The Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chair calls for unity behind former Vice President Joe Biden’s campaign. Here is the Playbook. 

PA Dem Chair Calls for Biden Unity: A Pennsylvania Democratic Party email sent out on Thursday afternoon included a message of Chairwoman Nancy Patton Mills that the state party is ready to coalesce behind former Vice President Joe Biden’s bid for the presidency.

Politico: Brady Registers to Lobby for Comcast: First reported by Politico on Monday afternoon, longtime Philadelphia Democratic Party Chairman and former Congressman Bob Brady has registered as a lobbyist for Comcast.

Planned Parenthood PA PAC Rolls Out First Wave of General Assembly, Statewide Office Endorsements: In their first wave of endorsements, the PAC announced their support for Attorney General Josh Shapiro, Treasurer Joe Torsella, 45 state House incumbents, 5 incumbent state Senators, and 3 challengers. 

PA1: The League of Conservation Voters Action Fund Endorses Fitzpatrick: Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks) was endorsed by the environmental group, according to Roll Call. 

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Pennsylvania counties press governor for all-mail election
Politico: Brady registers to lobby
Politico: Oil deal officially done
Spotlight PA: Gaps in Pa.’s coronavirus testing procedures led to systemic failure to collect critical data
Inquirer: Do Republicans oppose vote by mail? In Pennsylvania, it’s not that simple.
Inquirer: Feds expect 80 million stimulus checks to arrive by Wednesday; Gov. Wolf says there’s no time frame for reaching a ‘new normal’
Inquirer: Coronavirus social distancing is causing the curve to flatten in Pa. and N.J.; Wolf, Murphy join regional coalition to plan for reopening
Inquirer: Rick Santorum said Trump was ‘ahead of the curve’ when he restricted travel from China. That’s mostly false | PolitiFact
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: The latest on COVID-19 in Pa.: 24,199 confirmed cases in 67 counties
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf offers hope as Northeastern guvs announce council to coordinate post-pandemic reopenings
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf to Pa.: Stay the course — and stay home.
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. general fund revenue fell slightly in March. Here’s what that means | The Numbers Racket
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. Supreme Court tosses challenge to Wolf’s business shutdown order 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: COVID-19 in Pa.: State prisons report first fatality, testing reaches 1 percent of population
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. State Police close Police Academy after staffer tests positive for COVID-19
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pandemic highlights gaps in internet access, as Congress looks for solutions
PA Post: PA Will Work With 6 Other States On Restarting The Economy
Patriot News: Pa. adjusts work times to protect state government workers from COVID-19 in county assistance offices 
Patriot News: Pa. to join with 5 other states to craft post-coronavirus plans to get people back to work 
Patriot News: Staying home now and continuing to ‘isolate ourselves’ will be how we get to ‘new normal’: Gov. Wolf
PLSReporter: Northeast governors establish taskforce for post-COVID-19 economic ‘re-opening with a plan’
PLSReporter: House committee advances bill that would reopen auto sales
PLSReporter: COVID-19 by the numbers: A statewide look at the coronavirus in Pa.
PLSReporter: Hospitals in line for state, federal funds but leaders push for more action
Philadelphia Magazine: Everyone in Pennsylvania Should Sign Up for a Mail-In Ballot. Here’s How.
Post-Gazette: Peak COVID-19 daily deaths statewide to happen this week 
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania joins 6-state council that will recommend when to restart economy
Fox News: Cuomo, northeastern governors announce ‘coordinated’ regional effort to reopen amid coronavirus
Fox News: NY Times election analyst says Biden lead over Trump ‘narrow and tenuous’, if he has lead at all
WHYY Newsworks: Here’s where coronavirus is causing unemployment to spike in Pa. 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Wolf hopes ‘new normal’ can be achieved in ‘a reasonable time frame’ 
New York Times: Why Biden’s Polling Lead vs. Trump Isn’t as Solid as It Looks
Morning Call: As Pennsylvania ‘bends the curve’ on coronavirus, Gov. Wolf joins 6-state group to plan how to reopen when pandemic eases
The Hill: Northeast governors form group to discuss reopening of region economies
CNN: Governors on East and West coasts form pacts to decide when to reopen economies

