PoliticsPA breaks down which county was the bellwether for the 2020 election in Pennsylvania. Here is the Playbook. 

And Pennsylvania’s Bellwether County is….: We broke down the statewide results. Just one PA county voted for the statewide winner for President and all three row offices. And the bellwether is…

State Rep. Mike Reese Dies at 42: The state Representative from Westmoreland County passed away on Saturday afternoon after suffering an apparent brain aneurysm.

Former Gov. Dick Thornburgh Dies at 88: The former Governor and U.S. Attorney General died on Thursday morning, according to the AP.

Nanes Announces Bid for Mayor of State College: Democrat Ezra Nanes, who challenged Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre) for the 34th Senate District in 2018, announced his candidacy for the Mayor of the State College Borough. 

McClinton Endorses McLaughlin for PA Supreme Court: According to a release from the McLaughlin campaign, House Minority Leader Joanna McClinton (D-Philadelphia) has endorsed Superior Court Judge Maria McLaughlin in her bid for the state Supreme Court. 

Klunk Named to House Majority Whip Team: According to a release, state Rep. Kate Klunk (R-York) has been appointed to serve as a deputy whip for the upcoming session under House Majority Whip Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion). 

Ecker, Hershey, and James Named to House Appropriations Committee: According to multiple releases, state Reps. Torren Ecker (R-Adams), John Hershey (R-Juniata), and Lee James (R-Venango) have been appointed to serve on the House Appropriations Committee under Appropriations Chairman Stan Saylor (R-York). 

Biden Announces PA Native and Philly Resident To White House Office of Digital Strategy: According to a release from the Biden-Harris transition, President-elect Joe Biden hired Abbey Pitzer as a Designer in the White House Office of Digital Strategy and Carahna Magwood as the Creative Director. Pitzer, who served as a Brand Designer on the Biden-Harris campaign, is originally from Pennsylvania. Magwood, who held the position of Deputy Design Director on the Biden-Harris campaign, currently resides in Philadelphia, with her partner and son. 

Biden Hires Former Wolf Staffer and PA Natives To White House Staff: According to a release from the Biden-Harris transition, President-elect Joe Biden hired Danielle Okai as a Senior Associate Director, Rachel Wallace as a Special Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff for the Office of Presidential Personnel, and Michael Hochman as the Deputy Staff Secretary. Okai, who most recently worked as the Chief of Staff to the Political Department on the Biden-Harris Campaign, served in Gov. Tom Wolf’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs as Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Commission and Special Assistant to the Secretary of Intergovernmental Affairs. Okai also served as the Political Operations Manager and Deputy Political Director on Wolf’s 2018 reelection campaign. Wallace, who served as the advisor for women’s engagement for the Biden-Harris campaign, is a Pennsylvania native. Hochman, who is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Boston College Law School, currently lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and their three children. 

