A Democrat announced his candidacy for the state House’s 182nd District. Here is the Playbook. 

Prominent LGBTQ Advocate Declares Candidacy for Sims House Seat: Jonathan Lovitz announced his candidacy on Monday for the state House seat currently held by Brian Sims as the incumbent State Rep. pursues a bid for Lt. Governor.

PA Politicians React to Chauvin Trial Verdict: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports on “how Pennsylvania’s state and federal elected officials reacted to the verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin who was found guilty on three counts of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd.”

Torsella Back on PSERS Board: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that former state Treasurer Joe Torsella was approved in a unanimous vote by the state Senate to rejoin the board that oversees Pennsylvania’s Public School Employees Retirement System.

Washington Post: Cops vs. Krasner: A fight over criminal justice reform in Philadelphia: The Washington Post’s David Weigel reports on Philadelphia District Attorney Larry’s Krasner’s Democratic primary against challenger Carlos Vega. 

Inky: 153 ex-prosecutors slammed DA Larry Krasner in a letter. The Innocence Project took aim at his challenger, Carlos Vega.: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that 153 former prosecutors penned a letter urging voters to oust Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, while The Innocence Project said Carlos Vega “has misstated his role in the retrial of an innocent man.” 

Morning Call: Should Allentown stop recognizing English as its official language? City voters may be asked to weigh in: The Allentown Morning Call reports that Allentown City Council President Julio Guridy and Vice President Cynthia Mota will introduce a proposed referendum question on Wednesday for the November general election ballot asking “whether a provision in the city’s Home Rule Charter designating English as the city’s official language should be deleted.”

Marijuana-Legalization Supporters Rally at Pa. State Capitol: PennLive reports that more than 100 people gathered at the state capitol on Tuesday to rally in support of the legalization of marijuana in Pennsylvania. 

Tribune-Review: Trio of Pa. bills addresses gaps in drug rehabilitation process: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports on several bills that were unanimously passed on Tuesday that are “aimed at ensuring that friends and family of people struggling with addiction issues are kept “in the loop,” so to speak.”

Bush to highlight in-person JES Global Summit in November: The Erie Times-News reports that former President George W. Bush will be the featured speaker at the Jefferson Educational Society’s 13th Global Summit speaker series at Erie’s Bayfront Convention Center in Erie.  

West Chester Mayoral Candidates Discuss Police Diversity: The Daily Local News reports that “diversification and management of police took center stage” at Sunday’s virtual hour-long mayoral forum, which was organized by the West Chester Alliance for Social Justice. 

Indivisible Bucks County Endorses Mark Lomax for Sheriff: The Bucks Local News reports that Indivisible Bucks County has endorsed Democratic candidate Mark Lomax for Bucks County Sheriff. 

WFMZ: Proposal in Reading calls for paying the homeless to clean up streets, beautify the city: WFMZ reports that there is a “bold new proposal” in Reading that “calls for paying the homeless to clean up the streets and beautify the city,” that has the support of several key groups. 

Morning Call To Host Allentown City Council Candidate Forum Thursday: The Allentown Morning Call will be hosting and moderating an Allentown City Council candidate forum on Facebook on Thursday evening, starting at 7 p.m. The Morning Call reports that nine Democrats and one Republican are vying for four open seats on the seven-member council. 

Beaver County Times Provides List of Primary Candidates for Beaver County: The Beaver County Times provides a list of all of the May 18 primary races in Beaver County.  

Wolf Orders Flags at Half-Staff in Honor of Walter Mondale: PennLive reports that Gov. Tom Wolf ordered that all United States and Commonwealth flags on the Capitol Complex and Commonwealth facilities throughout the state be lowered to half-staff to honor former Vice President Walter Mondale.  

