Legislature
Is Pa. heading toward a $9.50 an hour minimum wage? Tune in next week when lawmakers return to Harrisburg
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/11/is-pa-heading-toward-a-950-an-hour-minimum-wage-tune-in-next-week-when-lawmakers-return-to-harrisburg.html
Turzai’s vouchers bill is on deck in the Pa. House next week. Let’s send it to the back of the class | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/turzais-vouchers-bill-is-on-deck-in-the-pa-house-next-week-lets-send-it-to-the-back-of-the-class-opinion/
Business
Gas company to appeal pipeline rejection to Supreme Court
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/mariner-pipeline-pennsylvania-new-jersey-supreme-court-20191114.html
Crime/Punishment
Jury votes for death penalty for New Kensington cop killer
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/11/14/holt-shaw-death-penalty-police-murder-new-kensington/stories/201911140136
Man shot to death during home invasion in Wilkinsburg
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/11/15/Man-killed-shooting-home-invasion-Wilkinsburg/stories/201911150106
Sean Kratz jury still unable to reach verdict in Bucks County murders
https://www.inquirer.com/news/sean-kratz-murder-trial-bucks-county-cosmo-dinardo-20191114.html
Serial drunk driver gets at least 25 years in DUI death of woman in Delco
https://www.inquirer.com/news/david-strowhouer-sentence-dui-media-20191114.html
Delco teacher’s death ruled a homicide, nearly four months after her body was found in the Brandywine
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/susan-ledyard-homicide-wilmington-brandywine-academy-park-high-school-20191114.html
Constable accused of molesting young girl
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/constable-accused-of-molesting-young-girl-1.2559593
2 arrested protesting detention of families in Berks County
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/2-arrested-protesting-detention-of-families-in-berks-county
Education
Quakertown approves new policy that sends lunch debt to collection agency, prohibits students from attending dances, graduation ceremony
https://www.mcall.com/news/education/mc-nws-quakertown-student-lunch-debt-polcy-20191115-rpy7riznjjcd7enlxd6ok75am4-story.html
Scranton teachers say district offer ‘attacks’ class sizes, freezes pay
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-teachers-say-district-offer-attacks-class-sizes-freezes-pay-1.2559481
Lawsuit claims bullying at Wyoming Valley West school
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/lawsuit-claims-bullying-at-wyoming-valley-west-school-1.2559716
Eye on the prize: United Way brings high-tech vision screening to W-B Area
https://www.timesleader.com/news/762513/eye-on-the-prize-united-way-brings-high-tech-vision-screening-to-w-b-area
‘See to Succeed’ envisions bright future for local children
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/see-to-succeed-envisions-bright-future-for-local-children-1.2559720
Whooping cough cases confirmed at four East Penn schools
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/east-penn/mc-nws-east-penn-whooping-cough-20191114-dd326itnmjf7pge6rx72fzipwq-story.html
Harrisburg teacher suspended after saying he wished he was allowed to shoot one student per year
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/11/harrisburg-teacher-suspended-after-joking-about-shooting-1-student-per-year.html
Reality: I was bullied. Here’s how I overcame it.
https://www.theintell.com/lifestyle/20191115/reality-i-was-bullied-heres-how-i-overcame-it
Criticized for cutting campus mental health counseling, Pa. community college adds new services
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2019/11/14/HACC-pennsylvania-adds-mental-health-counseling-contract-mazzitti-sullivan/stories/201911140145
Campaign for a new community college in Pa. hits another delay
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/11/campaign-for-a-new-community-college-in-pa-hits-another-delay.html
Students with mental illness find treatment at school | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/11/students-with-mental-illness-find-treatment-at-school-opinion.html
Elections/Politics
Republican business owner Devlin Robinson launches repeat bid for Pa. Senate seat
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2019/11/14/Devlin-Robinson-Pennsylvania-37th-state-senate-district-candidacy-Pittsburgh/stories/201911140134
Votes retrieved from damaged machine
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/votes-retrieved-from-damaged-machine-1.2559580
Top Pa. Senate Democratic campaign staffer steps down after sexual harassment allegation
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/top-pa-senate-democratic-campaign-staffer-steps-down-after-sexual-harassment-allegation/
‘You should be pretty worried’: Fixing York County’s election system before 2020 votes
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/politics/2019/11/14/york-county-lawmakers-thursday-echoed-concerns-have-flooded-county-since-last-weeks-chaotic-election/4191658002/
Health Care
Two medical watchdogs are joining forces in the Philly suburbs to create a big international patient-safety group
https://www.inquirer.com/business/ecri-institute-institute-for-safe-medication-practices-ismp-patient-safety-merger-20191114.html
Local News
Legislators announce $2.1M in funding for area projects
http://www.timesleader.com/news/762492/legislators-announce-2-1m-in-funding-for-area-projects
