News Digest :: January 18, 2019

J-Term courses on dogs, card tricks, murals, and more give students a break from studying, tests, stress
http://www.philly.com/education/school-courses-germantown-episcopal-malvern–20190117.html

Threat closes Upper Merion schools
http://www.philly.com/news/upper-merion-schools-threat-closing-20190118.html

Franklin Regional’s Piraino recognized as Pa. superintendent of the year
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14515316-74/frs-piraino-recognized-as-2019-pa-superintendent-of-the-year

Crestwood board OKs Gorham’s exit, new superintendent named
https://www.timesleader.com/news/730691/crestwood-board-oks-gorhams-exit-new-superintendent-named

WBA moves high school project forward, limits tax hike, renews Bear Creek charter
https://www.timesleader.com/news/730706/wba-moves-high-school-project-forward-limits-tax-hike-renews-bear-creek-charter

Financial recovery plan for Scranton schools could come this spring
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/financial-recovery-plan-for-scranton-schools-could-come-this-spring-1.2434485

Pa. State System trustees tell new chancellor they’re anxious to see results
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/01/17/State-System-of-Higher-Education-tuition-Daniel-Greenstein-higher-education-APSCUF-PASSHE/stories/201901170138

Wilkes University bumped up in national higher education classification
https://www.timesleader.com/news/730713/wilkes-university-bumped-up-in-national-higher-education-classification

Gaming

Sports bettors flocking to Rivers, but winning proves elusive
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/01/17/Sports-betting-sportsbook-Pennsylvania-Rivers-Casino-gaming-board-wagers-revenue/stories/201901170119

Sports betting in Pennsylvania hits $16M in first full month
http://www.witf.org/news/2019/01/sports-betting-in-pennsylvania-hits-16m-in-first-full-month.php

Government Shutdown

More than 4,100 federal workers have applied for unemployment benefits in Pa. and N.J. since the government shutdown
http://www.philly.com/news/government-shutdown-unemployment-furlough-20190117.html

Shutdown could impact the Super Bowl, Georgia senator fears
http://www.philly.com/politics/government-shutdown-super-bowl-atlanta-airport-tsa-johnny-isakson-20190117.html

SEPTA giving free rides to TSA workers
http://www.philly.com/transportation/septa-free-rides-tsa-shutdown-regional-rail-20190118.html

Local resource fair scheduled for Friday to help furloughed federal workers
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2019/01/17/Labor-Industry-Rapid-Response-Pittsburgh-Allegheny-County-layoffs-furloughs-federal-workers-US-government-shutdown/stories/201901170194

Food agencies creating ’emergency market’ for federal workers squeezed by shutdown
http://www.philly.com/news/hunger-philabundance-federal-government-partial-shutdown-emergency-food-20190117.html

FBI and other federal agents see cases hampered and lives rattled by shutdown
http://www.philly.com/politics/nation/fbi-other-federal-agents-see-cases-hampered-lives-rattled-by-shutdown-20190118.html

Shutdown: Pa. GOP lawmakers wary of national emergency option
http://www.witf.org/news/2019/01/shutdown-pa-congressional-republicans-wary-of-national-emergency-option.php

Airport launches food drive for shutdown-impacted federal workers
https://www.timesleader.com/news/730638/airport-launches-food-drive-for-shutdown-impacted-federal-workers

Drive launched to help airport workers affected by shutdown
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/drive-launched-to-help-airport-workers-affected-by-shutdown-1.2434610

Shopping center will help federal workers impacted by government shutdown
https://www.pennlive.com/life/2019/01/shopping-center-will-help-federal-workers-impacted-by-government-shutdown.html

An early payment for Pennsylvanians on food stamps, but uncertainty on when help will continue
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/bethlehem/mc-nws-government-shutdown-food-stamps-20190117-story.html

Government shutdown puts Section 8 landlords in tough spot
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/government-shutdown-puts-section-8-landlords-in-tough-spot

Government shutdown isn’t just inconvenient – it’s traumatic | Editorial
http://www.philly.com/opinion/editorials/shutdown-philadelphia-trauma-impact-editorial-20190118.html

Health Care

‘We try not to think too much about why, or how it happened,’ says dad of boy paralyzed by polio-like virus
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2019/01/18/afm-polio-disease-Pittsburgh-Jackson-Beck-recovery-Childrens-Hospital-upper-st-clair/stories/201901180076

Local News

Wilkes-Barre Law & Library Association inducts Panella, ex-champ Holmes
https://www.timesleader.com/news/730700/wilkes-barre-law-library-asociation-inducts-panella-ex-champ-holmes

WVSA sets stormwater fee public information session
https://www.timesleader.com/news/730665/wvsa-sets-stormwater-fee-public-information-session

Hazleton mayor touts decreasing crime, development in State of City address
https://www.timesleader.com/news/730684/hazleton-mayor-touts-decreasing-crime-development-in-state-of-city-address

Lackawanna County recycling coordinator urges officials, residents to get back to basics
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lacka-wanna-county-recycling-coordinator-urges-officials-residents-to-get-back-to-basics-1.2434723

