Third quarter fundraising numbers come out for Barletta and Casey, the Cook Political Report updates its rating for PA-7, Leach announces his congressional fundraising, and the ups & downs for the week.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

Casey Announces $2.2 Million Fundraising Total; Brings $7 Million Forward: U.S. Senator Bob Casey announced his campaign raised $2.2 million in the third quarter, bringing its cash on hand to $7 million.

Barletta Raises $635K in 3rd Quarter; Holds $1 Million Cash On Hand: Congressman Lou Barletta announced today he raised $635,000 in the third quarter, bringing his cash on hand to nearly $1 million for his Senate bid.

Cook Political Report Updates PA-7 Rating: Cook Political Report updated its rating of the 7th Congressional district, shifting it from ‘likely Republican’ to ‘lean Republican.’

Leach Announces $400K Fundraising Haul in 3rd Quarter: State Senator Daylin Leach announced he has raised $400,000 in the third quarter in his bid for the 7th Congressional District.

10/13 Ups & Downs: Barletta gets a shoutout on national television, Pittsburgh gets an investment from Google, Mango sees western Pa. split, Wolf’s merger plans are sidelined, and soccer makes the headlines for the wrong reasons. See who made this week’s Ups & Downs!

Legislative Election Update
Tribune Review: Conor Lamb, Democrat with political pedigree, runs for Tim Murphy’s 18th District seat
Post-Gazette: Another Democrat enters race for Murphy seat
York Dispatch: Longtime local Realtors head announces as Democrat challenger to Saylor
Beaver County Times: Beaver Falls Democrat is first to announce bid to challenge Bernstine in 2018

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Episode 27: What happens next? It’s anyone’s guess.
StateImpact: Energy Secretary Rick Perry faces tough sell on coal and nuke subsidies
StateImpact: Bill would overhaul Pennsylvania’s regulatory process
City & State: Winners and Losers for the week ending October 13

Philadelphia
Inquirer: GOP senators aim to limit drugs permitted under Pa. workers’ comp
Inquirer: Philly Startup Leaders exec steps down; group pledges more diversity
Inquirer: Taliban denies rescued Canadian hostage’s accusations
Inquirer: Caitlan Coleman’s father hits son-in law on taking wife hiking in Afghanistan, refusal to fly home on U.S plane
Inquirer: Philly region’s drug deaths are soaring faster than ever, new data shows
WHYY: FDA panel backs gene therapy from Philly’s Spark Therapeutics
WHYY: Lawsuit challenging GOP maps to get quick hearing
WHYY: Bill would overhaul Pennsylvania’s regulatory process
Philly Voice: Reports of neo-Nazi rally in Philly hits social media
Philly Voice: Pa. mayor’s son on paid leave from city job after allegedly punching her
KYW: Future Budget Action Uncertain As Pa. Lawmakers Return

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: EPA chemical nominee set controversial safety levels for local pollutants
Bucks County Courier Times: Pennsylvania explores new territory in budget fight
Bucks County Courier Times: Readers have varying views on Second Amendment rights
Pottstown Mercury: Pennsylvania budget fight explores new territory
Delco Times: Sen. John McCain to be awarded Liberty Medal in Philadelphia today
Delco Times: Meet the countywide slate of Democrats

Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pa. leaders send letter to Amazon encouraging state as HQ2 choice
Tribune Review: York mayor’s son allegedly attacked her; on leave from city job
Tribune Review: Candidates line up for Murphy’s 18th District seat in Congress
Tribune Review: Anatomy of Pennsylvania’s 18th Congressional District
Tribune Review: 2 vie for Westmoreland prothonotary
Post-Gazette: Penn State now says mid-year tuition hike a possibility
Post-Gazette: Forum focuses on putting an end to gerrymandering ‘shenanigans’
Post-Gazette: Pa. AG Shapiro sues Trump administration over rollback of birth control mandate
Post-Gazette: DA Zappala supports changes to domestic violence laws

Southwest
Beaver County Times: State Rep. Aaron Bernstine, synagogue members donate Israeli flag to Franklin Twp. Church
Beaver County Times: Pennsylvania explores new territory in budget fight
Altoona Mirror: Council to probe sewer project  

NEPA
Standard-Speaker: Authorities explain state’s concealed carry laws
Standard-Speaker: Much will change if property relief tax question is approved
Times Leader: State explores new territory in fiscal fight
Times Leader: Prison remains top expense in proposed Luzerne County budget
Times-Tribune: Dunmore borrows $1 million to finance major pave project

South Central
Patriot News: Questions of possible conflict of interest rise for Trump’s NOAA nominee
Patriot News: In protest, Pa. man burns Nazi- Confederate flag at Talladega Speedway
Patriot News:  Freed from the Taliban: What we know about the 5-year ordeal of a York County woman and her family  
Patriot News: Body found in river ID’d as entrepreneur who appeared on ‘Shark Tank’

Patriot News: Pa. Congressman Tom Marino and the drug industry’s triumph over the DEA
York Dispatch: ‘I’m intact,’ TIllerson says, brushing off drama with Trump
WPMT: Lawmakers send letter to Amazon CEO to consider bringing second headquarters to PA
Carlisle Sentinel: Pennsylvania gets 2nd treasury loan to make payments on time
York Dispatch: Voters ask state Supreme Court to hear gerrymandering case
Central Pennsylvania Business Journal: Concerns mount over Trump cuts to Obamacare subsidies
LNP: Impact of Trump’s tax plan on Lancaster County hard to forecast [Q&A]
LNP: Legislators from Lancaster County talk about uncertain fate of state budget stalemate

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Rep. Tom Marino: Drug czar nominee and the opioid industry’s advocate in Congress
Morning Call: Allentown mayoral candidate Q&A: Ethics code
Morning Call: Lehigh County will appeal ruling that cross on county seal is unconstitutional
Reading Eagle: Why moderates like Charlie Dent aren’t running again
Reading Eagle: Candidate seeks single-payer health care

North by Northwest
New Castle News: Lawmakers skeptical of Wolf’s budget bailout
Erie Times-News: Erie schools focus on renewed state budget talks
Erie Times-News: County Executive candidates outline plans to cut costs, manage finances
Centre Daily Times: AccuWeather asks for donations to help hurricane victims in Puerto Rico

Opinion
Inquirer:  Beth Grossman has the energy, strong background, and skills to be Philly’s next DA | Endorsement
Inquirer: Altering pipeline flow would bring cheaper fuel to Pennsylvanians | Opinion
Inquirer: Without good local journalists, the nation’s divisions deepen | Opinion
Inquirer: Why payday loan sharks should be arrested and tried | Editorial
Post-Gazette: A vote for transparency: Gov. Wolf should explain the election chief’s exit
Post-Gazette: A wider drug threat
Altoona Mirror: As 2018 looms, Pennsylvania in fiscal trouble
Bucks County Courier Times: Editorial: Council Rock School Board apology isn’t good enough
Tribune Review: Reagan’s lesson on immigration: Enforcement before amnesty
Patriot News: Five things to know about Medicare open enrollment | Opinion
Patriot News: Hollywood’s ‘Animal House’ era is over with Weinstein allegations | Charlie Gerow
Patriot News: Trump, Ailes, Clinton, Weinstein – It’s time for America’s ‘King Babies’ to grow up | Kirstin Snow
Patriot News: Congressman Scott Perry’s Puerto Rico shame is a black eye for Pennsylvania | Editorial