Legislature
Wage boosts for hundreds of thousands hang in balance due to Capitol standoff
https://www.dailyitem.com/news/local_news/wage-boosts-for-hundreds-of-thousands-hang-in-balance-due/article_e3fa83f7-83ce-5832-b43d-779dcc154f6e.html
Renovated Reading Penn Street Bridge fuels praise
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/renovated-reading-penn-street-bridge-fuels-praise
Recovery system that profits off misery needs rehab | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/rehab-owner-sentenced-cherry-hill-willow-grove-florida-patient-brokering-urine-testing-20191213.html
Tackling bullying: Think hard before criminalizing the behavior
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/12/13/Tackling-bullying-Think-hard-before-criminalizing-the-behavior/stories/201912050038
Business
U.S. Steel to spend $8.5 million to settle Clairton class action
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/2019/12/12/U-S-Steel-to-spend-8-5-million-to-settle-Clairton-class-action-pollution-controls/stories/201912120142
Pa. weed facility stinks like ‘20 skunks’ and drives neighbors to flee its Poconos hamlet
https://www.inquirer.com/business/weed/stink-marijuana-farm-poconos-standard-farms-pennsylvania-20191213.html
Jeannette residents call for hemp plant closure
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/jeannette-residents-call-for-hemp-plant-closure/
Crime/Punishment
Massage parlor chief from Mt. Pleasant admits to human trafficking, promoting prostitution
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/massage-parlor-chief-from-mt-pleasant-admits-to-human-trafficking-promoting-prostitution/
Veteran Westmoreland sheriff’s deputy accused of indecent behavior with female inmates
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/veteran-westmoreland-sheriffs-deputy-accused-of-indecent-behavior-with-female-inmates/
Education
Charter school parents send letter to Bethlehem Area School District demanding superintendent apologize for comments on race
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-bethlehem-schools-charter-school-letter-20191212-45uauksu55ez7pvia32qazulu4-story.html
New Kensington-Arnold preliminary budget spikes taxes, exhausts reserves
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/new-kensington-arnold-preliminary-budget-spikes-taxes-exhausts-reserves/
Greg Cant named next Wilkes University president
https://www.timesleader.com/news/765593/greg-cant-named-next-wilkes-university-president
Wilkes University names seventh president
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wilkes-university-names-seventh-president-1.2570824
Elections/Politics
NEPA Army vet Granville to run for Congress
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/nepa-army-vet-granville-to-run-for-congress-1.2570818
Health Care
Pennsylvania would be among the hardest hit states if Obamacare were repealed
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/pennsylvania-would-be-among-the-hardest-hit-states-if-obamacare-were-repealed/Content?oid=16350420
Local News
Former Lackawanna County admin building expected to be on tax roll next year
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/former-lackawanna-county-admin-building-expected-to-be-on-tax-roll-next-year-1.2570596
Scranton ethics board seeks solicitor
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-ethics-board-seeks-solicitor-1.2570868
Scranton City Council to hold last meeting of the year Monday, caucus Tuesday
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-city-council-to-hold-last-meeting-of-the-year-monday-caucus-tuesday-1.2570620
Greenfield Twp. sues sewer plant operator
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/greenfield-twp-sues-sewer-plant-operator-1.2570869
Apollo Borough office closed for move to new location
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/apollo-borough-office-closed-for-move-to-new-location/
Berks County budget passes with no change in taxes for 2020
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-county-budget-passes-with-no-change-in-taxes-for-2020
Historic Berks County one-room schoolhouse saved from wrecking ball
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/historic-berks-one-room-schoolhouse-saved-from-wrecking-ball
Tempers flare at Maidencreek meeting over Northern Berks police force
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/tempers-flare-at-maidencreek-meeting-over-northern-berks-police-force
Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority awarded state funds for rail freight improvements
https://www.timesleader.com/news/765707/luzerne-county-redevelopment-authority-awarded-state-funds-for-rail-freight-improvements
