Health care bias; Santa shortage; virus variant: Good Morning, Pennsylvania

What you need to know today, Monday, Nov. 29, 2021

Today’s weather

High: 44; Low: 30. Cloudy.

Photo of the day

The former Park Inn by Radisson Harrisburg West on Carlisle Pike in Hampden Township is being demolished. A shopping center is planned on the site. (Photo by Dan Gleiter, PennLive.com.)

Top stories

Health care bias: Studies have long shown that people of color face disparities in access to health care, the quality of care and outcomes. Black patients say they see implicit bias from the predominantly white community of medical professionals.

2x the retirees: A State System of Higher Education retirement incentive is working as universities try to reduce their workforce as enrollment drops.

Deer hunting: Saturday was the start of the firearms season for deer. Here’s how hunting patterns shifted.

Christmas

Tree arrival: A Pennsylvania tradition has returned with the arrival of a Christmas tree in the state capitol’s rotunda.

Santa shortage: There are about 15% fewer helpers playing Santa Claus at malls and events, while demand is way up. The pandemic is partially to blame.

Shipping: Nearly 3.4 billion packages are expected to be sent this holiday season, 400M more than last year. The Postal Service, UPS and FedEx say they’re hiring to try to make sure parcels arrive on time.

More money: Whether you’re buying a real or artificial Christmas tree this year, you’re going to see higher prices and have fewer choices.

Updates

Variant fears: Omnicron COVID-19 cases have started to grow, with 13 members of a Portuguese soccer team falling ill. Meanwhile, Merriam-Webster announced that “vaccine” is its word of the year.

Son charged: A Pa. man arrested on drug charges told police he was a meth user who knew his mother was dead. He later was charged with beating her to death.

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford looks back following the 30-27 loss to Michigan State on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson hauls in a 27-yard touchdown catch-and-run as Michigan State cornerback Chester Kimbrough defends during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson hauls in a 27-yard touchdown catch-and-run as Michigan State cornerback Chester Kimbrough defends during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State head coach James Franklin looks on as Michigan State takes the lead 23-20 during the third quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson hauls in a 30-yard touchdown pass as Michigan State safety Xavier Henderson defends during the second quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State tight end Brenton Strange leaves the field following the 30-27 loss to Michigan State on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State cornerback Daequan Hardy intercepts a pass intended for Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed and takes it for a touchdown during the third quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State cornerback Daequan Hardy intercepts a pass intended for Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed and takes it for a touchdown during the third quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford is tackled by Michigan State linebacker Cal Haladay during the third quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State place kicker Jordan Stout reacts after missing a 27-yard field goal attempts during the second quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed hauls in a 20-yard touchdown as Penn State cornerback Johnny Dixon defends during the fourth quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State running back Keyvone Lee avoids Michigan State linebacker Cal Haladay during the third quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State safety Ji'Ayir Brown and Arnold Ebiketie chase Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III during the fourth quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State safety Jaylen Reed hits Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne causing an incomplete pass during the fourth quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State safety Ji'Ayir Brown tackles Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed as linebackers Ellis Brooks and Brandon Smith move in during the third quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State cornerback Kalen King tackles Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III during the fourth quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford throws during the fourth quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State running back Keyvone Lee runs between Michigan State defenders during the third quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Michigan State defensive end Drew Beesley sacks Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford during the second quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson avoids Michigan State safety Darius Snow during the fourth quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Michigan State wide receiver Montorie Foster hauls in a pass on a thread down as Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. defends during the second quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker meets Penn State head coach James Franklin at midfield following the Spartans 30-27 win on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is called for a pass interference penalty in the end zone on Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed during the third quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford looks downfield during the second quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State place kicker Jake Pinegar boots an extra point during the fourth quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Michigan State defensive end Drew Beesley celebrates a fumble recovery of Penn State’s John Lovett on a kickoff return during the fourth quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed recovers an inside kick as Penn State wide receiver Parker Washington jumps over him during the fourth quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State cornerback Daequan Hardy intercepts a pass intended for Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed and takes it for a touchdown during the third quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith avoids Michigan State linebacker Cal Haladay during the second quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker applauds his defense during the second quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State lettermen and current Detroit Lions Amani Oruwariye and Jason Cabinda take in the action during the second quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State defensive coordinator Brent Pry calls his players over after giving up a touchdown during the second quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State place kicker Jordan Stout boots an extra point during the second quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State head coach James Franklin looks on as Michigan State takes the lead 23-20 during the third quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford throws during the fourth quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State linebacker Curtis Jacobs celebrates with cornerback Daequan Hardy after Hardy’s pick six during the third quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State safety Ji'Ayir Brown and cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields leave the field following the 30-27 loss to Michigan State on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker cheers on his offense during the fourth quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State head coach James Franklin during the fourth quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

A Michigan State groundskeeper clears snow from the field at Spartan Stadium on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State head coach James Franklin look son during a snowy pregame at Spartan Stadium on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

The first down marker chain gang during the third quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

A Big Ten official escorts the first down marker chain gang onto the field for a measurement during the first quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider before the Michigan State game on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford during the first quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State safety Jaquan Brisker and defensive tackle Derrick Tangelo hit Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne during the fourth quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

A Big Ten official escorts the first down marker chain gang onto the field for a measurement during the first quarter on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State head coach James Franklin leads the team onto the field before the Michigan State game on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Penn State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich before the Michigan State game on Nov. 27, 2021. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Football

College: Penn State ended its regular season Saturday with a snow-covered loss to Michigan State. So, what’s next? It’s bowl prediction time.

High school: Bishop McDevitt won its 15th District 3 title, edging Lampeter-Strasburg in a close game Friday. Harrisburg High fell to State College on Saturday.

NFL: Sunday was miserable if you were an Eagles or Steelers fan.

In brief

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