Legislature
Confused about REAL ID? This Q&A session could help
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14539793-74/real-id-workshop-planned-for-friday-in-millvale
Editorial: Criminal justice reform takes an important step in Pa.
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-criminal-justice-reform-takes-an-important-step-in-pa
Pa. Senate Democrats reviewing complaint about State Sen. Daylin Leach
http://www.philly.com/news/pa-senator-daylin-leach-investigation-sexual-assault-cara-taylor-teenager–20190125.html
Senate Democrats launch investigation of 1991 sexual misconduct claim against Sen. Daylin Leach
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/01/senate-democrats-launch-investigation-of-1991-sexual-misconduct-claim-against-sen-daylin-leach.html
Pa. State Rep. facing sexual assault investigation by Dauphin County DA’s office
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/01/pa-state-rep-facing-sexual-assault-allegation-dauphin-county-das-office-is-leading-investigation.html
State representative from Western Pa. under investigation for alleged assault
http://www.philly.com/news/pa-lawmaker-investigation-district-attorney-woman-incapacitated-20190124.html
Administration
Pa. Lt. Gov. John Fetterman to gauge interest in legalizing recreational marijuana
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2019/01/24/Pa-Lt-Gov-John-Fetterman-to-gauge-interest-in-legalizing-recreational-marijuana/stories/201901240140
Fetterman to launch statewide listening tour on merits of recreational pot
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/14539519-74/fetterman-to-launch-statewide-listening-tour-on-merits-of-recreational-pot
Lt. Gov. John Fetterman’s first official assignment: Take Pa. residents’ pulse on legalizing pot
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/01/lt-gov-john-fettermans-first-official-assignment-take-pa-residents-pulse-on-legalizing-pot.html
Business
New life for former Sears Auto Center
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/new-life-for-former-sears-auto-center-1.2437299
Pottstown-based Sly Fox plans to expand to Pittsburgh, Malvern
https://www.readingeagle.com/money/article/sly-fox-planning-four-new-locations
Kunzler plant expansion stalled by DEP permits
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2019/01/kunzler-plant-expansion-stalled-by-dep-permits/
Catholic Church
Diocese of Scranton, abuse victims face risks with compensation fund
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/diocese-of-scranton-abuse-victims-face-risks-with-compensation-fund-1.2437359
Crime/Punishment
What did Antwon Rose II have on his hands, in his pocket, under his seat? DA doesn’t want jurors to know
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/01/24/antwon-rose-homicide-police-officer-michael-rosfeld-evidence-gun-allegheny-county-east-pittsburgh/stories/201901240036
Female motorist stopped by man pretending to be a police officer in Ruscombmanor, troopers say
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/female-motorist-stopped-by-man-pretending-to-be-a-police-officer-in-ruscombmanor-troopers-say
State police issued close to 1K citations to commercial drivers during recent storm
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/2019/01/state-police-issued-close-to-1k-citations-to-commercial-drivers-during-recent-storm.html
Education
New Kensington-Arnold teachers show up en masse to remind board a contract isn’t done
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14541395-74/new-kensington-arnold-teachers-show-up-en-masse-to-remind-board-that-contract
Hempfield High student to face charges after allegedly issuing threat
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14540177-74/hempfield-high-student-facing-charges-after-allegedly-issuing-threat
New statewide tip line catches Hazleton student’s gun threat, police say
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-pennsylvania-safe-to-say-20190124-story.html
Teen in custody after gun threat
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/teen-in-custody-after-gun-threat-1.2437243
HA school board freezes hirings through June
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/ha-school-board-freezes-hirings-through-june-1.2437274
Army brings STEM semi to Meyers
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/army-brings-stem-semi-to-meyers-1.2437219
‘Do The Right Thing’: Wilkes students urged to follow Dr. King’s message
https://www.timesleader.com/news/731393/do-the-right-thing-wilkes-students-urged-to-follow-dr-kings-message
Elections/Politics
Special election for Marino seat set
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/special-election-for-marino-seat-set-1.2437276
Hawaii’s Gabbard formally launches campaign for president
http://www.philly.com/politics/nation/hawaiis-gabbard-formally-launches-campaign-president-20190124.html
Government Shutdown
Senate blocks 2 bills to end government shutdown; Trump demands ‘down payment’ on border wall
http://www.philly.com/politics/nation/government-shutdown-bills-senate-mcconnell-schumer-house-20190124.html
‘This is your fault’: GOP senators clash over shutdown inside private luncheon
http://www.philly.com/politics/gop-senators-clash-government-shutdown-luncheon-20190125.html
Shutdown raising risk of breakdown in U.S. aviation system: officials
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/01/shutdown-raising-risk-of-breakdown-in-us-aviation-system-officials.html
Philly labor will rally Friday at the airport in support of TSA officers
http://www.philly.com/news/tsa-officer-rally-philadelphia-airport-wildcat-strike-20190124.html