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Official: GOP Pennsylvania House member dies
AP: Dick Thornburgh, ex-governor and US attorney general, dies
AP: Pennsylvania Turnpike toll increases go into effect Sunday
AP: Wolf to let some COVID-19 lockdown measures expire on Monday
AP: Judge rejects restaurants’ challenge of indoor dining ban 
AP: White House invites GOP lawmakers in Pennsylvania to lunch
The Caucus: Election reform had bipartisan support in 2019. How did we get here? [analysis]
The Caucus: Which Pa. lawmakers have been most loyal to Trump in resolutions, lawsuits on voter fraud? [timeline]
Patriot News: Pa. Republican Rep. Mike Reese dies at 42 
Patriot News: ‘Champion and leader’ Pa. Rep. Mike Reese mourned by colleagues
Patriot News: Gov. Wolf orders commonwealth flags fly at half-staff to honor Pa. Rep. Mike Reese
Patriot News: Former Pa. Gov. Dick Thornburgh remembered as a leader who was right for his time
Patriot News: ‘A remarkable public servant and an even better man’: Officials honor former Gov. Dick Thornburgh
Patriot News: Flags ordered at half-staff to honor former Gov. Dick Thornburgh
Patriot News: ‘His life was full’: Former Pa. Gov. Dick Thornburgh’s son, John, reflects on his father
Patriot News: COVID-19 cancels pomp and circumstance surrounding Pa. lawmakers’ Swearing-in Day
Patriot News: Why Sen. Pat Toomey says he won’t support $2,000 COVID-19 relief checks
Patriot News: Attempts to overturn certified Presidential election results ‘undermines’ voters rights: U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey
Patriot News: Hospitals prepare for a post-holiday surge of COVID-19 cases, deaths 
Patriot News: Pa. business leaders grateful for lifting of stricter COVID-19 mitigation orders but wonder how long it will last
Patriot News: Pa. Lt. Gov. John Fetterman pesters Texas counterpart to pay $3 million for voter fraud cases
Patriot News: Pro-Trump teen’s civil rights lawsuit against Pa. school district ends with confidential deal
Spotlight PA: Former Pa. Gov. Dick Thornburgh dies at 88
Spotlight PA: Pa.’s ban on indoor dining, school sports won’t extend beyond Jan. 4
Spotlight PA: Satellite offices gave Pa. voters more options to cast early ballots in person. Were they worth it? 
Spotlight PA: As he seeks to overturn Pa.’s election, Trump invites GOP senators to White House lunch
Spotlight PA: Thousands of ballots will be audited as part of Pa.’s post-election review
WHYY Newsworks: Facing pressure from Trump and constituents, Pa. GOP aims to limit expanded voting
WHYY Newsworks: As Pa. cracks down on business defying shutdown, hundreds appear on scofflaw list
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: CapStar Q+A: Pa. House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton on bipartisanship, redistricting
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. Republican Rep. Mike Reese dies at age 42
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: 2020 in Review: Protests that swept Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: U.S. House overrides Trump veto; approves $2k stim payments: How Pa. lawmakers voted
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. Gov. Wolf to lift indoor dining ban, even as fears of worsening winter surge loom
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘A model of integrity’: How Pa. officials reacted to the death of ex-Gov. Richard Thornburgh
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. Sen. Toomey: I’ll ‘vigorously defend our form of government’ when Congress meets to count electoral votes
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Eight of Pa.’s nine Republicans in the U.S. House say they will oppose certification of Pa.’s electors
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf announces $145 million COVID-19 grant fund for small businesses    
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. caps off a very strange year in alcohol sales
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa.’s Dean joins lawmakers arguing Americans shouldn’t get hit with fees if if COVID-19 stimulus is paid through debit cards
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. advocates hail federal judge’s order halting Trump’s anti-LGBTQ executive order
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Health assessment shows disparities in Pa.’s LGBTQ community | Analysis
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Levine: Nursing home vaccines underway as testing, new cases see holiday slump
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Landmark climate policy faces growing claims of environmental racism | Analysis
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Year in Review: Your Top 10 most-read stories of 2020
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: PUC moves forward on diversity reporting, advocates say there’s more work to be done
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Butter Up: Pa. wants you to craft and share your own 2021 Farm Show butter sculptures
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘Stop the flood’: Faith leaders, advocates tell lawmakers to save thousands facing eviction | Monday Morning Coffee
Inquirer: Pa.’s incoming treasurer pledges openness and close scrutiny of massive pension funds
Inquirer: Everybody wants to change Pennsylvania election law, but mistrust is high
Inquirer: 2020 was an ugly year in Harrisburg. Don’t expect 2021 to be much better. 
Inquirer: Fact-checking Sen. Pat Toomey’s comment that Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf is ‘closing down businesses again’ 
Inquirer: Coronavirus stimulus bill includes holiday gifts to Pa. brewers, racetracks, and other local interests 
Inquirer: Here’s the Pa. election lawsuit over mail ballots that could overturn a race — but not the presidency 
Morning Call: Pat Toomey: The evidence is overwhelming that Joe Biden won this election
Morning Call: Sen. Pat Toomey breaks from Trump again to oppose $2,000 stimulus checks
Morning Call: Debate growing over Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to prosecute restaurants that opened during coronavirus shutdown
InsiderNJ: Street Poised to Open Exploratory Committee into Run for U.S. Senate Seat in Pa.
LNP | LancasterOnline: More than 100 pro-Trump protesters gather outside Pa. House Speaker Cutler’s home, office
LNP | LancasterOnline: Pennsylvania Turnpike toll costs increase starting Jan. 3; here’s how much more drivers will pay
KDKA: Republican State Senate May Refuse To Seat Certified Winner Of Local Race As Legal Battle Continues
KDKA: Missouri Senator Josh Hawley Objects To Senator Pat Toomey Publicly Calling For Republican Lawmakers To Certify Election Results
KDKA: Pa. Senator Pat Toomey Speaks Out Against Republican Senators Seeking To Oppose Certification Of Election Results
PLSReporter: State Rep. Mike Reese dies at 42
PLSReporter: 3 legislative efforts to watch for in the new year
PLSReporter: Pennsylvania newsmakers in 2020
PLSReporter: Right 2 Know Episode 75: 2020 Time Capsule
PLSReporter: Not to be: 5 bills that didn’t earn the governor’s signature in 2020
PLSReporter: Harrisburg Highlights: Reviewing the top headlines of 2020
PLSReporter: Wolf makes $145 million available for General Assembly to allocate to business grants
Fox News: Dick Thornburgh, ex-Pa. governor and US attorney general, dead at 88
Fox News: Top federal prosecutor resigns following ballot fraud investigation 
Fox News: GOP Pennsylvania House member Mike Reese dies
StateImpactPA: Top stories of 2020: The fight over RGGI 
StateImpactPA: Environmentalists see opportunity for legislature in 2021, but also expect repeats of old fights 
StateImpactPA: ‘We need to shift focus’: A state program is helping boroughs and towns plan for climate change 
StateImpactPA: Pennsylvania’s alternative energy goals set to flatline next year, unless legislature acts 
WFMZ: Toomey statement regarding the certification of the presidential election results
Express Times: Pa. restaurateurs must self-certify to reopen at 50% capacity Monday, state says
The Hill: Toomey, Murkowski to oppose GOP effort to challenge election results 
The Hill: Pennsylvania state Rep. Mike Reese dies at 42 
The Hill: Former US attorney general Dick Thornburgh dies at 88
The Hill: Top federal prosecutor resigns after Pennsylvania election fraud investigation
The Hill: GOP senator on Trump pardons: ‘It is legal, it is constitutional, but I think it’s a misuse of the power’ 
The Hill: Pennsylvania lt. gov. says Texas counterpart owes him bounty money after state uncovers voter fraud cases 
The Hill: Esquire names Jake Tapper ‘The King of Truth’ in 2020
CNN: At least 140 House Republicans to vote against counting electoral votes, two GOP lawmakers say 
CNN: Former Pennsylvania Gov. and US Attorney General Dick Thornburgh dead at 88
Politico: Sen. Toomey: Trump going too far with pardons
Politico: Dick Thornburgh, ex-governor and U.S. attorney general, dies  