Public meeting on Wilkes-Barre sewers cancelled, Mayor-elect Brown to reschedule
https://www.timesleader.com/news/765609/public-meeting-on-wilkes-barre-sewers-cancelled-mayor-elect-brown-to-reschedule
Meeting on Wilkes-Barre sewer plans postponed
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/meeting-on-wilkes-barre-sewer-plans-postponed-1.2570819
Potential dispensary to be built in downtown Hazleton
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/potential-dispensary-to-be-built-in-downtown-hazleton-1.2570754
Demand for resignation of North York borough council member continues
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/crime/2019/12/12/demand-resignation-north-york-borough-council-member-continues/4408391002/
New Jersey
New Jersey is poised to let voters decide if marijuana should be legal
https://www.inquirer.com/news/new-jersey-legalize-marijuana-constitutional-amendment-20191212.html
Philly
How Philadelphia finally changed the loved and loathed 10-year tax abatement
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/philadelphia-10-year-tax-abatement-changes-20191212.html
Philly Council passes tax abatement reforms; Kenney expected to sign
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/philly-council-passes-tax-abatement-reforms-kenney-expected-to-sign/
Council finally passes bag ban bill
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/council-finally-passes-bag-ban-bill/article_9789d5b0-5e14-549b-8fa5-b5edec09f5d7.html
Philly schools will lose money because of medical services gap
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-school-board-meeting-nurses-medicaid-reimbursement-20191213.html
A hero cop rescued the wounded during the Amtrak crash. Then he suffered a devastating brain injury. | Mike Newall
https://www.inquirer.com/news/columnists/andy-chan-philadelphia-highway-patrol-brain-injury-pub-crawl-20191213.html
Police arrest father of Philadelphia high school student who accidentally shot, killed twin brother
https://www.inquirer.com/news/mastery-charter-twin-shooting-father-aleem-gillard-warrant-20191213.html
Outgoing city councilwoman says ‘it’s nobody’s business’ if she enters DROP program
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/blondell-reynolds-brown-al-taubenberger-drop-20191212.html
Trapeta B. Mayson named next poet laureate of Philadelphia
https://www.inquirer.com/arts/philadelphia-poet-laureate-trapeta-mayson-20191212.html
Ex-Philly judge who accepted a $90K payoff from Bob Brady’s campaign is spared prison time
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/bob-brady-democratic-party-philly-jimmie-moore-sentencing-ken-smukler-20191212.html
Jim Kenney is about to shape Philly police for years to come. Will he make the right call? | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-next-police-commissioner-jim-kenney-20191213.html
The Frank Rizzo statue’s future is bungled yet again | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/rizzo-statue-philadelphia-moving-defaced-public-monuments-20191212.html
Pitt
Astrobotic — a lunar tech company headed to the moon — is first moving to North Side
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/tech-news/2019/12/12/Astrobotic-lunar-payload-NASA-Manchester-North-Side/stories/201912120120
Owner says her dog will survive after violent attack by pit bull fatally shot by police
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/12/12/Owner-terrier-mix-talks-about-dog-fight-pit-bull-shooting-killed-Pittsburgh-police/stories/201912120131
Local lawyer accused of bringing drugs into Allegheny County Jail via inmate smuggling ring
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/12/12/Allegheny-County-Jail-drug-smuggling-k2-paul-gettleman-cannabinoid/stories/201912120146
Goodfellows: Swissvale church undertakes mission to feed the hungry
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2019/12/13/Goodfellows-Swissvale-church-undertakes-mission-to-feed-the-hungry-pittsburgh-holidays/stories/201912120141
Cracking the code — schools compete in robotics coding event at CMU
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/science/2019/12/12/Robotic-Coding-carnegie-mellon-pittsburgh-lego-robots-competition/stories/201912120174
Court petition seeks Councilman Burgess’ ouster
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/12/12/Pittsburgh-Court-petition-councilman-ouster-Ricky-Burgess-Community-College-Allegheny-County-CCAC/stories/201912120128
Lyftie Awards tell Pittsburghers where we’ve been in 2019
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/neighborhood/2019/12/12/Lyftie-Awards-Pittsburgh-2019-Primanti-South-Side-airport-Lawrenceville-Spirit/stories/201912120134
Could Pittsburgh be the next Silicon Valley? A new study thinks so.
