Legislature
Officials see better financial days for the beleaguered Penn Hills School District
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14521083-74/officials-see-better-financial-days-for-the-beleaguered-penn-hills-school-district
Schwank to propose license fees, fines for drug abuse treatment providers
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/schwank-to-propose-license-fees-fines-for-drug-abuse-treatment-providers
Officials advocate for more state tech school funding at MBIT event
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20190119/officials-advocate-for-more-state-tech-school-funding-at-mbit-event
Republican state senator to leave seat in middle of term
http://www.philly.com/politics/pennsylvania/republican-state-senator-leave-seat-middle-term-20190118.html
State Sen. Rich Alloway plans to resign
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/01/state-sen-rich-alloway-representing-franklin-and-adams-counties-to-resign-from-senate.html
Winter Weather
Gov. Wolf declares state of emergency ahead of weekend snowstorm
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2019/01/18/Governor-Wolf-state-of-emergency-pennsylvania-snowstorm/stories/201901180117
‘This is a very severe storm’: Gov. Wolf, officials urge motorists to avoid travel
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/01/this-is-a-very-severe-storm-gov-wolf-officials-urge-motorists-to-avoid-travel.html
PennDOT’s ‘aggressive’ response to storm includes full commercial vehicle ban
https://www.timesleader.com/news/730769/penndot-plans-aggressive-storm-response-commercial-vehicle-ban
Not clearing the snow off your vehicle could cost you $200 to $1,000
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/not-clearing-the-snow-off-your-vehicle-could-cost-you-200-to-1000
State encourages emergency kits, suggests contents ahead of snow, ice
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/01/state-encourages-emergency-kits-suggests-contents-ahead-of-snow-ice.html
Pennsylvania bans trucks on interstates, other Lehigh Valley highways due to snow this weekend
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-pa-truck-ban-snow-20190118-story.html
WEATHER: Winter storm warning issued for Pittsburgh region; 6 to 8 inches forecast
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2019/01/17/WEATHER-snow-storm-Pittsburgh-weekend-forecast/stories/201901170096
Pittsburgh road crews prepare for impending snowstorm
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/01/18/Winter-storm-Pittsburgh-National-Weather-Service-public-works/stories/201901180107
Snow, ice threat ebbing for Philly; flash freeze still a lock
http://www.philly.com/news/winter-storm-snow-ice-arctic-polar-vortex-philadelphia-weather-20190119.html
You have snowstorm questions, Pittsburgh. We have snowstorm answers.
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/neighborhood/2019/01/18/The-answers-to-some-of-your-winter-storm-questions/stories/201901180126
Preparing for a big freeze: Tips on buying a portable generator
http://www.philly.com/real-estate/how-to-buy-portable-home-generator-20190119.html
Storm could drop over foot of snow in region
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/storm-could-drop-over-foot-of-snow-in-region-1.2435115
Shelters, missions prepare for their ‘families’ as winter storm approaches
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/01/shelters-missions-prepare-for-their-families-as-winter-storm-harper-approaches.html
Lehigh Valley braces for winter storm: How much snow and ice, when will it start? (and other things to know)
https://www.mcall.com/news/weather/mc-nws-lehigh-valley-winter-storm-roundup-20190118-story.html
Administration
Editorial: Politics of trust and cooperation a keystone of success
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-politics-of-trust-and-cooperation-a-keystone-of-success
Business
PPG reaches $7.65 million settlement with retirees over health care benefits
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2019/01/18/PPG-settlement-retirees-health-care-benefits/stories/201901180154
PPG reaches $7.65 million health-benefit settlement with union retirees
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14519708-74/ppg-reaches-765-million-health-benefit-settlement-with-union-retirees
‘I don’t have anything organic.’ In new Whole Foods’ shadow, a Delco Italian mom-and-pop mart is a rebel | Maria Panaritis
http://www.philly.com/news/columnists/whole-foods-newtown-square-luigi-giovannis-philadelphia-maria-panaritis-20190119.html
Catholic Church
Accuser discredits Wuerl’s statement, ‘I don’t believe him for a single second’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2019/01/18/Cardinal-Wuerl-McCarrick-sexual-abuse-grand-jury-Pennsylvania/stories/201901170210
New attorneys general to continue investigating clergy abuse
http://www.philly.com/news/pennsylvania/new-attorneys-general-continue-investigating-clergy-abuse-20190118.html
Crime/Punishment
‘This is Lower South. I know everything there is to know’: Corrupt Bucks County judge pleads guilty
http://www.philly.com/news/john-waltman-judge-lower-southampton-corruption-robert-hoopes-bernard-rafferty-michael-savona-20190118.html
Mercer County DA Miles Karson found guilty on obstruction, oppression charges
https://triblive.com/local/regional/14519372-74/mercer-county-da-miles-karson-found-guilty-on-obstruction-oppression-charges
Education
Gun threat closes Upper Merion schools; suspect taken into custody
http://www.philly.com/news/upper-merion-schools-threat-closing-20190118.html
Norwin faces possible $1 million budget deficit
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14519757-74/norwin-faces-possible-1-million-budget-deficit
‘Cookies and Coco’ promotes acceptance at New Kensington-Arnold schools
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14519293-74/cookies-and-coco-promotes-acceptance-at-new-kensington-arnold-schools
Fate of WB Area Purchasing Director in limbo; solicitor can’t offer details
https://www.timesleader.com/news/730848/fate-of-wb-area-purchasing-director-in-limbo-solicitor-cant-offer-details
Wilkes University considers forming campus police department
https://www.timesleader.com/news/730830/wilkes-university-considers-forming-campus-police-department
Wilkes University granted Doctoral University designation
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wilkes-university-granted-doctoral-university-designation-1.2434972
State system must modify
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/state-system-must-modify-1.2434999
Elections/Politics
As Biden mulls 2020 run, his Scranton hometown asks: ‘Can his family go through all this?’
