Legislature
Incoming state Sen. Lindsey Williams opens office in Shaler
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14377074-74/new-north-hills-state-senator-opens-office-in-shaler
George H.W. Bush
Thousands salute Bush’s funeral train No. 4141 on his final Texas ride
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2018/12/06/President-George-HW-Bush-funeral-service-Houston-church-St-Martins-Episcopal-Church/stories/201812060114
Pittsburgh’s Chris Edwards started planning George H.W. Bush’s funeral years ago
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2018/12/06/George-Bush-Funeral-Pittsburgh-Chris-Edwards-Milk-Shake-Factory/stories/201812060134
Pearl Harbor
Western Pa. trying to keep alive memory of Pearl Harbor attack
https://triblive.com/local/regional/14379063-74/western-pa-trying-to-keep-alive-memory-of-pearl-harbor-attack
Remembering the eight local servicemen killed at Pearl Harbor
https://www.timesleader.com/news/726867/remembering-the-eight-local-servicemen-killed-at-pearl-harbor
Local seaman’s family grateful for closure
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/local-seaman-s-family-grateful-for-closure-1.2419168
Pearl Harbor: Veterans gather in Wyomissing on eve of anniversary
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/pearl-harbor-veterans-gather-in-wyomissing-on-eve-of-anniversary
Editorial: Remembering Pearl Harbor and the heroism it inspired
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/remembering-pearl-harbor-and-the-heroism-it-inspired
Business
Valmont plant to close next year
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/valmont-plant-to-close-next-year-1.2419128
Home health care company expands to Berks
https://www.readingeagle.com/money/article/home-health-care-company-expands-to-berks
Pittsburgh Airport Innovation Campus could create hundreds of jobs
http://www.timesonline.com/news/20181206/pittsburgh-airport-innovation-campus-could-create-hundreds-of-jobs
Catholic Church
Pa. Supreme Court’s decision to shield names of Catholic clergy is a win for due process | Christine Flowers
http://www2.philly.com/columnists/catholic-sexual-abuse-grand-jury-supreme-court-20181206.html
Crime/Punishment
Judge questions jury pool to test for pretrial bias in Antwon Rose homicide case
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/12/06/antwon-rose-michael-rosfeld-east-pittsburgh-jury-selection-alexander-bicket-allegheny-county/stories/201812060108
Scranton man pleads guilty in Penn State frat hazing case
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-man-pleads-guilty-in-penn-state-frat-hazing-case-1.2419070
‘It’s just cruel’: Families of inmates protest Gov. Tom Wolf at Christmas ceremony
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/12/its-just-cruel-families-of-inmates-protest-gov-tom-wolf-at-christmas-ceremony.html#incart_river_index
Education
Trial scheduled in landmark Pa. school-funding case
http://www2.philly.com/news/pennsylvania-school-funding-lawsuit-20181206.html
Education-funding lawsuit with local participants finally gets trial schedule
https://www.timesleader.com/news/726824/education-funding-lawsuit-with-local-participants-finally-gets-trial-schedule
School lunch rules OK refined grains, low-fat chocolate milk
http://www2.philly.com/education/school-lunch-rules-ok-refined-grains-low-fat-chocolate-milk-20181206.html
State auditor general to Scranton School District: Get ready for another audit
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/state-auditor-general-to-scranton-school-district-get-ready-for-another-audit-1.2419267
St. Nicholas — not Santa — spreads message of caring, sharing at Harrison school
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14377610-74/st-nicholas-not-santa-spreads-message-of-caring-sharing-with
Crestwood admin remain on leave as bus probe continues
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/crestwood-admin-remain-on-leave-as-bus-probe-continues-1.2419133
Harrisburg School District closed for a ‘pause’ after 2nd student’s death in 2 weeks: officials
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/12/school-district-needed-a-pause-did-not-close-out-of-fear-of-harm-to-students-officials.html#incart_river_index
Curriculum audit: Allentown schools need to do better for its vulnerable students
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-allentown-schools-curriculum-audit-20181206-story.html
Students march in support of embattled Temple professor Marc Lamont Hill
http://www2.philly.com/news/temple-zionism-education-protest-palestinian-israle-20181207.html
