Sabato’s Crystal Ball rates Pennsylvania as a Toss-Up for the general election in their most recent ratings, while former Congressman Charlie Dent tests positive for COVID-19. Here is the Playbook. 

Sabato’s Crystal Ball: PA Remains A Toss-Up for General Election: Pennsylvania is the state with the highest amount of electoral votes placed in the toss-up column for the general election.

Dent Tests Positive for COVID-19: The former Lehigh Valley GOP Congressman announced on Facebook on Monday that he has experienced “mercifully mild” symptoms of coronavirus.

American Bridge Expands Digital Ad Campaign in PA: American Bridge, which describes itself as “the largest research, video tracking, and rapid response organization in Democratic politics,” launched digital ads in Pennsylvania attacking President Donald Trump over his response to COVID-19. The five figure ad buy is aimed at targeting “potential Trump defectors and swing voters.” 

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: 78 more virus deaths set new single-day high in Pennsylvania 
AP: Prosecutors urge lawmakers to help decide on freeing inmates 
Spotlight PA: Pennsylvania plans to release racial data on coronavirus cases, but faces collection challenges
Spotlight PA: Limited tech forces thousands of Pa. state workers to still report for work, despite their offices being closed
6 ABC: Joe Biden discusses Trump phone call, surprising consequences of COVID-19 outbreak 
Morning Call: Campaigning amid coronavirus: Joe Biden rallies Pennsylvania union workers from his basement
Morning Call: Amid finger-pointing, Republican-controlled House approves measure to create task force that would guide state comeback from coronavirus crisis
Morning Call: When should Pennsylvanians expect their coronavirus relief payments to arrive? 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: The latest on COVID-19 in Pa.: 14,559 confirmed cases in all 67 counties
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. senator apologizes after saying he likes online voting sessions because he can ‘stare daggers’ at female colleague
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Responding to Capital-Star story, Pa. lawmaker calls for investigation of Erie nursing home
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Help wanted: First Lady Frances Wolf says volunteerism is ‘essential’ in COVID-19 fight
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: COVID-19 in Pa.: Wolf, lawmakers struggle for common ground on pandemic relief
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Levine: More COVID-19 deaths expected even if new cases slow
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: DelCo House hopeful: People have ‘asked me how dare I be a Black woman and be a Republican?’ | 2020 Women Speak Up
Post-Gazette: Trump campaign going all digital as it contacts voters in Pennsylvania 
PLSReporter: State lawmakers spar over legislature’s coronavirus response
PLSReporter: Lawmakers approve bill allowing local governments more flexibility, remote voting during pandemic
PLSReporter: COVID-19 by the numbers: A statewide look at the coronavirus in Pa.
KYW Newsradio: Federal judge releases more immigrants detained in ICE facilities in Pennsylvania 
Patriot News: Pa. House readies legislation for a vote to reopen businesses  
Patriot News: Troopers won’t just warn violators about Gov. Wolf’s coronavirus stay-at-home order forever, PSP official says
StateImpactPA: DEP, CNX agree to $180K stream restoration to resolve sedimentation violations
PA Post: Fluid spills at Lycoming County gas well pad result in fines for contractor
Tribune Review: Excela medical officer, Sen. Casey to take part in coronavirus ‘tele-town hall’ 
Tribune Review: $25K bonuses, other resources for Pa. essential workers could be on the way 
WESA: Biden Praises Unions, Denounces Trump, In Address To State AFL-CIO
CNN: A Bloomberg-backed gun-control group launches online effort to register 100,000 young voters
CNN: Covid-19 death rate rises in counties with high air pollution, study says

Philadelphia 
6 ABC: Joe Biden discusses Trump phone call, surprising consequences of COVID-19 outbreak 
WHYY Newsworks: Coronavirus update: Philadelphia will write new budget due to economic impact of pandemic
WHYY Newsworks: Workers pulled from South Philly casino site after alleged breach of CDC safety regulations
WHYY Newsworks: Loss of FEMA funds is behind Friday closure of 2 local drive-through test sites
WHYY Newsworks: SEPTA to close stations, dramatically reduce service as coronavirus death toll rises
Inquirer: Coronavirus death numbers reach new highs; city warns of ‘painful cuts.’ But curves might be flattening
Inquirer: Philly Mayor Jim Kenney warns coronavirus could mean ‘painful’ cuts to city budget and services
Inquirer: Philly ordered a half-million masks to protect first responders and hospitals from coronavirus. They never arrived.
Inquirer: Philadelphia’s economy was on an upswing. Then the coronavirus hit.
Inquirer: How you may be able to get tested for the coronavirus in the Philadelphia area
Inquirer: Masks ordered to protect Philly’s first responders still haven’t arrived | Coronavirus Newsletter
Inquirer: SEPTA is beginning a ‘lifeline’ schedule, closing stations and limiting service Thursday
Billy Penn: Philly’s pandemic politics: Zoom town halls, coronavirus policies and comforting lonely people 
Billy Penn: Updated guide to coronavirus in Philly: Testing, schools, shopping, transit, unemployment and more
Billy Penn: Rumors fly in Kensington about coronavirus ‘immunity’ and early jail releases
Philadelphia Tribune: April 7 coronavirus update: Outbreak blows up mayor’s budget for 2021
Philadelphia Tribune: April 7 coronavirus update: Outbreak blows up mayor’s budget for 2021
Philadelphia Tribune: Coronavirus crisis sparks increase in domestic violence in Philadelphia
Philadelphia Magazine: Philly Coronavirus News: Grocery Store Workers Need Masks, Runners Need a New Place to Run
KYW Newsradio: Kenney promises revised budget by May 1 in response to coronavirus impact
KYW Newsradio: Villanova teams up with Philadelphia-area hospitals to build low-cost emergency ventilators
Philly Voice: Three SEPTA workers die after testing positive for the coronavirus, union says
Philadelphia Business Journal: Report: Philadelphia’s economy grew last year, but 2020 could tell a much different story

