News Digest :: December 6, 2021

Legislature

Senator Costa Announces Major Funding for Allegheny County School Safety Initiatives – 6PARK.NEWS/PENNSYLVANIA

Over $ 2 Million State Funds Approved for Local Programs to Prevent Violence – Pennsylvania News Today

Pennsylvania awards Tree of Life synagogue $6.6 million grant for rebuilding project | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

State Awards Tree of Life $6.6 Million to Aid Its Rebuilding Efforts | Pittsburgh Magazine

PA Legislators React To Governor Vetoing Expanded Concealed Carry Bill – LevittownNow.com

Lawmaker secures $2M in state grant funding for Children’s Village at Doylestown Hospital – thereporteronline

Pa. awards $7.5M for upgrades to FirstEnergy Stadium | Berks Regional News | wfmz.com

Fightin Phils awarded $7.5 million from Pa. for stadium renovations (pottsmerc.com)

Gov. Tom Wolf visits Delaware County to talk about gun violence prevention – Daily Local

Reading Terminal Market, Academy of Music projects to receive state funding – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Pennsylvania House committee hears testimony on state nursing shortage | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com

Deadline for Pa. residents to submit congressional district maps extended to Dec. 6 (abc27.com)

Pa.’s carbon fee for power plants is ready to be enacted, but legislative agency says it can’t yet – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Senate GOP releases redacted contract with Envoy Sage. Here’s what’s in it – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

State Rep. McClinton announces gun violence prevention grantees | Local News | phillytrib.com

Editorial: It’s time to push Deana’s Law over finish line (mainlinemedianews.com)

Low-interest loans awarded to support business expansion, job creation | Times Leader

Senator Santarsiero Secures $2 Million in RACP Grant Funding for Children’s Village at Doylestown Hospital – NewsBreak

Fightin Phils awarded $7.5 million for FirstEnergy Stadium renovations (berksweekly.com)

 

Coronavirus – COVID-19

Pa. prepares for omicron COVID variant: What we know and don’t know (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

White House gears up to slow spread of omicron | ABC27

Fauci says early reports encouraging about omicron variant (abc27.com)

These new U.S. travel restrictions begin Monday (abc27.com)

Scientists are still trying to figure out all the details about the new omicron variant. (dailylocal.com)

As OSHA mandate-or-testing rule deadline looms, court leaves employers in limbo – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Philadelphia reports city’s first case of Omicron as Covid-19 variant spreads – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

1st confirmed omicron case in Pennsylvania is reported in Philadelphia | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Health networks and others use incentives, special guests and events to make getting the COVID-19 vaccine fun for Lehigh Valley children – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Pro-Trump counties now have far higher COVID death rates. Misinformation is to blame | WITF

There’s no cure for COVIDIOCY | Dick Polman – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Far more Pa elder-care workers had COVID-19 than previously believed (theintell.com)

Pittsburgh-area hospitals struggling under COVID-19 surge | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Booster shots can help nursing homes avoid COVID-19 surge amid omicron, but some facilities face challenges (inquirer.com)

Gov. Mifflin community honors pharmacist for COVID vaccinations response (readingeagle.com)

 

Business/Jobs

Biden maintains optimism on US economy | ABC27

What does the nation’s economy really looks like? | Smart Talk (witf.org)

How the Supply Chain Crisis Unfolded – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Erie County unemployment holds steady at 6.3%; labor force continues to shrink (goerie.com)

Capital City Mall thrives amid ‘retail apocalypse’ – pennlive.com

As economy emerges from pandemic, multifaceted approach to workforce needed | Times Leader

Milk prices on rise, farmers still struggling | Business | standardspeaker.com

 

Crime/Punishment

Craig Yeomans: An injunction to stop pointing fingers for crime (broadandliberty.com)

Death of Temple Student from Delco Shines Light on Philly’s Record Homicide Rate – DV Journal (delawarevalleyjournal.com)

55K fentanyl doses seized in Pa. raid targeting ‘violent enterprise,’ AG says – pennlive.com

COVID outbreak at York County prison blamed on conditions – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

‘I have to be me’: Camden’s police chief, a native son, marks first year on the job (inquirer.com)

Scranton police put department motto on patrol cars in five languages to recognize diverse population | News | standardspeaker.com

 

Education

Emails give context to Bucks COVID changes for schools in August (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Historically Black colleges and universities outperform peers when it comes to social mobility – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

The state system must clarify a muddled mission | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

I’m a highly qualified preschool teacher. Why won’t the state recognize that? | Opinion (inquirer.com)

Pennsbury school board now can’t stop public comments it deems offensive. What does it mean for other districts? (inquirer.com)

Schools across Western Pa., U.S. try to keep students safe in face of increased threats | TribLIVE.com

 

Elections/Politics

Trump-tied group pushing for voting changes in Wisconsin | News | tribdem.com

Former western Pennsylvania Congresswoman Melissa Hart says she’s running for governor as Republican; she would be first woman in field – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Chester County voters must be assured election process is valid – Daily Local

How anti-vaccine activists and the GOP are growing closer : NPR

Former GOP Sen. David Perdue will challenge Brian Kemp in Georgia governor primary | Georgia Public Broadcasting (gpb.org)

ROSICA: An Election Education in West Chester – DV Journal (delawarevalleyjournal.com)

2nd Stacey Abrams governor bid sees new tests, intrigues | Elections | phillytrib.com

Former U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus eyes run in GOP Senate primary | News | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

Despite his millions, GOP hopeful Oz uses “scam” tactic to juice campaign donations | News | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)

At PA Society, Republicans cast fluctuating fields for 2022 primaries as promising for the party (inquirer.com)

AL DÍA Foundation holds PA Society’s annual reception in New York City | AL DÍA News (aldianews.com)

