The LuLac Edition #5, 534, December 30th, 2025

 

TOP TEN

LOCAL STORIES

1.THE NEW KIDS IN TOWN: The year started out with two new Representatives at the Federal; level for LuLac land. Rob Bresnehan took the oath of office in both Washington, D.C. and under the dome at the Luzerne County Courthouse. Bresnahan hit the ground running engaging his staff at area events. By contrast his Senate cohort Dave McCormick took forever trying to establish an office in Scranton.

2.DÉJÀ VU FOR YOU: President Trump returned to the region with an appearance at Mount Airy Lodge in the Poconos promoting his work on tariffs and the economy. In a rambling 90 minute speech, Trump as well being Trrump.

3.I’LL TAKE TWO PLEASE: Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti announced a run for Congress in 2026 to oppose incumbent Rob Bresnehan. The Democratic Policy Committee wanted a yes from her in order to solidify a commitment to get the seat back. In the meantime Cognetti said she’d run for re-election as Scranton Mayor. There were skeptics who thought this wouldn’t work but the mayor prevailed.

4.    MATT SAYS BYE AND ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE: Incumbent County Commissioner resigned to take a nonpolitical job and that set off a political odyssey in trying to name a successor. There was more drama in this one than an old episode of “General Hospital”. In the end though an interim commissioner was named and a special election was held. Bottom line is Thom Welby won the Special Election and will serve out the McGloin term.

5.MORE FOOD SIR, PLEASE? Because of the uncertain economic circumstances brought on by the tariff nonsense of the President and his chaotic economic policies food banks and pantries are relying on community support more than ever. Other mitigating factors was the state budget impasse delaying the distribution of funds, federal aid reduced by the Trump administration and the effects of the federal government shutdown. 

6.CAN WE FINALLY GET THIS DONE NOW?

Luzerne County Council unanimously approved Tenor Health Foundation's financing proposal to purchase Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, part of a larger deal under which Tenor would buy three Commonwealth Health hospitals in Northeast Pennsylvania.

 

7.JUDICIAL RACES WATCHED CLOSELY: Candidates running for the very crucial State Supreme Court made numerous visits to LuLac land. Justices Wecht, Donahue and Dougherty  were making their presence known in a retention race. These contests are usually pro forma but a MAGA based coalition spent millions trying to defeat them. They did win retention.

In the Lac, DA Mark Powell had an easy path to be the new Common Pleas Court Judge. Luzerne County was a bit more of a climb but Attorney Mark Bufalino was elected as a Democrat and was sworn in as the County’s newest Common Pleas Judge. It was the first time in ast least 6 years that a Dem got to the bench. 

8.WATCHING OUT FOR THAT AI: Local governments are trying to grasp with the possibilities of data centers and how it will affect the economic possibilities of their communities.

9.NO VICTORY LAP: Luzerne County Democrats won 4 of the 5 seats on Luzerne county council seats. They now have control of the council. Instead of taking a victory lap, they fired the chair of the party before his term was up, deposed the vice chair and began investigations into what they thought was disloyalty to the party. Meanwhile in Pittston thee was a huge gathering of moves and shakers, both Dems and Republicans  celebrating the season.

10.           175 YEARS STRONG: This year marked the 175^th anniversary of the Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association. The Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association is the official name of the bar association of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.  The Bar Association is one of the oldest county bar associations in the United States.

Founded on June 18, 1850 as the “Wilkes-Barre Law Association”, the name of the association was altered in 1855 to the “Wilkes-Barre Law & Library Association” to reflect the important role of the operation of a community law library for its member attorneys. A series of events were held to mark the occasion.