Sen. Bob Casey and Rep. Lou Barletta engaged in their first debate this weekend sparring over healthcare, Robert Mueller, the deficit and more. Here is the Playbook.

Casey, Barletta Joust Over Healthcare, Robert Mueller, the Deficit and More: Three Takeaways from 1st PA Sen Debate: Barletta pressed Casey about removing a healthcare ad that hit close to home in his closing statement. Casey said he didn’t intend for the ad to cause his family pain.

October 19th Ups & Downs: A gubernatorial candidate garners national headlines and criticism after releasing a Facebook live video, a New York Times/Siena College poll shows a Democrat leading in a moderate district, and the Republican candidate for Senate calls for an attack ad to be taken down. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

PA10: Rep. Perry, George Scott Differ on Immigration, Healthcare, and Minimum Wage in 2nd Debate: Perry detailed his support for a wall on the southern border, while Scott believes there are better options to improve border security.

PA7: Wild Raises $1.3M, Nothstein $325,000 in 3Q: Wild’s campaign raised and spent more than $1M this filing period.

Sabato’s Crystal Ball Rating Changes Two Pennsylvania Congressional Races

PA8 Moves From Leans Democratic to Likely Democratic: Welcoming news for incumbent Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Lackawanna) in his reelection bid against Republican challenger John Chrin.  

PA17 Moves From Leans Democratic to Likely Democratic: Positive change for Rep. Conor Lamb (D-Allegheny) in his race against Rep. Keith Rothfus (R-Allegheny).  

A New Map Shows The GOP Primary Results for Pennsylvania’s newly drawn 13th Congressional District: The GOP friendly district included five candidates who received over 15% of the vote, with John Joyce winning by capturing 22% in the primary.  

Harrisburg & DC
AP: Casey, Barletta debate ends in emotional exchange over TV ad
AP: Democrats hope to cut GOP majorities in legislative contests
AP: Where Pennsylvania’s candidates for governor stand on issues
AP: Pennsylvania jobless rate flat as payrolls hit record high
AP: Prosecutors: Bill Cosby’s bid for new trial is ‘meritless’
AP: Penn State pledge who died after hazing spurs new law
AP: State to try using cameras to help highway work zone safety
AP: Feds: Child exploitation focus of Pennsylvania church probe  
AP: Staff drug exposure problem prompts prisons to screen books
Billy Penn: Controversial healthcare ad: Did Barletta vote to ‘strip coverage’ for pre-existing conditions?
KYW Newsradio: Pennsylvania lawmaker’s proposal looks to reduce the use of plastic straws
KYW Newsradio: Governor Wolf urges union members to get out the vote to drown out calls for ‘right to work’ legislation  
Inquirer: Reasons sought for increase in Pennsylvania prison suicides
Inquirer: Casey and Barletta debate covers the economy, immigration, national security
Inquirer: How 2 key House races in Minnesota mirror the campaigns in Pennsylvania
StateImpactPA: Democratic Socialists are coming to Harrisburg. What does it mean for environmental policies?    
StateImpactPA: This federal program helped pay for a park near you. Now its future is in limbo
StateImpactPA: Full Mariner East pipeline risk assessment report released
Philly Voice: Amazon reportedly focusing on big cities for HQ2

Philadelphia
KYW Newsradio: Governor Wolf urges union members to get out the vote to drown out calls for ‘right to work’ legislation
KYW Newsradio: Councilman Henon aims to revive manufacturing in Philadelphia
Inquirer: AIDS Walk Philly gets smaller: ‘There is not the sense of urgency we once saw.’
Inquirer: Philly wins potential $2M from Bloomberg for climate efforts
Inquirer: Acclaimed Philly scholastic chess coach sexually abused boys in 1980s, former pupils say
Inquirer: Philadelphia is so dirty the city wants residents and business owners to help collect trash
Inquirer: Gregory Harvey, 81, election lawyer and leader of ‘Recall Rizzo’ effort
Philadelphia Magazine: Are Philly Streets Any Safer After a Year of Vision Zero? We Look at the Report.
Philadelphia Magazine: Has Temple University Lost Its Way?
WHYY Newsworks: Philly’s community schools initiative a mixed bag so far, report says
WHYY Newsworks: Roosevelt Boulevard speed cameras represent rare bipartisan win
Philly Voice: Mob Talk: ‘Skinny Joey’ Merlino gets the max

