Gov. Tom Wolf signed a fourth renewal of his COVID-19 disaster declaration. Here is the Playbook. 

February 19th Ups and Downs: Sen. Pat Toomey votes to convict former President Donald Trump, the state GOP chair is reelected, plus a Philly City Councilmember is elected to serve as chair of a politically powerful government board. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

Twardzik Appointed to Serve on Legislative Budget and Finance Committee: House Speaker Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) announced the appointment of state Rep. Tim Twardzik (R-Schuylkill) to serve on the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) for the 2021-22 legislative session. 

Delozier to Chair Executvie Board of PHEAA: According to a press release from House Republicans, state Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland) has been appointed to serve as the chair of the executive board for the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). 

Harrisburg & DC   
Spotlight PA: Pa.’s new auditor general says his election was fair, but he won’t talk about the others
AP: Toomey, who once unified the GOP, now on the outs over Trump 
AP: Pennsylvania man charged with firing into Democratic office 
AP: Pennsylvania looks to boost electric vehicle sales 
AP: Pennsylvania police officer facing charges in Capitol riot
KDKA: Young Philadelphia State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta Takes On Fetterman For US Senate
Post-Gazette: New Senate candidate Kenyatta backs moratorium on fracking
Post-Gazette: Rising student homelessness in Pa. will likely worsen during pandemic, report says
Post-Gazette: SPECIAL REPORT | COVID-19’s new deadly path: Cases surge in personal care homes 
Inquirer: Pa. Treasurer Joe Torsella tried to reform the state’s biggest pension funds. Then he lost his job.
Inquirer: Cop from central Pennsylvania the latest to be charged in attack on U.S. Capitol
Inquirer: Pa. utilities urge a resumption of shutoffs as pandemic subsides and unpaid bills soar 
Inquirer: How bad bets with Wall Street cost two Pa. public school systems and a hospital millions of dollars
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Democrat Kenyatta brings his ‘working poor’ Philly upbringing to 2022 Senate race 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: DEP announces new funding to expand Pa.’s electric vehicle infrastructure 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: U.S. Senate hears from Ohio on the need for economic relief, minimum wage boost; Pa’s Toomey questions need
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Join us on Goodreads | Five for the Weekend 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Hbg biz group launches push to help Black-owned businesses | Friday Morning Coffee
Patriot News: Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf signs another extension of COVID-19 disaster declaration
WHYY Newsworks: ‘Stalin-like cancel culture’: Infighting among Pa. GOP pits ‘Never Trumpers’ against loyalists
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. Dems push for school infrastructure to be priority in next federal stimulus
WITF: State and counties say they plan to do more to inform Pa. Spanish-speaking voters
WITF: ‘Don’t Hold Back Any Doses’: How A Conference Call With The PA Health Dept. Led To Vaccine Delays
Fox News: Pennsylvania cop arrested in connection to Capitol riot, allegedly charged line of officers
National Journal: State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta Enters Senate Race
The Hill: Pennsylvania cop arrested, charged with pushing police during Capitol riot
WESA: State House Bill Would Create A Central COVID-19 Vaccine Registry
CNN: Pennsylvania cop charged in Capitol riot: ‘FBI may arrest me ..lol’
PLSReporter: Wolf renews COVID-19 disaster declaration for fourth time
PLSReporter: Philadelphia Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta announces U.S. Senate bid
PLSReporter: Right 2 Know Episode 81: Vaccine Blues
CBS21: Face the State | Rep. Tim O’Neal and Rep. Jennifer O’Mara 

