Legislature

Pa. Rep. Bud Cook keeps a low profile in Harrisburg. How did he spark a GOP family squabble?
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/pa-rep-bud-cook-keeps-a-low-profile-in-harrisburg-how-did-he-spark-a-family-squabble-among-house-and-senate-republicans/

The Pa. Legislature should resolve to tackle infrastructure funding in 2020 | Mark O’Keefe
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/the-pa-legislature-should-resolve-to-tackle-infrastructure-funding-in-2020-mark-okeefe/

Business

Horseradish distributor continues Duryea legacy
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/horseradish-distributor-continues-duryea-legacy-1.2575601

Crime/Punishment

North Braddock police chief details staff shortages
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/east/2019/12/26/North-Braddock-Chief-Isaac-Daniele-lawsuits-merger-Allegheny-County-East-Pittsburgh/stories/201912230090

Son charged with beating his father to death in their Ambler home
https://www.inquirer.com/news/maximillian-han-jinhan-hood-lane-ambler-upper-dublin-montgomery-county-murder-20191226.html

18-year-old dies after being shot outside Penn Hills bar
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/12/26/18-year-old-dies-fatally-shot-outside-Penn-Hills-Flinns-Pub-Frankstown-Road/stories/201912260089

Early morning police incident locks down residential area of Allentown for several hours; residents report hearing gunshots and booms
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-allentown-police-incident-shelter-20191226-okytsrwyqvfb3oji4bz2qzhmhe-story.html

Woman convicted in 1991 teen’s slaying released on parole
https://www.witf.org/2019/12/24/woman-convicted-in-1991-teens-slaying-released-on-parole/

Education

Pa.’s Safe Schools Report provides plenty of numbers, but critics question their accuracy
https://papost.org/2019/12/23/pa-s-safe-school-report-provides-plenty-of-numbers-but-critics-question-their-accuracy/

As schools cut back on teaching cursive, library tries to fill void
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/as-schools-cut-back-on-teaching-cursive-library-tries-to-fill-void-1.2575724

Former PSU officer files suit against university
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/former-psu-officer-files-suit-against-university-1.2575668

How much money will Penn State make at the Cotton Bowl?
https://www.mcall.com/sports/penn-state/mc-spt-penn-state-football-cotton-bowl-revenue-20191226-esbhf3o54zcvjoxhx4xmkxbam4-story.html

Elections/Politics

2020 Democrats are naming their fund-raising ‘bundlers’ amid a fight over big money in politics
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/2020-democratic-primary-bundlers-campaign-fundrasing-20191226.html

Schuylkill to get new ballots for elections
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/schuylkill-to-get-new-ballots-for-elections-1.2575659

Health Care

Nearly 150K in Pa. will be forced to change medications beginning Jan. 1. Here’s why.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/spl/pennsylvania-medicaid-prescription-drugs-list-medication-pharmacy-20191226.html

Officials: Flu continues to slam Western Pennsylvania
https://triblive.com/local/regional/officials-flu-continues-to-slam-western-pennsylvania/

With flu season underway, experts advise to get the shot
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/with-flu-season-underway-experts-advise-to-get-the-shot-1.2575642

Local News

Annual Christmas dinner feeds thousands
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/annual-christmas-dinner-feeds-thousands-1.2575731

Dismissal validated
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/dismissal-validated-1.2575589

Berks seniors relish fellowship at 50th annual Agency on Aging Christmas dinner
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-seniors-relish-fellowship-at-th-annual-agency-on-aging/article_4f149bda-2754-11ea-b2aa-2313be033f5b.html

Hoagie fundraiser part of Leechburg police surveillance camera plans
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/hoagie-fundraiser-part-of-leechburg-police-surveillance-camera-plans/

13 Latrobe area churches band together to serve free Christmas meals to all who need them
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/13-latrobe-area-churches-ban-together-to-serve-free-christmas-meals-to-all-who-need-them/

Please stop using so-called flushable wipes, Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority pleads
https://www.timesleader.com/news/767068/please-stop-using-so-called-flushable-wipes-wyoming-valley-sanitary-authority-pleads

Legion volunteers bring Christmas cheer to veterans
https://www.timesleader.com/news/767065/legion-volunteers-bring-christmas-cheer-to-veteranspage/2/

‘We’re blessed’: Local family details life after son born with Down syndrome
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/we-re-blessed-local-family-details-life-after-son-born-with-down-syndrome-1.2575677

Community Christmas: St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen hosts annual luncheon
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/community-christmas-st-vincent-de-paul-kitchen-hosts-annual-luncheon-1.2575666

Haverford Alliance for Drug Awareness unveils memorial
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/haverford-alliance-for-drug-awareness-unveils-memorial/article_927fed3a-2663-11ea-bded-cff984998790.html

Tick Tock Early Learning Center begins $1 million construction project
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/tick-tock-early-learning-center-begins-million-construction-project/article_6048eef8-25e5-11ea-8689-67629f650197.html

National News

Hundreds without shelter after fire at Minneapolis apartment building
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2019/12/25/Hundreds-without-shelter-after-fire-at-Minneapolis-apartment-building/stories/201912250102

Celebrating Kwanzaa in a troubled time | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/kwanzaa-african-american-black-culture-holiday-20191226.html

Opioid Crisis

The opioid crisis shows why racism in health care is always harmful, never ‘protective’ l Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/health/expert-opinions/opioid-crisis-racism-healthcare-buprenorphine-20191223.html

Philly

Philadelphia’s high school athletes should be hungry only for a win | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/food-insecurity-high-school-athletes-college-sports-poverty-tuition-20191226.html

Christmas morning stabbing leaves woman dead, 14-year-old son injured as other children watched
https://www.inquirer.com/news/woman-stabbed-killed-children-olney-family-christmas-crime-philadelphia-20191225.html

Man in early 20s fatally shot in Kensington
https://www.inquirer.com/news/man-shot-death-fatal-kensington-christmas-crime-philadelphia-20191225.html

Will the new Philly City Council take on Kenney’s soda tax? It’s doubtful | Analysis
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/will-the-new-philly-city-council-take-on-kenneys-soda-tax-its-doubtful-analysis/

Pitt

6,000 cookies, 4,000 pies, 2,000 bags of clothes and tons of good cheer: It’s Christmas Day at Pitt
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2019/12/25/15th-annual-Christmas-Day-Pitt-2019-food-Santa/stories/201912250086

#EssentiallyPittsburgh: ‘industrial beauty of broken reflections across the Mon…’
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/neighborhood/2019/12/26/Essentially-Pittsburgh-Michael-Keaton-industrial-coal-laden-tugboats-rivers-beauty/stories/201911280001

Many seniors need photo ConnectCards for free Port Authority rides Jan. 1
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2019/12/25/Port-Authority-photo-ConnectCard-free-rides/stories/201912250004

Pittsburgh is 23rd rudest city in national poll
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-is-23rd-rudest-city-in-national-poll/

CMU researchers develop tool to pinpoint source of gunshots using smartphone videos
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/cmu-researchers-develop-tool-to-pinpoint-source-of-gunshots-using-smartphone-videos/

State News

Correct installation of smoke detectors is as important as the device itself
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/12/26/Correct-installation-of-smoke-detectors-is-as-important-as-the-device-itself/stories/201912050049

The Census Bureau is hiking pay as recruitment lags for the 2020 Census
https://www.inquirer.com/news/2020-census-jobs-pay-hikes-20191226.html

Skiing accident at Pennsylvania resort kills Virginia man
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/skiing-accident-at-pennsylvania-resort-kills-virginia-man/

Free county programs protect property owners against housing theft
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20191226/free-county-programs-protect-property-owners-against-housing-theft

Transportation

Pa. Turnpike tolls are about to rise again
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/12/pa-turnpike-tolls-are-about-to-rise-again.html

Heavy road salt use a growing problem, scientists say
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20191226/heavy-road-salt-use-growing-problem-scientists-say

Washington

GOP senator ‘disturbed’ by McConnell’s ‘total coordination’ with White House
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2019/12/25/GOP-senator-disturbed-by-McConnell-s-total-coordination-with-White-House/stories/201912250095