Legislature
Pa. Rep. Mark Keller announces he will not seek re-election to an eighth term
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/12/pa-rep-mark-keller-announces-he-will-not-seek-re-election-to-an-eighth-term.html
Administration
Pa. Board of Pardons missed a chance to show mercy to inmates who deserve to be released | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/board-pardons-john-fetterman-josh-shapiro-clemency-20191226.html
Business
Uber purchases land in Findlay Township for new self-driving car test track
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2019/12/26/Uber-Findlay-Township-self-driving-car-test-track-hazelwood-green/stories/201912260116
Uber to open self-driving test track in Findlay Township
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/uber-to-open-self-driving-test-track-in-findlay-township/
Wawa hit with a wave of lawsuits in the aftermath of data breach
https://www.inquirer.com/business/wawa-data-breach-class-action-lawsuit-20191226.html
Jeannette hemp plant fined, permitted to reopen
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/jeannette-hemp-plant-gets-dep-fines-permission-to-reopen/
Why marijuana CEO Ben Kovler of GTI is betting big on Pennsylvania and New Jersey
https://www.inquirer.com/news/gti-green-thumb-ben-kovler-cannabis-chicago-20191227.html
Scranton plastics manufacturer eyes growth, projects hitting staffing milestone next year
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/scranton-plastics-manufacturer-eyes-growth-projects-hitting-staffing-milestone-next-year-1.2575851
Schuylkill mattress plant to close down in February
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/schuylkill-mattress-plant-to-close-down-in-february-1.2575973
Crime/Punishment
How probation detainers can keep people locked up indefinitely — even when they haven’t committed a crime
https://www.inquirer.com/news/inq/probation-parole-pennsylvania-philadelphia-detainer-criminal-justice-system-20191227.html
18-year-old killed in Penn Hills endured recent deaths in her family, a coach says
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/12/26/18-year-old-dies-fatally-shot-outside-Penn-Hills-Flinns-Pub-Frankstown-Road/stories/201912260089
Bowers’ lawyers attack federal death penalty as unconstitutional
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/12/26/robert-bowers-death-penalty-unconstitutional-pittsburgh-synagogue-killings-tree-of-life/stories/201912260094
5 female inmates in a Philly-area jail overdosed on heroin on Christmas Day
https://www.inquirer.com/news/delaware-county-george-w-hill-correctional-facility-overdose-heroin-christmas-20191226.html
Five inmates OD at Delco prison on Christmas night
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/local/five-inmates-od-at-delco-prison-on-christmas-night/article_dac0730c-2812-11ea-a96d-bf77628fdbdc.html
Education
Former principal’s lawsuit against Highlands School District to move ahead next year
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/12/26/Former-principal-lawsuit-against-Highlands-School-District-to-move-ahead-next-year/stories/201912260104
Hockey game to raise awareness for suicide prevention at Deer Lakes School District
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/hockey-game-to-raise-awareness-for-suicide-prevention-money-raised-to-fund-mental-health-awareness-and-care-programs-at-deer-lakes-school-district/
Editorial: Alvernia has promising plan for downtown Reading
https://www.readingeagle.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-alvernia-has-promising-plan-for-downtown-reading/article_1d8ae1a2-27f2-11ea-9af6-8bfeb098e109.html
Elections/Politics
State rep Bob Brooks files for reelection in House’s 54th District
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/brooks-files-for-re-election-in-houses-54th-district/
