Legislature
Everybody wants to change Pennsylvania election law, but nobody trusts each other
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-election-law-harrisburg-20201231.html
Brewster vs. Ziccarelli: Legal wrangling continues over state Senate seat
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2020/12/30/Brewster-Ziccarelli-race-US-District-Court-Western-District-of-Pennsylvania-results/stories/202012300126
Pgh. Rep. Sara Innamorato talks post-election goals and strategy; stresses importance of building trust with community
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/pgh-rep-sara-innamorato-talks-post-election-goals-and-strategy-stresses-importance-of-building-trust-with-community/
‘Happy to be able to do business again’
https://www.timesleader.com/news/814714/happy-to-be-able-to-do-business-again
Here’s what to watch in Pennsylvania politics in 2021 | John Baer
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/12/heres-what-to-watch-in-pennsylvania-politics-in-2021-john-baer.html
Coronavirus – COVID-19
Pa.’s ban on indoor dining, school sports won’t extend beyond Jan. 4
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/spl/pennsylvania-indoor-dining-ban-january-4-lifts-20201230.html
COVID-19 mitigation measures to ease Jan. 4, Wolf says
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/12/30/Allegheny-County-pittsburgh-pennsylvania-COVID-19-coronavirus-cases-deaths-data-pandemic-surge/stories/202012300104
Gov. Wolf: New Pa. covid restrictions to end Monday
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/gov-wolf-will-allow-pa-covid-restrictions-to-expire/
Wolf: Closure measures to expire as planned
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/wolf-closure-measures-to-expire-as-planned/article_83726cb9-ac2d-59dd-9963-16362e613788.html
Pennsylvania’s 3-week ban on indoor dining ends Monday. Here’s what COVID-19 restrictions will remain in place
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-pa-coronavirus-restrictions-remain-20201230-wucstbv65zht5dshjx2jgannry-story.html
Pa. business leaders grateful for lifting of stricter COVID-19 mitigation orders but wonder how long it will last
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/12/pa-business-leaders-grateful-for-lifting-of-stricter-covid-19-mitigation-orders-but-wonder-how-long-it-will-last.html
Restaurant indoor dining ban won’t be extended, Gov. Wolf says
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/restaurant-indoor-dining-ban-wont-be-extended-gov-wolf-says/article_38856c6c-4ab4-11eb-8eb5-f768d6a9a5ee.html
Judge rejects effort to overturn Wolf dining ban
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/judge-rejects-effort-to-overturn-wolf-dining-ban/article_cca89f14-f720-5b1a-9dcb-e846046e6ebe.html
Court rejects attempt of Pa. restaurants, including 6 in Berks, to overturn COVID indoor dining ban
https://www.readingeagle.com/coronavirus/court-rejects-attempt-of-pa-restaurants-including-6-in-berks-to-overturn-covid-indoor-dining/article_859e1212-4adf-11eb-bcc1-8f2ba694cf03.html
New vaccine dashboard shows 2,842 partial vaccinations in county
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/new-vaccine-dashboard-shows-2-842-partial-vaccinations-in-county/article_a3206c56-39ef-51ba-aaeb-d9f840e29855.html
Allegheny County ‘getting faster’ at distributing covid-19 vaccines, health director says
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny-county-getting-faster-at-distributing-covid-19-vaccines-health-director-says/
Pennsylvania posts 4th highest single-day covid-related death report
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-posts-4th-highest-single-day-covid-related-death-report/
As Allegheny County’s covid cases slow, deaths hit record mark
https://triblive.com/local/as-allegheny-countys-covid-cases-slow-deaths-hit-record-mark/
Amid fewer new cases, Westmoreland County reports 15 more covid deaths
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/amid-fewer-new-cases-westmoreland-county-reports-15-more-covid-deaths/
Hospitals prepare for a post-holiday surge of COVID-19 cases, deaths
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/12/hospitals-prepare-for-a-post-holiday-surge-of-covid-19-cases-deaths.html
Mobile COVID-19 testing facility makes first stop in Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/mobile-covid-19-testing-facility-makes-first-stop-in-scranton/article_fdb7b7f9-a3b8-58d4-98be-f02b8f2d0cb3.html
After seeing patients and taking risks all year, Pa.’s private doctors have been left out of the vaccination process
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/doctor-vaccine-distribution-covid-pennsylvania-20201231.html
COVID-19 vaccines appear safe and effective, but key questions remain
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/covid-19-meds/2020/12/31/COVID-vaccines-appear-safe-and-effective-but-key-questions-remain/stories/202012310121
Wisconsin health-care worker ‘intentionally’ ruined more than 500 coronavirus vaccine doses, hospital says
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-vaccine-destroyed-intentionally-wisconsin-20201231.html
Business
Nemacolin resort closes for holidays, plans to reopen next week when covid restrictions lift
https://triblive.com/local/regional/nemacolin-resort-closes-for-holidays-plans-to-reopen-next-week-when-covid-restrictions-lift-2/
Youngstown’s Tin Lizzy continues to defy covid orders as late bartender memorialized
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/youngstowns-tin-lizzy-continues-to-defy-covid-orders-as-late-bartender-memorialized/
Harveys Lake restaurant opens in defiance of closure order
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coronavirus/harveys-lake-restaurant-opens-in-defiance-of-closure-order/article_9db40516-6444-58ec-b5e7-323ab8426930.html
Crime/Punishment
After a tip, multiple agencies responded to capture man accused in McKeesport officer’s shooting
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/12/30/Koby-lee-francis-shooting-arrest-mckeesport-police-officer-gerasimos-athans-agencies-response/stories/202012300115