Philadelphia 
KYW Newsradio: Reflecting on a year he hopes is like no other, Kenney finds regrets and points of pride
KYW Newsradio: Mayor’s picks to fill school board seats are all Philadelphia School District alumni
KYW Newsradio: 2020 one of Philly’s deadliest, with record number of shootings
KYW Newsradio: Philly to pay $9.8M to man who spent 28 years in prison after wrongful murder conviction
KYW Newsradio: Flashpoint: Lessons learned from 2020, and what’s ahead for pandemic, politics and race in 2021
Billy Penn: ‘Unprepared’ Philly police violated use-of-force and tear gas policies during summer protests, review finds 
Billy Penn: Only a third of CARES Act housing relief went to PA residents. The rest went to the state budget. 
Billy Penn: 12 times Philly made national headlines, and what everyone got wrong 
Billy Penn: Inquirer cartoonist Signe Wilkinson is retiring after 35 years of satirizing Philly
Inquirer: As Philly gun-possession convictions decline, DA Larry Krasner cites issues with witnesses appearing in court 
Inquirer: Amid the dumpster fire that was 2020, here are 10 good things that happened in Philly this year 
Inquirer: Philly’s new commerce director seeks a better path for Philly employers 
Inquirer: A Philly developer shirked a deal to build affordable homes as housing officials stood by 
Inquirer: Philly’s violent year: Nearly 500 people were killed and 2,200 shot in 2020 
Inquirer: What’s reopening today in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania; COVID-19 death toll remains high in Pa.; Fauci predicts the pace of vaccinations will pick up
WHYY Newsworks: Black homeowners refinance less and pay more for mortgages, new data reveals
Philadelphia Tribune: From a pandemic, to police shootings, to protests, the city needs to adjust
Philadelphia Citizen: The Vaccine is Here! The Vaccine is Here!  
Philly Voice: Philly police, city were ‘simply not prepared’ for George Floyd protests, audit finds
Philly Voice: Gun violence marks end of 2020 and beginning of 2021 in Philly
Philadelphia Business Journal: 2020 in Review: City Hall grapples with shutdowns, unrest, high-level departures and a budget shortfall 
Philadelphia Business Journal: 2020 in Review: PPP’s impact on the Philadelphia region
Philadelphia Business Journal: ‘Worse than I had anticipated’: Greater Philadelphia tourism faces $5.8B in lost economic impact from Covid-19 pandemic