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: Scanlon questions Postmaster General on safety gear for postal workers 
Delco Daily Times: REPLAY: Delaware County Council and others talked about coronavirus Tuesday afternoon
Daily Local News: 78 more virus deaths set new single-day high in Pennsylvania 
Daily Local News: 5 coronavirus cases confirmed at Limerick nuclear plant; 38 employees quarantined
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County reports 4 more deaths, 104 new coronavirus cases
Bucks County Courier Times: Coronavirus: Federal funding cut closes Montgomery testing site 
KYW Newsradio: Montco officials take another look at forecasted peak of outbreak; Coronavirus antibody tests will be given in Delco
Montgomery Media: Montco reports 160 new coronavirus cases; death toll rises to 32

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: Region’s infection pace slower than state’s 
Post-Gazette: Calling for COVID-19 investigation, Reschenthaler moves to block U.S. funding to WHO 
Post-Gazette: Third parties call for ballot access relief 
Post-Gazette: City Council meetings to now be ‘pre-recorded and replayed’ as chambers remain closed 
Post-Gazette: PODCAST: Western Pa. political campaigns navigate a suddenly empty trail 
Post-Gazette: Consultant says candidates can still connect with voters during virus outbreak 
WESA: Council Extends Coronavirus Emergency Declaration In Meeting Some Say Is Too Distanced From Citizens 
WESA: PA Small Town Mayors Join Call For National Medical Equipment Czar 
WESA: Federal Court Hears Contrasting Assessments Of County Jail’s Approach To Coronavirus
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Announces 2 More Coronavirus-Related Deaths, Cases Climb To 689 
KDKA: Judge: Death Penalty On Table For Alleged Tree Of Life Shooter Robert Bowers 
KDKA: Coronavirus In Allegheny County: Patients With Autoimmune Diseases Are Running Out Of Hydroxychloroquine
Pittsburgh Current: ‘In way over their heads’: Allegheny Co. jail wasn’t prepared for COVID-19, employees say
Tribune Review: 2 more people die of coronavirus in Allegheny County as total cases climb to 689 
Tribune Review: Allegheny County Council passes real estate fee, recommends more inmate releases 
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh region jobless steady at 4.6% before business shutdowns 
City Paper: Rep. Mike Doyle picks up Sierra Club endorsement, but his challenger says he never received a questionnaire 
City Paper: Allegheny County Council reappointed a Jail Oversight Board member who didn’t attend meetings for four years
Pittsburgh Business Times: State asked to allow nurse anesthetists to do more to help in crisis

SWPA 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria County logs first COVID-19 death; not treated here, hospitals say
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: House bills target Wolf’s business waivers 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: ‘Counting’ on residents: Somerset census response lagging, county officials say; Cambria above national average 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: State prison inmates make masks, soap, disinfectant 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Online ordering not allowed for people with food stamps
Observer-Reporter: Washington County government seeks voluntary lay-offs
Observer-Reporter: COVID-19 death toll rises in Pennsylvania, Allegheny County
Observer-Reporter: Pa. prisoners working 12-hour shifts to make PPE amid coronavirus
Post-Gazette: Coroner says Beaver County COVID-19 deaths now at 13
Altoona Mirror: Local virus cases stagnate 
Altoona Mirror: Cambria reports COVID-19 death

