A new Quinnipiac University poll shows President Donald Trump trailing the top Democrats in Pennsylvania, while the NRCC places two Republican Congressional hopefuls on their initial Young Gun Contenders List. Here is the Playbook. 

Trump Trails Top Dems in Quinnipiac Poll: In a new Quinnipiac University poll of swing states for 2020, President Donald Trump trails all of the top Democrats in a hypothetical head to head matchup in Pennsylvania. Former Vice President Joe Biden holds the largest lead in a head to head matchup, besting Trump by 8 points, while Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg carry the smallest lead in the poll over Trump, leading him by 4 points. 

NRCC Places Parnell, Scheller on Initial Young Gun “Contenders” List: The National Republican Congressional Committee announced 35 candidates in their first round of Young Gun “Contenders” and selected Sean Parnell, a U.S. Army combat veteran and conservative author who is seeking the GOP nomination for the 17th Congressional District, and former Lehigh County Commissioner Lisa Scheller, who is seeking the GOP nomination for the 7th Congressional District. 

PA18: Dickinson Endorses Bernie Sanders, Supports Fracking Ban: According to the Pittsburgh City Paper, Jerry Dickinson, a law professor at the University of Pittsburgh who is seeking the Democratic nomination for the 18th Congressional District, announced his support for Sen. Bernie Sanders presidential campaign, citing several policy positions, including a call to ban fracking. 

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Fracking debate causes tremors in battleground Pennsylvania
AP: Complaints about privacy follow switch to paper ballots
AP: Transco back again, seeking permits for Eastern gas pipeline
Spotlight PA: Fight rages over medical malpractice lawsuits in Pa. as report fails to settle the dispute
KDKA: Around The Table: Quinnipiac University Releases Latest Poll Information
KDKA: Sen. Pat Toomey Distancing Himself From Michael Bloomberg Despite Receiving Key Support In 2016 
KDKA: Republican Sen. Pat Toomey Says Democratic Candidates Were ‘Shill’ And ‘Radical’ During Nevada Debate 
KDKA: Around The Table: Michael Bloomberg Makes Debut On Debate Stage 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘Shame on us’ Labor & Industry secretary says of Pa.’s stalled minimum wage
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: In Philly, progressive candidates slug it out with Democratic incumbents
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Bucks County congressional hopeful named in lawsuit denies she used racist, homophobic language
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Strong economy fuels drop in college students seeking grants, PHEAA reports
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Saddled with vacancies, parole board says it’s struggling to keep up with growing backlog
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lt. Gov. Fetterman blocks, unblocks critics who ‘denigrated’ his wife on Twitter; the practice could be unconstitutional 
Morning Call: New poll gives Democratic presidential hopefuls a narrow edge over Donald Trump in Pennsylvania 
Morning Call: Asked about fracking ban and Pennsylvania jobs during debate, Democrats show their rift 
Inquirer: Bernie Sanders is getting stronger. Some Democrats worry it could cost them in swing districts.
Inquirer: Mike Bloomberg’s rough first debate outing came just as Pa. Democrats were giving him a close look
Inquirer: Pennsylvania prison suicides are at an all-time high. Families blame ‘reprehensible’ mental-health care.
Inquirer: A new poll of 2020 swing states shows just how important Pa. will be
WITF: Harrisburg diocese bankruptcy could tap into parish assets
PLSReporter: Wetzel mum on potential prison closures, says ‘it depends’ on if funding is cut
PLSReporter: With new steps to reduce staffing, PASSHE hopes to sell lawmakers on path forward
PLSReporter: Should it stay or should it go? Lawmakers at odds over future of state gun background check system
Fox News: Trump leads in Wisconsin, trails Dem rivals in other swing states: poll
Fox News: Pennsylvania Roman Catholic diocese files for bankruptcy after $12M in sex-abuse settlements
PA Post: ‘It’s re-victimization all over again,’ clergy abuse victim says of Harrisburg diocese’s bankruptcy
WESA: Harrisburg’s Catholic Diocese Filed For Bankruptcy. Now What? 
Post-Gazette: Toomey concerned that use of impeachment against Trump will normalize it
Post-Gazette: Amid dairy woes, USDA pushes sustainability agenda, says farmers must ‘do more with less’
Patriot News: In Pa., non-voters lean to Trump, new study shows 
Patriot News: Pennsylvania casino regulators seek to get in “skill games” game
York Daily Record: Women for Trump: In Pennsylvania, this key voting bloc holds the key for victory 
National Journal: Wachspress Accused of Using Slurs at School Board Meeting
Tribune Review: Game Commission member, sportsmen rep clash at hearing on Saturday start to deer season
Tribune Review: Food security for Pennsylvanians could be in peril with food stamp changes, groups fear
WHYY Newsworks: Can algorithms help judges make fair decisions?
Politico: Swing state poll shows Trump leading top Dems in Wisconsin but trailing in Pennsylvania, Michigan
The Hill: Poll: Democrats trail Trump in Wisconsin, lead in Michigan and Pennsylvania
The Hill: Everytown plans ad blitz on anniversary of House background check bill

