Legislature
Op/Ed: The time for gun safety reform is now | The Unionville Times
Pa. Senate passes bill to help increase broadband access | State | theprogressnews.com
No proof vote was rigged, but 2020 election reviews persist | WITF
GOP’s election case in Pa. court focuses on privacy, Trump – pennlive.com
Pennsylvania Senate moves to overhaul probation system | WITF
PA House, Senate committees hear about problems with state fireworks law (readingeagle.com)
Pa. lawmakers out of ‘oohs and aahs’ as they look to rework 2017 fireworks law (abc27.com)
State lawmakers vote for package of 5 constitutional changes | WITF
Democrats split on changing Senate rules to pass voting rights legislation (abc27.com)
Gunfire injures man; stray bullets hit offices of state senator, NAACP – YouTube
YAW: RGGI Fails Pennsylvania on its Most Basic Promise – DV Journal (delawarevalleyjournal.com)
Op-Ed: Permitless Carry is a horror that endangers everyone (buckscountycouriertimes.com)
Pa. House votes to reject Gov. Wolf’s climate plan for power plants | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pennsylvania Makes Investment in Community Parks in Penn Hills – PennWatch
A Christmas fantasy: Pa. lawmakers offer taxpayers some gifts | John Baer – pennlive.com
Pa. Game Commission board could add 9th District (goerie.com)
Yaw honors Lewisburg state champions | Local News | standard-journal.com
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Gov. Tom Wolf requests FEMA help for PA hospitals amid COVID spike (buckscountycouriertimes.com)
Pennsylvania asks FEMA for help with COVID surge | WITF
Mount Nittany Medical Center seeing record number of COVID-19 patients | WITF
What makes omicron spread so quickly? A new study offers a tantalizing clue : Goats and Soda : NPR
Harrisburg school district hosts free Pfizer vaccination clinic (abc27.com)
Why have there been more COVID-19 deaths in 2021 despite the availability of vaccines? (abc27.com)
As cases grow league-wide, Eagles rallying around enhanced COVID protocols – Daily Local
Health worker vaccine mandate blocked in half the states | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Hospitalized patients with breakthrough COVID-19 are older and sicker, report finds (inquirer.com)
US sports leagues cope with COVID-19 outbreaks amid variants – Reading Eagle
COVID-19 pushed hospital charges above $100,000 for many in Pa. – pennlive.com
FDA will not authorize Merck’s COVID-19 pill for pregnant women, reports say – pennlive.com
Business/Jobs
With inflation still hot, the Fed takes a step towards rate hikes : NPR
The Biden administration wants to boost the number of truckers : NPR
Warren General nurses overwhelmingly OK new contract | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Crime/Punishment
How to fix Philadelphia’s wrongful conviction problem, according to experts (inquirer.com)
Pittsburgh City Council advances legislation to reduce traffic stops | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Education
Masks, diversity among top issues facing new school boards in Bucks (buckscountycouriertimes.com)
No CTC Thursday for Hanover Area students after bus fight | Times Leader
Elections/Politics
State Sen. Scott Martin announces run for PA governor (broadandliberty.com)
Young Americans motivated to make change: AP-NORC, MTV poll | TribLIVE.com
Laughlin’s exit from gov’s race a reflection of party, not the politician (goerie.com)
Environment
Tornadoes, snow squalls, and high temps hit the Midwest in a wild winter storm : NPR
Transportation
$33M approved for rail system improvements across Pennsylvania (abc27.com)
SEPTA union: Who is Brian Pollitt, the new leader? (inquirer.com)
Business leaders see promise in Scranton-NY Amtrak route (poconorecord.com)
Health
Pennsylvanians rally for medical freedom | fox43.com
The FDA may be poised to ease access to abortion pills : NPR
Flu cases in Pennsylvania and New Jersey are also rising (inquirer.com)
State News
Nearly 6,000 Pa. businesses got relief grants totaling $145 million (buckscountycouriertimes.com)
PSERS board’s meetings Thursday and Friday could chart pension funds’ future (inquirer.com)
Where did the lanternflies go? Pa. public reports down 50 percent in 2021 | TribLIVE.com
Pennsylvania’s child care crisis demands lasting solutions (goerie.com)
National News
Powerful Typhoon Hits The Southern Philippines : NPR
A Surfside condo collapse grand jury report calls for immediate reforms : NPR
‘Robber barons’ essay shows left’s penchant for attacking the rich (buckscountycouriertimes.com)
Biden pledges ‘whatever it takes’ to assist tornado victims – Daily Local
Derek Chauvin pleads guilty to federal charge in George Floyd’s death | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Local News
In a few weeks, plastic bags, straws will be banned in West Chester (dailylocal.com)
Two Chester County residents honored for saving the life of Coatesville police officer – Daily Local
Performing arts venue in Wilkes-Barre receives zoning approval | Times Leader
Luzerne County Council approves 2022 budget with no tax hike | News | citizensvoice.com
Lackawanna County commissioners approve $5 vehicle registration fee | News | thetimes-tribune.com
Reading passes a $95 million 2022 budget with no tax increase (readingeagle.com)
Ligonier area provides props as ‘The Pale Blue Eye’ film crew arrives at Compass Inn | TribLIVE.com
York County, Pa 2022 budget includes lower than projected tax increase (ydr.com)
York Mayor Helfrich: Ask City Council to support my budget (ydr.com)
Bourbon Barrel: Erie business remains closed despite $500,000 bailout (goerie.com)
Brenton Davis plans to change how Erie County battles COVID-19 (goerie.com)
Will Lehigh Valley residents push back on demand for solar farms? – The Morning Call (mcall.com)
Chester County agency gets funding to support vaccine outreach efforts – Mainline Media News
Pitt
Philly
As Philadelphia COVID cases rise, health commissioner discourages holiday gatherings (inquirer.com)
Meek Mill hoops with Philly kids affected by justice system (abc27.com)
Used car prices in the Philadelphia region jump by 27% (theintell.com)
Washington
Congress approves the National Defense Authorization Act : NPR
Child tax credit payments hinges on Build Back Better (abc27.com)
Biden will nominate Michelle Kwan and Caroline Kennedy for ambassador posts : NPR
Biden, Manchin sharply divided over $2T Dem bill | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette