Good Morning, Pennsylvania: Unsolved slaying, new grocery store, mail-in voting

Also, a Grinch tries to ruin children's Christmas

View in browser  |  Get our newsletters Good Morning, Pennsylvania THURSDAY, NOV. 30, 2023 • TODAY'S WEATHER Bah humbug To quote Stephanie Tanner of "Full House" fame, "How rude!"   Earlier this week, a man donned a Grinch costume, took up a sign, and headed to an elementary school in Amarillo, Texas, to delivery a message to Christmas-loving kids: "Santa is Fake. Jesus is Real."   Parents and school administration were not happy, with one dad tossing the Grinch's sign on the ground. The costumed man retorted that parents were liars for letting their kids believe in Santa Claus. The school made it clear that this particular Grinch was not welcome.    "The Grinch has officially made his way back to Mount Crumpit," the school's principal said. "And not a minute too soon, if you ask me."   Now, let's take a look at this morning's headlines. Curated by Megan Lavey-Heaton PHOTO OF THE DAY: Dottie Milton, left, and Joan Wood, both of Maryland, pose for a photo with Santa Claus. The Pennsylvania Christmas + Gift Show runs through Dec. 3 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg. (Dan Gleiter, PennLive.com) Today's Talkers Unsolved slaying: It's been nine years since a 23-year-old Harrisburg man was gunned down while walking home from a city convenience store, and his family still does not know who is responsible for his death. His family is holding a memorial today in Steelton.   Gutted by loss: Melissa "Missy" Deroba was a pillar in the community and a dedicated gymnastics coach, wife, mother, and friend to many throughout central Pennsylvania. A crash took her life after a tractor-trailer rear-ended her car on I-283 while she was on her way to the gym where she coached.    PSSAs: Pennsylvania's public school students continue to find themselves climbing out of the learning loss hole they landed in when in-person learning was disrupted by the pandemic more than three years ago.   Scott Perry: A freshly-unsealed opinion from a U.S. District Court judge on Perry's efforts to block federal investigators from searching the contents of his cellphone in their investigation of former President Donald Trump's post-election activities paints a picture of a lawmaker working on all fronts to help Trump's cause. Read more Outdoors Forest addition: The state has acquired a 2,500-acre property outside of Wilkes-Barre that will become part of Pinchot State Forest. Miller Mountain and its addition to the state forest gives Wyoming County its first state forestland.   Invasive ticks: Asian longhorned ticks, not found in the United States before 2017, are now present in 17 states, including Pennsylvania. But it remains unclear how much of a threat they pose to humans. Read more Politics Mail-in mistakes: Pennsylvania is trying anew to help voters using mail-in ballots in the battleground state avoid mistakes that might get their ballot thrown out in 2024′s presidential election and beyond.   Winning them over: Frustrated by state and national Republican efforts to tout mail-in voting, a conservative Pennsylvania group is launching an initiative to personally reach half a million likely GOP voters in 2024.   Well compensated: The base salary of Pennsylvania's 253 state legislators is the third highest in the nation behind New York and California, but when benefits are added, it likely pushes them into second place. Read more Advertisement Business More closings: Rite Aid has announced that it is closing five more stores in Pennsylvania. The five are among 32 more closings nationwide. It also confirmed that the store in Upper Allen Township will close on Dec. 4.   New grocery store: Sprouts Farmers Market is bringing one of its grocery stores to central Pennsylvania. The chain is en route to a prime spot at the intersection of Route 30 and Route 83 in York County.   COVID funds: A Maryland man who owns an aluminum smelting and processing business in York County is accused of fraudulently filing for $11.5 million in COVID-19 relief funds from the federal government through fake companies. Read more Football The latest in college, high school and pro football: 10 stats that tell the story of the Nittany Lions' 2023 season Manny Diaz 'in the mix' for Power Five head coaching job PSU's Olu Fashanu selected Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year Micah Parsons raising money with 'My Cause My Cleats' PIAA high school football playoff picks and predictions for Dec. 1-2 Steel-High vs. South Williamsport: PIAA 1A football semifinal preview Bishop McDevitt vs. Dallas: PIAA 4A football semifinal preview Former Bishop McDevitt RB Marquese Williams makes college move Longtime dynamic receiver, return man to retire as Philadelphia Eagle Read more OTHER DON'T-MISS STORIES Henry Kissinger, secretary of state under two presidents, dies at 100 Philadelphia poised to pass ski mask ban Pa. young adults among least financially supported by parents You're caught up. Thanks for joining us in Good Morning, Pennsylvania. You can always find the latest Pennsylvania news by visiting PennLive.com. 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