SEPA
Bucks Local News: Fitzpatrick and Golden block pay raise for Congress in government funding bill 
Bucks Local News: Bucks County Commissioners approve 2021 budget; spending plan holds the line on taxes 
Bucks Local News: Penndel Borough awarded $199K state environmental protection grant
Daily Local News: Local legislators weigh in on changing Pa. Supreme Court elections
Daily Local News: New ethics policy in place for Chester County government 
Daily Local News: Chester County local officials reflect on 2020, offer hope for 2021 
Daily Local News: Local lawmakers to hold virtual town hall on COVID vaccine 
Daily Local News: Chester County gets $1.9 million to improve waterways 
Delco Daily Times: Judge issues order allowing DELCORA sale to Aqua
Delco Daily Times: Local officials offer hopeful words for 2021
Delco Daily Times: Year in Review: Demonstrations, development lead to controversy
KYW Newsradio: Pennsylvania to launch study on PFAS chemical exposure near Willow Grove Air Force Base
WHYY Newsworks: ‘My phone has not stopped ringing’: A new Chesco eviction prevention program expands Jan. 5
Delaware Valley Journal: Zidek: I Haven’t Given Much Thought to 2021 Re-Election
Delaware Valley Journal: Sen. Mensch: Looking Back on 2020 — Looking Forward to 2021
Delaware Valley Journal: Sen. Muth: Looking Back on 2020 — Looking Forward to 2021
Delaware Valley Journal: Welcoming the Rise of Women in the GOP
Pottstown Mercury: Gale, Lawrence clash over election contract amendment

