Legislature
2021 Pa. congressional district map drafts become public – WHYY
Berks County food banks and pantries to benefit from new state funds (readingeagle.com)
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Philly could require COVID vaccine proof for indoor dining (inquirer.com)
FDA expands Pfizer’s COVID-19 booster, opens extra dose to age 16 (inquirer.com)
Rapid coronavirus tests hard to find, despite Biden vows (inquirer.com)
Penn bans indoor social gatherings in response to rising COVID-19 cases (inquirer.com)
Delta variant, not omicron, will be the bigger coronavirus threat this winter: Fauci – pennlive.com
North Allegheny School Board approves mask-optional policy once state mandate lifts | 90.5 WESA
Covid-driven hospital surge ‘not a sustainable situation’ in Western Pa., expert says | TribLIVE.com
Pennsylvania hospitals report COVID, surge and some at capacity (buckscountycouriertimes.com)
Business/Jobs
Report explores a decarbonized future for PGW, cites challenges – WHYY
City Council approves changes in food-delivery fees paid by restaurants (inquirer.com)
Editorial: Labor shortage affects safety on the road and crossing it | TribLIVE.com
U.S. jobless claims hit lowest point since September 1969 | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
US jobless claims at 52-year low amid seasonal volatility – Daily Local
Crime/Punishment
Duquesne police chief faces intimidation count in sex assault case | 90.5 WESA
Education
Parental involvement crucial for Philly’s early learners, advocates say – WHYY
Pennsylvania could get universal preschool. Here’s how – WHYY
Penn State names Louisville president Neeli Bendapudi as its next leader (inquirer.com)
Penn State hires first woman, person of color to head school | WITF
Threat closes Susquehanna Twp. school buildings to students on Friday: superintendent – pennlive.com
Substitute teachers in Erie: Pay raises may help schools cover classes (goerie.com)
Elections/Politics
With new maps and Sharif Street looming, Brendan Boyle polls his odds for reelection (inquirer.com)
Philly lawyer may join GOP field running for US Senate seat | WITF
Here’s how to weigh in on Pennsylvania’s next congressional map – pennlive.com
Susek starting as Luzerne County’s new election director Monday | Times Leader
Environment
Komodo dragons hatched at zoo marks a big win for the endangered species (inquirer.com)
Infrastructure
Pennsylvania and other cold weather states are struggling to hire snowplow drivers | WITF
Health
Jennersville and Brandywine hospitals in Chester County to close – WHYY
What’s really happening when your back ‘cracks’ | Expert Opinion (inquirer.com)
New U.S. suicide hotline to launch July 2022 (inquirer.com)
Repeated opioid overdoses can change the brain, Drexel study suggests (inquirer.com)
Flu cases increase significantly in Pa., showing up in nearly every county – pennlive.com
State News
How the Supreme Court decision on abortion would affect Pa. – WHYY
Bucks County treasurer offering 2022 Pennsylvania dog licenses (buckscountycouriertimes.com)
National News
New York City aims to allow legal permanent residents to vote – WHYY
49 migrants dead, 58 injured in truck crash in south Mexico – WHYY
British court says WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange can be extradited to the U.S. – pennlive.com
Local News
Market forces — not just Amazon — bolster Cumberland County economy – pennlive.com
No tax increase in West Hazleton for 2022 | News | standardspeaker.com
Reading wants to reopen its greenhouse (readingeagle.com)
Chester County public safety, crime prevention programs get $830K grant – Daily Local
EPA again finds no exposure from Norwood landfill – Delco Times
Visit Bucks County: Patrons return driven by pent-up demand, weddings (buckscountycouriertimes.com)
Pitt
Pittsburgh Penguins sale to Fenway Sports Group wins city-county and NHL approval | 90.5 WESA
Meet Pittsburgh’s unofficial Santa Claus | TribLIVE.com
Philly
Broad Street Ministry launches mobile community drugstore — WHYY
Philly Fed report shows racial disparity in pandemic economic blows – WHYY
Philly raises the bar on green design for city buildings – WHYY
Philly Council passes bill targeting illegal auto work – WHYY
Philly police investigating after crude anti-Biden stickers were spotted on a cop car (inquirer.com)
Spergo teen CEO Trey Brown plans expansion after $300K investment on Shark Tank (inquirer.com)
Washington
Jan. 6 panel: Court rejects Trump’s efforts to shield records (whyy.org)
President Joe Biden pays tribute to Bob Dole at Capitol service (inquirer.com)
Former Pa. Gov. Tom Ridge to be among those in attendance at Bob Dole’s funeral – pennlive.com