Legislature
Pa.’s recently approved statute of limitations reform fell short. This is how | Sens. Tim Kearney and Katie Muth
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/pa-s-recently-approved-statute-of-limitations-reform-fell-short-this-is-how-opinion/
Hoping to hit a home run: How a business owner changed her mind about retirement planning
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/bop/2019/12/09/Pittsburgh-business-owner-retirement-Contact-One-Keystone-Saves-auto-IRA/stories/201912080003
Pennsylvania lawmakers unveil 5 school property tax options for review
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/pennsylvania-lawmakers-unveil-school-property-tax-options-for-review
New legislation to allow some police to use radar for speed enforcement
https://www.sharonherald.com/news/new-legislation-to-allow-some-police-to-use-radar-for/article_31e32246-1a27-11ea-9e24-cb45a5238d14.html
Pa. leaders honor former Sen. Doyle Corman
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/12/tributes-pour-in-honoring-former-sen-doyle-corman.html
What’s holding up appointments on this powerful state education board?
https://www.penncapital-star.com/education/whats-holding-up-appointments-on-this-powerful-state-education-board/
A long time coming: Sunday hunting is finally legal
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/12/09/A-long-time-coming-Sunday-hunting-is-finally-legal/stories/201911260053
Business
Continuing issues at Jeannette plant highlight gaps in hemp regulation
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/continuing-issues-at-jeannette-plant-highlight-gaps-in-hemp-regulation/
Mrs. T’s, Yuengling join forces for lager battered pierogies
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/mrs-t-s-yuengling-join-forces-for-lager-battered-pierogies-1.2569082
Crime/Punishment
Does a driver’s race factor into traffic stops by Pa. police? It’s nearly impossible to tell
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/12/tracking-race-in-police-traffic-stops-across-central-pa.html
Who collects race data: Central Pa. police departments at a glance
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/12/who-collects-race-data-central-pa-police-departments-at-a-glance.html
Education
Team of women focus on Scranton School District recovery
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/team-of-women-focus-on-scranton-school-district-recovery-1.2568908
Misericordia event a sensory-friendly holiday tradition
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/misericordia-event-a-sensory-friendly-holiday-tradition-1.2569193
Little Sisters’ legacy affirmed
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/little-sisters-legacy-affirmed-1.2569065
Elections/Politics
Everyone’s already talking about Pennsylvania’s big 2022 elections. Just don’t ask the candidates.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-society-2022-election-governor-senate-20191209.html
Elizabeth Warren made nearly $2 million for her past private legal work
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/12/08/Elizabeth-Warren-2-million-legal-work-Pete-Buttigieg/stories/201912080210
Elections still in jeopardy
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/elections-still-in-jeopardy-1.2569067
Pipeline activist to challenge incumbent Dem state legislator
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/pipeline-activist-to-challenge-incumbent-dem-state-legislator/article_c0f61b84-1791-11ea-a56d-a70640a15f7d.html
Health Care
Flu has already claimed five lives in Pennsylvania
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2019/12/08/flu-season-5-dead-influenza-cases-pennsylvania/4376237002/
Local News
Keystone Mission plans 50-bed homeless shelter in Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/keystone-mission-plans-50-bed-homeless-shelter-in-scranton-1.2569213
After 30 years, stylists still cutting hair for key safe house fundraiser
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/after-30-years-stylists-still-cutting-hair-for-key-safe-house-fundraiser-1.2569277
Forest City mayor, a native of the Bahamas, shares his vision for borough
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/forest-city-mayor-a-native-of-the-bahamas-shares-his-vision-for-borough-1.2569271
Democrats crowd-source agenda in transition to power in Delaware County
https://www.inquirer.com/news/delaware-county-democrats-council-transition-republicans-20191208.html
Special needs Christmas party in Reading features therapy dogs
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/special-needs-christmas-party-in-reading-features-therapy-dogs&template=ourcityart
Commissioner Sandie Egley opens up about battle with skin cance
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20191208/commissioner-sandie-egley-opens-up-about-battle-with-skin-cancer
Commissioners mull new member to Beaver County Conservation District Board
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20191209/commissioners-mull-new-member-to-beaver-county-conservation-district-board
High-tech electronic kickwall coming to Middletown’s largest park
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20191209/high-tech-electronic-kickwall-coming-to-middletowns-largest-park
Proposal from prospective Luzerne County insurance broker released
https://www.timesleader.com/news/765247/proposal-from-prospective-luzerne-county-insurance-broker-released
County budget approval set for Tuesday; tax hike looms
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-budget-approval-set-for-tuesday-tax-hike-looms-1.2569168
Luzerne County adds 911 staffers, putting dent in vacancies
https://www.timesleader.com/news/765244/luzerne-county-adds-911-staffers-putting-dent-in-vacancies
Wreaths Across America coming to Wyoming Valley
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wreaths-across-america-coming-to-wyoming-valley-1.2569180
Local teens weigh nonprofit pitches at forum
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/local-teens-weigh-nonprofit-pitches-at-forum-1.2569172
Grant will bolster efforts of Rush Twp. police dept.
