Legislature
Lindsey Williams was elected to the Pa. Senate, but will she be able to serve?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/12/swearing-in-day-for-the-general-assembly.html
Pa. Lawmakers report $43 million increase in unspent cash reserves
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2018/12/27/Lawmakers-report-43M-increase-in-unspent-cash-reserves/stories/201812270139
Wrecking a car to rescuing kids: 18 Pa. legislators who made headlines in 2018
https://www.pennlive.com/expo/news/erry-2018/12/ab8158b9a83241/18-pa-state-legislators-who-ma.html
Legislators still hoard tax money
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/legislators-still-hoard-tax-money-1.2426537
Business
Disney spat could black out Penn State, Citrus Bowl to Pa. Verizon Fios customers
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14446718-74/disney-dispute-could-black-out-penn-state-citrus-bowl-to-area-verizon
Chinese company with Lehigh Valley plant blames Trump’s trade war for decision to build new plant in Mexico
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-fuling-global-mexico-plant-20181227-story.html
Crime/Punishment
Chester County man shoots at 11 officers, surrenders when he hears a Christmas carol
http://www.philly.com/news/pennsylvania/chester-county-shooting-police-suspect-surrenders-christmas-music-20181227.html
Westmoreland County drug court graduates its fifth class
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14446633-74/westmoreland-county-drug-court-graduates-its-fifth-class
State police arrested 330 for DUI during holiday
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/state-police-arrested-330-for-dui-during-holiday-1.2426631
Education
State high school test scores mostly up, except for literature
https://www.timesleader.com/news/728652/state-high-school-test-scores-mostly-up-except-for-literature
Slippery Rock vice president says he was discriminated against in presidential search
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2018/12/28/Slippery-Rock-University-SRU-discrimination-Amir-Mohammadi-Muslim-discrimination-Iran-State-System/stories/201812270183
Officials probe possible second Lehigh U. poisoning case
http://www.philly.com/news/pennsylvania/officials-probe-possible-second-lehigh-u-poisoning-case-20181227.html
Wilkes, LCCCOK transfer deal
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/wilkes-lcccok-transfer-deal-1.2426554
Project SEARCH enables students with developmental disabilities to explore careers
https://www.readingeagle.com/life/article/project-search-enables-students-with-some-developmental-disabilities-to-explore-careers
Elections/Politics
In Iowa, Democrats see 2020 as head vs. heart moment
http://www.philly.com/politics/nation/iowa-caucuses-democratic-presidential-primary-20181228.html
Health Care
Regional cancer network gets national accreditation
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/regional-cancer-network-gets-national-accreditation-1.2426552
Cartwright announces grant for Rural Health
https://www.timesleader.com/news/728655/cartwright-announces-multi-million-dollar-grant-for-rural-health
Health care provider gets funding boost
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/health-care-provider-gets-funding-boost-1.2426577
Researchers define six types of Alzheimer’s
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/researchers-define-six-types-of-alzheimer-s-1.2426531
Local News
Newman: 2018 sees much progress made toward downtown goals
https://www.timesleader.com/news/728646/newman-2018-sees-much-progress-made-toward-downtown-goals
Penalty period on municipal, county tax payments ends Monday
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/penalty-period-on-municipal-county-tax-payments-ends-monday-1.2426572
Scranton pension funds receive long-delayed sewer sale proceeds
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-pension-funds-receive-long-delayed-sewer-sale-proceeds-1.2426756
Gopal Patel resigns from Scranton Sewer Authority after being appointed to Scranton School Board
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/gopal-patel-resigns-from-scranton-sewer-authority-after-being-appointed-to-scranton-school-board-1.2426735
More than a dozen departments working out of Globe as county government’s move continues
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/more-than-a-dozen-departments-working-out-of-globe-as-county-government-s-move-continues-1.2426731
DePasquale calls town hall in Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/depasquale-calls-town-hall-in-scranton-1.2426491
Teen sons of Westmoreland sheriff charged with armed robbery, grand theft in Florida
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14446965-74/teen-sons-of-westmoreland-sheriff-charged-with-armed-robbery-grand-theft-in
North Franklin Township to disband police department
https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/north-franklin-township-to-disband-police-department/article_50ed81f2-0a12-11e9-a7b0-676df4864c92.html
Latrobe eyes 26 percent hike in garbage fees
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14445045-74/latrobe-eyes-26-percent-hike-in-garbage-collection-fees
Berks boy delivers breakfast and blankets to homeless shelter
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-boy-delivers-breakfast-and-blankets-to-homeless-shelter
Editorial: Teleflex news gives Berks another reason to celebrate
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/teleflex-news-gives-berks-another-reason-to-celebrate
Erie residents face new recycling rules
http://www.goerie.com/news/20181228/erie-residents-face-new-recycling-rules#
National News
Mister Rogers biopic will be titled ‘A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood’
https://triblive.com/news/adminpage/14447583-74/mister-rogers-biopic-will-be-titled-a-beautiful-day-in-the-neighborhood
New Jersey
Is that tweet from a human? N.J. lawmaker wants bots to identify themselves, but experts have concerns.
http://www.philly.com/politics/nj-bot-bill-disclosure-proposal-law-social-media-free-speech-20181228.html
Philly
Judge grants Mumia Abu-Jamal partial appeals request
http://www.philly.com/news/mumia-abu-jamal-granted-partial-appeals-request-20181228.html
The Mummers Parade is a heavy lift. These marchers take steps to avoid injury.
http://www.philly.com/health/mummers-parade-injury-rothman-string-band-fancy-20181227.html
Local 98 re-emerges with new tactics for a new year, as a federal probe lingers | Clout
http://www.philly.com/politics/clout/john-dougherty-local-federal-probe-daryl-metcalfe-bump-stocks-josh-shapiro-20181228.html
Philly Police homicide captain transferred
http://www.philly.com/news/philly-police-homicide-captain-john-ryan-transferred-20181227.html
One-way-ticket to Philadelphia could mean $15,000 for these 500 Amtrak workers in California
http://www.philly.com/business/amtrak-lay-off-workers-california-relocate-philadelphia-20181227.html
Have a tax abatement? Donate it to Philly’s public schools, nonprofit urges.
http://www.philly.com/news/tax-abatement-philadelphia-school-district-donation-20181227.html
Police officer injured in North Philly patrol car crash
http://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia-police-officer-injured-car-crash-20181227.html
Liberty Bell, Independence Hall will open despite government shutdown this weekend
http://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia/liberty-bell-opened-us-government-shutdown-philadelphia-20181227.html
How the ‘Toxic City’ investigation has protected Philadelphia children from environmental perils
http://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia-schools-lead-poisoning-children-reform-soil-asbestos-mold-cancer-fishtown-construction-20181227.html
To keep its alumni in college, this Philly high school is handing out ‘microgrants’
http://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/to-keep-its-alumni-in-college-this-philly-high-school/article_f0f35872-07c8-50fc-9de8-5e7f2684a96b.html
15 prominent Philadelphians on the changes Philly needs most in 2019 | Opinion
http://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-new-year-malcolm-jenkins-madeleine-dean-john-middleton-20181228.html
Readers respond: What change does Philly most need in 2019? | Opinion
http://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/new-year-philadelphia-changes-reader-response-20181228.html
Why my family skips Christmas and celebrates Kwanzaa instead | Opinion
http://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/kwanzaa-family-tradition-holidays-principles-20181228.html
Missteps on Rizzo’s statue may hurt mayor: Opposition to persist in 2019 re-election run
http://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/missteps-on-rizzo-s-statue-may-hurt-mayor-opposition-to/article_51af2469-4464-596e-aeaa-8e227c71a3a9.html
Pitt
Family of Allegheny County Jail inmate who died pushes for answers
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/12/27/Family-of-Allegheny-County-Jail-inmate-who-died-push-for-answers/stories/201812270147
Starting Jan. 1, city residents can recycle TVs, e-waste, household chemicals — for a fee
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2018/12/27/Starting-Jan-1-city-residents-can-recycle-e-waste-hazardous-household-chemicals-for-a-fee/stories/201812270190
Pa. Supreme Court names Kim Berkeley Clark as Allegheny County’s president judge
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/12/27/allegheny-county-common-pleas-president-judge-kim-berkeley-clark-family-division/stories/201812270137
Here’s how Pittsburgh has earned the title of 2019 Food City of the Year
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/neighborhood/2018/12/27/Neighborhood-Pittsburgh-top-food-city-2019/stories/201812270143
Council passes resolution to examine construction industry fraud
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/12/27/Council-passes-resolution-to-examine-construction-industry-fraud/stories/201812270185
Mattress Factory museum sees light at the end of a dark year
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/art-architecture/2018/12/27/Mattress-Factory-museum-sees-light-at-the-end-of-a-dark-year/stories/201812280054
Police: Don’t fall for scam artists posing as Duquesne Light bill collectors; shut-off threats are bogus
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14446985-74/police-dont-fall-for-scam-artists-posing-as-duquesne-light-bill-collectors
South Homewood to receive nearly $700,000 in pedestrian improvements
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14446843-74/south-homewood-to-receive-nearly-700000-in-pedestrian-improvements
State News
Crystal meth continues to be a problem in rural Pennsylvania
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2018/12/27/Crystal-meth-continues-to-be-a-problem-in-rural-Pennsylvania/stories/201812260133
State permits clear way for new pipelines to Beaver County ‘cracker’ plant
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14446759-74/state-dep-action-clears-way-for-construction-of-shell-falcon-ethane-pipeline
Pennsylvania agencies refer hundreds of abuse and neglect cases to law enforcement
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/pennsylvania-agencies-refer-hundreds-of-abuse-and-neglect-cases-to-law-enforcement
Firm that provides games of skill accuses rival of misrepresenting its products
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/12/firm_accused_in_suit_of_having.html
Transportation
Gas prices drop in Western Pa. but still among highest in the nation
https://triblive.com/local/regional/14446856-74/gas-prices-drop-in-region-but-still-among-highest-in-the-nation
Emergency repairs will close Wright Twp. bridge for months
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/emergency-repairs-will-close-wright-twp-bridge-for-months-1.2426578
In Berks County, more workers are commuting alone in their cars
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/in-berks-county-more-workers-are-commuting-alone-in-their-cars
Washington
No solution to shutdown in sight before Dems take House
https://triblive.com/politics/politicalheadlines/14448313-74/no-solution-to-shutdown-in-sight-before-dems-take-house
Federal workers face grim prospect of lengthy shutdown
https://www.timesleader.com/news/728660/federal-workers-face-grim-prospect-of-lengthy-shutdown
Virginia congressman blocks bill to help abused Native American women
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2018/12/27/Virginia-congressman-blocks-bill-to-help-abused-Native-American-women/stories/201812280093