Legislature

Carroll: Driver cellphone use bill a step backward
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/carroll-driver-cellphone-use-bill-a-step-backward-1.2584117

Trying to stay informed? Pennsylvania schools, municipal boards don’t have to tell you what they’re talking about
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/2020/01/16/state-law-might-require-schools-municipalities-post-agendas-and-minutes/4488145002/

Administration

Gov. Tom Wolf mixed state work with personal time in Israel trip
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/gov-tom-wolf-mixes-state-work-with-personal-time-in-israel-trip/

Business

Weis debuts new Dallas store with ‘dollar zone,’ donations
https://www.timesleader.com/top-stories/769617/weis-debuts-new-dallas-store-with-dollar-zone-donations

These were the 11 largest layoffs in Pa. in 2019: UPMC Pinnacle, Musser’s Market and more
https://www.pennlive.com/life/2020/01/from-upmc-pinnacle-to-rite-aid-and-mussers-market-here-were-the-11-largest-layoffs-in-pa-in-2019.html

A new rival for Wawa, Sheetz? Convenience store chain Royal Farms plans to enter Lehigh Valley market
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-convenience-store-royal-farms-20200116-7r2njd472zbsbe6roxttgjabqm-story.html

Scott Wagner sells Penn Waste to Canadian company
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/scott-wagner-sells-penn-waste-to-canadian-company.html

Sunoco to pay another $2M in fines
https://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2020/01/sunoco-to-pay-another-2m-in-fines/

R-V Industries expands in Honey Brook
https://www.dailylocal.com/business/r-v-industries-expands-in-honey-brook/article_b1250772-9423-5a8b-ad36-5320518fbd0d.html

Spikes rally to save franchise
https://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2020/01/spikes-rally-to-save-franchise/

Crime/Punishment

Police searching for suspect after fatal shooting in Westmoreland County
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/westmoreland/2020/01/16/1-person-reportedly-dead-after-shooting-in-Westmoreland-County/stories/202001160183

Police name suspect in fatal Arnold shooting
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/police-investigate-shooting-death-in-arnold/

Man killed in New Kensington shooting attacked in December, police say
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/arnold-man-idd-as-victim-in-deadly-new-kensington-shooting/

Judge won’t dismiss charges against ex-Derry mayor accused in gun incident
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/judge-wont-dismiss-charges-against-ex-derry-mayor-accused-in-gun-incident/

An anonymous letter mailed to the newspaper might describe a murder. Police would like to talk to the author
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/an-anonymous-letter-mailed-to-the-newspaper-might-describe-a-murder-police-would-like-to-talk-to-the-author-1.2584053

Education

Highmark opens school grant program
https://triblive.com/local/regional/highmark-opens-school-grant-program/

‘It’s not only a school; it’s a family’: Building 21 students and teachers defend their school despite its low test scores
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-allentown-building-21-community-town-hall-20200117-no6ntn7rkjbhfgk3dsjou2wruq-story.html

Facing shortfall, Crestwood considers pushing tax rate above state limit
https://www.timesleader.com/news/769653/facing-shortfall-crestwood-considers-pushing-tax-rate-above-state-limit

Pa. university leaders hope paying out accrued sick leave will entice early faculty retirements
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/01/16/State-System-early-retirement-union-faculty-higher-education-Greenstein-Mash-APSCUF-Pennsylvania/stories/202001160141

Ursinus College receives $11 million donation, its largest, for student scholarships
https://www.inquirer.com/education/ursinus-college-donation-scholarship-will-abele-20200117.html

Pennsylvania officials award $1 million in grants to fight campus sexual assault
https://www.inquirer.com/education/pennsylvania-education-department-campus-sexual-assault-grants-20200116.html

Wilkes University gets $30,000 It’s On Us state grant
https://www.timesleader.com/news/769671/wilkes-university-gets-30000-its-on-us-state-grant

Wilkes awarded $30K ‘It’s On Us’ grant
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wilkes-awarded-30k-it-s-on-us-grant-1.2584133

Centre County DA discusses former Penn State football player’s hazing allegations
https://www.witf.org/2020/01/17/centre-county-da-discusses-former-penn-state-football-players-hazing-allegations/

With their contract extended, PHEAA officials suggest improvements to controversial federal student loan program
https://www.penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/with-their-contract-extended-pheaa-officials-suggest-improvements-to-controversial-federal-student-loan-program/

Elections/Politics

Pennsylvania’s 2020 election results could take days to count under a new law
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/pennsylvania-2020-presidential-election-results-absentee-ballots-20200117.html

