News Digest :: November 10, 2018

State

How deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl took over Pennsylvania

https://observer-reporter.com/news/regional/how-deadly-synthetic-opioid-fentanyl-took-over-pennsylvania/article_16e5dfe2-7cac-5a73-9e6a-017afd53445b.html

Business

Highmark Health CEO David Holmberg’s take-home pay doubled to $5.55M in 2017

https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14273311-74/highmark-health-ceo-david-holmbergs-take-home-pay-doubled-to-555m-in-2017

40 more Sears and Kmart stores to close, including Stroud Mall Sears

https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/40-more-sears-and-kmart-stores-to-close-including-stroud-mall-sears-1.2408658

Take a look inside FedEx Ground’s sprawling Lehigh Valley hub

https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/index.ssf/2018/11/take_a_look_inside_fedex_groun.html#incart_river_index

Transportation

Pennsylvania among states with most train fatalities

https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/norfolk-southern-spreads-safety-message-in-reading

Education

Pitt changes Victory Lights at Cathedral of Learning to protect birds

https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14275539-74/pitt-changes-victory-lights-at-cathedral-of-learning-to-protect-birds

Mt. Pleasant Area teachers to urge school board to support contract recommendations

https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14275194-74/mt-pleasant-area-teachers-to-urge-school-board-to-support-contract-recommendations

Elections/Politics

Latinos encouraged by election turnout in Reading

https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/latinos-encouraged-by-election-turnout-in-reading

Investigation under way over Lehigh County voting irregularity

https://www.mcall.com/news/elections/mc-nws-lehigh-county-vote-twice-opportunity-20181109-story.html

Here’s how Lancaster County is counting and certifying the last few votes from Election Day

https://lancasteronline.com/news/politics/here-s-how-lancaster-county-is-counting-and-certifying-the/article_9753793e-e466-11e8-9708-7f2e02a74576.html

Election results in Pa., Rust Belt hint at cracks in Trump’s coalition

http://www2.philly.com/philly/news/politics/election-results-midterms-trump-democrats-pa-mi-wi-20181109.html

Healthcare

More seniors could qualify for Medicare drug assistance program

https://www.mcall.com/business/healthcare/mc-nws-pa-medicare-pharmacy-assistance-20181109-story.html

Philly

Mayor Kenney announces 2018 Philly Holiday Festival events

http://www2.philly.com/philly/entertainment/2018-philly-holiday-festival-events-20181109.html

To bolster academics, Philly schools turning to the outdoors

http://www2.philly.com/philly/education/outward-bound-philly-schools-ninth-grade-academies-20181110.html

Philly’s Khepera Charter School loses appeal, plans to close next year

http://www2.philly.com/philly/education/khepera-charter-school-philadelphia-closing-20181109.html

Pittsburgh

Another children’s fund ballot initiative unlikely as supporters continue fight for funds

https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14275425-74/another-childrens-fund-ballot-initiative-unlikely-as-supporters-continue-fight-for-funds

Tom Hanks, Michael Keaton join Pittsburgh rally for synagogue shooting victims

https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14275191-74/tom-hanks-michael-keaton-join-pittsburgh-rally-for-synagogue-shooting-victims

Local

Bethlehem could see a tax hike next year

https://www.mcall.com/news/local/bethlehem/mc-nws-bethlehem-mayor-donchez-budget-20181108-story.html

One city fee may go up, another hike scrapped

https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/one-city-fee-may-go-up-another-hike-scrapped-1.2408843

From coal to solar: Former mine land could become panel farm

https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/from-coal-to-solar-former-mine-land-could-become-panel-farm-1.2408842

Luzerne Co. Children and Youth audit problems continue

https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/luzerne-co-children-and-youth-audit-problems-continue-1.2408821

Slate Belt police form youth activities organization

https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/slate-belt/index.ssf/2018/11/slate_belt_police_form_youth_a.html#incart_river_index

Fueled by pension spike, Bethlehem taxes proposed to rise for 2019

https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/index.ssf/2018/11/fueled_by_pension_spike_bethle.html#incart_river_index

National

Trump’s new move to limit asylum challenged in court

http://www.witf.org/news/2018/11/trumps-new-move-to-limit-asylum-challenged-in-court.php