The home stretch: With just three days left in 2021, we're within striking distance of raising a massive $100,000 in support of Spotlight PA's vital journalism. If you've been putting off your contribution, make one now.
Thousands of Pennsylvanians have stepped forward to support Spotlight PA's investigative and public-service reporting because they know it's vital to upholding democracy in our state. Why not join them right now?
I hope those of you who are still on the fence will make a donation today to ensure this work continues.
Spotlight PA is in the final stretch of its most important membership drive of the year, and every dollar counts. Please give now.
Onwards together,
—Christopher Baxter, Editor in Chief
MOVING MAPS
NOTABLE / QUOTABLE
"When I was younger, I wanted to be white. I still feel guilt about that."
The final challenge has been issued, and with just three days left, we're within striking distance of raising a massive $100,000 in support of Spotlight PA's vital journalism. That's enough money to pay for one reporting position for an entire year. Help us end the year strong by making a tax-deductible gift now.
💉 COVID-19 NEWS
» QUARANTINE CUT: The CDC now recommends that people who test positive for COVID-19 isolate for five days instead of 10 if they're asymptomatic, NPR reports.
» TEST RUN: With testing resources remaining scarce, Philadelphia is telling people with symptoms to act like they're positive, per WHYY.
» TEST SITES: Today is the last day for free COVID-19 testing at state-run sites in Berks, Blair, Centre, Clinton, and Luzerne counties. Find more info here.
» STRIKE TEAMS: Hard-hit Pennsylvania hospitals will receive "strike teams" via the federal government to help alleviate capacity strain, WGAL reports.
» MAPPING POWER: Join us Thursday, Jan. 6 at noon EST for a free panel on the proposed state House and Senate maps, how they could shift political power, and their potential impact on Pennsylvanians. Register for the event here and submit your questions to events@spotlightpa.org.
📷 POST IT
A telephonic time machine and history lesson, as spotted at Bill's Bike Barn in Bloomsburg by @lora_explores. Thanks for sharing! Send us your gems, use #PAGems on Instagram, or tag us @spotlightpennsylvania.
DAILY RUNDOWN
SIEGE CASE: The First Amendment does not shield the head of the Philadelphia Proud Boys from criminal prosecution for his alleged role in the U.S. Capitol siege, a federal judge has ruled. "Even if the charged conduct had some expressive aspect, it lost whatever First Amendment protection it may have had," U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly said. Zach Rehl of Port Richmond is one of four leaders of the far-right group under indictment.
NEW ARRIVALS: ICE denies it was behind a series of chartered flights that carried child migrants into Scranton four times this month — including twice on Christmas. An ICE spokesperson told the Times-Tribune another government agency may have been responsible. The airport's fixed-base operator — an entity that typically handles non-commercial flights — says passengers from at least one of the flights were bound for New York City.
STATE OF THE STATE: "Even though Pennsylvania doesn't currently have a ban like Mississippi, it's still difficult to receive an abortion," Sara Dixon of Planned Parenthood told the Post-Gazette. The paper took a look at the current state of abortion access in Pennsylvania, finding 85% of counties have no clinics, 50% of women live in counties without clinics, and attempts to further restrict access continue in earnest inside the state Capitol.
BIG SCORE: The most interesting part of the Pittsburgh Penguins now sharing owners with the Boston Red Sox may not be LeBron James' stake but rather how a savvy 1999 decision by former Penguins player Mario Lemieux ultimately turned $26 million in deferred pay into a $350 million windfall, per Huddle Up.
SWIM CLUB: A group of boxers from Scranton traveled all the way to New Hampshire to take the polar bear plunge this year, WMUR reports, and not because it's so unseasonably warm in Pennsylvania: They were raising money for a local charity that helps people get placed into sober living homes.
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.
F E D B T E E M D U L N
Yesterday's answer: Hierarchical
Congrats to our daily winners: Susan F., Irene R., Vicki U. (double winner, left off Tuesday's list), Susan D., Don H., Bonnie R., Elaine C., Craig E., Neal W., Susan N., Kim C., Craig W., Doris T., Michelle T., Mike B., Alan V., Gary C., Kimberly S., David W., Myles M., Jill K., Becky C., and George S.
Spotlight PA is an independent, non-partisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and WITF Public Media.
SIEGE CASE: 
UNSAFE SPACES: Hundreds of Philadelphia parents have had to patch together alternative visit and custody-exchange plans with the ongoing closure of a supervised family court space — a situation that advocates say puts survivors of domestic abuse in jeopardy without law enforcement present. 
NEW ARRIVALS: ICE denies it was behind a series of chartered flights that carried child migrants into Scranton four times this month — including twice on Christmas. 
POLICE STOPS: Pittsburgh's City Council has 
STATE OF THE STATE: "Even though Pennsylvania doesn't currently have a ban like Mississippi, it's still difficult to receive an abortion," Sara Dixon of Planned Parenthood told the Post-Gazette. The paper took a look at the current state of abortion access in Pennsylvania,