Pittsburgh 
KDKA: Republican State Senate May Refuse To Seat Certified Winner Of Local Race As Legal Battle Continues
KDKA: New Year Brings New Laws In Pittsburgh And Pennsylvania
KDKA: Temporary Coronavirus Restrictions In Pa. Set To Expire On Monday 
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Department Offering Free COVID-19 Testing Throughout County 
KDKA: City Of Monessen Launches New Website 
KDKA: Plum Mayor Encourages Residents To ‘Swamp’ Restaurants When They Can Reopen For Indoor Dining Monday
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 1,601 New Coronavirus Cases, 22 New Deaths
WESA: After Disappearing from Top Ranks In State House, Will Allegheny County Lose Clout In Harrisburg?
WESA: What Bills From Western PA Reps Did President Trump Sign? 
WESA: Western PA Congressional Republicans Split On Key Trump Demand 
WESA: City Council Closes Out Year With Final Approval Of Parks Tax 
WESA: Police Officials Tout Progress, Warn Of Waning Diversity On Force 
WESA: County-Run Nursing Homes Say Nearly 70 Percent Of Staff Have Signed Up For COVID Vaccines 
WESA: Local LGBTQ Groups ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ About A Biden Administration 
WESA: School Police Presence Increased Across Allegheny County Over Five Years 
Post-Gazette: Ziccarelli pursues Senate’s help as she disputes Brewster win
Post-Gazette: Decisions on paid sick time, police oversight awaiting Allegheny County Council 
Post-Gazette: Pelosi narrowly re-elected as House speaker; Pa.’s Conor Lamb votes for Hakeem Jeffries 
Post-Gazette: Rep. Conor Lamb thinks Democrats (and Republicans) will unite together behind Biden’s version of ‘America first’ 
Post-Gazette: Spurring antibiotics research, lawmakers fear looming public health crisis: drug-resistant ‘superbugs’ 
Post-Gazette: Black, police-accountability orgs announce ‘concrete commitments’ from Peduto on reform 
Post-Gazette: As top Republican on agriculture panel, Rep. Glenn Thompson sees opportunities to close urban-rural divide 
Post-Gazette: Relief uncertain for local governments as pandemic roils budgets  
Post-Gazette: City, county declare region’s 2020 Census response a success 
Post-Gazette: City, URA receive $7.5M in state development grants 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh’s parks tax to go into effect Jan. 1 
Pittsburgh Business Times: City announces $7.5 million in redevelopment grants for various projects 
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh homicides tick upward after lowest level in 20 years 
Tribune Review: Allegheny County surpasses 55,000 covid cases, draws closer to 1,000 deaths
City Paper: State Rep. Sara Innamorato talks post-election goals and strategy; stresses importance of building trust with community 
City Paper: Pittsburgh-area reps. Mike Kelly and Guy Reschenthaler vote against $2,000 checks for Americans 
City Paper: Pittsburgh “Lesbian Correspondent” blogger Sue Kerr honored on 15th anniversary with city proclamation 
City Paper: 1Hood Power Hour moderator Miracle Jones on what current political parties are lacking; plans to expand show past election

SWPA 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Late state Rep. Mike Reese saluted by colleagues as ‘leader’ and ‘mentor’; state flag to be flown at half-staff
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: U.S. Reps. Thompson, Joyce challenging Jan. 6 election certification; local state lawmakers supported now-debated mail-in voting law
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria passes 9,000 COVID-19 cases; local death toll unchanged
Observer-Reporter: Snyder reintroduces bill that would assist “ultra-small” businesses during pandemic 
Observer-Reporter: Washington Co. commissioners pass 2021 budget with no tax increase 
Observer-Reporter: Ball is part of state treasurer transition committee 
Observer-Reporter: $2M in state grants to benefit two county projects 
Observer-Reporter: COVID-19 cases on the rise in region
KDKA: Pa. Representative Mike Reese Dies Of Apparent Brain Aneurysm
Post-Gazette: State Rep. Mike Reese dead at age 42
Tribune Review: State Rep. Mike Reese of Mt. Pleasant Township dead at 42 
Tribune Review: Ziccarelli asks state Senate to overturn Brewster victory 
Tribune Review: Westmoreland County closes in on 20,000 covid cases, adds 6 deaths
Altoona Mirror: Blair submits final report on CARES funding
Altoona Mirror: Erb: State shortfall on court costs puts burden on taxpayers
Altoona Mirror: Area projects receive $2.5M in grants
Altoona Mirror: Area water projects to get DEP funds
Altoona Mirror: Blair County NAACP president Witherspoon dies

