State News
Lawsuit seeks to force Pennsylvania to scrap these electronic voting machines over hacking fears https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/vote-hacking-russia-presidential-election-pennsylvania-philadelphia-trump-20191213.html
Pa. AG Shapiro says Trump’s tipped wage proposal could take money from workers https://whyy.org/articles/pa-ag-shapiro-says-trumps-tipped-wage-proposal-could-take-money-from-workers/
Suit filed in Pa. court challenges widely used electronic voting machine https://papost.org/2019/12/13/suit-filed-in-pa-court-challenges-widely-used-electronic-voting-machine/
Administration
Yassmin Gramian, incoming PennDOT Secretary sees ‘bright future’ for Philadelphia https://www.witf.org/2019/12/14/yassmin-gramian-incoming-penndot-secretary-sees-bright-future-for-philadelphia/
Business
Lamb Hails Trade Deal With Canada And Mexico As Move In ‘Right Direction’ https://www.wesa.fm/post/lamb-hails-trade-deal-canada-and-mexico-move-right-direction
Crime/Punishment
Ex-Philly detective Philip Nordo had a big role in a murder trial — while awaiting his own trial https://www.inquirer.com/news/philip-nordo-murder-prosecution-tim-jordan-kharee-muhammad-philadelphia-larry-krasner-20191213.html
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
Man with DUIs sues to get back his gun rights https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/12/13/Man-with-DUIs-sues-to-get-back-his-gun-rights/stories/201912130136
Defense lawyer charged with smuggling drugs to Allegheny County Jail inmates arraigned https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/12/13/paul-gettleman-lawyer-drug-smuggling-allegheny-county-jail-k2-pittsburgh/stories/201912130121
Four plead guilty in Westmoreland County for massage parlor prostitution https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/12/13/Westmoreland-County-massage-parlor-trafficking-prostitution-Four-plead-guilty-Hui-Xu-Huicun-Wei-Chang-Yu-Chen-Robert-Delano-Yerrick/stories/201912130140
Feds eye seizure of $1M Latrobe house, Ferrari, jewels in cryptocurrency scheme https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/12/13/cryptocurrency-indictment-pittsburgh-california-faulk-latrobe-sim-swapping/stories/201912130117
Online child pornography accounts for more than 3 out of 4 Pa. cyber crime convictions https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/online-child-pornography-accounts-for-more-than-three-out-of-four-cyber-crime-convictions/
Dover teen fatally shot in York was aspiring model, rescuer of cats https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/12/dover-teen-fatally-shot-in-york-was-aspiring-model-rescuer-of-cats.html
Pagan reaches plea deal in brutal Charleroi beating https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/pagan-reaches-plea-deal-in-brutal-charleroi-beating/article_5d0c7920-1dd0-11ea-a54b-2ff2a8662bec.html
Education
Lower Merion wants elementary school students to start earlier, and high schoolers to arrive later. Some parents aren’t happy https://www.inquirer.com/news/later-school-start-times-pennsylvania-lower-merion-sleep-students-20191213.html
A responsibility shortage: Life skills classroom must be properly equipped https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/12/14/A-responsibility-shortage-Life-skills-classroom-must-be-properly-equipped/stories/201912060046
Allentown School District kicks off middle school transformation plan https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-allentown-school-district-middle-school-transformation-plan-20191214-vyghj3unafdcjecadqoehwpqbi-story.html
Elections/Politics
Democratic groups are going door-to-door while their 2020 candidates are distracted by the primary https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/democratic-groups-2020-canvass-for-our-future-20191214.html
Paid parental leave: How Republicans learned to love a Democratic priority https://whyy.org/npr_story_post/paid-parental-leave-how-republicans-learned-to-love-a-democratic-priority/
With Johhnson-Harrell’s exit, candidates lining up to take over vacated state Rep. seat https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/with-johhnson-harrell-s-exit-candidates-lining-up-to-take/article_f8b73f2b-0731-5000-b56d-33eda8bf1ec3.html
Democrats threaten to boycott next debate over labor dispute https://www.phillytrib.com/news/elections/democrats-threaten-to-boycott-next-debate-over-labor-dispute/article_597559f9-e5a3-58c6-a266-953cd4c68e7b.html
Environment
