Legislature
Wolf says Lindsey Williams was elected, ought to be seated
http://www.witf.org/state-house-sound-bites/2018/12/wolf-says-lindsey-williams-was-elected-ought-to-be-seated.php
Prosecutor moves to force convicted Philly State Rep. Vanessa Brown to resign
http://www2.philly.com/news/vanessa-brown-convicted-bribery-pennsylvania-lawmaker-sting-resign-20181207.html
Dauphin County district attorney moves for ouster of Philadelphia legislator convicted of bribery
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/12/dauphin-county-district-attorney-moves-for-ouster-of-philadelphia-state-rep-convicted-of-bribery.html#incart_river_index
Lackawanna County Parks and Recreation Director Bill Davis resigns
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-parks-and-recreation-director-bill-davis-resigns-1.2419375
Lobbying groups to pay $29K for violating Pa. law
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/12/lobbying-groups-to-pay-29k-for-violating-pa-law.html#incart_river_index
New beer tax threatens Pa’s growing craft brew scene | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2018/12/new-beer-tax-threatens-pas-growing-craft-brew-scene-opinion.html#incart_river_index
Editorial: Action needed now on crisis in emergency services
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-action-needed-now-on-crisis-in-emergency-services
Business
Salem Township gas station owners hope to strike back against ‘skimmers’
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14382505-74/salem-township-gas-station-owners-hope-to-strike-back-against-skimmers
Tovon reopens at new location after tornado
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/tovon-reopens-at-new-location-after-tornado-1.2419537
New Wawa opens in Bern Township
https://www.readingeagle.com/money/article/new-wawa-opens-in-bern-township
Crime/Punishment
3 Pittsburgh residents pleaded guilty in fraud scheme to gain millions from the state’s Medicaid program
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14381917-74/3-pittsburgh-residents-pleaded-guilty-in-fraud-scheme-to-gain-millions-from
Wide-ranging Hazleton operation nets 16 arrests, drug seizures
https://www.timesleader.com/news/726967/wide-ranging-hazleton-operation-nets-16-arrests-drug-seizures
Saturation patrols hit streets in Hazleton
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/saturation-patrols-hit-streets-in-hazleton-1.2419552
Education
Another charter school, this one for the arts, aiming for Upper Darby
http://www2.philly.com/education/upper-darby-charter-performing-arts-school-district-20181207.html
Muhlenberg School District fails to inspect lead-contaminated areas at high school
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/muhlenberg-school-district-fails-to-inspect-lead-contaminated-areas-at-high-school
University faculty background checks to be reviewed by Pa. Supreme Court
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/12/university-faculty-background-checks-to-be-reviewed-by-pa-supreme-court.html#incart_river_index
Andy Coen steps down as Lehigh football coach after early-onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis
https://www.mcall.com/sports/college/mc-spt-lehigh-coach-andy-coen-steps-down-20181207-story.html
Gaming
Expanded gambling pays off for PA, but future uncertain
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14382504-74/expanded-gambling-pays-off-for-pa-but-future-uncertain
Health Care
Monroeville Council to vote on UPMC East expansion
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2018/12/07/Council-vote-UPMC-Monroeville-expansion-ER/stories/201812060221
Local News
School kids warm up to new coats from Wilkes-Barre firefighters, police
https://www.timesleader.com/news/726953/school-kids-warm-up-to-new-coats-from-wilkes-barre-firefighters-police
Anti-abortion activists gather outside Planned Parenthood
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/anti-abortion-activists-gather-outside-planned-parenthood-1.2419450
Other issues before raises
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/other-issues-before-raises-1.2419543
Charleroi councilman looking for cash influx by privatizing municipal authority
https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/charleroi-councilman-looking-for-cash-influx-by-privatizing-municipal-authority/article_bd8c7c3d-ec7b-55b2-be53-66e24e32dff8.html
Public corruption case against Westmoreland County sheriff ends in mistrial
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/12/07/westmoreland-county-sheriff-jonathan-held-public-corruption-mistrial-attorney-general-electoin/stories/201812070161
Mike Naviglia to serve as police chief in Cheswick and Springdale Township
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14380086-74/mike-naviglia-to-serve-as-police-chief-in-cheswick-and-springdale-township
Reading businessman again runs for mayor
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-businessman-again-runs-for-mayor
National News
Man who drove into crowd in Charlottesville convicted of first-degree murder
http://www2.philly.com/news/nation-world/man-who-drove-into-crowd-charlottesville-convicted-first-degree-murder-20181207.html
Manafort Lied About Contacts With Trump Officials, Mueller Says
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2018/12/07/Manafort-Lied-Trump-Officials-Mueller-Konstantin-V-Kilimnik/stories/201812070155
Philly
How can Philly enforce building codes when 40,000 rental properties don’t have licenses?
