Legislature

Lindsey Williams gives GOP evidence she says will prove when she moved to Pennsylvania
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2018/12/10/Lindsey-Williams-gives-GOP-evidence-she-says-will-prove-when-she-moved-to-Pennsylvania/stories/201812100159

Court rejects another plea from pipeline foes
https://www.dailylocal.com/business/court-rejects-another-plea-from-pipeline-foes/article_52cbd8f4-fcc3-11e8-963e-13f3eff6a1be.html

Pipeline lien threat against property owners dropped
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/pipeline-lien-threat-against-property-owners-dropped

Pa. bill aimed at opioid epidemic could be named after Johnstown baby who died after parents’ overdose
https://www.tribdem.com/news/pa-bill-aimed-at-opioid-epidemic-could-be-named-after/article_e7bb248d-c09b-568d-b37c-49af2b38ded7.html

When a new tax collector elected himself in a Pa. town, chaos ensued
http://www2.philly.com/business/tax-collector-jeffrey-cutler-east-lampeter-pa-lancaster-county-20181211.html

State Rep. Vanessa Brown asks trial judge to overturn bribery conviction
http://www2.philly.com/news/vanessa-brown-convicted-philadelphia-legislator-bribery-appeal-20181210.html

State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown appeals conviction
http://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/state-rep-vanessa-lowery-brown-appeals-conviction/article_3eb2da7d-f6ab-53b7-a794-778f952b78ec.html

Business

Small Business Administration could be reaching more people. Here’s a bill that could help and some tips to hook up
http://www2.philly.com/business/sba-small-business-linda-mcmahon-pennsylvania-new-jersey-20181211.html

General Carbide to add 100 jobs in $14 million expansion at its Hempfield facility
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14391714-74/general-carbide-to-add-100-jobs-in-14-million-expansion-at-its

Adidas facility hosting open house today
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/adidas-facility-hosting-open-house-today-1.2420499

Plan to rebuild Panera Bread in W-B Twp. moves forward
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/plan-to-rebuild-panera-bread-in-w-b-twp-moves-forward-1.2420491

New manufacturing facility to bring 30 jobs to Blair County
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2018/12/new-manufacturing-facility-to-bring-30-jobs-to-blair-county/

Catholic Church

Pa. diocese says abuse scandal has cost it $21M since ’99
https://hosted.ap.org/thetimes-tribune/article/b31bd4d15eb44942ac4569f2eb429ef7/pa-diocese-says-abuse-scandal-has-cost-it-21m-99

Abuse scandal has cost Altoona-Johnstown diocese $21.5 million, bishop says
https://www.tribdem.com/news/abuse-scandal-has-cost-altoona-johnstown-diocese-million-bishop-says/article_ca48dbd8-fcd8-11e8-8d50-bfe6cf29d73e.html

Preserving due process
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/preserving-due-process-1.2420381

Crime/Punishment

The man in charge of Pa.’s commutation system says it’s broken. Can it be fixed?
http://www2.philly.com/news/commutation-pennsylvania-board-pardons-josh-shapiro-mike-stack-lifers-20181211.html

Lawyers for Wilkinsburg mass shooting defendants seek to have case dismissed
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/12/10/cheron-Shelton-Wilkinsburg-robert-Thomas-cookout-mass-shooting-allegheny-county-patrick-miller/stories/201812100138

Female Westmoreland County Prison inmate’s death at hospital under investigation
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14390711-74/female-inmates-death-at-westmoreland-county-prison-under-investigation

Berks County Prison inmate lawsuit alleges gender discrimination
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-county-prison-inmate-suit-alleges-gender-discrimination

Education

Two-thirds of Pa. high schools are falling short of state’s 2030 graduation goal
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/12/two-thirds-of-pa-high-schools-are-falling-short-of-states-2030-graduation-goal.html

Abington Heights educator named Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/abington-heights-educator-named-pennsylvania-teacher-of-the-year-1.2420515

Abington Heights students mentor refugees
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/abington-heights-students-mentor-refugees-1.2420531

Faced with deficit, Scranton board discusses options at hearing
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/faced-with-deficit-scranton-board-discusses-options-at-hearing-1.2420429

North Schuylkill to implement Safe2Say program
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/north-schuylkill-to-implement-safe2say-program-1.2420388

Heidelberg to hire school resource officer for Conrad Weiser
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/heidelberg-to-hire-school-resource-officer-for-conrad-weiser

Upset school board member hires a lawyer for unwed, pregnant teacher fired by Catholic school
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/12/upset_school_board_member_hire.html

Pennsylvania court: School bus video of altercation can be a public record
https://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-nws-school-bus-video-public-20181210-story.html

Erie School District’s state-ordered plan coming in 2019
http://www.goerie.com/news/20181211/erie-school-districts-state-ordered-plan-coming-in-2019

