April 21st Playbook

Politico changes the rating for PA’s 1st Congressional District from Toss-Up to Leans Republican, while Sen. Pat Toomey is selected to serve on an economic oversight committee. Here is the Playbook. 

PA1: Politico Moves Fitzpatrick Race from Toss-Up To Leans Republican: Politico’s 2020 Election Forecast writes that Democrats don’t have a “highly touted recruit” to run against Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick in the updated ratings.

Toomey Tapped to Serve on Economic Oversight Committee: Sen. Pat Toomey, who was selected by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, is one of five members to serve on the Congressional Oversight Commission.

Reader Poll: Should Upcoming PA Primary Be an All-Mail Election?: The Associated Press reports that some of the most populous counties in the state are pushing Gov. Tom Wolf to allow them to conduct the June 2 primary election entirely by mail.

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Wolf sets May 8 as target launch date for gradual reopening
Spotlight PA: Gov. Tom Wolf vetoes bill that would have allowed more Pa. businesses to reopen over public health objections
Spotlight PA: Gov. Tom Wolf extends stay-at-home order to May 8, will allow curbside liquor pickup and online car sales
Spotlight PA: Hundreds gather at Capitol in Harrisburg for anti-shutdown rally calling to ‘reopen’ Pennsylvania
KDKA: KDKA Exclusive: Joe Biden Talks Pittsburgh, Fracking And President Donald Trump’s Handling Of Coronavirus: ‘Slow-Mo Trump’ 
KDKA: ‘I’d Take Her In A Heartbeat’: Joe Biden Says He Would Pick Michelle Obama To Be His Vice President 
KDKA: Coronavirus In Pennsylvania: Businesses Have More Questions After Gov. Tom Wolf Signs Legislation To Jump-Start Industries 
Patriot News: More than 1,000 gather in Pa. Capitol rally to ‘Reopen PA’
Patriot News: Pa. lawmakers see Capitol protest of shutdown as ‘democracy in action’ 
Patriot News: ‘I don’t want to see them in my ICU’: Healthcare workers react to protest at the Capitol
Patriot News: Pa. sets May 8 as the target date for regional reopening amid the coronavirus pandemic; here’s what it means 
Patriot News: Gov. Tom Wolf vetoes bill that could allow more Pa. businesses to reopen  
Patriot News: Gov. Tom Wolf signs bill to waive late fees on property tax bills 
Patriot News: Mapping 4,698 resident cases in Pa. nursing and personal care homes: April 20 county-by-county details 
Patriot News: Pa. restaurant industry faces staggering $1.8 billion in losses 
Patriot News: More than 1.5 million unemployment claims filed in Pa. as jobless numbers continue to climb   
Patriot News: PLCB restarts special orders after wine distributors file lawsuit, but it’s not enough: distributors 
Patriot News: Buying beer and wine in supermarkets: Is using a separate register safer? Not everyone agrees 
Patriot News: No curbside booze pickups in Pa. Monday, and state warns of limits on phone orders 
Patriot News: Pa. provides new view of ZIP codes where people with coronavirus live
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Gov’t ‘can’t save us from the virus’: In raucous Capitol protest, thousands call on Wolf to reopen all of Pa.
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Lawmakers voice concern over unemployment compensation claims backlog
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘We’ve given up a lot’: Wolf says laying out plan for May 8 gradual reopening
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: The latest on COVID-19 in Pa.: 33,232 confirmed cases in 67 counties
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: COVID-19 in PA: NEPA drive-thru testing site opens amid heavy security
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: March unemployment data shows COVID-19 impact in Pa. | The Numbers Racket
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Life on hold: How the COVID-19 pandemic derailed Pennsylvania’s pardons board
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. started enforcing its mask rules on Sunday: Here’s what businesses, consumers need to know
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. liquor stores roll out new curbside service at select locations; How to buy and which ones are open 
PA Post: Health care workers show up at ‘Reopen PA’ protest to urge people to stay home
Inquirer: Should third parties who want Trump defeated stay off the ballot in swing states such as Pa.?
Inquirer: Facebook shuts down pages promoting anti-shutdown rallies in New Jersey, but not Pennsylvania
Inquirer: Pennsylvania plans ’small steps’ toward economic reopening; Murphy says N.J. needs federal help, more coronavirus testing capacity
Inquirer: Coronavirus is largely spread by people without symptoms. Here’s what that could mean for reopening the economy. 
PLSReporter: ‘He is costing people’s lives’: Thousands descend on Harrisburg to protest COVID-19 restrictions
PLSReporter: Wolf vetoes business closure rebuke; signs off on legislation to give local governments flexibility
PLSReporter: PHOTOS: Capitol rally against COVID-19 restrictions
PLSReporter: Wolf eyes May 8 for targeted reopening of Pennsylvania economy 
Fox News: Hundreds of protesters line Harrisburg streets in rowdy protest against stay-at-home order
Fox News: Pennsylvania lawmaker calls gov’s business shutdown orders ‘arbitrary and capricious’ amid protests
Fox News: Air wars heating up as a leading pro-Biden super PAC announces ad blitz
Fox News: Bill Cosby’s rep begging Pennsylvania governor to release him early due to coronavirus concerns
Fox News: Protesters, lawmakers to demonstrate in Pennsylvania capital against stay-at-home order: ‘Not sustainable’
Fox News: Mass protest against lockdown restrictions planned for Pennsylvania capital
WHYY Newsworks: Coronavirus update: Pa. unemployment portal opens for self-employed workers 
WHYY Newsworks: Confusion, frustration for freelancers and gig workers seeking unemployment in Pa. 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Wolf extends stay-at-home order but will loosen some restrictions on construction, auto sales
Philadelphia Business Journal: Coronavirus-related losses for Pennsylvania hospitals to top $10B this year, report says 
The Hill: Protesters demonstrate against coronavirus restrictions in Pennsylvania 
The Hill: Top Democratic super PAC reserves $65M in airtime across six battlegrounds
The Hill: AGs from 18 states argue for further restrictions on ‘forever chemicals’
KYW Newsradio: Pa. enforcing face mask requirement to protect essential workers from COVID-19 
WESA: What Two Shuttered Meat Plants Mean For PA’s Agriculture Industry 
WESA: Gov. Wolf Says PA Will Begin To Reopen On May 8, With Measured Approach
Politico: POLITICO’s Election Forecast updates on Senate, House races
Politico: BP Gulf spill 10 years later
Philly Voice: Pennsylvania’s stay-at-home order extended through May 8
CNN: Conservative groups boost anti-stay-at-home protests
CNN: More than 40 employees lived at their plant for 28 days to make material to protect health care workers
CNN: Protests erupt again over coronavirus shelter-in-place orders. Here’s why some governors aren’t budging
CNN: These are the states that require you to wear a face mask in public
Pottstown Mercury: Feds warn about videoconferencing hacking during coronavirus pandemic 
Huffington Post: Biden Campaign Slams Trump On China And Coronavirus In New Battleground Ad