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/grant-will-bolster-efforts-of-rush-twp-police-dept-1.2569110
Philly
Drug overdose deaths dropped 40% last year in the Pittsburgh area. Why can’t Philadelphia do the same?
https://www.inquirer.com/health/opioid-addiction/opioid-overdoses-philadelphia-pittsburgh-naloxone-20191209.html
Prosecutors want to give a double murderer a chance at parole. One victim’s family says he should stay behind bars.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-district-attorney-larry-krasner-paul-george-double-killer-derrick-ragan-20191209.html
What’s the point in having gun control if Philadelphia doesn’t enforce it? | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/gun-control-philadelphia-violence-domestic-abusers-law-sheriff-20191209.html
Philly Priest accused of child molestation found ‘unsuitable for ministry’
https://www.inquirer.com/crime/monsignor-joseph-logrip-catholic-church-archbishop-charles-chaput-child-molestation-abuse-20191208.html
Seven physicians sue Drexel College of Medicine alleging contract breach when Hahnemann closed
https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/drexel-university-physicians-lawsuit-hahnemann-closure-20191209.html
By 2041, Philadelphia summers might feel like — Orlando? | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/climate-change-pennsylvania-hotter-temperatures-gas-emissions-20191208.html
Pitt
At least three bidders are interested in buying the Regent Square Theater
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/movies/2019/12/08/bidders-buying-Regent-Square-movie-theater-pittsburgh-edgewood/stories/201912050151
Gwen’s Girls serves 100 girls a day in after-school programs
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/social-services/2019/12/08/Gwens-Girls-toys-for-tots-goodfellows-police-Gwen-Elliott-pittsburgh/stories/201912080090
Agriculture and transportation are major polluters
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2019/12/08/Agriculture-transportation-pollution-cmu-study/stories/201910080151
‘End of an era:’ Retiring buses take riders on historic Downtown Pittsburgh route
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/end-of-an-era-retiring-buses-take-riders-on-historic-downtown-pittsburgh-route/
CMU researchers create system to locate gunshots with as few as three smartphones
https://www.witf.org/2019/12/09/cmu-researchers-create-system-to-locate-gunshots-with-as-few-as-three-smartphones/
State News
A third of Pa. drinking water samples contained toxic chemicals. The state says there’s ‘no widespread contamination’
https://www.witf.org/2019/12/09/a-third-of-pa-drinking-water-samples-contained-toxic-chemicals-the-state-says-theres-no-widespread-contamination/
Many retirees are at risk of outliving their savings
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/bop/2019/12/09/Many-retirees-are-at-risk-of-outliving-their-savings-business-of-pittsburgh-bop/stories/201911060152
In Pennsylvania’s conservative heartland, a historic cloister explores the immigrant struggle
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2019/12/09/Pennsylvania-conservative-Ephrata-Cloister-immigration-Conrad-Beissel/stories/201912080027
Hazardous habits — vaping and inhalants — put focus on young people
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2019/12/09/teens-vaping-inhalants-nitrous-oxide-CDC-THC-health-risk-death-youth/stories/201911270172
Recruitment underway for Earth Conservancy’s Environmental Workforce Training Program
https://www.timesleader.com/news/765233/recruitment-underway-for-earth-conservancys-environmental-workforce-training-program
30 years in: Pennsylvania’s heritage areas boost tourism, local economies
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/30-years-in-pennsylvanias-heritage-areas-boost-tourism-local-economies/
Mass fatal overdose averted in West Reading as police swiftly apply antidote
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/5-found-unconscious-in-west-reading-overdoses-suspected
We should bring the Pennsylvania Society dinner home | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/12/we-should-bring-the-pennsylvania-society-dinner-home-opinion.html
Transportation
Study by Governors Highway Safety Association calls for more treatment for impaired drivers
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/12/09/Governors-Highway-Safety-Association-impaired-drivers-more-treatment-61-page-study/stories/201912080082
‘Super load’ hauler is back on the road again; massive vehicle continues slow crawl across Pa.
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/12/super-load-hauler-is-back-on-the-road-again-massive-vehicle-continues-slow-crawl-across-pa.html
Trucks vs. Bridges: A dangerous and costly collision straining state budgets
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/trucks-vs-bridges-a-dangerous-and-costly-collision-straining-state-budgets/
Washington
Schumer: Fed workers to get 12 weeks of paid parental leave
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/paid-parental-leave-federal-workers-space-force-20191208.html