Philadelphia 
Philly Clout: Philly’s Democratic Party wants to be a 2020 money player. First it had to balance its books.
Inquirer: Philly’s soda tax is supposed to ‘Rebuild’ parks and rec centers. It’s been a slow start.
Inquirer: Rent control and homeowner protections urged for Philadelphia amid gentrification
Inquirer: Philadelphia leaders renew efforts to enforce law to protect immigrants from fraud
Inquirer: Sold for $1, resold for riches: How Philly gave away $54 million in properties
Inquirer: Get ready to move your cars, Philly: Street sweeping will include parking restrictions this year
Inquirer: Allies of detained migrant families say it’s time for Berks center to close
Inquirer: Philadelphia tobacco sellers down by 20% three years after new city regulations
Inquirer: Philly schools overpaying charters millions of dollars for special-education students, district says
Inquirer: Reading Terminal Market manager leaving to become Rep. Evans’ chief of staff
Inquirer: ‘Stop giving us excuses’: Philly’s City Council and new police commissioner hear pleas to end surging gun violence
Inquirer: 6 former Philadelphia prosecutors are now suing DA Larry Krasner for age discrimination
Inquirer: Elizabeth Warren wasn’t playing around at the Democratic debate. A lawyer from the Philly suburbs has seen it before.
KYW Newsradio: Philly officials say pilot street sweeping program is a success 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: In Philly, progressive candidates slug it out with Democratic incumbents
WHYY Newsworks: City to require Philly drivers to move cars for street sweeping pilot 2.0
WHYY Newsworks: What happens next, now that the refinery’s future seems wide open? 
WHYY Newsworks: Bright lights, big city: How Philly’s new streetlights could make us safer
Philadelphia Tribune: Philly museum founder steps up for Pa. House seat being vacated by Rep. Rosita Youngblood
Philadelphia Tribune: Despite opposition from Kenney, Philly Council advances tax break bill for working poor
PLSReporter: Commissioner Outlaw meets with Council committee
Philadelphia Business Journal: Reading Terminal Market GM to step down, return to politics
Philly Voice: Philly expanding street sweeping program to new neighborhoods 

SEPA
Bucks Courier Times: Wachspress ends bid for Congress amid Pennsbury lawsuits 
Bucks Courier Times: Fitzpatrick calls for Rockhill Quarry closure ahead of Friday news conference 
Delco Daily Times: Pipeline construction can continue after appeals court ruling
Delco Daily Times: Delco OKs $5 car fee for infrastructure improvements
Daily Local News: Full slate of candidates in primary for Chesco voters
Daily Local News: Conservation group to work with Chesco commissioners on environmental issues
Inquirer: Bernie Sanders is getting stronger. Some Democrats worry it could cost them in swing districts.
Montgomery Media: Republican Bittner Mazza announces bid for 150th Dist. PA House seat
Montgomery Media: Ciresi, Mensch hold telephone town halls
Pottstown Mercury: Volunteers show support for Bernie Sanders in Pottstown 