NEPA
Citizens Voice: Meuser and Keller to oppose Biden electoral votes
Citizens Voice: W-B mayor mulls veto of amended city budget
Citizens Voice: Luzerne County voter fraud case might lead to reward
Citizens Voice: Year in preview: Local stories that will make headlines in 2021
Citizens Voice: Federal spending bills could benefit stormwater, other projects in NEPA
Citizens Voice: DEP to hold virtual hearing on PennEast pipeline project
Citizens Voice: Former election director Piazza wants his old job back    
Citizens Voice: Luzerne County projects get more than $1.4 million from Growing Greener program
Citizens Voice: 109 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Luzerne County on Sunday
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County tidies up voter rolls
Times-Tribune: Year in review: Scranton in spotlight as city native Biden wins presidency
Times-Tribune: Federal spending bills contain money that could benefit region
Times-Tribune: Scranton mayor refuses to sign city’s amended 2021 budget, objecting to council’s changes
Times-Tribune: After settling class-action lawsuit in 2020, Scranton Sewer Authority in 2021 gets closer to dissolving
Times-Tribune: Mehalchick named district court’s new chief magistrate
Times-Tribune: No new COVID-19 deaths reported in region Sunday
The Times Leader: Luzerne County manager advocates seeking Texas reward for detecting voter fraud
The Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre Mayor Brown and council wage war of words over budget
The Times Leader: Brown considering veto of WB budget
The Times Leader: Loss of friend to suicide prompts message from Luzerne County manager
The Times Leader: Study: Redlined neighborhoods largely denied access to home loan financing
The Times Leader: DEP announces more than $5M for local water clean-up projects
The Times Leader: 109 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County on Sunday
The Times Leader: Dallas ZIP code remains Luzerne County COVID-19 hot spot after Christmas
The Times Leader: Luzerne County’s coronavirus positivity testing rate and cases rise in latest two-week comparison

South Central 
Patriot News: Central Pa.’s congressmen unanimously oppose $2,000 federal stimulus checks, despite President Trump’s support
LNP | LancasterOnline: More than 100 pro-Trump protesters gather outside Pa. House Speaker Cutler’s home, office
LNP | LancasterOnline: A look at Smucker’s priorities going into his third time in office, the upcoming lame-duck House session
LNP | LancasterOnline: Rep. Smucker votes against raising stimulus payments to $2,000, backs Trump’s defense spending veto
LNP | LancasterOnline: Brian Hurter not seeking third term as Lancaster County Controller
LNP | LancasterOnline: Aument named to election audit committee, says he sees no sign of fraud
LNP | LancasterOnline: U.S. Rep. Smucker receives first dose of coronavirus vaccine
LNP | LancasterOnline: Some Lancaster County restaurants react after Gov. Wolf announces recent COVID-19 restrictions will expire Monday.
LNP | LancasterOnline: As Gov. Wolf’s ban on indoor dining ends, state enforcement of COVID-19 orders continues [Lancaster Watchdog]
LNP | LancasterOnline: COVID-19 cases increase by over 200 in Lancaster County in the past 24 hours [Sunday’s COVID-19 update]
Carlisle Sentinel: Legislators’ letter sows confusion over Pennsylvania’s vote count as Trump continues to rail against election
Carlisle Sentinel: Freed to resign as U.S. attorney 
Carlisle Sentinel: Perry a ‘no’ vote on COVID relief, citing objections similar to Trump’s over foreign aid
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: More than 50 percent of Cumberland County’s COVID-19 cases and deaths came in December
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: Cumberland County adds nine additional deaths and 196 new cases in two-day report to start out 2021 
York Dispatch: York County election workers get a pay raise
York Dispatch: York City avoids government shutdown, passes budget
York Dispatch: 400 York County residents have died due to COVID-19
York Daily Record: York City Council avoids government shutdown by passing 2021 budget

