Legislature
State senator releases poverty report, policy recommendations
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/state-senator-releases-poverty-report-policy-recommendations-1.2558751
Fitzgerald: Speaker Turzai “holding us back as a region” by failing to move bill
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2019/11/12/Allegheny-County-Executive-Rich-Fitzgerald-Speaker-Mike-Turzai-voluntary-municipal-disincorporation/stories/201911120118
Bill Tracker: Airbnb registration could aid in collection of hotel tax
https://cumberlink.com/news/local/bill-tracker-airbnb-registration-could-aid-in-collection-of-hotel/article_74637612-9a9c-51b8-b9de-c8de7799065a.html
Surprise medical bills should be stopped, not arbitrated l Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/health/expert-opinions/surprise-medical-bills-patient-protection-20191113.html
Consolidate state pension investing
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/consoliate-state-pension-investing-1.2558814
Support this effort to help lower prescription drug prices in Pa. | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/support-this-effort-to-help-lower-prescription-drug-prices-in-pa-opinion/
Administration
FBI now investigating the way in which Pennsylvania approved Mariner East pipeline
https://www.inquirer.com/business/energy/mariner-east-pipeline-fbi-investigation-pennsylvania-governor-tom-wolf-20191113.html
FBI eyes how Pennsylvania approved pipeline
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/11/fbi-eyes-how-pennsylvania-approved-pipeline-ap-exclusive.html
Report: FBI opens corruption probe of how Wolf administration issued pipeline permits
https://www.penncapital-star.com/energy-environment/report-fbi-opens-corruption-probe-of-how-wolf-administration-issued-pipeline-permits/
In radio interview, Wolf breaks with Pittsburgh’s Peduto on nat gas, enraging environmentalists
https://www.penncapital-star.com/energy-environment/in-radio-interview-wolf-breaks-with-pittsburghs-peduto-on-nat-gas-enraging-environmentalists/
Business
Juul to cut 650 jobs, slash $1 billion in spending as restructuring continues
https://www.inquirer.com/business/juul-restructure-e-cigarette-20191112.html
$600K state equipment loan OK’d for expanding Unity testing firm
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/600k-state-equipment-loan-okd-for-expanding-unity-testing-firm/
Crime/Punishment
Rahmael Holt found guilty of killing New Kensington police officer
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/11/12/Prosecution-defense-rest-trial-Rahmael-Holt-police-Brian-Shaw-New-Kensington/stories/201911120084
Jury finds Rahmael Holt guilty of killing New Kensington police Officer Brian Shaw
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/closing-arguments-underway-in-rahmael-holt-murder-trial/
Ex-Drexel student charged with hiding past training with anti-American rebels in Yemen
https://www.inquirer.com/news/gafaar-al-wazer-drexel-houthi-mount-aloysius-yemen-arrested-20191112.html
Education
Retired military leaders say Pa. schools need more money
https://papost.org/2019/11/12/retired-military-leaders-say-pa-schools-need-more-money/
Wilkes University holds annual Veterans Day ceremony
https://www.timesleader.com/news/762250/wilkes-university-holds-annual-veterans-day-ceremony
A new community college is the economic development engine that Erie needs to succeed | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/a-new-community-college-is-the-economic-development-engine-that-erie-needs-to-succeed-opinion/
Elections/Politics
Michael Bloomberg helped two Republicans win big Pennsylvania elections. Now he wants the Democratic nomination for president.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/mike-bloomberg-2020-pat-toomey-brian-fitzpatrick-endorse-pennsylvania-politics-20191112.html
Ex-Allegheny County Council member launches state AG campaign
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2019/11/12/Heather-Heidelbaugh-launches-campaign-Pennsylvania-attorney-general-josh-shapiro/stories/201911120091
Pennsylvania’s new Republican attorney general candidate once bashed Trump and praised his critics
https://www.inquirer.com/news/heather-heidelbaugh-republican-pennsylvania-attorney-general-candidate-20191112.html
Carbon County GOP officials seek to stop ballot count
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/carbon-county-gop-officials-seek-to-stop-ballot-count-1.2558909
7 solutions for problems at Pa. polls
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/11/7-solutions-for-problems-at-pa-polls.html
PA Democrats brainstorm on beating Trump in 2020
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20191112/pa-democrats-brainstorm-on-beating-trump-in-2020
Local News
Luzerne County tax break vote delayed until new council members take office
https://www.timesleader.com/news/762252/luzerne-county-tax-break-vote-delayed-until-new-council-members-take-office
County puts tax break request on hold until next year
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/county-puts-tax-break-request-on-hold-until-next-year-1.2558954
Social media site encouraging public participation in proposed sale of Wilkes-Barre sewer system
