Legislature
Hemp legalized, but uncertainties remain for farmers
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14443270-74/hemp-legalized-but-uncertainties-remain-for-farmers
Hemp hurdles: Versatile plant is perfect for Pennsylvania, 2 local farmers say
https://www.readingeagle.com/berks-country/article/hemphurdles
Pa. emergency responders can now remove pets from hot, cold cars without liability
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/14440952-74/pa-emergency-responders-can-now-remove-pets-from-hot-cold-cars-without
New Pa. law increases penalties for repeat DUI offenders
https://whyy.org/articles/new-pa-law-increases-penalties-for-repeat-dui-offenders/
What will it take for political leaders to act?
https://www.citizensvoice.com/opinion/what-will-it-take-for-political-leaders-to-act-1.2425772
Business
Hot labor market brought full-time perks to part-time employees
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2018/12/25/Hot-labor-market-brought-full-time-perks-to-part-time-employees/stories/201812250022
Nixed protections could have helped Lordstown GM workers
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2018/12/24/Nixed-protections-Lordstown-GM-General-Motors-UAW/stories/201812230214
‘Walmart Effect’ hampers Lehigh Valley home care companies; employees struggle amid low wages
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-home-health-care-workers-demand-struggles-20181204-story.html
Crime/Punishment
Beyond Allegheny: Get jurors from outside the county for Rosfeld trial
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2018/12/26/Get-jurors-from-outside-Allegheny-County-for-Michael-Rosfeld-Antwon-Rose-II-trial/stories/201812260031
Task force plans sobriety checkpoints, patrols for New Year’s Eve weekend
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14442263-74/task-force-plans-sobriety-checkpoints-patrols-for-new-years-eve-weekend
Education
Most local schools below par in math and English Language Arts, above in science
https://www.timesleader.com/news/728479/most-local-schools-below-par-in-math-and-english-language-arts-above-in-science
Oberg Industries expands program to introduce high school students to tool-and-die jobs
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14443208-74/oberg-industries-expands-program-to-introduce-high-school-students-to-tool-and-die-jobs
Scranton School Board to seek donations from nonprofits
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-school-board-to-seek-donations-from-nonprofits-1.2426049
STEAM Academy Charter seeks Harrisburg School District approval
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/12/steam-academy-charter-seeks-harrisburg-school-district-approval.html
Tamaqua teachers’ union fires back at district’s objections to lawsuit over gun policy
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-tamaqua-gun-policy-memorandum-20181225-story.html
Walmart heirs promote charter schools among black community
http://www.philly.com/education/walmart-heirs-promote-charter-schools-among-black-community-20181224.html
Local News
Luzerne County manager outlines plans to increase revenue in 2019
https://www.timesleader.com/news/728560/luzerne-county-manager-outlines-plans-to-increase-revenue-in-2019
Vacancies mount in Wilkes-Barre Fire Dept., but mayor taking wait-and-see approach
https://www.timesleader.com/news/728558/vacancies-mount-in-wilkes-barre-fire-dept-but-mayor-taking-wait-and-see-approach
City to hire five new firefighters
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/city-to-hire-five-new-firefighters-1.2425928
Community dinner feeds hundreds for holiday
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/community-dinner-feeds-hundreds-for-holiday-1.2425940
At 91, West Side garage owner still fixing cars
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/at-91-west-side-garage-owner-still-fixing-cars-1.2426045
Window Wonderland: Scranton Tomorrow announces winners
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/window-wonderland-scranton-tomorrow-announces-winners-1.2426021
Lackawanna County reassessment suit may be affected by Beaver County court ruling
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-reassessment-suit-may-be-affected-by-beaver-county-court-ruling-1.2425830
17 Lackawanna County companies awarded Keystone Innovation Zone tax credits
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/17-lackawanna-county-companies-awarded-keystone-innovation-zone-tax-credits-1.2425829
Christmas dinner in Greensburg is all about serving others, volunteers say
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14442887-74/christmas-dinner-in-greensburg-is-all-about-serving-others-volunteers-say
Berks senior citizens find camaraderie at Christmas dinner
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-senior-citizens-find-camaraderie-at-christmas-dinner
Once-homeless teen finds fulfillment on Christmas by volunteering at Reading shelter
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/once-homeless-teen-finds-fulfillment-on-christmas-by-volunteering-at-reading-shelter
What do Berks pedestrians and bicyclists want?
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/what-do-berks-pedestrians-and-bicyclists-want
Rain in forecast could make 2018 Berks County’s wettest year on record
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/rain-thursday-could-make-2018-berks-countys-wettest-year-on-record
Editorial: Accountability needed for Berks constables
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-accountability-needed-for-berks-constables
Marijuana
Pennsylvania medical schools can now partner with more than one marijuana grower for research
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/14442895-74/pennsylvania-medical-schools-can-now-partner-with-more-than-one-marijuana-grower
National News
U.S. says 2nd Guatemalan child dies in immigration custody
https://www.timesleader.com/news/728555/u-s-says-2nd-guatemalan-child-dies-in-immigration-custody
Natural Gas
Spills, shutdowns and legal challenges: a tumultuous year for Mariner East 2
http://www.witf.org/news/2018/12/spills-shutdowns-and-legal-challenges-a-tumultuous-year-for-mariner-east-2.php
New Jersey
South Jersey wrestler was under ‘duress’ when he agreed to have dreadlocks cut, lawyer says
http://www.philly.com/news/new-jersey/new-jersey-wrestler-dreadlocks-cut-andrew-johnson-reaction-buena-high-school-20181224.html
Philly
Bullets took their teammate, but on the Boys’ Latin football field, Jahsun Patton’s legacy lives on.
