Sestak leads the Senate Democratic primary, Toomey has the advantage on all his challengers and Donald Trump may be in trouble in the Keystone State. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz!

PPP Poll: Trump in Trouble?: The latest PPP poll shows Ben Carson has caught up to the real estate mogul in PA.

PA-Sen: PPP Poll: Sestak 29 McGinty 22 Fetterman 14: Over a third of Democratic primary voters are undecided.

PA-Sen: PPP Poll: Toomey Leads All Democratic Challengers: The incumbent Senator’s top competitor at the moment is ex-Rep. Joe Sestak.

Philadelphia Police Chief Announces Retirement: Commissioner Charles Ramsey announced that he will be retiring at the end of Mayor Nutter’s term in January.

Lalley Endorsed by Group of County Sheriffs: The GOP nominee for Commonwealth Court received endorsements from county sheriffs throughout the state.

PA-Sen: Q3: Toomey Raises $2M, $8.6M COH: The incumbent retains a large financial advantage.

PPP Poll: Clinton’s Lead Shrinking, Still Substantial: The former Secretary of State is still doubling her competition for the Democratic nomination.

Statewide
PLSReporter: Survey: Budget impasse continues to negatively impact social services organizations
Capitolwire: Appellate candidates discuss range of ‘opinions’ at judicial forum
State House Sound Bites: Hearing Planned on Ending Civil Asset Forfeiture in Pa.

Philadelphia
Inquirer: In town raising cash for Hillary: Bill
Inquirer: Protestors at SRC meeting angrily call for dramatic changes
Inquirer: DNC to Philly: Cash in on our convention
CapitolInq: Toomey raises nearly $2 million, ramps up campaign spending
Big Tent: Rubio rakes in $ on Pa. swing
WHYY Newsworks: Path out of gentrifying Philly neighborhoods just as likely to lead up as down, study finds
WHYY Newsworks: Radio Times ask third-party candidates why they’re really running for mayor
KYW Newsradio: DNC Officials Announce Opening of Philadelphia Office Ahead of Convention

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: AG aide wants his contempt of court case tossed
Bucks County Courier Times: Montgomery County candidate: ‘conscience’ won’t allow her to sign same-sex marriage certificates
Pottstown Mercury: Montgomery County OKs engineering contracts for 6 bridges

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Third inmate suicide at Washington Co. Jail
Tribune Review: Free parking in Pittsburgh during the holiday season
Post-Gazette: Fetterman rising in polls
Post-Gazette: Highmark forced to reduce rates by the state
Pittsburgh Business Times: PPG plans to increase cash spending

Southwest
Beaver County Times: Heroin epidemic must be addressed with legislation
Beaver County Times: Blackhawk school board member fights with township officer and athletic director
Beaver County Times: Eight-month sick leave for Ambridge superintendent
Observer-Reporter: Peters Township teachers meeting Saturday to discuss strike potential
Observer-Reporter: Smith Township answering to drug-response decorum

NEPA
Times Leader: Attorney seeks dismissal of charges placed on him
Times Leader: Legislative breakfast held in Wilkes Barre
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County will not face tax increases
Times-Tribune: Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit will not be paid if budget stalemate continues

South Central
Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle board approves $1.55 million for fiber optic cable system
Carlisle Sentinel: Use of heroin-overdose drug at all-time high in Lancaster County
Carlisle Sentinel: Candidates debate for job as commissioner
York Daily Record: York County lawmakers discuss budget impasse, school funding at luncheon
York Dispatch: York County judge candidate forum to be held next week

Lehigh Valley
Reading Eagle: Candidate for register won’t sign same-sex marriage docs
Reading Eagle: U.S. senator bemoans end of subsidized student loans
Morning Call: State giving funding to charter schools that saw money withheld by school districts
Morning Call: Pat Toomey raises $2 million for Senate re-election bid
Express Times: Lawsuit challenging Pennsylvania’s death penalty allowed to continue
WFMZ: Borough will not pursue ordinance for Northampton Generating Co.

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Casey urges passage of Ex-Im Bank’s reauthorization
Erie-Times News: League of Women Voters to present informational video on court system
Centre Daily Times: Benninghoff bill that prohibits ARD for sex offenders passes House
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Mayor: more cops needed

Opinion
Bucks County Courier Times: Losing relevance
Pottstown Mercury: George F. Will: Impeach Obama’s IRS director
Delco Daily Times: One last chance for Chester Upland
Inquirer: Best top cops are not insiders
Philly.com: Enough atoning, time for change
Carlisle Sentinel: Guzzardi: One thing Democratic debate ignored
Reading Eagle: Letter: Eliminate property tax

Blogs
Citified: Charles Ramsey’s Endless, Frustrating War Against Bad Cops
Citizens Call: McCarter Reports Back on State Budget Stalemate
Keystone Crossroads: The immigrants it once shut out bring new life to Pennsylvania town
PA Budget & Policy Center: Why the Budget Matters Way No. 3: Workforce Development funding
Lu-Lac Political Letter: The Grown Ups Take Their Turn