Legislature
10 reasons why marijuana could be legal in Pennsylvania (eventually)
https://www.pennlive.com/expo/news/erry-2018/12/8574d289b46507/10-reasons-why-marijuana-could.html
If you have an old criminal record, today you can finally get a ‘clean slate’ in Pa.
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/12/26/If-you-have-an-old-criminal-record-today-you-can-finally-get-a-Clean-Slate-in-Pa/stories/201812260106
Year-end report shows increase in gun control legislation
http://www.philly.com/news/gun-control-bills-legislation-states-giffords-20181226.html
Local dad, police chief weigh in on new Pa. DUI law
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/local-dad-police-chief-weigh-in-on-new-pa-dui-law-1.2426310
Senate GOP seeks more financial information from Democrat
http://www.witf.org/news/2018/12/senate-gop-seeks-more-financial-information-from-democrat.php
Stop wasting tax money on collecting it
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/stop-wasting-tax-money-on-collecting-it-1.2426218
Administration
Gov. Tom Wolf plans to nominate two administration officials to Cabinet posts
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/12/gov-tom-wolf-seeks-to-nominate-two-administration-officials-to-cabinet-posts.html
Wolf reshuffles cabinet ahead of second term
http://www.philly.com/news/pennsylvania/wolf-reshuffles-cabinet-ahead-second-term-20181227.html
Crime/Punishment
Allegheny County tops list for retail thefts, despite reported statewide decrease
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2018/12/26/Allegheny-County-tops-list-for-retail-thefts-despite-reported-statewide-decrease/stories/201812260124
Convicted ex-Leechburg chief wants house, cash and guns turned over as part of divorce
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14445040-74/convicted-ex-leechburg-chief-wants-house-cash-and-guns-turned-over-as-part
Lawsuit claims Derry man did not receive proper medical care while in custody at Westmoreland County Prison
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14444489-74/lawsuit-claims-derry-man-did-not-receive-proper-medical-care-while-in
Education
Scranton school director Patel quietly sworn in
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-school-director-patel-quietly-sworn-in-1.2426416
Dismissal sought of lawsuit involving football sideline death
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/dismissal-sought-of-lawsuit-involving-football-sideline-death-1.2426269
Drexel’s Calhoun Hall to be renovated into honors dorms with new glass entrance
http://www.philly.com/real-estate/drexel-calhoun-hall-honors-program-dormitory-20181227.html
Pitt program helps lower new graduates’ debt so they can do the same for others
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/12/pitts-pay-it-forward-program-helps-lower-new-graduates-debt-load-so-they-can-do-the-same-for-others.html
Elections/Politics
Democrats in Pa. ‘row offices’ on a collision course for 2022 election
http://www.philly.com/politics/pennsylvania-democrats-josh-shapiro-eugene-depasquale-joe-torsella-governor-senate–20181227.html
After another ‘Year of the Woman,’ how close is PA to gender parity in politics? (Not very)
http://www.philly.com/news/women-pennsylvania-politics-year-of-the-woman-house-senate-congress-20181226.html
Health Care
Pennsylvania lawmakers ask CMS to help seniors facing end of Highmark-UPMC agreement
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2018/12/26/Pennsylvania-Casey-Toomey-UPMC-Highmark-consent-decrees-expiration-separation-network-Medicare-Medicaid/stories/201812260123
Citizens School of Nursing to hold open house at its new home in the Pittsburgh Mills mall
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14444559-74/citizens-school-of-nursing-to-hold-open-house-at-its-new-home
Local News
Luzerne County releases final 2019 budget
https://www.timesleader.com/news/728616/luzerne-county-releases-final-2019-budget
WB Police distribute tickets for goodwill — lottery tickets
https://www.timesleader.com/news/728602/w-b-police-distribute-tickets-for-goodwill-lottery-tickets
Lackawanna River trail organization plans new section in Dickson City
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-river-trail-organization-plans-new-section-in-dickson-city-1.2426329
CAN DO: No problem with Humboldt water
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/can-do-no-problem-with-humboldt-water-1.2426280
‘Abusive and hostile work environment’: 2 women file federal lawsuit against Delaware County
http://www.philly.com/news/pennsylvania/delaware-county-emergency-services-karen-mcintyre-julie-burke-lawsuit-20181226.html
Sidney Crosby painting nets $10K for Officer Brian Shaw scholarship
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14444557-74/sidney-crosby-painting-nets-10k-for-brian-shaw-scholarship
Reading church celebrates first day of Kwanzaa
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-church-celebrates-first-day-of-kwanzaa
Berks County ordered to turn over documents in possible Berks Heim sale
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-county-ordered-to-turn-over-documents-in-possible-berks-heim-sale
Reading Parking Authority: DoubleTree parking agreement is invalid
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-parking-authority-doubletree-parking-agreement-is-invalid
Marijuana
Cannabis facility planned for Scott Twp. needs extension
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/cannabis-facility-planned-for-scott-twp-needs-extension-1.2426414
Berks DA sees medical marijuana complicating DUI enforcement
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-da-sees-medical-marijuana-complicating-dui-enforcement
Legal marijuana industry had banner year in 2018
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/legal-marijuana-industry-had-banner-year-in-2018
National News
The real crisis at the border? Two dead children. | Editorial
http://www.philly.com/opinion/editorials/trump-border-alonzo-death-children-immigration-20181227.html
New Jersey
A week after dreadlocks controversy, cheers for Buena Regional High School wrestler
http://www.philly.com/news/new-jersey/buena-regional-high-school-new-jersey-board-meeting-andrew-johnson-alan-maloney-wrestling-dreadlocks-20181226.html
Opioid Crisis
ODs are down amid signs of recovery in hard-hit neighborhoods, but the region’s opioid binge still leaves a trail of heartache.