Supposed Pa. Trump voter with buyer’s remorse didn’t vote for him, it turns out
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/12/supposed-pa-trump-voter-with-buyers-remorse-didnt-vote-for-him-it-turns-out.html
Health Care
Casey is ready for ‘big, rough fight’ on health care in 2020
https://www.witf.org/2019/12/26/casey-is-ready-for-big-rough-fight-on-health-care-in-2020/
Eight hospitals join Pennsylvania Rural Health Model; program hopes to stave off problems like those seen at Ellwood City Medical Center
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20191227/eight-hospitals-join-pennsylvania-rural-health-model-program-hopes-to-stave-off-problems-like-those-seen-at-ellwood-city-medical-center
Local News
Sale of former Lackawanna County administration building to developer has been completed
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/sale-of-former-lackawanna-county-administration-building-to-developer-has-been-completed-1.2576023
Cerra resigns as tax claim bureau director days after appointment
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/cerra-resigns-as-tax-claim-bureau-director-days-after-appointment-1.2575835
Jeffers a contender for Lackawanna County chief of staff
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/jeffers-a-contender-for-lackawanna-county-chief-of-staff-1.2575838
Police work is in his blood, Throop’s new chief says
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/police-work-is-in-his-blood-throop-s-new-chief-says-1.2575996
Property owner can proceed with suit against Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/property-owner-can-proceed-with-suit-against-scranton-1.2576049
Caution due on landfill’s water plans
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/caution-due-on-landfill-s-water-plans-1.2575866
Reading boy’s Christmas wish for donations to homeless comes true
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-boy-s-christmas-wish-for-donations-to-homeless-comes/article_cfc94d92-281d-11ea-a910-d3d76bf31ef9.html
Griffin and group not messing around with litter cleanups
https://www.timesleader.com/news/767138/griffin-and-group-not-messing-around-with-litter-cleanups
Litter cleanup set for Saturday in Wilkes-Barre
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/litter-cleanup-set-for-saturday-in-wilkes-barre-1.2575895
Luzerne County wants to remove black stains on River Common walls
https://www.timesleader.com/news/767132/luzerne-county-wants-to-remove-black-stains-on-river-common-walls
New Nanticoke mayor ready to help
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/new-nanticoke-mayor-ready-to-help-1.2575950
Converted homes raise concerns about fire safety
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/converted-homes-raise-concerns-about-fire-safety-1.2575970
Cleanup follows months of chaos for Carbon County Clerk of Courts
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/cleanup-follows-months-of-chaos-for-carbon-county-clerk-of-courts-1.2575968
Course correction: How Bethlehem turned around its cash-strapped golf course in one year
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/bethlehem/mc-nws-bethlehem-golf-course-correction-20191228-zhbnqahbfrf4pfiehvcqx5jwqe-story.html
Road fixes a priority in $45.2M Northampton budget
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20191227/road-fixes-priority-in-452m-northampton-budget
National News
Black teens who experience daily racial discrimination show depressive symptoms, study finds
https://www.inquirer.com/health/racism-mental-health-black-teen-20191226.html
Junk food affects the developing teen brain, promoting obesity. But it’s not hopeless.
https://www.inquirer.com/health/obesity-teens-junk-food-brain-development-20191227.html
Philly
South Philly refinery, a big polluter, shut down 6 months ago. So, do we have cleaner air?
