Republican Lebanon County District Attorney Dave Arnold wins the special election for the state Senate’s 48th District. Here is the Playbook. 

SD48: Arnold Cruises to Special Election Victory: The Lebanon County District attorney will fill the seat vacated by former state Sen. Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon).

Boyle, Lamb Campaign For Biden in New Hampshire: Over the weekend, Reps. Brendan Boyle and Conor Lamb were both in New Hampshire making separate stops on behalf of Biden’s presidential campaign.

Jamie Mogil Announces Primary Bid Against Daylin Leach: Mogil, a consumer protection and workplace discrimination attorney, is at least the sixth Democrat to announce a primary bid against state Sen. Daylin Leach. She touts her work combating gerrymandering and believes that more can be done at the state level to stand up for “progressive values.”

DiNicola Rules Out Congressional, State Senate Run: Ron DiNicola, who was the Democratic candidate for the 16th Congressional District in 2018 against Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Butler), announced that he will not run for Congress or the state Senate’s 49th District in 2020, but instead will dedicate his focus “on securing a community college for Erie County.” Kelly bested DiNicola by 4 points in the Trump friendly district. “Erie County deserves better from Washington and Harrisburg, and I seriously considered running to provide that alternative vision,” DiNicola said in a release.  “However, I believe my focus in 2020 must be on securing a community college in our area that will make higher education affordable and accessible to thousands of our neighbors and it would help create the good-paying jobs we need in the future.”

Lamb Endorses Kennedy for Senate: Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-MA) rolled out a list of endorsements from Democratic House colleagues on Tuesday for his bid for U.S. Senate that included an endorsement from Rep. Conor Lamb (D-Allegheny).  

Legislative Election Update: 

SD-47: State Sen. Elder Vogel Jr. (R-Beaver) announced that he will seek a fourth term in the state Senate. Vogel ran unopposed in his most recent reelection bid. 

HD-152: According to the Pennsylvania Capital-Star’s Stephen Caruso, Rep. Tom Murt (R-Montgomery) was asked to comment if he is seeking another term in the state House, but the incumbent said that he was still deciding whether to run or not. Murt bested Democrat Daryl Boling by 10 points in his most recent reelection bid. 

HD-124: Taylor Picone, an officer in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, announced his intentions for the Democratic Party nomination for the seat held by state Rep. Jerry Knowles (R-Schuylkill). According to the Reading Eagle, Picone is the first Democrat to formally announce a bid for the seat. Knowles ran unopposed in his most recent reelection bid.

Harrisburg & DC   
Patriot News: Lebanon County DA elected to 48th Senatorial District
Patriot News: Lebanon County DA says he’s ‘ready to get to work’ in new role as state senator
Patriot News: Cheyney University announces a third private sector partner moving onto its campus
Patriot News: Alec Baldwin makes plea to Pa. Gov. Wolf to get obese black bear released from roadside zoo  
Patriot News: Pa. House set to vote on a bill to discourage drivers from talking on handheld phones 
AP: House votes to make agencies post agendas before meetings
AP: 15 states oppose Trump plan to allow LNG shipments by rail
AP: Ex-player sues Penn State over football hazing allegations
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Republican Dave Arnold apparently on track to win in Pa. Senate special election
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: House Democrats accuse Speaker Turzai of making votes on defeated bills disappear
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: States ‘are our eyes and ears,’ top lawmaker says as Pa. asks Congress for help in opioid crisis
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. House panel advances bills expanding penalties for human trafficking
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. county commissioners put mental health funding front and center on 2020 budget wish list
Inquirer: How Pennsylvania teens are preparing to cast their first vote for president: ‘The boys mostly like Trump’
Inquirer: Pennsylvania is getting a different kind of ‘early voting’ in time for the 2020 election
Inquirer: You’re about to get bombarded with 2020 Census ads
WITF: Wolf says despite GOP compromise, drilling bill still poses too much environmental risk
WITF: Wolf administration warns against proposed SNAP cuts
WITF: Pa. House moves to keep people convicted of gun crimes in jail longer
PLSReporter: Mental health care funding tops county commissioner wish list for 2020
PLSReporter: Initial recommendations of suicide prevention task force include more services in school, red flag legislation
PLSReporter: In bipartisan burst, House Judiciary signs off on anti-human trafficking package
PLSReporter: Lawmakers seek to end pelvic examinations performed without consent
New York Times: Priorities USA, Democratic Super PAC, Will Spend $150 Million on Anti-Trump Ads
National Journal: Democratic Candidates Warm Up to Climate Change Messaging
Morning Call: Pennsylvania suicide prevention tactics: ‘red flag’ gun law, more treatment, less stigma
Morning Call: The census is coming. Here’s why it matters, and what you need to do. 
The Hill: Largest Democratic super PAC to spend $150M this cycle
The Hill: New Biden ad uses montage of Trump referencing him to make electability case
Politico: Bloomberg’s campaign snowballs to 1,000 staffers and counting
Politico: Trump looks to reward conservative Catholics for their loyalty 
CNN: Biden uses Trump’s own words to make his case in new ad