Warminster hunter admits fatally shooting a teen at Nockamixon State Park in October, prosecutors say
https://www.inquirer.com/news/jacob-kutt-kenneth-heller-lake-nockamixon-state-park-shooting-20201230.html
Hunter who thought he was firing at animal shot and killed teen at Lake Nockamixon, DA says
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-bucks-county-nockamixon-shooting-arrest-announcement-20201230-j7gpq3gx6jbsfbe5gh72reln74-story.html
Incarceration has always threatened health. COVID-19 just worsened the problem. | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/coronavirus-prisons-detention-centers-outbreaks-ice-20201230.html
Education
Pa. athletes and coaches get positive news on Gov. Wolf’s return to play announcement
https://www.pennlive.com/sports/2020/12/pa-athletes-and-coaches-get-positive-news-on-gov-wolfs-return-to-play-announcement.html
Legendary basketball coach Bob Bessoir dies at 88
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/sports/legendary-basketball-coach-bob-bessoir-dies-at-88/article_f76d6447-933e-53e1-8a2f-182d3866e5fc.html
Michigan governor signs legislation allowing college athletes to be paid for endorsements
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2020/12/michigan-governor-signs-legislation-allowing-college-athletes-to-be-paid-for-endorsements.html
Elections/Politics
In elections, education, like demographics, is now political destiny | Mark O’Keefe
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/in-elections-education-like-demographics-is-now-political-destiny-mark-okeefe/
Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley says he will contest certification of Electoral College vote
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/presidential-election-electoral-college-challenge-josh-hawley-donald-trump-joe-biden-20201230.html
Gaming
Casino at Westmoreland Mall set to reopen Monday as emergency covid restrictions end
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/casino-at-westmoreland-mall-set-to-reopen-monday-as-emergency-covid-restrictions-end/
Local News
Coroner: Scranton firefighter died from COVID-19 pulmonary embolisms
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coronavirus/coroner-scranton-firefighter-died-from-covid-19-pulmonary-embolisms/article_05351ff1-4726-5d07-93a5-bf85cd81ea33.html
$433K grant awarded to the Warrior Creek Stream Restoration Project
https://www.timesleader.com/news/814728/433k-grant-awarded-to-the-warrior-creek-stream-restoration-project
Brown considering veto of WB budget
https://www.timesleader.com/news/814736/brown-considering-veto-of-wb-budget
Luzerne County manager advocates seeking Texas reward for detecting voter fraud
https://www.timesleader.com/news/814709/luzerne-county-manager-advocates-seeking-texas-reward-for-detecting-voter-fraud
Luzerne County voter fraud case might lead to reward
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/election/luzerne-county-voter-fraud-case-might-lead-to-reward/article_d2cd154f-7970-5555-9765-7ce891dce2ab.html
Wright Twp. police chief gets new contract
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wright-twp-police-chief-gets-new-contract/article_d12301b5-9cdc-5fc5-a4b7-cefe9fbef165.html
National News
Here are just six victories for the LGBTQ community that came in 2020 | Analysis
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/here-are-just-six-victories-for-the-lgbtq-community-that-came-in-2020-analysis/
Philly
Philly to pay $9.8M to man exonerated who spent 28 years in prison after wrongful conviction for murder
https://www.inquirer.com/news/chester-hollman-settlement-philly-exoneration-lawsuit-netflix-undisclosed-20201230.html
Mayor Jim Kenney nominates 3 new Philly school board members
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-school-board-district-mayor-kenney-20201230.html
As Philly gun-possession convictions decline, DA Larry Krasner cites issues with witnesses appearing in court
https://www.inquirer.com/news/distrct-attorney-larry-krasner-gun-possession-cases-vufa-police-20201230.html
Gun violence is a public health crisis just as important as the pandemic | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/news/gun-violence-shootings-philadelphia-crisis-20201230.html
Kenyatta Johnson corruption trial postponed
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/kenyatta-johnson-corruption-trial-postponed/article_e8c88894-6b05-5ea3-bc7a-52af0162127c.html
Pitt
Five sponsors support Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/books/2020/12/30/Greater-Pittsburgh-Festival-of-Books-sponsors-Google-Duolingo-Bakery-Square-Pitt-Snodgrass/stories/202012300101
Pittsburgh officials to New Year’s revelers: Stay home this year
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-officials-to-new-years-revelers-stay-home-this-year/
Pittsburgh musicians raise their voices off stage to save local venues
https://triblive.com/aande/music/pittsburgh-musicians-raise-their-voices-off-stage-to-save-local-venues/
State News
Pa.’s incoming treasurer pledges openness and close scrutiny of massive pension funds
https://www.inquirer.com/columnists/stacy-garrity-treasurer-psers-torsella-20201230.html
Pennsylvania to use Padbots to connect with older adults
https://www.readingeagle.com/living/pennsylvania-to-use-padbots-to-connect-with-older-adults/article_63e4fcb2-3b26-11eb-b1b5-63fa5838e8c8.html
These notable Pennsylvanians were lost in 2020, including Kobe Bryant, Stephen Reed and Fannie Krevsky
https://www.pennlive.com/life/2020/12/these-notable-pennsylvanians-were-lost-in-2020-including-kobe-bryant-stephen-reed-and-fannie-krevsky.html
Transportation
No E-ZPass? You’ll be paying 56% more to drive on the Pennsylvania Turnpike
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-ez-pass-increase-pa-turnpike-20201230-a4qbol2mh5hyjgrsww3z3dpnum-story.html
PennDOT extending expirations on commercial drivers licenses, permits
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/12/penndot-extending-expirations-on-commercial-drivers-licenses-permits.html