http://www.philly.com/news/joe-biden-trump-scranton-pa-20190118.html
Pa. GOP boss: Republican Party has to get back to its roots
https://www.timesleader.com/news/730856/pa-gop-boss-republican-party-has-to-get-back-to-its-roots
Gaming
Legal sports betting set to launch at Harrah’s in Delco, just in time for the Super Bowl
http://www.philly.com/business/harrahs-philadelphia-chester-set-to-lauch-sportsbook-betting-next-week-20190118.html
Government Shutdown
Casey pushes for end to shutdown
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/casey-pushes-for-end-to-shutdown-1.2434982
Anonymous donor puts up $500,000 for interest-free loans for Philly-area federal employees
http://www.philly.com/news/federal-government-shutdown-hebrew-free-loan-society-20190118.html
Rob Portman’s needed reform: Senator has a plan to end shutdowns for good
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/01/19/Rob-Portman-reform-end-shutdowns-for-good/stories/201901190017
TSA union: ‘Our morale is now at an all-time low’
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14518880-74/tsa-union-our-morale-is-now-at-an-all-time-low
After 16 years as a federal employee, the government shutdown persuaded me to change careers | Opinion
http://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/government-shutdown-federal-workers-furlough-20190118.html
Pa. food stamp recipients get early payments amid government shutdown
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14517898-74/shutdown-prompts-early-payments-warnings-for-food-stamp-recipents
Hundreds turn to Central Pa. food bank due to federal government shutdown
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/01/hundreds-turn-to-central-pa-food-bank-due-to-federal-government-shutdown.html
What have Pennsylvania’s federal lawmakers been doing during the shutdown?
https://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-congress-what-are-they-doing-shutdown-20190117-story.html
Health Care
Ribbon cutting held for new birth center
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/ribbon-cutting-held-for-new-birth-center-1.2434954
Local News
WB mayor: Contractor pulled off creek-wall project won’t be paid
https://www.timesleader.com/news/730850/wb-mayor-contractor-pulled-off-creek-wall-project-wont-be-paid
12 seek vacant county council seat
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/12-seek-vacant-county-council-seat-1.2435123
Luzerne County $5 vehicle registration fee takes effect
https://www.timesleader.com/news/730767/luzerne-county-5-vehicle-registration-fee-takes-effect
County branding survey gets ‘overwhelming’ response
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-branding-survey-gets-overwhelming-response-1.2434926
Scranton St. Patrick’s Day Parade date announced
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-st-patrick-s-day-parade-date-announced-1.2434880
Kutztown barber pays children to read books while they’re in his chair
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/kutztown-barber-pays-children-to-read-books-while-theyre-in-his-chair
National News
Chicago officer gets nearly 7 years for shooting black teen
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2019/01/19/Chicago-officer-gets-nearly-7-years-for-shooting-black-teen/stories/201901200147
More overdose deaths in counties where big pharma spent more on marketing, study finds
http://www.philly.com/business/overdose-deaths-opioid-pharma-marketing-county-linked-study-20190118.html
Reflections on `Roe v. Wade’: Two Philly women on why abortion was the right choice for them | Opinion
http://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/roe-wade-anniversary-abortion-pro-choice-20190118.html
It’s time to give back rights to very young humans | Opinion
http://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/pro-life-philadelphia-roe-anniversary-20190118.html
Decades after `Roe,’ black women are still denied reproductive justice | Opinion
http://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/black-women-maternal-health-abortion-20190118.html
New Jersey
‘I didn’t want him to be buried alone’ — More than 1,000 people attend funeral for Vietnam veteran
http://www.philly.com/news/new-jersey/peter-turnpu-vietnam-vet-military-funeral-died-alone-20190118.html
Philly
2 Philly cops lose jobs after incident with PA state troopers
http://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia-police-pennsylvania-state-police-20190119.html
A passenger’s quick reaction saves a woman who fell onto SEPTA’s subway tracks
http://www.philly.com/transportation/subway-septa-fall-tracks-train-broad-street-line-rescue-20190118.html
