Wagner reveals his first Gubernatorial campaign tour, another Judge enters the Superior Court contest and we present our year-end Ups & Downs! Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

2016 Ups & Downs: Happy New Year politicos! Our countdown of who had the best and worst 2016.

Wagner Unveils First Campaign Tour: The Wagner for Governor campaign kicks off next week.

Kagarise Throws His Hat Into the Superior Court Ring: The Blair County Common Pleas Court Judge looks to move up.

Sunday Show Preview: January 8, 2016: We take a look at the Sunday morning political talk shows that will air throughout the state.

Analysis: A Complete Breakdown of PA’s Presidential Results (Maps): We break the election down to voting districts and examine why Trump beat Clinton.

Statewide
Capitolwire: Wolf, DOC announce prison closures to save money
StateImpactPA: Rep. Greg Vitali feels burned after losing committee assignment
StateImpactPA: Town declarations highlight public-safety worries over Mariner East 2
State House Sound Bites: Politicians on the loose at the PA Farm Show
State House Sound Bites: Wolf making steady internal cuts in face of deficit
State House Sound Bites: PA’s already-crowded prison system to close two facilities

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Maverick, 27-year-old GOP Montco commissioner marks stormy first year
Inquirer: Sprague, former Pa. justices drop challenge to retirement age referendum
Inquirer: Philly activists look to tap anti-Trump sentiment to push progressive agenda
Daily News: A case for Philly’s neediest cases
WHYY Newsworks: Report puts Wolf among 12 ‘most vulnerable’ governors in 2018 election
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. looking for two state prisons to shut down in June

SEPA
Bucks County Courier-Times: Bucks and Montgomery County business achievers, Jan. 8
Bucks County Courier-Times: Reminder that Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls are going up Sunday
Delco Daily Times: Town center to bring new life at Granite Run Mall

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh prison on Wolf’s list of two that could close
Post-Gazette: Pitt club members investigating the Zodiac murders
Post-Gazette: Port Authority riders slowly adjusting to transit changes
Tribune-Review: Lawsuit alleges Plum school administrators failed to investigate properly rumors of abuse
Tribune-Review: New Kensington developer works with community to restore historic Alcoa complex

Southwest
Altoona Mirror: Mayor receives praise in first year
Altoona Mirror: Court sets hearing on reassessment injunction
Beaver County Times: Chippewa Township doctor tackling fatty liver disease, a ‘silent epidemic’
Beaver County Times: Christiana vows to continue fighting for paid maternity leave for GOP caucus employees
Beaver County Times: Beaver residents invited to water meter meetings

NEPA
Times Leader: Sheppton Mine Disaster recalled as Anthracite Mining Month launches
Times Leader: Yellow Dot program helps first responders, yet very few are familiar
Times Leader: Pashinski sees problems with plan to eliminate school property taxes
Times-Tribune: Sky’s the limit for airport director
Times-Tribune: Website ranks most affordable cities/counties to buy used car

South Central
Patriot-News: Harrisburg officials try to disrupt parking scheme near Farm Show complex
Patriot-News: Is Pennsylvania creating a ‘recipe for disaster’? Prison closings revive overcrowding question
Patriot-News: Sen. Scott Wagner to formally announce his candidacy for governor
York Dispatch: York County still in drought watch
York Dispatch: Jonelle Eshbach running for York County DA

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Lehigh Valley residents caught in chaotic Fort Lauderdale airport evacuation
Morning Call: Verizon customer fights for refund in billing dispute
Reading Eagle: Federal lawmakers hear about dairy farmers’ struggles at forum at Farm Show
Reading Eagle: State Rep. Mark Rozzi chosen as Reading Eagle Local Newsmaker of the Year
Reading Eagle: Governor, protesters heard as Farm Show opens

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Mother wants Erie to end restrictions on public breastfeeding
Erie Times-News: More Erie County officers to be equipped with overdose drug
Sun-Gazette: City consultant seeks funding for projects

Opinion
Inquirer: Pensions, taxes again loom large in reaching a Pa. budget deal
Daily News: Why is Pat Toomey afraid of Philly?
Patriot-News: No backsliding on transparency – Pa. House should reinstate 24-hour waiting period on bills
Patriot-News: Planned Parenthood plans lobbying blitz to fight Congressional ‘defunding’ effort
Post-Gazette: Play ball: In the SEA-Pirates spat, follow lease to the letter
Post-Gazette: Where impact fees go: Municipalities need more clarity from state
Post-Gazette: Betting on humans: A new frontier against poker-smart computers

Blogs
Billy Penn: Philly restaurant owners on the soda tax: Thank God it’s not on meat
Billy Penn: Philly’s mayor tweeted at Donald Trump to set up a meeting
Keystone Crossroads: Record $4.4M settlement in 2014 Philadelphia police shooting
Keystone Crossroads: One Pa. state incentive program creates a buzz while another creates confusion