Administration
Wolf’s mental health campaign would bring more counselors, social workers to schools https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2020/01/03/Wolf-s-mental-health-campaign-would-bring-more-counselors-social-workers-to-schools/stories/202001030146
Despite GOP’s attempt to compromise, Wolf says he’s not abandoning overtime plan https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/despite-gops-attempt-to-compromise-wolf-says-hes-not-abandoning-overtime-plan.html
Business
Oil prices surge, stocks slip after U.S. kills Iran general https://www.inquirer.com/business/iran-general-qassem-soleimani-oil-prices-surge-20200103.html
Oil Price Jumps On Fear Of Iranian Retaliation Against U.S. https://www.wesa.fm/post/oil-price-jumps-fear-iranian-retaliation-against-us
After Wawa breach, banks reissue thousands of debit, credit cards to customers https://www.inquirer.com/news/wawa-citibank-citizens-bank-credit-debit-breach-hack-20200103.html
When does refinancing into a 15-year mortgage make sense? https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/housing/refinancing-mortgage-30-versus-15-year-20200104.html
2020 brings higher labor costs for small businesses https://www.pennlive.com/business/2020/01/2020-brings-higher-labor-costs-for-small-businesses.html
Paid sick leave requirement daunting for Pittsburgh business owners https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/paid-sick-leave-requirement-daunting-for-pittsburgh-business-owners/
Federal Reserve last month saw a declining risk of recession https://triblive.com/news/wire-stories/federal-reserve-last-month-saw-a-declining-risk-of-recession/
Crime/Punishment
SCI Greene on lockdown following assault: reports https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/sci-greene-on-lockdown-following-assault-reports.html
Education
Upper Darby restricts access to sporting events after altercation at basketball game https://www.inquirer.com/news/upper-darby-sports-games-closed-to-public-safety-basketball-20200103.html
New year opens with protests, concerns about health conditions in schools https://whyy.org/articles/new-year-opens-with-protests-concerns-about-health-conditions-in-schools/
Environment
Air Force to give more than $2 million to stop contaminated water flowing from former Montco base https://www.inquirer.com/news/pfas-cleanup-air-force-water-contamination-willow-grove-dean-20200103.html
State Levels Record $30 Million Fine Against Pipeline Company Responsible For Beaver County Blast https://www.wesa.fm/post/state-levels-record-30-million-fine-against-pipeline-company-responsible-beaver-county-blast
The Hartford says it will limit coverage of energy companies that rely on fossil fuels https://www.pennlive.com/business/2020/01/the-hartford-says-it-will-limit-coverage-of-energy-companies-that-rely-on-fossil-fuels.html
Farm Show
Ranking new foods at the 2020 Farm Show, including Flyin’ Porker, grilled cheese, meatballs and hemp tea https://www.pennlive.com/farm-show/2020/01/ranking-new-foods-at-the-2020-farm-show-including-flyin-porker-grilled-cheese-meatballs-and-hemp-tea.html
Farm Show opening day: How’s the traffic? https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/farm-show-opening-day-hows-the-traffic.html
Pennsylvania Farm Show food showcases agricultural products https://www.readingeagle.com/news/pennsylvania-farm-show-food-showcases-agricultural-products/article_3aa1f5b0-2e6d-11ea-b442-eb330ebc1e4a.html
It might not be possible to experience everything at the Farm Show, but you can have fun trying https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/it-might-not-be-possible-to-experience-everything-at-the/article_62c3cc7f-9abe-5f5a-aceb-15d1286cccaa.html
Health
Flu is all over Pa., N.J., and most of the country, CDC says https://www.inquirer.com/health/flu-activity-high-cdc-pennsylvania-new-jersey-deaths-20200103.html
What really works for dry winter skin, according to dermatologists https://www.inquirer.com/health/dermatologists-say-how-to-fight-dry-skin-in-winter-20200102.html
Effort to control opioids in an ER leaves some sickle cell patients in pain https://whyy.org/npr_story_post/effort-to-control-opioids-in-an-er-leaves-some-sickle-cell-patients-in-pain/
7 women’s health topics we need to talk about in 2020 https://whyy.org/npr_story_post/7-womens-health-topics-we-need-to-talk-about-in-2020/
House, Democratic-led states ask court to immediately decide Obamacare fate https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2020/01/04/House-Democratic-led-states-ask-court-to-immediately-decide-Obamacare-fate/stories/202001050108
Bankrupt Pa. hospital owes town $300,000 in electric bills, plus back taxes https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/bankrupt-pa-hospital-owes-town-300000-in-electric-bills-plus-back-taxes.html
Local News
Most mobile homes are overtaxed. Chester County owners are getting relief. https://www.inquirer.com/news/mobile-home-property-tax-pa-chester-county-20200104.html
New Bloomfield Fire Company raising money for new station https://www.pennlive.com/perry-county-times/2020/01/new-bloomfield-fire-company-raising-money-for-new-station.html
Bradford County is a ‘Second Amendment Sanctuary,’ commissioners say https://papost.org/2020/01/03/bradford-county-is-a-second-amendment-sanctuary-commissioners-say/