Both sides planning for new state-by-state abortion fight – Reading Eagle

GOP grapples with chaotic Senate primary in Pennsylvania | TheHill

 

Environment

Summit greenlights carbon emissions trading system; critics point to pitfalls : NPR

 

Transportation

Pennsylvania Turnpike: Idea to bring back toll takers elicits range of opinions – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

New Jersey highways rank last in the nation. Pennsylvania’s are No. 39. (inquirer.com)

 

Health

Yaël Ossowski: Reckoning with insurance for better patient choice in healthcare (broadandliberty.com)

With Medicare open enrollment ending this week, important things to keep in mind | Ray E. Landis – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

High school students showing their resilience adapting to COVID changes (theintell.com)

Which Central PA emergency rooms have the longest wait? (ydr.com)

Rural hospital money flows to UPMC while small facilities struggle | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Older Pennsylvanians face social isolation and its real health consequences | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

State News

Department of Human Services Reminds Pennsylvanians Help Is Available Through Public Assistance, Emotional Support Resources – MyChesCo

Pa. business receives more than $103K from USDA Rural Energy program | Five for the Weekend – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Pa. doughnut chain named one of ‘America’s favorites’ – pennlive.com

Biden’s domestic bill would fund reforestation in cities in Pa., elsewhere | Monday Morning Coffee – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Pa.’s Houlahan co-leading push to require women to sign up for draft in must-pass defense bill – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Is your state ready to handle the influx of federal funds for expanding broadband? | Opinion – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Study: Pa. ranks 24th nationwide for acceptance of LGBTQ people – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Household growth slows to record low | The Numbers Racket – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

Pennsylvania will get $240 million and New Jersey will get $169 million to improve water infrastructure and tackle lead and PFAS (inquirer.com)

 

National News

Groups Gun Violence Prevention Overdue After Oxford School Shooting / Public News Service

Michigan AG offers to help investigate high school shooting : NPR

Mostly white jury seated for trial in Daunte Wright’s death – WHYY

Bob Dole, longtime GOP senator and 1996 presidential nominee, dies at age 98 : NPR

Bob Dole lent his Republican clout to Lehigh Valley candidates over lengthy career – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Reaction to Bob Dole’s death from U.S. dignitaries, veterans | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Most school shooters get their guns from home (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

Companies Linked to Russian Ransomware Hide in Plain Sight – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Chris Cuomo, newly fired from CNN, faces an allegation of sexual misconduct : NPR

CNN fires Chris Cuomo for helping brother deal with scandal (abc27.com)

Joni Mitchell, Bette Midler, Lorne Michaels, Berry Gordy, Justino Díaz honored : NPR

How to be a good neighbor : Life Kit : NPR

Latino communities can redefine American generosity | Opinion (inquirer.com)

Report: U.S. to declare diplomatic boycott of Beijing Olympics | TribLIVE.com

 

Local News

Burks leaders pay tribute to the lives lost on World AIDS Day – Pennsylvania News Today

Candlelight vigil held for Samuel Collington in Delaware County – The Temple News (temple-news.com)

Co-County Wellness, LGBT Center Partner for World AIDS Day – BCTV

Pottstown economic development agency rebrands to emphasize its focus (dailylocal.com)

Letters: Readers weigh in on Dahlkemper, gun laws, bail reform and more (goerie.com)

Hatfield WWII vet travels to Pearl Harbor for 80th anniversary (thereporteronline.com)

Property tax increase expected in Lebanon County | ABC27

Allentown NIZ authority targets blighted properties – The Morning Call (mcall.com)

Bethlehem dangles tax breaks in special zone to developers who include affordable housing – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

No internet? Delaware County wants to hear from you about broadband access | Metros | phillytrib.com

Economic disaster is looming for Tobyhanna township (poconorecord.com)

Foundation aims to continue Mike Fitzpatrick’s legacy of good deeds (theintell.com)

Dialing in new 272 area code | News | citizensvoice.com

10 area homes given to renters in statewide lawsuit | News | citizensvoice.com

Riverside and University of Scranton grad promoted to a top Pentagon position | News | thetimes-tribune.com

Scranton to pay $2.3 million into pensions next year despite huge financial gains | News | thetimes-tribune.com

Berks County expected to run out of rental relief money (readingeagle.com)

4-H youth development (readingeagle.com)

Christmas parade returns to Coatesville with string bands, Miss Pennsylvania and high school marching bands – Daily Local

 

Pitt

From a bar to bedrooms: Virginia company adding more housing near PPG Paints Arena | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Republicans to lead North Allegheny board | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh council members hear comments on possible Wilkinsburg annexation | TribLIVE.com

Hundreds of Pitt fans celebrate ACC championship peacefully in Pittsburgh | TribLIVE.com

 

Philly

Attorney accuses Mayor Kenney of severe rule of law breach over Columbus statue (broadandliberty.com)

How Philadelphia’s Business Leaders Banded Together to Help the City Rebound from the Pandemic – Philadelphia Magazine (phillymag.com)

As Philly Tops 500 Homicides, Can We Agree Gun Buyback Doesn’t Work? (phillymag.com)

The 25 highest-paying occupations in Philadelphia – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

New report lays out what Philadelphians want in next school superintendent – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)

City Commerce Director Michael Rashid resigns following reports of antisemitic comments, verbal abuse | Local News | phillytrib.com

Philadelphia City Council considers changing ethics rules | Local News | phillytrib.com

Inglis, Methodist Services unveil $16.8M complex for disabled | Local News | phillytrib.com

 

Washington

Biden, Putin set video call Tuesday as Ukraine tensions grow | WITF

Biden’s oil and gas policy falls short on climate goals, House Democrats say – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)