Legislature
Pa. lawmaker questions governor’s drive for new voting machines
http://www2.philly.com/politics/pennsylvania/pa-lawmaker-questions-governors-drive-new-voting-machines-20181206.html
Westmoreland lawmakers: Attempt to halt voting machine mandate unlikely to succeed
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14373260-74/westmoreland-lawmakers-attempt-to-halt-voting-machine-mandate-unlikely-to-succeed
Scarnati continues to oppose window of opportunity law for abuse survivors
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/14373113-74/scarnati-continues-to-oppose-window-of-opportunity-law-for-abuse-survivors
Commonwealth Court tweaks Pennsylvania fireworks law
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/commonwealth-court-tweaks-pennsylvania-fireworks-law
George H.W. Bush
George H.W. Bush eulogized by those gathered ‘to mark the end of an era’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2018/12/05/george-h-w-bush-funeral-president-u-s-national-cathedral/stories/201812050173
Crime/Punishment
Narcotics suspects rounded up in Mon Valley
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/12/05/Narcotics-suspects-drug-round-up-arrests-Mon-Valley-DA-mckeesport/stories/201812050123
Christy represents self during preliminary hearings
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/christy-represents-self-during-preliminary-hearings-1.2418733
Education
Agents raid Scranton School District again
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/agents-raid-scranton-school-district-again-1.2418592
As Scranton board tries to eliminate deficit, special education staff needed
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/as-scranton-board-tries-to-eliminate-deficit-special-education-staff-needed-1.2418746
Riverside, Lackawanna Trail teams top finishers in statewide robotics competition
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/riverside-lackawanna-trail-teams-top-finishers-in-statewide-robotics-competition-1.2418617
Pittston Area director to head committee that runs WBA career center
https://www.timesleader.com/news/726755/pittston-area-director-to-head-committee-that-runs-wba-ctc
JuJu Smith-Schuster surprises Aliquippa football team with care package
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2018/12/05/juju-smith-schuster-steelers-aliquippa-piaa-class-3a-championship/stories/201812050178
Santander Arena to host District 3 basketball championship tripleheader
https://www.readingeagle.com/sports/article/santander-arena-to-host-district-3-basketball-championship-tripleheader&template=ourcityart
Temple professors: No confidence in university leader who won’t support Marc Lamont Hill’s academic freedom | Opinion
http://www2.philly.com/opinion/commentary/marc-lamont-hill-temple-university-professor-patrick-oconnor-20181205.html
Marc Lamont Hill’s history suggests his recent comments were intentional | Opinion
http://www2.philly.com/opinion/commentary/marc-lamont-hill-zionist-organization-america-un-speech-20181205.html
Local students beat state, national averages in nursing test
https://www.timesleader.com/news/726758/local-students-beat-state-average-in-national-nursing-test
King’s students fight bullying in the age of social media
https://www.timesleader.com/news/726764/kings-students-fight-bullying-in-the-age-of-social-media
Susquehanna University students protest decision to arm safety officers
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/12/students_protest_decision_to_a.html#incart_river_index
Elections/Politics
Election technician: no voting machine malfunction in Carroll 4, part of 49th District contest
https://observer-reporter.com/news/election/election-technician-no-voting-machine-malfunction-in-carroll-part-of/article_19e5dadc-f8b6-11e8-a191-e3425dd8b0de.html
Berks County narrows choices for new voting machines
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-county-narrows-choices-for-new-voting-machines
Gaming
Future casino at Westmoreland Mall generates pros, cons at hearing
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/westmoreland/2018/12/05/Westmoreland-Mall-mini-casino-Stadium-Hempfield-Pennsylvania-gaming-hearing/stories/201812050163
Developer: Westmoreland Mall casino could deliver $152 million annual economic impact
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14372993-74/developer-westmoreland-mall-casino-could-deliver-152-million-annual-economic-impact
Mount Airy Casino seems to be different fit for rural Big Beaver
http://www.timesonline.com/news/20181205/mount-airy-casino-seems-to-be-different-fit-for-rural-big-beaver
Health Care
Admissions and ER visits up at some Lehigh Valley Health Network hospitals but not those in rural areas
https://www.mcall.com/business/healthcare/mc-biz-lvhn-annual-mtg-20181204-story.html
Local News
Number of fatal overdoses continues to grow in 2018
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/number-of-fatal-overdoses-continues-to-grow-in-2018-1.2418693
County election director ‘not hiding anything’ about trips
https://www.timesleader.com/news/726744/county-election-director-not-hiding-anything-about-trips
County election official in conflict of interest?
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-election-official-in-conflict-of-interest-1.2418774
Planned Parenthood staying in WB; new landlord: no surgical abortions
https://www.timesleader.com/news/726748/planned-parenthood-staying-in-wilkes-barre-new-landlord-no-abortions-will-be-done
W-B installs eight new metered parking spaces near Public Square
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/w-b-installs-eight-new-metered-parking-spaces-near-public-square-1.2418726
New federal opportunity zones could be economic boom for Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/new-federal-opportunity-zones-could-be-economic-book-for-scranton-1.2418702
Lackawanna County commissioners introduce ordinance to raise their salary, those of row officers
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-commissioners-introduce-ordinance-to-raise-their-salary-those-of-row-officers-1.2418683
On first reading, city council OKs property tax hike
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/on-first-reading-city-council-oks-property-tax-hike-1.2418706
Dangerous buildings hit the ground in New Kensington
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14373297-74/dangerous-buildings-hit-the-ground-in-new-kensington
Washington Township to light up Kunkle Park for first ‘Country Christmas’
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14372263-74/washington-township-to-light-up-kunkle-park-for-first-country-christmas
Westmoreland sheriff’s department employees testify against boss Held
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14373245-74/westmoreland-sheriffs-department-employees-testify-against-boss-held
Former Reading Mayor Vaughn Spencer does not deserve acquittal, prosecutors say
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/former-reading-mayor-vaughn-spencer-does-not-deserve-acquittal-prosecutors-say
Allentown Council votes down 2019 budget
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-budget-vote-tax-increase-20181205-story.html
Marijuana
Cannabis bombshell: Pa. throws out all 8 marijuana research applications. What’s next?
