Legislature
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf makes a deal with GOP to move minimum wage bill in Senate
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania-minimum-wage-increase-tom-wolf-republicans-20191119.html
In Pennsylvania, a proposed minimum wage increase may hinge on the House
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/11/in-pennsylvania-a-proposed-minimum-wage-increase-may-hinge-on-the-house.html
Pennsylvania minimum wage increase bill unveiled, and passed, in state Senate committee
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/11/pennsylvania-minimum-wage-increase-bill-unveiled-and-passed-in-state-senate-committee.html
Wolf meets with Dems to mend fences, pitch minimum wage hike
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/wolf-meets-with-dems-to-mend-fences-pitch-minimum-wage-hike/
$9.50 minimum wage bill advances in Pennsylvania Legislature
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/950-minimum-wage-bill-advances-in-pennsylvania-legislature
‘Punishment should not be endless.’ Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf urges lawmakers to reform probation.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/probation-parole-pennsylvania-philadelphia-mass-supervison-criminal-justice-system-20191119.html
Gov. Tom Wolf urges lawmakers to reform Pa. probation system
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/11/gov-tom-wolf-urges-lawmakers-to-reform-pa-probation-system.html
As Pa. legislature weighs child sex abuse reforms, acclaimed violinist joins fight for statute of limitations changes
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/child-sex-abuse-statute-of-limitations-reform-pennsylvania-lara-st-john-curtis-institute-20191118.html
Senate Judiciary Committee passes statute of limitation reforms; floor vote expected later this week
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2019/11/senate-judiciary-committee-passes-statute-of-limitation-reforms-floor-vote-expected-later-this-week.html
‘These victims want their day in court’: In surprise move, state Senate poised to vote this week on statute of limitations reform.
https://www.penncapital-star.com/featured/these-victims-want-their-day-in-court-in-surprise-move-state-senate-poised-to-vote-this-week-on-statute-of-limitations-reform/
Sunday hunting days poised to become law in Pennsylvania
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/outdoors/2019/11/18/Sunday-hunting-Pennsylvania-Laughlin-Brewster-Gov-Tom-Wolf/stories/201911180150
Sunday hunting bill heads to Gov. Wolf’s desk
https://triblive.com/local/regional/sunday-hunting-bill-heads-to-gov-wolfs-desk/
Sunday hunting passes concurrent vote, will become reality in Pa. with governor’s signature
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2019/11/18/sunday-hunting-passes-senate-becomes-reality-if-governor-signs/4227288002/
Bill requiring medical providers to bury fetal remains passes House
https://www.witf.org/2019/11/18/bill-requiring-medical-providers-to-bury-fetal-remains-passes-house/
Pa. House passes fetal remains bill with bipartisan backing
https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/pa-house-passes-fetal-remains-bill-with-bipartisan-backing/
Childhood cancer concerns prompt meeting with Gov. Wolf
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2019/11/18/Ewing-sarcoma-Sensky-Tom-Wolf-Social-Responsibility-shale-gas-Canon-McMillan/stories/201911180128
Plan to keep Polk State Center open clears state Senate
https://www.meadvilletribune.com/news/plan-to-keep-polk-state-center-open-clears-state-senate/article_518adf66-0a5b-11ea-b72d-df736c85594f.html
Senate Committee throws support behind Wolf’s Secretary of State nominee
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/senate-committee-throws-support-behind-secretary-of-state-nominee/
Unreasonable to deny pregnant workers reasonable accommodations at their jobs | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/pennsylvania-workers-rights-pregnancy-discrimination-20191119.html
Williams lauds housing initiatives in Coatesville
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/williams-lauds-housing-initiatives-in-coatesville/article_ba841942-0a60-11ea-85ee-478a33fc313b.html
Driving under influence charge dropped against Monroeville lawmaker
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2019/11/18/brandon-markosek-dui-charge-dropped-monroeville-pa-state-lawmaker/stories/201911180123
