlinemedianews.com/news/region/coronavirus-hospitalizations-surge-in-montgomery-county-more-hospitalized-now-than-in-spring/article_d70e9014-f464-566c-b15e-948733ff660a.html
Beaver County sees almost 200 more COVID cases as spike continues
https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2020/12/10/beaver-county-sees-almost-200-more-covid-cases-spike-continues/3865877001/
Monroe’s daily COVID-19 case count drops under 100
https://www.poconorecord.com/story/news/coronavirus/2020/12/09/monroes-covid-19-daily-case-count-drops-under-100-wednesday/3862947001/
60 have died of COVID-19 in Lancaster County so far in December as overall death toll soars to 570
https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/60-have-died-of-covid-19-in-lancaster-county-so-far-in-december-as-overall/article_d4c9cc6a-3a7b-11eb-b06b-cfa5b559ca9c.html
COVID-19 deaths spike in Erie County
https://www.goerie.com/story/news/coronavirus/2020/12/09/covid-19-daily-update-coronavirus-cases-erie-county-and-statewide/6505124002/
Free COVID testing available in Reading on Saturday
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/free-covid-testing-available-in-reading-on-saturday/article_5fe53eb4-3a5f-11eb-9e09-13a71c39687e.html
Searching in vain for comfort and joy during Pa.’s coronavirus surge | John Baer
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/12/searching-in-vain-for-comfort-and-joy-during-pas-coronavirus-surge-john-baer.html
U.S. ranks behind EU, Australia and U.K. in vaccine buys but says it will meet goal
https://triblive.com/news/u-s-ranks-behind-eu-australia-and-u-k-in-vaccine-buys-but-says-it-will-meet-goal/
U.S. surpasses grim milestone of more than 3,000 covid deaths in a day, a new record
https://triblive.com/news/u-s-surpasses-grim-milestone-of-more-than-3000-covid-deaths-in-a-day-a-new-record/
Legislature
Your View by state Rep. Peter Schweyer: 1 million Pennsylvanians are facing utility shutoffs. How we can help
https://www.mcall.com/opinion/mc-opi-pennsylvania-utility-debt-crisis-schweyer-20201210-6cuymato4bfojflvl5awqwjorq-story.html
Lawmakers, business owners wary of Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf issuing more coronavirus restaurant restrictions: ‘Do not cancel Christmas’
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-restaurants-wolf-concern-20201209-qqtzvsylsncyrlfmgrtzwcf5ka-story.html
Argall stands behind election challenges, citing majority of constituents’ support of Trump
https://www.standardspeaker.com/argall-stands-behind-election-challenges-citing-majority-of-constituents-support-of-trump/article_d2b4b83d-2db6-5e21-af04-ddb0140c8ff2.html
Former Pa. Sen. Joe Scarnati makes developing new businesses his new business
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/12/former-pa-sen-joe-scarnati-makes-developing-new-businesses-his-new-business.html
Pa. state Rep. Barry Jozwiak tests positive for COVID
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/pa-state-rep-barry-jozwiak-tests-positive-for-covid/article_42f59aac-3a68-11eb-a1f1-1b75802c7034.html
Magisterial District Judges
Some local Pa. judges enjoy light workloads as taxpayers pay millions for salaries, pensions, health care
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/pa-district-judges-investigation-workloads-caseloads-spotlight-pa-pennlive-20201210.html
How many days did your local district judges have court proceedings last year?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/12/how-many-days-did-your-local-district-judges-have-court-proceedings-last-year.html
Costly district judge system needs to be fixed: Court observers
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/12/costly-district-judge-system-needs-to-be-fixed-court-observers.html
Piles of records and months of reporting lead to eye-opening report on Pa. district judges
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/spl/pa-district-judges-investigation-how-we-did-it-spotlight-pa-pennlive-20201210.html
What is a magisterial district judge?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/12/what-is-a-magisterial-district-judge.html
Administration
Gov. Wolf recognizes state monitoring of shale gas drilling impact
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/gov-wolf-recognizes-dcnr-monitoring-of-shale-gas-drilling-impact/
A second look: Diving into Pa.’s State Plan on Aging | Ray E. Landis
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/a-second-look-diving-into-pa-s-state-plan-on-aging-ray-e-landis/
Business
Pa. cites Western Pa. bars for violating covid restrictions
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pa-cites-western-pa-bars-for-violating-covid-restrictions/
Giant Eagle to leave 1 of 3 offices in O’Hara’s RIDC Park
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/giant-eagle-to-leave-1-of-3-offices-in-oharas-ridc-park/
2 Dunkin’ locations close in Luzerne County
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/business/2-dunkin-locations-close-in-luzerne-county/article_9fd1d6f1-58d4-57ef-b830-6c90f3a5a8ef.html
Restaurants say financial relief package critical to their survival
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/restaurants-say-financial-relief-package-critical-to-their-survival/article_3abad059-bc61-5c63-b030-4e5a39af2628.html
Scranton CVS to close
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/scranton-cvs-to-close/article_25147bba-7bff-5d03-abf5-5ce6e0bd6bd8.html
COVID-19 impact on aerospace industry causing Williamsport plant to close
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/12/covid-19-impact-on-aerospace-industry-causing-williamsport-plant-to-close.html
Crime/Punishment
Goodwill program designed to help young adults go from jail to a job
https://triblive.com/local/goodwill-program-designed-to-help-young-adults-go-from-jail-to-job/
12 county jail guards are in quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/12-county-jail-guards-are-in-quarantine-after-testing-positive-for-covid-19/article_c4fe1d84-9541-5d6d-9a0a-5fed572815c2.html
Education
Attending virtual school: Should cameras be on or off for remote learners?