Adams County school director launches campaign for state 33rd Senatorial seat
https://cumberlink.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/adams-county-school-director-launches-campaign-for-state-rd-senatorial/article_0a868956-f5c6-52ea-9176-521a19506f2a.html

Gaming

Record year for state’s casinos
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/record-year-for-state-s-casinos-1.2584115

Gambling revenue in Pennsylvania hits record high
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/gambling-revenue-in-pennsylvania-hits-record-high/

Casino revenues up statewide in 2019 but down at Harrah’s
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/casino-revenues-up-statewide-in-but-down-at-harrah-s/article_96b2b1fe-38aa-11ea-b74c-8be69ccfb788.html

Legal online poker in Pennsylvania makes $2.5 million in 1st full month
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/legal-online-poker-in-pennsylvania-makes-2-5-million-in-first-full-month/

Health Care

Allegheny Health Network cancels surgeries after gown recall
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-health-network-cancels-surgeries-after-gown-recall/

Sunbury hospital will stop admitting patients, close ER due to staffing shortages
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/sunbury-hospital-will-stop-admitting-patients-close-er-due-to-staffing-shortages.html

Local News

Scranton Sewer Authority approves $7M settlement of lawsuit over 600 missing easements
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-sewer-authority-approves-7m-settlement-of-lawsuit-over-600-missing-easements-1.2584088

Berks County constable system to undergo forensic audit to help address problems
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-county-constable-system-to-undergo-forensic-audit-to-help/article_e13525cc-3878-11ea-a927-df8425180a3d.html

Sinking Spring to seek construction bids for Phase II of its revitalization project
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/sinking-spring-to-seek-construction-bids-for-phase-ii-of/article_5702fcc0-38a6-11ea-b68e-03e3fb7afa78.html

Lower Merion approves funding for six township fire companies
http://www.mainlinemedianews.com/mainlinesuburbanlife/lower-merion-approves-funding-for-six-township-fire-companies/article_4bfd67a6-3889-11ea-92c9-fb3cc4dcfc33.html

Aston gives green light to new truck facility
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/aston-gives-green-light-to-new-truck-facility/article_d82267d2-3892-11ea-b356-ef1d333e4bac.html

Spring City sewer main cracks, spilling raw sewage into creek feeding Schuylkill River
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/spring-city-sewer-main-cracks-spilling-raw-sewage-into-creek/article_d0fe693f-4ab8-5ce2-b613-1ef87c72209c.html

Arnold girl, 6, aims to sell 4K boxes of Girl Scout Cookies
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/6-year-old-girl-from-arnold-looks-to-sell-4k-boxes-of-girl-scout-cookies/

Wilkes-Barre receives $29K check for unclaimed property
https://www.timesleader.com/news/769673/wilkes-barre-receives-29k-check-for-unclaimed-property

Exeter Twp. police sue their own municipality
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/exeter-twp-police-sue-their-own-municipality-1.2584078

Projects recommended for Upper Toby Creek Watershed
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/projects-recommended-for-upper-toby-creek-watershed-1.2584075

New indoor sports center for city may be on the way
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/new-indoor-sports-center-for-city-may-be-on-the-way-1.2584024

Why the borough of Mount Carbon might vanish from the map
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-mount-carbon-20200116-f5lbmliqh5hsdek2r3blmp3z7y-story.html

Philly

A Philly woman who earned her way off probation was told she’s ‘an outlier.’ She’s hosting the Probation Awards to prove otherwise.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-probation-awards-latonya-myers-20200117.html

With 2020 election, Women’s March on Philadelphia ‘more important now than ever,’ organizers say
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/philadelphia-womens-march-2020-trump-election-vote-route-protest-20200117.html

‘I killed a lady. … I took everything she had,’ teen told friends after killing his foster mother, sources say
https://www.inquirer.com/news/xavier-johnson-renee-gilyard-foster-mother-killed-philadelphia-20200116.html

South Philly explosion caused by crack in gas main, officials say
https://www.inquirer.com/news/south-philly-explosion-fire-cause-gas-main-leak-crack-20200116.html

Rape case dropped against former Philly cop
https://www.inquirer.com/news/novice-sloan-philadelphia-police-rape-child-pornography-20200117.html

2 dead in another violent night in Philly
https://www.inquirer.com/news/homicide-stabbed-shooting-port-richmond-wynnefield-20200117.html

Dismembered woman’s body found in South Philly basement
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/girls-body-found-south-philadelphia-20200117.html

In Philly, new Koch-backed initiative encourages businesses to hire ex-offenders
https://www.penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/in-philly-new-koch-backed-initiative-encourages-businesses-to-hire-ex-offenders/

