• Gov.-elect Shapiro names Al Schmidt to head Department of State: In that role, Schmidt, a Republican, will oversee Pennsylvania’s elections. Schmidt served as an election official in Philadelphia for a decade and faced death threats after refuting false accusations of fraud in 2020. (Source: Spotlight PA)
• Pa. Treasury has $4 billion in unclaimed property: People can research potential claims on the department website and at MissingMoney.com. (Source: CBS 21)
• LG Health cancels holiday gifts to employees: In a memo to employee, management blamed the decision on “challenging economic times.” (Source: LNP)
• State police accuse PennDOT employee of helping immigrants cheat to get driver’s licenses: Police say Angelo Carrion, 66, charged up to $350 for the answers to learner’s permit tests. Carrion, who worked in Lancaster County, said he was trying to help people who didn’t speak standard Spanish. (Source: AP)
• PPL’s high electric bills upset customers: The company said it is estimating many bills this month due to technology problems. (Source: WGAL)
• LNP Media Group sells its stake in convention center: The High Real Estate Group and S. Dale High are now the convention center’s sole owners. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. (Source: LNP)
• Sinkhole opens on North Duke Street in Lancaster: The 100 block of the street remained closed Thursday morning. (Source: WGAL)
• Nation/world: House Speaker fight stretches into third day. (Source: NBC News) Amazon to lay off more than 18,000 employees. (Source: CNBC) Pope Emeritus Benedict laid to rest. (Source: USA Today) Ringleader in college admissions scandal sentenced to 42 months. (Source: ABC News) 5 children among 8 found shot to death in Utah home. (Source: AP) Storm pummels California. (Source: USA Today)