NEPA
The Times Leader: Luzerne County cases continue to rise; total at 982, 8 deaths 
The Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre Mayor Brown urges residents to stay at home during critical period of pandemic
The Times Leader: Luzerne County releases ages of three latest coronavirus death victims 
The Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre City Hall workers assist with mask repair 
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Retirement Board briefed on pension fund status amid coronavirus shakeup 
Times-Tribune: Before COVID-19, regional unemployment was improving 
Times-Tribune: Coronavirus death toll rises sharply across the state 
Times-Tribune: Plans in place in case coronavirus affects Scranton’s public safety workers 
Times-Tribune: Scranton’s Act 47 coordinator recommends city raise property taxes 
Times-Tribune: COVID-19 – Complete Coverage
Citizens Voice: 3 more COVID-19 deaths reported in county 
Citizens Voice: Pa. Senate approves emergency measures for local governments  

South Central 
Patriot News: Pa. House readies legislation for a vote to reopen businesses 
Patriot News: Pennsylvanians may get more time to pay their municipal and county property tax bills 
Patriot News:  More than 200 York County employees to be temporarily furloughed
Patriot News: Harrisburg School District providing laptops to high school students during school closures 
York Dispatch: State senator hopeful stay-at-home order citation will be dropped 
York Dispatch: York County sees 2nd virus-related death, details remain unknown 
York Dispatch: York County to furlough nearly 300 employees amid coronavirus fallout
York Dispatch: Federal judge orders release of 22 more ICE detainees, 13 in York County Prison
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 78 new deaths reported in Pa.; COVID-19 now present in all counties of the state
Carlisle Sentinel: Tracking COVID-19: Charts detail the course of coronavirus in Cumberland County
LNP | LancasterOnline: Wednesday’s COVID-19 updates: Pa. up to 14,559 cases; 22 Lancaster County residents have died 
LNP | LancasterOnline: With 22 dead in Lancaster County, COVID-19 death rate is Pa.’s fifth highest 
York Daily Record: York County to furlough nearly 300 employees because of the coronavirus 
York Daily Record: Judge orders release of 22 more immigrants in Pa. detention due to coronavirus risk 
York Daily Record: Coronavirus updates: Pa. has almost 15K cases, sees biggest one-day jump in deaths
Lebanon Daily News: Mayor refuses to close police department after officer tests positive for coronavirus

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: Berks election director concerned about coronavirus’ impact on primary
Reading Eagle: Berks County coroner reports 2 more coronavirus deaths of Berks residents 
Reading Eagle: Berks County commissioners will resume public meetings without the public
Reading Eagle: State Senate passes legislation to extend municipal tax deadline; bill heads to House 
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus updates: State sees huge surge in deaths, with 78 more reported Tuesday
Morning Call: Allentown tapes off park pavilions after people continue congregating beneath them 
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus update: 78 new deaths, 4 of them in Lehigh Valley; COVID-19 confirmed in all 67 counties (4/7/20) 
Express Times: Northampton County closes off parks due to coronavirus, will reopen ‘as soon as it is safe’ 
Express Times: 6 takeaways from Easton’s 1st weekly virtual town hall in coronavirus era 

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Coronavirus: Erie-area updates, Wednesday, April 8 
Erie Times-News: City of Erie closes its public golf courses 
Erie Times-News: City of Erie tennis courts closed
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Responding to Capital-Star story, Pa. lawmaker calls for investigation of Erie nursing home
Centre Daily Times: Centre County sees largest single-day increase of COVID-19 cases; Pa. at 14,559 total cases
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: City street projects temporarily on hold 

Opinion  
Frank Burns: End U.S. reliance on foreign supply chains
John L. Micek: With the COVID-19 surge coming, is it finally time to expand practice rights for nurse practitioners? | Tuesday Morning Coffee
Matthew Trifan: The toughest task for doctors treating coronavirus? Breaking bad news to families | Expert Opinion 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: What is essential?: State needs clear criteria for business waivers 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Putin for life?: Russian president’s move isn’t good for democratic hopes
Zach Shamberg: Here’s how Wolf, lawmakers can help our nursing home heroes
Abdul-Aliy Muhammad: Coronavirus, like past pandemics, shows how black bodies are political 
Larry Eichel and Jason Hachadorian: Will coronavirus pandemic reverse Philly’s progress?  
Wayne Campbell: COVID-19 in Pa.: State lawmakers must expand broadband access for all
Fletcher McClellan: When the floodgates opened: The politics of COVID-19 relief 
Will Bunch: In Tuesday’s Wisconsin primary, Republicans will literally kill you to win an election 
Chris Kelly: The first of many bitter pills
Dacia Pajé: As an Italian in Philly, I didn’t want the U.S. to repeat my country’s mistakes 
Tony Norman: Who are you going to believe — POTUS or an actual expert?
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Philadelphia sculptures conscripted to fight coronavirus
Jenice Armstrong: Pastor welcomes worshippers into church despite coronavirus and that needs to stop 
Trudy Rubin: Coronavirus lessons: How South Korea got face masks for everyone and Germany kept death rate down 
Michael Useem: We Are All In Charge
Gene Therapy: Best COVID-19 advice so far? Don’t be stupid.