Legislature
More work to be done before probation reform bill can be celebrated as reform | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/pennsylvania-probation-reform-bill-house-representatives-harrisburg-20191211.html
Illuminate drug pricing
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/illuminate-drug-pricing-1.2569975
This is why I stand with Movita Johnson-Harrell | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/this-is-why-i-stand-with-movita-johnson-harrell-opinion/
Administration
Gov. Tom Wolf takes a stroll through Honesdale’s historic downtown
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/gov-tom-wolf-takes-a-stroll-through-honesdale-s-historic-downtown-1.2570007
Business
A Chester County town traded a new road for approval of a Giant supermarket. A family grocer is fighting back.
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/commercial/giant-carlino-development-east-brandywine-croppers-20191211.html
The cannabis biz is down, but long term it’s smoking, analysts say, as marijuana industry gathers in Las Vegas
https://www.inquirer.com/business/marijuana-cannabis-mjbizcon-conference-stocks-las-vegas-20191210.html
Online shopping is growing, but it isn’t creating jobs | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/online-shopping-amazon-retail-employment-20191211.html
Old Forge gets its own beer
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/old-forge-gets-its-own-beer-1.2569964
Ollie’s Bargain Outlets names new president and CEO after leader’s unexpected death
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/12/ollies-bargain-outlets-names-new-president-and-ceo-after-leaders-unexpected-death.html
Crime/Punishment
Bill Cosby loses appeal of sexual assault conviction
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/12/10/Bill-Cosby-loses-appeal-sexual-assault-conviction/stories/201912100108
He was acquitted of assaulting his girlfriend. He killed her a week later, police say.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/william-torres-murder-jeanne-edwards-lower-moreland-montgomery-county-20191210.html
Editorial: A voice of the victim heard loud & clear in Media
https://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/editorial-a-voice-of-the-victim-heard-loud-clear-in/article_14f83d9e-1b4c-11ea-befa-cb64363e382b.html
Education
Dallas only district in county with approval for cyber snow days
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/dallas-only-district-in-county-with-approval-for-cyber-snow-days-1.2570009
Harlem Globetrotter signs love for students at Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/harlem-globetrotter-signs-love-for-students-at-western-pennsylvania-school-for-the-deaf/
Plan to bring police into schools outlined by Harrisburg district leaders
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/12/plan-to-bring-police-into-schools-outlined-by-harrisburg-district-leaders.html
King’s College adding virtual e-sports next fall
https://www.timesleader.com/news/765423/kings-college-adding-virtual-e-sports-next-fall
Wilkes University to announce 7th president Thursday morning
https://www.timesleader.com/news/765405/wilkes-university-to-announce-7th-president-thursday-morning
Elections/Politics
Lt. Gov. John Fetterman rejects talk of a ‘blue wave’ in Pa.
