George Scott announces a bid for the state Senate’s 15th District, while Wanda Logan is selected to be the Republican candidate for the upcoming special election in the state House’s 190th District. Here is the Playbook. 

Scott Launches Bid for SD15: The one time candidate for Congress is attempting to unseat state Sen. John DiSanto (R-Dauphin).

HD190: Wanda Logan Selected as GOP Candidate: Logan said that the district deserves a competent community leader and a businesswoman representing them.

Kelly Announces Melanie Brewer as Campaign Manager: Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Butler) announced that Melanie Brewer, who previously served as his campaign manager in 2012 and political director for his first campaign in 2010, as his campaign manager for his upcoming reelection bid. Since her last campaign with Kelly, she has managed the campaigns of state Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-Erie), and more in addition to holding different roles in corporate management in the private sector. 

Vulakovich Returns to Government Relations as Senior Principal at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney: According to a release from Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, Randy Vulakovich is returning to the government relations group as its senior principal. He most recently served as the firm’s chief administrative officer. 

Legislative Election Update: 

SD-31: State Sen. Mike Regan (R-York) announced that he is seeking a second term in the state House. Regan was elected to the state House in 2016 after defeating Democrat John Bosha by 36 points. 

SD-31: Shanna Danielson, a public school music teacher from Dillsburg, announced her intentions to seek the Democratic Party nomination for the seat held by state Sen. Mike Regan (R-York). Regan was elected to the state House in 2016 after defeating Democrat John Bosha by 36 points.

HD-105: State Rep. Andrew Lewis (R-Dauphin) announced his intentions to seek a second term in the state House. Lewis bested Democrat Eric Epstein by less than 2 points for the seat in 2018. 

Harrisburg & DC   
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Census 2020: Pa. is expected to lose a seat in Congress. Here’s why that’s a huge deal
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa.’s Congressional delegation splits on party lines on House vote to check Trump on Iran
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Could a state cell phone tax power Pa.’s rural broadband fund?
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Cropland in the commonwealth: Here’s what’s growing across the state |The Numbers Racket Returns
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Despite progress, Pa. still has work to do to clean up the Chesapeake Bay, environmental experts tell lawmakers
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Maryland Gov. moves to sue Pa. for ‘falling short’ in Chesapeake clean-up
WITF: Pa. Democrats push to shore up insurance coverage in case ACA is struck down
WITF: Advocates Rally Against Bill To Keep White Haven And Polk State Centers Open
AP: State police provide guidance for sale of ‘ghost gun’ frames
AP: Ex-mayor on prison life: Spin class, teaching and law books 
AP: Bill Cosby asks Pennsylvania high court to review conviction
New York Times: Steel Hub’s Comeback Preceded Trump, but He Benefits
PLSReporter: Pennsylvania faces criticism, potential legal threat over adherence to Chesapeake Bay pollution reduction plan 
PLSReporter: ’This is the issue of the decade’: New year brings new insights into addressing state’s rural broadband problem 
PLSReporter: Joint Policy Committee discusses new neutrality 
Inquirer: Elizabeth Warren is gearing up for the 2020 Pennsylvania primary with a new Philly field office
Inquirer: Young Fox News reporter from Pa. is facing tense days in Iraq 
Times-Tribune: Casey, Toomey talk about Iran
Morning Call: Gerrymandering in crosshairs as lawmakers renew push to change how PA draws legislative maps
The Hill: Trump, Bloomberg ignite spending boom with Super Bowl ads
WESA: Public Input Sought For Potential Region-Wide Transportation Emissions Cap-And-Invest Program 

Philadelphia 
Philly Clout: Special elections bring out the big spender in Pennsylvania House Speaker Mike Turzai
Inquirer: Elizabeth Warren is gearing up for the 2020 Pennsylvania primary with a new Philly field office
Inquirer: For sale: 1,300 acres in South Philly. Next 7 days could decide the fate of bankrupt refinery.
Inquirer: ‘No War With Iran’ protesters march and chant through Center City
Inquirer: Philly is now publicly shaming ‘bad actor’ businesses that break the city’s labor laws
Inquirer: Two mighty regional law firms merge; Philly’s Pepper Hamilton combines with Atlanta’s Troutman Sanders
Inquirer: ‘Daddy Bernie’ is on Philly Tinder, and he wants you to swipe right for Bernie Sanders
Inquirer: Michael White, cleared of manslaughter in Rittenhouse Square stabbing, gets 2 years’ probation for evidence tampering
KYW Newsradio: Former Philadelphia Councilmember Reynolds Brown has a new job in City Hall
KYW Newsradio: Philly School Board open for nominations
KYW Newsradio: Michael White sentenced to 2 years probation in Rittenhouse stabbing case 
WHYY Newsworks: Michael White to serve probation for evidence tampering in fatal Rittenhouse stabbing
Billy Penn: What’s in a name? From criminal to elite, the history of ‘Outlaw’
Philadelphia Magazine: Jim Kenney Reads Mean Tweets: The Last-Term Edition 
Philadelphia Citizen: The Year of Transformative Change
Philadelphia Business Journal: How Philadelphia’s tax abatement changes may affect future housing prices, construction
Philadelphia Tribune: MLK Jr. Day of Service to focus on voting rights, U.S. Census