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Fitzpatrick, Wallace trade barbs at candidates’ forum
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County Courier Times 2018 General Election Voters Guide  
Inquirer: State Rep. Madeleine Dean and businessman Dan David contend to represent Montco’s newly drawn congressional district
Delco Daily Times: Meet the candidates in the 161st, 165th districts
Delco Daily Times: Sharon Hill fire chief arrested for theft of $4,300
Delco Daily Times: Groups stump to raise wages to $15 an hour
Bucks Local News: ‘YOU TOUCHED MY HEART’: In wake of public outpouring, Pennsbury reaches consensus to begin contract talks with superintendent
Daily Local News: Chrissy Houlahan: ‘I’m a team builder’
Daily Local News: Kampf files for injunction against PA Fund for Change
Daily Local News: Work zone legislation aimed at saving lives signed into law
Daily Local News: Killion: No excuse for Senate inaction on sex abuse bill
Daily Local News: Montco community bans plastic bags, straws; statewide ban proposed
Daily Local News: Sheriff calls for $5 an hour pay raise for his deputies

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Incumbent Camera Bartolotta, James Craig face off in heated state Senate race
Post-Gazette: Bloomberg visiting Pittsburgh to spotlight climate program
Post-Gazette: Greensburg diocese bars Uniontown priest accused of sex abuse
Post-Gazette: Bloomberg, Peduto talk climate change fight in Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Is social media a detriment to free speech? Experts at First Amendment conference weigh in
Tribune Review: Meet the man behind Westmoreland County’s comprehensive plan
Tribune Review: Westmoreland County Republicans will host ‘News & Brews’ in Delmont
WESA: Post-Gazette Replaces Rob Rogers With ‘Right of Center’ Cartoonist
KDKA: Pittsburgh Awarded Support For Work To Reduce Carbon Emissions
City Paper: Project Veritas CEO James O’Keefe inclusion at Pittsburgh journalism conference draws criticism

SWPA
Observer-Reporter: DCED deputy secretary visits Mon Valley to discuss development initiatives
Observer-Reporter: County Democrats to meet
Observer-Reporter: O’Neal to host two events
Altoona Mirror: Court: Parental rights rules create challenges
Altoona Mirror: Blair planners receive award
Altoona Mirror: Water Authority moving ahead with digester plan
Altoona Mirror: Court of Appeals upholds dismissal of lawsuit against REA
Altoona Mirror: Senate measure for lifers pulled
Altoona Mirror: Blair to host public review of new voting machines
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Lawmakers address rural education
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Unopposed Sankey puts focus on constituent issues
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Coroner’s request for vehicle irks Cambria County official
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Pulse of the Voters | New congressional districts add twist to mid-term elections
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Pulse of the Voters | Democrats hoping divisive issues spark voter turnout, tilt balance of power in Pa.
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Pulse of the Voters | Partisan divide, voter scramble mark midterm   

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Congressional candidates discuss tax cuts, jobs
Times-Tribune: Need help choosing a Medicare plan? Here’s where to get it
The Times Leader: Judge speaks at 12th annual Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Conference
The Times Leader: Capitol Roundup: 2019 ACA health insurance will feature rate decreases, more choices
Citizens Voice: Meuser, Wolff agree on need to address deficit

