Legislature

State lawmakers meet in Reading to discuss affordable housing
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/state-lawmakers-meet-in-reading-to-discuss-affordable-housing

Pa. is the Rust Belt of higher education | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/higher-education-pennsylvania-tuition-debt-wolf-editorial-20191203.html

Bad roads reflect bad rule
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/bad-roads-reflect-bad-rule-1.2566550

Pa. Senate bill keeping Polk, White Haven centers open has serious flaws. This is why | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/pa-senate-bill-keeping-polk-white-haven-centers-open-has-serious-flaws-this-is-why-opinion/

House bill 1800 would save Harrisburg’s children and their schools | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/12/house-bill-1800-would-save-harrisburgs-children-and-their-schools-opinion.html

Administration

Gov. Tom Wolf warns of harm from changes to minor league baseball
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2019/12/02/tom-wolf-mlb-rob-manfred-minor-league-changes/stories/201912020088

Business

Tom Currá, President and CEO of WVIA, resigns
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/tom-currá-president-and-ceo-of-wvia-resigns-1.2566519

Crime/Punishment

Pa. mom charged in hanging deaths of two children
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/12/02/Pa-mom-charged-in-hanging-deaths-of-two-children-lisa-snyder-berks-county/stories/201912020122

Albany Township mother researched suicide, murder before her 2 children were found hanged, police say
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/investigators-arrest-mother-in-deaths-of-2-children-found-hanging-in-albany-township-home

Abductor was focus of PFAs, had troubled past
https://www.timesleader.com/news/764570/abductor-was-focus-of-pfas-had-troubled-past

Alleged kidnapper’s family questions use of lethal force
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/alleged-kidnapper-s-family-questions-use-of-lethal-force-1.2566740

Teenage kidnapping victim describes relationship, abuse
https://www.timesleader.com/news/764565/teenage-kidnapping-victim-describes-relationship-abuse

Shooting at York County movie theater had at least two victims; police still investigating
https://www.pennlive.com/crime/2019/12/shooting-at-york-county-movie-theater-had-at-least-two-victims-police-still-investigating.html

Coroner: Man dies in shooting at Regal Cinemas in West Manchester Twp.
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/crime/2019/12/03/police-investigating-shooting-regal-cinemas-west-manchester-twp/2594189001/

Education

Morrisville gets $250K federal grant for school security improvements
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20191203/morrisville-gets-250k-federal-grant-for-school-security-improvements

State official: Neshaminy should stop using ‘Redskin’
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20191202/state-official-neshaminy-should-stop-using-rsquoredskinrsquo

Elections/Politics

Former Philadelphia judge Lisa Rau won’t run against Attorney General Josh Shapiro in 2020
https://www.inquirer.com/news/lisa-rau-philadelphia-pennsylvania-attorney-general-josh-shapiro-larry-krasner-20191203.html

Rep. Rob Kauffman to seek re-election to ninth term in Pa. House of Representatives
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/12/rep-rob-kauffman-to-seek-re-election-to-ninth-term-in-pa-house-of-representatives.html

Braddock official launches primary against progressive Democrat Summer Lee
https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/braddock-official-launches-primary-against-progressive-democrat-summer-lee/

Gaming

Mohegan Sun launches online sports betting
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/mohegan-sun-launches-online-sports-betting-1.2566592

Health Care

State bans Ellwood City hospital from admitting patients or treating them in emergency department
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2019/12/02/Ellwood-City-Medical-Center-state-health-department-ban-admissions-emergency-department/stories/201912020093

Keep Obamacare in place
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/12/03/Keep-Obamacare-in-place/stories/201911220037

Allegheny Health Network reports 10th straight quarter of positive earnings
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-health-network-reports-10th-straight-quarter-of-positive-earnings/

Berks doctor hopes to dispel common cold weather myths
https://www.readingeagle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/personalia?ID=26

Local News

Scranton City Council introduces taxing legislation leaving 2020 rates unchanged
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-city-council-introduces-taxing-legislation-leaving-2020-rates-unchanged-1.2566625

