The DNC and a progressive super PAC released plans of making significant investments in Pennsylvania focusing on the 2020 presidential election, while state GOP leadership announced the head of the new House Oversight Committee. Here is the Playbook.

DNC, Super PAC Target PA to Flip in 2020: The DNC and a liberal super PAC have made Pennsylvania a focus of their early spending in the 2020 cycle, with a special emphasis on Cambria County.

Harrisburg & DC
AP: Aircraft, submarine project money may be at risk, Casey says
AP: Penn State ex-president Spanier’s request for appeal denied
AP: Study finds spike in Pennsylvania child abuse-related deaths
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. public universities ‘treading water’ with declining enrollment, higher than average tuition
WITF: The trial over Pa.’s prison mail policy may be heading toward a settlement
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, Michigan Dem push EPA to regulate PFAS in drinking water
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: “In the same place that we were last year”: Senator calls on State Police to get creative with fee-based funding approach
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf to talk criminal justice reform at National Governors Association meeting in D.C. on Saturday
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: As U.S. hate group activity hits a new high, the Southern Poverty Law Center tracked 36 hate groups in Pa. in 2018
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Victims’ rights amendment Marsy’s Law moves out of House committee
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: York County Republican named chair of House investigative committee with subpoena powers
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wedded miss: Why there’s still confusion around online-ordained ministers in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Democratic candidate in Lackawanna Co.’s 114th House District special election hits the airwaves
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: One-party rule in 49 state legislatures is the single, biggest argument for gerrymandering reform | Analysis
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Scotty, can you hear them? Indivisible group says U.S. Rep. Perry isn’t answering town hall invite | Thursday Morning Coffee
York Daily Record: Pennsylvania has some weird laws. Take a look.
PLSReporter: Despite questions over a lack of hearing, House Judiciary approves Marsy’s Law
PLSReporter: Freshman Focus: Rep. Summer Lee
Patriot News: More kids dying from abuse in Pa.: new report cites drug, alcohol use
Patriot News: Attorney General Josh Shapiro lauds Pa. Supreme Court’s decision on Graham Spanier
Morning Call: Military projects in Pennsylvania could be affected by White House diverting money to border wall

Philadelphia
Philly Clout: Anthony Williams moves closer to challenging Jim Kenney, using Local 98 ties to taint the Philly mayor
Billy Penn: ‘You wanna be raped?’ Protest brings police to West Philly councilwoman’s re-election party
KYW Newsradio: Philly councilman proposes term limits for future members
KYW Newsradio: Rod Rosenstein stops by Wharton School to speak on law, business ethics
KYW Newsradio: Advocates weigh in on how Smollett case can hurt reports of LGBTQ hate crimes
WHYY Newsworks: Democrats and the rise of the left
WHYY Newsworks: Philly Republican mayoral candidate says she’s living with mental illness, ready to serve
WHYY Newsworks: Term-limit bill DOA in Philadelphia City Council
WHYY Newsworks: U.S. soda taxes work, studies suggest — but maybe not as well as hoped
Philadelphia Magazine: Amid Controversy, City Commissioners Choose New Voting Machines
Philadelphia Business Journal: Philadelphia sues seven big banks, alleges collusion in municipal bond work
Philadelphia Business Journal: Meet the Keepers: Young people we need to keep in Philadelphia
PLSReporter: City Council expands property tax program
PLSReporter: Philadelphia City Commissioners select new voting machines
Inquirer: Philadelphia spells out how its municipal ID program would work

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: Delco Council files motion to intervene in pipeline lawsuit
Delco Daily Times: Scanlon holds first town hall meeting in packed Widener hall
Delco Daily Times: Morton taps App to fill mayor post
Bucks County Courier Times: Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick calls for EPA timeline on toxic PFAS chemicals
Bucks County Courier Times: Centennial preliminary budget has 4 percent tax increase
Daily Local News: Gun SenseUs forms ‘Educational Fund’   
Daily Local News: Talk of new borough flag tabled
Patriot News: Short on cash and students, a historically black university in Pa. faces a ‘watershed moment’

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County Dems release list of 2019 candidates seeking their endorsement
Post-Gazette: Pa. auditor general wants to brainstorm with community to fix Penn Hills School District
Post-Gazette: Email exchange reveals rifts on West Mifflin Area school board over embattled superintendent
Post-Gazette: Mayor: Next grocery store in Hill will have better market
Post-Gazette: City to enforce ‘clean construction’ law on new bridge in Swisshelm Park’s Duck Hollow
Tribune Review: UPMC rejects state Attorney General Shapiro’s attempt to halt breakup with rival Highmark
Tribune Review: Harrison commissioners accept resignations of 2 zoning, ordinance officials
Tribune Review: FTMSA: Murrysville-backed bond will save customers $400,000
PLSReporter: McFarren Street Bridge to use clean construction standards
KDKA: New PG Editor Defends Publisher While Praising Newspaper Staff
KDKA: ‘Do Not Call’ Bill Receives Unanimous Approval By House Lawmakers
KDKA: Sen. Casey: Federal Money For Pittsburgh Aircraft Construction Project May Be At Risk
City Paper: Allegheny County council candidate Bethany Hallam wants a countywide conversion therapy ban now

