Former Congressman Joe Sestak ended his presidential campaign, while a third Republican joins the race for the 7th Congressional District. Here is the Playbook. 

Sestak Ends Presidential Bid: The former Delaware County Congressman ended his presidential campaign on Sunday evening.

Liberal Groups Tag-Team Fitzpatrick and Perry In Truck Billboard Campaign: Need to Impeach and Move On have sent truck billboards to eight House Republicans over Thanksgiving Recess, includings Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Scott Perry, urging them to “do their job” and “hold President Donald Trump accountable” over impeachment.

Connolly Launches Bid For PA7: The former race car driver, who is the third Republican to join the race against Rep. Susan Wild (D-Lehigh), said that Trump’s presidency is saving the country.

Luzerne County Democratic Party Chair John Pekarovsky Resigns, Kathy Bozinski To Take Over: Pekarovsky, who also serves as Treasurer for Citizens for Yudichak, said it was a very difficult decision to step down as Chair of the local party.

Cartwright Says He’s Undecided on Impeachment: During an interview on Fox News, Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Lackawanna) said that he is “undecided” on whether or not to vote for impeachment, adding that he is keeping an “open mind.”  

Philly Southwest Coalition to Endorse Nina Ahmad for Auditor General: Nina Ahmad, former Deputy Mayor of Philadelphia and one time Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor, who is seeking the Democratic Party nomination for Auditor General announced in a campaign release on Sunday afternoon that she will be formally receiving the endorsements of state Sen. Tony Williams, state Reps. Jordan Harris and Joanna McClinton, plus Philadelphia City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson Monday morning. 

Legislative Election Update: 

HD-87: State Rep. Greg Rothman (R-Cumberland) announced in a video that he will be seeking reelection in 2020. Rothman, first elected to the state House in 2015, cruised in his two most reelection bids. 

Harrisburg & DC   
Delco Daily Times: Ex-Delco Congressman Sestak ends bid for Dem presidential nomination
AP: Pennsylvania’s sexual abuse laws leave survivors conflicted
AP: Pennsylvania increases tobacco purchasing age from 18 to 21
AP: Wolf nominates engineer to be next transportation secretary
AP: Law signed to allow Pennsylvania hunting 3 Sundays per year
AP: Personal finance courses get a boost in Pennsylvania schools
AP: Pennsylvania creates criminal offense of sexual extortion
AP: Pennsylvania passes ‘purple paint’ law to warn trespassers
AP: Pennsylvania boosts aid for clean water near military bases
Patriot News: Shopping for health insurance? Be wary of being led into ‘junk plans,’ Sen. Bob Casey Jr. says
Patriot News: Sunday hunting law hailed as ‘huge win’ by hunters while those less thrilled hope to see strict trespassing enforcement
Patriot News: Pa. raises minimum age to buy tobacco to 21, starting July 1
Patriot News: Gov. Tom Wolf signs Sunday hunting bill
Patriot News: Gov. Tom Wolf nominates Yassmin Gramian to serve as PennDOT secretary
Patriot News: In polls we trust? Do you believe the latest polls predicting the 2020 election? | Battleground Pa. podcast
Patriot News: Gov. Tom Wolf’s pledge helped Cheyney U. keep its accreditation; lawmakers say promise was made ‘in secret’
Patriot News: Purple paint markings will soon mean no trespassing in Pa.
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Can you pay for infrastructure repairs without raising state taxes? In new plan, House GOP says ‘Yes.’
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Trump impeachment: Pa. lawmakers skipped many closed-door impeachment proceedings | Analysis
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf signs bills raising tobacco purchase age to 21, allowing Sunday hunting
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa’s Casey, Scanlon and Wild join Dems defying Devos over student loan forgiveness
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Criminal sentences are down in PA, and three more takeaways from an annual report
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Amid opposition from physicians, Wolf signs bill tightening opioid prescription rules 
Fox News: Rep. Matt Cartwright says he didn’t run for office to impeach Trump, insists he’s keeping an open mind
New York Times: A Pennsylvania County’s Election Day Nightmare Underscores Voting Machine Concerns
WITF: Pa. is a step closer to starting a state-based health insurance exchange 
WITF: Mental health groups push to restore $84 million in annual funding
WESA: Natural Gas Drilling Can Fracture Political Alliances On Both Sides Of The Aisle 
Post-Gazette: Pa. lawmakers pitch bill to criminalize school bullying
Post-Gazette: Sunday hunting legalized in Pennsylvania as Gov. Wolf signs controversial bill
Post-Gazette: Objection raised to tobacco purchase age exception
StateImpactPA: Philadelphia’s report on refinery site: A cleaner use, while desirable, isn’t likely in the short term
StateImpactPA: After the Murray Energy bankruptcy, what’s the future of coal?
Inquirer: Penn State and Pa.’s public colleges are among the nation’s costliest — and are surprisingly empty | Debt Valley
Inquirer: Robert Godshall, Pennsylvania lawmaker who served for 36 years, 86
Inquirer: Pennsylvania changed a law suspending driver’s licenses, but it won’t help thousands still banned from the road
Inquirer: Most voters in both parties support increasing food stamps for those in poverty, poll finds
PA Post: Pa. Insurance Department warns against robocalls claiming to sell health insurance during Affordable Care Act open enrollment
PA Post: Pennsylvania’s lowest-wage workers may have a raise coming — or not
Post-Gazette: GI Bill payments to veterans were botched last year. The VA says it’s ‘ready to roll’ this time. 
The Hill: Pennsylvania bill would require burials, cremation for fetal remains after abortion, miscarriage 
The Hill: The Memo: Trump faces uphill 2020 climb 
The Hill: Ex-GOP lawmaker: Former colleagues privately say they’re ‘disgusted and exhausted’ by Trump
Beaver County Times: Casey asks Trump administration to change Agent Orange policy affecting veterans’ health benefits 
Daily Local News: Report highlights Pa. transportation challenges
Stateline.org: Redefining homelessness could help families on the edge, advocates say 

