Wolf pushes the deadline for candidates to remove themselves from the ballot, Berringer drops out of the LG primary taking shots at her former opponents, and Saccone concedes the 18th Congressional district race to Lamb.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

Wolf Pushes Deadline to Withdraw From Primary Election: After Wednesday’s snow storm closed the state Capitol Complex, Governor Tom Wolf pushed the deadline for candidates to withdraw from the primary election ballot.

Berringer Exits LG Race, Blames Money in Politics: Democratic Lieutenant Governor Candidate Aryanna Berringer is exiting the race, blaming money the amount of money required to run for office.

Saccone Concedes to Lamb in Special Election: Republican Rick Saccone conceded the 18th Congressional district special election to Democrat Conor Lamb in a phone call Wednesday.

Legislative Election Update
Tribune Review: Fayette psychologist seeks Democratic nod for Congress in 14th District
Beaver County Times: U.S. Rep.-elect Conor Lamb easily wins Beaver County Democratic Committee primary endorsement
Beaver County Times: Democrat Alex Andres drops bid for 15th Legislative District seat

Statewide
StateImpact: Report: Severance tax proposal could cost mineral owners millions
StateImpact: Groups oppose another coal mining permit in Greene County state park
StateImpact: StateImpact Pennsylvania invites public to forum in Towanda on natural gas royalties
City & State: Seven domestic violence bills advance through PA Senate

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Philadelphia’s population increased, but it’s not all good, according to Census data
Inquirer: Trump, Biden clash as Democrats hope ex-VP can win back working-class voters, maybe White House
Inquirer: Banking on city cash, Philly school district introduces $3.2B budget
Inquirer: Mayor Kenney refuses to say how much taxpayers spent on Eagles parade | Clout
Inquirer: Aryanna Berringer quits Pa. race for LG, blasts rivals, money in politics
Philly Mag: “I’m Terrified”: Life on the Front Lines of the Sunoco Pipeline
Philly Mag: Philly’s Population Continues to Rise (Ever So Slightly)
Philly Mag: Here’s who’s running for congress in the Philadelphia area
WHYY: Trump national security adviser H.R. McMaster to resign, be replaced by John Bolton
WHYY: Philly schools present new, sunnier budget projections

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Federal budget includes $10M for PFAS health study, $85M for cleanup
Pottstown Mercury: President Trump, former VP Biden exchange fighting words
Daily Local : Killion’s domestic violence bill earns bipartisan votes
Daily Local: Chesco Mayor’s Association backs bill giving radar to municipal police
The Intelligencer: Bucks towns receive more than $20 million from gas tax revenue
Delco Times: Several GOP candidates eye run for Miccarelli’s seat

Pittsburgh
WPXI: State offers free credit monitoring to teachers
WESA: GOP Chief Justice Slams Republican Judicial Impeachment Move
Tribune Review: Ohio Democrats look to Pennsylvania, Conor Lamb for election roadmap
Tribune Review: Scott Wagner, Republican candidate for governor, stumps at Armstrong’s GOP dinner
Post-Gazette: Aryanna Berringer quits Pa. race for lieutenant governor; blasts rivals, money in politics
Post-Gazette: GOP chief justice slams Republican judicial impeachment move
Post-Gazette: Is Biden campaigning for president already? He sure sounds like it
Post-Gazette: Western Pa.’s House delegation divided on $1.3 trillion spending bill

Southwest
WJAC: Prominent Johnstown businessman, county official dies
Beaver County Times: State announces second phase of medical marijuana process
Beaver County Times: Census: Beaver, Lawrence counties continue to see population dip
Altoona Mirror: Candidates vow to support farmers

NEPA
Standard Speaker: Mayor looking to fill admin positions
Standard Speaker: Rep accused of threatening Toohil won’t seek re-election
Citizens Voice: Council plans to postpone vote on new Hollenback fees
Citizens Voice: W-B native selected acting state police commissioner
Times-Tribune: Commissioners accept bike study grant, Cummings says “no”

South Central
Patriot News: Gov. Wolf names Evanchick acting commissioner of the state police
Patriot News: Pa. attorney general calls on House to reject judicial impeachment resolutions
Patriot News: State rep accused of sexual assault would benefit financially from serving out rest of his term
Patriot News: Gov. Wolf names Evanchick acting commissioner of the state police
Patriot News: Harrisburg’s finances OK for now, trouble looming without some changes: financial-condition report
Patriot News: Pa. Supreme Court chief justice sees impeachment resolutions as ‘attack upon an independent judiciary’
Carlisle Sentinel: Wolf taps 36-year state police vet to be acting commissioner
LNP: Lancaster County population on pace to reach 550,000 in 2 years
LNP: 2nd round of medical marijuana permits could bring more options for Lancaster County residents

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: What does the $1.3 trillion spending bill speeding through Congress mean for Pennsylvania?
Morning Call: Ban on fentanyl critical in the fight against opioid crisis
Morning Call: Allentown School District $28 million in the hole for 2018-19
Reading Eagle: Pennsylvania to issue 13 more permits for medical marijuana growers, 23 for dispensaries
Reading Eagle: Berks representatives on the omnibus spending bill

North by Northwest
Meadville Tribune: Senate passes gun control measure among domestic violence bills
Erie Times-News: Gannon cuts jobs but university ‘healthy,’ president says
Erie Times-News: Laughlin has plans for Presque Isle’s breakwaters, sand

Opinion
Erie Times-News: Our view: Pa. has new weapon in opioid fight
Inquirer: Riverfronts bringing new life and energy to Philadelphia | Editorial
Tribune Review: Colin McNickle: The PWSA, the PUC & shifting blame
Post-Gazette: Map of confusion: Pa. Supreme Court overreached, but it’s now law
Post-Gazette: The smear of Finn: Sleazy attack on principled candidate won’t stand
Patriot News: Another day, another scare tactic: Wagner hits Wolf over undocumented immigrants voting
LNP: Impeaching justices for acting on state’s congressional map would be one more blot on Pennsylvania’s record