Philadelphia 
Inquirer: Gov. Wolf sets May 8 target for first moves toward a Pa. reopening — but that likely won’t apply in Philadelphia
Inquirer: Philly jails still aren’t doing enough to stop coronavirus spread, ACLU says in new suit
Inquirer: Colleges will receive millions in stimulus money, but coronavirus expenses are greater
Inquirer: Gov. Wolf’s stay-at-home order has been extended, again | Coronavirus Newsletter
Inquirer: Suzanne F. Roberts, philanthropist, performer, and broadcaster, dies at 98
KYW Newsradio: Flashpoint Extra: Johnson-Harrell tests positive for COVID-19 days after early release from prison
KYW Newsradio: Liacouras Center receives first COVID-19 patients as area hospitals fill up 
Philadelphia Business Journal: Philadelphia awards $9.2M in Covid-19 relief funds to small businesses
Philadelphia Business Journal: Minority-owned businesses are underbanked in Covid-19 crisis, Philadelphia chambers say
Philadelphia Business Journal: As Philadelphia hotel and sales taxes evaporate, so do millions in funds for tourism agencies and convention centers 
Philadelphia Business Journal: Center City’s momentum carried into 2020. Will it continue after the pandemic?
Billy Penn: Philly jails face new federal lawsuit: Fix dangerous coronavirus conditions or release at-risk people 
Billy Penn: Updated guide to coronavirus in Philly: Testing, schools, shopping, transit, unemployment and more
WHYY Newsworks: Philly students will not be penalized for absences or missed work during virtual school 
WHYY Newsworks: Philly warns of odors wafting from shuttered refinery this week 
WHYY Newsworks: Can Philly’s once-booming restaurant scene survive?
Philadelphia Magazine: Philly Coronavirus News: PLCB Liquor Sales Resume But Sound Like They Could Be a Big, Bungled Mess
Philadelphia Tribune: Community members and industry leaders form COVID-19 small business task force
Philly Voice: Philly’s Liacouras Center field hospital admits first COVID-19 patients