We didn’t need a new violence prevention report, but we desperately need oversight | Helen Ubiñas
http://www.philly.com/news/helen-ubias-mayor-kenney-violence-guns-20190118.html
Judge rules that defense attorney won’t be removed from murder case despite DA’s request
http://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia-district-attorney-larry-krasner-homicide-chief-anthony-voci-patricia-cummings-defense-attorney-bill-davis-20190118.html
Blondell Reynolds Brown leaving Philadelphia City Council after two decades
http://www.philly.com/news/blondell-reynolds-brown-philadelphia-city-council-reelection-announcement-20190118.html
As Philly pushes for more medication-assisted drug treatment, thousands of treatment slots are still empty
http://www.philly.com/health/philadelphia-opioids-medication-assisted-treatment-capacity-overdose-crisis-20190118.html
Pitt
Allegheny County Airport Authority wants partial subsidies back from Wow Air
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2019/01/18/Pittsburgh-subsidies-Wow-Air-Iceland-Allegheny-County-Airport-Authority-incentives/stories/201901180121
Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office offering two-week amnesty for bench warrants
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/01/18/Allegheny-County-Sheriff-s-Office-offering-two-week-amnesty-for-bench-warrants/stories/201901180161
Wanted people can clear warrants via Allegheny County’s ‘amnesty program’
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14519305-74/wanted-individuals-can-clear-warrants-through-feb-1-via-allegheny-countys-amnesty
Deputies shoot man during attempted robbery at Homewood Family Dollar
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/01/18/Allegheny-County-Deputies-shoot-man-attempted-robbery-Pittsburgh-Homewood-Family-Dollar/stories/201901180169
Braddock-based nonprofit raising funds to replace van destroyed by fire
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/east/2019/01/18/Braddock-based-nonprofit-raising-funds-to-replace-van-destroyed-by-fire/stories/201901170022
New chief operations officer is last piece of Port Authority administrative team
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2019/01/18/Maurice-Bell-Port-Authority-chief-of-operations-on-time-performance-oversees-drivers-and-maintenance/stories/201901180158
Allegheny County reports first flu death this season, but the numbers are much better than last year
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2019/01/18/Allegheny-County-Pittsburgh-health-department-flu-deaths/stories/201901180124
1st flu death reported in Allegheny County
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14518782-74/1st-flu-death-reported-in-allegheny-county-cases-still-lower-than-last
Pittsburgh students will be treated to a special ‘Hamilton’ experience through education program
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/theater-dance/2019/01/18/Pittsburgh-students-schools-Hamilton-Benedum-education-theater/stories/201901110156
Overbrook residents win round 3 in legal battle with PWSA
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14519145-74/overbrook-residents-win-round-three-in-long-running-legal-battle-with-pwsa
State News
Jim Kelly’s MRI comes back clean of cancer
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2019/01/18/jim-kelly-buffalo-bills-cancer-free-east-brady-nfl-hall-of-fame/stories/201901180164
State DEP says company not complying with order after Beaver County pipeline blast
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2019/01/18/DEP-Energy-Transfer-Beaver-County-pipeline-blast-Revolution-Center/stories/201901200044
Former Penn State, Red Land basketball star found dead in France apartment: Team statement
https://www.pennlive.com/sports/2019/01/jermaine-marshall-former-red-land-penn-state-star-basketball-player-found-dead-in-france-apartment-his-french-team-announces.html
Washington
BuzzFeed report involving Trump, Michael Cohen called ‘not accurate’ by Mueller’s office
http://www.philly.com/politics/nation/michael-cohen-buzzfeed-moscow-tower-donald-trump-impeachment-20190118.html
Trump plans ‘major announcement’ on Saturday on shutdown, border
http://www.philly.com/politics/nation/trump-plans-major-announcement-saturday-shutdown-border-20190119.html
Sen. Casey decides against 2020 presidential bid
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2019/01/18/Senator-Bob-Casey-democrat-decision-2020-presidential-bid/stories/201901180097
Casey cites recent re-election in decision not to run for president
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/casey-cites-recent-re-election-in-decision-not-to-run-for-president-1.2434964