https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/blog/needle-in-the-family-tree-opioids-family-overdose-recovery-pains/
Philly
Getting a home improvement loan in Philly is harder when you’re low-income or a minority, study shows
http://www.philly.com/real-estate/housing/philadelphia-home-improvement-loan-bank-low-income-minority-federal-reserve-study-20181227.html
Sprawling apartment complex planned for Northeast Philly site near former Franklin Mills
http://www.philly.com/real-estate/franklin-philadelphia-mills-apartments-mm-management-20181227.html
Philadelphia International could’ve become the ‘ugly stepsister hub’ after American-U.S. Air merger
http://www.philly.com/business/american-airlines-philadelphia-us-air-airport–20181227.html
Wins and losses for Philly labor in 2018
http://www.philly.com/business/philly-labor-unions-workers-trends-20181227.html
Philly, let’s steal an idea | Opinion
http://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/jeremy-nowak-urban-innovation-award-ideas-we-should-steal-20181227.html
Pitt
Mulch that tree: Here’s how Pittsburgh residents can recycle their Christmas trees
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/12/26/Pittsburgh-expands-Christmas-tree-recycling-program-mulch-drop-off-locations/stories/201812260093
Wetter than Seattle, Pittsburgh poised to set new record for rainfall
https://triblive.com/local/regional/14445582-74/wetter-than-seattle-pittsburgh-poised-to-set-new-record-for-rainfall
Mattress Factory settles with women who alleged retaliation for reporting sexual harassment
https://triblive.com/news/adminpage/14444756-74/mattress-factory-settles-with-women-who-alleged-retaliation-for-reporting-sexual-harassment
Pittsburgh agencies mapping move to new Downtown offices
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14444490-74/pittsburgh-agencies-mapping-move-to-new-downtown-offices
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust quietly releases more ‘Hamilton’ tickets
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14444387-74/pittsburgh-cultural-trust-quietly-releases-more-hamilton-tickets
State News
Pennsylvania school pension system is still paying the Chicago consultant being investigated by SEC
http://www.philly.com/business/psers-pennsylvania-public-school-pension-consultant-sec-investigation-20181227.html
Delaware River deepening: 30 years and 16 million cubic yards of sand, muck and rock later
http://www.philly.com/news/delaware-river-dredging-deepening-finish-philaport-army-corps-20181227.html
Westmoreland Court of Common Pleas to operate with just 9 judges for much of 2019
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14444531-74/westmoreland-court-of-common-pleas-to-operate-with-just-9-judges-for
Former state Rep. Gannon suspended from practicing law for two years
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/former-state-rep-gannon-suspended-from-practicing-law-for-two/article_d20baa50-07c6-11e9-9a9c-8fc0ddba7a85.html
Transportation
$1M road project planned in 2 Rush Twp. industrial parks
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/1m-road-project-planned-in-2-rush-twp-industrial-parks-1.2426276
Pa. New Year’s Day traditions: pork, sauerkraut, and higher turnpike tolls
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/12/pa-new-years-day-traditions-pork-sauerkraut-and-higher-turnpike-tolls.html
Number of fatal crashes drop in Erie County
http://www.goerie.com/news/20181227/number-of-fatal-crashes-drop-in-erie-county
Washington
Trump makes first visit to US troops in harm’s way
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2018/12/26/Trump-makes-first-visit-to-US-troops-in-harm-s-way/stories/201812270088
As partial government shutdown heads to Day 6, the ‘cold reality’ sinks in
http://www.philly.com/politics/partial-government-shutdown-cold-reality-trump-congress-20181227.html
Bucks County congressman seeks allies in water contamination battle
https://whyy.org/articles/bucks-county-congressman-seeks-allies-in-water-contamination-battle/