State Rep. Nick Miccarelli is accused of physical and sexual assault against two women, Patriot Majority PAC launches ads in the PA-18 special election, Cook shifts the special election, and Hartman announces she will run for the new 10th district.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

Miccarelli Accused of Sexual Misconduct: State Rep. Nick Miccarelli is reportedly accused by two women of assaulting them physically or sexually in separate incidents in the last six years.

Patriot Majority PAC Runs TV Ads Supporting Lamb: The Patriot Majority PAC is launching a TV ad supporting Democrat Conor Lamb in the special election in the old 18th Congressional district.

Cook Moves PA-18 Special Election to ‘Toss Up’: The Cook Political Report updated its rating for the special election in the 18th Congressional district from ‘lean Republican’ to ‘toss up.’

Hartman Switches to Run for New PA-10: Christina Hartman, who originally announced a run for the old 16th Congressional district, announced she will instead challenge Congressman Scott Perry in the new 10th Congressional district.

Legislative Election Update
Delco Times: Dem hopefuls in 5th District compete for attention
Tribune Review: Emergency physician seeks Democratic nod in 14th District
Beaver County Times: Democratic challengers to Rothfus agree on issues, differ on experience
LNP: Christina Hartman will run for Congress in new Harrisburg-based district, ending years-long bid in Lancaster

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Well-funded Democratic contender joins 10th Congressional race
State House Sound Bites: Toomey proposes moderate gun control, tangles with Trump
StateImpact: Environmental groups seek injunction to halt Mariner East 2 pipeline construction
StateImpact: Royalties: Why some strike it rich in the natural gas patch, and others strike out
Capitolwire: During DGS’ budget hearing, GOP House legislators hammer away at DGS Sec. Topper about ‘Farm Show’ borrowing.

Philadelphia
Philadelphia Business Journal: Pa. lawmakers rack up $3.5M in bills as redistricting battle rages on
Inquirer: U.S. Supreme Court asks for responses to GOP bid to block new Pa. congressional map
Inquirer: 2 top deputies better than 1 for Philly DA Larry Krasner
Inquirer: Gov. Wolf to announce Medicaid change aimed at opioid treatment
Inquirer: Trump backs Pat Toomey background-check bill, but accuses him of being ‘afraid of the NRA’
Inquirer: Rep. Nick Miccarelli accused of abusive behavior and sexual misconduct
Inquirer: Statement by Pa. Rep. Nick Miccarelli on abuse, misconduct claims
Inquirer: Mayor Kenney’s budget wish list: Higher property taxes, transfer fees to fund extra $1 billion for schools
Philly Voice: Report: Kenney seeks property tax hike for Philly schools
KYW: Toomey, Casey Signal Room For Compromise On Some New Gun Laws
WHYY: Democrats make their case to replace GOP U.S. Rep. Fitzpatrick in Bucks County

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Toomey, Fitzpatrick, Santarsiero call for tougher gun laws
Delco Times: Activists urge Delco to nix private-prison deal
Delco Times: Two women accuse state Rep. Nick Miccarelli of threats, forced sex
Bucks Local News: State Senate candidate Steve Santarsiero calls for ‘common sense’ laws to stop gun violence
Pottstown Mercury: Pennsylvania disputes claim 100k noncitizens registered to vote

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Governor to remove preauthorization requirement for some opioids treatment
Post-Gazette: ‘Because you’re afraid of the NRA’: Trump says Pat Toomey’s gun bill doesn’t go far enough
Post-Gazette: Supreme Court Justice Alito asks for responses to GOP bid to block new Pa. congressional map
Post-Gazette: More lawsuits flow against Mariner East construction
KDKA: Sens. Toomey, Manchin Discuss Gun Control With President Trump
Tribune Review: UPMC reports $1.3 billion profit, touts insurance growth

Southwest
Beaver County Times: Casey, Toomey agree on ‘no fly, no buy’ bill and little else on guns
Beaver County Times: Beaver County government ended 2017 with $4.7 million surplus
Altoona Mirror: Bedford County seeks bids for courthouse security work

NEPA
Times Leader: Toomey helps introduce proposal to keep guns from people barred from flying
Times Leader: Senators Toomey, Casey host call-ins on gun control
Times-Tribune: City council rejects marijuana decriminalization
Standard-Speaker: Council may lower realty transfer tax

South Central
Patriot News: Report: Delaware County state lawmaker accused of abusive behavior and sexual misconduct
Patriot News: Pa. lawmaker accused of abusive behavior and sexual misconduct called on to resign
Patriot News: Casey, Toomey take on guns; frame proposals along partisanship
Patriot News: Jury begins deliberations in case against Allentown mayor
Patriot News: Halfway through Pa. opioid emergency effort: progress made but more work needed
Patriot News: Harrisburg considering $2 million loan for street improvements
Patriot News: State university system can’t mandate criminal background checks for all faculty, Pa. court says
Patriot News: Are noncitizens voting in Pa. elections? Foundation sues the state in a bid to find out
Patriot News: Right-to-know in Pa.: The excuses made for not opening open records
Lebanon Daily News: Hunters beware: New disease management area spans Lebanon, Lancaster, Berks counties
LNP: 2 women accuse Pa. lawmaker of sexual or physical assault
LNP: Christina Hartman will run for Congress in new Harrisburg-based district, ending years-long bid in Lancaster
WHTM: Proposed ‘Blue Alert’ law may help protect police
WHTM: Fighting the Opioid Crisis: Update on opioid emergency declaration
Carlisle Sentinel: State lawmaker accused of assaults, including forced sex

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex ‘lease’ steams lawmakers
Morning Call: Donald Trump supports background checks, but lashes out at Pat Toomey, the top GOP proponent
Morning Call: Jury begins deliberating on Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski’s fate
Morning Call: What happens after jurors decide Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski’s fate?
Express Times: Gun control steps proposed by Lehigh Valley Republicans in Congress
Reading Eagle: Toomey, Trump spar during White House gun control meeting
Reading Eagle: Evergreen Community Power plant to close

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: This is how tech can help people battling addiction
Erie Times-News: Erie County asks state for $3.5M for community college
Erie Times-News: Pitt trustees vote to revamp Titusville campus

Opinion
Inquirer: Philly should look west for criminal justice reform ideas | Editorial
Inquirer: Democratic Party – and women themselves – to blame for why more women may not win in Pa. Congressional races
Inquirer: How Hurricane Maria is stressing Philadelphia | Editorial
Patriot News: This one phone conversation with Pat Toomey explains how hard it is to pass gun control
Patriot News: With this many choices and high-stakes issues, there’s never been a better time to be engaged in politics | Editorial
City & State: It’s time for probation reform in Pennsylvania
Tribune Review: Trib Thursday wrap: Pa.’s continuing congressional map drama
Tribune Review: Trib Thursday wrap: NRA’s misfire
Post-Gazette: A mess of memos: Amid the noise, justice process has been damaged
LNP: Arming teachers is a terrible and dangerous idea [opinion]