Legislature
Former state senator Ted Erickson dies at 80
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/local/former-state-senator-ted-erickson-dies-at/article_67aee34c-137a-11e9-b4d6-7bacddaeaad2.html
Ward joins state Senate GOP leadership
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14482177-74/sen-ward-joins-senate-gop-leadership
Administration
Gov. Wolf sets target of slashing Pa.’s greenhouse gas pollution 80 percent by 2050
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2019/01/08/Wolf-Pennsylvania-greenhouse-gas-carbon-climate/stories/201901080082
Gov. Tom Wolf’s emissions plan well received in state’s environmental circles
http://www.timesonline.com/news/20190108/gov-tom-wolfs-emissions-plan-well-received-in-states-environmental-circles
Attacking climate change: Cap and trade in Pa. is a good place to start
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2019/01/09/Attacking-climate-change-Cap-and-trade-in-Pa-is-a-good-place-to-start/stories/201812070026
It’s a good thing Gov. Tom Wolf’s inauguration is happening outside the Capitol East Wing and not inside it
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/01/its-a-good-thing-gov-tom-wolfs-inauguration-is-happening-outside-the-capitol-east-wing-and-not-inside-it.html
Business
Planet Fitness to open in East Huntingdon
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14484424-74/planet-fitness-to-open-in-east-huntingdon
Rite Aid to close Irwin store in February
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14483102-74/rite-aid-to-close-irwin-store-in-february
Bakehouse owner cites health issues in decision to close
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/bakehouse-owner-cites-health-issues-in-decision-to-close-1.2431141
Discount chain buys local Toys R Us stores
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/discount-chain-buys-local-toys-r-us-stores-1.2431077
General Dynamics to upgrade tanks
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/general-dynamics-to-upgrade-tanks-1.2430994
Crime/Punishment
Where’s Johnny Bobbitt? He fails to appear in court after his arrest in GoFundMe scam
http://www.philly.com/news/new-jersey/johnny-bobbitt-homeless-man-gofundme-scam-nj-court-charges-20190108.html
Shapiro: Serious drug ring shut down
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2019/01/shapiro-serious-drug-ring-shut-down/
Education
Wyomissing High School ranked 9th in Pennsylvania
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/wyomissing-high-school-ranked-9th-in-pennsylvania
Berks County student wins grand prize in lanternfly poster contest, honored at Farm Show
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-county-student-wins-grand-prize-in-lanternfly-poster-contest-honored-at-farm-show
Reading School District says man tried to lure elementary students
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-school-district-says-man-tried-to-lure-elementary-students
Harrisburg, Central Dauphin schools could lose millions to railroad in tax dispute
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/01/harrisburg-cd-schools-could-lose-millions-to-railroad-in-tax-dispute.html
What’s next for Innovative Arts Academy Charter School?
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/catasauqua/mc-nws-catasauqua-innovative-arts-whats-next-20190108-story.html
Editorial: Keystone Scholars program a smart idea for state
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/keystone-scholars-program-a-smart-idea-for-state
Schools stuck waiting: Enforce or change federal law on medical weed
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2019/01/09/Schools-stuck-waiting-Enforce-or-change-federal-law-on-medical-weed/stories/201812200054
St. Vincent-Carlow to offer collaborative nursing program
https://triblive.com/local/regional/14482484-74/st-vincent-carlow-to-offer-collaborative-nursing-program
20 graduate from Montgomery County career training program
http://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20190108/20-graduate-from-montgomery-county-career-training-program
Gaming
Parx becomes second Philly casino to launch sports betting
http://www.philly.com/business/sports-betting-parx-casino-philly-launch-20190108.html
Erie casino hopes for February approval of sports betting
http://www.goerie.com/news/20190109/erie-casino-hopes-for-february-approval-of-sports-betting
Government Shutdown
Food stamp benefits safe for now, despite shutdown, officials say
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/01/08/Food-stamp-benefits-shutdown-USDA-Sonny-Perdue/stories/201901080128
Federal workers rally in Philly to protest shutdown
http://www.philly.com/news/federal-shutdown-rally-philadelphia-trump-20190108.html
Philadelphia federal workers demand end to shutdown
http://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/philadelphia-federal-workers-demand-end-to-shutdown/article_5fe79f00-3bd6-5490-9a5d-2541563688eb.html
SHUTDOWN: LOCAL LEGISLATORS
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/shutdown-local-legislators-1.2431147
