The GOP field continues to grow for the 12th District special election, while the Philadelphia Republican Party endorses Daphne Goggins for Mayor. Here is the Playbook.

SD37: Iovino, Raja Open With Positive Biographical Ads: The Democrat’s first ad details her military service. The Republican’s ads show his background as an immigrant starting a business and family in the Pittsburgh area.

Walsh Announces Bid for Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas: The state Representative from Westmoreland County cited the need for conservative judges in his campaign release.

February 15th Ups & Downs: A former Executive Director gets tapped by President Trump for an important position in the Department of Labor, while a former Dem staffer gets a position in a 2020 presidential campaign. Turmoil ensues at two of the state’s largest newspapers and the Democrats select their candidate for PA12. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

February 18th Playbook: The first round of ads hit the airwaves in the race for the 37th state Senate district.  

Harrisburg & DC
AP: School threat system fields thousands of tips in first month
Inquirer: First year of Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana sales: Plenty of patients, a trickle of taxes
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: The ACLU is taking Pennsylvania’s corrections department to court over copy-and-save legal mail policy
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: New report claims $250M savings from cyber-charter funding reform
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Philly Mayor Kenney deleted years’ worth of text messages, report | Monday Morning Coffee
Patch: Union Membership Rises In Pennsylvania Amid Nationwide Fall
KYW Newsradio: Pa. lawmakers signal interest in audits of ‘pharmacy benefit managers’
Beaver County Times: U.S. Sen. Toomey again pushing bill banning animal crushing
Beaver County Times: No praise from Toomey, Casey on Trump’s border declaration
WHYY Newsworks: Historically black colleges, universities get boost under measure sailing through Congress
The Times Leader: Capitol Roundup: Wolf unveils historic funding proposal for Pa. agriculture
StateImpactPA: Report shows how more Pennsylvania drivers can go electric
Patriot News: Search the database of Pa. state government’s top earners in 2018: $100,000 Club
Patriot News: The top 25 Pa. state government earners in 2018: $100,000 Club
Patriot News: $100,000 Club: More than 9,000 state workers earn six figures
Patriot News: Pennsylvania victims aren’t invited, but will be represented at Vatican conference on clergy sex abuse
Reading Eagle: Pennsylvania now requires state buildings to provide rooms for nursing moms
Morning Call: Pennsylvania prisons’ mail screenings for synthetic drugs heads to court  
Morning Call: Toomey ‘reviewing’ Trump’s national emergency call, other Pa. lawmakers’ reactions  

Philadelphia
Inquirer: ‘Old-school’ Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney deleted years’ worth of cell phone text messages
Inquirer: Daphne Goggins threatens to sue Philly GOP for reconsidering her mayoral endorsement
Inquirer: Philadelphia Republicans call a ‘do-over’ in mayoral endorsement
Inquirer: Banning cashless stores: A little legal research may have saved Philly’s City Council a lot of trouble
Inquirer: Philly narcotics cops turned suspects into off-the-books confidential informants. Now, defense lawyers want to know more.
Inquirer: Philly renames parts of Market and Sixth Streets in honor of founding fathers, black history
WHYY Newsworks: Philly GOP retains mayoral endorsement for Daphne Goggins after all  
WHYY Newsworks: Justin DiBerardinis runs for Philadelphia City Council on a good government platform  
WHYY Newsworks: Protesters in Philly denounce Trump’s emergency declaration for border wall  
WHYY Newsworks: Indicted Philly Councilman Henon draws two challengers  
WHYY Newsworks: Former Lt. Gov. Mike Stack ‘seriously considering’ bid for Philly City Council  
Philadelphia Magazine: City Council’s Cashless Store Bill: Four Things to Know
KYW Newsradio: Councilwoman Bass offers free security cameras to homeowners
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia wins against US attorney general on immigration policy
KYW Newsradio: HUD gives Philadelphia $360K to help families reach self-sufficiency
KYW Newsradio: State GOP Lawmakers clamor for more audits of Philadelphia

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Pa. state lawmaker eyes tax on violent video games to fund school security
Pottstown Mercury: Kovaleski, Longo seeking higher office in Chester County
Pottstown Mercury: Deborah Ryan: Lessons learned led to decision to seek Chesco D.A. post  
Pottstown Mercury: Heffern to announce bid for Chester County prothonotary
Pottstown Mercury: Chester County awarded nearly $1M for job training programs
Inquirer: Bucks County residents push back against planned chemical plant
KYW Newsradio: Montco to hold forum to discuss racist literature
Bucks County Courier Times: State Rep. Wendy Ullman hears from residents on roads, environment
Delco Daily Times: Swarthmore swears in new mayor and police chief
Delco Daily Times: Wallingford-Swarthmore eyes 3.2 percent tax hike
Delco Daily Times: Delco resident has winning map to curb gerrymandering
Delco Daily Times: Pipeline foes pushing towns to install warning systems
Montgomery Media: EPA announces plan to tackle contaminants, local lawmakers react
Bucks Local News: On anniversary of Florida school shooting, Bucks County lawmakers announce introduction of safe storage firearms legislation
Daily Local News: ‘Bridges not Walls’ rally held in East Goshen to protest National Emergency declaration   
Daily Local News: Lawmaker discusses ways to improve GED at Chester County OIC
Daily Local News: Phoenixville debates fining students who vape on campus
Daily Local News: Mayor’s Opioid Action Task Force Resource Fair coming to West Chester
Daily Local News: Barrar hears about PTSI issues in first responder community