Philadelphia 
Billy Penn: With text campaign, Bernie Sanders returns to fight for Philly’s Hahnemann Hospital
Billy Penn: Updated guide to coronavirus in Philly: Testing, schools, shopping, transit, unemployment and more
KYW Newsradio: Mayor Kenney asks Pelosi for flexible funding, more resources
KYW Newsradio: Philly teachers learn how to conduct online classes through end of school year
Philadelphia Citizen: The Coronavirus In Philadelphia 
Philly Voice: Philly makes urgent request to Congress for PPE, rapid COVID-19 testing
Inquirer: Don’t forget, Philadelphia school income taxes are still due this week — despite coronavirus
Inquirer: Civic groups call on Mayor Kenney to close Parkway lanes to relieve crowding at Schuylkill park
Inquirer: Philadelphia man is Pennsylvania’s first state prison inmate to die from coronavirus
WHYY Newsworks: Coronavirus update: Philly pleads for federal government support 
WHYY Newsworks: Gimme structure: Why some Philly parents are eager for online learning to begin 
Philadelphia Tribune: Monday coronavirus update: ‘We may be at or near the peak of the pandemic’
Philadelphia Business Journal: Here are the Greater Philadelphia companies that have laid off or furloughed workers 
Philadelphia Magazine: Philly Coronavirus News: SEPTA Changes Rider Mask Policy After Outrage Over Viral Video 

SEPA
Bucks Courier Times: Coronavirus figures show flattening curve in Bucks, Montgomery counties
Delco Daily Times: Former Delco GOP leader Tom Judge Sr. dies at 91 
Montgomery Media: Montco reports 25 more coronavirus deaths; toll now stands at 91
Daily Local News: Monday Update: Pennsylvania reports 17 new coronavirus-related deaths as total increases to 24,199 
Daily Local News: Chesco judges take case-by-case approach to prison population 
Daily Local News: Inmate at SCI-Phoenix in Skppack dies of coronavirus complications 
Daily Local News: WCU, Cheyney, Lincoln get over $15 million in funding in response to coronavirus
KYW Newsradio: Montco testing site to re-open in new location, after officials say county may have reached peak
KYW Newsradio: Montco inmate is first in Pa. to die from COVID-19
Bucks Local News: APRIL 12 UPDATE: Three deaths bring Bucks County COVID-19 losses to 39
Pottstown Mercury: Montco officials: Whitpain coronavirus testing site will be safe operation
Pottstown Mercury: $142M ‘green’ energy plant proposed in Pottstown

Pittsburgh 
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Executive Rich Fitzgerald Calls For Voting By Mail For June Primary
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Says Coronavirus-Related Death Total Climbs To 21, Total Cases Increases To 876
KDKA: ‘Call 911. They Are Breaking The Law’: State Leaders Say People Can’t Be Evicted During The Coronavirus Pandemic
KDKA: Coronavirus In Pittsburgh: Crime Rates Decreased In Last Three Months, Over 15 Percent Decrease In March 
KDKA: Local Elected Officials Provide Aid To Neighbors In Mt. Lebanon, Dormont 
KDKA: Coronavirus In Pennsylvania: More Than 900 Inmates Have Been Released From Allegheny County Jail
KDKA: Allegheny County Firearms Office Reopens 
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County’s Fitzgerald calls for June primary election to be conducted by mail 
Post-Gazette: Unions clamor for pandemic rescue funds, and leverage, as federal dollars flow to big businesses 
Post-Gazette: City looking to refinance $161M in bonds while rates remain low 
Post-Gazette: Health secretary says social distancing is working as new cases ‘plateau’ 
City Paper: County Executive Rich Fitzgerald calls for primary to be done by mail-in only
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania reports 17 more coronavirus deaths as total cases top 24,000 
Tribune Review: Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald calls for primary election to be conducted by mail 
Tribune Review: Wolf: ‘new normal’ will take time, three phases of response 
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania bill would ensure full pay for first responders stricken with coronavirus 
Tribune Review: Allegheny County reports 2 more coronavirus deaths, 19 new cases
WESA: LIVE BLOG: Coronavirus In Pittsburgh, April 13-19

SWPA 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: UPDATED: ‘Rate of rise has slowed’: Pennsylvania adds 1,366 virus cases 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: House committee looks to relax ban on car sales 
Beaver County Times: Levine: PA deaths reach 524, but situation could be ‘much, much worse’ 
Beaver County Times: Police, community honor fallen Beaver County officers
Post-Gazette: Beaver County mourns deaths of two police chiefs — one COVID-19 related
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania bill would ensure full pay for first responders stricken with coronavirus
Tribune Review: Another covid-19 death in Westmoreland County; total now 13
Observer-Reporter: 51 county employees granted voluntary furloughs 

