Check out our April Fools’ Day stories plus the Ups & Downs! Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

4/2 Ups & Downs: The President picks his favorites, Trump loses favor and we celebrate April Fools. See who made this week’s list!

Sunday Show Preview: April 3, 2016: We take a look at the Sunday morning political talk shows that will air throughout the state.

April Fools’ Stories

Trump Announces Lancaster Event: The New York businessman made the announcement on conservative talk radio station WHP-AM during a Friday morning interview.

Wolf Vetoes Birthday Card: “For months I have negotiated with Amber in an effort to encourage her to responsibly fund her college savings account. Instead, she chose to fill the gap with short-term gimmicks like Christmas money and occasional babysitting.”

Cohen Demands Apple Unlock his iPhone: The State Representative has been attempting to access the phone since early February.

Sanders Campaign Unveils Strategy to Win PA, Work with GOP Congress: How the Democratic presidential hopeful intends to beat Hillary Clinton in a state she won in 2008.

Kenney Under Fire for Proposed Cheez Whiz Tax: Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney is over his proposal to tax Cheez Whiz, a processed, cheese-based sauce popular among the city’s tourists and drunks.

Legislative Elections Update

SD-5: The Association of Pennsylvania State Colleges & University Faculties endorsed State Sen. John Sabatina.

“I’m thrilled to have the APSCUF endorsement,” he stated. “They represent much of Pennsylvania higher education faculty and their endorsement further proves my commitment to high quality education.”

The 5th district represents Northeast Philadelphia.

HD-15: Incumbent State Rep. James J. Christiana III is facing two potential Democratic challengers, Dennis Nichols and Michael Rossi.

The 15th district consists of parts of Beaver and Washington Counties.

Statewide
Pennsylvania Watchdog: Philadelphia charter directory simplifies school choice
StateImpactPA: Philly’s energy hub: A renaissance for the Delaware Valley or a pipe dream?
State House Sound Bites: Cruz addresses PA conservatives
State House Sound Bites: Kasich swings through central PA

Philadelphia
Philadelphia Business Journal: Defense Dept. taps Drexel, PhillyU, Temple & Jeff for $317M national research institute
Philadelphia Business Journal: DNC in Phila.: Dedicated website launched for media, city nearing 10K volunteer goal
KYW Newsradio: Kenney Administration Delays Commissioners Appointments In Three Key Departments; Candidate Search Continues
WHYY Newsworks: Philly continues press to get people to file for Earned Income Tax Credit
WHYY Newsworks: Targeted safety efforts cut Philly fire death toll to all-time low
Inquirer: Harrisburg GOP begins budget strategizing
Inquirer: Attytood: Pa. GOP wants state churning out poorly educated worker drones
Heard in the Hall: Kenney jokes that he gets a nose job
The Big Tent: Sarah Palin bombs in Wisconsin pitch for Donald Trump
CapitolInq: Lindy Li drops out of Chesco congressional race

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: Democracy Spring stops in Chester
Bucks County Courier Times: Police in three more municipalities to start carrying Narcan
Bucks County Courier Times: Bernie Sanders campaign opens Doylestown headquarters
Daily Local News: Li out in 6th Congressional District race
Pottstown Mercury: Schools wrestle with opting out of Common Core

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh oversight agency found to have destroyed financial records
Tribune Review: With prospect of divided convention, unbound Pa. delegates have shot at deciding nominee
Tribune Review: Cruz courting Pa. GOP delegates to head off Trump train wreck
Tribune Review: Hillary Clinton to hold Pittsburgh rally April 6
Post-Gazette: Sen. Casey pushes for drug treatment funding at Washington, Pa. visit
Post-Gazette: Castor says he barely knew Kane before she made him aide
Post-Gazette: Incumbent, two others seek 15th House District seat
Early Returns: Pa. House fast-tracking a bill to tighten abortion measures
Pittsburgh Business Journal: Congressional Steel Caucus wants further action to protect industry

Southwest
Beaver County Times: Bartolotta hosts “Coffee with Camera” in Hopewell on Thursday
Beaver County Times: Allegheny County nonprofit secures grant to manage RSVP program in Beaver County
Beaver County Times: Beaver county workers protest new contract delays
Observer Reporter: Pennsylvania Senate candidates: Where the Democrats stand
Altoona Mirror: Aging Tyrone buildings repurposed
Johnstown Tribune Democrat: Experts divided on impact of Canon Law in Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown child sexual abuse scandal

NEPA
Times Tribune: Three Democrats eye 112th House seat
Times Tribune: Republican contest in 111th looks to fill longtime GOP seat
Citizens Voice: Unaffiliated voters can weigh in on referendum
Standard Speaker: Age limit of judges on the ballot
Pocono Record: County school districts, social service agency to hold suicide awareness seminars

South Central
Patriot News: ‘We will abolish the IRS’: Ted Cruz wins crowd in Camp Hill
Patriot News: ‘Go back to Ohio’: Kasich faces tough crowd in Camp  Hill
Patriot News: Medical marijuana in Pa. heads toward another crucial vote
Patriot News: Hillary Clinton to campaign in Pa. next week
Carlisle Sentinel: Pa. Senate candidates: Where the Democrats stand
Carlisle Sentinel: State of Carlisle to address opiate epidemic

Lehigh Valley
Capitol Ideas: Spending on Pa. Senate race among highest nationally
Morning Call: Senator: 2 dead in train-backhoe crash were Amtrak workers
Morning Call: Katie McGinty is eager to get down to business
Morning Call: Democrat Lindy Li withdraws from congressional race

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Local Dems discuss today’s political climate
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Interim director pays city visit for town hall meeting
Williamsport Sun Gazette: State code gives board deadline on vacant seat

Opinion
Morning Call: Can John Kasich or Ted Cruz beat Donald Trump in Pennsylvania
Patriot News: Environmental issues often hit home in Pa.
Erie Times-News: Focus on jobs for people with disabilities
Williamsport Sun Gazette: This Pennsylvania Primary matters; Will voters respond?
Tribune Review: Open Government: Turn on this light
Tribune Review: Primary 2016: In one sentence
Post-Gazette: Liquor taxation in Pennsylvania is clearly unfair
Post-Gazette: Pulling Pittsburgh into the future
Inquirer: Muroff is best in Democratic race to replace Fattah
Inquirer: ‘Johnny Doc’s’ drones are his air farce
Bucks County Courier Times: Justice a casualty in war on drugs

Blogs
Citified: 5 Things to Know About Pew’s “State of the City” Report
2 Political Junkies: The Tribune-Review’s Colin McNickle – Climate Science Denier – Deceives His Readers. Again.
LuLac Political Letter: Trump Trailer Stuck in Pittston
PA Budget and Policy Center: FAQs about the $75 million cut in state funding to schools in the 2015-2016 Republican budget