Lehigh Valley      
Express Times: Budgeting in the age of COVID-19: Here is the 2021 spending for Lehigh Valley towns with 10K or more residents
Express Times: Pa. restaurateurs must self-certify to reopen at 50% capacity Monday, state says
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus update: State reports 8,992 cases on final day of 2020; likely to cross 16K deaths on New Year’s Day; Lehigh Valley also to pass 37K total cases on holiday | Pa. COVID-19 county map (12/31/20)
Morning Call: Across Lehigh Valley municipalities, doomsday pandemic tax increases haven’t panned out yet, but the real pain could come in 2021
Morning Call: Debate growing over Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to prosecute restaurants that opened during coronavirus shutdown
Morning Call: Coronavirus raging through Pa. and Lehigh Valley prisons, infecting guards as well as inmates
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: Schuylkill sets daily record, as hospitalizations drop
Reading Eagle: Reading Downtown Improvement District issue sets off shouting match at City Council meeting
Reading Eagle: Reading extends two tax relief programs for five years
Reading Eagle: Berks County’s weekly total of COVID cases down for third straight time
WFMZ: Caltagirone: Former Gov. Thornburgh ‘was a dear friend’
WFMZ: Reports: Hedge fund looks to buy company that owns Morning Call

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Kelly, others will object to Pa. Electoral College vote
Erie Times-News: U.S. Rep. Kelly votes against larger stimulus checks
Erie Times-News: Roll Call: How area legislators voted
Erie Times-News: Erie School District’s new virus aid: $28 million  
Erie Times-News: 106 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Erie County
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Thompson, Keller allege ‘unlawful’ election tally
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Commissioner pushes for more COVID testing
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Keller opposes COVID package; Casey, Toomey vote in favor
Patriot News: Pro-Trump teen’s civil rights lawsuit against Pa. school district ends with confidential deal
Centre Daily Times: How will Biden impact tackle change? Here’s what Centre County experts and advocates hope
Centre Daily Times: Here’s what to expect in 2021 for 3 long-anticipated Centre County projects
Centre Daily Times: Former state Senate candidate Ezra Nanes declares intention to run for mayor of State College
Centre Daily Times: Adjusting to challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Centre County adopts 2021 budget
Centre Daily Times: Centre County received $14.7 million in COVID-19 relief in 2020. Here’s how it was spent
Centre Daily Times: Jan. 2 update: Centre County adds 139 COVID-19 cases, 4 deaths over 2 days