Philadelphia 
KYW Newsradio: Pa. Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta announces bid for U.S. Senate
KYW Newsradio: Kenney promises more transparency on gun violence efforts following hunger strike, shooting near Olney Transportation Center
KYW Newsradio: House Democrats push COVID-19 rescue plan, but Penn economists have concerns
KYW Newsradio: Outlaw criticizes DA’s office for covering police ‘Wall of Remembrance’
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia radio legend Cody Anderson dies at 78  
Inquirer: City Council moves to add transparency and oversight to vaccine partnerships after Philly Fighting COVID scandal
Inquirer: Philly readies for new neighbors as Biden plans to resettle more of the world’s most vulnerable people
Inquirer: Controversy erupts over police memorial in Philly D.A.’s office
Inquirer: Massive turnout at Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium walk-up site, with thousands being vaccinated at 24-hour clinic
Philadelphia Tribune: City Council, Kenney administration at odds over COVID-19 vaccination plan 
Philadelphia Tribune: Cody Anderson, radio pioneer and long-time general manager of WDAS 105.3, dies
Philadelphia Business Journal: Startup Spotlight: TiP working to pilot political activism platform with members of City Council
Billy Penn: Why aren’t there any Black-owned supermarkets in Philly? These grocers are helping blaze a trail
WHYY Newsworks: Philly opens three new mass vaccine sites Monday. Here’s what you need to know.
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. Dems push for school infrastructure to be priority in next federal stimulus
WHYY Newsworks: In-person classes. Old buildings. Almost no COVID. Are Philly Catholic schools a blueprint?
WHYY Newsworks: ‘People want to live’: Huge turnout, long lines at Black Doctors Consortium’s 24-hour vaccine clinic  

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: Democrats endorse candidates for countywide races 
Daily Local News: Man arrested for threats, shots fired into Montgomery County Democratic Party office 
Daily Local News: Chester County officials frustrated over vaccine delays 
Daily Local News: Toomey scores low, Houlahan high in National Environmental Scorecard 
Daily Local News: Norley sworn in as new West Chester mayor 
Daily Local News: Confusion reigns over Magisterial District Court judicial vote in West Chester 
Daily Local News: McCabe bows out of Common Pleas race in Chester County
KYW Newsradio: Man charged with shooting into Montco Democratic Committee office on Inauguration Day
KYW Newsradio: Pennsylvania sees decline in COVID-19 cases since December
Inquirer: Eagleville man arrested for firing into the Montgomery County Democratic Committee’s headquarters
Pottstown Mercury: Montgomery County renews coronavirus disaster declaration ahead of anniversary 
Bucks Local News: Experience Yardley leader David Appelbaum announces candidacy for mayor 

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: New Senate candidate Kenyatta backs moratorium on fracking
Post-Gazette: Advocates urge Peduto to ban evictions; administration could introduce bill as soon as next week
Post-Gazette: Activists looking to remake police oversight in Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Apprenticeships poised to expand to new industries as Washington eyes job growth
Post-Gazette: COVID-19 Update: Pennsylvania reports 2,818 more cases as WVU announces U.K.-variant infections
KDKA: Pittsburgh Mayoral Candidate Ed Gainey Receives Endorsement From SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania
KDKA: Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto Takes Part In Climate Change Event
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 285 New Coronavirus Cases
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto hails U.S. return to Paris Climate Agreement
Tribune Review: Allegheny County reports 285 new coronavirus cases, 1 death
WESA: Supply Shortage Forces Allegheny County Health Dept. To Delay Some Vaccine Appointments

SWPA 
Altoona Mirror: Toomey incites local GOP outrage
Altoona Mirror: Gregory closes office indefinitely
Altoona Mirror: The right voice
Altoona Mirror: Free virus tests planned for Huntingdon
Altoona Mirror: Weather disrupts vaccine delivery
Altoona Mirror: COVID-19 cases continue to fall
Beaver County Times: FBI: Allegheny Co. man threatened Congress members
Beaver County Times: PA: Communication error leads to vaccine mixup
Beaver County Times: How Trump, Pa. GOP convinced some voters of election fraud
KDKA: Leslie Rossi, Creator Of The ‘Trump House’, Announces Bid For Pennsylvania House Of Representatives
Tribune Review: Trump House creator Leslie Rossi says she is ‘humbled’ at receiving GOP nod for open state House seat
Tribune Review: Westmoreland County records 98 covid-19 cases, 3 deaths 
Observer-Reporter: Former Washington detective a candidate for district judge
Observer-Reporter: I-79 bridge at Bridgeville could end up being tolled under state plan
Observer-Reporter: Winter weather could delay COVID-19 vaccine appointments in state
Observer-Reporter: WHS not among providers impacted by Moderna mix-up
Observer-Reporter: Six new coronavirus deaths reported in Washington County over weekend
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: City, unions come to terms on contracts
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Mock seeks another term on Johnstown City Council
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria records 77 cases over weekend, Blair adds two deaths
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria’s 58 new virus cases among 2,818 statewide