Health Care
NEPA hospitals now list prices online
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/nepa-hospitals-now-list-prices-online-1.2431212
Cold and flu season prompts visitation guideline changes at Commonwealth Health hospitals
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/cold-and-flu-season-prompts-visitation-guideline-changes-at-commonwealth-health-hospitals-1.2430976
Local News
County council declares vacancy, approves lawsuit settlements
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-council-declares-vacancy-approves-lawsuit-settlements-1.2431119
Luzerne County Council settles litigation involving prison-elevator deaths
https://www.timesleader.com/news/729710/luzerne-county-council-settles-litigation-involving-prison-elevator-deaths
City council to consider insurance coverage plan
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/city-council-to-consider-insurance-coverage-plan-1.2431071
No stormwater fee in NY despite repeated discharges of untreated wastewater
https://www.timesleader.com/news/729704/no-stormwater-fee-in-ny-despite-repeated-discharges-of-untreated-wastewater
Wilkes-Barre council questions payment for golf-course netting
https://www.timesleader.com/news/729702/wilkes-barre-council-questions-payment-for-golf-course-netting
Woman accused of smashing her way into borough office
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/woman-accused-of-smashing-her-way-into-borough-office-1.2431035
Digging for fix of big holes in backyards in Scranton to start
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/digging-for-fix-of-big-holes-in-backyards-in-scranton-to-start-1.2431136
Lackawanna County government’s new home in the Globe
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-government-s-new-home-in-the-globe-1.2430992
School board should adopt council code
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/school-board-should-adopt-council-code-1.2431023
Strong winds may have caused gas station canopy to collapse onto vehicles in Monroeville
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/east/2019/01/08/Gas-station-anopy-collapses-on-vehicles-at-Monroeville-Sunoco/stories/201901080139
Tarentum Council considering renaming community garden for Pastor Greg Blythe
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14483198-74/tarentum-council-considering-renaming-community-garden-for-pastor-greg-blythe
Chester County SPCA makes bid to serve municipalities in Berks County
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/chester-county-spca-makes-bid-to-serve-municipalities-in-berks-county
Robesonia votes to pull out of joint police force
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/robesonia-votes-to-pull-out-of-joint-police-force
Reading’s first strategic planning meeting of year goes off topic, often
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/readings-first-strategic-planning-meeting-of-year-goes-off-topic-often
Search for homicide evidence at Berks County landfill halted
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/search-of-berks-county-landfill-halted
Gordon Ramsay dines incognito at Allentown restaurant on latest ’24 Hours to Hell & Back’ episode
https://www.mcall.com/entertainment/tv-watchers/mc-ent-preview-of-24-hours-to-hell-and-back-20190108-story.html
State awards $482,000 for clean water efforts in Erie County
http://www.goerie.com/news/20190108/state-awards-482000-for-clean-water-efforts-in-erie-county
Opioid Crisis
Opioid prescription database helps Pa. doctors find at-risk patients
http://www.witf.org/news/2019/01/opioid-prescription-database-helps-pa-doctors-find-at-risk-patients.php
Philly
In sync with Philly
http://www.philly.com/real-estate/inga-saffron/a/technology-center-height-philadelphia-skyscraper-review-inga-saffron-20190109.html
South Philly dog walker’s death ruled a homicide; investigation continues
http://www.philly.com/news/drew-justice-homicide-dog-walker-south-philly-gold-star-park-20190108.html
3 shot in Fairhill
http://www.philly.com/news/triple-shooting-fairhill-north-philadelphia-20190108.html
‘Doink doink’: How Philly’s celebrating the Bears’ blocked field goal
http://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia/double-doink-doink-eagles-bears-field-goal-cody-parkey-peco-signs-20190108.html
Philly to scale back assessment plans as it improves practices, mayor’s office announces
http://www.philly.com/news/opa-assessment-appeal-kenney-clarke-20190108.html
Frontier Airlines adds five new flights from Philly
http://www.philly.com/business/frontier-airlines-philadelphia-american-flights-las-vegas-20190108.html
Philly politicians have opinions about what you put in your body, whether it’s soda or heroin | Solomon Jones
http://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-safe-injection-site-soda-tax-20190109.html
The true cost of free LinkPHL WiFi might be privacy | Opinion
http://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/link-phl-wifi-kiosks-data-privacy-20190109.html