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/12/lt-gov-john-fetterman-rejects-talk-of-a-blue-wave-in-pa.html
Health Care
Need health insurance? Deadline for healthcare.gov enrollment is Dec. 15
https://www.inquirer.com/health/consumer/aca-marketplace-obamacare-enrollment-deadline-20191211.html
A week after layoffs, Ellwood City hospital closes
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2019/12/10/Ellwood-City-Medical-Center-Beverly-Annarumo-CEO-resign-layoff-Americore/stories/201912100099
Pittsburgh area leads state in ‘widespread’ flu outbreak, health data show
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pittsburgh-area-leads-state-in-widespread-flu-outbreak-state-health-data-show/
Hundreds of confirmed flu cases in Bucks, Montgomery countie
https://www.theintell.com/news/20191210/hundreds-of-confirmed-flu-cases-in-bucks-montgomery-counties
UPMC meets with Valley leaders, cites finances as cause for closure
https://www.dailyitem.com/news/local_news/upmc-meets-with-valley-leaders-cites-finances-as-cause-for/article_a0fab040-9529-509e-83d8-7dbff40b892b.html
Local News
Concerns arise over ICE targeting Scranton woman legally in US
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/concerns-arise-over-ice-targeting-scranton-woman-legally-in-us-1.2570131
FEMA, county flood risk coalition hold information session for new flood maps
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/fema-county-flood-risk-coalition-hold-information-session-for-new-flood-maps-1.2570055
Ousted LIP director airs grievances, defends himself at Scranton City Council meeting
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/ousted-lip-director-airs-grievances-defends-himself-at-scranton-city-council-meeting-1.2569946
Fired Kennett Township manager siphoned $3M in taxpayer funds, Chester County DA says
https://www.inquirer.com/news/kennett-township-manager-lisa-moore-chester-county-fraud-3-million-20191210.html
Reading residents voice displeasure over Mayor Wally Scott’s punishment by ethics board
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-residents-voice-displeasure-over-mayor-wally-scotts-punishment-by-ethics-board
2020 Pennsylvania Farm Show entrants from Berks and surrounding areas wanted
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/2020-pennsylvania-farm-show-entrants-from-berks-and-surrounding-areas-wanted
Reading seeks $367,500 from the state to help fix Egelman Dam
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-seeks-367500-from-the-state-help-fix-egelman-dam
Allentown Lehigh Landing riverfront redevelopment plan stalled over rezoning debate
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-planning-commission-waterfront-charles-street-rezone-20191210-h3hdd7kamvhqpjoy4rjjp7izoa-story.html
Tarentum branch of Community Library of Allegheny Valley to close
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/tarentum-branch-of-community-library-of-allegheny-valley-to-close/
Contractor offers discount for work on Lower Burrell veterans’ monument
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/contractor-offers-discount-for-work-on-lower-burrell-veterans-monument/
Candidates sought to fill vacant Arnold council seat
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/candidates-sought-to-fill-vacant-arnold-council-seat/
Greensburg creates student planner program
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/greensburg-creates-student-planner-program/
Fill removed from floodway in Wyoming, DEP closes out complaint
https://www.timesleader.com/news/765459/fill-removed-from-floodway-in-wyoming-dep-closes-out-complaint
Luzerne County Council approves budget with 3.25% tax hike
https://www.timesleader.com/news/765456/luzerne-county-council-approves-budget-with-3-25-tax-hike
County property taxes to increase in 2020
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-property-taxes-to-increase-in-2020-1.2570129
Pittston-based company hired as Luzerne County insurance broker
https://www.timesleader.com/news/765451/pittston-based-company-hired-as-luzerne-county-insurance-broker
Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber donates to Family Service Association
https://www.timesleader.com/news/765461/greater-wilkes-barre-chamber-donates-to-family-service-association
National News
Britt McHenry sues Fox News over her sexual harassment claim against a former co-host
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/tv-radio/2019/12/10/Britt-McHenry-sues-Fox-News-sexual-harassment-Tyrus/stories/201912100181
New Jersey
6 killed in New Jersey gunbattle, including police officer
https://www.inquirer.com/news/new-jersey/heavy-gunfire-reported-jersey-city-neighborhood-20191210.html
N.J. to borrow $500 million without voter input for transit
https://www.inquirer.com/news/new-jersey/nj-transit-borrowing-governor-phil-murphy-20191210.html
Philly
Hey Philly, this many overdose deaths is not normal. Just ask any other city. | Mike Newall
https://www.inquirer.com/news/columnists/philadelphia-pittsburgh-overdose-deaths-harm-reduction-opioid-crisis-20191211.html