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh council to consider new fund to improve city’s child care facilities
Post-Gazette: When it comes to travel, Pittsburgh Public school board leads the pack
Post-Gazette: Demonstrators Downtown join those elsewhere in protesting Trump’s national emergency declaration
Post-Gazette: Gun show dealers, participants express concern over Pa.-proposed ‘extreme risk’ law
Post-Gazette: Keith Burris named Post-Gazette executive editor
Post-Gazette: Demonstrators Downtown join those elsewhere in protesting Trump’s national emergency declaration
Post-Gazette: City begins a string of landslide remediation projects, costing $8 million
Post-Gazette: Wuerl’s zero tolerance of sexually abusive priests was only partial, reports suggest
Post-Gazette: Former Pitt business professor sues university, citing age discrimination
Post-Gazette: WPXI-TV part of sale of Cox Media stake to investment firm
Post-Gazette: Lt. Gov. Fetterman: Clairton Coke Works ‘needs to be rebuilt’ to high standards
Tribune Review: Wilkinsburg conference to focus on solar energy in PA
WESA: Ricky Burgess Faces Increasingly Crowded Election Field
WESA: Fetterman Tours Clairton Coke Works, Backs Repair Efforts
KDKA: Residents React To Pittsburgh City Council, Mayor Peduto Spending Money Fighting Overreach Lawsuits  
KDKA: Protesters Rally Against Border Wall On City-County Building Steps
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Controller To Host Final Town Hall On UPMC-Highmark Dispute
City Paper: U.S. Senate passes bill extending funds for Carrie Furnaces and other Pittsburgh heritage areas
City Paper: Controversial editorial director Keith Burris promoted to executive editor of Post-Gazette

SWPA
Observer-Reporter: Walsh running for judge in Westmoreland County
Observer-Reporter: Lt. Gov. Fetterman marijuana tour stop in Washington draws support for legalization
Observer-Reporter: Monessen council members could be penalized for missing meetings
Observer-Reporter: Scandale seeks second term as clerk of courts
Observer-Reporter: Rohanna McClure announces bid for Greene County commissioner
Observer-Reporter: Sabot announces candidacy for Washington County Register of Wills
Observer-Reporter: Former Washington mayor vying for clerk of courts seat
Observer-Reporter: Third Democrat to campaign for register of wills office
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Prothonotary Martella to retire, endorses Portash
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Jackson Township’s Crynock announces plan to seek Republican nomination
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Retired teacher, sports official announces run for Somerset County auditor
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Air Force veteran announces campaign for Cambria County commissioner
Altoona Mirror: Fetterman to visit counties
Altoona Mirror: Residents question borough’s dry status
Altoona Mirror: Air Force veteran plans run for Cambria commissioner
Beaver County Times: Metcalfe’s exit as key committee chairman fuels optimism among redistricting reform supporters
Beaver County Times: First deputy treasurer seeks Republican nomination for treasurer
Beaver County Times: County commissioner wants to review right-to-know requests
Beaver County Times: State Rep. Bernstine’s bill would secure an additional $2 million for McGuire school
Beaver County Times: A force continuum: With only six working Tasers, sheriff department seeks funding for new ones
Beaver County Times: Egley to run again

NEPA
The Times Leader: Bowman-Hosley announces run in 12th Congressional District
The Times Leader: State Rep. Boback pushing for government funding for stormwater mandate
The Times Leader: One Luzerne County municipality gets out of stormwater mandate, and another seeking reprieve
The Times Leader: Sebastianelli announces run for Luzerne County Council
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Councilman Urban unclear on re-election plans
The Times Leader: Report: Special education students getting shortchanged by state
The Times Leader: Beyond the Byline: Not fair to trash Luzerne County
The Times Leader: Rep. Mullery takes ‘One.19’ initiative to Hazle Township
The Times Leader: Even with proposed increase, WB mayor says recycling fee a ‘gift’
Times-Tribune: Marino seat draws lots of candidates  
Times-Tribune: Scranton council to review ways to fight blight
Times-Tribune: Dickson City police union files two grievances over new schedule
Times-Tribune: Hundreds of companies granted steel tariff exemptions
Citizens Voice: Save Our Schools backing five candidates for W-B Area board