Philadelphia 
Philly Clout: Want to sell Trump merchandise at the mall? Better get some Bernie Sanders shirts, too.
Philly Clout: Nick Foles beat Carson Wentz in a Philadelphia election landslide. But Gritty beat them both.
Inquirer: Philadelphia’s controversial 10-year tax abatement soon could change for the first time. Here’s what you need to know.
Inquirer: Philadelphia has one more chance to finally ban plastic bags this year
Inquirer: An undocumented immigrant marked two years in sanctuary in a Philadelphia church by starting a weekly fast 
Inquirer: Philadelphia lobbyists keep making last-minute changes to bills, and reform advocates feel ‘set up’
Inquirer: Thousands of Philadelphia homeowners are appealing higher tax bills on their properties
Inquirer: A new group thinks Amazon is ‘too big to govern’ and wants to lead the resistance
Inquirer: Most voters in both parties support increasing food stamps for those in poverty, poll finds
Inquirer: Where ‘Giuliani’ is its own punch line: Inside the writers’ room at Philly’s 1812 Productions
Philadelphia Tribune: Locked up for being poor, Philly’s Maurice Hudson is free
Philadelphia Magazine: How the City Could Influence the Future of the PES Refinery Site
KYW Newsradio: Kenney signs domestic workers bill of rights to protect most vulnerable 
KYW Newsradio: Outgoing integrity officer: Philly government more honest than people think  
KYW Newsradio: African American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ and DE has a new leader
KYW Newsradio: With the recent spike in violence, Philadelphia officials monitor trauma in cops 
KYW Newsradio: Local activists come together for gun violence summit, buyback event
KYW Newsradio: Mother in sanctuary fasting weekly to protest deportation order 
Billy Penn: 10 best episodes from the news podcast Philadelphians should be listening to

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: Ex-Delco Congressman Sestak ends bid for Dem presidential nomination
Delco Daily Times: Delco council picks three citizens for new Jail Oversight Board
Delco Daily Times: GOP, Dems squeak out tight wins in official election results
Delco Daily Times: Chester gets federal housing voucher boost 
Montgomery Media: Former State Rep. Bob Godshall remembered for work to help others
Bucks Courier Times: Mensch energy infrastructure bill goes to House
Bucks Courier Times: Sources: White House, CDC in dispute over crucial study on toxic PFAS chemicals  
Daily Local News: Demonstrators shut down pipeline construction
Daily Local News: Hundreds pay tribute to retiring Chesco sheriff at surprise gala
Inquirer: Robert Godshall, Pennsylvania lawmaker who served for 36 years, 86
Inquirer: Delco Council finalizes new prison board with appointment of three citizen members
Inquirer: Abington School District got $25 million from Stephen Schwarzman. It’s still enduring the fallout.
Inquirer: After historic victories, new Democratic DAs prepare to take reins in Delaware, Chester Counties
Bucks Local News: Yardley Borough Council interviews four candidates for vacancy
Bucks Local News: Newtown Borough Council approves preliminary budget with increase in fire tax fund