https://www.inquirer.com/business/energy/philadelphia-air-quality-pollution-refinery-pes-curious-philly-20191226.html
Six months after the fire, both ex-refinery workers and PES struggle to find new lives
https://www.witf.org/2019/12/26/six-months-after-the-fire-both-ex-refinery-workers-and-pes-struggle-to-find-new-lives/
For 2020, Philadelphia hopes to build on 2018 record-breaking young voter turnout
https://www.witf.org/2019/12/26/for-2020-philadelphia-hopes-to-build-on-2018-record-breaking-young-voter-turnout/
It’s déjà vu in West Philly as Democratic leaders seek a special election nominee
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/clout/special-election-190th-district-state-house-movita-johnson-harrell-west-philly-political-corrution-20191227.html
A man was charged after a Christmas party that saw a mom killed and her son stabbed
https://www.inquirer.com/news/olney-stabbing-christmas-morning-philadelphia-children-josue-quino-juana-us-perez-20191226.html
A newly minted Ph.D. credits her West Philly mom for her success
https://www.inquirer.com/education/debonair-oates-primus-iup-phd-20191227.html
Round up the real redlining culprits in Philadelphia’s ills | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/wells-fargo-redlining-discrimantory-loans-predatory-philadlephia-editorial-20191227.html
Pitt
Pittsburgh school board to meet Friday in attempt to fund 2020 budget
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/12/26/Pittsburgh-school-board-to-meet-Friday-in-attempt-to-fund-2020-budget/stories/201912260120
5 Pittsburgh schools among state’s highest in arrests, citations as security debate continues
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/5-pittsburgh-schools-among-the-highest-in-state-for-arrests-citations-as-debate-over-security-continues/
Pitt AD Heather Lyke preaches continuity as Pat Narduzzi’s 5th season comes to a close
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Pitt/2019/12/26/Quick-Lane-Bowl-Pitt-football-AD-Heather-Lyke-preaches-continuity-as-Pat-Narduzzi/stories/201912260125
Allegheny County and Pittsburgh police are going opposite directions in prostitution enforcement
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/12/27/allegheny-county-prostitution-enforcement-sex-work-human-trafficking-pittsburgh-crimes/stories/201912260108
Pittsburgh police: No celebratory gunfire on New Year’s Eve
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-police-no-celebratory-gunfire-on-new-years-eve/
State News
Hanover fire chief returned on Christmas after monthlong detainment in Thailand
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/washington/2019/12/26/Hanover-fire-chief-returned-Christmas-Thailand-detained-general-electric-michael-morra/stories/201912260124
Pennsylvania dioceses offer $84M to 564 clergy abuse victims
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2019/12/26/Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh-Roman-Catholic-dioceses-settelements-clergy-sex-abuse-victims/stories/201912260097
Western Pa. received plenty of precipitation in 2019, but a record is unlikely
https://triblive.com/local/regional/western-pa-got-plenty-precipitation-in-2019-but-probably-not-a-new-rainfall-record/
Spotting the spotted lanternfly
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/spotting-the-spotted-lanternfly-1.2575854
Vowing not to “go away,” Harrisburg woman renews call for meeting on racial harassment complaint at Turnpike service plaza
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/12/vowing-not-to-go-away-harrisburg-woman-renews-call-for-meeting-on-racial-harassment-complaint-at-turnpike-service-plaza.html
Western Pennsylvania counties nearly eliminated veteran homelessness in 2019
https://www.witf.org/2019/12/26/western-pennsylvania-counties-nearly-eliminated-veteran-homelessness-in-2019/
Mike Barcaskey: Game commissioners serve as volunteers to establish state agency policies
https://www.timesonline.com/sports/20191227/mike-barcaskey-game-commissioners-serve-as-volunteers-to-establish-state-agency-policies/1
Census Bureau offers temporary jobs in Chester County with lucrative pay
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/census-bureau-offers-temporary-jobs-in-chester-county-with-lucrative/article_62fd0f68-2823-11ea-9901-77efc55f68b6.html
Transportation
Next Interstate 70 project will add 3 roundabouts at Madison exit
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/next-interstate-70-project-will-add-3-roundabouts-at-madison-exit/
Washington
Protect students: Congress should enter the fight on hazing
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/12/27/Protect-students-Congress-should-enter-the-fight-on-hazing/stories/201912270055
Sen. Toomey isn’t buying Trump-Pelosi trade proposal
https://www.inquirer.com/columnists/trade-uscma-nafta-toomey-pelosi-trump-20191227.html
Republicans decried Jeff Van Drew as a ‘socialist.’ Now he’s switched sides, the GOP is falling in line.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/new-jersey/jeff-van-drew-trump-republicans-nrcc-20191226.html
Sen. Casey, colleagues warn about scams targeting seniors’ benefits
https://www.timesleader.com/news/767130/sen-casey-colleagues-warn-about-scams-targeting-seniors-benefits