Legislature
Pa. lawmakers mount challenge to closing centers
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/pa-lawmakers-mount-challenge-to-closing-centers-1.2571834
Tabora Farms dispute sparks agritourism legislation
http://buckscountyherald.com/tabora-farms-dispute-sparks-agritourism-legislation-p3358-175.htm
Editorial: Lawmakers on right track with tax reform
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-lawmakers-on-right-track-with-tax-reform
Pass most of reform bills
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/pass-most-of-reform-bills-1.2571801
Business
After delays, cannabis grower laying groundwork for Lackawanna facility
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/after-delays-cannabis-grower-laying-groundwork-for-lackawanna-facility-1.2571905
CornellCookson expands in Mountain Top, has job openings
https://www.timesleader.com/news/765925/cornellcookson-expands-in-mountain-top-has-job-openings
Sugerman’s deemed unsafe to occupy amid power outage
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/sugerman-s-deemed-unsafe-to-occupy-amid-power-outage-1.2571984
How a Harrisburg company was ensnared in the investigation of Energy Transfer’s alleged “buy-a-badge” scheme for pipeline security
https://www.witf.org/2019/12/16/how-a-harrisburg-company-was-ensnared-in-the-investigation-of-energy-transfers-alleged-buy-a-badge-scheme-for-pipeline-security/
Education
Hazing must end: Greek life organizations bear the responsibility
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/12/16/Hazing-must-end-Greek-life-organizations-bear-the-responsibility/stories/201911230014
Elections/Politics
2nd Dem to challenge Friel-Otten in 155th state House race
https://www.timesherald.com/news/nd-dem-to-challenge-friel-otten-in-th-state-house/article_4f3d4f87-9a71-5b03-b81b-d22d8bfec5fb.html
Health Care
Female surgical residents face discrimination that can mean burnout, suicidal thoughts, study finds
https://www.inquirer.com/health/gender-discrimination-surgery-women-medicine-20191216.html
Local News
A gem appears: Harrison Avenue Bridge’s old blueprints
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/a-gem-appears-harrison-avenue-bridge-s-old-blueprints-1.2572008
’Tis the season for the 12th year of Leechburg Lights
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/tis-the-season-for-the-12th-year-of-leechburgh-lights/
A tasty exchange: Cookie swap moves from Harrison home to fire hall
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/a-tasty-exchange-cookie-swap-moves-from-harrison-home-to-fire-hall/
Hundreds of struggling Chester County families get a gift to remember
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/hundreds-of-struggling-chester-county-families-get-a-gift-to/article_e96c0244-1f85-11ea-bd41-9b469131227c.html
Luzerne County Council chairmanship up for grabs
https://www.timesleader.com/news/765981/luzerne-county-council-chairmanship-up-for-grabs
Luzerne County election director salary questioned during budget vote
https://www.timesleader.com/news/765967/luzerne-county-election-director-salary-questioned-during-budget-vote
Pedri: Election director salary bump is justified
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/pedri-election-director-salary-bump-is-justified-1.2571903
Logan’s Metzgar targets MS4
https://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2019/12/logans-metzgar-targets-ms4/
National News
Kentucky’s former governor defends his pardons as outrage persists
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/12/15/Kentucky-governor-pardons-former-Matt-Bevin-defends/stories/201912150231
Officials investigate whether ‘white power’ signs were flashed before the Army-Navy game
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/other-colleges/2019/12/15/Army-Navy-game-white-power-military-investigating-possible-hand-signs-flashed/stories/201912160062
Philly
1 killed, 2 wounded in triple shooting in Kensington
https://www.inquirer.com/news/triple-shooting-kensington-philadelphia-20191215.html
What should happen to the South Philly refinery site? Community voices weigh in. | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/south-philly-refinery-pes-bankruptcy-auction-bids-20191215.html
Philly Mayor Kenney quiet about police commissioner appointment as year draws to a close
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/philly-mayor-kenney-quiet-about-police-commissioner-appointment-as-year-draws-to-a-close/
Pitt
Reaction mixed after study recommends changes to Strip District parking, traffic flow
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/12/16/Preliminary-recommendations-Strip-District-suggest-parking-changes-traffic-shopping/stories/201912160025
A new Catholic parish merger is ‘managing growth rather than decline’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2019/12/15/Pittsburgh-Catholic-Diocese-church-parish-mergers-Holy-Child-Corpus-Christi/stories/201912150197
Sala Udin: Vote ‘no’ on Pittsburgh Public Schools budget and tax increase
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2019/12/16/Sala-Udin-Vote-no-on-Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-budget-and-tax-Increase/stories/201912160012
Police: Man shot in leg near UPMC Children’s Hospital
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/police-man-shot-in-leg-near-upmc-childrens-hospital/
State News
In the so-called ‘War on Christmas,’ Pennsylvania is a supposed safe haven
https://www.inquirer.com/news/christmas-holidays-trump-foxnews-christianity-20191216.html
AG program educates public on scams, safety issues
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/ag-program-educates-public-on-scams-safety-issues-1.2571915
Troopers help kids shop for their families for Christmas
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/troopers-help-kids-shop-for-their-families-for-christmas-1.2571909
Court security concerns arise following shooting
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/court-security-concerns-arise-following-shooting-1.2571827
This is why the queer community should look to 2020 with hope and resilience | Frank Pizzoli
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/this-is-why-the-queer-community-should-look-to-2020-with-hope-and-resilience-frank-pizzoli/
Minutes count in OD investigations, veteran Berks County drug detective says
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/minutes-count-in-od-investigations-veteran-berks-county-drug-detective-says
Mother struggles with deaths of son, brother from fentanyl-laced drugs
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/mother-struggles-with-deaths-of-son-brother-from-fentanyl-laced-drugs
Editorial: Spirit of Big Bird needed now more than ever
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-spirit-of-big-bird-needed-now-more-than-ever
Transportation
Rail projects set to receive funding
https://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2019/12/rail-projects-set-to-receive-funding/
Washington
Cartwright says he will vote to impeach Trump
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/cartwright-says-he-will-vote-to-impeach-trump-1.2571914
Dems tell McConnell they want Bolton and Mulvaney for a Senate impeachment trial of Trump
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/12/15/impeachment-trial-Senate-Democrats-Trump-House/stories/201912150199
Pat Toomey is the lone Republican opposing the USMCA trade deal. Susan Wild is a Democrat who got to yes. Here’s why.
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-usmca-trade-agreement-susan-wild-pat-toomey-20191216-3itltmu22fdflbflpdna6p36nq-story.html
Jeff Van Drew’s planned switch to the GOP prompts 6 senior aides to resign, more expected
https://www.inquirer.com/news/jeff-van-drew-aides-resign-republican-switch-impeachment-20191216.html
The Supreme Court agrees to rule on the release of Trump’s financial records
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/12/15/Supreme-Court-Trump-tax-returns-financial-records-release/stories/201912150224
Meuser: Impeachment is partisan process
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/meuser-impeachment-is-partisan-process-1.2571875
Super PACs pour money into Pa. ahead of divisive impeachment vote
https://www.witf.org/2019/12/16/super-pacs-pour-money-into-pa-ahead-of-divisive-impeachment-vote/