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High court could make Pa. an abortion battleground

Plus, why some Pa. stations are taking Dr. Oz off the air.

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Your Postmaster: Colin Deppen
December 2, 2021
Abortion case, safety checks, prostitution plea, count offs, drug deaths, school supplies, and why some Pa. stations are pulling Dr. Oz off the air. It's Thursday.
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HIGH STAKES
NOTABLE / QUOTABLE

"This case was certainly unusual, but at its foundation it is just a case of fraud and underlying greed." 

—U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams on a former Temple University business school dean's conspiracy and wire fraud conviction
THIS TOTE IS 🔥
We're more than halfway to meeting our historic challenge of raising $70,000 by the end of the year in support of vital investigative journalism for Pennsylvania. If we can do it, we'll unlock $70,000 in matching gifts.

Don't miss this chance to support Spotlight PA's vital investigative journalism and have your contribution DOUBLED. The future of Spotlight PA depends on your support, and we can't afford to lose this critical journalism.

As a special bonus, make a monthly sustaining gift of $15/month or more and get the new 2021 Pennsylvania tote bag, designed by a Pittsburgh artist and printed by a small business in Harrisburg.

Make a tax-deductible gift right now and help us keep it going.
💉 COVID-19 NEWS
» OMICRON CASE: The first confirmed U.S. case of the omicron variant has been reported in San Francisco. The person was fully vaccinated and is experiencing mild symptoms, local officials told reporters.

» RULE BREAKS: The Biden administration has been handed a series of court losses this week impacting its COVID-19 vaccine rules for federal contractors and health care employees, CNN reports.

» MED MIX: The wife of a York County man with a severe case of COVID-19 is suing in an attempt to force UPMC to treat him with ivermectin, per YDR.

To find a COVID-19 vaccine, use the federal government's online tool, call 1-800-232-0233, or text your zip code to 438829 (GETVAX).
📅 UPCOMING EVENTS

» LAWFUL VS. AWFUL: Join us Thursday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. EST via Zoom for a free panel discussion on why killings by police often are ruled justified and who oversees the process. Register for the event here and submit your questions to events@spotlightpa.org

📷 POST IT
A gorgeous sunrise shot in Waggoner's Gap Hawk Watch, north of Carlisle. Thanks, Leon P.  Send us your gems, use the hashtag #PAGems on Instagram, or tag us @spotlightpennsylvania.
DAILY RUNDOWN
SAFEGUARDS: The kidnapping and killing of two York County children by their father, a former police officer, has advocates for domestic violence victims urging new protocols for Pennsylvania cops and courts, and new public awareness campaigns, PennLive reports.

GUILTY PLEA: Mercer County's drug task force leader has pleaded guilty to engaging in prostitution after responding to a sex-for-hire ad posted by an openly drug-dependent woman, per the Sharon Herald. William Brown was appointed by the Pennsylvania AG's Office.

RUNNING TALLIES: Hundreds of undated mail ballots from the Nov. 2 election must be counted in Lehigh County, a local judge has ruled, while a separate case involving Lancaster County school board write-in votes has prompted a rare judicial about-face.  

GRIM MILESTONE: Philadelphia is on track to see a record overdose death toll in 2021, with a broader swath of the city now being impacted. A city health department spokesperson told The Inquirer the pandemic has only made existing city public health problems worse.

BLIND SPOTS: While school board meetings at the Central Bucks School District focused on mask mandates and teachings on race, employees tell The New York Times that shortages of staff, supplies, and support went overlooked, sometimes with dire consequences.
IN OTHER NEWS
OFF AIR: Dr. Oz's daytime TV show has been removed by some Pennsylvania stations now that he's running for U.S. Senator here. A reporter at WGAL says the move is meant to ensure fairness to all candidates.

SO INCLINED: Two hundred thousand dollars in natural gas drilling fees and a businessman's nine-acre donation will benefit a planned park at the bottom of Johnstown's funicular railway, the Tribune-Democrat reports. 

BREAK OUT: The latest episode of Morgan Freeman's "Great Escapes" series takes viewers to a notorious and now-shuttered state prison in Pittsburgh for a detailed recounting of a legendary 1997 prison break.

UFO WATCH: Federal Aviation Administration representatives examined video of unexplained aerial sightings near an Allentown airport and didn't recognize the glowing objects in the sky either, Morning Call reports. 

PLAY NEXT: Congratulations to Philadelphia native Jazmine Sullivan whose Grammy-nominated album "Heaux Tales" has been crowned NPR Music's album of the year
THE SCRAMBLER
Unscramble and send your answer to scrambler@spotlightpa.org. We'll shout out winners here, and one each week will get some Spotlight PA swag.
 
C R O A B K Y W J B E
 
Yesterday's answerMytacism

Congrats to our daily winners: Craig E., Dianne K., and Bill S.
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