Democrats and Republicans in the state Senate announced their committee chairs for this session. Here is the Playbook.

House Dems Announce Committee Chairs: There’s a number of new faces leading different committees including Judiciary.

Harrisburg & DC
PLSReporter: Briggs to Judiciary, Vitali to Energy as House Dems name committee chairs
PLSReporter: Freshman Focus: Rep. Joshua Kail
PLSReporter: Baker in at Judiciary as Senate Republicans name majority chairs
PLSReporter: Senate Dems name 2019 committee chairs
PLSReporter: Republicans divided, Democrats look ahead as Senate special fight brews
AP: Special election set to fill vacancy in Pennsylvania Senate
AP: Rabbi who survived massacre to speak at Wolf’s inauguration
AP: Report: Nation’s biggest estuary hit hard by pollution  
AP: Armed protesters rally against Pittsburgh’s proposed gun ban
Post-Gazette: Federal shutdown to pinch state in about two weeks, Gov. Tom Wolf says  
Harrisburg Patriot News: Line-up of participants in Gov. Tom Wolf’s swearing-in ceremony announced
Harrisburg Patriot News: Opioid epidemic still rages in Pa., but state officials say death toll is dropping
Harrisburg Patriot News: U.S. government shutdown, mandated payless furloughs creating growing backlog of work in U.S. Middle District Court    
Morning Call: Pennsylvania’s opioid disaster plan turns 1. Time to celebrate?

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Federal workers to protest government shutdown in Philly Tuesday morning
Inquirer: Larry Krasner’s first year as Philly DA: Staff turnover, fewer cases, plenty of controversy
Inquirer: Removed in secret, hidden for years, Philly schools’ art collection belongs in the public eye, officials now say
WHYY Newsworks: Congressman Boyle: Amtrak open to long-term plan for new split-flap sign at 30th Street Station
WHYY Newsworks: Looking toward Philly’s primary races — where most contests are decided
Billy Penn: Philly’s big plan to make streets safer in residential neighborhoods
KYW Newsradio: Philly Women’s March organizers expect good Parkway turnout
KYW Newsradio: There’s an increasing cost when people don’t follow rules for curbside recycling
Philly Voice: SEPTA Key now required for parts of the Norristown High Speed Line
SEPA
Daily Local News: Kichline, Cozzone return as Chesco board leaders
Daily Local News: Killion named chairman of Urban Affairs and Housing
Daily Local News: Hennessey named chairman of transportation committee
Delco Daily Times: Coffee making a splash in Collingdale mayor race
AP: Commission hears dispute over school’s ‘Redskins’ nickname
Pottstown Mercury: Rep. Toepel re-elected to House leadership post as caucus chairperson
Pottstown Mercury: Kutz announces candidacy for Lower Allen commissioner

Pittsburgh
WESA: Pro-Gun Activists Protest Proposed Firearm Legislation Outside City-County Building
WESA: Shutdown Fight Raises Questions About Fate Of Food Stamps After January  
AP: Special Election Set To Fill Vacancy In Pennsylvania Senate
KDKA: Ellwood City Medical Center Employees Talk Of Bounced Checks While Lawmaker Calls For Investigation
Pittsburgh Business Times: Here are the natural gas companies that may have to pay more impact fees due to court ruling
Post-Gazette: Tree of Life Rabbi Jeffrey Myers to deliver Gov. Wolf’s invocation    
Post-Gazette: County jail board weighs paying expert in curbing suicides
Tribune Review: ‘He’s a traitor’: Armed protesters ridicule Bill Peduto during gun rally in Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Salaries set for North Huntingdon officials
Tribune Review: County judges pick retired teacher to fill vacancy on Norwin School Board

SWPA
Beaver County Times: State Sens. Vogel, Bartolotta get committee chair appointments
Beaver County Times: Wayne Kress making another run for county sheriff  
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Quorum lacking at Johnstown council meeting; community divided over city manager debate
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Somerset County makes personnel changes
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Somerset County register of wills, clerk of Orphans’ Court announces re-election bid
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria County Republican Committee to sponsor candidate boot camp
Altoona Mirror: Bedford commissioner seeks re-election
Altoona Mirror: Loretto officers working without pay
Observer-Reporter: Two county row officers won’t be seeking re-election  

NEPA
The Times Leader: Baker named to chair state Senate Judiciary Committee
The Times Leader: Belusko named WB council chair, Barrett takes vice chair
The Times Leader: Nurses decry staffing cuts; hospitals defend recruiting efforts
Times-Tribune: Scranton city council plans stronger ethics code
Times-Tribune: O’Malley remains chairman of Lackawanna commissioners board for fourth consecutive year

South Central
York Dispatch: Pa. House’s new committee with powers to investigate administration provokes Dem skepticism
York Dispatch: Sen. Mike Regan appointed chairman of Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee
Carlisle Sentinel: Kutz announces candidacy for Lower Allen commissioner
LNP | LancasterOnline: New ‘clean slate’ law gives some ex-offenders fresh hope on jobs, housing
Harrisburg Patriot News: Line-up of participants in Gov. Tom Wolf’s swearing-in ceremony announced    
Harrisburg Patriot News: Two midstate senators to get their first taste of committee chairmanship in the Pa. Senate   
Harrisburg Patriot News: U.S. government shutdown, mandated payless furloughs creating growing backlog of work in U.S. Middle District Court   
Harrisburg Patriot News: ‘Highly irregular:’ Middletown council asks AG to investigate fiscal dealings in water, sewer system lease   
Harrisburg Patriot News: Lebanon County prothonotary, clerk of courts seeks re-election   
Harrisburg Patriot News: Opioid epidemic still rages in Pa., but state officials say death toll is dropping
Harrisburg Patriot News: ‘Nothing surprises me:’ Williamsport mayor describes twists, turns of police hire

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Pennsylvania’s opioid disaster plan turns 1. Time to celebrate?
Reading Eagle: Pointing to successes in Berks County, Wolf administration claims progress against opioids
Reading Eagle: In 2018, drug deaths drop in Berks County
Reading Eagle: After vetoes, Reading City Council can vote again on mayor’s firing powers
Reading Eagle: Laureldale council says no to ARL fees
Reading Eagle: Bern Township supervisors repeal per capita tax
Reading Eagle: Rockland Township supervisors honor retiring solicitor

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Ex-Erie mayor Sinnott to run for judge  
Erie Times-News: State senator takes another run at Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania  
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: City police, firefighters to be asked to take pay cuts
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Montoursville Borough Council makes reappointments
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: South Williamsport School Board accepts resignation of 9-year member
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Added item on Jersey Shore School Board’s agenda regarding possible school closures surprises some residents

Opinion
Inquirer Editorial Board: You may be paying too much property tax. It’s up to our elected officials to fix it.
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Stronger together: A diverse Congress better serves the nation
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Not a laughing matter: Joke about bomb by military was humorless
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Unfounded criticism: City police officers’ moonlighting follows the rules
Ryan Costello: Lesson From 2018: Republicans Must Deal With Climate Change
John Baer: Of Pa.’s ‘new’ legislature, its new dress code, its new committee, its (likely) same old ways
Maureen May: Nurses are overworked. Staffing limits are the answer.
Devin Reaves: Philly’s confusing message on harm reduction: OK with overdose prevention sites; banning smoking from rehab centers?
Robert Ashford: Sensitivity needed if city wants positive results from banning nicotine in drug rehabs
Tony Norman: Ask not who’s most likable…