Gwynedd Mercy University buys Merck property, doubles size of campus
http://www2.philly.com/education/gwyneddmercyuniversitymerckpurchase-20181206.html
Elections/Politics
Who’s lining up for Guy Reschenthaler’s state Senate seat? Everybody in town
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2018/12/06/Guy-Reschenthaler-state-senate-district-37-candidates-democrat-republican-pennsylvania/stories/201812150001
Despite having three millionaires in the race, Pa. governor’s race didn’t break any spending records
https://www.pennlive.com/politics/2018/12/despite-having-three-millionaires-in-the-race-pa-governors-race-didnt-break-any-spending-records.html#incart_river_index
We know about the political differences. Penn State survey finds real empathy gap between Democrats, Republican voters
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/12/we-know-about-the-political-differences-penn-state-survey-finds-real-empathy-gap-between-democrats-republican-voters.html#incart_river_index
Local News
Luzerne County Council members call for investigation of election director’s trips
https://www.timesleader.com/news/726831/luzerne-county-council-members-call-for-investigation-of-election-directors-trips
County council members want probe into election chief’s trips
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-council-members-want-probe-into-election-chief-s-trips-1.2419175
Wilkes-Barre adopts $50.4 million budget
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wilkes-barre-adopts-50-4-million-budget-1.2419162
Residents blast theatre’s application for $500K state grant
https://www.timesleader.com/news/726869/residents-blast-theatres-application-for-500k-state-grant
Planned Parenthood finds new location
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/planned-parenthood-finds-new-location-1.2419177
Wilkes-Barre to extend yard-waste pickup
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wilkes-barre-to-extend-yard-waste-pickup-1.2419135
DePasquale announces pension aid for Luzerne County municipalities
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/depasquale-announces-pension-aid-for-luzerne-county-municipalities-1.2419141
State auditor general applauds Scranton’s pension recovery
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/state-auditor-general-applauds-scranton-s-pension-recovery-1.2419159
Blight battle front broadens
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/blight-battle-front-broadens-1.2419073
HCA fundraiser nets more than $90K for city police
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/hca-fundraiser-nets-more-than-90k-for-city-police-1.2419130
Westmoreland recycling sites will accept live Christmas trees
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14379243-74/westmoreland-recycling-sites-will-accept-live-christmas-trees
Westmoreland Sheriff Held declines to testify at his public corruption trial; defense calls no witnesses
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14377526-74/westmoreland-sheriff-held-declines-to-testify-at-his-public-corruption-trial-defense
Apollo Council reverses decisions to eliminate borough manager post, hire a police officer
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14378619-74/apollo-council-reverses-decisions-to-eliminate-borough-manager-post-hire-a-police
Commissioners vote to reopen process of selling Berks Heim
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/commissioners-vote-to-reopen-process-of-selling-berks-heim
Subcontractor sues Berks property owners along pipeline for $15 million
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/subcontractor-sues-berks-property-owners-along-pipeline-for-15-million
Schuylkill Co. OKs prisoner housing pact with Centre Co.
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/schuylkill-co-oks-prisoner-housing-pact-with-centre-co-1.2419131
National News
Comedian Kevin Hart steps down as Oscars host after outcry over homophobic tweets
http://www2.philly.com/entertainment/movies/kevin-hart-withdraws-oscars-host-homophobic-tweets-20181207.html
Lawyer: Trump resort hired undocumented immigrants
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2018/12/06/President-Trump-Bedminster-golf-club-undocumented-immigrant-housekeeper-Times/stories/201812060218
One size never fits all: Homelessness is sometimes about addiction or abuse
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2018/12/07/One-size-never-fits-all-Homelessness-is-sometimes-about-addiction-or-abuse/stories/201812070072
New Jersey
New Jersey offers ‘gift’ of tax amnesty. Is it worth it?