South Central   
York Dispatch: Toomey displeased with Trump’s border emergency, breaks with Smucker, Perry
York Dispatch: York County GOP endorses primary candidates, breaks long tradition
Patriot News: The parables of Linda Thompson: Former Harrisburg mayor reflects on life, love, and more in new book
Patriot News: ‘Sandusky lovers?’ Susquenita superintendent calls auditor general’s accusations ‘a slap in the face’
Patriot News: ‘Jericho March’ held to protest lack of local contractors in Harrisburg’s federal courthouse project
Patriot News: Harrisburg teachers demand better pay for veteran educators
Patriot News: Protesters in Harrisburg cry foul on President Trump’s declaration of national emergency
Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle rally calls for a united community, continued action against hate
Carlisle Sentinel: Six people announce joint run for Shippensburg school board
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘Fake Emergency’: In Harrisburg, protesters push back against Trump’s grab for wall funds
York Daily Record: Steve Chronister explores run for office, but still won’t address Grandview incident
York Daily Record: Emotions made me a better leader, Southcentral Pa. police chief writes in national magazine
York Daily Record: Updates: Who’s planning to run for judge, other elected offices in York County in 2019
LNP | LancasterOnline: DA sought to push opponent out of judge race, GOP member alleges
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lieutenant governor embarks on tour to find out how Pa. residents feel about legalizing recreational marijuana
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County local government controversy: Know the key players
LNP | LancasterOnline: Top prosecutor brandishes Fetterman file at GOP meeting

Lehigh Valley   
Reading Eagle: President Trump’s national emergency declaration prompts protest in Reading [Video]
Reading Eagle: James Troutman to seek 9th term as clerk of courts
Reading Eagle: Presidents who have visited Berks County [List]
Reading Eagle: More Berks schools moving to armed security
Reading Eagle: Reading City Councilwoman Donna Reed running for Berks County commissioner
Morning Call: Charter schools left out of Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to boost starting teachers salaries
Morning Call: Bethlehem Township housing development enters final phase after 20 years  
Morning Call: Get your high school diploma and associates degree at same time? Allentown School District says yes  
Morning Call: Politics as Usual  
Morning Call: Patrick Palmer enters race for Allentown mayor
Express Times: Lower Nazareth voters will decide on open space tax
North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Tuesday marks official start to primary election season  
Erie Times-News: Majority at Erie forum support legalizing marijuana
Erie Times-News: Candidates emerge in race for Erie County Council
Erie Times-News: Roll Call: How local legislators voted on key issues last week
Erie Times-News: Government meetings in Erie County, week of Feb. 18
Centre Daily Times: Centre County has a system to send emergency alerts, but most people aren’t receiving them
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Madeleine Albright to speak at Bucknell commencement  
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Mussare seeks third term as commissioner  
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Nassberg eyes seat as county commissioner  
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Candid camera: city leaders await mayoral direction  
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Republican leadership undecided on nominee  
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Thompson to keynote at Lincoln Day Dinner event  
Opinion
Inquirer Editorial Board: Time for Pennsylvania politicians to stop rigging elections
Inquirer Editorial Board: Philadelphia promised to stand with Pittsburgh after the Tree of Life shooting. Time to do it.
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Thanks for nothing: Silent on UPMC, federal official wasted our time
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Tom Wolf’s welcome tone: Harrisburg has a chance to show how it’s done
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: What the doctor ordered: New regulations are a good starting point
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Keep the subsidy: Government facilities should treat everyone the same
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Politics safe zones?: Not every part of life should be politicized  
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Avoid the easy way out: Outsourcing police policy is a recipe for disaster
Dwight Evans, Brendan Boyle, and Jennifer Burdick: Pennsylvanians’ long wait on disability would worsen with Social Security changes
Inquirer Staff: Trump’s national emergency declaration: News outlets and columnists react
John Baer: The general mess around Pa.’s General Assistance
Christine Flowers: Jussie Smollett case a reminder that one false accuser can hurt all future victims
Will Bunch: Trump’s dictator move is the real emergency — and we handed him the keys
Janine Yass and David Hardy: Teacher strikes are about power, not students
Brian O’Neill: The (mostly) true story of Amazon’s HQ2
Keith C. Burris: What is at the core?
David M. Shribman: Trump and the long-term implications of history
Joe Maiellano and Josh Novotney: South Philly Republicans: Mayor Kenney, City Council must reckon with ‘Johnny Doc’ indictment
John L. Micek: President Trump says there’s a crisis at the border. The data says something else | The Numbers Racket
Eric Epstein: How many times are we going to bailout Three Mile Island?
Joseph Aldy: Here’s what ‘Green New Deal’ advocates can learn from the 2009 stimulus
Chris Edelson: Can Congress or the courts reverse Trump’s national emergency?
Jenice Armstrong: To challenge Mayor Kenney, Philly GOP picked this Trump-loving single black mother — and I’m OK with that
Steven Watts: When image trumps ideology: How JFK created the template for the modern presidency
Tim Hartman: Who’s next on Josh Shapiro’s lawsuit list? | Editorial Cartoon
Jordan Holycross: Should Kensington adopt these ideas to address homelessness?
Jillian Bauer-Reese: Behind the scenes with Kensington’s community newsroom
Henry Savage, Evan Easterling, and Erin Blewett: Could turning vacant buildings into housing for people in need solve Kensington’s homelessness problem?
Theresa Farrell: Kensington block captain: Vacant properties foster fear
Jane Golden: Finding hope at the Kensington Storefront Hub
Jennifer Romaniw: My grandmother’s Fishtown house collapsed. Philly should’ve done more to protect it