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/tech-news/2019/12/12/Brookings-Institution-upmc-university-pittsburgh-carnegie-mellon-startup-economy/stories/201912100133
Potential owners surface for shuttered Regent Square Theater
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/potential-owners-surface-for-shuttered-regent-square-theater/
Terrelle Pryor says girlfriend accused of stabbing him should be let out of jail
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/terrelle-pryor-says-girlfriend-accused-of-stabbing-him-should-be-let-out-of-jail/
Hambone’s in Lawrenceville padlocked for not paying alcohol tax, treasurer says
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/hambones-in-lawrenceville-padlocked-for-not-paying-alcohol-tax-treasurer-says/
Friends of the Riverfront appoints Kelsey Ripper executive director
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/friends-of-the-riverfront-appoints-kelsey-ripper-executive-director/
Astrobotic to set up ground control for lunar mission on Pittsburgh’s North Side
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/astrobotic-to-set-up-ground-control-for-lunar-mission-on-pittsburghs-north-side/
State News
State troopers, Game Commission used 9-ton bulldozer to kill man growing pot, lawsuit says
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/gregory-longenecker-bulldozer-marijuana-federal-lawsuit-state-police-berks-county-20191213.html
Game Commission investigating shooting of 3 elk in Benezette
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/game-commission-investigating-shooting-of-3-elk-in-benezette/
In Berks, outdoor enthusiasts weigh in on draft plan for state parks
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/in-berks-outdoor-enthusiasts-weigh-in-on-draft-plan-for-state-parks
Who pays for judicial elections?
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/who-pays-for-judicial-elections-1.2570710
Pennsylvania State Police agents seize ‘skill games’ from bars in Dauphin, Cumberland counties
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/12/pennsylvania-state-police-agents-seize-skill-games-from-bars-in-dauphin-cumberland-counties.html
PHEAA, explained. How an obscure Pa. state agency became one of the nation’s biggest student loan servicers.
https://www.penncapital-star.com/education/pheaa-explained-how-an-obscure-pa-state-agency-became-one-of-the-nations-biggest-student-loan-services/
7 years and 180 school shootings later, anti-gun violence advocates honor Sandy Hook victims
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/local-group-remembers-sandy-hook-7-years-later/
PA AG says Trump’s tipped wage proposal could take money from workers
https://www.witf.org/2019/12/13/pa-ag-says-trumps-tipped-wage-proposal-could-take-money-from-workers/
Pennsylvania is about to be hit by a gray tidal wave of aging residents. We’re not ready for them
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/pennsylvania-is-about-to-be-hit-by-a-gray-tidal-wave-of-aging-residents-were-not-ready-for-them/
Nearly $322,000 granted to combat opioid abuse, expand child protection services
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20191212/nearly-322000-granted-to-combat-opioid-abuse-expand-child-protection-services
New medical marijuana dispensary in West Goshen
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/new-medical-marijuana-dispensary-in-west-goshen/article_7eec001c-1c48-11ea-8448-7fbfd9c83987.html
U.S. Supreme Court rejects Lehigh County’s appeal in concealed weapon case
https://www.mcall.com/news/police/mc-nws-lehigh-county-hicks-supreme-court-denied-20191212-6q62g2uinna7xohblsy4teeyym-story.html
Transportation
New SEPTA Regional Rail schedules begin Sunday
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/septa-regional-rail-new-schedules-20191213.html
Washington
House Judiciary panel delays a historic Trump impeachment vote
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/12/12/Judiciary-panel-steps-toward-impeachment-vote-House-trump/stories/201912120101
Rep. Lamb, citing congressional oath to protect country, plans to vote for articles of impeachment
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/12/12/Rep-Lamb-citing-Congressional-oath-to-country-plans-to-vote-for-articles-of-impeachment/stories/201912120105
Conor Lamb supports impeachment: ‘What the President did was wrong’
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/conor-lamb-supports-impeachment-what-the-president-did-was-wrong/
Scanlon lays out the case against President Trump
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/local/scanlon-lays-out-the-case-against-president-trump/article_b2dfa1fa-1cf5-11ea-97b6-0f47ebae5448.html
Cartwright undecided on impeachment
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/cartwright-undecided-on-impeachment-1.2570826