Pitt
Pittsburgh’s Peduto ‘not offended’ by criticism aimed at him by gun activists
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14482876-74/peduto-not-offended-by-criticism-aimed-at-him-by-gun-activists
What’s next for Pittsburgh’s controversial gun-regulation proposals
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14481804-74/whats-next-for-pittsburghs-controversial-gun-regulation-proposals
Family of special needs student sues Pittsburgh Public Schools over unlawful restraint, lack of support
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/01/08/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-special-education-police-student-discipline-lawsuit/stories/201901070083
Pittsburgh considers renaming portion of riverfront trail after former Mayor Murphy
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14482318-74/pittsburgh-considers-renaming-portion-of-riverfront-trail-after-former-mayor-murphy
Actor Joe Manganiello brings his love of Dungeons and Dragons to kids at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/tv-radio/2019/01/08/Joe-Manganiello-Dungeons-and-Dragons-Childrens-Hospital-Pittsburgh/stories/201901080140
Rich Fitzgerald is running for third term as Allegheny County executive
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/01/08/Rich-Fitzgerald-allegheny-county-executive-election-democrat-pittsburgh/stories/201901080137
Divided council narrowly approves building spending
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/01/08/City-council-Art-Institute-Boulevard-of-the-Allies/stories/201901080134
City to hire ‘STOP the violence’ coordinator
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/01/08/Anti-gun-violence-coordinator-Burgess-shootings-murders/stories/201901080124
Hill House says financial collapse is imminent if it can’t raise cash
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2019/01/09/Hill-House-financial-collapse-imminent-Shop-n-Save-Crazy-Mocha/stories/201901080115
Co-founder of Highland Park consulting firm to fill URA board vacancy
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2019/01/08/Co-founder-of-Highland-Park-consulting-firm-to-fill-URA-board-vacancy/stories/201901080053
Braddock council postpones vote to appoint interim mayor
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14483564-74/braddock-council-postpones-vote-to-appoint-interim-mayor
Nied’s Hotel in Lawrenceville closes after 78 years
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14482618-74/legendary-nieds-hotel-in-lawrenceville-closes-after-78-years
Towering 45 feet above Lawrenceville, NREC’s latest robot is its tallest
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14484707-74/towering-45-feet-above-lawrenceville-nrecs-latest-robot-is-its-tallest
State News
Cash 5 ticket worth $500K sold in Luzerne County
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/cash-5-ticket-worth-500k-sold-in-luzerne-county-1.2431121
Rising suicide rate a cause for despair
https://www.citizensvoice.com/opinion/rising-suicide-rate-a-cause-for-despair-1.2430963
Pennsylvania state inspector general releases report on Department of Aging oversight
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/pennsylvania-state-inspector-general-releases-report-on-department-of-aging-oversight
Peoples Gas unveils high-tech methane leak detection system
http://www.witf.org/news/2019/01/peoples-gas-unveils-high-tech-methane-leak-detection-system.php
Bay restoration gets stormy report card
https://www.post-gazette.com/frontpage/2019/01/08/Bay-restoration-gets-poor-report-card/stories/201901080133
Transportation
Capital Beltway plans include 12-lane I-83: PennDOT
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/01/harrisburg-and-penndot-visions-differ.html
Washington
U.S. House Democrats introduce bill to expand background checks on gun sales
http://www.philly.com/news/expanded-guns-background-checks-pat-toomey-gabby-giffords–20190108.html
Dems block Senate bill on Israel boycotts, citing shutdown
http://www.philly.com/politics/nation/dems-block-senate-bill-israel-boycotts-citing-shutdown-20190108.html
Trump pleads on TV for wall funding to fix the border ‘crisis’; Dems say he ‘stokes fear’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/01/08/Trump-border-wall-address-prime-time-Democrats-want-equal-time-TV-networks-respond/stories/201901080088
In Pennsylvania, support for border wall follows party lines
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/01/08/border-wall-trump-conor-lamb-bob-casey-mike-kelly/stories/201901080158
Pennsylvania politicians react to Trump’s national border security address
https://triblive.com/local/regional/14483678-74/pennsylvania-politicians-react-to-trumps-national-border-security-address
Meuser opens Schuylkill Co. office
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/meuser-opens-schuylkill-co-office-1.2431081
Sen. Toomey moving Harrisburg office next week
https://www.pennlive.com/politics/2019/01/sen-toomey-moving-harrisburg-office-next-week.html