News Digest:: December 19, 2023

Legislature

Brewster honors White Oak jeweler with proclamation for 75th anniversary – The Mon Valley Independent

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

Leaders worry about what sale of U.S. Steel to Japanese company means for Pittsburgh – CBS Pittsburgh (cbsnews.com)

Lawmakers reform probation in Pa., expand Clean Slate record-sealing | CNHI | cnhinews.com

Senator Santarsiero Announces $45,617 for Thompson Memorial Presbyterian Church Security Improvements | Pennsylvania Culture Press

Pennsylvania Senate Passes Bill to Reform State’s Probation System | The Legal Intelligencer (law.com)

‘Done for us, without us’: Local leaders protest new special prosecutor | Local News | phillytrib.com

Looking forward to the 108th Pennsylvania Farm Show [Report to the People] – Reading Eagle

PA Legislature Passes Code Bills, Finishing Overdue 2023-2024 Fiscal Year Budget – BCTV

Capitol Report: Prescription Coverage, Striking Workers, Stormwater Management | The Legal Intelligencer (law.com)

Berks County Organizations Receive $284,845 in State Funding for Security and Law Enforcement Programs – BCTV

Doylestown Twp. To Break Ground On Recreation Center, Park Additions | Doylestown, PA Patch

Legislative Roundup – Lower Bucks Times

Alarm Raised over Radioactive Fracking Waste Dangers in Pennsylvania – MyChesCo

The Pennsylvania Senate passed a bill in honor of Kayden Mancuso, a girl who was killed by her father in a 2018 murder-suicide | Lipstick Alley

Pa. lawmakers grapple with hate speech in education | WITF

How hate speech bans are being abused around the world – Worldtimetodays

Business/Jobs

Yocco’s to close one of its longtime Pa. hot dog shops – pennlive.com

Papa Johns launches new cheesy Epic Stuffed Crust Pizza. Here’s how to get it early. – pennlive.com

Dunkin’ will ring in the new year with a fan favorite that’s been gone more than 2 years – pennlive.com

Crime/Punishment

Central Pa. grandpa killed in crash while driving to pick up his beloved dog – pennlive.com

Woman stole $15K from GoFundMe meant for family friend: police – pennlive.com

Driver found passed out in fast food parking lot with hit-and-run victim in passenger seat – pennlive.com

Man sentenced for part in ‘grandparent’ phone fraud scheme: DOJ – pennlive.com

Central Pa. police seek information on missing 59-year-old man – pennlive.com

Man beat ‘father figure’ to death inside central Pa. home then stole $800: police – pennlive.com

Education

After great debate, Scranton School Board decides against tax increase for 2024 | Education | thetimes-tribune.com

New Pa. curriculum pilot program celebrates those with disabilities | WITF

Pennsylvania lawmakers defeat funding for Penn | WITF

Pa. Legislature passes education bills without Level Up funding – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

After being bullied, a Philly student was threatened with deportation by his principal. Here’s what happened next – pennlive.com

Emergency declaration to demolish part of the former William Penn High School (abc27.com)

Elections/Politics

Pa. Democrats endorse Kenyatta for auditor general, Bizzarro for treasurer | State | tiogapublishing.com

Upgrade to Pa.’s outdated voter roll system canceled – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

December 18 Playbook: Endorsement Time (politicspa.com)

Shapiro avoids rebuke from Pa. Democrats over school vouchers after national Dems get involved | National | union-bulletin.com

Pa. Democrats endorse Malcolm Kenyatta for auditor general (mcall.com)

Casey leads McCormick in new Pennsylvania Senate race poll (yourerie.com)

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

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

Is PA-17 in Play in 2024? (politicspa.com)

Environment

Northeastern storms lead to at least 4 deaths, including 1 in Pa. – pennlive.com

Natural gas production fee revenues drop $105M | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

PA Environment Digest Blog: Sunday PA Environment & Energy NewsClips – 12.17.23 (paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com)

A budget boost to payments for state-owned land will benefit rural Pa. | WITF

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

Western Pa. natural gas co. begins self-reporting air quality data as part of Shapiro partnership – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Transportation

