Legislature
Shapiro, lawmakers back plan to fight Medicaid fraud
https://www.tribdem.com/news/shapiro-lawmakers-back-plan-to-fight-medicaid-fraud/article_f1490514-366b-11ea-a8f2-3f84db15d8e6.html
Rep. Grove leads bipartisan bill package combating $3B in Medicaid fraud
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/politics/2020/01/13/rep-grove-leads-bipartisan-bill-package-combating-3-b-medicaid-fraud/4455563002/
Pa. lawmakers propose drug affordability board to regulate prescription prices
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/pa-lawmakers-propose-drug-affordability-board-to-regulate-prescription-prices.html
Pa. House passes bill to study exempting newer vehicles from emissions testing
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/pa-house-passes-bill-to-study-exempting-newer-vehicles-from-emissions-testing.html
Bill to rollback natural gas drilling regulations clears House committee
https://www.penncapital-star.com/energy-environment/bill-to-rollback-natural-gas-drilling-regulations-clears-house-committee/
Gov. Wolf vows to veto bill loosening rules for conventional oil and gas wells
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2020/01/13/Conventional-oil-gas-well-law-brine-spill-Pennsylvania-wolf-veto/stories/202001130106
House GOP retaliates against Wolf’s overtime proposal
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/house-gop-retaliates-against-wolfs-overtime-proposal/
Special election held today for Pa. Senate seat: Hours, polls and what else you need to know
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/special-election-for-pa-senate-seat-hours-polls-and-more-info.html
Girardville Basketball Association honors Leiby, late Sen. Rhoades
https://www.republicanherald.com/news/girardville-basketball-association-honors-leiby-late-sen-rhoades-1.2582855
It’s time to end Pa’s outrageous practice of non-consensual, unnecessary pelvic exams | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/its-time-to-end-pas-end-outrageous-practice-of-non-consensual-unnecessary-pelvic-exams-opinion/
Create board to get handle on drug costs
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/create-board-to-get-handle-on-drug-costs-1.2582664
Business
Kennametal closes Carbidie plant in Hempfield; 60 jobs lost
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/kennametal-closes-carbidie-plant-in-hempfield-60-jobs-lost/
Fewer plastic bags: Stores smartly plan to end use
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/01/14/Fewer-plastic-bags-Stores-smartly-plan-to-end-use/stories/201912210018
Tarentum’s Perriello Produce shutting down retail business
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/tarentums-perriello-produce-shutting-down-retail-business/
Labor secretary touts economic ‘rebound’ in NEPA
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/labor-secretary-touts-economic-rebound-in-nepa-1.2582763
Labor Secretary Scalia meets with Luzerne County business leaders
https://www.timesleader.com/news/769164/labor-secretary-scalia-meets-with-luzerne-county-business-leaders
As Wind Creek plans a 2nd hotel, Hotel Bethlehem asks for more time on its $37 million expansion
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/bethlehem/mc-nws-hotel-bethlehem-criz-extension-20200113-ezbdxybxljevfgu5to73xjjpou-story.html
Crime/Punishment
Pennsylvania teen hunters charged with animal cruelty after attack on wounded deer posted on Snapchat
https://www.inquirer.com/news/deer-hunting-viral-animalcruelty-spca-20200113.html
Police: Charges pending after 2-year-old seen using vaping device on video in St. Clair
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/child-endangerment-charges-pending-against-2-in-westmoreland-vaping-incident/
Supreme Court won’t hear Frein appeal
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/supreme-court-won-t-hear-frein-appeal-1.2582883
Man charged with 11th DUI gets continuance
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/man-charged-with-th-dui-gets-continuance/article_45617216-364f-11ea-9d63-0fd988f1db74.html
Education
Grant-funded programs to benefit Highlands students’ computer learning, vision care
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/grant-funded-programs-to-benefit-highlands-students-computer-learning-vision-care/
Turf field would reduce water runoff in Leechburg, officials say
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/turf-field-would-reduce-water-runoff-in-leechburg-officials-say/
National teachers union president, others to speak at Scranton School District funding meeting Wednesday
