Several Democratic presidential hopefuls visited Pittsburgh over the weekend to participate in a public education forum. Here is the Playbook. 

December 13th Ups & Downs: Swing District Democrats find themselves in a tricky situation, a GOP candidate for Congress attempts to throw a party with a member of the Proud Boys, and a District Attorney receives good and bad press. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

Harrisburg & DC   
Post-Gazette: Democrat presidential candidates grapple with education issues in Pittsburgh forum
Post-Gazette: Bloomberg’s deep pockets powering his message in Pa., other battleground states
Post-Gazette: ‘There’s really no comparison’: In polarized Washington, Trump impeachment vote has little precedent
AP: Panel’s proposal to end grand jury reports draws opposition
The Hill: Democrats push to flip legislative chambers in at least seven states in 2020: report
The Hill: GOP senator argues that USMCA is a ‘complete capitulation to Pelosi’
Morning Call: Here’s how Pennsylvanians on the House Judiciary panel voted on Trump impeachment
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘If Trump’s abuse of power … isn’t impeachable, nothing is’: Pa’s Scanlon says as Judiciary Committee votes to impeach Trump
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: In Pittsburgh, 2020 Dems put the focus on public education
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Warren brings her 2020 campaign to Pennsylvania 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: The Top 10 Pa. cities — that aren’t Philly and Pittsburgh — where the 2020 Dems have to campaign | Analysis
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: 7 years and 180 school shootings later, anti-gun violence advocates honor Sandy Hook victims
WITF: Suit filed in Pa. court challenges widely used electronic voting machine
PLSReporter: Legislators, residents seek solutions on stormwater
PLSReporter: Did You Get The Memo? Changes to the Sales and Use Tax, concealed carry limitations and live streaming government meetings
PLSReporter: 5 bills to watch for the week of December 16
StateImpactPA: Ever hear of a nurdle? The western Pa. ethane cracker could bring this new form of pollution to the Ohio River
Wall Street Journal: Ryan, Boehner, Gingrich Team Up to Defend GOP Power in States 
City Paper: Pennsylvania gets a “D-” grade for economic development transparency
Inquirer: Pa. weed facility stinks like ‘20 skunks’ and drives neighbors to flee its Poconos hamlet
Inquirer: ‘Not disposable people’: Patients on ventilators caught in the middle as nursing homes bleed money
National Journal: Third Democrat Enters Race to Challenge Kelly
National Journal: Biden Beefs Up His Digital Team
Fox News: Rep. Guy Reschenthaler says Adam Schiff should be ashamed of his handling of impeachment inquiry
Fox News: Pennsylvania veteran who lost leg in Afghanistan running for Congress against incumbent Dem

Philadelphia 
KYW Newsradio: Movita Johnson-Harrell resigns; City election officials ask for delay in special election to replace her
KYW Newsradio: Trump attends Army-Navy Game, discusses new rule regarding academy athletes going pro
KYW Newsradio: Citywide “gun giveback” campaign takes over a dozen guns off the streets
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia provides an option to students missing school lunch over the winter break
Billy Penn: Dems in Philly are lining up to run for state office in 2020
Philadelphia Citizen: That’s a Wrap: What bills passed—and didn’t—in City Council’s final session of the year 
Philadelphia Citizen: Solutions? We Heard Them 
Inquirer: `Outraged’ by officer promotions, State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams urges Philly’s top cop to rescind them
Inquirer: Democratic groups are going door-to-door while their 2020 candidates are distracted by the primary
Inquirer: The final days of Pond Lehocky Stern Giordano? A war is raging within the Philly law firm.
Inquirer: Breastfeeding Philly police officers don’t have time, space, or privacy to pump, lawsuit says
Inquirer: Politics left aside at 120th Army-Navy game
Philadelphia Tribune: With Johhnson-Harrell’s exit, candidates lining up to take over vacated state Rep. seat
Philadelphia Tribune: City Council passes tax abatement reforms; Kenney expected to sign
Philadelphia Tribune: Council finally passes bag ban bill
Philadelphia Tribune: Kenney quiet about police commissioner appointment as year draws to a close
Philadelphia Magazine: The One and Only “Notorious RBG” Is Coming to Philly Next Week
Philadelphia Business Journal: Pond Lehocky removes David Stern from partnership, changes name

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: Dem Reps. Scanlon, Dean explain vote for impeachment articles
Delco Daily Times: Dems, GOP clash over details of Delco budget plan
Delco Daily Times: Keffer readies transition team in Upper Darby
Delco Daily Times: Aldan OKs budget, holds line on taxes
Daily Local News: Danese to challenge Friel-Otten in 155th
Daily Local News: Houlahan takes aim at lowering prescription drug prices
Daily Local News: Chester County awarded $2M for rail freight improvement projects
Bucks Courier Times: Unrivaled team of investigative reporters to hold the powerful to account in Pa. capital
Bucks Courier Times: Warrington honors Shirley Yannich for service, transparency
Bucks Courier Times: Controversy over Neshaminy nickname lingers
WHYY Newsworks: Arrests near Mariner East pipeline just latest incident of intimidation, witnesses say
Pottstown Mercury: Exeter adopts $12M budget that holds real estate tax
Montgomery Media: Lower Salford eliminates street light, fire hydrant taxes