5 land conservation projects in Chester County get funding
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/land-conservation-projects-in-chester-county-get-funding/article_96cfd99e-1525-11ea-825b-4fc046a30837.html

WB Mayor-elect Brown names McCormick city administrator
https://www.timesleader.com/news/764529/wb-mayor-elect-brown-names-mccormick-city-administrator

More Luzerne County budget cuts proposed
https://www.timesleader.com/news/764568/more-luzerne-county-budget-cuts-proposed

More Luzerne County budget cuts proposed
https://www.timesleader.com/news/764568/more-luzerne-county-budget-cuts-proposed

Reduced debt payment could lower county tax hike
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/reduced-debt-payment-could-lower-county-tax-hike-1.2566588

Developer to meet with WB officials to discuss 4-year-old project
https://www.timesleader.com/news/764561/developer-to-meet-with-wb-officials-to-discuss-4-year-old-project

City ready to take action on burned structures
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/city-ready-to-take-action-on-burned-structures-1.2566690

Springdale WIC office to reopen
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/springdale-wic-office-to-reopen/

Sage’s Army gets nearly $600K to expand addiction outreach, support
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/sages-army-gets-nearly-600k-to-expand-addiction-outreach-support/

Reading’s public works director resigns
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/readings-public-works-director-resigns

New Jersey

Lawsuit: Ex-Cardinal McCarrick abused boy in Newark in 1990s
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2019/12/02/Lawsuit-Ex-Cardinal-McCarrick-abused-boy-in-Newark-in-1990s/stories/201912020117

Catholic Church, Boy Scouts hit with dozens of sex abuse suits under new N.J. law extending victims’ rights to sue
https://www.inquirer.com/news/new-jersey-sex-abuse-lawsuits-dioceses-camden-philadelphia-mccarrick-fortney-boy-scouts-20191203.html

Philly

Inside Philly DA Larry Krasner’s new plan to drop low-level drug charges in favor of addiction treatment
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-district-attorney-larry-krasner-drug-diversion-decriminalization-criminal-justice-reform-20191203.html

The encouraging 2020 sign for Democrats buried in Philly’s election results
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/philadelphia-voter-turnout-pennsylvania-2020-election-20191203.html

Donald Trump Jr. blasts Philly labor leader ‘Johnny Doc’ as a ‘swamp creature.’ Dougherty just visited the White House.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/clout/donald-trump-jr-book-john-dougherty-20191203.html

Philadelphia’s public defenders decide to unionize
https://www.inquirer.com/business/law/philadelphia-public-defenders-union-20191202.html

A rush to change Philadelphia’s 10-year tax abatement stuck real estate developers with a tough choice
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-10-year-tax-abatement-developers-lobby-20191203.html

Two women say Philly’s most venerable arts school mishandled their sexual assaults. Years later, the case is still rattling the institution.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/sexual-assault-title-ix-pennsylvania-academy-fine-arts-philadelphia-20191202.html

ICE says Philadelphia let a child sexual predator go free
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/ice-immigration-detainer-philadelphia-20191202.html

Black-owned firms make up larger share of Philadelphia’s businesses than previously reported
https://www.penncapital-star.com/working-the-economy/black-owned-firms-make-up-larger-share-of-philadelphias-businesses-than-previously-reported/

SEPTA resolves Key Card glitch
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/septa-key-card-technical-problem-reload-20191202.html

Philly’s new school police chief pledges less law-and-order, more mentoring of students
https://www.inquirer.com/education/kevin-bethel-diversion-school-safety-philadelphia-school-district-police-20191202.html

They found a Philly veteran’s photo after a 10-year search. Now, the Pa. Vietnam memorial is complete.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/vietnam-veterans-memorial-wall-of-faces-pennsylvania-photo-matthew-harris-philadelphia-20191203.html

As 2020 Census approaches, Philly pediatric doctor warns of hard-to-count kids | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/census-2020-children-hard-to-count-philadelphian-20191202.html