SWPA
Beaver County Times: State Rep. Rob Matzie sees resolutions on MS awareness, Charter Day pass House
Beaver County Times: PA House passes bill that would have Lemon Law cover motorcycles
Observer-Reporter: Presidents Pub owner to run for mayor
Observer-Reporter: Thomas enters race for Monessen City Council
Altoona Mirror: County drops grant request
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: EXCLUSIVE REPORT 2 | Shaun Dougherty from Italy: Joins Pa. Rep. Rozzi in meeting with parliament, victim advocates   
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: DeBartola files motion seeking to hold Cambria County DA in contempt of court   
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Johnstown council members Williams, Stanton again challenge other officials over Home Rule Charter

NEPA
Citizens Voice: Cartwright hosts town hall meeting in Hazleton   
Citizens Voice: Area’s economic expansion expected to continue   
Citizens Voice: Voting system expo planned at courthouse
Citizens Voice: Mayor plans to attend crime watch meetings   
Citizens Voice: Challenger enters W-B mayoral race   
Citizens Voice: Candidates: Submit your political announcements   
Citizens Voice: County seeking proposals for revenue-boosting projects
The Times Leader: Rowe running as Democrat for Wilkes-Barre council seat
The Times Leader: WB council hears from residents upset about series of drive-by shootings
The Times Leader: Kaufer pushing legislation to expand use of solar energy in Pa.
The Times Leader: 6.4 percent tax increase in Crestwood preliminary budget
Times-Tribune: AG’s office files complaint against Pike County contractor  
Times-Tribune: Scranton Sewer Authority settles commercial condemnation case for $157,000

South Central
York Dispatch: York Stands Up aims to rouse York County’s left  
York Dispatch: York County Treasurer Barbara Bair seeks sixth term
LNP | LancasterOnline: County Democrats to hold endorsement convention Saturday
LNP | LancasterOnline: U.S. Supreme Court will not hear Columbia nuns’ claim that gas pipeline violated their religious beliefs
Carlisle Sentinel: Neiderer announces run for Cumberland County treasurer  
Carlisle Sentinel: Mechanicsburg School District agrees to policy changes in Bible distribution controversy
Patriot News: School superintendent’s resignation leads to state police investigation      

Lehigh Valley   
Morning Call: Military projects in Pennsylvania could be affected by White House diverting money to border wall
Morning Call: Muhlenberg hosts discussion on stopping excessive gerrymandering
Morning Call: Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong addresses county issues
Reading Eagle: Mark Scott changes his mind, announces he’ll run again for Berks County commissioner  
Reading Eagle: Berks League of Women Voters says district maps drawn after 2020 Census could set political landscape for decades  
Reading Eagle: Reading Redevelopment Authority member resigns because she doesn’t meet eligibility requirements  
Reading Eagle: Glenside Elementary students meet U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan  
Reading Eagle: Game-changing forfeiture law ruling won’t have major impact in Berks
Express Times: Candidate announces she’ll challenge longtime incumbent Easton mayor

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Bernie Sanders backs UE Local 506 in Wabtec-GE merger
Erie Times-News: Rep. Kelly tours downtown Erie project
Erie Times-News: House advances Bizzarro’s homebuyer savings account bill
Erie Times-News: City of Erie announces Flagship Fund grant recipients
Erie Times-News: Wentling to serve on state historical commission
Erie Times-News: Seelinger withdraws from Erie County judge race
Erie Times-News: City of Erie hires new business development officer
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Council votes to move police department

Opinion
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Security boondoggle: House and Senate should rely on Capitol Police
Post-Gazette Editorial Board:  Preventable problems: Anti-vaxxers rely on bunk science
Inquirer Editorial Board: If Catholic leaders can’t reform the church, the faithful should lead the way
Superintendent William Hite: Philly schools need diverse curriculum and diverse teachers
Tony Norman: Jussie Smollett: The actor who cried ‘MAGA’
Christine Flowers: Knitting controversy shows micro-aggression sensitivity going too far
Will Bunch: Clarence Thomas wants to crush the free press just like Southern segregationists of the 1960s
Jason Jaewan Lee: Criminalizing health care professionals’ mistakes dodges the real problem
Michael J. Cozzillio: Republicans created their Trumpenstein monster. It’s up to them to do something about it
Adam N. Michel: If even our senators are confused, then it’s time to end tax withholding