FiveThirtyEight grades PA’s pollsters, another survey shows Wolf with a double digit lead and a look at the state’s congressional races. Plus, last week’s Ups & Downs! Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz!

9/26 Ups & Downs: Wolf stumbles in debate, Kane get embarrassed and Ferlo comes out. See who made this week’s list!

FiveThirtyEight Grades PA Pollsters: We take a look at how PA-based polling firms performed in the website’s rankings.

PA-Gov: Mercyhurst Poll: Wolf 43 Corbett 28: Corbett trails his competitor by double digits in yet another poll.

2014 PA Congressional Picture: Democrat Tom Wolf may be amassing double-digit leads in Pennsylvania’s gubernatorial race, but the magic isn’t extending to Democrats in this year’s congressional races.

PA-Gov Round-Up: The First Debate: We take a look at the events of the last week in the state’s gubernatorial race.

SD-32: Pat Stefano Attacks Deb Kula on Per Diems in Latest Ad (VIDEO): The Republican candidate in the 32nd Senate District attacks his opponent on her use of per diems during her time in the House.

Legislative Elections Update:

HD-158: The HDCC came out hard against ex-GOP nominee Cuyler Walker after he indicated that he would not explain why he dropped out of the race. It is believed incumbent State Rep. Charlie Ross could be added back to the ballot, upsetting local Democrats.

The HDCC asserts that they are rumors that Walker may be in some legal trouble, which were exacerbated when he stated he would plead the Fifth if called to testify about his reasons for wanting off the ballot.

“The voters deserve a full and public explanation of who knew about this criminal investigation and when they knew it.” said Chester County Democratic chair Brian McGinnis. “Walker’s withdrawal from the ballot is jeopardizing the ability for overseas members of the military to have their vote count in this election. The public deserves a public explanation of what Chris Ross and Chester County Republican Chairman Val DiGiorgio knew regarding this matter and when they knew it. What are they trying to cover up? They have engaged in a political charade that threatens the integrity of the election process and the citizens of the 158th District deserve to know why.”

HD-163: The PSEA endorsed Democratic nominee Vince Rongione last week.

“We are proud to stand here today in support of the best choice for our schools, our students, our teachers, and our future,” said Korri Brown, President of the Southeast PSEA Region. Our children’s future is at risk and we know that Vince is the only candidate in this race we can trust to stand up and fight for our kids and our schools. We can do better, we must do better, and when we elect Vince Rongione to the 163rd, we will!”

PSEA has 1,031 members in the district and has traditionally supported retiring GOP State Rep. Nick Micozzie.

“It’s an honor to have the teachers of PSEA and APSCUF standing with me today,” Rongione said. “After four years of underfunding our schools, it’s time for Governor Corbett to go and it’s time for new leadership in Harrisburg that puts children and schools first. I will fight everyday to restore Tom Corbett’s cuts to education and get our schools the fair funding formula they deserve by making the oil and gas drillers pay their fair share.”

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Pension plans shrug off call to quit hedge funds
State House Sound Bites: Natural gas drillers in Pa. draw less water, but concerns linger
State House Sound Bites: Details sought on judges in office email porn case
State House Sound Bites: Conservative group hits radio to help Corbett
State House Sound Bites: Christie to tout Corbett’s candidacy at GOP dinner
State House Sound Bites: Corbett seeks details in porn office emails case
State House Sound Bites: Pennsylvania hit by 5th debt downgrade in two years
State House Sound Bites: Pension plans shrug off call to quit hedge funds
StateImpactPA: Corbett says he hasn’t seen any ‘intentional violations’ by gas industry

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Corbett, Castille press for names, details on porn e-mails
Inquirer: Christie rallies GOP troops for Corbett
Inquirer: Unionized Phila. teachers canvass for Wolf – and against Corbett
Inquirer: Corbett’s news strategy
Daily News: Corbett wants a ticket to the peep-show
Philly.com: Poll: Confused by issues of the day? Join the club
KYW Newsradio: $87 Million For SEPTA Will Help Deal With Global Warming — For Now
KYW Newsradio: Community Marches To End Gun Violence In Philadelphia
KYW Newsradio: Gov. Corbett Demands Racy E-Mails Be Turned Over To Him
KYW Newsradio: Large Crowd Gathers For ‘March To End Rape Culture’
Phillynow.com: Are PA GOP officials obsessively masturbating on the job?