SEPA
Montgomery Media: Montco coronavirus death toll climbs to 164; new testing site to open in Norristown 
Pottstown Mercury: Vote-by-mail causes tension among Montgomery County Commissioners
Pottstown Mercury: $60K gift will buy Chromebooks for Pottstown students
Philadelphia Citizen: Madeline Dean Wants To Send You More Money
Delco Daily Times: Delco to temporarily furlough 400 workers
Delco Daily Times: MAP: Food assistance programs around Delaware County during COVID-19 pandemic
Daily Local News: Monday Update: Pennsylvania now has 33,232 confirmed coronavirus cases, an increase of 948 positive tests 
Daily Local News: Car rally puts focus on Sunoco pipeline work during pandemic
Daily Local News: Former Kennett Township manager waives hearing in $3.2M theft case
KYW Newsradio: Bucks County virtual town hall addresses need for more testing, supplies
KYW Newsradio: Montco officials keep urging residents to stay home, practice social distancing
Bucks Local News: APRIL 19 COVID-19 UPDATE: Eight more county residents with COVID-19 die; Bucks County total now stands at 88 
Bucks Local News: State Sen. Steve Santarsiero calls for insurance protections for businesses during pandemic 

Pittsburgh 
KDKA: KDKA Exclusive: Joe Biden Talks Pittsburgh, Fracking And President Donald Trump’s Handling Of Coronavirus: ‘Slow-Mo Trump’ 
KDKA: ‘I’d Take Her In A Heartbeat’: Joe Biden Says He Would Pick Michelle Obama To Be His Vice President 
KDKA: ‘I Want To Go To Work’: Protesters Against Stay-At-Home Order Rally Outside City-County Building In Downtown Pittsburgh 
KDKA: ‘We Want To See Action’: Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto Writes Letter To President Donald Trump, Asks For Coronavirus Relief Funding For Cities 
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports Single-Digit Rise In Coronavirus Cases, 5 More Deaths 
KDKA: Monessen Mayor Matt Shorraw Declares ‘Love Your Library Week’ As Part of National Library Week 
Post-Gazette: Peduto directly asks Trump: Please support COVID-19 relief funds for local governments 
Post-Gazette: Demonstrators in Downtown protest Wolf’s stay-at-home and business shutdown orders 
Post-Gazette: For 2020 census advocates, COVID-19 forces rethinking of outreach strategies
Pittsburgh Business Times: Peduto asks for $250 billion in federal emergency funding for Pittsburgh and other cities 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Report: the Original Hot Dog Shop closes after nearly 60 years in heart of Oakland
Tribune Review: Protesters in Pittsburgh demand Gov. Wolf to reopen businesses amid coronavirus pandemic
Tribune Review: Peduto asks Trump for funding, cites potential $127M deficit for Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Allegheny County reports 5 more coronavirus deaths, but only 7 new cases
City Paper: Allegheny County Councilors introduce countywide paid sick-leave legislation 
City Paper: Armed civilian group at Pittsburgh’s reopen protest sports symbols linked to white nationalism
City Paper: PHOTOS: About 120 protest in Downtown Pittsburgh, calling for Pennsylvania to reopen during coronavirus pandemic
City Paper: Pittsburgh residents express frustration over PPE litter found throughout city
Pittsburgh Current: Braddock Restaurant Owner Makes ‘Bullying’ Comments About Pa. Secretary Of Health Dr. Rachel Levine 
WESA: LIVE BLOG: Coronavirus In Pittsburgh, April 20-26