This Philly school is teaching stressed-out kids how to find inner calm
https://www.inquirer.com/education/happiness-stress-inner-strength-mindfulness-philadelphia-high-school-20191210.html
Promoting police officer accused of misconduct is a bad look for Philly | Solomon Jones
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/philadelphia-police-tainted-justice-thomas-tolstoy-promotion-20191210.html
Pitt
Pittsburgh middle school student being treated for TB, Health Department says
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2019/12/10/Pittsburgh-middle-school-Arsenal-student-being-treated-for-tuberculosis-health-department-says/stories/201912100162
Pittsburgh Arsenal 6-8 student diagnosed with tuberculosis
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-arsenal-6-8-student-diagnosed-with-tb/
Driverless concerns: Software was unable to spot jaywalker
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/12/11/Driverless-concerns-Software-was-unable-to-spot-jaywalker/stories/201911230027
If it looks like a Duck and sounds like a Duck, because of Devlin Hodges they’ll buy it
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2019/12/10/Pittsburgh-Steelers-Delvin-Hodges-Yinzers-Strip-District/stories/201912100157
Allegheny County Council honors longtime member John DeFazio, the late Charles Martoni
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2019/12/10/Allegheny-County-Council-honors-longtime-member-John-DeFazio-the-late-Charles-Martoni/stories/201912100166
Allegheny County Council honors outgoing members
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-county-council-honors-outgoing-members/
House that once belonged to Pirates legend Honus Wagner catches fire in Carnegie
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/12/10/Fire-historic-Carnegie-house-Pittsburgh-Pirates-Hall-of-Famer-Honus-Wagner/stories/201912100100
Darlene Harris’ proposal for ‘Ravenstahl Field’ may be coming too late
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/12/10/Ravenstahl-Field-Riverview-Park-pittsburgh-city-council-Darlene-Harris/stories/201912100142
One dead in overnight shooting in Hill District
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/12/11/One-dead-shooting-pittsburgh-Hill-District/stories/201912110091
Fundraising effort for Wilkinsburg’s Abraham Lincoln statue moves slowly
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/fundraising-effort-for-wilkinsburg-abraham-lincoln-statue-moves-slowly/
Allegheny County Health Department awards $113K in grants
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-county-health-department-provides-113500-to-13-organizations/
State News
Delaware Water Gap park officials consider first-ever entry fee
https://www.inquirer.com/science/climate/delaware-water-gap-national-park-river-20191211.html
Pennsylvania State Police trooper shot on duty
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/12/10/Pennsylvania-State-Police-trooper-shot-on-duty-Nelson-Township-Tioga-County/stories/201912100126
State throws behavioral health organizations a funding curveball
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2019/12/10/State-Mercy-behavioral-health-organizations-funding-CCBHC-extension-Congress/stories/201912100154
Feds’ rules threaten Pennsylvanians’ food stamps, state claims
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/feds-rules-threaten-pennsylvanians-food-stamps-state-claims/
Heating oil prices hold steady, area providers say
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/heating-oil-prices-hold-steady-area-providers-say-1.2569988
Transportation
Caution advised on Route 309 due to faulty light
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/caution-advised-on-route-309-due-to-faulty-light-1.2570081
Reading’s Penn Street Bridge lights up the community
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/readings-penn-street-bridge-lights-up-the-community
Washington
PFAS regulation plan gets weakened by Congress in latest spending bill
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pfas-congress-defense-spending-bill-ndaa-cleanup-military-20191210.html
Compromise reached on defense bill, but PFAS cleanup mandate removed
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20191210/compromise-reached-on-defense-bill-but-pfas-cleanup-mandate-removed
U.S. Rep. Susan Wild says she’s voting for impeachment. Here’s why
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-susan-wild-on-trump-impeachment-20191210-qotgw6tkqjbpvoxj7iqjhbkk6q-story.html
Pa’s Houlahan: Deal on paid family leave for federal employees is ‘huge news” for American familes
https://www.penncapital-star.com/working-the-economy/pas-houlahan-deal-on-paid-family-leave-for-federal-employees-is-huge-news-for-american-familes/
Trump says impeachment will backfire on Democrats as he rallies supporters in Pennsylvania
https://www.inquirer.com/news/trump-2020-rally-hershey-pennsylvania-impeachment-20191210.html
Judge blocks Trump plan to spend $3.6 billion in military funds on border barrier
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/judge-blocks-trump-plan-military-funds-border-20191211.html