Conspiracies in Lancaster, Murphy touts mental health bill and Pittsburgh Councilwoman steps aside. Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

False Lancaster Story Makes National News: Actual victims of the so-called “War on Christmas”.

Pitt Councilwoman Announces She Won’t Run for Re-Election: Pittsburgh City Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak won’t seek another term in 2017.

PA-18: Murphy Delivers Weekly GOP Address (VIDEO): The Congressman discusses his mental health bill.

Statewide
City and State: Does ballot position matter? Science says ‘Yes’
PLS Reporter: For the General Assembly, restructuring state government might start at home
StateImpactPA: Sunbury pipeline nears completion

Philadelphia
Inquirer: PA license won’t be valid for federal buildings in January, air travel in 2018
Inquirer: Pa. aims to start medical marijuana sales in 2018
Daily News: The Trump empathy tour stops here
Daily News: Our exclusive Christmas interview with Mayor Kenney’s Buddy the Elf
WHYY Newsworks: Kenney campaign committee admits it missed filings, pays penalty
WHYY Newsworks: Council President Clarke airs concerns with Rebuild initiative’s proposed structure

SEPA
Bucks County Courier-Times: Prospective buyer of Bensalem’s Armstrong middle school gets extension to check out property
Delco Daily Times: Aston OKs expansion of DCIU’s technical school
Delco Daily Times: Rutledge OKs 2017 budget with no increases in taxes

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Report questions driver’s licenses suspensions in Pa. for drug crimes
Post-Gazette: Trump claims U.S. needs to strengthen its nuclear capabilities
Post-Gazette: Syrian government takes full control over Aleppo after four years
Post-Gazette: DEA works towards reducing opioid outbreak
Tribune Review: Trump selects Conway for the White House counselor position

Southwest
Altoona Mirror: Water authority in PA raises rates
Altoona Mirror: Why politicians need to focus their attention on social security
Beaver County Times: Beaver County treasurer Connie Javens’ will send out tax bills from commissioners

NEPA
Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre city council approves new budget with increase in property taxes
Times Leader: Money coming to W-B to help temporarily fix Solomon Creek
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County halts assessment fee plan

South Central
Patriot-News: ‘It’s a hassle’: Pennsylvania driver’s licenses will soon not be accepted to fly domestic
Patriot-News: Few signs of ‘War on Christmas’ in community where it supposedly broke out
Patriot-News: Despite layoffs and personnel funding freeze, Wolf lets state employees leave early for holidays
Patriot-News: Less green for your evergreen? Pa. lawmaker eyes Christmas tree sales tax exemption
York Dispatch: Coding school accepting applications for first class
York Dispatch: Former councilwoman, mayor’s assistant dedicated her life to York City

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Allentown officials signal they’re ready to compromise over 2017 budget
Morning Call: Stranded for hours on the highway? Pa has an app for that
Morning Call: Allentown officials’ statement on budget talks
Reading Eagle: Womelsdorf council touts New Year’s Eve plans
Reading Eagle: Brecknock supervisors approve ordinance for pensions

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: More than 290,000 Pennsylvanians sign up for Obamacare
Centre Daily Times: ClearWater Conservancy meets 1st fundraising deadline
Centre Daily Times: Centre County charities have wish lists for local needs

Opinion
Patriot-News: Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas – it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it
Patriot-News: Pa. lost a resident once every 11.5 minutes last year, study finds
Post-Gazette: The wrong message: The city code chief must fix a violation at her home
Inquirer: Will yet another overhaul rid the Hershey Trust board of its crony culture?
Daily News: Reagan must be spinning in grave over Trump nuke bluster

Blogs
Keystone Crossroads: Pennsylvania needs infrastructure investment, but getting it could be tough
Keystone Crossroads: New app helps immigrants deal with complicated tangle of forms
Keystone State Education Coalition: PA Ed Policy Roundup Dec 22: .@BetsyDeVos – U.S. public school system is a ‘dead end’