SWPA 
Beaver County Times: Bernstine joins Harrisburg rally to end COVID-19 shutdown 
Beaver County Times: American Lung Association: Despite passing grade, Beaver County part of region that ranks among nation’s 25 worst for air quality
Beaver County Times: Pennsylvania releases COVID-19 cases by ZIP code as new cases drop
Observer-Reporter: Commissioners approve purchase of COVID-19 tests for use by coroner’s office 
Observer-Reporter: Mihalek hosting self-defense class on social media 
Observer-Reporter: Protest held in downtown Pittsburgh over coronavirus restrictions 
Observer-Reporter: Gov. Tom Wolf begins to slowly reopen COVID-19-stalled economy 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Shell to add a few hundred workers to cracker site this week
Post-Gazette: Fate of Beaver Valley plant could hinge on federal fight over nuclear payments in power markets
Tribune Review: Westmoreland won’t send mail-in ballot applications unless voters request them
Altoona Mirror: Protesters rally against shutdown 
Altoona Mirror: Wolf plans ‘small steps’ to normalcy 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Levine says social distancing ‘has paid off,’ but state coronavirus death toll passes 1,200 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Westmont Borough Council approves payment of bills 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Region to receive $100,000 in COVID-19 funding

NEPA
Citizens Voice: Zip code data confirms Hazleton area is hardest hit region 
Citizens Voice: Testing site opens at Mohegan Sun Arena 
Citizens Voice: Luzerne County furloughs 128 employees 
Citizens Voice: SCI-Dallas reports first coronavirus case
The Times Leader: Luzerne County has 26 new COVID-19 cases 
The Times Leader: Luzerne County furloughing 128 workers due to coronavirus pandemic 
The Times Leader: PLCB begins limited curbside delivery program 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: COVID-19 in PA: NEPA drive-thru testing site opens amid heavy security
Times-Tribune: Increase in coronavirus cases shrunk in NEPA, but five more people died 
Times-Tribune: Testing site opens at Mohegan Sun Arena 
Times-Tribune: Former county commissioner petitions for early release from prison 
Times-Tribune: Luzerne County furloughs 128 employees because of COVID-19 
Times-Tribune: Scranton School Board appoints business specialist, mom of four to vacant seat 
Times-Tribune: COVID-19 – Complete Coverage

South Central 
Patriot News: More than 1,000 gather in Pa. Capitol rally to ‘Reopen PA’
Patriot News: Pa. lawmakers see Capitol protest of shutdown as ‘democracy in action’ 
Patriot News: ‘I don’t want to see them in my ICU’: Healthcare workers react to protest at the Capitol
Patriot News: Pa. sets May 8 as the target date for regional reopening amid the coronavirus pandemic; here’s what it means 
Patriot News: Gov. Tom Wolf vetoes bill that could allow more Pa. businesses to reopen  
Patriot News: Gov. Tom Wolf signs bill to waive late fees on property tax bills 
Patriot News: Mapping 4,698 resident cases in Pa. nursing and personal care homes: April 20 county-by-county details 
Patriot News: Pa. restaurant industry faces staggering $1.8 billion in losses 
Patriot News: More than 1.5 million unemployment claims filed in Pa. as jobless numbers continue to climb   
Patriot News: PLCB restarts special orders after wine distributors file lawsuit, but it’s not enough: distributors 
Patriot News: Buying beer and wine in supermarkets: Is using a separate register safer? Not everyone agrees 
Patriot News: No curbside booze pickups in Pa. Monday, and state warns of limits on phone orders 
Patriot News: Pa. provides new view of ZIP codes where people with coronavirus live
York Dispatch: Thousands protest at Capitol with calls to reopen Pa.’s economy 
York Dispatch: Wolf extends stay-at-home order; 12 more COVID-19 cases in York County 
Carlisle Sentinel: Tracking COVID-19: Charts detail the course of coronavirus in Cumberland County 
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH releases ZIP code-level data on positive, negative COVID-19 cases
York Daily Record: A look behind inside the re-open PA rally with State Senator Doug Mastriano
York Daily Record: ‘Wolf works for us!’: protesters chant at rally to reopen Pennsylvania’s economy 
York Daily Record: See what the Harrisburg protest over Pennsylvania stay-at-home order looked like 
York Daily Record: ACLU of Pennsylvania seeks to turn one of its immigration cases into class action lawsuit 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Monday’s COVID-19 updates: Pa. up to 33,232 cases, Lancaster County has 1,236 cases 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Pa. releases COVID-19 cases by ZIP code; see what it shows for Lancaster County 
LNP | LancasterOnline: As death toll climbs, half of Lancaster County’s coronavirus victims have been in one small township 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County’s new COVID-19 adviser is retired Air Force expert on disaster relief 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Starting today, street sweeping will resume in Lancaster city; here’s what you need to know 

