Legislature
Red flag laws and the push for one in Pa., explained
http://www.witf.org/news/2018/12/red-flag-laws-and-the-push-for-one-in-pa-explained.php
Allow cities like Philly and Pittsburgh to make their own gun laws | Editorial
http://www.philly.com/opinion/editorials/pennsylvania-gun-laws-harrisburg-dan-frankel-pre-emption-20181217.html
What’s cooking in Harrisburg: Interesting proposals include a ban on funeral protests
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/whats-cooking-in-harrisburg-interesting-proposals-include-a-ban-on-funeral-protests
Logan supervisor asks for training help
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2018/12/logan-supervisor-asks-for-training-help/
Budget
Fingers crossed on good signs for state budget
http://www.altoonamirror.com/opinion/editorials/2018/12/fingers-crossed-on-good-signs-for-state-budget/
Business
Giant Eagle removes some leaf lettuce from shelves amid E. coli concerns
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14413499-74/giant-eagle-removes-some-leaf-lettuce-from-shelves-amid-e-coli-concerns
Busy shopping plaza locked down for hours following bomb scare
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/busy-shopping-plaza-locked-down-for-hours-following-bomb-scare-1.2422907
Catholic Church
Justice on two fronts: Supreme Court decision both confuses and clarifies
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2018/12/17/Justice-on-two-fronts-Supreme-Court-decision-both-confuses-and-clarifies/stories/201812170020
Crime/Punishment
SCI-Fayette under ‘boil water’ advisory
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/12/16/SCI-Fayette-County-water-main-break-boil-bottled-water-advisory-prison-pennsylvania/stories/201812160186
Education
School districts struggle with rules for administering medical marijuana
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2018/12/15/School-districts-see-medical-marijuana-as-tricky-territory/stories/201812160046
FBI: Alaska gamer behind Lafayette College bomb threat used Russian web service to mask identity
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-lafayette-alaska-man-fbi-affidavit-20181217-story.html
Gaming
Rivers Casino gets OK for sports betting, sets hours of operation
https://triblive.com/local/regional/14408821-74/rivers-casino-gets-ok-for-sports-betting
Health Care
Affordable Care Act ruling creates new anxieties for consumers, health industry
https://triblive.com/usworld/world/14414035-74/affordable-care-act-ruling-creates-new-anxieties-for-consumers-health-industry
Report: Substance abuse up in maternal hospital admissions
https://www.timesleader.com/news/727775/report-substance-abuse-up-in-maternal-hospital-admissions
Local News
Luzerne County flood authority says use of basin for new stormwater project not set in stone
https://www.timesleader.com/news/727761/luzerne-county-flood-authority-says-use-of-basin-for-new-stormwater-project-not-set-in-stone
Joe Maddon’s annual Thankmas dinner held in Hazleton
https://www.timesleader.com/news/727783/joe-maddons-annual-thankmas-dinner-held-in-hazleton
Cubs Manager Maddon hosts annual Thanksmas dinner
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/cubs-manager-maddon-hosts-annual-thanksmas-dinner-1.2422896
Luzerne County approves reduced tax anticipation loan
https://www.timesleader.com/news/727772/luzerne-county-approves-reduced-tax-anticipation-loan
Job cut amid county election bureau confusion
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/job-cut-amid-county-election-bureau-confusion-1.2422892
Fix of backyard holes in Scranton finally on the horizon
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/fix-of-backyard-holes-in-scranton-finally-on-the-horizon-1.2423016
Scranton library director is closing the book on his long career
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-library-director-is-closing-the-book-on-his-long-career-1.2422956
Olyphant to undergo $450,000 electric meter upgrades; phase out meter readers
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/olyphant-to-undergo-450-000-electric-meter-upgrades-phase-out-meter-readers-1.2422911
Greensburg medical marijuana dispensary set to open Thursday
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14413184-74/greensburg-medial-marijuana-dispensary-set-to-open-thursday
When 3 Alle-Kiski Valley YMCAs merge, some will pay more, some less
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14414957-74/when-3-alle-kiski-valley-ymcas-merge-some-will-pay-more-some-less
Leechburg struggles to come to grips with the Diebold saga
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14411814-74/leechburg-struggles-to-come-to-grips-with-the-diebold-saga
