Legislature
State lawmakers propose property tax relief for longtime Pittsburgh homeowners
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14531961-74/state-lawmakers-propose-property-tax-relief-for-longtime-pittsburgh-homeowners
New Legislation Would Offer Tax Relief For Longtime Residents Of Gentrifying Neighborhoods
https://www.wesa.fm/post/new-legislation-would-offer-tax-relief-longtime-residents-gentrifying-neighborhoods
Pittsburgh politicians and constituents call on Sen. Pat Toomey to reopen federal government
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/pittsburgh-politicians-and-constituents-call-on-sen-pat-toomey-to-reopen-federal-government/Content?oid=13239663
Rally outside Sen. Toomey’s Pittsburgh office calls for an end to shutdown
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14531922-74/rally-outside-sen-toomeys-pittsburgh-office-calls-for-an-end-to-shutdown
Booking a vacation home online? Prepare to pay Pa. tax on it
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/01/booking-a-vacation-home-online-prepare-to-pay-pa-tax-on-it.html
New education leaders in Pa. Legislature seek to reduce role of state tests
http://www.witf.org/news/2019/01/leaders-in-pa-legislature-seek-to-reduce-role-of-state-tests-increase-accountability-for-cyber-chart.php
‘My heart has not been in this’: State senator on his surprise resignation
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/01/sen-rich-alloway-talks-about-his-impending-resignation.html
Lawmakers try out new way of assessing impact of state dollars
http://www.witf.org/state-house-sound-bites/2019/01/lawmakers-try-out-new-way-of-assessing-impact-of-state-dollars.php
Editorial: Drug crisis demands more accountability on treatment
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-drug-crisis-demands-more-accountability-on-treatment
End state base pay subsidy
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/end-state-base-pay-subsidy-1.2436446
The state must act: Decisive action could preserve health care access
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/01/23/The-state-must-act-Decisive-action-could-preserve-health-care-access/stories/201901230041
Bob Casey must work with Republicans to provide border security |By Sen. Jake Corman / Sen. Joe Scarnati
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/01/bob-casey-must-work-with-republicans-to-provide-border-security-opinion.html
Redistricting/Gerrymandering
Gerrymandering reform nationally could be in for a rocky road in 2019 | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/01/gerrymandering-reform-nationally-could-be-in-for-a-rocky-road-in-2019-opinion.html
Business
‘We weren’t told’: Clairton residents demand action after Coke Works fire caused dangerous emissions
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2019/01/22/Clairton-residents-stay-hot-about-coke-plant-fire/stories/201901220166
EQT outlines plan to ward off Rice brothers’ campaign for taking over
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2019/01/22/EQT-outlines-plan-to-ward-off-Rice-brothers-campaign/stories/201901220090
Aramark tweaks top bosses’ pay structure to please shareholders, but that may not be enough
http://www.philly.com/business/aramark-executive-pay-changes-proxy-annual-meeting-20190123.html
Sears warehouse closing; 121 to lose jobs
https://www.timesleader.com/news/731212/sears-warehouse-closing-121-to-lose-jobs
Sears files layoff notice for warehouse workers
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/sears-files-layoff-notice-for-warehouse-workers-1.2436534
Here’s why February could be a slow month for supermarkets
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/here-s-why-february-could-be-a-slow-month-for-supermarkets-1.2436641
Sunoco’s Mariner East 1 pipeline shut down after new sinkhole found
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/sunoco-s-mariner-east-pipeline-shut-down-after-new-sinkhole/article_c3d71066-1e8f-11e9-af8f-9f8c6111d445.html
Catholic Church
Program launched to compensate clergy sex abuse victims
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2019/01/22/Pittsburgh-Roman-Catholic-Compensation-Program-launched-clergy-sex-abuse-victims-scandal/stories/201901220149
Scranton diocese launches victims compensation fund
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-diocese-launches-victims-compensation-fund-1.2436435
Diocese of Scranton launches compensation program for sex-abuse survivors
https://www.timesleader.com/news/731188/diocese-of-scranton-launches-independent-survivors-compensation-program
Crime/Punishment
Rosfeld jury to come from Dauphin County in Antwon Rose shooting death
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/01/22/Michael-Rosfeld-jury-Dauphin-County-Antwon-Rose-change-venire-homicide-pennsylvania-East-Pittsburgh/stories/201901220091
Police: Don’t fall for scam artists posing as FOP reps; hang up
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14534072-74/police-dont-fall-for-scam-artists-posing-as-fop-reps-hang-up
W-B cop accused of on-duty sex assaults
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/w-b-cop-accused-of-on-duty-sex-assaults-1.2436521
Greenfield supervisor, son face federal charges