Drug overdose deaths level off in Washington County https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/drug-overdose-deaths-level-off-in-washington-county/article_f4946d50-2e2b-11ea-a726-17c55f4da6f1.html
Cartwright presents medals to four Korean War veterans in Scranton https://www.timesleader.com/news/767970/cartwright-presents-medals-to-four-korean-war-veterans-in-scranton
They caught the last Erie-Lackawanna Railroad train as history left the station https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/they-caught-the-last-erie-lackawanna-railroad-train-as-history-left-the-station-1.2579164
Better late than never? Allentown finally sets aside money for Hamilton Street dam maintenance based on 38-year-old agreement https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-hamilton-street-dam-surprise-ownership-38-years-later-20200104-liqhzyxfljh5dbelkr3ik7zq4u-story.html
Rashid makes history as four new Delco judges take oath https://www.delcotimes.com/news/rashid-makes-history-as-four-new-delco-judges-take-oath/article_9dcb8290-2e5a-11ea-90a9-b7344e5214c5.html
National News
Local Methodists react to proposed split over LGBTQ issues https://www.inquirer.com/news/methodist-pennsylvania-gay-marriage-reaction-20200104.html
Philly News
More women were shot and killed in Philly last year than in at least 12 years https://www.inquirer.com/news/women-shot-killed-in-philadelphia-2019-homicides-shootings-20200104.html
Embattled leader of Philly’s Office of Property Assessment resigns https://www.inquirer.com/news/mike-piper-opa-philadelphia-assessment-20200103.html
Philly elementary school to remain closed for asbestos cleanup https://www.inquirer.com/education/carnell-elementary-school-asbestos-philadelphia-district-20200103.html
3 big challenges as Philly’s new police commissioner takes over a beleaguered department https://www.inquirer.com/news/danielle-outlaw-philadelphia-police-commissioner-changes-reform-20200103.html
Pets that were at a Philly shelter for years find homes after sending letters to Santa https://www.inquirer.com/health/pets/pspca-animanl-shelter-adoption-santa-letters-20200104.html
Big business in Philly campaigned for ‘real change.’ Change came — but not the kind it wanted. https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/philadelphia-chamber-of-commerce-kendra-brooks-20200103.html
After speeding driver causes deadly Roosevelt Blvd. crash, PPA says cameras on the way https://whyy.org/articles/after-speeding-driver-causes-deadly-roosevelt-blvd-crash-ppa-says-cameras-on-the-way/
Pitt News
JCC sends message of support for traumatized communities https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2020/01/03/JCC-sends-message-of-support-for-traumatized-communities/stories/202001030114
Who’ll stop the rain? Pittsburgh has wettest decade on record. https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2020/01/04/pittsburgh-rainfall-record-jetstream-climate-change-fog/stories/202001040028
Conservative group warns county to clean up voter rolls https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2020/01/04/Conservative-group-warns-county-to-clean-up-voter-rolls/stories/202001040032
Pittsburgh region’s Narcan dose may be waning; more deaths feared as funds dip https://www.pennlive.com/opioid-crisis/2020/01/pittsburgh-regions-narcan-dose-may-be-waning-more-deaths-feared-as-funds-dip.html
State News
Pennsylvania requires permits for hemp growers and processors in 2020 https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/pennsylvania-requires-permits-for-hemp-growers-and-processors-in-2020/
Washington
A necessary strike, or a dangerous escalation: Philly-area lawmakers are divided after U.S. kills top Iranian military leader https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/us-iran-attack-qasem-soleimani-philadelphia-lawmakers-20200103.html
‘Cowboy behavior’ vs. ‘better dead’: Philly lawmakers divided over U.S. airstrike in Iran https://billypenn.com/2020/01/03/cowboy-behavior-vs-better-dead-philly-lawmakers-divided-over-u-s-airstrike-in-iran/
Trump: Iranian general was killed to ‘stop a war’ https://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2020/01/04/Trump-Iranian-general-was-killed-to-stop-a-war/stories/202001050115
House Democrats seek secret evidence, testimony from former counsel https://www.post-gazette.com/news/2020/01/04/House-Democrats-seek-secret-evidence-testimony-from-former-counsel-1/stories/202001040031
Trump’s Iran attack is a reminder Congress has to reclaim its war-making authority | Opinion https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/trumps-iran-attack-is-a-reminder-congress-has-to-reclaim-its-war-making-authority-opinion/
Trump says alleged rape victim can’t sue him in New York https://triblive.com/news/politics-election/trump-says-alleged-rape-victim-cant-sue-him-in-new-york/
World News
Thousands in Baghdad mourn Iranian general killed by U.S. https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/qassem-soleimani-funeral-baghdad-iran-us-airstrike-20200104.html
Australian PM calls up reservists as fire threats escalate https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/australia-reservists-wildfires-prime-minister-scott-morrison-20200104.html
US to deploy thousands of additional troops to Middle East following Soleimani killing https://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2020/01/03/US-to-deploy-thousands-of-additional-troops-to-Middle-East-following-Soleimani-killing/stories/202001030124