An Erie County poll shows President Donald Trump trailing former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Sen. Bernie Sanders in the county, while a Democratic super PAC releases their first television attack ads of 2020. Here is the Playbook. 

Mercyhurst: Bloomberg, Sanders Lead Trump in Erie County: While several Democratic presidential frontrunners lead Trump in a hypothetical head to head matchup in the swing county, only former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Sen. Bernie Sanders’ lead is beyond the margin of error.

Gym Endorses Sanders: The Philadelphia Councilmember cited Sanders support for healthcare, the Green New Deal, and school infrastructure investments in her endorsement.

Dem Super PAC Hits Trump in 1st PA TV Ads: The television ads from Priority USA are airing in the Pittsburgh, Harrisburg-Lancaster-Lebanon-York, Wilkes-Barre-Scranton, and Johnstown-Altoona markets.

Trump May Visit Scranton for Town Hall: According to the Citizens Voice and the Scranton Times-Tribune, President Donald Trump is “tentatively scheduled to visit Thursday, March 5,” multiple sources tell those papers. The sources tell the Citizens Voice and the Scranton Times-Tribune that the visit could be for a live town hall sponsored by Fox News. 

PennLive’s BattlegroundPA Podcast Talks about Bernie, PA Presidential Race, and the Coronavirus Economy: In the latest BattlegroundPA podcast hosted by PennLive’s Joyce Davis, the discussion centers around Sen. Bernie Sanders leading the Democratic presidential primary, how the presidential race is starting to shape up in Pennsylvania, plus how the coronavirus’ economic impact could affect President Donald Trump’s economic pitch for reelection. Davis is joined by Dauphin County Democratic Party Chairwoman Rogette Harris, Jeffrey Lord, and John Cole, Managing Editor of PoliticsPA. 

Axios: Pro-Trump super PAC To Released Ads in PA After Super Tuesday: In an exclusive to Axois, America First Action, a pro-Trump super PAC, is preparing to release a series of targeted attack ads on the Democratic presidential frontrunners after Super Tuesday in several swing states, including Pennsylvania. 

Liberal Super PAC To Release Digital Ads in PA Hitting Trump’s Coronavirus Response: According to The Hill, America Bridge, a liberal super PAC, is going to launch new digital ads in several key battleground states, including Pennsylvania, criticizing President Trump’s response to the coronavirus.

Harrisburg & DC   
Spotlight PA: Pa. lawmakers black out details of why they spent tax dollars, claiming ‘legislative privilege’
Spotlight PA: Pa. is preparing for coronavirus as CDC warns spread in U.S. may be ‘inevitable’
PA Post: At Adams County farm, warnings about Gov. Wolf’s proposed $200 million cut to race horse industry
Citizens Voice: Trump may visit Scranton for town hall event 
Morning Call: New Pennsylvania poll: Trump closes gap on all Democratic presidential rivals
Morning Call: Mike Bloomberg has an early start and is spending big in Pennsylvania. Will his bet pay off? 
AP: Democrat takes state House special election in west Philly
AP: Supervised drug injection site in US is almost ready to open
AP: Health outlines plans for possible Pennsylvania virus spread
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Brier pitches change, DePasquale experience to flip 10th Congressional District seat blue
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Democrat Green to replace Johnson-Harrell in West Philly House seat
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa.’s Casey votes for anti-abortion bills rejected by the U.S. Senate
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. Rep. Evans: U.S. House vote to make lynching a federal hate crime ‘sends a strong message’
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Could charging Pa. motorists for rush-hour driving pay for infrastructure? PennDOT wants to find out
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Facing skeptical lawmakers, Human Services official makes $3M pitch for funding for Planned Parenthood
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Better know a voting machine: Dept. of State rolls out new website to help 2020 voters
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Critics slam Trump attempt to overhaul bedrock environmental law
WHYY Newsworks: Pennsylvania Lt. Governor John Fetterman
Patriot News: Should Trump be worried about the Coronavirus Economy? | BattlegroundPA podcast
Patriot News: Pa. state universities: Faculty cuts are possible if early retirement offer doesn’t hit target
WITF: Pa. challenges colleges to get students enrolled to vote
PLSReporter: Despite no coronavirus cases in Pennsylvania, health officials brace for potential impact
PLSReporter: 3 takeaways from this week’s Human Services budget hearing
PLSReporter: Pittsburgh residents protest Shapiro’s record on the Board of Pardons
PLSReporter: Safehouse supervision site clears legal hurdle, scheduled to open next week
Fox News: Mystery smell overwhelms Pennsylvania county again, investigators baffled
Fox News: Green New Deal would cost swing-state households around $75G in first year: study
Post-Gazette: Multistate investigation of Juul could mean a settlement sooner than later, experts say 
StateImpactPA: Federal prosecutors investigating pipeline company in connection with Beaver County blast
Inquirer: Federal commission highlights harms and civil rights violations for women in prison
Inquirer: A progressive movement sweeping through counties Trump won in Pennsylvania could help Bernie Sanders win
The Hill: Trump campaign opening 15 community centers to reach black voters
The Hill: Liberal super PAC to launch ads slamming Trump’s coronavirus response
WESA: Pennsylvania Will Fall Behind Economically Without Targeted Investment, Officials Say
Politico: Trump campaign’s plan to woo black voters: Retail stores
KDKA: Around The Table: Looking Ahead To Super Tuesday
KDKA: Around The Table: Reaction To Heated South Carolina Debate 
CNN: Judge clears path for Philadelphia nonprofit to open safe-injection site to combat overdoses  
CNN: Trump campaign rolls out black voter outreach