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/national-teachers-union-president-others-to-speak-at-scranton-school-district-funding-meeting-wednesday-1.2582829
Parkland students in need of a study break can head to library for ‘de-stress kits’
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-parkland-library-stress-kits-20200114-3frwsxxosneahfoc4sunyuriqe-story.html
PMSD and union headed back to negotiating table Wednesday
https://www.poconorecord.com/news/20200113/pmsd-and-union-headed-back-to-negotiating-table-wednesday
Harrisburg high school principal removed; search for replacement begins
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/harrisburg-high-school-principal-removed-search-for-replacement-begins.html
Wilkes-Barre Area shows off progress at high school site
https://www.timesleader.com/news/769228/wilkes-barre-area-shows-off-progress-at-high-school-site
Advocacy groups say Pennsylvania underfunds special education
https://www.witf.org/2020/01/13/advocacy-groups-say-pennsylvania-underfunds-special-education/
Temple returns to U.S. News’ online MBA rankings, far below where it was before false-data scandal
https://www.inquirer.com/education/temple-mba-online-rankings-us-news-20200114.html
Johnson College freezes tuition
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/johnson-college-freezes-tuition-1.2582827
Elections/Politics
Early voting is coming to Pennsylvania, but it won’t be the same for everyone
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/pennsylvania-early-voting-absentee-ballots-20200113.html
Wyoming attorney announces bid for 120th state House District
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wyoming-attorney-announces-bid-for-120th-state-house-district-1.2582718
Pa. House staffer to run for Pa. House seat representing part of Dauphin County
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/pa-house-staffer-to-run-for-pa-house-seat-representing-part-of-dauphin-county.html
Democrat launches campaign to represent Berks County in Harrisburg
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/politics/democrat-launches-campaign-to-represent-berks-county-in-harrisburg/article_2533b4b4-3635-11ea-9f60-f72b911375b4.html
How Pennsylvania teens are preparing to cast their first vote for president: ‘The boys mostly like Trump’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/dunmore-high-lackawanna-county-trump-young-voters-primary-2020-pennsylvania-politics-20200114.html
Hershey Republican drops out of race against Rep. Scott Perry
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/hershey-republican-drops-out-of-race-against-rep-scott-perry.html
Health Care
High-priced specialty drugs: Exposing the flaws in the system | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/high-priced-specialty-drugs-exposing-the-flaws-in-the-system-opinion/
Local News
Lackawanna County commissioners may reopen 2020 budget, hike taxes 11.3%
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-commissioners-may-reopen-2020-budget-hike-taxes-11-3-1.2582662
Cummings quits as Dunmore solicitor
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/cummings-quits-as-dunmore-solicitor-1.2582623
Reading City Council considers purchasing former city pool
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-city-council-considers-purchasing-former-city-pool/article_289176b2-3664-11ea-b13f-8f6a2f8c393d.html
Chester County earns national honor for performance management leadership
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/chester-county-earns-national-honor-for-performance-management-leadership/article_f3e43456-3634-11ea-8f8a-cf416bf9f5a8.html
County commissioners leaning toward reopening Westmoreland’s 2020 budget
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/county-commissioners-leaning-toward-reopening-westmorelands-2020-budget/
Report: Greensburg development snarled in red tape
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/report-greensburg-development-snarled-in-red-tape/
Greensburg to amend legal documents after former police chief disputes retirement account
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/greensburg-to-amend-legal-documents-after-former-police-chief-disputes-retirement-account/
Mayor Brown to ride with DPW, police, fire chiefs
https://www.timesleader.com/news/769230/mayor-brown-to-ride-with-dpw-police-fire-chiefs
Luzerne County agency urges older adults to take advantage of free exercise classes
https://www.timesleader.com/news/769221/luzerne-county-agency-urges-older-adults-to-take-advantage-of-free-exercise-classes
Natural Gas
They chose Ivy Lane because it was peaceful. Then the pipeline exploded.
