PENNSYLVANIA

Pittsburgh: Zimbabwe officials investigating local doc

Zimbabwe national park authorities are reportedly investigating a Murrysville doctor for allegedly illegally killing a lion with a bow and arrow. The killing of Cecil the lion by a Minnesota dentist sparked international outrage. Now local gynecologic oncologist Dr. Jan Seski has been accused in a similar killing. The Post-Gazette could not reach Seski for comment.

Pittsburgh: Dems choose Arnet for Senate race

The Allegheny County Democratic Committee has picked Heather Arnet to face Guy Reschenthaler in a race for the state senate seat vacated by Democrat Matt Smith. Arnet has been CEO of the Women and Girls Foundation for more than a decade. Smith left the Senate to run the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce.

Western PA: Suitors may pass on ‘healthcare behemoths’

Consolidation is a big trend in health insurance. But an intense, highly publicized feud between UPMC and Highmark might persuade out-of-state companies to avoid joining forces with either. Any merger proposal would be followed by close regulatory scrutiny – not an entirely attractive prospect.

Statewide: Fair hiring bill proposed

Under a proposed state bill, potential employers won’t be allowed to ask applicants about juvenile or summary offenses if there was no conviction. Rep. Leslie Acosta, a Democrat sponsor, said even a modest criminal history “inhibits that individual from possibly obtaining that job, even if they have the qualifications.”

NATIONAL

Obama to limit greenhouse pollution

An aggressive new federal regulation requires states to greatly reduce emissions from coal-burning power plants. The rule, which will be formally adopted Monday, requires a 32 percent drop in carbon emissions from 2005 levels by the year 2030. Legal challenges are highly likely.

President Biden?

Does Joe Biden want to drop the “vice” and make a cross-town move to the White House? Biden and associates are “actively exploring” the possibility, according to the New York Times. If Biden joins the raise, he would directly challenge Hillary Rodham Clinton, seen by many as the party’s inevitable nominee.

25 years (and counting) in Iraq

Sunday was the 25th anniversary of Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait. The United States responded with a broad coalition and a quick victory. NPR looks at the numerous political and military strategies the U.S. has adopted since then — and the reasons we’re still fighting.

IN OTHER NEWS

Ronda won the fight

It only took 34 seconds for UFC bantamweight champ Ronda Rousey to knock out Brazil’s Bethe Correia on home turf in Rio de Janeiro. Before Saturday, Rousey’s three most recent title defenses lasted a total of 96 seconds combined.

The daily report was compiled by Jeffrey Benzing. You can reach him with questions or suggestions at jbenzing@publicsource.org.

Know more than you did before? Support this work with a MATCHED gift!

Through Dec. 31, the Wyncote Foundation, Loud Hound Foundation and our generous local match pool supporters will match your new monthly donation 12 times or double your one-time gift, all up to $1,000. Now that's good news!

Readers tell us they can't find the information they get from our reporting anywhere else, and we're proud to provide this important service for our community. We work hard to produce accurate, timely, impactful journalism without paywalls that keeps our region informed and moving forward.

However, only about .1% of the people who read our stories contribute to our work financially. Our newsroom depends on the generosity of readers like yourself to make our high-quality local journalism possible, and the costs of the resources it takes to produce it have been rising, so each member means a lot to us.

Your MATCHED donation to our nonprofit newsroom helps ensure everyone in Allegheny County can stay up-to-date about decisions and events that affect them. Please make your gift of support now.