Disabled students at Edinboro are pitted against the school that has been their champion
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2018/12/10/Edinboro-University-Pennsylvania-State-System-Higher-Education-attendant-care-disabilities/stories/201812050135

Seton Hill launches fall 2019 nursing degree program
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14391662-74/seton-hill-launches-fall-2019-nursing-degree-program

Alvernia University announces new president
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/alvernia-university-announces-new-president

Elections/Politics

Solomon jumps into 37th District Senate race
https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/solomon-jumps-into-th-district-senate-race/article_a066f848-fc8a-11e8-a426-6353414270ae.html

Judge calls petition that could have changed vote totals in 49th District ‘fatally defective’
https://observer-reporter.com/news/election/judge-calls-petition-that-could-have-changed-vote-totals-in/article_0e2d1866-fca0-11e8-bf2a-3f3737ceceb1.html

State to highlight several new voting systems at Moosic expo
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/state-to-highlight-several-new-voting-systems-at-moosic-expo-1.2420362

Gaming

Video, other details from Hempfield mini casino public hearing available on state website
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14389943-74/video-other-details-from-hempfield-mini-casino-public-hearing-available-on-state

Health Care

To fix staffing crises, hospitals in Pa. and beyond must listen to nurses | Opinion
http://www2.philly.com/opinion/commentary/nursing-shortage-pennsylvania-state-nurses-association-20181210.html

As enrollment deadline nears, Sen. Casey urges uninsured to sign up for ACA plan
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2018/12/10/ACA-Sen-Bob-Casey-open-enrollment-navigator-budget-reduction/stories/201812100127

Pennsylvania bans tobacco, vapes at 6 state hospitals
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/14392769-74/pennsylvania-bans-tobacco-vapes-at-6-state-hospitals

W-B General nurses mulling another strike
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/w-b-general-nurses-mulling-another-strike-1.2420391

Updated Pa. guidelines: All ERs should treat addicted patients with medication
http://www.witf.org/news/2018/12/updated-pa-guidelines-all-ers-should-treat-addicted-patients-with-medication.php

Open enrollment for Affordable Care Act health plans closes Saturday
http://www.timesonline.com/news/20181210/open-enrollment-for-affordable-care-act-health-plans-closes-saturday

Local News

Tax increase unclear in county budget vote
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/tax-increase-unclear-in-county-budget-vote-1.2420430

Luzerne County government litigation settlements proposed
https://www.timesleader.com/news/727213/luzerne-county-government-litigation-settlements-proposed

Back Mountain communities also paying more for stormwater mandate
https://www.timesleader.com/news/727206/back-mountain-communities-also-paying-more-for-stormwater-mandate

Metz Culinary Management raises $38,727.18 for Dinners for Kids program
https://www.timesleader.com/news/727199/metz-culinary-management-raises-38727-18-for-dinner-for-kids-program

County will hire firm to probe election director controversy
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-will-hire-firm-to-probe-election-director-controversy-1.2420432

Tragic Hanover Twp. fire kills 3, injures 1
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/tragic-hanover-twp-fire-kills-3-injures-1-1.2420510

AG opens investigation into suspended Dunmore police chief
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/ag-opens-investigation-into-suspended-dunmore-police-chief-1.2420321

State AG’s office will retry Westmoreland County sheriff
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/12/10/Westmoreland-County-sheriff-Jonathan-Held-retry-mistrial-Pennsylvania-Josh-Shapiro/stories/201812100117

Authorities warn residents of utility scam
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/authorities-warn-residents-of-utility-scam-1.2420415

Westmoreland Sheriff Held will be retried in corruption case
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14390923-74/westmoreland-sheriff-held-will-be-retried-in-corruption-case

New Kensington holds the line on taxes for next year
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14392206-74/new-kensington-holds-the-line-on-taxes-for-next-year

Berks County officials unveil latest weapon against gun violence
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-county-officials-unveil-latest-weapon-against-gun-violence

Reading City Council approves 2019 budget with no tax increases
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-city-council-approves-2019-budget-with-no-tax-increases

Does Harrisburg need an economic development director? Council to dig into mayor’s 2019 budget proposal
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/12/does-harrisburg-need-an-economic-development-director-council-to-dig-into-mayors-2019-budget-proposal.html

Safe Berks receives $1.7 million donation to pay off mortgage
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/safe-berks-receives-17-million-donation-to-pay-off-mortgage

Allentown budget showdown is on, and it may not end until 11:59 p.m. Saturday
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-budget-amendment-final-20181207-story.html

National News

Man, woman arrested in Ohio for plotting massacres; one said he admired accused Tree of Life shooter
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/12/10/FBI-Toledo-planned-attack-arrests-Tree-of-Life-synagogue-massacre-damon-joseph/stories/201812100120