Pitt

Pittsburgh will host leading Democratic presidential candidates for education forum
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/12/02/public-education-forum-2020-pittsburgh-democratic-candidates-convention-center/stories/201912020120

7 Democratic presidential candidates coming to Pittsburgh for education forum
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/7-democratic-presidential-candidates-to-attend-pittsburgh-education-forum/

Residents: Pittsburgh city schools should spend more on counseling, less on security
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/12/02/pittsburgh-public-schools-budget-hearing-tax-increase-counseling-mental-health-services/stories/201912030071

Mayor wants development chief, cyber security officer
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/12/02/Pittsburgh-budget-focus-cyber-threats-new-security-officer-computers-network-Santiago-Garces/stories/201912020087

Pittsburgh Mayor’s Office says funding dwindling for URA projects
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-mayors-office-says-funding-dwindling-for-ura-projects/

Pittsburgh Mayor’s Office says funding dwindling for URA projects
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-mayors-office-says-funding-dwindling-for-ura-projects/

Budget hearing for Pittsburgh schools addresses mental health programs, state oversight
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/budget-hearing-for-pittsburgh-schools-addresses-mental-health-programs-and-state-oversight/

Three new PPS board members sworn in
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/12/02/PPS-board-members-sworn-in-pittsburgh-public-schools-William-Gallagher-Pam-Harbin-Devon-Taliaferro/stories/201912020126

Point Park theater students press for greater sensitivity to gender and race
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/theater-dance/2019/12/01/Point-Park-theater-conservatory-student-walkout-gender-race-insensitive/stories/201912010154

State News

Pa. DEP and major oil companies agree: Trump administration shouldn’t roll back methane rules
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2019/12/02/Pennsylvania-DEP-Exxon-Shell-Equitrans-agree-Trump-shouldn-t-roll-back-methane-rules-fracking-pipeline/stories/201912020098

DEP, City of Jeannette again order closure of hemp facility
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/dep-city-of-jeannette-again-order-closure-of-hemp-facility/

Stinking Pennsylvania hemp facility cited for air pollution, ordered to close
https://www.inquirer.com/business/weed/hemp-stink-marijuana-patriot-shield-pennsylvania-malodorous-weed-20191202.html

Veteran officer to join U.S. attorney’s office as coordinator for Western Pa.
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2019/12/02/Veteran-officer-to-join-U-S-attorney-s-office-as-coordinator-for-Western-Pa/stories/201912020115

Safe, smart and sensible: Pa. should expand drug disposal pouch program
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/12/03/div-class-libPageBodyLinebreak-Safe-smart-and-sensible-div/stories/201911260002

Ed Rendell, the risk-taker who isn’t afraid of failure | Industry Icons
https://www.inquirer.com/business/ed-rendell-former-governor-inquirer-business-icon-20191203.html

Planning for Social Security retirement benefits? Get all your questions answered at this free seminar
https://www.inquirer.com/business/social-security-retirement-benefits-ssa-upper-darby-20191203.html

Hershey hockey fans set world record by tossing over 45,000 stuffed animals on ice
https://triblive.com/sports/hershey-hockey-fans-set-world-record-tossing-over-45000-stuffed-animals-on-ice/

AG’s office settles malicious prosecution case for $65,000
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/ag-s-office-settles-malicious-prosecution-case-for-65-000-1.2566754

Sunday hunting in Pa.: Which Sundays will the Game Commission choose? Here are the options
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2019/12/03/sunday-hunting-pa-which-sundays-game-commission-choose-archery-rifle-turkey-deer-season-bear/2585920001/

Washington

Conor Lamb says U.S. troops are ‘confident’ in Trump’s exit strategy in Afghanistan
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/12/02/Conor-Lamb-Trump-Afghanistan-troops-Taliban-negotiations/stories/201912020102

Attorney General William Barr disputes key inspector general finding about FBI’s Russia investigation
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/attorney-general-william-barr-fbi-russia-trump-20191203.html

Rosenstein said he was ‘horrified’ at how Comey was fired
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/rod-rosenstein-fbi-james-comey-robert-mueller-trump-20191203.html