First Read – Dec. 29, 2023

WEATHER: Philadelphia: decreasing clouds, high of 53; Harrisburg: mostly sunny, high of 49; Pittsburgh: increasing clouds, high of 43.

FROM CITY & STATE:

* After 52 weeks of covering the victors and the vanquished, the champions and the also-rans, the heroes and villains of Pennsylvania politics, there was an embarrassment of riches to choose from – literally: More than 100 winners and 100 losers have graced our weekly print and online feature. Here are some of our favorites.

NEW THIS MORNING:

* Pennsylvania recorded a steep increase in the deaths of older adults following an abuse or neglect complaint the last few years, as COVID-19 ravaged the nation, complaints grew and agencies struggled to keep caseworkers on staff, The Associated Press reports. 

* Spotlight PA breaks down some of its best investigations of the year, ranging from serious issues with Pennsylvania’s mortgage relief program to secret details about the state’s medical marijuana program. 

* State Rep. Dan Frankel, an Allegheny County Democrat, is introducing legislation to remove someone’s carry permit should they try to carry a loaded firearm onto a plane, WESA reports. 

* A former Pennsylvania lieutenant governor candidate and outspoken voice in the conservative “parental rights” school movement has been charged with punching a teenager while hosting an underage drinking party at her Bucks County home in September, The USA TODAY Network reports. 

* Since Cherelle Parker won the race for Philadelphia mayor in November, a man who could play an outsized role in advancing her agenda has had a consistent presence alongside her: City Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson, the next Council president, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

* The Pennsylvania Capital-Star breaks down the top five stories from Gov. Josh Shapiro’s first year in office. 

* Adam N. Geer, a deputy inspector general and former homicide prosecutor, will be Philadelphia’s first chief public safety director, taking on a new administrative role responsible for coordinating the city’s response to crime, the Inquirer reports.  

* Pittsburgh announced yesterday that the Urban Redevelopment Authority closed on a bond whose $30 million proceeds will be dedicated entirely to the preservation and creation of affordable homes, WESA reports. 

* Five members of the state legislature want Pennsylvania to become the latest state to adopt Alyssa’s Law, which would require the state’s schools to install silent panic alarms, the Times Observer reports.

* A Pennsylvania man who was sentenced in secret for his role in the U.S. Capitol riot cooperated with authorities investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack and an unrelated case, according to court documents unsealed this week, the AP reports.  

EDITORIAL PAGES:

* The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes that personal finance classes are long overdue for Pennsylvania’s students. 

NATIONAL POLITICS:

* Maine yesterday became the second state to bar Donald Trump from its primary ballot after its top election official ruled that the former president’s efforts to remain in power after the 2020 election render him ineligible to hold office again, The New York Times reports. 

* A federal judge yesterday rejected a request from Sen. Bob Menendez’s legal team to delay the start of his corruption trial by two months, Politico reports. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: On Sunday, to state Sen. Frank Farry … to Schuylkill County Magisterial District Court Judge James K. Reiley … to Juniata College President James Troha … and to state Rep. Tim Twardzik … and, on Monday, to Nche Zama, former gubernatorial candidate and heart surgeon … and to Josh Nanberg, president and creative director, Ampersand Strategies … Want to wish someone a happy birthday in our newsletter? Email their name, job title and upcoming birthday to editor@cityandstatepa.com.

TODAY’S SKED:

No events scheduled at this time

KICKER: 

“To endanger, actually, inconvenience travelers, employees at airports, TSA officials, you know, it’s just not acceptable.” – Dan Frankel, via WESA