http://www2.philly.com/business/weed/pennsylvania-marijuana-medical-research-licenses-rejected-20181205.html
Saying applicants don’t measure up, state plans second application period for medical marijuana research initiative
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2018/12/05/medical-marijuana-clinical-registrant-second-application-period/stories/201812050172
National News
Bernie Madoff’s crime lasted 45 years, FBI reveals 10 years later
http://www2.philly.com/philly/business/bernie-madoff-fbi-patrick-duffy-paul-roberts-fbi-20181206.html
Diversified’s deal with West Virginia on plugging old oil wells shows rules need to change, environmental groups say
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2018/12/05/Diversified-oil-wells-Appalachia-West-Virginia-Pa-bonds-EQT-CNX-regulators/stories/201812050113
Natural Gas
Editorial: A tale of two pipeline studies – & results
https://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/editorial-a-tale-of-two-pipeline-studies—results/article_9b7ba00c-f890-11e8-8380-af0a2de90177.html
Opioid Crisis
Endo publishes oversight report on opioid sales
http://www2.philly.com/business/drugs/endo-opioids-lawsuits-oversight-report-20181206.html
Free naloxone, an opioid-reversal drug, will be available in Pottstown
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/free-naloxone-available-in-pottstown
Philly
More murders, fewer cases solved; now Philly police are fighting about overtime
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/murders-solved-homicides-philadelphia-police-overtime-20181205.html
New Census figures on Philly neighborhoods show inequality, high numbers of whites living in poverty
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/poverty-new-census-figures-philadelphia-neighborhoods-whites-opioids-20181206.html
Big day for labor in Philadelphia: Council to vote on ‘Fair Workweek,’ $15/hr wage hike
http://www2.philly.com/news/fair-workweek-philadelphia-bill-vote-20181206.html
Two Philly homeless students were denied an adequate education. Now, there are statewide ripples.
http://www2.philly.com/news/two-philly-homeless-students-were-denied-an-adequate-education-now-there-are-statewide-ripples-20181205.html
Reports of flawed records and improper sales trigger call for investigation of city land deals
http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/councilmanic-prerogative-point-breeze-rhynhart-kenyatta-johnson-20181205.html
Report: Philly schools lose more to corporate handouts than any other big city
http://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/report-philly-schools-lose-more-to-corporate-handouts-than-any/article_57281837-d441-58df-a6d3-94a2f1806478.html
Pennsylvania pressing schools to ensure special-ed students aren’t on their own
http://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/pennsylvania-pressing-schools-to-ensure-special-ed-students-aren-t/article_e5929cef-21b6-5d5c-9dce-7753f243a20c.html
New site launches to attract more Philly teachers
http://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/new-site-launches-to-attract-more-philly-teachers/article_914536b0-d346-5b98-a466-21f87fa4828a.html
City Council votes to uphold rules reducing tobacco retailers
http://www2.philly.com/health/tobacco-smoking-cigarette-retail-philadelphia-city-council-20181205.html
Street sweeping pilot program to launch this spring
http://www2.philly.com/news/trash-20181205.html
Philadelphia police fatally shoot man in Port Richmond
http://www2.philly.com/news/police-involved-shooting-fatal-philadelphia-port-richmond-20181205.html
Philly should avoid lead paint litigation that will devastate property values | Opinion
http://www2.philly.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-property-values-real-estate-lead-paint-20181206.html
Philly’s sweetened beverage tax brings hope | Opinion
http://www2.philly.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-soda-tax-pre-k-kenney-20181205.html
Pitt
After series of setbacks, CEO of Pittsburgh International Airport isn’t panicking
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2018/12/05/Setbacks-don-t-rattle-airport-CEO-pittsburgh-international-airport-christina-cassotis-delta-air-lines-one-jet-frontier-wow-air/stories/201812050103
Mayor Peduto wants mayors across the nation to join local gun legislation fight
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2018/12/05/Mayor-bill-Peduto-pittsburgh-urging-mayors-local-gun-legislation-fight/stories/201812050188
EMT union ratifies city contract
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2018/12/05/EMT-union-ratifies-city-contract/stories/201812050221
McCandless police officers vote ‘no confidence’ in chief under investigation
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/north/2018/12/05/McCandless-police-officers-vote-no-confidence-in-chief/stories/201812050181
McCandless police union takes ‘no confidence’ vote for suspended police chief
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14373356-74/mccandless-police-union-takes-no-confidence-vote-for-suspended-police-chief
Allegheny County’s North Park could be the latest home for bald eagles
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14373344-74/allegheny-countys-north-park-could-be-the-latest-home-for-bald-eagles
Penguins’ franchise value stays flat at $650 million, Forbes reports
https://triblive.com/sports/penguins/14372780-74/penguins-franchise-value-stays-flat-at-650-million-forbes-reports
Pittsburgh cop accused of lying to feds set to plead guilty
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14372261-74/pittsburgh-cop-accused-of-lying-to-feds-set-to-plead-guilty
State News
Pa. Health Department ordered to turn over leases on nursing homes
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/12/pa-health-department-ordered-to-turn-over-leases-on-nursing-homes.html#incart_river_index
Census: More workers on food stamps despite rise in median income
https://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pennsylvania-census-poverty-pay-20181205-story.html