SEPA
Montgomery Media: Bucks County residents allegedly linked to Center City attack of gay couple post bail
Pottstown Mercury: Philly attack on gay couple renews call for expansion of hate crimes law
Bucks County Courier Times: Unwanted drugs dropped off throughout Bucks County
Bucks County Courier Times: Gas drillers draw less water, but concerns linger
Bucks County Courier Times: Gov. Corbett gets two new grandsons
Bucks County Courier Times: Slight shift in hunt for trooper ambush suspect
Daily Local News: Police: Trooper ambush suspect plotted for years

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Allegheny authority bends limits on free tickets for pro sporting events
Tribune Review: $5M Penn Avenue reconstruction project is ‘killing everything’
Tribune Review: Education top priority for Pa. voters, poll shows
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh mayor’s school panel still hunts for mission on system overhaul
Pittsburgh Business Times: Ellwood City prepares for increased competition
Pittsburgh Business Times: DEP firming up revisions to gas regulations
Pittsburgh Business Times: Point Park receives $5 million to move Playhouse Downtown
WTAE: PennDOT to award bulk bridge-building contracts

Southwest
County Times: Beaver County still battling poverty problem
AP: Enrollment slips again at state universities
Altoona Mirror: Housing authority’s weapons policy upsets board member
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: National GOP donors supply Corbett cash

NEPA
The Times Leader: Lieutenant governor candidate Michael Stack III says strong voter turnout key for state’s future
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Council cuts back on committees
Times Tribune: Wage growth in region varies
Times Tribune: Area transportation projects to increase by $500 million in next 12 years
Citizens Voice: Marijuana backers stage rally
Citizens Voice: Legislators shift focus to re-election season

South Central
The Sentinel: Pass or fail: Armed teachers, intruder training options for security at Midstate schools
The Sentinel: Harrisburg school officials disappointed with performance scores
The Sentinel: State legislature weighs in on school safety
Lancaster Intelligencer: Condolences pour in for fire company that had 2 members die and 1 injured in crash
Lancaster Intelligencer: Overdose deaths a sad hallmark of heroin epidemic
York Daily Record: Did 27,000 Pennsylvania educators get laid off under Gov. Tom Corbett? (Pa. Fact Finder)
York Daily Record: Tom Wolf calls for greater voter turnout, reinvestment in democracy
The Patriot-News: Pa. manhunts: State police no stranger to searches lasting a couple days to several months
The Patriot-News: Appeals court allows condemnation for York County gas pipeline work

Lehigh Valley
The Morning Call: Eric Frein manhunt pushes Poconos tourists away
The Morning Call: Corbett, Chief Justice want Kane to turn over sexually explicit emails uncovered in Jerry Sandusky review
WFMZ: Lehigh University, federal government conclude civil rights complaint
Reading Eagle: Slots gambling hasn’t been a winner for Berks County taxpayers
Reading Eagle: Pennsylvania casinos have won big, but now they face competition
Express Times: Easton Area High School gets $5,000 for instruments
Express Times: State police: Nothing to indicate alleged killer Eric Frein has ‘left the area’

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Local lawmakers, candidates talk medical pot, Right-to-Know Law
Williamsport Sun Gazette City officer suspended without pay
Erie Times News: Erie businessman McCormick pursues SeaWolves purchase
Erie Times News: Wolf leads Corbett by double digits in new Mercyhurst poll

Opinion
Philly.com: Doubting Thomas
Philly.com: Rework rules to aid college students and athletes
The Inquirer: Lawmaker takes aim at Nutter over illegal alien detention
Express Times: EDITORIAL: Pilots’ plan is least costly option for Braden Airpark
Centre Daily Times: Our View | Penn State must lead local economic development charge
The Sentinel: Our View: We’re lacking in civics knowledge
The Patriot-News: With a debate win under his belt, Corbett should press his advantage: Charlie Gerow
Tribune Review: The race for governor: How Tom Corbett would address 3 pressing Pennsylvania issues
Tribune Review: The race for governor: How Tom Wolf would address 3 pressing Pennsylvania issues
Post-Gazette: Porn at work: Corbett, Kane must end a raunchy office culture
Post-Gazette: Sunshine block: The Pa. House mustn’t set back the right to know
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Analysis | Porn uproar timing bad for governor

Blogs
Citizens’ Call: Cheltenham Announces Hiring of Assistant Township Manager
Keystone Politics: Former DEP Head Michael Krancer Defended Fake Fracking Water Treatment Practice That Produces Dangerous Toxins
Keystone Politics: Chris Abruzzo and Kevin Harley in the Corbett AG Office Porno Ring