Pittsburgh 
City Paper: Rep. Mike Doyle calls for Allegheny Democratic chair Eileen Kelly to resign 
City Paper: Congressional candidate Jerry Dickinson endorses Bernie Sanders, supports fracking ban 
City Paper: Watch: How could Pittsburgh media better cover the city’s Black communities? Here are some thoughts from residents.
City Paper: Following Democratic committee snub, Jessica Benham endorsed by local trades union
WESA: As Leaders Push Back On Criticism, Debate Over Democrats’ Direction Continues 
Post-Gazette: Doyle calls for resignation of Allegheny County Dems chairwoman 
Post-Gazette: Wheatley introduces new bill to legalize recreational marijuana, expunge certain records
PLSReporter: Allegheny County Democratic Committee doubles down on endorsements despite backlash 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Here’s how Pittsburgh-area casinos fared in January as revenue rose 17% statewide

SWPA 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Area candidates file petitions to be listed on 2020 primary ballots
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Pennsylvania’s second lady plans cross-state tour, promoting importance of U.S. Census
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Guards union calls for state action to make prisons safer; Baserman’s family: Still waiting for death benefits
Beaver County Times: As cost of living rises, Pennsylvanians fight to make ends meet
Observer-Reporter: GOP has some primary challenges; a few re-matches look likely for November 2020 
Observer-Reporter: Commissioners approve largest-single Local Share allocation, $2.6 million for airport

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Locals get on ballot for Democratic, Republican national conventions
Citizens Voice: City officials sprucing up prior to presidential election
Citizens Voice: Pittston Twp. swears in first female police chief
Citizens Voice: City survey remains open
The Times Leader: Pashinski hosts hearing at LCCC on community college affordability
The Times Leader: Bambera: No bankruptcy for Scranton Diocese

South Central 
York Daily Record: Women for Trump: In Pennsylvania, this key voting bloc holds the key for victory
Patriot News: Bankruptcy court could force Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg to disclose secret archives of clergy sex abuse
Patriot News: First hearing scheduled in Harrisburg Catholic diocese bankruptcy case
Patriot News: Pennsylvania casino regulators seek to get in “skill games” game
LNP | LancasterOnline: Here’s what you need to know about School District of Lancaster’s school funding lawsuit against the state
LNP | LancasterOnline: Pequea Township supervisor chairman abruptly resigns; new chair wants to ‘Make Pequea Township Boring Again’
York Dispatch: York City residents to get separate tax bills for city and county real estate taxes
Carlisle Sentinel: Democrat announces candidacy for 92nd Legislative seat
Carlisle Sentinel: Cumberland County Bureau of Elections to hold voting machine demonstrations in March

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: Your Call: Are Lehigh Valley towns actually recycling or have Chinese tariffs ended local programs?  
Reading Eagle: What you need to know about Pennsylvania’s election changes
Express Times: Judge breaks tie, fills vacancy on Lower Saucon Township council

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: ‘We need to count you.’ Pa. Second Lady Gisele Fetterman promotes 2020 census at Penn State
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: County commissioners laud new airport service

Opinion  
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Tariff pain: A reprieve could save a steel mill
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Playing it straight at Justice Department
York Dispatch Editorial Board: Trump: You ain’t seen nothin’ yet
Inquirer Editorial Board: We need to make sure our history isn’t history
John L. Micek: ‘They need direction,’ says group training Pa.’s next gen of Democratic leaders | Thursday Morning Coffee
Tony Norman: Allegheny County Dems are more like the Flintstones than dinosaurs
Brian O’Neill: Nothing’s shakier than the middle ground on fracking
Simon F. Haeder: Insurance companies and Big Pharma are fighting. And you’re left holding the bag
Helen Ubiñas: Can writing help stop discrimination? An immigrant Philly author believes it can 
Christine Flowers: Don’t look to Archbishop Nelson Pérez for political leadership
Will Bunch: It’s the affordability, stupid. Can this one word put a Democrat back in the White House? 
Larry Platt: Taking On The Opportunity Gap
Nancy Eshelman: For some, the Diocese of Harrisburg crying poverty is a tough sell 
Paul Muschick: Why I don’t blame Allentown Superintendent Thomas Parker for seeking another job
Gary W. Gallagher: Think the US is more polarized than ever? You don’t know history
Malcolm Byrd: Government service is a ministry. Its ministers must be noble.