Philadelphia 
KYW Newsradio: Philly City Councilmember gets up close view of Puerto Rico’s earthquake aftermath
KYW Newsradio: The Philadelphia Inquirer names Lisa Hughes as new publisher
KYW Newsradio: Philly agency sounding the alarm on proposed HUD rules that could impact affordable housing
WHYY Newsworks: The Comcast executive who’ll be a key power player in 2020
Philadelphia Magazine: What to Expect at This Year’s Women’s March on Philadelphia 
Inquirer: Former New Yorker executive Lisa Hughes named Philadelphia Inquirer’s first female publisher
Inquirer: Philadelphia asked residents what they think of city government and most aren’t satisfied
Inquirer: Lawyer, councilmember call for safety first in the awarding of public construction contracts
Inquirer: Northeast Philly plant wins $176 million U.S. Navy helicopter deal
Philadelphia Business Journal: Inquirer names new publisher
Philadelphia Tribune: Automated speed cameras finally coming to Roosevelt Boulevard
Philadelphia Tribune: Entrepreneur uses fashion to address mass incarceration

SEPA
Bucks Local News: Democratic Congressional Candidate Forum set for January 25 in Doylestown
Bucks Local News: Northampton Township Supervisors pick Selisker and Silver to lead board
Bucks Courier Times: AG Shapiro: Anonymous Safe2say tips reach 40,382 in first year
Bucks Courier Times: Coalition aims to improved re-entry for Bucks County parolees, probationers
Pottstown Mercury: Pottstown council opposes bed-and-breakfast zoning variances
Delco Daily Times: Delco teams with state to find source of ‘THE smell’
Delco Daily Times: New jail oversight board tackles ODs, suicide

Pittsburgh 
KDKA: Pa. Second Lady Giselle Fetterman To Make Stop In Allegheny Co. As Part Of Census Awareness Tour
KDKA: Under Threat Of Lawsuit, Allegheny Co. Purging 69,000 Inactive Voters From Rolls
KDKA: Governor’s Office Demands Range Resources Fix Methane Leak Once And For All, Company Claims It’s Naturally Occurring
Post-Gazette: City Council to consider a ban on ‘hateful activities’ and moving away from blue recycling bags
Post-Gazette: Amid rise of stimulant use, Pennsylvania asks Congress for flexibility in opioid funding
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County appoints top public defender
Post-Gazette: Port Authority sets community meetings on future transit plans
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh’s new chief development officer took winding, rocky road
WESA: Will New Bill Deal Blow To Racism, Or Just Settle Scores?
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh councilman proposes bill that would outlaw ‘hateful activities’
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh’s new $1.7 million payroll system stumbles in debut
Tribune Review: Allegheny County names chief public defender
City Paper: In Pa., it’s legal for medical students to perform pelvic exams on unconscious patients without consent. A new bill aims to change that.