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: 2 coronavirus deaths bring Berks County’s latest total to 87 
Reading Eagle: Reading poised to enact loan program, push back property tax deadline during coronavirus pandemic 
Reading Eagle: 5 liquor stores in Berks County begin offering curbside pickup 
Reading Eagle: One Berks County company included in first round of coronavirus small business loans
Express Times: Coronavirus in Pa.: State sees new cases dip below 1,000 for 1st time since April 1 | Pa. COVID-19 case map (4/20/20) 
Express Times: 37 Northampton County residents have died from COVID-19. Here is where they lived.
Express Times: 2 new cases of COVID-19 in past week at Northampton County Prison
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus updates: Gov. Wolf sets May 8 ‘target date’ to begin reopening parts of state 
Morning Call: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf set May 8 as a ‘target date’ for reopening. What exactly does that mean? 
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus shutdown: Capitol protesters say it’s time to ‘get people back to work’ 
Morning Call: Emmaus implements furloughs in anticipation of COVID budget hit 
Morning Call: After 16 coronavirus deaths, Lehigh Valley nursing home explains its situation and response

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Kelly to host COVID-19 town hall via telephone
Erie Times-News: Coronavirus: Erie-area updates, Monday, April 20
Erie Times-News: Public hearings set on Erie’s CARES act funding
Centre Daily Times: No new COVID-19 cases reported in Centre County as state breaks data down by ZIP code
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Montgomery Borough Council adopts ‘2nd Amendment sanctuary’ status
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: State launches cases by zip code feature
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: County employees working less hours

Opinion  
Inquirer Editorial Board: Partisanship is more deadly than the coronavirus
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A trail worth taking: Pittsburgh-to-Cleveland trail has many benefits
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Righting a wrong: Reimburse victims of unjust civil asset forfeiture
John L. Micek: ‘Coronavirus hasn’t stopped gun violence’: How one young activist is staying in the fight | Monday Morning Coffee
Antony Davies and James R. Harrigan: Coronavirus shutdowns may be shortsighted 
William A. Darity and A. Kirsten Mullen: The racial disparities of coronavirus point yet again to the need for reparations 
Charles D. Ellison: Reality Check: Unpredented Doesn’t Mean Unexpected
Paul Muschick: Pennsylvania’s mask rule: 4 fallacies unmasked
Charlie Gerow: Biden has won President Obama’s endorsement, but it may have come too late 
Sanul Corrielus: Is tele-health the remedy for at-risk communities during COVID-19?
Dick Polman: Six reasons why Biden is well-positioned to topple Trump in November 
Jenice Armstrong: This doctor deserves a standing ovation for her swift response to the coronavirus crisis 
Mark Hertsgaard and Kyle Pope: What coronavirus could teach journalists about covering the climate crisis 
Sarah Walzer: Financial hardships abound amid the COVID-19 crisis – but it’s important to remember the most vulnerable

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