Natural Gas

Gas drilling worker alleges sexual harassment, sues firm with East Huntingdon ties
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14390894-74/gas-drilling-worker-alleges-sexual-harassment-sues-firm-with-ties-to-mt

Opioid Crisis

Prescriptions — and overdoses — are skyrocketing for anti-anxiety drugs that make opioids even more lethal
http://www2.philly.com/health/benzodiazepines-addiction-philadelphia-opioid-crisis-20181210.html

Philly

Philly to come out $42 million behind in sale of jilted police HQ property
http://www2.philly.com/real-estate/commercial/police-headquarters-sale-price-provident-mutual-west-philadelphia-20181210.html

Following a $165K windfall, Kenney cracks down on public land flipping
http://www2.philly.com/news/mayor-kenney-philadelphia-vacant-land-flip-vprc-20181210.html

North Philly’s Junior Barber Academy teaches kids the basics of barbering and entrepreneurship
http://www2.philly.com/business/north-philadelphia-junior-barber-academy-barbershop-p-michael-boone-20181211.html

We’re not hearing the full truth on city’s financial deals | Editorial
http://www2.philly.com/opinion/editorials/police-headquarters-bart-blatstein-kenney-nutter-20181211.html

Kensington High’s cell-phone ban: What readers and the principal had to say after my last column | Ronnie Polaneczky
http://www2.philly.com/columnists/kensington-high-school-cell-phone-ban-philadelphia-20181210.html

Philly millennials want houses someday, but many still need help from parents to pay rent
http://www2.philly.com/real-estate/philadelphia-millennials-rent-home-ownership-parents-help-20181211.html

Isaiah Thomas, 34, announces third bid for City Council seat
http://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/isaiah-thomas-announces-third-bid-for-city-council-seat/article_dd5e9e48-de1a-54ba-8875-287ba120f558.html

‘Caroling With a Cop’ aims to spread cheer, ease tensions
http://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/caroling-with-a-cop-aims-to-spread-cheer-ease-tensions/article_3099b129-e378-5e38-bd77-9bbdcc6181f8.html

Pitt

City Council to introduce e-waste recycling bill Tuesday
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/12/10/Pittsburgh-City-Council-ewaste-electronic-tv-computer-legislation-pennsylvania/stories/201812100107

A helping hand: Josh Harrison’s parting generosity inspires
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2018/12/11/A-helping-hand-Josh-Harrison-s-parting-generosity-inspires/stories/201812110024

Pitcairn firefighter arrested after officials vote to disband department
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14392460-74/pitcairn-firefighter-arrested-after-officials-vote-to-disband-department

Woman struck by bus near Pitt in Oakland
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14390573-74/woman-struck-by-bus-near-pitt-in-oakland

McCandless council will give suspended chief, lieutenant chance to respond to accusations before meting out discipline
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14393402-74/mccandless-council-will-give-suspended-chief-lieutenant-chance-to-respond-to-accusations

McCandless police investigation completed, but chief, lieutenant remain on leave
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/north/2018/12/10/McCandless-police-investigation-completed-but-chief-lieutenant-remain-on-leave/stories/201812100134

State News

Supreme Court opts not to take on Planned Parenthood funding issues at state level
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2018/12/supreme-court-opts-not-to-take-on-planned-parenthood-funding-issues-at-state-level.html

Transportation

Westmoreland Transit hits bus operator with more fines worth $60K
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14390774-74/westmoreland-transit-hits-bus-operator-with-more-fines

Westmoreland Transit gives its approval to county comprehensive plan
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14390758-74/westmoreland-transit-gives-its-approval-to-county-comprehensive-plan

AAA report predicts low gas prices in Western Pa., but not into 2019
https://triblive.com/local/regional/14391693-74/aaa-report-predicts-low-gas-prices-in-western-pa-but-not-into

Restrictions scheduled for I-476 tunnel
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/restrictions-scheduled-for-i-476-tunnel-1.2420453

Editorial: Toll on Pennsylvania Turnpike must be fixed, and soon
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-toll-on-pennsylvania-turnpike-must-be-fixed-and-soon

Washington

House Democrats aren’t ready to impeach Trump just yet
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2018/12/10/Democrats-House-say-President-Donald-Trump-may-impeachable-offenses-not-ready/stories/201812100176

Which gun bills could be important in Congress next year?
http://www2.philly.com/news/congress-gun-control-20181211.html

Pa. senators hold the key to federal prison reform | Opinion
http://www2.philly.com/opinion/commentary/prison-reform-pennsylvania-senators-20181210.html

The Senate should finish the job on bipartisan criminal justice bill | Editorial
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2018/12/the-senate-should-finish-the-job-on-bipartisan-criminal-justice-bill-editorial.html