UNDATED (AP) — Jerry Sandusky’s legal effort to have his decadeslong child molestation sentence reduced is going before a county judge again. Sandusky’s defense lawyers and state prosecutors are expected to argue on Tuesday about whether Judge Maureen Skerda should reconsider his 30- to 60-year term for sexual abuse of 10 boys. A Pennsylvania appeals court ordered him resentenced last year, resulting in Skerda’s decision in November to impose the same sentence Sandusky had received after his 2012 trial. The former Penn State assistant football coach was convicted of 45 counts and has lost a string of appeals decisions, although he maintains he was wrongly convicted.

A new report out today shows other states with similar and even more conservative political landscapes are investing more in high-quality pre-kindergarten education. Andrea Sears reports…

A nationwide survey is confirming what many in Western P-A already believe: Pittsburgh is the best city in the nation when it comes to football fans. For the second year in a row, a WalletHub survey ranked Pittsburgh number one on the list, based on its college and pro teams, ticket prices, stadium accessibility, and fan friendliness and engagement. The survey ranked Pittsburgh significantly ahead of A-F-C North foes Baltimore, Cincinnati, and Cleveland.

The upcoming primary and general elections in Pennsylvania were the focus of a hearing of the state Senate Majority Policy Committee. A number of election law reforms were enacted in 2019, committee members had questions for state and county officials. The changes included funding for new voting systems, the ability for any voter touse a mail-in ballot, and the registration deadline now 15 days before election day.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A monument honoring voting rights for African American men and women will soon be built on Pennsylvania’s Capitol grounds. The monument will also commemorate former residents of the Old Eighth Ward, a black community in Harrisburg that was demolished to make way for the state Capitol Complex. The multi-purpose monument, called “A Gathering at the Crossroads,” will feature four bronze life-size statues of abolitionists and orators who fought for equal rights. The groundbreaking for the $400,000 monument will be held on March 25 and the dedication is scheduled for June 15. About $290,000 has been raised to date.

WEATHER FORECAST FOR TUESDAY, JANUARY 28TH, 2020

TODAY – CLOUDY SKIES. A FEW FLURRIES OR SNOW
SHOWERS POSSIBLE. TEMPS NEARLY STEADY IN
THE MID-30‘S.

TONIGHT – CONSIDERABLE CLOUDINESS. A FEW FLURRIES
OR SNOW SHOWERS POSSIBLE. LOW – 25.

WEDNESDAY – MOSTLY CLOUDY. HIGH – 36.

Alabama fire chief: At least 8 died in marina boat dock fire
By JAY REEVES Associated Press
The fire chief in Scottsboro, Alabama, says at least eight people were killed in an explosive fire that consumed at least 35 vessels at a marina along the Tennessee River. Chief Gene Necklaus said all eight people who were known to be missing are confirmed dead, and “that number could go up,” because they don’t know how many were on boats that sank. At least seven people were sent to hospitals suffering from exposure to the water or flames. The fire quickly consumed the dock as people were sleeping, cutting off their escape routes and raining debris into the water.