Legislature

PennDOT awards more than $1 million to improve railroad tracks to Braddock’s Edgar Thomson Plant
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/penndot-awards-more-than-1-million-to-improve-allegheny-westmoreland-railway-tracks/

Under the Radar: Lawmakers revisiting Good Samaritan law to consider repeat overdose victims
https://www.tribdem.com/news/under-the-radar-lawmakers-revisiting-good-samaritan-law-to-consider/article_b0794551-67a9-5cb0-a663-8de2ef04f197.html

Administration

Tighten state methane regulations
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/tighten-state-methane-regulations-1.2574521

Crime/Punishment

Wilkinsburg police say man killed in shooting opened fire on officers
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/12/22/Romir-Talley-shot-and-killed-running-shooting-Wilkinsburg-police-fentanyl-Jhenea-Pratt/stories/201912220158

Teen escaped from Harrisburg juvenile home 2 months before he killed Spring Garden activist
https://www.inquirer.com/news/kristin-grandzol-lawsuit-alternative-rehabilitation-communities-gerard-grandzol-shooting-marvin-roberts-20191220.html

Philadelphia man charged with deadly shooting in Wilkes-Barre
https://www.timesleader.com/news/766823/philadelphia-man-charged-with-deadly-shooting-in-wilkes-barre

State College man charged in alleged murder plot targeting ex-prosecutor
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/state-college-man-charged-in-alleged-murder-plot-targeting-ex-prosecutor/

Education

Traffic citations in school zones surge in Allegheny County
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/traffic-citations-in-school-zones-surge-in-allegheny-county/

As concern over student debt mounts, Haverford College touts debt relief effort for some graduates
https://www.inquirer.com/education/haverford-college-student-debt-relief-loan-program-20191223.html

A ‘new wave’ of activism on campus: Students are aggressively seeking their demands
https://www.inquirer.com/education/protest-students-college-campus-fossil-fuels-speakers-fraternities-20191223.html

Alvernia leader envisions Reading revitalization following Wilkes-Barre success
https://www.readingeagle.com/alvernia-leader-envisions-reading-revitalization-following-wilkes-barre-success/article_d4e03270-2280-11ea-906d-4bdcacb68677.html

New college cheating scandal case raises suspicions of online classes
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2019/12/new-college-cheating-scandal-case-raises-suspicions-of-online-classes.html

Elections/Politics

Reading doctor hopes to win Dem nod, challenge Meuser
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/reading-doctor-hopes-to-win-dem-nod-challenge-meuser-1.2574548

Health Care

Cannabis-related psychosis, addiction, ER visits: For young users, marijuana can be a dangerous game
https://www.inquirer.com/health/marijuana-addiction-adolescents-psychosis-abuse-vaping-penn-state-20191223.html

Undoing Obamacare would do more than just hurt Americans’ health | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/undoing-obamacare-would-do-more-than-just-hurt-americans-health-opinion/

Local News

Issues with late or inaccurate information delayed Scranton’s overdue 2018 audit, firm says
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/issues-with-late-or-inaccurate-information-delayed-scranton-s-overdue-2018-audit-firm-says-1.2574786

DA’s office to move into Gateway Center after New Year
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/da-s-office-to-move-into-gateway-center-after-new-year-1.2574654

Tree crushes playground equipment in Archbald
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/tree-crushes-playground-equipment-in-archbald-1.2574651

Residents sing Christmas carols at pipeline arrest site
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/residents-sing-christmas-carols-at-pipeline-arrest-site/article_fb9b0ff4-24ea-11ea-ae1b-97bba1c1656b.html

West Chester officials adopt resolution welcoming refugees
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/west-chester-officials-adopt-resolution-welcoming-refugees/article_1850e7a0-21e3-11ea-9d27-27486e5e9329.html

Springdale Council set to raise property tax 6.5%
https://plum.triblive.com/springdale-council-set-to-raise-property-tax-6-5/

Departing Berks County Commissioner Mark Scott reflects on his legacy
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/departing-berks-county-commissioner-mark-scott-reflects-on-his-legacy/article_59d5c3a6-2339-11ea-8790-47b02c66f303.html

Berks GDP grows to $18.44 billion
https://www.readingeagle.com/money/berks-gdp-grows-to-billion/article_43453d74-2343-11ea-869b-4bd9ea024c68.html

Swoyersville police officer dies in off-duty accident
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/swoyersville-police-officer-dies-in-off-duty-accident-1.2574719

Jewish Community Center celebrates beginning of Hanukkah
https://www.timesleader.com/news/local/766777/766777

Luzerne County seeks barbers and cosmetologists
https://www.timesleader.com/news/766808/luzerne-county-seeks-barbers-and-cosmetologists

National News

GOP governors grapple with whether to accept refugees or not
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/gop-governors-grapple-with-whether-accept-refugees-or-not-20191222.html

New Jersey

N.J. extends driving and voting access | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/undocumented-immigrants-drivers-licenses-new-jersey-approval-20191223.html

Philly

Radical educators want to take over leadership at Philly’s biggest union
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-federation-teachers-election-union-caucus-working-educators-20191223.html

Man bludgeoned to death in South Philly near collapse site
https://www.inquirer.com/crime/philadelphia-crime-homicide-reed-explosion-20191222.html

Pitt

Walkabout: Ohio couple offer loads of support at North Side laundromat
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/diana-nelson-jones/2019/12/23/Walkabout-Bob-Dena-Masterino-Light-of-Life-Rescue-Mission-homeless-laundry-services/stories/201912230005

PSO reaches new audience with sensory-friendly holiday performance
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/music/2019/12/23/Pittsburgh-Symphony-Orchestra-PSO-sensory-friendly-autism-holiday-concert/stories/201912220131

Saving lives: Allegheny County Jail provides naloxone kits to discharged inmates
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/12/23/Saving-lives-Allegheny-County-Jail-provides-naloxone-kits-to-discharged-inmates/stories/201912120027

Literacy Pittsburgh helps immigrants learn English, integrate
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/literacy-pittsburgh-helps-immigrants-learn-english-integrate/

State News

Carbon pact for cars and trucks would cut pollution — and raise gas prices
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2019/12/23/Transportation-climate-initiative-Pennsylvania-gas-prices-northeast/stories/201912230009

Password decision gets mixed responses
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/password-decision-gets-mixed-responses-1.2574663

State parks have more visitors and less money — and hopes to change that
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/state-parks-have-more-visitors-and-less-money-and-hopes-to-change-that-1.2574667

Washington

White House official directed hold on Ukraine aid shortly after Trump’s July 25 call with Zelensky
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/ukraine-military-aid-withheld-white-house-trump-zelensky-20191222.html