412 Food Rescue and other food groups ramp up aid for furloughed federal workers
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/dining/2019/01/24/412-Food-Rescue-pop-up-food-distribution-government-shutdown-pittsburgh/stories/201901240117
UPDATED: Shutdown and out: These Lehigh Valley businesses and others offer help to federal workers
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-biz-business-helping-federal-workers-shutdown-20190124-story.html
How the U.S. government shutdown is delaying SBA loans to firms like Rosati’s, putting small business growth ‘on ice’
http://www.philly.com/business/phillydeals/trump-federal-shutdown-sba-small-business-loans-20190124.html
TSA workers nearing 2nd missed pay check find work in basement of Tree of Life shirt maker
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2019/01/24/Federal-workers-shutdown-Tree-of-Life-shirt-maker-123shirt/stories/201901240119
AVP air traffic controllers call for end to shutdown
https://www.timesleader.com/news/731377/avp-air-traffic-controllers-call-for-end-to-shutdown
Church to distribute food Friday, Sunday
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/church-to-distribute-food-friday-sunday-1.2437404
Casey, Toomey split in votes on bills to end shutdown
https://www.readingeagle.com/ap/article/casey-toomey-split-in-votes-on-bills-to-end-shutdown
Trump says grocery stores, banks will give furloughed workers a break during shutdown
http://www.philly.com/politics/nation/trump-shutdown-wilbur-ross-furloughed-workers-grocery-stores-banks-20190125.html
Health Care
WB General nurses, hospital agree to continue negotiations with strike date looming
https://www.timesleader.com/news/731409/wb-general-nurses-hospital-agree-to-continue-negotiations-with-strike-date-looming
Wilkes-Barre General nurses seek city’s support in ongoing contract negotiations
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wilkes-barre-general-nurses-seek-city-s-support-in-ongoing-contract-negotiations-1.2437284
Coordinated Health breaks ground on new Dickson City hospital
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/coordinated-health-breaks-ground-on-new-dickson-city-hospital-1.2437362
Local News
Westmoreland Club buys church to restore as event space
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/westmoreland-club-buys-church-to-restore-as-event-space-1.2437234
Judges hear Lackawanna County’s objections to lawsuit seeking tax reassessment
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/judges-hear-lackawanna-county-s-objections-to-lawsuit-seeking-tax-reassessment-1.2437368
Joint zoning correct model
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/joint-zoning-correct-model-1.2437182
Union Avenue, Sycamore Street eyed for new trees in Harrison
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14540583-74/union-avenue-sycamore-street-eyed-for-new-trees-in-harrison
Vandergrift proposes more handicap parking spaces for residents
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14538488-74/vandergrift-proposes-more-handicap-parking-spaces-for-residents
Berks County commissioners allocate $1 million for farmland preservation
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-county-commissioners-allocate-1-million-for-farmland-preservation/1
Crumbling smokestack in Womelsdorf set for demolition
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/crumbling-smokestack-in-womelsdorf-set-for-demolition
Long-empty Allentown State Hospital, facing the wrecking ball, is a haunting spot
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-allentown-state-hospital-tour-20190122-story.html
Chester Water Authority Board OKs 10 percent rate hike
https://www.delcotimes.com/business/chester-water-authority-board-oks-percent-rate-hike/article_31659e8e-203b-11e9-8de0-2b87047d038d.html
National News
Study: Teen suicide rates higher in states where gun ownership is common
http://www.philly.com/news/youth-suicide-gun-ownership-study-20190125.html
Florida’s secretary of state resigns after blackface photos surface
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2019/01/24/Florida-Secretary-of-State-Michael-Ertel-resigns-blackface-photos-surface/stories/201901240193
Trump associate Stone arrested, faces obstruction charge
https://triblive.com/news/adminpage/14542181-74/trump-associate-stone-arrested-faces-obstruction-charge
Report: Ohio pipeline damaged in explosion part of same system damaged in 2016 incident
https://triblive.com/local/regional/14539855-74/report-ohio-pipeline-damaged-in-explosion-part-of-same-system-damaged-in
Natural Gas
Fiscal office: 2018 impact fees hit record high
https://observer-reporter.com/business/fiscal-office-impact-fees-hit-record-high/article_138c4746-2004-11e9-8a84-0f58be8c8d43.html
Natural gas impact fee revenue expected to be up this year, agency says
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/14539525-74/natural-gas-impact-fee-revenue-expected-to-be-up-this-year-agency
Impact fee collected from gas drillers expected to reach new record
http://www.witf.org/news/2019/01/impact-fee-collected-from-gas-drillers-expected-to-reach-new-record.php
Opioid Crisis
Penn reduces opioid use after spine surgery
http://www.philly.com/health/penn-surgery-spine-opioids-reduce-20190125.html
Philly
At least half of Philly’s recycling goes straight to an incinerator
http://www.philly.com/science/climate/recycling-costs-philadelphia-incinerator-waste-to-energy-plant-20190125.html
Giant’s first downtown Philly store, Heirloom Market, is opening Friday
http://www.philly.com/news/giant-heirloom-market-food-grocery-philadelphia-bainbridge-20190125.html
South Carolina foster care group can reject gays, Jews. What does it mean for Philly?