South Central  
PennLive: Saving pets, slowing speeders, more: 16 bills Pa. legislators decided should become law
PennLive: Landlord of Harrisburg public works building asks judge to throw city out
PennLive: Legislation to protect workers, motorists in work zones is signed by Gov. Wolf
PennLive: Death of Penn State pledge after hazing prompts new law
PennLive: Different visions: U.S. Rep Scott Perry, challenger George Scott take big stage
Carlisle Sentinel: Stephen Bloom bows out: Legislator to leave House, but will stay involved in policy
Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle school board hires consultant to prepare a master plan on athletic facilities
Carlisle Sentinel: Democrats hope to cut GOP majorities in legislative contests
York Daily Record: A voter’s guide to the 2018 election in York County
York Daily Record: Who is Rep. Scott Perry? Biography, issues of Republican congressman up for re-election
York Daily Record: Who is George Scott? Biography, issues of Democrat challenging Scott Perry for Congress
York Daily Record: Here’s the York County trait that Gov. Tom Wolf says defines his approach to politics
York Dispatch: Rep. Scott Perry, George Scott bring civility to second 10th District debate
York Dispatch: Political analyst calls 10th Congressional race one of Pa.’s most competitive
York Dispatch: 92nd District House race profile: Danielson vs. Keefer
York Dispatch: Saylor, Snell to talk policy positions at Red Lion Elks’ town hall
Lebanon Daily News: Meteorologist Drew Anderson, who got national attention, now not running for Congress
Lebanon Daily News: State Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to run for Charlie Dent’s seat in U.S. House of Representatives
LancasterOnline: Jess King ‘sets a new bar’ for Democrats fundraising in Lancaster with $429,000 cash edge over U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Democrat Susan Wild holds edge, Republican Marty Nothstein in striking distance, poll shows
Morning Call: Bethlehem Township looking at tax hike
Morning Call: Lehigh Valley area lawmakers’ bills await governor’s signature
Reading Eagle: Rep. Lou Barletta talks about immigration, health care in visit to Reading
Reading Eagle: Pa. Democratic chairwoman to Berks Dems: Let no seat go unchallenged
Express Times: Pennsylvania to try using cameras to help highway work zone safety
Express Times: Pennsylvania weed decriminalization bill goes nowhere after committee OK

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Who are the candidates running to represent Centre County in Congress, Pa. legislature?
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Congressional candidates offer suggestions to curb gun violence
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Discovery YMCA building future in limbo as owners, councilwoman forge agreement
Erie Times-News: Big money race for Congress
Erie Times-News: Wolf ‘impressed’ with Erie’s efforts

Opinion
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Just tell us how much: There is no reason drug companies should be immune from transparency
Post-Gazette Editorial Board No ripoffs: Trade secrets are real property and stealing them is theft
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Starbucks steps up: Good benefits are sometimes worth more than money
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Next level of abuse: Vaping seems easily adapted to ill use, hurting kids
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Do a good deed: Make sure to get a flu shot
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: An elegy for Sears: The demise of an American icon didn’t have to happen
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Lies, damn lies and big lies
Brian O’Neill: The cynics were right about our state reps
Brian O’Neill: Pittsburghers living their faith in Peru
Keith C. Burris: The first man was the right man
David M. Shribman: Bring us together … again?
Ruth Ann Dailey: Beware the minefield of male-female relations
Inquirer Staff Opinion: Extend the Broad Street Line north, make parking permits more expensive, and more radical ideas to calm Philly’s traffic woes and make us a better city
Will Bunch: Trump, Saudis, money … and a murder. We need a new Congress to find out what really happened
Ronnie Polaneczky: Good news: How readers made the difference in these inspiring campaigns
Helen Ubiñas: Let ’em ride! Philly needs a bike park
Trudy Rubin: I’m heading to China to report: Are Beijing and Washington headed toward a new Cold War?
Manuel N. Stamatakis: How Meryl Levitz changed the way the world sees Philadelphia
David Adelman and Stephen Cozen: Why we need Holocaust education now more than ever
Elizabeth Arnold: I interrupted a 2014 Pa. governor debate to talk about fracking. Four years later, little has changed