Judge drops DUI charge against state Rep. Brandon Markosek
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/judge-drops-dui-charge-against-state-rep-brandon-markosek/
Make system for e-cycling
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/make-system-for-e-cycling-1.2561009
Good time to diminish food waste
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/good-time-to-diminish-food-waste-1.2561007
A tuition voucher program will set Harrisburg back | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/11/a-tuition-voucher-program-will-set-harrisburg-back-opinion.html
Business
Bargains abound to help make regional snowsports more affordable
https://www.post-gazette.com/life/recreation/2019/11/18/Bargains-abound-to-help-make-regional-snowsports-more-affordable/stories/201911180003
Jeannette hemp plant reopens, but employee pay issue remains
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/jeannette-hemp-plant-reopens-but-employee-pay-issue-remains/
Chick-fil-A halts donations to 3 groups against gay marriage
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/chick-fil-a-ending-donations-groups-oppose-gay-marriage-20191119.html
Small Business Saturday is the Super Bowl for Berks shop owners
https://www.readingeagle.com/business-weekly/article/for-many-merchants-small-business-saturday-is-the-biggest-day
Crime/Punishment
In reversal, Sean Kratz is spared death penalty in grisly 2017 slayings on Bucks County farm
https://www.inquirer.com/news/sean-kratz-death-penalty-spared-bucks-county-pa-murders-cosmo-dinardo-20191118.html
Convicted killer takes case to state high court
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/convicted-killer-takes-case-to-state-high-court-1.2561161
Pennsylvania agrees to upgrade inmates’ death row conditions
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/pennsylvania-agrees-to-upgrade-inmates-death-row-conditions/
Education
Charter school pushes for takeover of Chester Upland’s elementary schools
https://www.inquirer.com/education/chester-upland-charter-schools-expansion-community-gureghian-20191118.html
School officers injured while breaking up fights at Reading High
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/school-officers-injured-while-breaking-up-fights-at-reading-high
Salary shifts allow room for additional position in Hazleton proposed 2020 budget
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/salary-shifts-allow-room-for-additional-position-in-hazleton-proposed-2020-budget-1.2561083
Carey Law? Not so fast. Penn Law will remain short-form school name until 2022
https://www.inquirer.com/business/penn-law-carey-name-change-petition-dean-ted-ruger-20191118.html
King’s students ‘camp’ in van to raise awareness of homelessness
https://www.timesleader.com/news/763016/kings-students-camp-in-van-to-raise-awareness-of-homelessness
Private higher ed. is a good investment for students, taxpayers alike | Opinion
https://www.penncapital-star.com/commentary/private-higher-ed-is-a-good-investment-for-students-taxpayers-alike-opinion/
Cheyney releases full proposed budget, but doubts over its surplus remain
https://www.phillytrib.com/cheyney-releases-full-proposed-budget-but-doubts-over-its-surplus/article_4df2b1b2-3d90-51c1-a48b-99f1c2d9df1c.html
Elections/Politics
Democrats fear a suburban Philly congressional race is their ‘biggest recruiting failure in the country’
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/brian-fitzpatrick-democrats-2020-election-recruitment-20191119.html
Carbon County election may be certified Friday
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/carbon-county-election-may-be-certified-friday-1.2561082
Gaming
More than $2M in sports bets placed at Mohegan Sun Pocono in October
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/more-than-2m-in-sports-bets-placed-at-mohegan-sun-pocono-in-october-1.2561178
Health Care
Pancreatic cancer survivor from Berks offers hope to others diagnosed with the disease
https://www.readingeagle.com/life/article/pancreatic-cancer-survivor-offers-hope-to-others-diagnosed-with-the-disease
Local News
Wilkes-Barre City Council cancels closed-door session, opts to hear sewer sale details in open
https://www.timesleader.com/news/762966/wilkes-barre-city-council-cancels-closed-door-session-opts-to-hear-sewer-sale-details-in-open
Wilkes-Barre City Council cancels executive session on proposed sewer system sale
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/wilkes-barre-city-council-cancels-executive-session-on-proposed-sewer-system-sale-1.2561050
