Legislature
Bill that would halt Polk Center closure could advance this week
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/social-services/2020/01/13/Intellectual-disabilities-Polk-Center-White-Haven-closure-legislation-bill-Pennsylvania/stories/202001100116
Your cheat-sheet to Tuesday’s special election in the 48th Senate District
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/your-cheat-sheet-to-tuesdays-special-election-in-the-48th-senate-district/
Business
Small manufacturers in Western Pa. not seeing boon from steel tariffs
https://triblive.com/local/regional/small-manufacturers-not-seeing-boon-from-steel-tariffs/
Kennywood’s Steelers Country ranks among top 10 best new attractions
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/steelers-country-ranks-in-top-10-new-amusement-park-attraction/
Crime/Punishment
Charges pending for teens who gave 2-year-old a vaping device
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/01/12/2-year-old-child-given-vaping-device-charges-state-police/stories/202001120157
Susquehanna County store to plead guilty to ‘spice’ sales
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/susquehanna-county-store-to-plead-guilty-to-spice-sales-1.2582539
Education
Map: 100 Pa. schools found lead in their drinking water. Here’s how they responded.
https://www.penncapital-star.com/education/map-100-pa-schools-found-lead-in-their-drinking-water-heres-how-they-responded/
Attorneys hope to resolve lawsuit that seeks to recoup Scranton school district funds
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/attorneys-hope-to-resolve-lawsuit-that-seeks-to-recoup-scranton-school-district-funds-1.2582540
Neshaminy teacher makes simple devices to benefit students with physical disabilities
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20200113/neshaminy-teacher-makes-simple-devices-to-benefit-students-with-physical-disabilities
Editorial: Student debt load hurting prospects for Pennsylvania
https://www.readingeagle.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-student-debt-load-hurting-prospects-for-pennsylvania/article_c1932cdc-33cd-11ea-ad60-afdbc00370cb.html
Elections/Politics
The stakes have never been higher. Here’s who I plan to vote for in April’s Dem primary | Will Bunch
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/elizabeth-warren-best-candidate-2020-democratic-primary-20200112.html
Daylin Leach was a #MeToo moment for Pennsylvania Democrats. But beating him won’t be easy.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/daylin-leach-pennsylvania-senate-primary-metoo-20200113.html
Local News
New Railfest date will kick off summer at Steamtown
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/new-railfest-date-will-kick-off-summer-at-steamtown-1.2582521
Blakely’s anchor: A nautical symbol for a landlocked town
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/blakely-s-anchor-a-nautical-symbol-for-a-landlocked-town-1.2582535
Home program shift promising
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/home-program-shift-promising-1.2582256
Former Tunkhannock elementary schools hit the auction block
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/former-tunkhannock-elementary-schools-hit-the-auction-block-1.2582498
Schuylkill preparing turbine rules
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/schuylkill-preparing-turbine-rules-1.2582419
Village of Seyfert in Robeson Township once a booming iron-making community
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/village-of-seyfert-in-robeson-township-once-a-booming-iron/article_cdb28bf4-332b-11ea-b5f8-1b3b2f4770eb.html
Chesco DA Ryan picks out of the box for her top aides
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/chesco-da-ryan-picks-out-of-the-box-for-her/article_8eb265d2-33c6-11ea-8dde-4bd0b5a78498.html
How a grant helps build a couple’s dream of a woodland learning center in Robeson Township
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/how-a-grant-helps-build-a-couple-s-dream-of/article_9461f56c-2802-11ea-8454-fbe84191e534.html
Allegheny Township considers pump station upgrades
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/allegheny-township-considers-pump-station-upgrades/
Luzerne County Council slated to vote on Griffith’s council solicitor proposal
https://www.timesleader.com/news/769079/luzerne-county-council-slated-to-vote-on-griffiths-council-solicitor-proposal
Several personnel developments in Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office
https://www.timesleader.com/news/769074/several-personnel-developments-in-luzerne-county-district-attorneys-office
Area church group gathers to make quilts for homeless shelters
https://www.timesleader.com/news/769077/area-church-group-gathers-to-make-quilts-for-homeless-shelters
Annual Autism Bowl held at Chacko’s in Wilkes-Barre
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/annual-autism-bowl-held-at-chacko-s-in-wilkes-barre-1.2582505
Lehigh County 911 calls taking longer to dispatch since merger of Allentown, county centers
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-lehigh-county-911-dispatch-time-lag-20200112-hlzvpxtxjzd4xhz6qk33srcjhe-story.html