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Pennsylvania plans to send vaccine to more providers
Inquirer: PSERS names new overseer and moves aside its chief investment officer 
Morning Call: Pennsylvania Republicans ramp up focus on proposals to limit governor’s disaster declaration powers: ‘A way to restore balance’
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Torsella back on PSERS board amid internal and external investigations
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Here’s how Pa. politicians reacted to the Chauvin trial verdict
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. teachers to pay more in retirement contributions as pension fund backtracks on faulty investment data
Washington Post: The Trailer: Cops vs. Krasner: A fight over criminal justice reform in Philadelphia
Patriot News: Marijuana-legalization supporters rally at Pa. state Capitol
Patriot News: ‘Moment of justice’: Pa. lawmakers and leaders react to Derek Chauvin guilty verdict
Patriot News: For civil rights fighters, Derek Chauvin guilty verdict delivers a measure of justice
Patriot News: PSERS revises investment returns and, in turn, will increase teacher pension contributions
Patriot News: Wolf orders flags at half-staff in honor of Walter Mondale
Patriot News: Pa. lawmakers identifying ways to kickstart Pa.’s economic recovery
Patriot News: COVID-19 update: Pa. nears 3 million fully vaccinated
Patriot News: 55 Pa. counties have substantial spread of COVID-19, positive test rate rises slightly 
New York Times: How Much Sway Does the N.R.A. Still Have?
Tribune Review: Trio of Pa. bills addresses gaps in drug rehabilitation process
KDKA: Pennsylvania Roadway Deaths Rose 6% In 2020 Despite 20% Drop In Traffic
PLSReporter: GOP senators urge ‘yes’ vote on proposal to overhaul disaster powers
PLSReporter: Lawmakers, advocates rally around cannabis legislation on 4/20
PLSReporter: ‘Get out of the way’: House GOP cites new business report as reason to roll back restrictions, taxes and regulations

Philadelphia 
Billy Penn: ‘It’s not enough’: Philly leaders react to Chauvin murder verdict, express hope for more accountability 
Billy Penn: Make space, don’t sugarcoat, empower pride: How to talk to your kids about the Chauvin verdict 
Billy Penn: Map: Mail ballot drop boxes are open for the May primary election in Philly
Inquirer: 153 ex-prosecutors slammed DA Larry Krasner in a letter. The Innocence Project took aim at his challenger, Carlos Vega.
Inquirer: Relief, calm, and a sense that ‘justice was served’ as Philadelphia watches Chauvin’s guilty verdict 
Inquirer: ‘The challenge to come’: Vaccinations are open, but demand is down, turning Pa. and Philly’s focus to fighting hesitancy 
Inquirer: Philly won’t yet ease restrictions as COVID-19 numbers continue to rise; Delaware quietly experiencing a surge of new cases 
WHYY Newsworks: 100 Philly companies — including Comcast and Wawa — vow to diversify supply chains 
WHYY Newsworks: ‘This is a landmark case’: Philly area processes guilty verdict in the murder of George Floyd
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. coronavirus update: Philly cases jump, despite vaccine eligibility
Philadelphia Business Journal: What Philadelphia-area leaders are saying about the Chauvin guilty verdict 
Philadelphia Business Journal: Most of Philadelphia’s largest law firms see 2020 revenue rise despite pandemic 
Philadelphia Business Journal: Philadelphia health chief delays decision on relaxing Covid restrictions
KYW Newsradio: ‘One step closer toward justice’: Full statements from Mayor Kenney, Commissioner Outlaw on Chauvin verdict
KYW Newsradio: Feelings range between hope and resignation in Center City after Chauvin verdict
KYW Newsradio: ‘A victory for us’: Calm gladness in West Philadelphia after Chauvin verdict
KYW Newsradio: Expanded push to get Philadelphians vaccinated for COVID-19  
Philadelphia Citizen: Vote To Win 

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Chauvin verdict: Bucks NAACP grateful, calls for reform
Bucks County Courier Times: Black leaders: No time for complacency after Floyd verdict
Bucks County Courier Times: Doylestown Borough OKs relaxed marijuana penalty 
Bucks Local News: Indivisible Bucks County endorses Mark Lomax for sheriff
Bucks Local News: Bucks County vaccination numbers continue to climb despite J & J pause
Delco Daily Times: ‘Cheers’ reported at 69th Street after guilty verdict in Floyd killing
Delco Daily Times: Upper Darby mayor urges calm in the wake of George Floyd verdict
Daily Local News: Police diversity major topic at mayoral forum
Daily Local News: Mooney named to Chester County Workforce Development Board
Daily Local News: Authorities say crime drops significantly in Chester County during pandemic
Montgomery Media: Leaders, advocates pledge support for victims’ rights and Marsy’s Law
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County reports 621 new coronavirus cases over three days