Lackawanna County DA’s office warns of scams targeting the elderly
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-da-s-office-warns-of-scams-targeting-the-elderly-1.2434486

Factoryville officials’ decision paves way for Keystone Commons project
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/factoryville-officials-decision-paves-way-for-keystone-commons-project-1.2434505

Schuylkill agencies to begin homeless count
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/schuylkill-agencies-to-begin-homeless-count-1.2434549

Allegheny Township to push for state, federal consensus on stormwater
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14514463-74/allegheny-township-to-push-for-state-federal-consensus-on-storm-water

New Kensington Post Office to host passport fair
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14513973-74/new-kensington-post-office-to-host-passport-fair

Kiski Valley sewage pump stations getting ready for upgrade
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14514690-74/kiski-valley-sewage-pump-stations-getting-ready-for-upgrade

Additional water system costs upset some Springdale officials
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14514860-74/additional-water-system-costs-upset-some-springdale-officials

Community group calls for term limits for elected officials in Reading
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/community-group-calls-for-term-limits-for-elected-officials-in-reading

Union urges commissioners to reverse course, back training-facility grant
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/union-urges-commissioners-to-reverse-course-back-training-facility-grant

Editorial: Reading’s winter festival hotter than ever
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-readings-winter-festival-hotter-than-ever

National News

Thousands more migrant families may have been separated than previously reported
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2019/01/17/thousands-more-children-separated-from-families-than-Trump-administration/stories/201901170216

US government files appeals notice after 2020 census ruling
http://www.philly.com/news/nation-world/trump-census-appeal-judge-ruling-citizenship-20190117.html

Hawaii’s Gabbard apologizes for past LGBTQ statements
http://www.philly.com/politics/nation/hawaii-tulsi-gabbard-president-lgbtq-apology-20190118.html

Natural Gas

More, deeper wells planned for existing Marcellus site in Washington Township
https://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/14515452-74/more-deeper-wells-planned-for-existing-marcellus-site-in-washington-township

New Jersey

N.J. governor, lawmakers reach deal on $15-an-hour minimum wage
http://www.philly.com/politics/new-jersey/new-jersey-phil-murphy-legislature-minimum-wage-20190117.html

Opioid Crisis

Opioid forum offers avenues to escape addiction
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20190117/opioid-forum-offers-avenues-to-escape-addiction

Philly

Mayor Kenney unveils initiatives to address gun violence
http://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia-anti-violence-report-mayor-jim-kenney-homicides-shootings-20190117.html

Why so few of Philly’s homeless Latinos use shelters, get city services
http://www.philly.com/news/latino-homelessness-philadelphia-services-shelters-20190118.html

Philadelphia could be hot destination for medical malpractice suits, again, under proposed rule
http://www.philly.com/business/medical-malpractice-philadelphia-supreme-court-venue-rule-change-proposal-20190118.html

Blondell Reynolds Brown to step down from City Council
http://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/blondell-reynolds-brown-to-step-down-from-city-council/article_57c98534-5d46-51f5-a464-9c52e4ed3768.html

Philadelphia devotes $4.4 million to ‘holistic’ anti-violence programs
http://www.witf.org/news/2019/01/philadelphia-devotes-44-million-to-holistic-anti-violence-programs.php

Women’s March on Philadelphia: Street closures, SEPTA, parking, and what else to know
http://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia/womens-march-philadelphia-street-closures-septa-parking-20190118.html

Over $800K raised to get British boy cancer treatment at CHOP: ‘This is our only hope’
http://www.philly.com/health/zac-oliver-british-boy-chop-cancer-treatment-philadelphia-leukemia-t-cell-therapy-20190117.html

Snow, ice, ‘flash freeze,’ bitter cold all on tap for holiday weekend
http://www.philly.com/news/snow-ice-winter-storm-philadelphia-weather-flash-freeze-20190117.html

Is Philly soda tax solely to blame for closing of West Philly ShopRite?
http://www.philly.com/news/philadelphia-soda-tax-shoprite-closing-haverford-20190117.html

More than ‘I Have a Dream’: 7 black advocates on how Martin Luther King Jr. inspires their work in Philly | Opinion
http://www.philly.com/opinion/commentary/martin-luther-king-advocacy-activism-philadelphia-20190117.html

Philly’s future lies in our ability to leverage local talents to build a better city | Opinion
http://www.philly.com/opinion/philadelphia-economic-security-prosperity-20190118.html

Pitt

County Controller Wagner launches petition to state officials to stop UPMC-Highmark split
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2019/01/17/County-Controller-Chelsa-Wagner-launches-petition-Pennsylvania-UPMC-Highmark-insurance-split/stories/201901170182

Chelsa Wagner launches site to show impact of UPMC-Highmark split
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14515670-74/chelsa-wagner-launches-site-to-show-impact-of-upmc-highmark-split

Our city’s better than yours, and here’s the proof: The Pittsburgh List of Lists
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/neighborhood/2019/01/17/Pittsburgh-s-list-of-lists-best-coolest-hottest-most-livable/stories/201901100116