Area municipalities get grants
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/area-municipalities-get-grants-1.2559599
Utility patching sparks complaints in Wilkes-Barre
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/utility-patching-sparks-complaints-in-wilkes-barre-1.2559592
More questions on county voting system purchase
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/more-questions-on-county-voting-system-purchase-1.2559622
After decades as Scranton controller, Roseann Novembrino resigns
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/after-decades-as-scranton-controller-roseann-novembrino-resigns-1.2559468
Lackawanna County to rebid Criminal Justice Center project amid issues with original bids
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-to-rebid-criminal-justice-center-project-amid-issues-with-original-bids-1.2559790
Judge hears case involving drug treatment center proposed near Lake Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/judge-hears-case-involving-drug-treatment-center-proposed-near-lake-scranton-1.2559567
Lackawanna County announces details of upcoming Winter Market
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-announces-details-of-upcoming-winter-market-1.2559570
Water company begins $2.3M water line replacement project in Scranton
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/water-company-begins-2-3m-water-line-replacement-project-in-scranton-1.2559561
No mystery to parks decline
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/no-mystery-to-parks-decline-1.2559575
Official: Repairs to vandalized West Deer sports fields could cost thousands
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/official-repairs-to-vandalized-west-deer-sports-fields-could-cost-thousands/
Reading’s historic districts could lose funding
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/readings-historic-districts-could-lose-funding
Fleetwood police may soon cover Ruscombmanor Township, Topton
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/fleetwood-police-may-soon-cover-ruscombmanor-township-topton
Harrisburg church hosts support group for parents with transgender kids
https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/harrisburg-church-hosts-support-group-for-parents-with-transgender-kids/
6 York County park projects get $1.1 million in grants for improvements
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2019/11/14/6-york-county-park-projects-get-1-1-million-grants-improvements/4197348002/
Chesco gets $400,000 to improve parks, trails, outdoor recreation
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/chesco-gets-to-improve-parks-trails-outdoor-recreation/article_8e91f6dc-0714-11ea-98f9-43824cfece29.html
National News
California school shooting suspect described as quiet, smart
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/santa-clarita-school-shooting-suspect-saugus-california-20191115.html
New Kensington native Anthony Breznican recounts panic after California school shooting
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/new-kensington-native-anthony-breznican-recounts-panic-after-california-school-shooting/
SEC Commish Jay Clayton wants to stay in his lane and keep a tight focus, he tells Penn audience
https://www.inquirer.com/business/sec-jay-clayton-shareholder-proxy-investors-antitrust-vanguard-20191115.html
U.S. military academy athletes can now delay service to go pro
https://www.inquirer.com/sports/united-states-military-academy-athletes-now-delay-service-go-pro-20191114.html
Philly
Philly Mayor Jim Kenney for Pennsylvania governor? City Hall insiders say don’t bet on it.
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/philadelphia-mayor-jim-kenney-pennsylvania-governor-2022-20191115.html
Philly’s ‘opportunity zone’ tracts are some of the city’s poorest, and among its biggest gentrifiers, Fed finds
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/commercial/opportunity-zones-philadelphia-federal-reserve-gentrification-poverty-development-20191115.html
City Council passes new gun regulation in spite of state’s preemption law
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/city-council-passes-new-gun-regulation-in-spite-of-state/article_0bb7ed3f-9fc0-5c57-acca-563bbb8d67a9.html
Maj Toure exits the Libertarian Party in controversy after a failed bid for City Council | Clout
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/clout/libertarian-party-maj-toure-keynote-speaker-invitation-revoked-20191115.html
Talented, vulnerable children: How the Curtis Institute of Music may have been ripe for abuse | Analysis
https://www.inquirer.com/arts/curtis-institute-sexual-assault-allegations-power-dynamic-20191114.html
Philly Council passes Right to Counsel, giving free legal representation to tenants who are evicted
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/housing/right-to-counsel-bill-helen-gym-city-council-tenants-eviction-lawyer-20191114.html
Another employee sues outgoing Philly Sheriff Jewell Williams
https://www.inquirer.com/news/sheriff-jewell-williams-philadelphia-federal-lawsuit-jennifer-algarin-barnes-20191114.html
City of Philadelphia will get a seat at the table at auction for city’s bankrupt refinery
https://www.inquirer.com/business/energy/pes-philly-refinery-bankruptcy-auction-court-dates-20191114.html
A path to preserving Philadelphia for the people | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/historic-preservation-overbrook-district-kenney-squilla-20191115.html