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: Fitzgerald to state lawmakers: Allegheny County needs help with elections expenses
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh region reacts to the Derek Chauvin guilty verdict 
Post-Gazette: Equity in energy transition gets spotlight on Capitol Hill ahead of Biden climate summit
Post-Gazette: P-G EXCLUSIVE | How an oligarch and his money left a trail of dangerous factory conditions, injured steelworkers
Post-Gazette: COVID-19 Update: Pa. hospitalizations increasing, but not near winter peak
Tribune Review: Allegheny County executive asks Harrisburg for funding, flexibility for elections
Tribune Review: Pittsburghers express relief, ‘jubilation’ after Chauvin conviction
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania, Westmoreland County see most reported covid deaths in months 
KDKA: Pittsburgh And Pennsylvania Figures React To Derek Chauvin Guilty Verdict
KDKA: Black Political Leaders In Pittsburgh Express Relief For Derek Chauvin Conviction
KDKA: Demand For The COVID-19 Vaccine Slows Dramatically In The Pittsburgh Region
KDKA: Developers Go Before City Planning Commission To Discuss First Project For Former Civic Arena Site Redevelopment
KDKA: Pittsburghers Gather At Freedom Corner After Jury Finds Derek Chauvin Guilty In Murder Of George Floyd
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Launches New Air Quality Dashboard 
KDKA: City Of Pittsburgh To Add Hundreds Of Miles Of New Bike Lanes To Existing Network
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 389 New Coronavirus Cases, Increasing County Total To 94,501
Pittsburgh Business Times: What Pittsburgh-area leaders are saying about the Chauvin guilty verdict
City Paper: Pittsburgh Police seeking hundreds of sponge rounds, smoke grenades, and other less-lethal weapons
WESA: Pittsburgh Planning Commission Commends And Questions Plans For The Lower Hill
WESA: Dozens Gather At Freedom Corner As Jury Finds Chauvin Guilty On All Three Charges

SWPA 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: House begins to move anti-human trafficking bills
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Proponents say Pa. will lose out on jobs and tax revenue when N.Y., N.J. legalize pot
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria, Somerset, Blair add COVID-19 deaths, case average dips
Tribune Review: Trio of Pa. bills addresses gaps in drug rehabilitation process
Tribune Review: Primary ballots could hit Westmoreland mailboxes this weekend
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania, Westmoreland County see most reported covid deaths in months
Beaver County Times: Southwest PA reacts to George Floyd murder trial verdict
Beaver County Times: Beaver County primary candidates released
Beaver County Times: Allegheny County candidates

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Rep. Mullins among group calling for increase to minimum wage
Times-Tribune: Mayor declares emergency to secure third-party IT services for Scranton
Times-Tribune: For one day, regional COVID-19 spread looks better than state
The Times Leader: Casey, Garrity, Baker announce PA ABLE’s $50M asset milestone
The Times Leader: Putting Luzerne County’s latest coronavirus figures in perspective
The Times Leader: 120 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County on Monday; 4 deaths
Citizens Voice: 120 new COVID-19 cases reported in Luzerne County

South Central 
Patriot News: Harrisburg-area activists hope this is ‘the beginning of justice,’ but say there is more work to do
Patriot News: Chauvin’s guilty verdict met with satisfaction, and lots of relief, in Harrisburg’s Allison Hill
LNP | LancasterOnline: Local politicians weigh in on guilty verdict in trial of ex-cop Derek Chauvin in George Floyd’s death
LNP | LancasterOnline: Manheim Twp. man charged in Capitol riot should remain jailed pending trial despite health problems: prosecutors 
LNP | LancasterOnline: More than 100 people in Lancaster County currently hospitalized due to COVID-19
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 74 new cases of COVID-19 for Cumberland County Tuesday 
York Daily Record: Live updates: Reaction in Pennsylvania following verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial
York Daily Record: York reacts, evaluates guilty verdicts for Derek Chauvin in death of George Floyd
York Daily Record: ‘Our history is being stepped all over’: Friends of Lebanon Cemetery seek Fetterman’s support
York Dispatch: Council vote: Historic York City building will be demolished 
York Dispatch: Townships, fearing rate hikes, consider leaving York City wastewater system
York Dispatch: Tuesday update: 161 new COVID-19 cases in York County 