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nj-education-remote-learning-cameras-virtual-classes-coronavirus-20201210.html
With coronavirus surging, Bethlehem and Northampton school districts going all remote next week to Jan. 12
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-bethlehem-schools-corona-surge-20201209-atkpbwmzovbwzoeyrprjq64kdi-story.html
PIAA staying course on winter sports schedule despite requests to delay
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/sports/high-school/piaa-staying-course-on-winter-sports-schedule-despite-requests-to-delay/article_43084095-0f0b-535d-8c51-988d54e13e3f.html
PIAA moving forward with start of winter sports season
https://www.readingeagle.com/sports/high-school/piaa-moving-forward-with-start-of-winter-sports-season/article_ba9e3796-3a75-11eb-b4de-c3ec8147fff7.html
Lessons get home delivery
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/lessons-get-home-delivery/article_d1110b5c-f0c7-5331-ac44-3a07af4b898b.html
School closing casualty of financial crisis
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/editorial/school-closing-casualty-of-financial-crisis/article_1c610092-034a-5234-b014-a15d2dba6f76.html
Elections/Politics
State Senate seat winner to be determined by federal lawsuit
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/state-senate-seat-winner-to-be-determined-by-federal-lawsuit/
Pa. appellate court delivers another loss to Trump’s GOP allies seeking to void state’s election results
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pa-appellate-court-delivers-another-loss-to-trumps-gop-allies-seeking-to-void-states-election-results/
Trump and 17 states join Texas effort to convince Supreme Court to void the vote in Pennsylvania
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania-election-lawsuits-trump-daryl-metcalfe-commonwealth-court-results-20201209.html
Pennsylvania’s democracy is strong despite schemes to reject election results | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/pennsylvania-election-results-lawsuit-supreme-court-20201209.html
Health Care
FTC seeks to stop Jefferson’s acquisition of Einstein Healthcare by appealing judge’s decision
https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/jefferson-ftc-einstein-philadelphia-merger-hospitals-ibc-anti-trust-20201209.html
St. Mary nurses, hospital fail to reach deal after Tuesday talks
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2020/12/09/st-mary-nurses-hospital-still-havent-settled-contract/3864553001/
Local News
State awards Lackawanna County more than $700K
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/state-awards-lackawanna-countymore-than-700k/article_b2eaa440-6b97-53a5-b2df-8e825bdaa0e2.html
Hanukkah begins tonight at sundown
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/hanukkah-begins-tonight-at-sundown/article_5bebbdc6-d52d-5bc8-8344-5a417921ced0.html
Mount Penn Municipal Authority rejects appeal to delay water service shut-offs
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/mount-penn-municipal-authority-rejects-appeal-to-delay-water-service-shut-offs/article_a6ad84ea-3a88-11eb-980c-dfb31b5b77a7.html
Lehigh County adds Juneteenth as paid county holiday as a way of ‘doing the right thing’
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-lehigh-county-juneteenth-holiday-20201210-p6y6p5cngvdkvnvh7s7oneygdu-story.html
Outside help sought for Wilkes-Barre’s budget problems
https://www.timesleader.com/news/812615/outside-help-sought-for-wilkes-barres-budget-problems
Luzerne County has 41 workers out on coronavirus quarantine
https://www.timesleader.com/news/812601/luzerne-county-has-41-workers-out-on-coronavirus-quarantine
County starts to distribute CARES Act funds to local businesses
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/county-starts-to-distribute-cares-act-funds-to-local-businesses/article_44060d28-357f-5175-b226-c198bead387b.html
Child advocate volunteers sworn in during virtual meeting
https://www.citizensvoice.com/child-advocate-volunteers-sworn-in-during-virtual-meeting/article_461cd1ba-3bb3-5266-af5e-c0bc691fa62a.html