Philly
3 dead, 7 injured — including a toddler — in 8 Philly shootings
https://www.inquirer.com/crime/3-homicides-shootings-philadelphia-20200112.html
Lingering feelings of abandonment at Hahnemann | Perspective
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/hahnemann-university-hospital-graffiti-malpractice-insurance-residents-20200113.html
This free, Philly-based start-up accelerator program is accepting candidates now
https://www.inquirer.com/business/philadelphia-free-startup-accelerator-program-ic3401-university-center-20200113.html
Witness recalls Center City stabbing: ‘I could see the violence kind of erupting’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/rittenhouse-stabbing-witness-recall-bob-silver-20200113.html
Doggie Style Pets groomed 12-year-old Maltese pups, and one died. Then came the lawsuits.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/doggie-style-maltese-groomer-death-howard-nelson-steven-roemer-20200113.html
West Hazleton ministry group shares spirit in Philly neighborhood
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/west-hazleton-ministry-group-shares-spirit-in-philly-neighborhood-1.2582526
Business and expansion flying high at Philadelphia International Airport
https://www.delcotimes.com/business/business-and-expansion-flying-high-at-philadelphia-international-airport/article_65a00142-3324-11ea-baf1-9338b8061d17.html
Pitt
New CEO hopes to raise profile of World Affairs Council
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2020/01/12/New-president-CEO-World-Affairs-Council-Betty-Cruz-pittsburgh/stories/202001080141
West End may see first new development in decades
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/01/12/West-End-Village-Red-Rocks-Group-FEMA-pittsburgh-development-apartments/stories/202001110019
Pittsburgh school district seeking proposals for four buildings, vacant lot
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/01/13/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-opens-RFP-proposals-for-four-buildings-vacant-lot/stories/202001070107
Hall selection a surprise of a lifetime for former Steelers coach Bill Cowher
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2020/01/12/Bill-Cowher-Pro-Football-Hall-of-Fame-Centennial-Class-of-2020-Dave-Baker-The-NFL-Today-Art-Rooney-II-Kevin-Colbert-Mike-Tomlin/stories/202001120152
Port Authority reports few problems with new senior ConnectCards
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/01/12/Port-Authority-pittsburgh-senior-citizens-free-rides-photo-ConnectCard-medicare/stories/202001100126
Benefits to readers: Library adds space and services
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/01/13/Benefits-to-readers-Library-adds-space-and-services/stories/201912180065
State News
The Methodists, the mediator and the divorce plan
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2020/01/13/United-Methodist-Church-separation-protocol-lgbtq-ordination-gay-marriage/stories/202001120048
Will the escalator at the Pa. Capitol ever be fully operational again?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/will-the-escalator-at-the-pa-capitol-ever-be-fully-operational-again.html
Family farm life can turn deadly for kids, with 11 killed in just one Pa. county over five years
https://www.witf.org/2020/01/13/family-farm-life-can-turn-deadly-for-kids-with-11-killed-in-just-one-pa-county-over-five-years/
Forget about selfies and social media. We need organic growth in Pa.’s LGBTQ community | Frank Pizzoli
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/forget-about-selfies-and-social-media-we-need-organic-growth-in-pa-s-lgbtq-community-frank-pizzoli/
Central Outreach: An LGBTQ-focused wellness center now open in Aliquippa
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200112/central-outreach-lgbtq-focused-wellness-center-now-open-in-aliquippa
Hunting restrictions enforced by the Beaver County Conservation District
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200113/hunting-restrictions-enforced-by-beaver-county-conservation-district
Hours cut at Erie pet emergency center
https://www.goerie.com/news/20200113/hours-cut-at-erie-pet-emergency-center
Transportation
Highway deaths continue to mount, though U.S. roadways are safer than ever
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/highway-deaths-continue-to-mount-though-u-s-roadways-are-safer-than-ever/
Final cause of fatal Pennsylvania Turnpike crash could be years away
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/final-cause-of-fatal-pennsylvania-turnpike-crash-could-be-years-away/
Washington
Senior administration officials struggle to explain intelligence behind killing of Soleimani
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/trump-administration-struggles-to-explain-intelligence-behind-killing-soleimani-20200113.html
As VA combats veteran suicide, a push to expand mental health services and fears of outsourcing
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/01/13/Veterans-Affairs-suicide-mental-health-expansion-services-outsourcing-fears-legislation/stories/202001130007