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/greenfield-supervisor-son-face-federal-charges-1.2436202
Bethlehem police chief: ‘We’re not jumping out of bushes on people smoking weed’
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/bethlehem/mc-nws-bethlehem-marijuana-arrests-20190122-story.html
Education
Penn Hills School District, facing $10.9M budget shortfall, accepts state oversight
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14533428-74/penn-hills-school-district-facing-109m-budget-shortfall-accepts-state-oversight
Penn Hills School District, facing $10.9M budget shortfall, accepts state oversight
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14533428-74/penn-hills-school-district-facing-109m-budget-shortfall-accepts-state-oversight
Highlands School District hopes pay boost will attract nurses, union says
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14531991-74/highlands-hoping-pay-boost-will-attract-nurses-union-says
Auditor general to hold Scranton School District forum tonight
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/auditor-general-to-hold-scranton-school-district-forum-tonight-1.2436586
Nurses begin taking online courses through new program at central Pa. university
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/01/nurses-begin-taking-online-courses-through-new-program-at-central-pa-university.html
Elections/Politics
Pete Buttigieg joins the Democratic race for the 2020 presidential nomination
http://www.philly.com/politics/pete-buttigieg-democratic-race-presidential-nomination-20190123.html
Gaming
Why Harrah’s casino in Chester is replacing 187 slot machines with Topgolf’s Swing Suites
http://www.philly.com/business/harrahs-philadelphia-opens-sportsbook-new-attractions-gaming-competition-pennsylvania-20190122.html
Good news for casinos, bad news for us | Editorial
http://www.philly.com/opinion/editorials/casinos-gambling-sports-betting-pennsylvania-racehorse-20190122.html
Government Shutdown
Government shutdown posing ‘risks to national security,’ FBI agents say in 72-page report
http://www.philly.com/news/government-shutdown-fbi-immigration-border-trump-20190122.html
The FBI Agents Association details how the shutdown is hindering investigative work
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/01/22/FBI-Agents-Association-government-shutdown-counterterrorism-drug-investigations/stories/201901220183
Independence Visitor Center cuts days due to government shutdown
http://www.philly.com/news/government-shutdown-independence-visitor-center-philadelphia-liberty-bell-20190122.html
Hundreds of IRS workers skip work, citing hardship
http://www.philly.com/politics/hundreds-irs-workers-skip-work-hardship-government-shutdown-20190123.html
Senate sets up showdown votes on shutdown plans
http://www.philly.com/politics/nation/senate-sets-up-showdown-votes-shutdown-plans-20190123.html
Good faith: Democrats must strike a deal with Trump on immigration
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/01/23/Democrats-must-strike-deal-Donald-Trump-immigration-government-shutdown/stories/201901230037
Berks air traffic controllers feel the financial strain of a government shutdown
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-air-traffic-controllers-feel-the-financial-strain-of-a-government-shutdown
Union for social workers in Berks calls for end to shutdown
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/union-for-social-workers-in-berks-calls-for-end-to-shutdown
Health Care
WB General nurses set one-day strike date of Feb. 13 if no new deal reached
https://www.timesleader.com/news/731184/wbgh-nurses-set-strike-date-of-feb-13-if-no-new-contract-reached
Nurses at W-B General set 1-day strike
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/nurses-at-w-b-general-set-1-day-strike-1.2436551
Local News
George attends first work session as W-B mayor
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/george-attends-first-work-session-as-w-b-mayor-1.2436533
Luzerne County settles litigation with former budget/finance deputy
https://www.timesleader.com/news/731233/luzerne-county-settles-litigation-with-former-budget-finance-deputy
Apollo ready to fill secretary, solicitor vacancies
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14532302-74/apollo-ready-to-fill-secretary-solicitor-vacancies
Armstrong County residents invited to try new voting machines
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14531745-74/armstrong-county-residents-able-to-try-out-candidates-for-new-voting-machines
Erie County homes in short supply
https://www.goerie.com/news/20190123/erie-county-homes-in-short-supply
National News
Judge declares Iowa fetal heartbeat law unconstitutional
http://www.philly.com/news/nation-world/judge-declares-iowa-fetal-heartbeat-law-unconstitutional-20190123.html
Supreme Court to take up first case on gun rights in 9 years
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/01/supreme-court-to-take-up-first-case-on-gun-rights-in-9-years.html
Philly
Stealing from the dead
http://www.philly.com/news/a/house-sales-fraud-theft-philadelphia-real-estate-dead-owners-william-johnson-20190124.html
Philly property owner asked about his tax abatement and got sudden reassessment. Was it legal?