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: Reading-Berks Association of Realtors endorses candidates for May primary
Reading Eagle: Reading again looks at updating its aggressive panhandling ordinance
Reading Eagle: Walk-up COVID vaccine clinic coming to downtown Reading
Reading Eagle: Berks County new COVID cases up by 255 as another vaccinations record set
WFMZ: Reaction from around the country pours in after guilty verdict in Derek Chauvin trial
WFMZ: Proposal in Reading calls for paying the homeless to clean up streets, beautify the city
WFMZ: Gov. Wolf announces funding for homelessness assistance in the Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Should Allentown stop recognizing English as its official language? City voters may be asked to weigh in
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: Southeast region becoming new hot spot as Northeast moderates
Morning Call: Lehigh Valley activists react to Derek Chauvin’s conviction for killing George Floyd: ‘We still have a long way to go’
Express Times: Marijuana-legalization supporters rally at Pa. state Capitol (PHOTOS)
Express Times: Nike deal will bring hundreds of jobs to warehouse in Bethlehem, mayor says
Express Times: Traffic deaths up in 2020 despite the pandemic emptying roads, PennDOT says
Express Times: COVID in Pa.: 25% of state fully vaccinated; 4,577 new cases, 79 more deaths; Lehigh Valley over 70K total cases | Pa. COVID vaccine map (04/20/21)

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Bush to highlight in-person JES Global Summit in November
Erie Times-News: Erie reacts to George Floyd murder trial verdict
Erie Times-News: Illegal dumping up across Pa. during pandemic
Centre Daily Times: Centre Daily Times plans to sell building, search for new headquarters in Centre County
Centre Daily Times: April 20 update: Centre County reports 35 new COVID-19 cases, tops 100,000 vaccinations
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: River Valley Transit took in $64.7 million in state transportation grants in last decade
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: PASSHE tuition will not increase
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Transparency by government officials critical during and after pandemic
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Billions spent on coronavirus fight, but what happens next?

Opinion  
Dan Frankel, Kathy Rapp and Torren Ecker: Noncompete provisions harm patients, workers and Pennsylvania
Chris Woods: To help workers, residents, Pa. needs to boost nursing home staffing ratios
Michael Bailey: The Pa. Corrections Department shouldn’t renew its contract with Smart Communications. This is why
Jennifer Smith: There is help for people suffering addictions in Pennsylvania
Malcolm Jenkins and Natasha Cloud: For Philly to trust police, new oversight proposal must pass
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Reapportionment Commission should choose chair from anti-gerrymandering group
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Treasury Secretary Yellen’s corporate tax plan could halt war on Middle America
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Guilty verdict in Chauvin trial moves us a step toward justice, but more work needs to be done
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Loneliness is a health crisis. We need to address it.
Carmen E. Daugherty: Racism and lack of oversight plague Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system
John L. Micek: Pa. House, Senate bills would update state’s outdated definition of marriage | Tuesday Morning Coffee
Tauhid Chappell: To truly celebrate 4/20 we must legalize cannabis for adult use in Pennsylvania 
Paul Muschick: Pennsylvania volunteer firefighters need help during COVID-19. Here’s an easy fix for their funding dilemma. 
Brian D. Grundusky: Pennsylvania nursing homes must have more state funding to cope with COVID-19 
Michele Kilpatrick: We can’t arrest our way out of Philly’s gun violence crisis 
Jenice Armstrong: Yes, celebrate Derek Chauvin’s conviction, but we’re not done. Not by a long shot 
Kenny Boecker: Carbon dioxide emission tax makes economic and environmental sense 
Richard Kaplan: RGGI and the Role of DEP
Algernong Allen: 3 ways Philly should use stimulus dollars to create jobs
Jemille Q. Duncan: Ideas We Should Steal: Laws We Can Actually Understand
Will Bunch Newsletter: 45 million guns later, a U.S. shooting spree 
Elizabeth Wellington: The Derek Chauvin verdict is in. These are the lessons of this painful year, and where to go from here.