Lower Burrell’s budget calls for police raises but no tax increase
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14411835-74/lower-burrells-budget-calls-for-police-raises-but-no-tax-increase
Effort honors memory of soldier, provides for Berks area military families in need
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/effort-honors-memory-of-soldier-provides-for-berks-area-military-families-in-need
Editorial: It’s time to pick up the pace on region’s turnaround
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/its-time-to-pick-up-the-pace-on-regions-turnaround
Cambria Child Advocacy Center awarded grant
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2018/12/cambria-child-advocacy-center-awarded-grant/
National News
The U.S. is ‘working on’ extraditing Gulen, a top Turkish official says
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2018/12/16/US-Trump-working-on-extraditing-Fethullah-Gulen-Turkish-foreign-minister-says/stories/201812160197
Teen vaping boom in U.S., survey finds
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/teen-vaping-boom-in-us-survey-finds
Philly
Despite recent cleanups, Philadelphia schools still expose kids and teachers to asbestos
http://www.philly.com/education/philadelphia-asbestos-schools-cancer-district-toxic-city-sick-schools-20181214.html
‘True colors’ vs. ‘political grandstanding’: War of words erupts from Philly’s two top prosecutors
http://www.philly.com/news/william-bill-mcswain-larry-krasner-jovaun-patterson-philadelphia-district-attorney-justice-department-20181216.html
How Philly is using city jobs to tackle poverty
http://www.philly.com/news/government-jobs-apprentices-civil-service-poverty-20181217.html
Philly’s technology have-nots are increasing and that’s a problem | Editorial
http://www.philly.com/opinion/editorials/comcast-digital-divide-philly-20181216.html
Pitt
Group serves community with food, toys and laughter
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/12/16/Jada-House-International-Group-serves-community-with-food-toys-and-laughter-Goodfellows/stories/201812220001
A landmark suffers: It’s time for the old Kaufmann’s to start a new life
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2018/12/16/A-landmark-suffers-It-s-time-for-the-old-Kaufmann-s-to-start-a-new-life/stories/201812160086
County residents praise quality of life but still worry about race relations, quality of air and drinking water
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2018/12/16/Allegheny-County-quality-of-life-University-of-Pittsburgh-University-Center-for-Social-and-Urban-Research/stories/201812130146
New director takes over leadership at Literacy Pittsburgh
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2018/12/17/Literacy-Pittsburgh-Carey-Harries-Don-Block-executive-director-students-adult-education/stories/201812160081
Goodfellows: For Homewood family, the hopes of a traditional Christmas in jeopardy
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/12/17/Goodfellows-Gwen-Felicia-Carter-Homewood-family-Christmas-jeopardy/stories/201812170025
Details about Elizabeth Borough police chief’s leave are sparse
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/12/17/Elizabeth-Borough-police-chief-Tim-Butler-community-shopping-leave-mystery/stories/201812130163
Miniature horses make big impact on local community
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14414599-74/miniature-horses-make-big-impact-on-local-community
Allegheny County inmate who died identified as 59-year-old man
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14412256-74/dead-allegheny-county-inmate-identified
State News
Cops shop with kids for Christmas
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/cops-shop-with-kids-for-christmas-1.2422795
State right to curb leakage
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/state-right-to-curb-leakage-1.2422759
A seller’s market: Great market for sellers, not so much for potential buyers
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/12/a-sellers-market-great-market-for-sellers-not-so-much-for-potential-buyers.html
Transportation
Getting rail service restarted between Reading and Philly is a steep grade to climb
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/getting-rail-service-restarted-between-reading-and-philly-is-a-steep-grade-to-climb
Washington
White House digs in on border wall demand, risking shutdown
http://www.philly.com/politics/nation/white-house-digs-border-wall-demand-risking-shutdown-20181216.html
Middle class families need a livable wage that’s specific to their needs | Opinion
http://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/brian-fitzpatrick-pennsylvania-congressman-livable-wage-20181216.html