NEPA
Citizens Voice: State Rep. Tarah Toohil announces run for Luzerne County judge 
Citizens Voice: Bobeck announces bid for Luzerne County judge 
Citizens Voice: Two county municipalities receive state funding
Citizens Voice: Dems host drive-thru petition signing amid pandemic
Citizens Voice: 44 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Luzerne County on Sunday
Times-Tribune: Casey opposes landfill expansion as decision looms
Times-Tribune: Scranton to offer rent, mortgage assistance 
Times-Tribune: Medalis praised for the way she ran county elections
Times-Tribune: Scranton no longer enforcing zoning regulation on vulgar signs 
Times-Tribune: COVID-19 cases slow in region
The Times Leader: Mullery co-introduces bill to improve ‘overburdened’ unemployment system 
The Times Leader: Baker, Yudichak, Kaufer announce funding for Luzerne and Forty Fort
The Times Leader: Cartwright announces $2.4M in COVID-19 relief for WB/Scranton Airport
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Council holding five public hearings before Tuesday’s meeting
The Times Leader: Democrats hold walk-through signing event
The Times Leader: House GOP committee launches economic recovery survey for business
The Times Leader: All but one county ZIP code reported 50 or fewer new COVID-19 cases this week
The Times Leader: 44 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County on Sunday; 1 more death

South Central 
Patriot News: Q&A: Tolling the I-83 South Bridge seen as the fairest way to pay for its replacement
Patriot News: Businesswoman Crystal Davis to run for Harrisburg City Council
Patriot News: Ralph Rodriguez says he would bring leadership to Harrisburg council seat he seeks
Patriot News: Judge allows criminal charges to move forward against Harrisburg judge
Patriot News: Feds charge central Pa. cop for participating in Capitol riot
York Daily Record: I-83 bridge tolling: How soon it could start, the cost and more 
York Dispatch: Casey, York officials debunk COVID-19 vaccine myths, encourage inoculations
York Dispatch: Saturday update: Four new deaths linked to COVID-19 in York County
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 64 new COVID-19 cases, 3 new deaths reported in Cumberland County Saturday
LNP | LancasterOnline: Fixing Pa.’s bungled vaccine rollout: Lancaster could receive more vaccines under new distribution formula [Lancaster Watchdog]

Lehigh Valley      
Express Times: With on-time mail delivery ‘drastically’ down, Wild joins call for new Postal Service appointments
Express Times: Express-Times wins general excellence award, numerous other top honors from state press association
Express Times: COVID in Pa.: Northampton Co. virus hotspot as Valley records 56K total cases; St. Luke’s celebrates 100Kth vaccine | Coronavirus and vaccine updates for Pa. and Lehigh Valley (2/19/21)
Morning Call: It’s too cold and snowy for social justice marches in the Lehigh Valley, but that doesn’t mean the summer’s movement has ended
Morning Call: Eager to have Lehigh Valley schools allow students back five days a week, hundreds of Lehigh Valley parents are organizing and pressing the point
Morning Call: From the editor: Diving into coronavirus data
Reading Eagle: Weekly Pa. report shows falling COVID cases in Berks County
Reading Eagle: Berks coroner reports 2 more COVID-19 deaths
Reading Eagle: Weather cuts into COVID vaccine distribution in Berks, rest of Pa. 
WFMZ: Monroe County GOP censures Toomey
WFMZ: Northampton County gets $3.4M to preserve open space

