Legislature

MontCo lawmaker’s mandatory minimum bill is unlikely to reduce gun violence, opponents say
https://www.penncapital-star.com/paforward/montco-lawmakers-mandatory-minimum-bill-is-unlikely-to-reduce-gun-violence-opponents-say/

Turzai to exit; cue reforms
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/turzai-to-exit-cue-reforms-1.2587685

Plan for new teacher evaluations would limit impact of standardized tests
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/plan-for-new-teacher-evaluations-would-limit-impact-of-standardized/article_dcd2664c-37b1-11ea-bafc-2f663f7ccb6d.html

Editorial: Pennsylvania needs stronger law on motorists’ cellphone use
https://www.readingeagle.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-pennsylvania-needs-stronger-law-on-motorists-cellphone-use/article_1a8ba74c-3c6b-11ea-a28d-272e9152ffbb.html

Rep. Rigby named deputy chairman of committee
https://www.tribdem.com/news/rep-rigby-named-deputy-chairman-of-committee/article_513f45c4-40bb-11ea-a7b1-5f12b052aeda.html

Business

She fractured her spine after the car ran a red light. Uber said she signed away her rights to a jury trial.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/uber-arbitration-lawsuit-clause-terms-philadelphia-injury-20200127.html

Crime/Punishment

Lackawanna County Prison board mulling policy for inmate tablet use
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/lackawanna-county-prison-board-mulling-policy-for-inmate-tablet-use-1.2587711

Education

Six area school districts receive state computer grants
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20200127/six-area-school-districts-receive-state-computer-grants

Guest substitutes help fill the gap as the number of teachers declines
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/01/27/Guest-substitutes-help-fill-the-gap-full-time-teachers-decline-Pennsylvania/stories/202001260019

Threat closes Plum Borough School District
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/threat-closes-plum-borough-school-district/

Flawed hazing reports: Some schools don’t list all incidents
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/01/26/Flawed-hazing-reports-Some-schools-don-t-list-all-incidents/stories/202001210033

Elections/Politics

How does a Republican lead on election night and still lose Pennsylvania? It’s called the `blue shift’
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/pennsylvania-2020-election-blue-shift-20200127.html

Westmoreland’s political future could hinge on outcome of 58th District special election
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmorelands-political-future-could-hinge-on-outcome-of-58th-district-special-election/

GOP newcomer hopes to replace Turzai
https://www.witf.org/2020/01/25/gop-newcomer-hopes-to-replace-turzai/

Health Care

Prescription drug markups make it difficult to determine savings
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/prescription-drug-markups-make-it-difficult-to-determine-savings-1.2587814

Pharmacy benefit managers practices cause delay in prescriptions
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/pharmacy-benefit-managers-practices-cause-delay-in-prescriptions-1.2587798

Pharmacy benefit manager practices put independent pharmacies on brink
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/pharmacy-benefit-manager-practices-put-independent-pharmacies-on-brink-1.2587421

Local News

Roast of the Rev. Sica raises $35K for American Cancer Society
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/roast-of-the-rev-sica-raises-35k-for-american-cancer-society-1.2587846

Families putt to support library programs at mini-golf event
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/families-putt-to-support-library-programs-at-mini-golf-event-1.2587856

Alle-Kiski Valley churches hold 52nd annual Martin Luther King memorial service
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/alle-kiski-valley-churches-hold-52nd-annual-martin-luther-king-memorial-service/

Westmoreland County animal response team hosts training for regional firefighters, EMTs
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/county-animal-response-team-hosts-training-for-regional-firefighters-emts/

Seven Luzerne County Transportation Authority board applicants state their credentials
https://www.timesleader.com/news/770718/seven-luzerne-county-transportation-authority-board-applicants-state-their-credentials

Luzerne County Councilman criticizes use of word ‘corrupt’
https://www.timesleader.com/news/770714/luzerne-county-councilman-criticizes-use-of-word-corrupt

Fate of historic stone bridge in Ashley remains in limbo
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/fate-of-historic-stone-bridge-in-ashley-remains-in-limbo-1.2587755

Vehicle fee hearing set for Tuesday
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/vehicle-fee-hearing-set-for-tuesday-1.2587756

Under the cover of darkness, volunteers count the Lehigh Valley’s homeless
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-lehigh-valley-homeless-point-in-time-count-20200126-gtk7uq3hqrcdrjv5bj343mwp5y-story.html