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: Progressive activist challenges longtime incumbent Readshaw in 36th District
Post-Gazette: Western Pa. Democrats divided on Buttigieg’s chances to take state back from Trump
Post-Gazette: Mayor looks to slash ‘Gordian knot’ of city property sales
Post-Gazette: Pa. lawmakers pitch bill to criminalize school bullying
Post-Gazette: Sunday hunting legalized in Pennsylvania as Gov. Wolf signs controversial bill
Post-Gazette: Objection raised to tobacco purchase age exception
Post-Gazette: City residents can comment on schools’ ‘ham-handed’ budget proposal
WESA: Natural Gas Drilling Can Fracture Political Alliances On Both Sides Of The Aisle
Pittsburgh Business Times: The Plastics Debate Heats Up: Both sides are mobilizing their supporters to lay out the pros and cons 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Which school districts pay their teachers the most and least?
Tribune Review: Resolution passed to support effort against gerrymandering in Hampton Township

SWPA 
Altoona Mirror: Blair County DA sets retirement
Altoona Mirror: Blair DA Consiglio retiring April `1 
Altoona Mirror: Burns sets open house
Altoona Mirror: Sewer mandates befuddle municipalities
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Blair County district attorney announces retirement
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria County plans to hold line on taxes 
Beaver County Times: Giving thanks: Center Township food pantry receives donation from pipeline company
Observer-Reporter: October jobless rates jump in Washington, Greene counties
Observer-Reporter: Food bank gets $100K state grant to pare down energy bill
Observer-Reporter: No increase in property taxes proposed in North Strabane
Observer-Reporter: Former Washington County DA part of suit in former client’s alleged fraud scheme 

NEPA
The Times Leader: Bozinski has ‘big tent’ vision for Luzerne County Democrats
The Times Leader: Luzerne County receiving revenue from reverse tax appeal
The Times Leader: State surveying veterans on transition to civilian employment 
The Times Leader: Gov. Wolf to nominate Yassmin Gramian to serve as Secretary of PennDOT
Citizens Voice: Cartwright bill to reauthorize trust fund that turns mine wastes into viable land
Citizens Voice: County tax hike likely; officials still looking for expenses to cut
Citizens Voice: Luzerne County budget summary
Citizens Voice: Contacting county leaders about the 2020 budget
Times-Tribune: Cartwright bill to reauthorize trust fund that turns mine wastes into viable land
Times-Tribune: New Scranton Controller promises thoroughness
Times-Tribune: Attorney Robert W. Munley Jr. dies at 89; his legal career and charity outside the courtroom inspired many

South Central 
Patriot News: Rep. Greg Rothman to seek re-election to the state House of Representatives
Patriot News: New Pa. law seeks to address Election Day snafus with new voting system that frustrated York Countians
Patriot News: Christmas tree’s arrival in Rotunda marks ‘the official start of the holiday season’ in the Pa. Capitol
York Daily Record: Judge rules Sandra Thompson is not in contempt of court
York Daily Record: Three voting groups that could greatly impact the 2020 election 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County taxpayers won’t see a tax hike — for the seventh year in a row, commissioners say 
Carlisle Sentinel: Snyder named deputy chief clerk by Cumberland County commissioners
Carlisle Sentinel: Osten named as Cumberland County’s director of veterans affairs

Lehigh Valley     
Morning Call: School property tax options ready for review by Pennsylvania lawmakers
Morning Call: ‘Catch me if you can’: Lehigh Valley schools enforce residency with students
Morning Call: By the numbers: Waging war on the opioid epidemic in the Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Opioid crisis in the Lehigh Valley: Fewer overdose deaths, an uptick in alcohol and meth, wave of infectious diseases on the horizon 
Reading Eagle: Mayor Wally Scott’s suit against board unethical, Reading Charter Board says 
Reading Eagle: Reading medical marijuana dispensary must wait for new school board before it can open
Reading Eagle: Superintendents’ forum: State needs to change law on funding charter schools
Reading Eagle: Most Berks Countians to see 6% decrease in UGI natural gas rates 

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Budget includes $200,000 for possible Erie community college legal expenses
Erie Times-News: Erie Parking Authority, city could finalize revenue deal in December
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Bill addressing stream cleaning moves from committee
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Insurance process streamlined for healthcare workers

