Wolf stands by fracking policies, the first forum in the race for Philly Mayor is set up and a look at the challenges ahead for next year. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz!

PA-Gov: Wolf Reiterates Support for Fracking After NY Ban: The Governor-Elect has not changed his belief in light of the actions of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

First Philadelphia Mayoral Forum Announced: The Next Great City Coalition will host the event.

Politically Uncorrected: 2015: Challenge Amid Change in the Keystone State: As a new year begins, it’s an auspicious time to assess where we have been the past 12 months, where we are going the next 12 months, and what challenges and change might confront us along the way.

Why Joe Sestak Will Be the Democratic Nominee Against Pat Toomey: A guest take on the advantages Sestak holds in a Democratic primary.

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Study quashes school district consolidation as means to lower taxes
State House Sound Bites: Corbett calls sting charges “satisfying”
StateImpactPA: New York State bans fracking
PA Independent: Forgery investigation focuses on former chief; raises more issues
PLS Reporter: VIDEO: DePasquale says the future of Cheyney University is in “dire, dire, dire straits”
Capitolwire: Capitolwire: Investigation nets several former PennDOT managers, inspectors and consultants

Philadelphia
Newsworks: Wolf presents dire financial picture for Pennsylvania
Newsworks: Citizen scientists track tiny critters to determine health of the watershed
Newsworks:10 PennDOT workers face corruption charges in $1.2 million fraud
Inquirer: Brady says Kane was ‘asleep at the switch
Inquirer: Police union chief decries protests over shootings
AP: Corbett weighs options in final weeks as governor
PhillyClout: PGW deal is dead but the Nutter-Clarke fight goes on
Phillynow: Could a world-class velodrome get dropped into FDR Park?

SEPA
Daily Local News: West Chester council approves budget
Daily Local News: Coatesville school board approves release of internal investigation
Daily Times: Moody’s upgrades Haverford School District’s bond rating to Aa3
Local News: Bucks County Commissioners deliver gift to the taxpayers: Budget that holds the line on property taxes in 2015

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania attorney general watching Scaife trust fund case
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh school board losing veterans
Tribune Review: Congressman Kelly wants to buy part of Butler Blue Sox
Tribune Review: Pa. attorney general charges 10 in PennDOT fraud, kickback scheme
Tribune Review: Replacement attorney, PA AG’s office enter Scaife trust dispute
Business Times: Pennsylvania energy producers not fazed by New York fracking ban
Business Times: Auditor General to audit Gaming Control Board

Southwest
County Times: Vanport seeks 2.5-mill tax increase to help fund bridge projects
County Times: Marcellus life: Small town in Elk County struggles with rules for shale gas drilling
Mirror: Blair County adopts 2015 budget

NEPA
Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre Mayor Leighton gets $150K to help balance 2015 budget
Times Leader: Gov.-elect Wolf coming to Kingston to discuss state finances with media
Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre Area Feasibility study unveiled, cost estimates top $100 million
Citizens Voice: Corbett, legislature budgeted no money for governor transition
Citizens Voice: Luzerne County Council minority walks out
Citizens Voice: Senators propose pipeline impact fee
Citizens Voice: Auditor general plans gambling, turnpike audits
Times-Tribune: Pension fund has no re-exam clause
Times-Tribune: First review complete, DEP begins extensive technical review of landfill expansion

South Central
York Daily Record: Some say York County school consolidation study provides starting point
Patriot News: Three Pa. organizations identified as among ‘America’s Worst Charities’
Patriot News: Fracking brought spikes in crime, road deaths and STDs to Pa.: report
Patriot News: New U.S.-Cuban policy embraced by some, torched by others
The Sentinel: Multiple cases move to high court

Lehigh Valley
Express-Times: Northampton County district attorney throws support behind elder abuse task force
Express-Times: Bethlehem council reverses pool closures; final tax increase at 5.4 percent
Reading Eagle: Some Cubans in Berks welcome U.S. move to restore relations
Reading Eagle: Republican lawmakers condemn move to normalize relations with Cuba
Morning Call: New York to ban fracking after health report
Morning Call: Pa. Supreme Court affirms $151M ruling against Wal-Mart

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun Gazette: If passed, paycheck protection legislation will have local tie
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Outside firm may take over city hall human resources
Centre Daily Times: Obama opens relations with Cuba, easing half-century standoff
Erie Times News: Jeb Bush-Hillary Clinton in 2016?

Opinion
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Wolf’s reaction to mid-year budget report unsettling
York Daily Record: A salute to the FOP for helping York (YDR opinion)
Reading Eagle: Editorial: Organization offers hope in the face of hard times
Morning Call: Noah Feldman: Supreme Court allows ignorance as excuse for cops
Times-Tribune: Oasis checks city blight
Times Leader: Our Opinion: Growing affinity for online shopping will reshape the look of NEPA communities
Post-Gazette: Budget fireworks: Politics aside, Congress shows an ability to agree
Mirror: Difficult choices face Wolf
Inquirer: Pipeline Dream
Inquirer: The truth about Kane

Blogs
Keystone Politics: Sorry, a 5% Severance Tax Won’t “Cripple” PA’s Economy
Citizen’s Call: Township to Curtail Lifetime Health Benefits for New Commissioners