Luzerne County Councilman proposes pension payment reduction
https://www.timesleader.com/news/763019/luzerne-county-councilman-proposes-pension-payment-reduction
Wilkes-Barre Connect Conference ‘educates, motivates and inspires’
https://www.timesleader.com/news/763012/wilkes-barre-connect-conference-educates-motivates-and-inspires
Scranton DPW director answers questions about department gas card usage at council caucus
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/scranton-dpw-director-answers-questions-about-department-gas-card-usage-at-council-caucus-1.2561150
Mayor-elect Cognetti announces transition team is studying Scranton government
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/mayor-elect-cognetti-announces-transition-team-is-studying-scranton-government-1.2561026
Ross police lieutenant gets 5-day unpaid suspension; force ordered to sensitivity training
https://northjournal.triblive.com/ross-police-lieutenant-gets-5-day-unpaid-suspension-entire-force-ordered-to-sensitivity-training/
Thousands of hats, gloves distributed around Greensburg to help homeless, those in need
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/thousands-of-hats-gloves-distributed-around-greensburg-to-help-homeless-those-in-need/
Westmoreland County union workers reject proposed new contract
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-county-union-workers-reject-proposed-new-contract/
Tax credits will help Indiana County demolitions, renovations
https://triblive.com/local/regional/tax-credits-will-help-indiana-county-demolitions-renovations/
Reading Science Center finds home downtown
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-science-center-finds-home-downtown
Hamburg secures nearly $185,000 in state money to make improvements to Etchberger Memorial Park
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/hamburg-secures-nearly-185000-in-recreation-funds
Aliquippa revitalization group awarded $400,000 state tax credit
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20191118/aliquippa-revitalization-group-awarded-400000-state-tax-credit
D.A.-elect Stollsteimer names Chester top cop Nolan to head CID
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/d-a–elect-stollsteimer-names-chester-top-cop-nolan/article_cfec9d32-0a2d-11ea-a0c5-b75ca7ce5da4.html
National News
South Dakota’s ‘Meth. We’re On It’ ad campaign is raising eyebrows
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2019/11/18/meth-we-re-on-it-South-Dakota-ad-campaign/stories/201911180159
The Justice Department intends to throw out the decades-old Paramount consent decrees
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/movies/2019/11/18/Paramount-consent-decrees-Justice-Department-movie-distribution/stories/201911180153
Santa Clarita school shooting shows yet again that the U.S. has no handle on this crisis | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/school-shooting-santa-clarita-california-gun-violence-20191118.html
New Jersey
These New Jersey lawmakers want voters to decide on legalizing recreational marijuana
https://www.inquirer.com/business/weed/legalize-marijuana-cannabis-new-jersey-scutari-sweeney-recreational-adult-use-20191118.html
Philly
How a Philly neighborhood, where almost everyone has loved ones in prison, is bridging the divide
https://www.inquirer.com/news/north-philadelphia-mass-incarceration-rate-village-arts-humanities-david-flores-reek-dekeyser-20191118.html
Taliban says it has freed Philly-area native, Australian hostage in prisoner exchange
https://www.inquirer.com/news/nation-world/taliban-frees-hostages-prisoner-exchange-20191119.html
When picking new police commissioner, Mayor Kenney must listen to real Philadelphians | Malcolm Jenkins
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/malcolm-jenkins-philadelphia-next-police-commissioner-20191118.html
Pitt
Aiming for equity: PPS pursues a laudable, lofty goal
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2019/11/19/Pittsburgh-Public-Schools-PPS-equity-laudable-lofty-Anthony-Hamlet/stories/201911190004
Judge denies diocese access to children’s fund
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2019/11/18/Diocese-Pittsburgh-Toner-children-s-fund-sexual-abuse-grand-jury/stories/201911180116
Detroit police officer testifies against Chelsa Wagner
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/11/18/Detroit-police-officer-testifies-Chelsa-Wagner-trial/stories/201911180104