NEPA
Citizens Voice: Virus kills 4 more as Luzerne County caseload mounts 
Citizens Voice: Wilkes-Barre City Hall to close for two weeks following wind damage 
Citizens Voice: Martz continues suspension of service to NYC, Philly
The Times Leader: 4 more die in Luzerne County from COVID-19; cases rise to 1,446 
The Times Leader: Tornado Watch issued for Luzerne County; Gusty winds damage WB City Hall, hospital 
Times-Tribune: Local counties see smallest growth rate in coronavirus cases, but more deaths reported 
Times-Tribune: New virus deaths include eight in NEPA 
Times-Tribune: Winds damage Wilkes-Barre City Hall 
Times-Tribune: As coronavirus cases multiply at Scranton nursing home, officials admit not following all health department guidelines
Times-Tribune: COVID-19 – Complete Coverage

South Central 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Monday’s COVID-19 updates: Pa. up to 24,199 positive cases; 52 Lancaster County residents have died
LNP | LancasterOnline: What we know about COVID-19 cases reported in Lancaster County 
LNP | LancasterOnline: State prison system identifies people for early release because of COVID-19, asks county judge, DA for input 
Patriot News: Coronavirus cases by day in Pa. (4/13/20): How fast is COVID-19 spreading? 
York Dispatch: York County has 24 new COVID-19 cases as state total surpasses 24K 
York Dispatch: Should York County have its own health department? 
York Daily Record: Coronavirus: York City Council will resume legislative meetings virtually this month 
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: Surge hasn’t hit Pennsylvania yet; reopening of businesses will be done piecemeal 

Lehigh Valley      
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus update: Cases climb to 24K, death toll up to 524 as state nears expected peak | COVID-19 cases by county (4/23/20)
Express Times: Northampton County needs a mass COVID-19 testing site, county exec says
Reading Eagle: State Sen. Judy Schwank telephone town hall addresses the unknowns of coronavirus
Reading Eagle: 6 more coronavirus-related deaths reported in Berks as county now has 1,150 total cases 
Reading Eagle: Is Berks County staying home? In coronavirus age, data reveal which counties are following order 
Reading Eagle: Reading hopes to create loan program to help small businesses struggling during coronavirus pandemic  
Reading Eagle: Berks County launches campaign to promote coronavirus health and safety standards
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus updates: Statewide case total increases by 1,366 on Monday to 24,199; 17 more deaths bring total to 524 
Morning Call: Workers being brought out of retirement to help unclog Pennsylvania’s unemployment compensation benefits system 

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Coronavirus: Erie-area updates, Tuesday, April 14
Erie Times-News: Zogby gets Pa. Senate job; Erie schools wait on monitor
Erie Times-News: Erie County to accept gun permit applications by mail
Erie Times-News: Erie County residents: Your short liquor runs to Ohio are over
Centre Daily Times: As some Centre County projects move ahead with waivers, should Pa. open all construction activity? 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Counties press governor for all-mail election 

Opinion  
Mike Regan: Wolf chooses wrong reduction by releasing prisoners
Mary Jo Daley and Tom Killion: Amazon is playing whack-a-mole with coronavirus price gouging and it’s harming Pennsylvanians  
Fred Keller: The Bureau of Prisons must do more to flatten the curve
Pat Harkins: Here’s what Pa. can do to protect essential retail workers 
Blake Rutherford: In interesting times, Democrats must adapt to win
Keith Naughton, Ph.D.: Could the coronavirus reelect Trump?
York Dispatch Editorial Board: Stop GOP war against voting 
Inquirer Editorial Board: It’s Democrats’ time to rally — for Joe Biden and for solutions 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Improving access: FCC will provide better mapping of underserved areas
John L. Micek: The surge may be coming, Will House Republicans try to reopen Pa. this week? | Monday Morning Coffee
John L. Micek: School’s out. We know that. The rest of it is a mess. 
Paul Muschick: A coronavirus mass-testing site is coming to northeast Pennsylvania. What took so long? 
Harold T. Epps: As the economy falters, black- and minority-owned small businesses need support, too 
Sue Peschin: Rationing healthcare is never worth it
Mark Kelly Tyer: Where is Philadelphia’s spirit of togetherness when it comes to the gun violence epidemic? 
Tine Hansen-Turton: Protecting the nation’s most vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic 
Salena Zito: How a 6,000-employee company shifts to remote work: ‘Every day is another evolution’
Salena Zito: They Developed Their Coronavirus Vaccine in Salk’s Shadow
Salena Zito: Easter arrives in a country built on leaps of faith
Charlie Gerow: Faith and hope unify us during this holy season 
Michael Carpenter: Coronavirus is ultimate test of leadership in brave new world