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: ‘This isn’t your parents’ Democratic Party’: Pending Allegheny County GOP ad hits Dems on liberal policies
Post-Gazette: Democrat presidential candidates grapple with education issues in Pittsburgh forum
Post-Gazette: Sanders rides the bus Downtown with UPMC worker, talks ‘quote unquote nonprofits’ in Uptown cafe
Post-Gazette: ‘There’s really no comparison’: In polarized Washington, Trump impeachment vote has little precedent
Post-Gazette: Council honors outgoing member
KDKA: ‘The Standard Is The Standard’ Rep. Conor Lamb Reinforces His Impeachment Vote On Facebook
KDKA: Public Education Forum Attracts Seven Democratic Presidential Candidates To Pittsburgh
KDKA: Public Education Forum In Pittsburgh A Chance For Democratic President Candidates To Share Views On Key Topics
KDKA: Pro Charter School Rally Outside Public Education Forum
KDKA: Newspaper Guild Distributes Flyers About Byline Strike Outside Convention Center
KDKA: KDKA Exclusive: Butler County Attorney Charged For Smuggling Drug-Soaked Paper For Allegheny County Jail Inmates Will Fight Charges 
KDKA: ‘People’s Lives Are Literally On The Line’: Deadline To Enroll In Affordable Care Act Approaches 
Tribune Review: Public school funding a hot topic for Democratic candidates at Pittsburgh forum
City Paper: Ranking the things people cheered for at Pittsburgh’s presidential forum

SWPA 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Joyce hosts drug czar at roundtable
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: From Bondage to Freedom | Lawmaker proposes reparations for state mistreatment of black community
Altoona Mirror: Impeachment looms
Beaver County Times: Christiana guides county GOP past Facebook controversy to tighten hold on county row offices
Beaver County Times: Attorney general announces settlement with travel websites after data breach
Beaver County Times: Democratic presidential candidates talk education reform in Pittsburgh
Observer-Reporter: Canonsburg approves 2020 CDBG funds
Observer-Reporter: Canonsburg residents unhappy with County Hauling 

NEPA
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Council chairmanship up for grabs
The Times Leader: Legislators looking to lower prescription costs, improve health care
The Times Leader: Luzerne County election director salary questioned during budget vote
The Times Leader: More LSA applications on the way for Wilkes-Barre City Council approval
Citizens Voice: Waitkus reflects on her time on county council 
Citizens Voice: Shooting prompts changes at county’s district courts
Times-Tribune: RODERICK RANDOM: Commissioners race about Joyce more than juice
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County’s cost to convert former Globe store differs depending on whom you ask

South Central 
Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle approves 2020 budget: Tax rate remains the same; increase in water, sewer and trash rates
Patriot News: ‘We don’t believe in punishment’: Student-led youth court could come to Harrisburg school
Patriot News: President Trump returns to Pa. Saturday to watch Army-Navy game
LNP | LancasterOnline: How much have Lancaster County taxpayers put up to settle lawsuits in recent years?

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: Sabotage at City Hall? Employees are ‘told not to work’ with incoming Reading mayor ‘or they will lose their jobs’
Reading Eagle: Mayor Wally Scott fined a second time by Reading’s Charter Board
Morning Call: Lawsuit seeks to halt reuse of Northampton County voting machines in 2020
Morning Call: Bethlehem planners delay recommendations on short-term lodging changes 

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Kelly says no to impeachment 
Erie Times-News: Erie City Council rejects water lease prepayment for 2020 budget
Erie Times-News: Voices for dignity: A look at poverty in Erie
Erie Times-News: How Erie-area legislators voted, week ending Dec. 13
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lawmakers’ proposals go before Congress
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Justice Department orders review of City Hall access
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: City approves agreement to create stormwater authority

Opinion  
Inquirer Editorial Board: We asked City Council members to share their priorities for the last session of 2019. Here’s how they turned out.
Inquirer Editorial Board: Recovery system that profits off misery needs rehab 
Inquirer Editorial Board: Productive fall in City Hall, but plenty left to do
Inquirer Staff: What should happen to the South Philly refinery site? Community voices weigh in. 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Say no to air guns: Don’t let kids shoot their eyes out
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Safety and security: Social services and security need not be mutually exclusive
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A responsibility shortage: Life skills classroom must be properly equipped
Larry Krasner: Philly DA Krasner: Gutted Pa. House probation bill is unconstitutional and harmful
John L. Micek: In 2017, 3 Pa. Supreme Court races cost nearly $3m – they were among the nation’s costliest | Friday Morning Coffee
Ray Landis: Pennsylvania is about to be hit by a gray tidal wave of aging residents. We’re not ready for them
Paul Muschick: I was wrong. Paper ballots like Lehigh County’s are the way to go
Tim Hartman: The lesser known tale of the Governor’s New Clothes | Editorial Cartoon
David Gambacorta: Jim Kenney is about to shape Philly police for years to come. Will he make the right call? 
Bill Rettew: Small Talk: Politics is local
Bill O’Boyle: Beyond the Byline: Elected officials should have welcomed new Wilkes president
Keith C. Burris: Where are the guardians?
David M. Shribman: America cares about politics again
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Philly’s Larry Krasner v. DC’s Donald Trump
John N. Mitchell: Allen calls Philly Urban League diversity award to Comcast ‘despicable’ 
Helen Ubiñas: At the heart of a Christmas party for the children of Philadelphia murder victims, a wish for an end to gun violence 
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Philadelphia City Council bags the bags and abates the abatement
Cathryn Miller-Wilson: Trump administration’s immigration fees would hurt immigrants in Philly and nationwide 
Will Bunch: Trump’s Senate trial is rigged, but a Watergate hero has an idea for saving impeachment 
Ruth Ann Dailey: Quiet voices
Michael Traugott: How to know which impeachment polls to believe – and which to skip | Analysis
Anisha Parida: To fight fake news, schools must teach media literacy