Legislature
Pa. Supreme Court joins lower court and legislature in dismissing poor people’s needs | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/general-assistance-pennsylvania-supreme-court-20200102.html
‘A true visionary’: Philly honors Germantown pastor’s community outreach with street renaming
https://www.penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/a-true-visionary-philly-honors-germantown-pastors-community-outreach-with-street-renaming/
‘Do Not Call’ list now permanent
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/do-not-call-list-now-permanent-1.2578268
Business
Before Wawa found data breach exposing customers’ credit and debit cards, Visa warned it could happen
https://www.inquirer.com/business/wawa-visa-hacks-identity-theft-suits-20200102.html
The labels on your food may be made closer to home than you may think
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2020/01/02/Yerecic-Label-New-Kensington-Art-Yerecic-Josh-Kristin-Elizabeth-produce-meat-labels/stories/201912180103
Will the Lehigh Valley become a hip hub in the next decade? Business leaders predict that and more for the region.
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-lehigh-valley-business-predictions-20200102-bvwnoiurnffe7pbh47ohfo3w24-story.html
Tobacco law sparks confusion at Erie stores
https://www.goerie.com/news/20200102/tobacco-law-sparks-confusion-at-erie-stores
Education
Western Pa. schools raising catfish in 1st-of-its-kind classroom program
https://triblive.com/sports/catfish-in-the-classroom-project-underway-in-southwestern-pa/
Elections/Politics
As more women run for office, child care remains a hurdle
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2020/01/02/As-more-women-run-for-office-child-care-remains-a-hurdle/stories/202001020080
Will America oust Trump or give him four more years? Your guide to the 2020 election
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/01/02/Will-America-oust-Trump-or-give-him-four-more-years-Your-guide-to-the-2020-election/stories/202001020082
Five things keeping Pa. politics hot in 2020 | John Baer
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/five-things-keeping-pa-politics-hot-in-2020-john-baer.html
Health Care
Pennsylvania flu cases increase 56% in 1 week
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/state/pennsylvania-flu-cases-increase-in-week/article_f0a2394c-2d55-11ea-a74f-6f735aa02adb.html
With measles cases rising around the world, facts, not conspiracy theories, are the strongest weapons | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/with-measles-cases-rising-around-the-world-facts-not-conspiracy-theories-are-the-strongest-weapons-opinion/
Local News
First Day Hike draws dozens to Lackawanna State Park
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/first-day-hike-draws-dozens-to-lackawanna-state-park-1.2578263
Just Believe D&A Center faces possible eviction
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/just-believe-d-a-center-faces-possible-eviction-1.2578266
Scranton Cultural Center annual campaign targets elevators
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-cultural-center-annual-campaign-targets-elevators-1.2578369
Small grants to trigger big buy-in
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/small-grants-to-trigger-big-buy-in-1.2578187
West Scranton teen seeks acceptance, awareness of autoimmune disorder
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/west-scranton-teen-seeks-acceptance-awareness-of-autoimmune-disorder-1.2578308
Swearing-in ceremonies set in Chesco
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/swearing-in-ceremonies-set-in-chesco/article_61226c90-2ca3-11ea-9018-0b608308c6d9.html
If you missed a First Day hike in Berks County, you can still start the year off on the right foot
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/if-you-missed-a-first-day-hike-in-berks-county/article_27f11946-2cb0-11ea-ad69-2fd9ec3c9a05.html
A busy New Year for Wilkes-Barre police
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/a-busy-new-year-for-wilkes-barre-police-1.2578215
Keystone Mission partnering with WBS Penguins to help homeless
https://www.timesleader.com/news/767802/keystone-mission-partnering-with-wbs-penguins-to-help-homeless
Final Luzerne County 2020 budget released
https://www.timesleader.com/news/767808/final-luzerne-county-2020-budget-released
Wyoming Valley Striders host 35th annual New Year’s Day training run
https://www.timesleader.com/news/767792/wyoming-valley-striders-host-35th-annual-new-years-day-training-run
Veterans enjoy New Year’s Eve bash