Pitt

Ex-cop Rosfeld, acquitted in Antwon Rose II homicide, sues to get old Pitt policing job back
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/01/16/michael-rosfeld-lawsuit-university-pittsburgh-kathy-humphrey-loudermill-termination/stories/202001160168

New data shows Pittsburgh commuters have it pretty easy
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/new-data-shows-pittsburgh-commuters-have-it-pretty-easy/

Pittsburgh police contract award followed hard bargaining
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/01/16/Police-award-followed-hard-bargaining/stories/202001160143

Pittsburgh police union disputes city’s early contract offer
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-police-union-disputes-citys-early-contract-offer/

Allegheny County deputy public defender charged with stabbing fiance — another public defender
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/01/16/domestic-violence-allegheny-county-public-defenders-arrest-laforgia-saba/stories/202001160138

A Pittsburgh guy: Bill Cowher headed to the Hall of Fame
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/01/17/Pittsburgh-guy-Bill-Cowher-headed-to-the-Hall-of-Fame/stories/202001140020

Not lovin’ it — McDonald’s closes Strip District restaurant
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/01/16/Mcdonalds-closed-strip-district-pittsburgh-penn-avenue/stories/202001160181

New Pitt-based study shows sepsis kills twice as many people globally as thought
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/01/16/New-Pitt-based-study-shows-sepsis-kills-twice-as-many-people-globally-as-thought/stories/202001160157

From refrigerators to robotics, Sears outlet store in Lawrenceville may become hub for high tech
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2020/01/17/Sears-Lawrenceville-Spear-Street-Capital-autonomous-vehicles-robotics-pittsburgh/stories/202001160172

Carnegie Museum of Art names four new directors ahead of 125th anniversary
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/art-architecture/2020/01/16/Carnegie-Museum-of-Art-Pittsburgh-names-four-new-directors/stories/202001160164

State News

These states are the least physically active, new CDC report says. Where do Pa. and N.J. fall?
https://www.inquirer.com/health/new-jersey-inactive-cdc-pennsylvania-exercise-20200116.html

Pa.’s $57 billion pension fund chooses a history teacher as new chair
https://www.inquirer.com/business/psers-trustees-chair-chris-santa-maria-melva-vogler-20200116.html

Aqua America, Peoples Natural Gas win approval to merge, but not everybody’s on board
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2020/01/16/Aqua-America-Peoples-Natural-Gas-approval-merger-Pennsylvania-PUC-water-utility/stories/202001160133

Western Pennsylvania sets record for organ, tissue transplants in 2019
https://triblive.com/local/regional/western-pennsylvania-sets-record-for-organ-tissue-transplants-in-2019/

As complaints of rotten smell multiply, landfill critics said DEP reporting process flawed
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/as-complaints-of-rotten-smell-multiply-landfill-critics-said-dep-reporting-process-flawed-1.2584035

Spotted lanternfly is costing Pennsylvania $50 million a year, study says
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/state/spotted-lanternfly-is-costing-pennsylvania-million-a-year-study-says/article_8ab9c546-3921-11ea-827b-e3293dfe098f.html

Study: Spotted lanternfly costing Pennsylvania $50M annually
https://www.witf.org/2020/01/17/study-spotted-lanternfly-costing-pennsylvania-50m-annually/

Lackawanna River needs your vote
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/lackawanna-river-needs-your-vote-1.2584000

Former Gov. Tom Ridge reflects on becoming Pa.’s chief executive 25 years ago: ‘I loved being the guv’
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/former-gov-tom-ridge-reflects-on-becoming-pas-chief-executive-25-years-ago-i-loved-being-the-gov.html

Pennsylvania’s organized coyote hunt season gets under way as some other state ban the hunts
https://www.pennlive.com/life/2020/01/pennsylvanias-organized-coyote-hunt-season-gets-under-way-as-some-other-state-ban-the-hunts.html

At Harrisburg pensions panel, private equity firms pitch their soundness as investments
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/at-harrisburg-pensions-panel-private-equity-firms-pitch-their-soundness-as-investments/

Transportation

Trees cut in Conyngham to accommodate new bridge
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/trees-cut-in-conyngham-to-accommodate-new-bridge-1.2584048

Washington

Historic impeachment trial of Trump begins in the Senate
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/01/16/donald-Trump-impeachment-trial-opens-with-reading-of-charges-senate-washington/stories/202001160142

Pat Toomey and Bob Casey just split on Trump’s trade deal — but not how you might think
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pat-toomey-bob-casey-trump-trade-deal-usmca-vote-20200116.html

Toomey bucks Trump on USMCA vote; Casey backs it citing ‘Democratic improvements’
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200116/toomey-bucks-trump-on-usmca-vote-casey-backs-it-citing-democratic-improvements