Legislature
Pa.’s tax climate ranked 29th in U.S.
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2020/01/02/Pennsylvania-ranked-29th-among-states-US-property-tax/stories/202001020164
Reminder: Pennsylvania’s ‘Do Not Call’ list is now permanent
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/reminder-pennsylvanias-do-not-call-list-is-now-permanent/
Rep. DiGirolamo ‘bittersweet’ about leaving state office for county seat
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20200103/rep-digirolamo-bittersweet-about-leaving-state-office-for-county-seat
In 2019, thousands of Pa. workers lost their jobs with little notice. Our lawmakers can fix that. | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/warn-act-job-loss-unemployment-labor-20200103.html
Emissions testing: Time for some needed adjustments
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/01/03/Emissions-testing-Time-for-some-needed-adjustments/stories/201912200076
Administration
Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf unveils mental health initiative that aims to ‘end the stigma’
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/pa-gov-tom-wolf-unveils-mental-health-initiative-that-aims-to-end-the-stigma.html
New Wolf admin plan aims to reduce stigma of mental illness, encourage people to seek help
https://www.penncapital-star.com/health-care/new-wolf-admin-plan-aims-to-reduce-stigma-of-mental-illness-encourage-people-to-seek-help/
Wolf turns state focus to mental health
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/wolf-turns-state-focus-to-mental-health-1.2578525
Business
3 crashes, 3 deaths raise questions about Tesla’s Autopilot
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/01/03/crashes-deaths-questions-Tesla-Autopilot-self-driving-cars/stories/202001030089
U-Haul International to stop hiring smokers in 21 states
https://www.inquirer.com/business/health/u-haul-international-stop-hiring-smokers-21-states-20200102.html
Area jobless numbers up again in November
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/area-jobless-numbers-up-again-in-november-1.2578382
Crime/Punishment
Sources: The heroin that led to overdoses of 5 women in a Philly-area jail was brought in by a son
https://www.inquirer.com/news/heroin-overdose-delaware-county-jail-smuggled-20200102.html
Convicted murderer died in prison; cause unknown
https://www.timesleader.com/news/767839/convicted-murderer-died-in-prison-cause-unknown
Ridley man free on bail after 11th DUI
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/ridley-man-free-on-bail-after-th-dui/article_2a417800-2dad-11ea-a395-2f1e844d7446.html
Education
Scranton School Board appoints new member
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-school-board-appoints-new-member-1.2578385
Elections/Politics
State Rep. Hill-Evans running for reelection
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/politics/2020/01/02/state-rep-hill-evans-york-countys-only-democrat-running-reelection/2795480001/
Health Care
With no patients to see, Ellwood City hospital parent files for bankruptcy
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2020/01/02/Ellwood-City-Medical-Center-hospital-Americore-bankruptcy-physician-Shapiro/stories/202001020171
State licensing process delays opening of Hempfield hospital
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/state-licensing-process-delays-opening-of-hempfield-hospital/
Retiring CEO John Morahan has shepherded St. Joseph through many changes
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/retiring-ceo-john-morahan-has-shepherded-st-joseph-through-many/article_9f4942f2-2341-11ea-87a0-1b5d844fed3f.html
Obamacare Lawsuit: Why Pa. needs to prepare for the worst | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/obamacare-lawsuit-why-pa-needs-to-prepare-for-the-worst-opinion/
Local News
NeighborWorks to administer modified Scranton homebuyer program
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/neighborworks-to-administer-modified-scranton-homebuyer-program-1.2578698
United Way of Berks County announces summer learning grant opportunities
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/united-way-of-berks-county-announces-summer-learning-grant-opportunities/article_f3e6f4fa-2da8-11ea-88e7-e768cbd5c1b4.html
Jeannette hikes property taxes by almost 6%
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/jeannette-hikes-property-taxes-by-almost-6/
Meeting set on Toby Creek plan
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/meeting-set-on-toby-creek-plan-1.2578629
Griffith pushes for more decisions at first county council meeting
https://www.timesleader.com/news/767887/griffith-pushes-for-more-decisions-at-first-county-council-meeting
Upcoming DAR book fair to benefit county library system
https://www.timesleader.com/news/767885/upcoming-dar-book-fair-to-benefit-county-library-system
W-B native brings magic to sick children
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/w-b-native-brings-magic-to-sick-children-1.2578624
National News
A Texas baby can be removed from life support over her family’s objections, a judge rules
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/01/02/Texas-baby-on-life-support-judge-rules-hospital-can-remove-11-month-old-family/stories/202001020218
Testing drivers for cannabis is hard. Here’s why