https://www.timesleader.com/news/762240/social-media-site-encouraging-public-participation-in-proposed-sale-of-wilkes-barre-sewer-system
Plans for former W-B Twp. high school revealed
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/plans-for-former-w-b-twp-high-school-revealed-1.2558926
Scranton will seek bids to restore stained-glass windows at City Hall’s entrance
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-will-seek-bids-to-restore-stained-glass-windows-at-city-hall-s-entrance-1.2558822
DPW union wants to review Scranton’s new ethics policy
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/dpw-union-wants-to-review-scranton-s-new-ethics-policy-1.2558653
Duffy Park historical marker dedicated
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/duffy-park-historical-marker-dedicated-1.2558864
Buffalo Township to consider final plans for $1M Audubon nature center, park
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/buffalo-township-to-consider-final-plans-for-1m-audubon-nature-center-park/
Westmoreland County Airshow won’t fly in 2020
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-airshow-wont-fly-in-2020/
Jeannette officials prepare to close beleaguered hemp-drying plant
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/jeannette-officials-prepare-to-close-beleaguered-hemp-drying-plant/
Wyomissing gets $2 million grant to ease traffic congestion; will build roundabout
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/wyomissing-gets-grant-to-ease-traffic-congestion-will-build-roundabout
Reading to host statewide downtown improvement conference
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-to-host-statewide-downtown-improvement-conference
Berks County community comes together to put People First
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-county-community-comes-together-to-put-people-first
Reading Skatepark Association receives $25,000 grant from Tony Hawk Foundation
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-skatepark-association-receives-25000-grant-from-tony-hawk-foundation
Former Mayor Ed Pawlowski wants conviction tossed; appeals court considering
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-fbi-city-hall-pawlowski-appeal-20191113-wjkmh6w7ljdlhic5a2trxtjbz4-story.html
New Jersey
EPA finalizes $72M cleanup plan for S. Jersey Superfund site. Sierra Club calls it a ‘Band-Aid.’
https://www.inquirer.com/science/superfund-site-epa-matteo-west-deptford-gloucester-county-20191112.html
Philly
These Philadelphia companies are changing lives by hiring employees with disabilities
https://www.inquirer.com/news/inq/companies-hiring-disabled-workers-philadelphia-thisability-20191113.html
Drexel prof: Want to be part of an exciting, life-changing and long-overdue adventure? Hire people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
https://www.inquirer.com/news/paul-shattuck-drexel-autism-transition-pathways-diane-malley-20191113.html
Impeachment as education: How Philly-area teachers, students are handling the hearings
https://www.inquirer.com/education/impeachment-inquiry-hearing-house-trump-ukraine-teachers-students-classroom-20191113.html
State Rep. Martina White elected new chair of Philadelphia’s Republican City Committee
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-republican-city-committee-vote-chairman-mike-meehan-martina-white-20191113.html
Father of baby shot last month accused of using son as ‘human shield’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nafes-monroe-yazeem-jenkins-human-shield-shooting-hunting-park-20191113.html
Guardian charged with murder in death of 4-year-old girl after falsely telling police the child fell from a window, DA says
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/samilya-brown-zya-singleton-child-death-window-murder-20191113.html
In Mumia Abu-Jamal appeal, officer’s widow seeks to remove Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner’s Office from case
https://www.inquirer.com/news/mumia-abu-jamal-philadelphia-district-attorney-larry-krasner-maureen-faulkner-petition-state-supreme-court-20191112.html
Tragedy a too-costly lesson about mental health treatment access | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/four-killed-west-philly-mentally-ill-suspect-mercy-fitzgerals-crisis-unit-20191113.html
Philly’s missing men are another grim statistic in a city drowning in inequality | Mike Newall
https://www.inquirer.com/news/columnists/philadelphia-gender-gap-life-expectancy-poverty-health-outcomes-20191113.html
Low-income families could save about $800 a year if Philadelphia refunded wage taxes | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/allan-domb-wage-tax-refund-low-income-20191112.html
How one Philly school is working to create well-rounded students
https://www.penncapital-star.com/education/how-one-philly-school-is-working-to-create-well-rounded-students/
Pitt
Peduto thanks voters for passing parks tax, announces new police substations in annual budget address
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/11/12/Pittsburgh-mayor-Bill-Peduto-announces-capital-budget-2020-proposal-parks-tax/stories/201911120093
Peduto promises new police substations next year in Homewood, South Side
