A State Rep. resigns, a look at Sunday’s talks shows and last week’s Ups & Downs! Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

12/16 Ups & Downs: A decade behind bars, wasted millions and yet another shot at Kathleen Kane. See who made this week’s Ups & Downs!

HD-197: Acosta Resigns: The State Rep. will step down but not before the end of the year.

Sunday Show Preview: December 18, 2016: We take a look at the Sunday morning political talk shows that will air throughout the state.

Statewide
Capitolwire: DHS launches benefits app
StateImpactPA: EPA fracking study points to continued lack of data
StateImpactPA: Shell proposes bargain to meet pollution targets for ethane cracker
State House Sound Bites: PA’s budget shortfall: not without precedent, but still pretty bad
State House Sound Bites: Trump takes ‘thank you’ tour to Hershey
State House Sound Bites: Obamacare advocates rally, implore GOP not to repeal lightly

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Facing a wave of calls, Pa. electors sounding unshakable
Inquirer: Democrat declared winner in Pa. House race — by 25 votes
Inquirer: In uncertain times, Philly kids head to Cuba to play ball
WHYY Newsworks: Republicans say non-traditional campaign helped them turn Pennsylvania red
WHYY Newsworks: Petty cash an issue with operating departments, Philly controller says

SEPA
Bucks County Courier-Times: Bucks County district judge, constable, Lower Southampton public safety director indicted
Delco Daily Times: Rose Valley is latest town to air concerns about Mariner East 2 pipeline
Delco Daily Times: Aston sets session on DCIU expansion

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Trump picks conservative lawmaker Mick Mulvaney to serve as his budget director
Post-Gazette: Obama admits to not retaliating against Russia after hacking
Post-Gazette: Joe Biden claims former astronaut John Glenn defined what being American is  
Tribune Review: Trump continues his tour before stopping in Orlando, Florida
Tribune Review: Trump selects ExxonMobil CEO  Rick Tillerson as State Department head

Southwest
Altoona Mirror: Ex-Philadelphia congressman Chaka Fattah was sentenced for 10 years for corruption
Altoona Mirror: United States Judge Paul Diamond rejects Green Party’s recount lawsuit
Beaver County Times: PA continues to struggle over LGBTQ equality
Beaver County Times: Beaver county approves 13 million dollar tax
Beaver County Times: U.S. Senator Bob Casey still claims Russia manipulated election

NEPA
Times-Leader: Why unions can learn a lot from the Dallas strike
Times-Tribune: Why it is critical to support miners
Times-Tribune: Why politicians cannot simply declare reforms a complete solution

South Central
Patriot-News: ‘Uncomfortable’ period for Trump elector inundated with thousands of letters, emails
Patriot-News: Is it too late to book a room in Punxsutawney for Groundhog Day?
Patriot-News: PennDOT lowers speed limits in region hit by winter storm
York Dispatch: Pa. science professionals wary of Trump’s EPA pick
York Dispatch: The Electoral College meets Monday: Here’s what to expect

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Under pressure, Pennsylvania electors stay true to Trump
Morning Call: Paradise lost if Pennsylvania Legislature can’t keep casino cash flowing?
Morning Call: Heat’s on for proposed Slate Belt processed waste plant
Reading Eagle: Kutztown University joins campaign aimed at changing culture surrounding campus sexual assault
Reading Eagle: The Rundown: A Pennsylvania lawmaker pushes tax-free Christmas trees

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Erie Insurance spending spree spurs optimism
Erie Times-News: Erie-area residents take their exterior illumination seriously
Centre Daily Times: Penn State professor in tug-of-war between hotels, Airbnb

Opinion
Post-Gazette: Why it is necessary to look into the toxic water at VA hospital
Post-Gazette: The cancer moonshot: The bipartisan effort that gives hope
Post-Gazette: Denial and its costs: Recognizing when obesity is a real health risk
Patriot-News: When it comes to doubts about his legitimacy, Trump is in good company
Patriot-News: It never worked right to begin with, so let’s scrap the Electoral College
Inquirer: Russia’s role in Trump’s election needs a full airing
Inquirer: Often a target, the Electoral College endures. How did we get here?
Daily News: Democracy deathwatch: North Carolina goes coup-coup

Blogs
2 Political Junkies: Jack Kelly Sunday
2 Political Junkies: Donald Trump, The Constitution, And Those Pesky Emoluments
Keystone Crossroads: In case you missed it: This week’s best reads from Pa. cities