Luzerne County Council not coming up with enough savings for significant tax decrease
https://www.timesleader.com/news/812625/luzerne-county-council-not-coming-up-with-enough-savings-for-significant-tax-decrease
Harrisburg council expected to vote on budget amendment to cut number of proposed police jobs
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/12/harrisburg-council-expected-to-vote-on-budget-amendment-to-cut-number-of-proposed-police-jobs.html
Fayette EMS saddled with financial burdens due to COVID-19 | Helping the Helpers
https://www.penncapital-star.com/working-the-economy/fayette-ems-saddled-with-financial-burdens-due-to-covid-19-helping-the-helpers/
York County to close all buildings to public due to COVID-19 concerns
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/2020/12/09/york-county-close-all-buildings-public-due-covid-19-concerns/3863713001/
Philly
In 8,500 shootings since 2015, suspects have been charged in 1 out of 5 cases and convicted in just 9%.
https://www.inquirer.com/crime/a/philadelphia-shootings-police-reform-homicide-rates-20201210.html
Supporters of Mumia Abu-Jamal demand his freedom on the 39th anniversary of his arrest in the death of a Philadelphia police officer
https://www.inquirer.com/news/mumia-abu-jamal-black-panther-cop-killer-daniel-faulkner-death-row-move-murder-philadelphia-police-anniversary-20201209.html
Community’s outpouring to 7-year-old COVID-19 survivor is what the holidays are all about | Jenice Armstrong
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/christmas-covid-pandemic-rasul-bey-philly-jenice-armstrong-20201209.html
Philly police shoot man who they say was armed with a knife
https://www.inquirer.com/crime/philadelphia-police-shoot-man-feltonville-20201209.html
Philly’s parking agency still overpays executives and has too many political patronage jobs, audit finds
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/philadelphia-parking-authority-audit-20201209.html
The ‘pandemic pups’ adoption trend has a troubling side | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/dog-shelters-rescue-adoption-covid-philadelphia-pennsylvania-20201209.html
Pitt
Virtual menorah lighting, scaled-back parade set in Pittsburgh to celebrate Chanukah
https://triblive.com/lifestyles/more-lifestyles/virtual-menorah-lighting-scaled-back-parade-set-in-pittsburgh-to-celebrate-chanukah/
Plans for Target in Downtown Pittsburgh set for January hearing
https://triblive.com/local/plans-for-target-in-downtown-pittsburgh-set-for-january-hearing/
Play it Forward Pittsburgh Toy Drive gives new meaning to children’s fun
https://triblive.com/lifestyles/more-lifestyles/play-it-forward-pittsburgh-toy-drive-gives-new-meaning-to-childrens-fun/
Report: Pittsburgh spends more on police than other cities
https://triblive.com/local/report-pittsburgh-spends-more-on-police-than-other-cities/
State News
Peoples natural gas customers getting bill credit after utility’s $4.3B acquisition
https://triblive.com/local/regional/peoples-natural-gas-customers-getting-bill-credit-after-utilitys-4-3b-acquisition/
Contentious N.J. river terminal to export fracked Pa. natural gas gets final approval
https://www.inquirer.com/business/lng-port-delaware-river-repauno-drbc-gibbstown-approved-20201209.html
U.S. government and 48 states and districts sue Facebook to force split of Instagram and WhatsApp
https://www.inquirer.com/business/technology/facebook-anti-trust-lawsuit-instagram-whatsapp-20201209.html
Transportation
Expect to pay more taxes on gasoline if Pennsylvania joins TCI | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/12/expect-to-pay-more-taxes-on-gasoline-if-pennsylvania-joins-tci-opinion.html
Washington
Sen. Bob Casey cites shooting of Walter Wallace Jr. in pushing bills to divert 911 calls for mental health crises
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/bob-casey-police-reform-walter-wallace-jr-20201209.html
Levittown ‘Rosie the Riveter:’ Mission accomplished with Trump signature on medal honor
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2020/12/10/mae-krier-rosie-the-riveter-congressional-medal-of-honor-trump-signed-bill-into-law/3863266001/