Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh: Mayor orders internal police investigation
Mayor Bill Peduto ordered an investigation into the actions of a police officer who confronted a Chicago Cubs fan at the National League Wildcard game Wednesday. The investigation was sparked by an online video showing the officer throwing the fan to the ground from behind and handcuffing him.
Pittsburgh: Local hospital participates in nationwide heart device trial
Allegheny General Hospital is one of 65 medical centers that will participate in a study of a small device intended to isolate tissue that has been damaged by heart attacks. The device aims to increase blood flow to the heart.
Pittsburgh: Start off the new year with paid sick leave
City Controller Michael Lamb posted notice that the paid sick leave law takes effect Jan. 11. The law will affect about 50,000 workers in Pittsburgh. Opponents say the law is illegal and will seek an injunction.
Lehigh Valley: Possible passenger rail service
The Lehigh Valley Transportation Study has begun to analyze how a passenger rail service would work in the community. The PennDOT-funded study will look at the possibility of connecting with passenger rail services in New Jersey, New York City and Philadelphia.
Statewide: Shale communities receive funding for local projects
Areas rich with Marcellus Shale have received $8.1 million in state funding to support 44 projects to promote community development and housing availability.
National
First Democratic debate
Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, Martin O’Malley, Jim Webb and Lincoln Chafee met in Las Vegas, Nevada for the first of six debates. Before the debate, Clinton had a 16-point lead over Sanders in Nevada.
Investigators confirm MH17 shot down
Dutch investigators confirmed Tuesday that Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down over Ukraine in July 2014, but they still don’t know who did it or why. The report states that a Russian missile was launched into the cockpit and eventually broke off the front section of the plane.
Budweiser-Miller Merger
British-based beer company SABMiller has tentatively accepted a $106 billion offer from Anheuser Busch InBev, which if finalized, would result in the largest beer company in the world. SABMiller previously declined at least four other offers.
Campaign music disputes
Campaigners receive a lot of criticism, and the music industry is raising its voice again. For example, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith has sent two cease-and-desist letters to Donald Trump for using the song “Dream On” at campaign events without permission.
In Other News
‘Playboy’ goes PG-13
Playboy magazine, which has been in print since 1953, will no longer feature nude images. Its website dispensed with nudity last year, and its reader base quadrupled. Starting in March, the magazine will its redesign that leaves a bit more to the imagination.
The Daily Report was compiled by Christine Manganas and Stephanie Roman, PublicSource interns. You can reach them with questions or suggestions at cmanganas@publicsource.org and sroman@publicsource.org