What Philly is doing to fight deed fraud | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/philadelphia-deed-fraud-city-government-20191115.html
Removing DA Krasner from Mumia Abu-Jamal case would be a step forward for victims and their families | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/maureen-faulkner-mumia-linda-schellenger-larry-krasner-20191114.html
Pitt
URA announces new executive director
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/11/14/Urban-redevelopment-authority-pittsburgh-URA-announces-new-executive-director/stories/201911140122
Peduto charts new economic development strategy for Pittsburgh with URA hires
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-names-kansas-city-development-director-as-new-ura-chief/
These students want to learn to drop their Yinzer dialect when needed n’at
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2019/11/14/Pittsburgh-Pittsburghese-accent-language-higher-education-linguistics-accent-steelers-Marilyn-Caye/stories/201911130116
Why so glum? Being gloomy might be part of Pittsburgh’s weather DNA
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2019/11/14/Pittsburgh-among-top-10-gloomy-metro-areas-in-America-BestPlaces-net-survey/stories/201911140132
Former college president named to lead Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/art-architecture/2019/11/15/Steven-Knapp-chosen-to-lead-Carnegie-Museums-of-Pittsburgh-DC/stories/201911130150
Suicidal woman in solitary at Allegheny County Jail sent to community treatment
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/11/14/allegheny-county-jail-suicide-solitary-released-kimberly-andrews-lawsuit/stories/201911140157
Elevator confrontation at center of Wagner trial
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/11/14/allegheny-county-controller-Chelsa-Wagner-trial-detroit-police-altercation/stories/201911140143
Witness: Allegheny County Controller Chelsa Wagner grappled with Detroit cop
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/trial-for-allegheny-county-controller-chelsa-wagner-underway-in-detroit/
Port Authority to be reimbursed for damage from Station Square train derailment
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2019/11/14/Port-Authority-to-be-reimbursed-for-damage-from-train-derailment/stories/201911140135
SEA board approves first projects at former arena site in the Hill District
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2019/11/14/Civic-Arena-Pittsburgh-Penguins-Hill-District-Intergen-housing-music/stories/201911140169
Brian O’Neill: City and schools in a fight over money
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/brian-oneill/2019/11/14/Pittsburgh-schools-money-fight-Bill-Peduto/stories/201911140056
Jayne Miller: Parks referendum was just the beginning
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2019/11/15/Jayne-Miller-Parks-referendum-was-just-the-beginning/stories/201911140140
Pittsburgh police welcome 34 new cadets to the ranks
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-police-welcomes-34-new-cadets-to-the-ranks/
Attorney shortage, technology upgrades Allegheny County budget hearings
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/attorney-shortage-obsolete-technology-highlight-allegheny-county-budget-hearings/
Magic word is ‘persevere,’ Super Soaker inventor tells Pittsburgh students
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/the-magic-word-is-persevere-the-man-who-invented-the-super-soaker-water-gun-tells-students/
State News
Caregivers in Pa. and N.J. provide $31 billion in free care. AARP says that’s ‘unsustainable.’
https://www.inquirer.com/health/caregivers-pennsylvania-new-jersey-provide-billions-free-care-aarp-report-20191115.html
Pennsylvania looks to help food banks trim food waste in state
https://triblive.com/local/regional/pennsylvania-looks-to-help-food-banks-trim-food-waste-in-state/
HUD: Homeless veteran numbers drop this year in Pennsylvania
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/hud-homeless-veteran-numbers-drop-this-year-in-pennsylvania/
Pa. climate-related costs estimated at $261 million, according to auditor general
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pa-climate-related-costs-estimated-at-261-million-according-to-auditor-general/
Commonwealth Court upholds Penn Township fracking rules
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/commonwealth-court-upholds-penn-township-fracking-rules/
Renaissance of housing construction in southeastern Pa. bypassing Berks
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-county-needs-property-reassessment-expert-says/1
AG’s office won’t confirm or deny an investigation related to the abrupt Wood-Mode closing
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/11/ags-office-wont-confirm-or-deny-an-investigation-related-to-the-abrupt-wood-mode-closing.html
Transportation
Train car derails, lands in creek in Fayette County
https://triblive.com/local/regional/train-car-derails-lands-in-creek-in-fayette-county/
Washington
Trump impeachment hearings: Start time, witnesses, how to watch and stream
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/donald-trump-impeachment-hearings-date-time-livestream-marie-yovanovitch-20191115.html
Multiple House lawmakers are under investigation over ethical misconduct
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/11/14/House-Ethics-Committee-Rep-Alcee-Hastings/stories/201911140196