Arrests near Mariner East pipeline just latest incident of intimidation, witnesses say https://whyy.org/articles/arrests-near-mariner-east-pipeline-just-latest-incident-of-intimidation-witnesses-say/
DEP sounds alarm over revised climate change predictions https://whyy.org/articles/dep-sounds-alarm-over-revised-climate-change-predictions/
Ever hear of a nurdle? The western Pa. ethane cracker could bring this new form of pollution to the Ohio River https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2019/12/13/ever-hear-of-a-nurdle-the-western-pa-ethane-cracker-could-bring-this-new-form-of-pollution-to-the-ohio-river/
US Steel agrees to pay $8.5M to settle air pollution lawsuit https://www.witf.org/2019/12/13/us-steel-agrees-to-pay-8-5m-to-settle-air-pollution-lawsuit/
Health
Premature births in the U.S.: We have to do better | Opinion https://www.inquirer.com/health/expert-opinions/preterm-birth-rates-united-states-20191214.html
Athletes eating a plant-based diet: What are the health risks and benefits? https://www.inquirer.com/health/expert-opinions/game-changers-plant-based-diet-athletes-hype-or-help-20191214.html
More Americans are dying at home rather than in hospitals https://whyy.org/articles/more-americans-are-dying-at-home-rather-than-in-hospitals/
Tower Health clashes with nurses as it takes over St. Christopher’s https://whyy.org/articles/tower-health-clashes-with-nurses-as-it-takes-over-st-christophers/
FDA approves muscular dystrophy drug, despite its rejection for safety concerns just a few months ago https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2019/12/14/FDA-approves-muscular-dystrophy-drug-Sarepta-Therapeutics-Vyondys-53/stories/201912140054
Local News
211 call center system established in Chester County to address homelessness https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/call-center-system-established-in-chester-county-to-address-homelessness/article_dff95514-1ddb-11ea-a5a1-ab3e7599f449.html
Salvation Army seeks bell ringers for final holiday push https://www.dailylocal.com/news/salvation-army-seeks-bell-ringers-for-final-holiday-push/article_2770b03e-1db6-11ea-b7c5-9fdecda08d55.html
‘A Longwood Christmas’ features lights, water shows and train display https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/a-longwood-christmas-features-lights-water-shows-and-train-display/article_94842d2a-1da9-11ea-88a0-b7f4af5f49da.html
Community rallies around Bucks man who needs stem-cell transplant https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20191214/community-rallies-around-bucks-man-who-needs-stem-cell-transplant
Controversy over Neshaminy nickname lingers https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20191213/controversy-over-neshaminy-nickname-lingers
Branching out at Erie-area Christmas tree farms https://www.goerie.com/news/20191214/branching-out-at-erie-area-christmas-tree-farms
Veteran Community Initiatives celebrates volunteers, donors https://www.tribdem.com/news/veteran-community-initiatives-celebrates-volunteers-donors/article_c6d66b76-1e30-11ea-9d41-6776cb23f7be.html
Mayor Wally Scott fined a second time by Reading’s Charter Board https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/readings-charter-board-fines-mayor-wally-scott-a-second-time
Editorial: Proud to call Taylor Swift one of our own https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-proud-to-call-taylor-swift-one-of-our-own
Humane Society of Berks County breaks ground for $2 million animal shelter in Reading https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/humane-society-of-berks-county-breaks-ground-for-2-million-animal-shelter-in-reading
Shooting prompts changes at county’s district courts https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/shooting-prompts-changes-at-county-s-district-courts-1.2571212
Borough council, officials look to ‘reshape’ Canonsburg https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/borough-council-officials-look-to-reshape-canonsburg/article_396586c2-1ba2-11ea-a51f-a7ce65b43cf0.html
National News
Religious exemptions for childhood vaccinations could end in New Jersey https://www.inquirer.com/news/new-jersey/vaccine-exemption-religious-new-jersey-measles-senate-20191213.html
Anti-Semitism order raises tough issue of defining prejudice https://whyy.org/articles/anti-semitism-order-raises-tough-issue-of-defining-prejudice/
‘Shop early’: U.S. Christmas trees supplies tight, prices up https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2019/12/14/Shop-early-US-Christmas-trees-supplies-tight-prices-up-2/stories/201912140028
