Elections/Politics
Special election to fill Pa. Senate seat pits a district attorney against a history professor
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/special-election-to-fill-pa-senate-seat-pits-a-district-attorney-against-a-history-professor.html
Interest surges in certain Lehigh Valley state House seats
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-pa-house-elections-20200106-4hmpoggykfg2zgtqjvxj3wdgwi-story.html
Rep. Conor Lamb endorses Joe Biden for president
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/01/05/Conor-Lamb-endorses-Joe-Biden/stories/202001050160
Two Pa. reps in battleground districts — Chrissy Houlahan and Conor Lamb — endorse Joe Biden
https://www.inquirer.com/news/joe-biden-endorsement-chrissy-houlahan-conor-lamb-pennsylvania-swing-districts-democrats-primary-2020-20200106.html
Voting rights restoration gives returning felons a voice in more states | Analysis
https://www.penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/voting-rights-restoration-gives-returning-felons-a-voice-in-more-states-analysis/
Legislature
Pa. needs to work on redistricting reform
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2020/01/05/Pa-needs-to-work-on-redistricting-reform/stories/202001050063
Business
Automation will change the workforce — in some cases, it already has — but not as quickly as you might expect
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/bop/2020/01/05/automation-and-the-future-of-work-robots-artificial-intelligence-software-machine-learning/stories/202001050003
Thomas’ closing Hazle Twp. grocery store
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/thomas-closing-hazle-twp-grocery-store-1.2579697
Police probe release of bed bugs in Edinboro Walmart
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/police-probe-release-of-bed-bugs-in-edinboro-walmart/
‘We are barely getting by’: Allentown’s Ham Fam, other businesses hurt by delays in bridge replacement project
https://www.mcall.com/business/mc-biz-allentown-hamilton-street-bridge-work-20200106-t4g4pkclbbfgdfoixlzk2o6tge-story.html
Career with Sheetz fuels city transplant’s creativity
https://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2020/01/career-with-sheetz-fuels-city-transplants-creativity/
Crime/Punishment
How Pennsylvania’s new sentencing guidelines for probation violators ‘could increase mass incarceration’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/probation-pennsylvania-sentencing-commission-resentencing-guidelines-20200106.html
Trial scheduled to start in 2016 Wilkinsburg mass slaying
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/01/05/Trial-starts-2016-Wilkinsburg-mass-slaying-shooting-pittsburgh-Cheron-Shelton-robert-thomas/stories/202001040001
Education
After complaints, Upper Darby revises new sports attendance policy to let public come to games
https://www.inquirer.com/news/upper-darby-school-sports-attendance-policy-20200105.html
Harrisburg schools progress report: State takeover brings changes, but much remains to be done
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/harrisburg-schools-progress-report-state-takeover-brings-changes-but-much-remains-to-do-be-done.html
Penn State’s new Center for Immersive Experiences makes dreams a virtual reality
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2020/01/05/Penn-State-s-new-Center-for-Immersive-Experiences-makes-dreams-a-virtual-reality/stories/202001050137
Health Care
Why the emergency room is always crowded and what we can do about it | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/health/expert-opinions/emergency-room-overcrowded-solutions-20200106.html
Butler Health center coming to Ellwood City area
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200105/butler-health-center-coming-to-ellwood-city-area
Local News
Scranton’s switch to payroll tax remains in limbo
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-s-switch-to-payroll-tax-remains-in-limbo-1.2579826
Stormwater management still elusive in Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/stormwater-management-still-elusive-in-scranton-1.2579784
Monday update: Old oil tank could delay sale of West Scranton school
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/monday-update-old-oil-tank-could-delay-sale-of-west-scranton-school-1.2579787
New leaders, old business
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/new-leaders-old-business-1.2579368
Groups want to dilute the threat of road salt to streams, wildlife in Berks
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/groups-want-to-dilute-the-threat-of-road-salt-to/article_b419ac2e-2677-11ea-91a6-7b0cf7a9fb1c.html