http://www.philly.com/news/assessment-land-value-abatement-casnoff-opa-philadelphia-20190123.html
How the Hebrew Israelites who preach on Philly sidewalks are connected to the MAGA confrontation at the Lincoln Memorial
http://www.philly.com/news/black-hebrew-israelites-maga-hat-teens-lincoln-memorial-street-preaching-20190122.html
Trader Joe’s eyeing site near Pa. Convention Center for second Philly store
http://www.philly.com/real-estate/commercial/trader-joes-arch-street-convention-center-20190122.html
Kimmel Center scraps plan for tower above Merriam Theater
http://www.philly.com/news/merriam-theater-tower-plan-scrapped-kimmel-center-pa-pennsylvania-ballet-20190122.html
Philly DA’s Office: Mumia Abu-Jamal case not affected by recently discovered files
http://www.philly.com/news/mumia-abu-jamal-files-boxes-appeal-larry-krasner-da-ron-castille-20190122.html
Watered-down ‘good cause’ eviction bill now Philly law
http://www.philly.com/news/eviction-good-cause-philadelphia-displacement-gentrification-20190122.html
Why we should be paying attention to how the world sees Philly | Editorial
http://www.philly.com/opinion/editorials/philadelphia-international-newspapers-health-trade-20190123.html
Beverage tax provides resources for Philadelphians who need it most | Opinion
http://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-beverage-tax-soda-jim-kenney-city-council-20190122.html
High-stakes voting machine decision deserves more scrutiny | Opinion
http://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-voting-machines-city-commissioners-20190122.html
Pitt
Proposed gun bills in Pittsburgh bring sparks ahead of Thursday hearing
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/01/22/Words-are-exchanged-between-city-council-Peduto-and-DA-Zappala-ahead-of-anticipated-gun-legislation-hearing/stories/201901220134
Mayor Bill Peduto critical of DA’s letter challenging Pittsburgh’s proposed gun ban
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14531487-74/peduto-critical-of-das-letter-challenging-pittsburghs-proposed-gun-ban
Pittsburgh considers moving Thursday’s public hearing on gun ban bills
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14532038-74/pittsburgh-considers-moving-thursdays-public-hearing-on-gun-ban-bills
Want to live behind the produce terminal? Strip District townhouses in demand despite price tag
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2019/01/22/Strip-townhouses-in-high-demand-behind-the-produce-terminal/stories/201901220048
Jay-Z appearance at Pitt game wows Panthers, Duke
https://triblive.com/sports/college/pitt/14533909-74/oh-my-god-thats-him-jay-z-appearance-at-pitt-game-wows
Pittsburgh defense attorney pleads guilty to covering up OD death
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/01/22/Kevin-Abramovitz-defense-attorney-Pittsburgh-Allegheny-County-plea-heroin-overdose/stories/201901220101
Botched SWAT raid would cost Pittsburgh $80,000 under proposed legal settlement
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14531970-74/botched-swat-raid-would-cost-pittsburgh-80000-under-proposed-legal-settlement
Pittsburgh police promote longtime sergeant to command staff
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14532410-74/pittsburgh-police-promote-longtime-sergeant-to-command-staff
State News
Harris Wofford, civil rights activist who helped Kennedy win White House, dies at 92
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2019/01/22/Harris-Wofford-civil-rights-activist-who-helped-Kennedy-win-White-House-dies-at-92/stories/201901220082
Safe Haven laws are failing women and children | Opinion
http://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/safe-haven-laws-pennsylvania-abandoned-infant-bioethics-20190123.html
Reliving the Knox disaster: Film on mine tragedy debuts to sellout crowd
https://www.timesleader.com/news/731247/reliving-the-knox-disaster-film-on-mine-tragedy-debuts-to-sellout-crowd
Knox Mine Disaster documentary premieres
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/knox-mine-disaster-documentary-premieres-1.2436549
United States of Berks: How Albany, Alsace and Amity townships got their names
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/United-States-of-Berks-How-Albany-Alsace-and-Amity-townships-got-their-names
Make the Road Pa. leader gone, but group still marching forward
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/make-the-road-pa-leader-gone-but-group-still-marching-forward
In a surprise reversal, Pennsylvania throws door wide open for industrial hemp production
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-hemp-program-pennsylvania-update-20190122-story.html
How do prosecutors shut down ‘nuisance bars’ in Pennsylvania?
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-nuisance-bar-explainer-20190123-story.html
Transportation
Passenger injured after ice falls off tractor trailer and crashes through car windshield on I-80
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/passenger-injured-after-ice-falls-off-tractor-trailer-and-crashes-through-car-windshield-on-i-80-1.2436588
Berks fire companies make their case to PennDOT, state police about I-78 traffic control
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-fire-companies-make-their-case-to-penndot-state-police-about-i-78-traffic-control
Washington
Trump says he told Sanders ‘not to bother’ with briefing
http://www.philly.com/politics/nation/trump-says-he-told-sanders-not-bother-with-briefing-20190122.html