Outgoing Kentucky governor pardons man convicted of beheading a woman, stuffing her in a barrel https://triblive.com/news/world/outgoing-kentucky-governor-pardons-man-convicted-of-beheading-a-woman-stuffing-her-in-a-barrel/
How Boise’s fight over homelessness is rippling across the West Coast https://www.witf.org/2019/12/14/how-boises-fight-over-homelessness-is-rippling-across-the-west-coast/
How to reduce food waste https://www.witf.org/2019/12/14/how-to-reduce-food-waste/
FCC approves plan for 3-digit suicide prevention number similar to 911 https://www.witf.org/2019/12/13/fcc-approves-plan-for-3-digit-suicide-prevention-number-similar-to-911/
Philly
A Philly man died fighting the Taliban. The Afghanistan Papers confirmed what his father already knew. https://www.inquirer.com/news/charles-strange-michael-afghanistan-papers-philadelphia-native-20191214.html
Trump will be at the Army-Navy Game in Philly. From traffic to special events, here’s what you need to know. https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/army-navy-game-philadelphia-trump-start-time-cbs-weather-flyover-jets-septa-20191213.html
Family, cops ask help to ID hit-and-run driver who killed 82-year-old woman in Northeast Philly https://www.inquirer.com/news/hit-run-bustleton-avenue-northeast-philadelphia-netcost-market-victim-yulia-sherman-20191213.html
Philadelphia Historical Commission sides with Boys’ Latin school over fate of church building https://www.inquirer.com/news/boys-latin-charter-school-philadelphia-church-preservation-historical-commission-20191213.html
At the heart of a Christmas party for the children of Philadelphia murder victims, a wish for an end to gun violence | Helen Ubiñas https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/helen-ubinas-philadelphia-guns-murder-violence-moms-bonded-by-grief-20191214.html
Productive fall in City Hall, but plenty left to do | Editorial https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/philadelphia-city-council-mayor-jim-kenney-schools-budget-guns-police-overdose-20191213.html
Apartments, commercial space proposed for Passyunk firehouse site https://whyy.org/articles/apartments-commercial-space-proposed-for-passyunk-firehouse-site/
Economic investment, not arrests, will save Kensington from drug violence, say researchers who lived there https://whyy.org/articles/economic-investment-not-arrests-will-save-kensington-from-drug-violence-say-researchers-who-lived-there/
Kenney quiet about police commissioner appointment as year draws to a close https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/kenney-quiet-about-police-commissioner-appointment-as-year-draws-to/article_92d99061-6be1-560a-98c5-32d655c607f5.html
Pitt
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
Grand jury IDs lawyer visits as Achilles’ heel of Allegheny County Jail anti-drug efforts https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/12/13/allegheny-county-jail-grand-jury-drug-smuggling-k2-recommendations-lawyers/stories/201912130128
McKeesport awarded $3 million redevelopment grant https://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2019/12/13/McKeesport-awarded-3-million-redevelopment-grant/stories/201912130126
Wellness-focused EVEN Hotel opens in former Kaufmann’s in Downtown Pittsburgh Wellness-focused EVEN Hotel opens in former Kaufmann’s in Downtown Pittsburgh https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/wellness-focused-even-hotel-opens-in-former-kaufmanns-in-downtown-pittsburgh/
Democratic presidential hopefuls heading to Pittsburgh for education forum https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/democratic-presidential-hopefuls-heading-to-pittsburgh-for-education-forum/
Pittsburgh reducing carbon footprint through renewable energy sources https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-reducing-carbon-footprint-through-renewable-energy-sources/
Transportation
Icy roads cause havoc across region; man dies after weather-related accident on Route 219 https://www.tribdem.com/news/icy-roads-cause-havoc-across-region-man-dies-after-weather/article_4ab2c2ba-1df9-11ea-884e-af2b723ea1b0.html
Washington
‘Wild week’ as Washington works amid Trump impeachment https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/trump-impeachment-wild-week-washington-20191214.html
World News
North Korea conducts another test at long-range rocket site https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/north-korea-test-long-range-rocket-site-20191214.html
British PM Boris Johnson heads north to celebrate crushing election win https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/britain-prime-minister-boris-johnson-northern-england-20191214.html