Port Authority getting first electric buses, considering fleet for Downtown-Oakland rapid transit
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2019/01/17/Port-Authority-first-electric-buses-test-Downtown-Oakland-rapid-transit-system-pittsburgh/stories/201901170121

Pittsburgh may get walloped by snow. What do you want to know ahead of the storm?
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/01/17/pittsburgh-weather-snow-storm-weekend-city-plow-winter-watch-advisory-forecast/stories/201901170190

City’s online snow plow tracker remains down
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/01/17/Pittsburgh-online-snow-plow-tracker-remains-down-storm-public-works/stories/201901170192

Women’s March faces concerns over anti-Semitism
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/01/18/Women-s-March-faces-concerns-over-anti-Semitism-pittsburgh/stories/201901170201

‘Star Trek’ star George Takei supports Pittsburgh anti-gun effort
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14515087-74/ex-star-trek-star-george-takei-supports-pittsburgh-anti-gun-effort

Exposure to unknown substance sends Allegheny County Jail officer to hospital
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/01/17/Allegheny-County-Jail-corrections-officer-sickened-exposure-unknown-substance-hospitalized/stories/201901170104

A tale of two developments: SouthSide Works and Station Square look to rekindle their mojo
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2019/01/17/Station-Square-SouthSide-Works-development-UPMC-Brookfield-Somera/stories/201901170064

Tilting at windmills: City’s bills won’t yield enforceable gun control
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/01/18/Tilting-at-windmills-Pittsburgh-bills-wont-yield-enforceable-gun-control/stories/201901180074

A smaller Bayer: Pittsburgh rues a good neighbor’s downsizing
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/01/17/A-smaller-Bayer-Pittsburgh-rues-a-good-neighbor-s-downsizing/stories/201901170034

Highmark’s IT business eliminates 40 positions, including 25 in Pittsburgh
https://triblive.com/local/allegheny/14515710-74/highmarks-it-business-eliminates-40-positions-including-25-in-pittsburgh

State News

New hotline will give sex harassment, assault victims a forum for #MeToo questions
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/01/17/Hotline-MeToo-Women-Law-Project-Heinz-Endowments-sexual-harassment/stories/201901170115

AG Josh Shapiro’s legal fight vs Navient, for-profit colleges heats up in Pa. | Debt Valley
http://www.philly.com/business/josh-shapiro-navient-cec-attorneys-general-cfpb-mick-mulvaney-20190118.html

Pa. AG’s plan to reduce recidivism taking form
http://www.phillytrib.com/news/state_and_region/pa-ag-s-plan-to-reduce-recidivism-taking-form/article_bba39efe-9fe1-5522-aa13-5b6b5cadd2ac.html

In Chester, new program takes a group approach to healing scars of gun violence
http://www.philly.com/news/pennsylvania/gun-violence-victims-group-therapy-chester-pa-20190117.html

In a debate over judicial power, dismissal of federal gun charge reversed by higher court
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/01/17/raymont-wright-pittsburgh-federal-judge-appeals-court-gun-inherent-authority-cathy-bissoon/stories/201901170188

If Patriots lose, Goodwill customers will win
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/14515900-74/if-patriots-lose-goodwill-will-win

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful accepting registrations for 2019 Great American Cleanup of PA
https://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/14515210-74/keep-pennsylvania-beautiful-accepting-registrations-for-2019-great-american-cleanup-of-pa

Watchdog agency report highlights flaws in nation’s food safety system
http://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/watchdog-agency-report-highlights-flaws-in-nation-s-food-safety/article_ca21735e-2ca1-5a1d-811e-bfb06ab309b1.html

PUC rejects petition seeking to shut down Mariner East 2 pipeline
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/state/puc-rejects-petition-seeking-to-shut-down-mariner-east-pipeline/article_4ea4ce95-b30d-5fb0-a337-bd5e451f6a0c.html

UC upholds judge’s decision to allow Mariner East pipeline project to proceed
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/puc-upholds-judges-decision-to-allow-mariner-east-pipeline-project-to-proceed

Washington

U.S. Rep. from Lycoming County unexpectedly resigns
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2019/01/17/US-Representative-Tom-Marino-Lycoming-County-Republican-unexpectedly-resigns-Congress/stories/201901170134

Marino resigning from Congress
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/marino-resigning-from-congress-1.2434510

Melania Trump reportedly takes government jet to Florida hours after president stops Nancy Pelosi from traveling abroad
https://triblive.com/politics/politicalheadlines/14517323-74/melania-trump-reportedly-takes-government-jet-to-florida-hours-after-president-stops

Winter Weather

Winter roars back this weekend
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/winter-roars-back-this-weekend-1.2434538

Road crews prepare for wintry mix
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/road-crews-prepare-for-wintry-mix-1.2434577

First part of back-to-back storms passes through Berks
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/first-part-of-back-to-back-storms-passes-through-berks

Significant weekend snow storm for Lehigh Valley could bring power outages
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-weather-weekend-storm-20190117-story.html

Legislature

Business

Crime/Punishment

Education