Electric vehicles present new security risks | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Work zone speed enforcement cameras are here to stay in Pa. – pennlive.com

Municipalities ill-equipped to apply for transportation grants | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Health

Addiction warning signs during the holidays | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

DUI rules cause headaches for medical marijuana patients | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Census Bureau’s proposed changes threaten to undercount people with disabilities, advocates say – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Spending on health care in US rises to $4.5 trillion in 2022; a return to pre-pandemic growth rates – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Dental care bills see movement in Pa. House and beyond – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

State News

Shapiro avoids rebuke from Pa. Democrats over school vouchers | News | bradfordera.com

Governor Josh Shapiro (pa.gov)

Meek Mill joins Josh Shapiro for Pa. probation reform, clean slate law | WITF

Pennsylvania budget done | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Committee OKs insurance payout reporting limit for seniors | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Plans brewing over how to spend ‘digital equity’ broadband funds | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Residents decry increased secrecy among towns, counties, schools | WITF

A budget boost to payments for state-owned land will benefit rural Pa. | WITF

Pennsylvania State Police expands, modernizes academy | WITF

Census Bureau’s proposed changes threaten to undercount people with disabilities, advocates say – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Bigger child care tax credit coming to Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Pennsylvania 911 cell phone fee raised | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Natural gas production fee revenues drop $105M | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Western Pa. natural gas co. begins self-reporting air quality data as part of Shapiro partnership – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

National News

Biden approval rating hits new low at 34% | National | thecentersquare.com

Abbott enacts law making illegal entry into Texas a state crime | Texas | thecentersquare.com

Border Patrol suspends railroad crossings at two key ports of entry in Texas | National | thecentersquare.com

December 19 Playbook: U.S. Steel Deal Fallout (politicspa.com)

US Steel to be acquired for more than $14 billion by Nippon Steel | WITF

Judge approves blocking NCAA transfer rules until after spring sports season | Ohio | thecentersquare.com

Federal figures show surge in homelessness | National | thecentersquare.com

Local News

Allentown weather: Flood warning for Delaware River (mcall.com)

Unusual stories from the year | News | standardspeaker.com

Luzerne County posts job listing for chief public defender | News | standardspeaker.com

Flood warning in effect for Susquehanna River after heavy rains drench NEPA; flash floods closed roads on Monday | News | citizensvoice.com

Luzerne County approved for an additional Court of Common Pleas judge – Times Leader

Wilkes-Barre mayor: No neighborhoods neglected in flood mitigation | News | citizensvoice.com

Pitt

U.S. Steel to be acquired by Nippon Steel of Japan; deal valued at nearly $15 billion | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

At Pittsburgh International Airport’s security, a new program can help travelers expedite screenings | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh City Council passes Mayor Ed Gainey’s budget with little changes | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh City Council opposes re-upping lease for North Side police headquarters | TribLIVE.com

Pittsburgh bans foie gras, pauses efforts to bar fur sales, horse-drawn carriages | TribLIVE.com

Philly

Philadelphia leaders say SEPTA prosecutor would usurp DA Larry Krasner’s authority – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

City sends Philadelphia 76ers arena design propsoal back to developers for changes – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton schedules special election for seat Feb. 13 | Local News | phillytrib.com

Washington

Casey, Fetterman, Deluzio Blast News of U.S. Steel Sale To Japanese Company (politicspa.com)

U.S. Steel: Fetterman, Casey criticize the company’s proposed $14B sale to Nippon Steel – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Senators line up to oppose sale of US Steel to Japanese firm | Raleigh News & Observer (newsobserver.com)

Casey, Fetterman skeptical of $14.9B sale of U.S. Steel – City & State Pennsylvania (cityandstatepa.com)

Senator Bob Casey Secures Key Provisions in National Defense Authorization Act – MyChesCo

PA Dems Endorse Biden, Casey, Kenyatta and Bizzarro (politicspa.com)

WATCH: John Fetterman Goes Viral for His Reaction to U.S. Steel Being Sold to a Foreign Corporation – RedState