Reading Mayor-elect Eddie Moran distributes hundreds of toys for Three Kings Day
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/reading-mayor-elect-eddie-moran-distributes-hundreds-of-toys-for/article_7959989a-2ff2-11ea-a733-175cbe07f4eb.html
Letter From the Editor: A historic day in Delaware County politics
https://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/letter-from-the-editor-a-historic-day-in-delaware-county/article_4bd60f0c-2fb1-11ea-bad5-f3946d8d2576.html
Earth Conservancy to conduct study for possible ATV park
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/earth-conservancy-to-conduct-study-for-possible-atv-park-1.2579749
Signs installed on Susquehanna Warrior Trail
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/signs-installed-on-susquehanna-warrior-trail-1.2579740
Luzerne County Courthouse will have 500+ new windows
https://www.timesleader.com/news/768183/luzerne-county-courthouse-will-have-500-new-windows
Luzerne County Council majority can opt to vote on more than chair/vice chair Monday night
https://www.timesleader.com/news/768174/luzerne-county-council-majority-can-opt-to-vote-on-more-than-chair-vice-chair-monday-night
Beaver Meadows plans drainage improvement
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/beaver-meadows-plans-drainage-improvement-1.2579681
National News
The quintessential progressive idea that could revitalize the American middle class | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/unions-middle-class-wages-20200106.html
Philly
A new Philadelphia City Council is taking office. Here are the top issues to watch.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/philadelphia-city-council-2020-issues-20200106.html
Mayor Jim Kenney’s pocket vetoes block relief for Philadelphians who need it most | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/kenney-veto-domb-wage-tax-relief-homestead-exemption-poor-homeowners-20200106.html
Pitt
Part of Banksville Road in Pittsburgh down to single lane for 4-month project
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/part-of-banksville-road-in-pittsburgh-down-to-single-lane-for-4-month-project/
State News
EMS worker killed while responding to crash
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2020/01/05/EMS-worker-killed-while-responding-to-crash/stories/202001050159
A few thoughts on what it means to be a gay man in the 21st Century | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/a-few-thoughts-on-what-it-means-to-be-a-gay-man-in-the-21st-century-opinion/
2020 census could shrink Pa.’s power in US House
https://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2020/01/2020-census-could-shrink-pa-s-power-in-us-house/
Service hopes to spread in Schuylkill
https://www.republicanherald.com/news/service-hopes-to-spread-in-schuylkill-1.2579754
Transportation
Authorities identify victims killed in turnpike crash
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/01/05/Multiple-people-killed-crash-fatal-Pennsylvania-Turnpike-Westmoreland-County/stories/202001050147
Pa. Turnpike tragedy: 5 dead in ‘horrific incident’ that could take weeks to investigate
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/pa-turnpike-tragedy-5-dead-in-horrific-incident-that-could-take-weeks-to-investigate/
Mass-casualty plans become reality as Western Pa. hospitals treat turnpike crash victims
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/mass-casualty-plans-become-reality-as-western-pa-hospitals-treat-turnpike-crash-victims/
9-year-old girl, 2 central Pa. UPS drivers among 5 killed in Pa. Turnpike crash
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/01/coroner-ids-2-midstate-ups-drivers-killed-in-massive-crash-on-pa-turnpike.html
Company operating bus involved in fatal Pa. Turnpike crash has had only minor violations in past 2 years
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/bus-company-has-only-minor-violations-in-past-2-years/
A look at other deadly bus crashes in the U.S., Pennsylvania
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/a-look-at-other-deadly-bus-crashes-in-the-u-s-pennsylvania/
Editorial: Toll hikes an unwelcome yearly tradition
https://www.readingeagle.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-toll-hikes-an-unwelcome-yearly-tradition/article_d3fe9216-2e42-11ea-b810-67ab73871d1a.html
Washington
Trump warns of sanctions if Iraq tries to expel U.S. troops
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/trump-iraq-sanctions-qassem-soleimani-20200106.html
World News
Extremists attack Kenya military base, 3 Americans killed
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/kenya-base-attacked-americans-killed-20200105.html