Opinion  
Bob Casey: Why we need a big New Deal-style jobs program
Madeleine Dean: What we learned from those we lost in 2020 
Senator-Elect Amanda M. Cappelletti, Senator-Elect Carolyn T. Comitta, Senator-Elect John Kane, and Senator-Elect Nikil Saval: In season of sharing, Pa. must show it cares 
Austin Davis and Elizabeth Fiedler: Harrisburg Republicans are failing to keep Pennsylvanians safe in their homes 
Mark S. Singel: Pa. Legislature likely to continue election charade in 2021 
Christopher Borick: What to expect in Pennsylvania politics for 2021
John Baer: Here’s what to watch in Pennsylvania politics in 2021 
Gordon R. Eck: He who imposes burdens bears the burden of proof
Jennifer Stefano: The restaurant revival that turned into a revolt
Stephanie Catarino Wissman: Pa.’s natural gas industry is powering the economy and leading on climate change
Charlie Gerow: With new year, a chance to alter Pa. governor’s powers, election process 
Paul Muschick: How a woman who has been dead 12 years was able to vote in Pennsylvania
Carol Kuniholm: Judicial gerrymandering: Just say no
Carol Kuniholm: In 2021, tell your lawmakers to put Pa.’s people first
Joseph Otis Minott: Climate change is affecting us all, increasingly those of us in Philadelphia
John L. Micek: Five things the Legislature can do to make Pennsylvanians’ lives measurably better in 2021 
Joseph Roy: Why the PIAA should push back start of winter sports
Reading Eagle Editorial: Endless Pennsylvania Turnpike toll hikes must come to an end
Inquirer Editorial Board: Philly’s heroes and villains of 2020
Inquirer Editorial Board: New Jersey’s use-of-force reforms can guide police in Pa. and beyond 
Inquirer Editorial Board: Report on Philly police handling of protests is like a crime scene with no fingerprints
Inquirer Editorial Board: 2021 must be the Year of Public Health 
Inquirer Editorial Board: It’s time for Philadelphia to reckon with historical racism as an obstacle to preservation 
Inquirer Editorial Board: Pennsylvania prisons’ unreliable COVID data hides the true extent of the crisis 
Inquirer Staff: The presidential inauguration: Does the U.S. have a ‘lame duck’ in office for too long? | Pro/Con
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Thornburgh: Servant-Leader 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Reasoning with cancel culture
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: More health care for rural residents 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Paying back the state 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A goal within reach 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Reform to cut legal costs 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Bus drivers are essential 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Helping restaurants and the needy 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Obama’s return 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Justice system for kids needs public oversight 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Censorship and bias 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Put down the phone while driving 
Larry Platt: Jim Kenney’s New Year’s Resolutions 
Charlie Gerow: It should always be nation over politics
Salena Zito: Authenticity can’t be purchased by the foot 
Salena Zito: Our hopes for 2021 won’t be fulfilled by a politician, but by us
Keith C. Burris: The Thornburgh Model
Ruth Ann Dailey: Is moral growth allowed anymore?
Shoshana Katz: Gyms and fitness studios need clear guidelines to stay open and survive the pandemic 
Guy Ciarrocchi: Chester County businesses need financial aid
Dan Simpson: Holding out hope for a better administration
Hatem Abdallah and Elinore Kaufman: Gun violence is a public health crisis just as important as the pandemic 
Armen Henderson: Incarceration has always threatened health. COVID-19 just worsened the problem. 
David Acosta: Whitewashing Gloria Casarez mural is a violent act against Philly’s LGBTQ community 
Bruce Ledewitz: What can Democrats learn from Trump’s 2020 performance? 
Frank Dobson: What Kwanzaa means for Black Americans
Ray E. Landis: The COVID-19 pandemic taught us brutal lessons in 2020. Will we heed them in 2021? 
Will Bunch: Blame this president for why you haven’t gotten your vaccine yet: Ronald Reagan 
Elinor Haider and Thomas Ginsberg: 5 things that must happen to save Philly’s small businesses 
Daniel Gold: I’m a Mummer. If our culture doesn’t change, I’ll quit. 
Maria Panaritis: The travesty of America’s failed coronavirus response as seen from the steps of a school 
Jenice Armstrong: Dear Santa: Here’s my Christmas wish list for Philly this year. End the pandemic, stop gun violence …
Larry Dubinski: Science education couldn’t be more important as we endure the COVID-19 pandemic 
David A. Love: Schools nationwide should teach ethnic studies 
Mark O’Keefe: In elections, education, like demographics, is now political destiny 
Randy P. Juhl: Seat belts and smoking rates show people eventually adopt healthy behaviors. But it can take time we don’t have during a pandemic | Analysis
Dick Polman: Destroying another norm, Trump pardoned four murdering war criminals 
Jonathan C. Rothermel: Here’s how to really make America great again in 2021 
Randy Bish: A look back at 2020 … ehhh … never mind | Editorial Cartoon 
Signe Wilkinson: Then and Now: See how The Inquirer’s cartoonist captured Philly for the past 35 years