http://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia/a/boys-latin-high-school-football-philadelphia-jahsun-patton-shooting-death-20181226.html
As Fishtown businesses boom, one 116-year-old nonprofit has found support from its new neighbors
http://www.philly.com/food/lutheran-settlement-house-fishtown-local-restaurants-donations-20181226.html
SEPTA bus carrying 10 passengers hit with bullets in North Philly, no injuries reported
http://www.philly.com/news/septa-bus-shot-north-philadelphia-christmas-morning-20181225.html
Major law firm to represent the non-profit launching Philly’s supervised-injection site
http://www.philly.com/news/supervised-injection-site-opioid-overdose-crisis-addiction-philadelphia-safehouse-dla-piper-20181224.html
Bill Wilson to retire as chairman of PHL Diversity’s board
http://www.phillytrib.com/news/business/bill-wilson-to-retire-as-chairman-of-phl-diversity-s/article_074c4541-9706-5732-b0fd-56a054664442.html
Fatal opioid overdoses expected to dip in Philly for first time in 5 years
https://whyy.org/articles/fatal-opioid-overdoses-expected-to-dip-in-philly-for-first-time-in-5-years/
City Council plans soda tax hearings
http://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/city-council-plans-soda-tax-hearings/article_da1d8dd5-ed25-5b35-b044-7e0328f22040.html
All I want for next Christmas is the Church of Safe Injection in Philly | Opinion
http://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/church-safe-injection-drugs-religious-exemption-20181226.html
For homeless, a season of danger | Editorial
http://www.philly.com/opinion/editorials/homelessness-project-home-center-city-district-winter-shelter-20181225.html
Pitt
Council veteran Darlene Harris faces former Casey aide
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/12/25/darlene-harris-pittsburgh-city-council-district-race-election-chris-rosselot/stories/201812240107
Valerie McDonald-Roberts leaving city job
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/12/24/Valerie-McDonald-Roberts-pittsburgh-bureau-neighborhood-empowerment-mayor-bill-peduto/stories/201812240114
A parking garage that turns down the lights, redirects storm water and welcomes bikes
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2018/12/25/Heinz-Field-parking-garage-green-GBCI-stadium-authority-water-lights-bike/stories/201812240001
One Pittsburgh rabbi has two encounters with mass shootings
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2018/12/24/Rabbi-Keren-Gorban-Pittsburgh-synagogue-Aurora-theater-shootings/stories/201812080011
Washington Boulevard floodgates to be functional by January
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/12/25/Washington-Boulevard-floodgates-repairs-Penn-DOT-Guy-Costa-Cheryl-Moon-Sirianni/stories/201812250024
South Homewood to see $700,000 in improvements this year
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/12/24/South-Homewood-to-see-700k-in-pedestrian-infrastructure-this-year/stories/201812200136
PennDOT closes inbound Parkway East for road work
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14443428-74/inbound-parkway-east-closure-starting-at-6-am-wednesday
Penn Hills ‘Jeopardy!’ contestant felt support of hometown
https://triblive.com/local/pennhills/14443515-74/penn-hills-jeopardy-contestant-felt-support-of-hometown
State News
Holiday breaks bring child-care headache for working parents
http://www.philly.com/news/pennsylvania/child-care-holidays-christmas-working-parents-20181226.html
A Pennsylvania Town And One In Oregon Both Claim To Be The Christmas Tree Capital. Who Is Right?
https://www.wesa.fm/post/pennsylvania-town-and-one-oregon-both-claim-be-christmas-tree-capital-who-right#stream/0
State announces grants for spotted lanternfly research
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-spotted-lanternfly-grants-20181225-story.html
Transportation
Mobile payment coming for Westmoreland Transit riders
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14441909-74/mobile-payment-coming-for-westmoreland-transit-riders
Washington
Post-holiday, partial government shutdown to gain impact
http://www.philly.com/politics/post-holiday-partial-government-shutdown-gain-impact-20181226.html
Donald Trump: ‘I can’t tell you when the government is going to be open’
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/12/donald-trump-i-cant-tell-you-when-the-government-is-going-to-be-open.html
Trump asks 7-year-old: ‘Are you still a believer in Santa? … It’s marginal, right?’
https://triblive.com/politics/politicalheadlines/14442267-74/trump-asks-7-year-old-are-you-still-a-believer-in-santa-its
Barletta: No regrets over Senate run
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/barletta-no-regrets-over-senate-run-1.2425981
With Democratic House Control, A Look At How Freshmen Lawmakers Get Assignments
https://www.wesa.fm/post/democratic-house-control-look-how-freshmen-lawmakers-get-assignments#stream/0