Detroit police officer testifies in Chelsa Wagner trial
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/detroit-police-officer-testifies-in-chelsa-wagner-trial/
Ex-Allegheny County 911 dispatcher sues over firing for Facebook posts about Antwon Rose II shooting
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2019/11/18/allegheny-county-911-dispatcher-lawsuit-facebook-antwon-rose-first-amendment/stories/201911180137
Us: Steep streets are a Pittsburgh way of life
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/neighborhood/2019/11/18/Us-column-Canton-Dornbush-East-Hills-Beechview-steepest-streets-Huffington-Post/stories/201911180005
Despite a few prominent appointments, Pittsburgh-area nonprofits still struggle to diversify leadership
https://www.post-gazette.com/business/career-workplace/2019/11/17/Women-minorities-nonprofits-leadership-diversity-Pittsburgh/stories/201911070159
Allegheny County Health Department and international fraternity to host opiod discussion at Penn Hills Library
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-county-health-department-and-international-fraternity-to-host-opiod-discussion-at-penn-hills-library/
Free air quality education kits available to Allegheny County middle schools
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/free-air-quality-education-kits-available-to-allegheny-county-middle-schools-2/
Pittsburgh receives grant for purchase of blue recycling bins
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburgh-receives-grant-for-purchase-of-blue-recycling-bins/
Post-Gazette union votes ‘no confidence’ in management
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/post-gazette-union-votes-no-confidence-in-management/
CCAC announces $65 million plans for new training center, expanded courses
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/ccac-announces-65-million-plans-for-new-training-center-expanded-courses/
State News
“A Beauty” of a film brings the kindness of Fred Rogers back, this time to the big screen
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/movies/2019/11/19/A-Beautiful-Day-in-the-Neighborhood-Pittsburgh-Post-Gazette-review-Tom-Hanks-Fred-Rogers/stories/201911070110
After playoff loss, local golf pro embraces fan who yelled during putt
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/after-playoff-loss-local-golf-pro-embraces-fan-who-yelled-during-putt-1.2561114
Human Harvest: Behind the scenes of organ donation, a tug of war over saving lives and pursuing justice
https://www.pennlive.com/crime/2019/11/human-harvest-behind-the-scenes-of-organ-donation-in-pa.html
Organ donation’s high stakes: Cases are rare, but 1 life can save 8
https://www.pennlive.com/crime/2019/11/organ-donations-high-stakes-cases-are-rare-but-1-life-can-save-8.html
Coroner Graham Hetrick leads way in balancing death probes and organ donation
https://www.pennlive.com/crime/2019/11/coroner-graham-hetrick-leads-way-in-balancing-death-probes-and-organ-donation.html
Study estimates 500 million pieces of litter on Pennsylvania roads. Here are the worst offenders.
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-litter-study-20191118-jifxelq7fbbt7plts3eea6eslq-story.html
New plan brewing for Pennsylvania’s state parks, including treehouses and food trucks
https://www.pennlive.com/life/2019/11/new-plan-brewing-for-pennsylvanias-state-parks-including-treehouses-and-food-trucks.html
Pa. Supreme Court to consider demand that State Police disclose social media monitoring policy
https://www.witf.org/2019/11/19/pa-supreme-court-to-consider-demand-that-state-police-disclose-social-media-monitoring-policy/
Cross Keys PFAS source still unknown
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20191118/cross-keys-pfas-source-still-unknown
Transportation
Death by train
https://www.inquirer.com/transportation/a/septa-suicide-trespassing-engineers-subway-regional-rail-20191119.html
Officials hope changes at Routes 66, 366 make intersection safer
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/officials-hope-changes-at-routes-66-366-make-intersection-safer/
Few options on Berks roadways for a biking commute
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/few-options-on-berks-roadways-for-a-biking-commute
Washington
Trump has a ‘cordial’ meeting with the Fed chair after summoning him to the White House
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2019/11/18/Trump-Fed-Chair-Powell-meets/stories/201911180155