SWPA 
Beaver County Times: Vogel says ‘more work to do’ in announcing state Senate re-election bid
Beaver County Times: Beaver County salary board mulls non-union raises
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: New bill to lower cost of prescription drugs
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Counties push for more funds for mental health support 
KDKA: CEO: Beaver County Plant May Close Due To Consequences Of President Donald Trump’s Steel Tariffs
Observer-Reporter: Bill allowing corrections officers opportunity to testify in parole hearings passes in state House
Observer-Reporter: State House passes bill to name bridge in honor of West Brownsville veteran

NEPA
Citizens Voice: Wyoming attorney announces bid for 120th state House District
Citizens Voice: Labor secretary touts economic ‘rebound’ in NEPA 
The Times Leader: Attorney to seek Democratic nomination in 120th District
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Councilman proposes legal action challenging pollution reduction mandate and stormwater fee
The Times Leader: Mayor Brown to ride with DPW, police, fire chiefs
Times-Tribune: Scranton hires law firm with legal eagle to handle city’s appeal of financially devastating tax lawsuit
Times-Tribune: National teachers union president, others to speak at Scranton School District funding meeting Wednesday

South Central 
Patriot News: Lebanon County DA elected to 48th Senatorial District
Patriot News: Lebanon County DA says he’s ‘ready to get to work’ in new role as state senator
Patriot News: Rep. Barb Gleim to seek re-election to Pa. House representing Cumberland County
Patriot News: Deputies, paralegals lose jobs as central Pa. sheriff starts his fourth term with changes in mind
Carlisle Sentinel: Cumberland County will continue to allow refugee resettlement after Trump order on local control 
York Dispatch: Republican Dave Arnold wins Senate race, will take over Folmer’s seat
York Dispatch: York County GOP: New elections director needs to be fired
York Dispatch: Grove pitches bill targeting Mount Rose Avenue contractor
LNP | LancasterOnline: District Attorney Heather Adams discontinues lawsuit against county commissioners
LNP | LancasterOnline: Wrightsville council reelects White as president after write-in victory
LNP | LancasterOnline: HACC president blames ‘no confidence’ vote on ‘a breakdown in communication’

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: Pennsylvania suicide prevention tactics: ‘red flag’ gun law, more treatment, less stigma
Morning Call: The census is coming. Here’s why it matters, and what you need to do. 
Morning Call: Allentown Diocese reveals $9 million in compensation to abuse victims

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Thompson announces re-election campaign
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: County commissioners approve contracts
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Comms list broad-based initiatives for 2020
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Slaughter chooses administration team
Erie Times-News: Tonawanda may hold clues to future of Erie Coke site

Opinion  
Inquirer Editorial Board: What it means to workers when city steps up labor law enforcement 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Fairness in lending: Proposed banking changes need to be amended
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Fewer plastic bags: Stores smartly plan to end use
Elizabeth Fiedler and Liz Hanbidge: It’s time to end Pa’s outrageous practice of non-consensual, unnecessary pelvic exams
Matthew E. Beynon: What a Democrat will need to do to score a surprise victory in the Iowa caucuses
Salena Zito: Dollar General Is a Part of Americana Worth Saving and Celebrating
John L. Micek: Pa. House lawmakers introduced 12 non-binding resolutions in 7 hours on Monday. Why? | Tuesday Morning Coffee
Justin Vélez-Hagan: 5G wireless is critical to helping Puerto Ricans prosper at home and in Pa.
Tony Norman: The clock strikes 13 in the 11th hour of the Trump presidency
Paul Muschick: Don’t bury Allentown School District’s Building 21 because of pitiful test scores
Will Bunch: U.S. progressives should support the uprising in Iran — even if Trump does, too 
Gene Therapy: On the medal stands of Tokyo this summer, let freedom ring
Eric Failing: Let’s make 2020 the year of compassion and civility
Yasmine Hamou: How BuzzFeed’s interracial dating bot discourages important conversations 
Sharona Hoffman: High-priced specialty drugs: Exposing the flaws in the system