SEPA
Bucks Courier Times: Mourners remember late Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick
Bucks Courier Times: House set to vote on legislation requiring government to act on PFAS
Bucks Courier Times: KC Tomlinson to run for House seat vacated by Gene DiGirolamo 
Delco Daily Times: Scanlon votes to limit Trump’s war-making powers
Delco Daily Times: New Delco council begin plans for the future
Daily Local News: Lawmakers want pipeline opponents to be heard
Daily Local News: WCU hosts legislative hearing on future of higher education
Daily Local News: Sappey to host town hall meeting Jan. 16
Daily Local News: Immaculata, WCU get grants for opioid prevention
Inquirer: Preventing the next mass shooting: Secret Service is training hundreds of teachers, cops at Bucks high school
Bucks Local News: CHANGING OF THE GUARD: Democratic majority takes the reins of Bucks County government
Bucks Local News: TRAFFIC ALERT: Funeral for former U.S. Congressman expected to create traffic issues in Middletown Township
Montgomery Media: Montco commissioners approve 10 resolutions in first 2020 meeting

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh faith leader to moderate Democrat primary forum in Iowa
Post-Gazette: Swearing-in now set for Uniontown treasurer who sued for racial bias
Post-Gazette: New faces join Etna, Shaler, Sharpsburg councils
City Paper: Rep. Mike Doyle backs the CLEAN Future Act. How does it compare to the Green New Deal?
City Paper: Pittsburgh has a lot of flipped homes recently. What does that mean for the region?
City Paper: Allegheny County Jail population down 7% in 2019, according to new county report
WESA: ‘I Had A Lot Of Good Years’: Outgoing Councilor Darlene Harris Looks Back
Tribune Review: Former councilman and former Carlynton board member sworn in on Carnegie Council
Tribune Review: Uniontown’s elected treasurer claims racism by city officials has kept her from taking office
KDKA: Uniontown Treasurer-Elect Who Says She Was Denied Swearing-In Because Of Race Will Be Seated Next Week
KDKA: Judge Allows Lawsuit Alleging Pittsburgh Diocese Created ‘Public Nuisance’ 

SWPA 
Altoona Mirror: Wolf approves $500K in agriculture grants
Altoona Mirror: Council swears in Ickes, Carper 
Observer-Reporter: O’Neal, Mihalek to host state grant seminar
Observer-Reporter: Monongahela council holds reorganization meeting
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Somerset DA drops full-time position, replacing with two part-time
Post-Gazette: Allegheny Technologies chief says Beaver County plant in jeopardy
Tribune Review: Board appointment prompts Westmoreland commissioners’ first dust-up
Tribune Review: Big plans for Westmoreland outlined at annual State of County luncheon
Beaver County Times: Beaver County reassessment to cost $6.4M
Beaver County Times: Honk for Peace rally 

NEPA
Citizens Voice: Marsicano will seek Republican nomination in 8th District
Citizens Voice: Women to ‘rise together’ for annual march
Citizens Voice: County election board seeks chairperson 
Times-Tribune: Former Hazleton mayor Marsicano to run for Eighth District seat in Congress, challenging Cartwright
Times-Tribune: Mullins tours Mid Valley Elementary to learn more about anti-bullying program
The Times Leader: Marsicano switches to Republican in bid for 8th Congressional District seat
The Times Leader: Public expresses concern over New York City’s involvement over Walter Dam study
The Times Leader: W-B Area votes to keep tax hike within state limit

South Central 
York Dispatch: Special election Tuesday to fill former Sen. Folmer’s seat
York Dispatch: Smucker, Perry oppose House attempt to rein in Trump
York Dispatch: York County’s new elections director starts work Friday, oversees special election Tuesday
York Dispatch: Sen. Regan announces reelection bid in 2020
LNP | LancasterOnline: Faith leaders urge US to ‘move away from the precipice of war’
Patriot News: Pa. Sen. Mike Regan to seek a second term; ‘there is more to be done’
Patriot News: Rep. Andrew Lewis to seek re-election to second term in Pa. House

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: ‘It’s kind of like being mayor but for a lot less money’: Ed Pawlowski reveals what he’s doing in prison
Morning Call: Lehigh Valley Methodists uneasy about plan to divide church over gay marriage
Morning Call: Gerrymandering in crosshairs as lawmakers renew push to change how PA draws legislative maps
Reading Eagle: Berks County commissioners approve promotions, pay changes
Reading Eagle: Berks environmental leaders pick top issues for 2020

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Erie mayor envisions path to city’s success
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: US representative Fred Keller announces reelection bid
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: County prioritizes projects for 2020
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Comms vote to reorganize DA’s office
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: City council, mayor hold initial meeting

Opinion  
Inquirer Staff: Do officials who block people on social media violate the First Amendment? | Pro/Con
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Through a glass darkly: Nation needs reasoned debate before war
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Work zone safety: Program aims to slow down drivers
Bob Casey: Why we need to protect Affordable Care Act  
John Baer: Hey, let’s try thinking positively about politics 
John L. Micek: More and more states are moving away from the death penalty. What’s Pa.’s excuse? | Thursday Morning Coffee
Tom Daschle and David Hebert: Expanding the role of nurse practitioners should be low-hanging fruit for health-care reform 
Jenice Armstrong: She killed her abusive ex in self-defense. She should not have gone to jail. 
Brian O’Neill: Real estate assessments are stuck on tilt
Constance Garcia-Barrio: ‘This is the only child I have and I much desire to find him’: Confronting U.S. history of family separation 
Will Bunch: After decades of endless war, does America have any idea how to fight for peace?
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: War to end our Middle East wars
Trudy Rubin: Phase Two of the U.S.-Iran conflict will take place in Iraq 
Steven Malanga: Banning dollar stores to prevent food deserts is unjust 
Christine Flowers: Finally some justice for maligned Covington Catholic student Nick Sandmann 
Bruce Sacerdote: This is what happens when community college is made free

The Playbook has been updated to correct a mistake noting that Randy Vulakovich has taken the role of senior principal of Government Relations at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, not former state Sen. Randy Vulakovich (R-Allegheny).