National News

Kobe Bryant rose from Lower Merion superstar to NBA legend with Los Angeles Lakers | Obituary
https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/kobe-bryant-dead-helicopter-crash-los-angeles-lakers-lower-merion-nba-20200126.html

Kobe Bryant, daughter among 9 dead in helicopter crash near Los Angeles
https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/kobe-bryant-dead-helicopter-crash-los-angeles-20200126.html

Philadelphia mourns Kobe Bryant’s death: ‘We lost another one of our own’
https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/kobe-bryant-dead-helicopter-crash-fans-philadelphia-lower-merion-20200126.html

Lower Merion ‘lost its heartbeat’ with Kobe’s copter crash
https://www.delcotimes.com/sports/lower-merion-lost-its-heartbeat-with-kobe-s-copter-crash/article_964bc6ea-409f-11ea-9c4c-df1da7c1c8f8.html

‘Fire in the spacecraft!’: The Apollo 1 tragedy that killed three astronauts in 1967
https://www.pennlive.com/life/2020/01/fire-in-the-spacecraft-the-apollo-1-tragedy-that-killed-three-astronauts-in-1967.html

Philly

Cities should stop driving away food trucks | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/food-trucks-camden-philadelphia-unwelcome-ban-20200127.html

New Philly archbishop wore flannel, escaped the nuns for dinner, and other stories from his time at St. William
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-archbishop-nelson-perez-lawncrest-st-william-20200127.html

Philadelphia Chinatown welcomes the Year of the Rat with New Year’s Lion Dance parade
https://www.inquirer.com/news/chinese-new-year-coronavirus-philadelphia-20200126.html

St. Christopher’s Hospital real estate to be bought by Philadelphia developer Iron Stone
https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/st-christophers-hospital-iron-stone-real-estate-independence-penn-20200127.html

As summer camp panic increases for parents, Philly government can help ease the pain | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-summer-camp-rec-center-mayor-kenney-20200126.html

Pitt

Port Authority ‘listening tour’ on major decisions begins Wednesday
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/01/26/Port-Authority-public-meetings-free-transfers-fare-capping-start-Wednesday-David-L-Lawrence-Convention-Center/stories/202001240156

Steven Crichley: Pittsburgh police deserve better
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2020/01/27/Steven-Crichley-Pittsburgh-police-deserve-better/stories/202001250002

Dreams of Hope awarded $35K to support arts programs
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/dreams-of-hope-awarded-35k-to-support-arts-programs/

State News

Farmers, conservation districts applaud rollback of Obama-era clean water rule
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/farmers-conservation-districts-applaud-rollback-of-obama-era-clean-water-rule/

What are Pa.’s most — and least — educated towns? How does yours compare?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/what-are-pas-most-and-least-educated-towns-how-does-yours-compare.html

Monroe County first responders awarded grants
https://www.poconorecord.com/news/20200126/monroe-county-first-responders-awarded-grants

Aqua America introduces new name as it completes acquisition, PA customers will see no changes
https://www.dailylocal.com/business/aqua-america-introduces-new-name-as-it-completes-acquisition-pa/article_1c13747c-cf25-509c-9bf8-ce8f9c499d1c.html

Transportation

Mild winter boosts highway maintenance on Berks County roads
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/mild-winter-boosts-highway-maintenance-on-berks-county-roads/article_3c13cf1c-3e1d-11ea-9029-5b79d6269ef2.html

Washington

Bolton reportedly writes in drafts of his book that Trump tied Ukraine aid to a Biden probe
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2020/01/26/John-Bolton-book-Trump-Ukraine-aid-Biden-probe-report/stories/202001260178

White male rage is Team Trump’s only response to impeachment. We shouldn’t put up with this | Will Bunch
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/snl-white-male-rage-trump-impeachment-pompeo-20200126.html

Pennsylvania lawmaker aims to stamp out hair-based discrimination
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/pennsylvania-lawmaker-aims-to-stamp-out-hair-based-discrimination/

World News

Auschwitz death camp was liberated 75 years ago
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2020/01/auschwitz-death-camp-was-liberated-75-years-ago.html

Recalling a horror’s end: Auschwitz liberation came 75 years ago today
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/01/27/Auschwitz-liberation-75-years-ago-remembrance/stories/202001240070