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Arrington’s sentencing in Erie fraud pushed back to May
Erie Times-News: State reports 50 new COVID-19 cases for Erie County
Erie Times-News: COVID-19 battered Erie-area tourism in 2020
Centre Daily Times: Dr. Anthony Fauci among 4 honorees to take part in Penn State’s Page Center Awards
Centre Daily Times: Feb. 20 update: Centre County adds 36 COVID-19 cases, 1 death, state Health Department says
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Incumbent councilman seeks Democratic nomination
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Activist groups: Fair legislative districts needed
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County 42 new COVID-19 cases

Opinion  
Kerry Benninghoff: Getting Pennsylvania ready for its economic recovery
Ryan Bizzarro, Austin Davis, Jennifer O’Mara, Pam Snyder: PA needs a vaccine registry, not a vaccine lottery 
Seth Grove: Gov. Wolf’s income tax hike impacts us all
Ed Rendell: Enough is enough: It’s time to impose term limits on Congress 
Mark S. Singel: Lessons from New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and . . . Mars
Nathan Benefield: Pennsylvania Doesn’t Have a Friend in Tom Wolf
Charlie Gerow: We have to do better managing COVID-19 and energy
Paul Muschick: Pennsylvania should open up nursing homes to visitors: ‘What they are doing to our seniors is despicable’
Abbie Newman: Restoring survivors’ rights to pursue justice empowers them to change the narrative of abuse 
Patricia Vickers: Gov. Wolf can — and must — save the lives of our incarcerated loved ones 
Emily Persico: Lawmakers can save $2 billion if they stop subsidizing the fossil fuel industry in Pennsylvania
Fletcher McClellan and Paige Oustrich: Intimate partner violence, Pa.’s silent pandemic, can be silent no longer 
David Callahan: Natural gas is a cornerstone for climate, economic progress
John J. “Ski” Sygielski: We celebrate our Black colleagues, students and alumni for making our college great
Inquirer Editorial Board: Fracking puts Pa. at an energy crossroads. It’s time to pick a direction.
Inquirer Staff: Teachers, students, parents, and Dr. Hite told us what safe schools during COVID-19 looks like to them
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution process has been awful, unacceptable … and worse
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: There’s room for refinement, but Congress must go big with COVID-19 relief package 
PennLive Editorial Board: Misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine is killing Black and Brown people
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Is there Trumpism after Trump? 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Rush in the arena
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Worthwhile recycling effort
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Alert to the signs of depression
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A communal pandemic diary
York Dispatch Editorial Board: The GOP has hit bottom
Maria Pulzetti: Struggling Pa. families need more support; Lawmakers, Wolf need to boost TANF payments
Salena Zito: Business is booming in this small-town gun shop
Rasheedah Phillips: Expanding Black futures requires ending racist housing policies that plague Philadelphia 
Jenice Armstrong: Done right, Philly officer’s new podcast could help demystify police work as well as the people behind the badge
Ruth Ann Dailey: Does Pa. need sackcloth and ashes?
David M. Shribman: Whither go the unsettled Republicans?
Bernie Rabik: Rabik: Where did our unity go?
John Cole: Pa.’s long journey to fair school funding | Editorial Cartoon 
Sharmain Matlock-Turner, Stephen P. Fera, and Rev. Dr. Mark Tyler: This Black History Month, help us be the generation that ends systemic racism 
Keith C. Burris: Will we come through?
Tony Norman: Rush Limbaugh: From KQV to infamy
Chris Kelly: ‘QAnon Casualties’ on both sides of conspiracy divide
Lisa Smith Molinari: Extremism: Don’t throw the honorable out with the bathwater
Maria Panaritis: #blueforMatthew in suburban Philly shows love and kindness trump all in our darkest hour. 
Will Bunch: How Biden got it wrong about Penn, the Ivies, student debt, and America’s ‘college problem’