Philadelphia 
WHYY Newsworks: South Philly injection site: As Rendell touts ‘tremendous’ upside, some neighbors flip out
WHYY Newsworks: Federal judge: Philly courts must record bail hearings
KYW Newsradio: Safehouse to open injection facility in South Philly next week
KYW Newsradio: Longtime head of Philadelphia’s teachers’ union survives challenge from union’s progressive wing  
Inquirer: South Philadelphia greets news of first supervised injection site with outrage, and also hope
Inquirer: Mayor Jim Kenney has hiked Philly spending in a big way, and City Controller Rebecca Rhynhart wants you to know it
Inquirer: Amid Philly schools’ asbestos crisis, city to pay an outside monitor to watchdog jobs 
Inquirer: Philadelphia teachers’ union president Jerry Jordan fends off challengers, but progressives make gains
Inquirer: Philly’s ban on recording bail hearings is unconstitutional, federal judge says
Inquirer: Philadelphia to get nation’s first supervised injection site: How we got here
Inquirer: Dockless bikesharing was poised for a try in Philly. Now there are no ‘concrete plans.’
Inquirer: The mom arrested by ICE outside a South Philly school is now facing deportation
Billy Penn: Philly’s Safehouse to open nation’s first supervised injection site after judge clearance 
Philadelphia Business Journal: Philadelphia’s hospitality industry keeps eye on coronavirus amid growing cases
Philadelphia Tribune: Philly-area drivers owe $21M in unpaid turnpike tolls – more than half of the statewide total 
PLSReporter: Safehouse supervision site clears legal hurdle, scheduled to open next week
Philly Voice: Safehouse’s plan to open overdose prevention site in South Philly sparks contentious reaction

SEPA
Daily Local News: Bipartisan effort to preserve race horse industry unites Chester Co. politicians, residents
Daily Local News: Attorney: Grand jury looking into Chesco OT payments
Daily Local News: Coatesville joins major cities supporting redistricting panel
Daily Local News: Rep. Hennessey cosponsors bill to create independent redistricting panel
Daily Local News: Avondale mayor: Borough council fiscally responsible; no tax hike for 11 straight years
Daily Local News: Local school districts to get more than $1.3 million in school safety grants
Delco Daily Times: Census officials warn of bogus GOP forms
Delco Daily Times: New higher education fund to help youth in Chester, Delaware counties
Bucks Courier Times: Wolf touts college scholarship plan at Pennsbury High School 
Bucks Courier Times: GOP claims politics at play in change of Centennial solicitor, seeks ethics inquiry
Inquirer: Republicans are spreading fake census forms throughout the Philly suburbs
Inquirer: Montgomery County has fired its top two public defenders 
Montgomery Media: Major shakeup in Montgomery County Public Defender’s Office

Pittsburgh 
City Paper: Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto explains why he isn’t backing the Green New Deal, but why he is also opposed to fracking
City Paper: Study shows rural Pennsylvania school districts not benefiting from nearby fracking
KDKA: Pres. Donald Trump To Open “Black Voices For Trump Community Center” In Pittsburgh To Woo Black Voters
KDKA: Pittsburgh Public School Board Meets To Discuss Changes To Charter School Funding
KDKA: Pittsburgh Councilman Introduces New Ordinance To Outlaw Reptiles
KDKA: Public Forum Held In Wilkinsburg, New Gun Violence Safety Program Unveiled
KDKA: Study: Pittsburgh Ranks Second Among 25 Best Cities For Jobs In 2020
WESA: ‘They Have Slowly Poisoned The Public School System’ — School Board Calls For Charter Funding Reform 
WESA: Council Revisits Parks Tax And Reptile Ownership
Post-Gazette: Kraus aims to replace Harris’ reptile ordinance, ban pet alligators
PLSReporter: Pittsburgh residents protest Shapiro’s record on the Board of Pardons
Tribune Review: Allegheny County Board of Elections facing lawsuit over voter rolls 
Tribune Review: Mayor Peduto pans design for planned 21-story office in Pittsburgh’s Strip District