Opinion  
LNP Editorial Board: Our judges shouldn’t be appointed in the dark by politicians 
York Dispatch Editorial Board: Abortion foes on downward spiral
Inquirer Editorial Board: Grand jury reports have proven to be a tool for justice in Pennsylvania — ask the Catholic Church
Inquirer Editorial Board: Police commissioner search process leaves Philadelphians in the dark
Inquirer Editorial Board: Philly’s rise is still a tale of two cities
Inquirer Editorial Board: Shopping for deals — and meaning — on Black Friday
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Protecting our protectors: Govt. must study health effects of military service
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Steps toward safety: City should pursue robust traffic calming program
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Boosting buses: Pittsburgh needs expanded mass transit
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Supply and demand: Enjoy comfortable oil prices while they last
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Act be­fore time runs out: 10 mil­lion pen­sion­ers are at risk
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Distracted driving: Ban hand-held phone use while driving
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Open their eyes: Vision care can transform student performance
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: In lieu of a cure: Healthy lifestyles may help prevent mental decline
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Day of gratitude: Take today to find some common ground
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: The beat goes on: The stethoscope remains effective and meaningful 
Bucks Courier Times Editorial: Happy Thanksgiving, Native Americans. Neshaminy can keep saying ‘Redskins’
Tom Charley: Philly-style tax could impact Western Pa.
Reps. Andy Biggs & Scott Perry: Impeachment inquiry shows deep state continues to undermine Trump
Ed Rendell: ‘The one time I was wrong’
Albert Eisenberg: By reaching across the aisle, Gov. Wolf has shown that Harrisburg can get things done 
John Baer: Tis the season to (really) think about how we elect our presidents 
Marc LeBlond: Pa. teachers have it wrong: Turzai’s Harrisburg vouchers bill will help kids
Maegan Llerena: How attacks on Pennsylvania immigrants are an attack on all working people
Rory Fleming: I survived childhood bullying. These Pa. House and Senate bills criminalizing it are not not the answer. | Perspective
Will Bunch: A Pa. big-city mayor took a bold, radical stand on climate change. (It wasn’t Philly’s … not yet, anyway.) 
Jerry James: From rust to robust: Appalachia’s shale region is reshaping American energy
Emily Schmid: ‘It could have been me’: Why we need to reform solitary confinement in Pennsylvania
David M. Shribman: The road to New Hampshire
Ruth Ann Dailey: The riches of Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette Commentary: The dilemma of a broken wheelchair on a rainy morning  
William K. Marimow: How SEPTA won me back after years of car commuting | Perspective
Tim Hartman: It’s December, time for that COLA and a smile | Editorial Cartoon
John L. Micek: More white Americans still support the death penalty. There’s an unpleasant reason for that| Friday Morning Coffee
John L. Micek: JFK’s Thanksgiving wish: That we’re ‘humbly grateful’ for what brings us together
John L. Micek: Trump opened an Apple plant? Here’s what’s rotten at the core of that claim 
Kevin Riordan: Supervised injection sites are enabling, but necessary | Perspective
Christine Flowers: Trump was right to stand up for Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher 
Mark O’Keefe: What’s behind McConnell’s support for coal miners’ pension bailout? Political self-preservation, most likely 
Lauren D’Auria: Instead of making me straight, joining a church convinced me to come out | Perspective
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Thanksgiving peacekeepers
Jim Friedlich: Giving thanks for local journalism 
Will Bunch: In America, the law is the law* (*if you’re poor, undocumented or nonwhite) 
Trudy Rubin: Why U.S.-China military tensions over future of Taiwan could rise
Jenice Armstrong: Enjoy family at Thanksgiving but have tough conversations too
Brendon Jobs: Ibram X. Kendi’s ‘How to Be an Antiracist’ made me, a black educator, change my definition of racism | Perspective
Talia Stinson: How 9/11 ended my political apathy | Perspective
Elena Gooray: In the season of family fights, 8 locals share how they changed their minds and found resolution | Perspective
Mike Newall: When I quit drinking beer, gardening and cooking filled the hours — and then remade me 
Constance Garcia-Barrio: My mother finally approved of me — on her deathbed | Perspective
The Angry Grammarian: Finally, something to like about Trump: His handwriting 
Andrew J. Hoffman: Some pro tips on bridging the political divide at the holiday dinner table
Kate Concannon: With AC Moore’s closure, Philly’s craft lovers mourn the ‘Wonka factory for art supplies’ 
Lee Francis and Will Fenton: Telling a Native story from Native perspectives: Revisiting Pennsylvania’s Conestoga massacre 
Christine Flowers: Baltimore kids shamed city in attacks on Melania