The PA GOP Challenges non-endorsed petitions of a non-endorsed candidate, and the Department of State sets the deadline for petition challenges.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

PA GOP Files Petition Challenges of Non-Endorsed Candidate: PoliticsPA has learned that the PA GOP is filing challenges to Judge Mary Murray’s nominating petitions.

Updated: State Dept: Petition Challenge Deadline Extended: The Department of State has set the deadline for file petition challenges of 5 p.m. March 15th for statewide offices.  For county races, the campaigns should contact the county Court of Common Pleas to find if the deadline is postponed further.

Statewide
StateImpact: DRBC says it’s still weighing gas drilling rules, but no decision on the horizon
StateImpact: DEP staffer behind contested mining permit had worked for coal company
StateImpact: Sunoco rejects township’s Mariner East complaint to PUC

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Trump’s allies melting away on wiretapping claims
Inquirer: GOP leaders acknowledge health bill changes, may delay vote
Inquirer: Silent two years, disgraced former Pa. Treasurer McCord finally testifies
Inquirer: Nutter overruled his inspector general to spare a key City Hall adviser
Inquirer: New Parking Authority director hires daughter’s roommate
Inquirer: In Philly, fateful decisions for primary elections, pulled from a coffee can
Daily News: Even the FOP’s candidate for Philly DA is kind of liberal

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Bristol Borough fire company gets free naloxone kits to save lives
Bucks County Courier Times: Hard work ahead for Bensalem school board to trim deficit
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County district judge facing primary challenge from retired police officer
Delco Times: Cop Shop: ‘Delco legend’ Dorman and others saluted by law-enforcement colleagues
Pottstown Mercury: Group seeks support to tackle Pa. gerrymandering

Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Comet: Bus Rapid Transit: Four Years Later, Does It Look More Tempting?
Tribune Review: Rep. Doyle to hold town hall meeting Saturday in Pittsburgh on health care
Post-Gazette: Some Pittsburgh mayoral candidates still not complying with finance reporting law, Ethics Board says
Post-Gazette: Ballot challenges filed in city council, district judge races
Post-Gazette: Former State Rep. Jesse White’s law license suspended
WESA: House Intelligence Chair Says He Doesn’t Believe Trump Tower Was Wiretapped

Southwest
Altoona Mirror: Residents submit liquor petition
Altoona Mirror: District to appraise Wolf tax assessment
Beaver County Times: Pennsylvania House Republicans offer package of bills targeting illegal immigration
Beaver County Times: State grant to fund Beaver County financial efficiency study
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Workshops for handicapped get reprieve from state
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria Township OKs GetGo bid for liquor license

NEPA
Citizens Voice: Wolf orders strengthened snow cleanup force to stay in NEPA
Standard-Speaker: Barletta asks Trump to keep SHINE funding
Times-Tribune: Scranton issues downtown parking ban
Times-Tribune: Toddler gets convoy escort to Geisinger
Times-Tribune: Scranton debt payoff frees up cash for more road paving
Times Leader: Casey details impacts of TrumpCare on PA seniors

South Central
Patriot News: PinnacleHealth’s planned purchase of Carlisle hospital viewed favorably in community
Patriot News: Businesses seek to stake claims in Pa. medical marijuana gold rush
Patriot News: McCord phone calls played in businessman’s trial on bribery charges
Patriot News: ID and proof of residency required for Pa. lawmaker town hall; constituents skeptical
Patriot News: Casey wants answers in Harrisburg hoverboard house fire investigation
Patriot News: Change in Carlisle Regional to nonprofit would cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars
Patriot News: Trump breaks promises to seniors with GOP health bill, Bob Casey says
Patriot News: CIA tip prompts Harrisburg man’s arrest after death threat against Dauphin County judge
Patriot News: Harrisburg community policing coordinator removed from position after marijuana arrest
York Daily Record: Incumbent DJ’s nominating petitions challenged
York Daily Record: ICE hails nearly 200 immigration arrests in Pa. region
York Dispatch: U.S. court ruling could spur Pa. gerrymandering challenge
York Dispatch: Can public fervor create political will?
Lancaster Intelligencer: City Council tables lead ordinance to await Lancaster landlords’ ideas
Lancaster Intelligencer: Talkie tech: Lancaster man helps engineer toy featured on ‘Shark Tank’
Lancaster Intelligencer: School taxes could go up in 2017-18 in your area, but by how much?

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Legal challenges aim to get Allentown mayoral candidates Garcia and Pez knocked off ballot
Morning Call:  Here’s where medical marijuana businesses could go in Bethlehem
Morning Call: Toomey, Dent talk to Trump officials on health care
Reading Eagle: New era for undocumented immigrants in Berks County
Reading Eagle: Berks police chiefs differ on what to do about undocumented immigrants
Reading Eagle: Alsace Township man, a state constable, seeking post as district justice
Reading Eagle: Former member wants to return to Reading School Board
Express Times: New law could protect fast-acting school bus drivers

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Sen. Corman won’t challenge Gov. Wolf in 2018
Williamsport Sun Gazette: New reading curriculum proposed at Jersey Shore
Erie Times-News: Petition challenges could keep 5 Erie School Board candidates off ballot
Erie Times-News: Carl Anderson announces candidacy for Erie County Council
Erie Times-News: Pennsylvania government owes Erie students fair shake: Sen. Dan Laughlin
Erie Times-News: Schools plan focuses on Erie’s Central Tech
Erie Times-News: Erie School District to pursue fair-funding lawsuit
Erie Times-News: Erie City Council OK’s rental inspection contract extension
Erie Times-News: 3 City Council candidates introduced
Erie Times-News: Bizzarro sponsors event for unclaimed property
Erie Times-News: Erie planners OK long-range transportation plan
Erie Times-News: Millcreek OKs zoning for medical marijuana

Opinion
Bucks County Courier Times: Letting more sunshine in
Tribune Review: Sunshine Week: Transparency trampled
Altoona Mirror: Lesson in past PSU priorities
Delco Times: Editorial: GOP health care plan would be unhealthy for many
Patriot News: Now, more than ever, we need increased government transparency – not less: Editorial
Patriot News: These are the two things Pa’s state-owned universities must do to survive: Colin McNickle
Inquirer: Inquirer Editorial: North Philly voters should put their needs above party loyalty