SWPA 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Gov. Wolf to speak at Johnstown Boy Scouts event on Thursday
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria commissioners approve routine agreements
Beaver County Times: Progress 2020: Learning from the past to build a future post-Shell
Tribune Review: North Huntingdon officials hold closed-door session; discuss strategic plan
Observer-Reporter: Canonsburg welcomes ideas for economic growth
Observer-Reporter: Will anticipated mail-in ballot surge lead to longer wait for results?
Observer-Reporter: Mihalek hosting drug ID seminar
Observer-Reporter: Attorney asks for quick hearing in Sunshine Act suit filed against Monessen

NEPA
Citizens Voice: Trump may visit Scranton for town hall event 
Citizens Voice: County commission aims to be ‘lifeline’ in addiction battle 
Citizens Voice: Election board sets up Facebook page to prepare for primary
Citizens Voice: City sewer system on many W-B residents’ minds
Times-Tribune: Trump may visit Scranton for town hall
Times-Tribune: Meeting of the minds: five NEPA mayors hold skull session to talk shop
Times-Tribune: Scranton asks Pennsylvania Supreme Court to hear potentially devastating tax lawsuit that could cost city tens of millions
The Times Leader: GOP candidate Cammisa says rival Daniels forged petition signatures
The Times Leader: Gap between local Democrats, Republicans continues to shrink
The Times Leader: Mayors meet in Wilkes-Barre, next get together in Pittston
The Times Leader: Mayor Brown to speak at Heights-Mayflower Residents meeting
The Times Leader: Districts receive over $587K in school safety grants

South Central 
York Dispatch: ACLU weighs in on York City’s policy on releasing police body-cam footage
York Dispatch: Senator blasts Mount Rose project contractor for ‘change-order scheming’
Patriot News: Harrisburg files lawsuit against financial watchdog agency 
Patriot News: Should Trump be worried about the Coronavirus Economy? | BattlegroundPA podcast
Carlisle Sentinel: Election 2020: DePasquale, Brier make pitches to voters at Widener forum
Carlisle Sentinel: Area school districts receive state safety grants
LNP | LancasterOnline: Get information on elections, election security during Thursday livestream with state elections official Kathy Boockvar 

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: New Pennsylvania poll: Trump closes gap on all Democratic presidential rivals
Morning Call: At Mike Bloomberg watch party in Lehigh Valley, some excitement, and relief 
Morning Call: $2 million in school safety grants headed to Lehigh Valley: Find out which districts are receiving money for security improvements 
Morning Call: Kutztown has high hopes for Cannabis festival and its 10,000 visitors
Reading Eagle: Pa. school safety grants awarded to Berks districts 
Reading Eagle: Skyline Drive horse racing perplexes Reading officials
Reading Eagle: Wolf administration, Berks County continue preparations for coronavirus cases

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Erie County executive wants Blue Zones to expand 
Erie Times-News: Erie County to detail parks and recreation plan
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: District looks to tax increase, evaluate positions 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: County DUI fatalities down

Opinion  
Inquirer Editorial Board: South Philadelphia’s supervised injection site announcement is good news for a bad crisis
Inquirer Staff: Should the city give ‘extra credit’ to tech school grads who apply for government jobs? | Pro/Con
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Stop the grandstanding: Local governments cannot ignore state gun law
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Cost of drill­ing: DEP raises per­mit fees to cover reg­u­la­tory ser­vices
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Push­ing elec­tric­ity: Reg­u­la­tors should pe­nal­ize false sales tac­tics
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Changing course: NSA reveals flaw instead of exploiting it
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Phone time: Our cellphones are becoming addictive
Delco Daily Times Editorial: Why that $5 fee is the right thing to do 
Carol Hill-Evans: We demand property tax reform
Ernest Owens: Special Elections Are Undemocratic, Wasteful and Downright Stupid
Dan Urevick-Ackelsberg and Jennifer Kates: South Philly supervised injection site will keep the neighborhood safe 
John L. Micek: Exclusive: New ad campaign hits Pa. Rep. Perry over background checks vote | Wednesday Morning Coffee
John Baer: Super Tuesday could be super bad for Democrats 
Luisa Suarez: I’m worried my vote in the Pa. primary — my first ever — won’t be safe 
Denny Bonavita: I covered Pa. Senate Prez Joe Scarnati for 20 years. Here’s what I learned 
Domenic Powell: Philly needs a publicly owned electric company 
Keith Naughton, Ph.D.: Bernie Sanders’s wheezing, sputtering ‘juggernaut’
Bruce Ledewitz: A few thoughts on Ezra Klein’s new book. This is the real reason we’re polarized 
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Harvey Weinstein’s new casting couch
Paul Starobin: My journey to see if the Bernie Bro stereotype holds up 
Trudy Rubin: Trump’s India trip: Leaders of world’s two most important democracies trash rule of law 
Katherine Rapin: Ideas We Should Steal: HBCU Week 
Dan Simpson: A bleak state of affairs