http://www.philly.com/news/foster-care-south-carolina-waiver-miracle-hill-catholic-social-services-dhs-lgbtq-20190124.html
Work begins on bringing down Amtrak’s iconic flipboard
http://www.philly.com/news/amtrak-schedule-board-flipboard-brendan-boyle-oat-foundry-20190124.html
Philadelphia’s finally going after straw gun buyers. It’s about time. | Editorial
http://www.philly.com/opinion/editorials/gun-felon-straw-buyer-district-attorney-larry-krasner-philadelphia-pittsburgh-massacre-20190125.html
Philadelphia’s deteriorating school building conditions are a human rights issue | Opinion
http://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-school-conditions-pft-20190124.html
Mayor’s Office of Black Male Engagement needs a makeover | Opinion
http://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/office-black-male-engagement-philadelphia-jim-kenney-20190124.html
Pitt
City council hearing echoed with Tree of Life sorrows, gun rights vows
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/01/24/gun-laws-pittsburgh-city-county-building-lobby-hearing-firearms-industry-consulting-group-bill-peduto/stories/201901240116
Residents argue for and against Pittsburgh gun ban during public hearing
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14540688-74/residents-argue-for-and-against-pittsburgh-gun-ban-during-public-hearing
Squirrel Hill homes evacuated over landslide fears
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/01/24/Squirrel-Hill-homes-evacuated-over-landslide-fears-rosemont-lane/stories/201901240212
Joe Starkey: Duquesne’s Israeli hockey player the perfect point man in fight against hate
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/joe-starkey/2019/01/24/Joe-Starkey-Duquesne-s-Israeli-hockey-player-the-perfect-point-man-in-fight-against-hate/stories/201901240204
Tamburitzans will leave building but not Pittsburgh, official says
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14540861-74/tamburitzans-will-leave-building-but-not-pittsburgh-official-says
Pittsburgh Marathon CEO to step down in May
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14540069-74/p3r-ceo-to-step-down-in-may
State News
Beaver County airman Dylan Elchin laid to rest in Arlington National Ceremony
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2019/01/24/Dylan-elchin-beaver-county-afghanistan-war-Arlington-National-Ceremony/stories/201901240114
Forward progress: Pa. is doing more for residents with disabilities
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/01/25/Forward-progress-Pa-is-doing-more-for-residents-with-disabilities/stories/201901250051
Former Gov. Tom Ridge: Americans deserve secure borders and a productive economy | Opinion
http://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/immigration-border-security-government-shutdown-20190125.html
AG DePasquale calls recent Israel trip a ‘life-changing experience’
https://www.timesleader.com/news/731403/ag-depasquale-calls-recent-israel-trip-a-life-changing-experience
Kaufer, DePasquale discuss bipartisan group’s Israel visit
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/kaufer-depasquale-discuss-bipartisan-group-s-israel-visit-1.2437296
Red Cross issues emergency call for blood donors
https://www.timesleader.com/news/731411/red-cross-issues-emergency-call-for-blood-donors
272 area code to become local call
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/272-area-code-to-become-local-call-1.2437405
An offensive against one of the spotted lanternfly’s favorite trees
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/an-offensive-against-one-of-the-spotted-lanternflys-favorite-trees
Pa. Supreme Court’s pending ruling on railroad vote could have bigger implications
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/01/legal_battle_over_who_gets_to_1.html
Apply now for Pennsylvania property tax/rent rebate program
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/apply-now-for-pennsylvania-property-taxrent-rebate-program
State College shooting update: identities of suspect, victims released
https://www.centredaily.com/news/local/crime/article225064305.html
Gunman kills 2 men in separate shootings in State College, then kills himself
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/2019/01/gunman-kills-2-men-in-separate-shootings-in-state-college-then-kills-himself.html
Transportation
Historic Westmoreland County covered bridge damaged in hit-and-run
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14539206-74/historic-westmoreland-county-covered-bridge-damaged-in-hit-and-run
PennDOT crews respond to large crack in Penn Township road
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14538632-74/penndot-crews-respond-to-large-crack-in-penn-township-road
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton airport finishes second best year
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/wilkes-barre-scranton-airport-finishes-second-best-year-1.2437038
Planners take a look at region’s worst intersections
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/planners-take-a-look-at-region-s-worst-intersections/article_d0c9659a-c748-5aa0-bb88-f4c0a7113076.html