https://www.timesleader.com/news/767798/veterans-enjoy-new-years-eve-bash
Court OKs Dorrance Twp. Development
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/court-oks-dorrance-twp-development-1.2578251
National News
Farmers got billions from taxpayers in 2019, and hardly anyone objected
https://www.witf.org/2020/01/02/farmers-got-billions-from-taxpayers-in-2019-and-hardly-anyone-objected-2/
988, coming soon
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/01/02/988-coming-soon-FCC-proceeds-with-new-three-digit-suicide-hotline/stories/201912200067
New Year’s Eve sees gun violence across nation, concluding record-high year of mass killings
https://www.timesonline.com/zz/news/20200101/new-years-eve-sees-gun-violence-across-nation-concluding-record-high-year-of-mass-killings
Politician who warned about driving drunk is charged with it
https://www.tribdem.com/news/politician-who-warned-about-driving-drunk-is-charged-with-it/article_48dacdbb-1841-5832-bdfb-4a644243049b.html
Philly
Philly logs first shooting deaths of 2020
https://www.inquirer.com/crime/murder-gun-violencephiladelphia-new-years-20200101.html
Philly disqualifies Mummers brigade for ‘use of blackface’ in Gritty-themed costumes
https://www.inquirer.com/news/froggy-carr-mummers-blackface-new-years-day-jim-kenney-20200102.html
Green Aisle Grocery to close its 2 locations
https://www.inquirer.com/food/green-aisle-grocery-close-adam-andrew-erace-passyunk-20200102.html
Robbing Philly of its wealth | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/racial-deed-philadelphia-segregation-african-american-history-20200102.html
Philadelphia’s black teen boys lose so many friends to gun violence. Studying how they grieve might help. l 5 Questions
https://www.inquirer.com/health/gun-violence-black-teen-boys-grief-philadelphia-penn-research-20200102.html
Pitt
Region’s Narcan dose may be waning; more deaths feared as funds dip
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2020/01/02/Narcan-naloxone-Allegheny-County-pharmacists-reimbursement-Pennsylvania-Commission-Crime-Delinquency-UPMC/stories/201912300099
Snow removal now as easy as ordering takeout on your phone
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/tech-news/2020/01/02/lawn-care-on-demand-order-snow-removal-GreenPal-Lawn-Love/stories/201912310118
New Pitt-based research could prevent TB deaths around the world
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/01/01/University-of-Pittsburgh-study-tuberculosis-TB-intravenous-vaccine-effectiveness-JoAnne-Flynn/stories/202001010079
#EssentiallyPittsburgh: My walks through PNC Park on non-game days
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/neighborhood/2020/01/02/Essentially-Pittsburgh-experience-at-PNC-Park/stories/201903290092
Woman dies weeks after being shot in Penn Hills
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/woman-dies-weeks-after-being-shot-in-wilkinsburg/
Port Authority buses use lasers to track bus crowding, shares data with riders
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/port-authority-buses-use-lasers-to-track-bus-crowding-shares-data-with-riders/
State News
20 (plus one) for 2020: Pennsylvanians worth watching in the year ahead
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/20-plus-one-for-20-pennsylvania-people-worth-keeping-an-eye-on-in-the-year-to-come.html
Berks County snowboarder turns attention from Olympics to brain injury
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/berks-county-snowboarder-turns-attention-from-olympics-to-brain-injury/article_d454cfc0-269d-11ea-bf9f-37f772d0f598.html
Transportation
Landslide closes part of Route 51 in Moon Township
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/landslide-closes-part-of-route-51-in-moon-township/
I-83 widening work and Rt. 15 safety ‘U-turns’: Here’s PennDOT’s projects for 2020
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/01/01/interstate-83-widening-work-rt-15-safety-improvements-top-list-2020-construction-projects-penndot/2669738001/
Washington
Coal pensions: Bill provides reassurance to miners
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/01/02/Coal-pensions-Bill-provides-reassurance-to-miners/stories/201912250034
Rep. Cartwright announces over $1M in HHS funds to Rural Health Corp. of NEPA
https://www.timesleader.com/news/767800/rep-cartwright-announces-over-1m-in-hhs-funds-to-rural-health-corp-of-nepa
Houlahan, Scanlon lead in town hall sessions with public
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/local/houlahan-scanlon-lead-in-town-hall-sessions-with-public/article_c8e23f40-2cb2-11ea-9b69-cbd06f17bd31.html