Legislature

Pennsylvania lawmakers grapple with hate speech in education (wskg.org)

Voter registration applications are up 65% since Pa. started automatic registration at PennDOT centers | News | meadvilletribune.com

Pennsylvania Secretary of State talks 2023 election, need to recruit poll workers (mytwintiers.com)

Expansion of Pa. permits to grow, sell medical marijuana headed to governor’s desk – pennlive.com

PA Environment Digest Blog: Senate Environmental Committee Reports Independent Energy Information Office Bill; Democrats Attempt To Table Environmental Hearing Board Nominee (paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com)

PA Environment Digest Blog: Senate Environmental Committee Meets Dec. 12 On 2 Environmental Hearing Board Nominees, Bill Creating An Independent Energy Information Office (paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com)

Bill Establishing Permanent WIC Advisory Board Clears Pennsylvania Senate | Pennsylvania Culture Press

Comitta announces re-election campaign for Pa. Senate | Chester County Press

Habitat for Humanity celebrates 2nd new home dedication of Miltimore Street Project (berksweekly.com)

Libraries Receive Solar Equipment from General Recreation, Inc. (vista.today)

Libraries Receive Solar Equipment from General Recreation, Inc. (delco.today)

Pennsylvania’s Whole-Home Repairs Program facing long lines | 90.5 WESA

Exeter police, interim township manager recognized for July flood response | Berks Regional

State Sen. Maria Collett Hosts The Ambler Area YMCA’s Annual Health Fair (nationworldnews.com)

Democratic Attorney General Candidate From Bucks County Gains Endorsements Ahead Of State Party Meeting – New Hope Free Press

Pa. House panel revisits utility privatization law as consumers face soaring water and sewer bills – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Business/Jobs

Dunkin’ will treat holiday travelers at Harrisburg International Airport – pennlive.com

7-Eleven’s holiday deals include a pizza for $6 on Christmas, New Year’s – pennlive.com

Small business owners pessimistic about the economy, poll shows | National | thecentersquare.com

Heart of Hawaii’s historic Lahaina reopens to residents and business owners : NPR

Taco Bell cools down menu with test of new frozen coffees, shakes – pennlive.com

Crime/Punishment

Dauphin County man stabbed girlfriend with screwdriver, assaulted child: police – pennlive.com

Accused infant abuser mistakenly released from Pa. county jail is back behind bars – pennlive.com

Pa. man accused of trying to meet 13-year-old for sex to remain detained until trial – pennlive.com

Driver killed in Lebanon County head-on collision: police – pennlive.com

‘Grinch’ wanted for cutting wires of light show: cops | Today in Pa. – pennlive.com

Education

Harvard’s Board Says Claudine Gay Will Remain President – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Florida School Board Urges Bridget Ziegler To Resign Amid Scandal – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Read Harvard’s Statement on President Claudine Gay – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Penn Names Dr. J. Larry Jameson as Interim President After Magill Resignation – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Harvard Clears Its President of ‘Research Misconduct’ After Plagiarism Charges – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

College Presidents Under Fire: Who’s In, Who’s Out? – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Elections/Politics

Pa. voter registration applications up 65% | News | bradfordera.com

Democrat Bill Petulla launches campaign for Pa. 28th House District – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

PA Building Trades Council back Kenyatta for auditor general, Stollsteimer for attorney general – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Environment

PA Environment Digest Blog: Senate Environmental Committee Reports Independent Energy Information Office Bill; Democrats Attempt To Table Environmental Hearing Board Nominee (paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com)

Delaware botanical garden donates plant waste to help injured birds | WITF

Crop Damage on the Rise in Pennsylvania | Morning Ag Clips

PA Environment Digest Blog: PennEnvironment, Three Rivers Waterkeeper Sue Styropek USA To Stop Plastic Pollution In Raccoon Creek, Ohio River In Beaver County (paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com)

Transportation

Electric vehicle owners in Pa. could soon be zapped with an annual fee – pennlive.com

Despite concerns, $290 electric vehicle fee proposal advances | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Tesla recalls nearly all vehicles sold in US to fix its Autopilot system – pennlive.com

Pennsylvania House considers road use fee for EV owners – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Electric vehicle charging needs a ‘Goldilocks solution’ | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

SEPTA’s Bus Revolution is ready to roll (inquirer.com)

PennDOT mulls several big fixes for truck parking problem | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority plan wins federal support | WITF

Gun Safety

2 Pa. gun vendors sued by New Jersey attorney general | WITF

White House to meet with dozens of Democratic state legislators on gun violence prevention – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Health

Harrisburg region counties will partner on regional emergency mental health facility – pennlive.com

State News

A look back at what Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro did in 2023 | WITF

Shapiro signs ceremonial bill for task force on flood insurance issues – Insurance News | InsuranceNewsNet

Pa. Gov. Signs Bill Combating Rising Cost of Flood Insurance Into Law | The Legal Intelligencer

Governor Shapiro Signs Act 11A Boosting Funding for State-Related Universities – MyChesCo

National News

Two Men Hunted Eagles in Illegal ‘Killing Spree,’ U.S. Says – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Prisoners Sue Alabama, Calling Prison Labor System a ‘Form of Slavery’ – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Ambush kills 9 Israeli soldiers in Gaza City, where battles rage weeks into devastating offensive – pennlive.com

Building transmission takes forever. The Biden administration is pushing to change that. – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

White House to meet with dozens of Democratic state legislators on gun violence prevention – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

No Aid for Ukraine Would Be a Gift to Russia, Biden Says as Zelensky Visits – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Biden presents $22.4 million in federal funding to Philadelphia Fire Department – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Congressman seeks Epstein flight logs in House after block in Senate | National | thecentersquare.com

Israel strikes across Gaza as the offensive leaves both it and the US increasingly isolated – pennlive.com

Pitt

Lights out: Planning Commission approves the demolition of four Downtown buildings | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Former Pittsburgh building inspector accused of taking bribes from Downtown developer | TribLIVE.com

No Christmas Eve launch for Astrobotic lunar lander | TribLIVE.com

Pittsburgh City Council eyes a pay increase for members | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

1 injured in Sewickley Heights house explosion | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh City Council members propose 7.1% pay raise for themselves | TribLIVE.com

Philly

Biden announces 3 decommissioned Philadelphia fire companies are reopening with federal funds | Local News | phillytrib.com

Former Eagles player Malcolm Jenkins on money, social justice, and grit in Philly | Local News | phillytrib.com

Center City’s Fashion District debt — and control — abandoned by Philly mall operator | Local News | phillytrib.com

Pa. Black Caucus and OIC of America announce funding for training | Local News | phillytrib.com

Prosecution of retail theft in Philadelphia down, data says | Local News | phillytrib.com

Penn names J. Larry Jameson interim president – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Washington

Eye on the Capitol: How Casey, Fetterman, Kelly voted last week | Local News | ncnewsonline.com

Pa. Sen. John Fetterman hired George Santos to troll Sen. Menendez | WITF

Casey, Fetterman Announce $144M Grant to Expand Amtrak’s Philadelphia to Pittsburgh Service (politicspa.com)