https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/after-the-explosion/
DEP orders Range Resources to fix leaking Marcellus well ‘once and for all’
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2020/01/13/Range-Resources-DEP-order-methane-gas-leaking-Marcellus-well-Lewis-Lycoming/stories/202001130117
Pennsylvania orders gas well plugged in fight over methane
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-orders-gas-well-plugged-in-fight-over-methane/
Philly
Roosevelt Boulevard speed cameras are coming to these eight locations
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/roosevelt-boulevard-speed-enforcement-cameras-vision-zero-20200113.html
Automated speed cameras finally coming to Roosevelt Boulevard
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/automated-speed-cameras-finally-coming-to-roosevelt-boulevard/article_2312d92a-4e44-5bb3-9242-ee2f88e33136.html
Tech salary census: 300 Philadelphia designers disclose their pay
https://www.inquirer.com/jobs/tech-salary-negotiation-philadelphia-pay-raise-ux-designers-20200114.html
Former PMA exec out as head of Erie Museum after concerns and complaints published
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-museum-art-josh-helmer-erie-departs-20200113.html
Philadelphia Museum of Art staffers say complaints about former exec ‘barely scratch the surface
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-museum-art-joshua-helmer-pma-staff-statement-complaints-20200113.html
What it means to workers when city steps up labor law enforcement | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/worker-protections-philly-municipal-socialism-business-penalties-20200114.html
Family and comrades bid farewell to Philadelphia Army vet Corey Michael Hadley at Bucks military funeral
https://www.inquirer.com/news/corey-michael-hadley-funeral-philadelphia-army-vet-20200114.html
How Philly can recycle better and save money doing it | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-recycling-incineration-waste-management-20200113.html
‘They shot my baby’: Teen among dead as 7 killed, 12 shot in violent weekend in Philadelphia
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-gun-violence-7-shot-12-killed-weekend-shootings-20200113.html
Philadelphia Inquirer names new publisher Lisa Hughes
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/philadelphia-inquirer-lisa-hughes-publisher-ceo-20200114.html
Pitt
Regatta operator bankruptcy stalled
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/01/13/Regatta-operator-bankruptcy-dismissal-Lionheart-EQT/stories/202001130100
City-County Building approaches historic finish line
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/art-architecture/2020/01/13/Pittsburgh-City-County-Building-Allegheny-historic-designation-Peduto-Fitzgerald-achitecture/stories/202001130077
Pittsburgh LGBT organization changes leaders, pledges audit of finances
https://www.witf.org/2020/01/13/pittsburgh-lgbt-organization-changes-leaders-pledges-audit-of-finances/
Delta Foundation president resigns amid criminal investigation
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/01/13/Delta-Foundation-president-resigns-amid-criminal-investigation-pittsburgh-gary-van-horn-lgbt/stories/202001130136
Bill Cowher’s Hall of Fame nod a winner in his hometown of Crafton
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/bill-cowhers-hall-of-fame-nod-a-winner-in-his-hometown-of-crafton/
State News
Cranberry fire department remembers brothers who died just hours apart
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/north/2020/01/13/Cranberry-fire-department-remembers-brothers-Mark-Lee-Nanna-died-hours-apart-funeral/stories/202001130091
Gettysburg monument with local interest spared from tree damage
https://www.timesleader.com/news/769127/gettysburg-monument-with-local-interest-spared-from-tree-damage
Lawsuit planned in fight to keep state centers open
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/lawsuit-planned-in-fight-to-keep-state-centers-open-1.2582681
Census Bureau looking for part-time workers to assist with count
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/census-bureau-looking-for-part-time-workers-to-assist-with-count-1.2582880
Rally in Harrisburg kicks off Pa. 2020 census push
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/rally-in-harrisburg-kicks-off-pa-census-push/article_25af3c84-364d-11ea-a0d3-ff657bea04b5.html
Why is a fake Pennsylvania town going viral, and what does it mean for the real one?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/why-is-a-fake-pennsylvania-town-going-viral-and-whats-it-mean-for-the-real-one.html
Women’s March rally planned for Saturday in Beaver
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200113/womens-march-rally-planned-for-saturday-in-beaver
Transportation
LCTA requests proposals for new sign installation
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/lcta-requests-proposals-for-new-sign-installation-1.2582714
Washington
Trump says ‘it doesn’t really matter’ if Iranian general posed an imminent threat
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/trump-iran-soleimani-imminent-threat-doesnt-really-matter-20200113.html
Trump incorrectly insists that he ‘saved’ protections for pre-existing conditions
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/healthcare-business/2020/01/13/Trump-preexisting-conditions-saved-health-care-Bloomberg/stories/202001130155
GOP senators reject plans to dismiss Trump impeachment
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/01/13/impeachment-trial-witnesses-Trump-Senate/stories/202001130152
Casey talks issues ahead of 2020 election
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/casey-talks-issues-ahead-of-2020-election-1.2582646