http://www2.philly.com/news/new-jersey-tax-amnesty-pennsylvania-murphy-budget-20181206.html
Opioid Crisis
State to give away anti-overdose drug naloxone next week
http://www2.philly.com/health/pennsylvania-give-away-naloxone-next-week-20181206.html
Free naloxone to be available at Berks County State Health Center in Reading
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/free-naloxone-to-be-available-at-berks-county-state-health-center-in-reading
Philly
Council approves bills for ‘Fair Workweek’ and $15/hr. wage hike
http://www2.philly.com/news/fair-workweek-philadelphia-bill-vote-20181206.html
Council Oks ‘fair workweek’ bills, $15/hr wage hike
http://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/council-oks-fair-workweek-bills-hr-wage-hike/article_109baaec-b634-52af-b19b-e1185515a3b2.html
‘Good cause’ tenant protections sail through City Council
http://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/good-cause-tenant-protections-sail-through-city-council/article_52a3e2b8-a1df-545d-ac9d-f909d49400fb.html
Philadelphia City Council President Darrell Clarke proposes land sales reforms, defends ‘councilmanic prerogative’
http://www2.philly.com/news/kenyatta-johnson-darrell-clarke-land-philadelphia-point-breeze-20181206.html
Laborers’ District Council breaks ground on $24 million training facility
http://www.phillytrib.com/news/business/laborers-district-council-breaks-ground-on-million-training-facility/article_04087fe8-2b56-549f-95ab-2d97a7c51b39.html
The Krasner model: Could wealthy progressives upend the 2019 race for sheriff in Philadelphia? | Philly Clout
http://www2.philly.com/politics/clout/philadelphia-gritty-sheriff-jewell-williams-malika-rahman-rochelle-bilal-gary-masino-sheetmetal-20181207.html
SEPTA’s 30th Street stop getting an upgrade thanks to federal grant
http://www2.philly.com/news/transit-philadelphia-septa-20181206.html
Brightwood Career Institute closing three Philly-area locations
http://www2.philly.com/business/brightwood-career-institute-closing-philadelphia-locations-20181206.html
Want to impact thousands but don’t have Rockefeller dollars to do it? Join a giving circle. | Ronnie Polaneczky
http://www2.philly.com/columnists/philanthropy-go-fund-me-giving-circles-charity-20181207.html
Pitt
Pittsburgh housing advocates concerned over potential budget cuts
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/12/06/Pittsburgh-affordable-housing-Bill-Peduto-URA-budget-cuts/stories/201812050162
UPMC makes no-interest loan to Oakland land trust for affordable housing
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/12/06/Oakland-Planning-and-Development-land-trust-UPMC-500-000/stories/201812060118
Children’s Fund backers raised $1.1 million
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2018/12/06/Allegheny-County-Childrens-Fund-final-spending/stories/201812060160
We must truly transform Pittsburgh’s public schools
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2018/12/07/We-must-truly-transform-Pittsburgh-s-public-schools/stories/201811290017
Retired Allegheny County police officer scores fourth-day win on ‘Jeopardy!’
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14378126-74/retired-allegheny-county-police-officer-scores-fourth-day-win-on-jeopardy
Pittsburgh’s Brightwood Career Institute closes abruptly
https://triblive.com/news/education/classroom/14379392-74/pittsburghs-brightwood-career-institute-closes-abruptly
State News
State doles out $6 million to airports for infrastructure, equipment upgrades
https://triblive.com/local/regional/14376770-74/state-doles-out-6-million-to-airports-for-infrastructure-equipment-upgrades
Climate change is affecting birds’ migration patterns; Here’s what Hawk Mountain researchers are doing to help solve it
https://www.readingeagle.com/berks-country/article/a-wing-and-a-prayer
Pennsylvania unveils online portal to assist people finding help with addictions
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/pennsylvania-unveils-online-portal-to-assist-people-finding-help-with-addictions
Transportation
Butler County receives $20 million federal grant to finish Route 228 improvements
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2018/12/06/Butler-County-Route-228-20-million-federal-grant-Balls-Bend-Haine-School-Road-Gateway-228/stories/201812060162
Airport nabs $112K state grant
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/airport-nabs-112k-state-grant-1.2419085