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/01/02/Testing-drivers-cannabis-marijuana-high-stoned-DUIs-difficult/stories/202001020157
Philly
Big business in Philly campaigned for ‘real change.’ Change came — but not the kind it wanted.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/philadelphia-chamber-of-commerce-kendra-brooks-20200103.html
North Philadelphia elementary school to remain closed due to asbestos concerns
https://www.inquirer.com/news/asbestos-environmental-hazard-franklin-learning-center-mcclure-20200103.html
Two Mummers who wore blackface ‘are never going to be allowed to march again’ for Froggy Carr Wench Brigade
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/mummers-parade-froggy-carr-blackface-philadelphia-leaders-20200102.html
Philly pays $4 million to settle lawsuit brought by man cleared of murder conviction in 2017
https://www.inquirer.com/news/shaurn-thomas-wrongful-conviction-murder-lawsuit-martin-devlin-paul-worrell-20200102.html
Philly’s average temperatures are rising, along with the overall global trend
https://www.inquirer.com/weather/philadelphia-weather-global-warming-record-heat-20200102.html
I am proof that children shouldn’t be prosecuted in adult court | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/community-bail-fund-youth-sentencing-20200103.html
After latest blackface incident, Mummers should break ties with racist groups | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/mummers-blackface-froggy-carr-racism-parade-20200102.html
Pitt
Fitzgerald, County Council enter new era of coexistence
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/01/02/Fitzgerald-county-council-enter-new-era-of-coexistence/stories/202001020193
Rich Fitzgerald highlights goals for his final term as Allegheny County executive
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/rich-fitzgerald-highlights-goals-for-his-final-term-as-county-executive/
County seeks new air quality regulations to combat unhealthy smog
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/01/02/County-seeks-new-air-quality-regulations-to-combat-unhealthy-smog/stories/202001020140
Fearing climate change and worse air, Allegheny County to propose new pollution regulations
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/fearing-climate-change-and-worse-air-allegheny-county-to-propose-new-pollution-regulations/
Report: 2019 homicides in Pittsburgh lowest in two decades; rest of county struggles to match
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/01/02/Report-2019-homicide-rate-in-Pittsburgh-at-lowest-in-two-decades-Allegheny-County-struggles-to-match/stories/202001020113
3 new Allegheny County Council members sworn in, new president selected
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/3-new-allegheny-county-council-members-sworn-in-new-president-selected/
Seniors can still use blue, yellow transit cards for Port Authority rides
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/seniors-can-still-use-blue-yellow-transit-cards-for-port-authority-of-allegheny-county-rides/
State News
Superior Court faults order in Scaife trust fund case
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/01/02/Pennsylvania-Superior-Court-faults-order-Richard-Scaife-trust-fund-case/stories/202001020145
Buffalo Creek in running for Pennsylvania River of the Year
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/buffalo-creek-in-running-for-pennsylvania-river-of-the-year/
Here’s what you need to know about getting a Real ID in Pennsylvania
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/here-s-what-you-need-to-know-about-getting-a/article_709d9ca2-2d99-11ea-a4ec-fb38d2b10be3.html
Pennsylvania hunters could see 12 major changes in hunting seasons
https://www.pennlive.com/life/2020/01/pennsylvania-hunters-could-see-12-major-changes-in-hunting-seasons.html
Report on Medical Assistance Transportation Program change highlights impact on current riders
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200103/report-on-medical-assistance-transportation-program-change-highlights-impact-on-current-riders
Transportation
Westmoreland Transit buses run normally after county operations takeover
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-transit-buses-run-normally-after-county-operations-take-over/
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport to concentrate on ground projects
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/wilkes-barre-scranton-international-airport-to-concentrate-on-ground-projects-1.2578696
Turnpike tolls to rise Sunday
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/turnpike-tolls-to-rise-sunday-1.2578534
PennDOT to replace drainage pipe on Forgedale Road in Rockland Township to alleviate flooding
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/penndot-to-replace-drainage-pipe-on-forgedale-road-in-rockland/article_6854a66a-2da5-11ea-852f-47ba6f12db07.html
Washington
‘Reconsider’ Roe v. Wade, over 200 members of Congress ask the Supreme Court
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/01/02/Roe-v-Wade-200-members-Congress-ask-Supreme-Court-reconsider-abortion/stories/202001020216
World News
Iran vows ‘harsh’ response to U.S. killing of top general
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2020/01/03/Iran-vows-harsh-response-US-killing-of-top-general-iraq/stories/202001030086