http://www2.philly.com/news/eviction-admiral-court-phil-pulley-sbg-management-lock-out-housing-20181208.html
Krasner now seeks to vacate plea deal for AK-47 gunman who critically wounded West Philly beer deli owner
http://www2.philly.com/news/district-attorney-larry-krasner-seeks-reversal-plea-deal-ak-gunman-west-philly-20181208.html
School could start later next year in Philly, after Labor Day
http://www2.philly.com/news/philadelphia-school-district-calendar–20181207.html
City Council members amend anti-squatter bill, pass protections for victims of rental fraud
http://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/city-council-members-amend-anti-squatter-bill-pass-protections-for/article_508e1f8c-0c51-525c-9535-e58cb7335aa7.html
Blackwell questions sale of former Provident Mutual building
http://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/blackwell-questions-sale-of-former-provident-mutual-building/article_42fa84d3-4ec2-5722-b69b-58caa2726d47.html
Pitt
Scathing grand jury report says police union head allowed to hinder investigations
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/12/07/Grand-jury-robert-swartzwelder-fop-blocked-investigations-allegheny-county/stories/201812070128
Grand jury says Pittsburgh police union head obstructed investigations, no charges recommended
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14381042-74/grand-jury-report-rips-pittsburgh-police-union-head-doesnt-recommend-charges
‘Fair fares’: Port Authority bus riders say cash customers shouldn’t be penalized
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2018/12/07/Bus-riders-rally-oppose-Port-Authority-s-high-fares-cash-customers-pittsburgh/stories/201812070102
PAT bus riders rally Downtown, demand lower bus fares
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14380446-74/pat-bus-riders-rally-downtown-demand-lower-bus-fares
Sotomayor says justices follow rule of law, not partisan politics
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/12/07/Supreme-Court-Justice-sonia-Sotomayor-Duquesne-University-liberal-conservative/stories/201812070144
Pittsburgh veterans reflect on the role of women in the military
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2018/12/07/Pearl-Harbor-Day-Julia-Parsons-LaShoundra-Hammonds-women-veterans-military/stories/201812060132
Grand jury: No criminal charges for Pittsburgh police who killed Larimer man
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/12/07/allegheny-county-grand-jury-report-finley-street-fatal-shooting-police-involved-officers-thompkins/stories/201812070134
Pittsburgher’s ‘Jeopardy!’ run ends, but not before he won $101,000
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14381570-74/pittsburghers-jeopardy-run-ends-but-not-before-he-won-101000
Unrelated lawsuit dismissed against Michael Rosfeld, cop charged in Antwon Rose shooting
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14380230-74/unrelated-lawsuit-dismissed-against-michael-rosfeld-cop-charged-in-antwon-rose-shooting
Bishop Zubik criticized during final listening session on abuse
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14380287-74/bishop-zubik-criticized-during-final-listening-session-on-abuse
State News
Medical marijuana program adds qualifying conditions
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/medical-marijuana-program-adds-qualifying-conditions-1.2419483
Pennsylvania’s list of approved conditions for medical marijuana could grow, and here’s how
https://www.pennlive.com/business/2018/12/pennsylvanias-list-of-approved-conditions-for-medical-marijuana-could-grow-and-heres-how.html#incart_river_index
Keystone landfill expansion opponents appeal to Commonwealth Court over zoning issue
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/keystone-landfill-expansion-opponents-appeal-to-commonwealth-court-over-zoning-issue-1.2419481
Smell and noise from Lackawanna Energy Center worries residents; DEP says it’s vapor and steam
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/smell-and-noise-from-lackawanna-energy-center-worries-residents-dep-says-it-s-vapor-and-steam-1.2419652
Anniversary of Pearl Harbor attack remembered at Pa. Capitol
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/12/anniversary-of-pearl-harbor-attack-remembered-at-pa-capitol.html#incart_river_index
Transportation
Section of Greensburg Pike in North Versailles closed since Sept. 10 has reopened
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14381622-74/section-of-greensburg-pike-in-north-versailles-closed-since-sept-10-has
West Shore Bypass drivers left in the dark
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/west-shore-bypass-drivers-left-in-the-dark