HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Pennsylvania House is advancing changes to the state’s parole system for lower-level, less violent offenders and revamping the process by which inmates get into drug treatment. Representatives voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to send the amended legislation back to the Senate. It would set up a system of more automated parole, a change designed to make it more consistent and efficient. The bill also provides a “quick dip,” short-term detention for parole violations that aren’t considered serious enough to return them to prison, and authorizes a Corrections Department review team to examine homicides by parolees.

UNDATED (AP) — A man convicted on murder charges stemming from a deadly 1993 fire at two Pittsburgh buildings will get a new trial. The ruling issued Tuesday comes after prosecutors discovered evidence that had never been turned over to the defense. Daniel Carnevale has maintained his innocence since he was initially questioned following the fires in Bloomfield, which left three people dead. He was sentenced to life without parole. The Allegheny County District Attorney’s office initially opposed his bid for a new trial, but consented after a report found in a case file showed one federal chemist disagreed with the findings of another.

WEATHER FORECAST FOR WEDNESDAY, DEC. 18TH, 2019

TODAY – MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH SNOW SHOWERS DURING
THE MORNING. HIGHER WIND GUSTS THIS
MORNING. HIGH – 28.

TONIGHT – A FEW CLOUDS. LOW – 14.

THURSDAY – ABUNDANT SUNSHINE. HIGH – 31.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland has endorsed Joe Biden for president. The Democrat says he believes Biden is the best candidate to beat President Donald Trump in Ohio. Strickland tells The Associated Press he believes Biden’s policy positions and experience can appeal to both working class Democrats who have strayed from the party in recent years and moderate Republicans alienated by Trump’s crassness and volatility. Strickland spoke to the AP on Monday ahead of an announcement made Tuesday. Strickland previously had endorsed Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, a close friend who dropped out of the race in August and is now running for reelection.

Women are “indisputably” better leaders than men. That’s what former President Barack Obama said Monday while speaking at a private event on leadership in Singapore. The former commander in chief said, quote, “I’m absolutely confident that, if every nation on Earth was run by women, you would see a significant improvement across the board on just about everything.” Obama, who served as president from 2009 until 2016, also said the majority of the world’s problems were caused by mostly old men who held on to positions of power.