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/peduto-promises-new-police-substations-next-year-in-homewood-south-side/
Peduto says Pittsburgh Public Schools should go under state oversight
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/11/12/Peduto-Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-Act-47-2020-budget-earned-income-tax/stories/201911120122
Mayor Peduto calls for state oversight of Pittsburgh Public Schools
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/mayor-peduto-calls-for-state-oversight-of-pittsburgh-public-schools/
Winter homeless shelter in Downtown fixed just in time
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/social-services/2019/11/12/Winter-homeless-shelter-Allegheny-County-Smithfield-United-Church-Christ-Pittsburgh-Mercy/stories/201911120096
Back to the table?: Developer should be a better Oakland neighbor
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/11/13/Oakland-development-Wexford-zoning-code/stories/201911050003
Let’s do this Pitt-Robert Morris thing annually
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/paul-zeise/2019/11/12/Pitt-Robert-Morris-basketball-UPMC-Events-Center-Heather-Lyke-Chris-King-Andy-Toole-Jeff-Capel/stories/201911120134
Port Authority changes its mind and won’t eliminate bus stop at North Side shelter
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2019/11/12/Port-Authority-Northside-Commons-Ministries-restore-bus-stop/stories/201911120116
Josh Gibson Foundation to celebrate Negro League 100th anniversary in Pittsburgh
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/josh-gibson-foundation-to-celebrate-negro-league-100th-anniversary-in-pittsburgh/
Schenley Park grove to become living laboratory to research trees’ resistance to weather changes
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2019/11/12/Pittsburgh-parks-Conservancy-Tree-Pittsburgh-Schenley-Park-yellowwood-tree/stories/201911130033
Chelsa Wagner trial delayed due to lack of jurors
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/11/12/Chelsa-Wagner-allegheny-county-controller-trial-delayed-detroit-assault-charge/stories/201911120094
Lawyer: Chelsa Wagner rejected plea deal because she wants to clear her name
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/lawyer-chelsa-wagner-rejected-plea-deal-because-she-wants-to-clear-her-name/
A $1.6 million bid: URA wants to acquire Hill District shopping plaza
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2019/11/12/A-1-6-million-bid-URA-wants-to-acquire-Hill-District-shopping-plaza/stories/201911120126
Union: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette lays off over 30 Teamsters
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/union-pittsburgh-post-gazette-lays-off-over-30-teamsters/
New Venture Outdoors executive director to move Kayak Pittsburgh hub
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/new-venture-outdoors-executive-director-to-move-kayak-pittsburgh-hub/
Annual report highlights persistent gaps and success stories in Pittsburgh Public Schools
https://www.witf.org/2019/11/12/annual-report-highlights-persistent-gaps-and-success-stories-in-pittsburgh-public-schools/
State News
Pa. regulators identify source of drinking water contamination in Bucks neighborhood
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pfas-bucks-water-contamination-fire-rockhill-dep-20191112.html
Montco native held three years by the Taliban to be released in prisoner exchange
https://www.inquirer.com/news/taliban-prisoners-kevin-king-american-professor-hostage-kabul-20191112.html
Forty Fort to receive $500K for bike trail
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/forty-fort-to-receive-500k-for-bike-trail-1.2558876
Six Luzerne County projects awarded state funding
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/six-luzerne-county-projects-awarded-state-funding-1.2558887
Trail, road, sidewalk projects get state funds
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/trail-road-sidewalk-projects-get-state-funds-1.2558855
Millions in grants approved for these Lehigh Valley vehicle, pedestrian projects
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/2019/11/millions-in-grants-approved-for-these-lehigh-valley-vehicle-pedestrian-projects.html
Dallas farm on Food Network
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/dallas-farm-on-food-network-1.2558854
Delco probes pipeline leak. mysterious odor
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/delco-probes-pipeline-leak-mysterious-odor/article_58563a0a-059e-11ea-b340-cb07ddc787b2.html
Washington
Sen. Casey: After report, Google removes false online ads for Obamacare ‘junk plans’
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/11/12/Bob-Casey-Google-online-advertisement-search-results-Obamacare-junk-plans/stories/201911120082
Shrinking Senate floor time frustrates Pat Toomey. Now it jeopardizes popular bill to expand retirement savings
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/11/12/Pat-Toomey-Mitch-McConnell-Patty-Murray-retirement-savings-bill/stories/201911130015
Congresswoman representing Glen Mills introduces juvenile abuse bill
https://www.inquirer.com/news/glen-mills-abuse-us-congress-scanlon-lawsuit-victims-pa-20191112.html