Attorney General Josh Shapiro announces his intentions to seek a second term. Here is the Playbook. 

Former Hazleton Mayor Mike Marsicano Launches GOP Bid Against Cartwright: Marsicano, who is the fourth Republican to join the race, said the three most important issues to Northeast Pennsylvania are the economy, crime, and the opioid crisis.

Shapiro Announces Reelection Bid: Shapiro confirmed on Wednesday morning his intentions to seek a second term as Attorney General.

Kenney Endorses Lamb for Auditor General: Pittsburgh City Controller Michael Lamb, who is one of several Democrats seeking their party’s nomination for Auditor General, was endorsed on Wednesday by Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney. 

Legislative Election Update: 

SD-19: State Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-Chester) announced his intentions to seek another term in the state Senate. Dinniman won his most recent reelection bid over Republican Jack London by nearly 13 points in 2016. 

HD-131: Milou Mackenzie, a longtime Lehigh Valley businesswoman and former schoolteacher, announced her intentions for the Republican Party nomination for the seat held by state Rep. Justin Simmons (R-Lehigh), who announced his decision in December to not seek another term. Simmons, who was first elected to the state House in 2010, won his most recent reelection bid in 2018 by 5.5 points over Democrat Andrew Lee.

HD-16: Rico Elmore, an Air National Guard member and conductor for Norfolk Southern Railway, announced his intentions to seek the Republican Party nomination for the seat held by state Rep. Rob Matzie (D-Beaver), according to the Beaver County Times. Matzie hasn’t faced a challenger since 2012 when he bested Republican Kathy Coder by 12 points. 

Harrisburg & DC   
Patriot News: Josh Shapiro running for re-election as Pa. Attorney General
Patriot News: ‘Pennsylvania Skill’ game maker seeks protection from police raids while state court reviews machines’ legality
Patriot News: Pa. lawmakers hope to pass probation reform bill this year but some differ on putting caps on sentences 
Patriot News: ‘Perpetual state of probation’: Changing a system that critics say wastes taxpayer money and wrecks lives 
Patriot News: The 2020 Battlefield | Battleground Pa. podcast
Patriot News: State universities’ leader calls on lawmakers to ‘set this State System and more importantly, Pennsylvania up for success’
AP: Lawmakers aim to stop closure of 2 institutions for disabled
AP: Bloomberg campaign hiring ahead of Pennsylvania primary
AP: State House votes to stop drivers’ use of hand-held phones
AP: GOP prosecutor wins central Pennsylvania state Senate seat
KDKA: Pennsylvania Senators Bob Casey And Pat Toomey To Face Off During Impeachment Trial Of President Donald Trump
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Here’s what’s at stake for Pa. in the 2020 Census: School funding, road repairs and more
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Facing veto threat, Pa. House approves bill blocking Wolf from closing centers for the intellectually disabled
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: After years of trying, Pa. House finally passes handheld cell phone ban
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. Corrections officials recommend shuttering state prison in Luzerne County. But Gov. Tom Wolf will have the final word
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Actor/activist Alyssa Milano launches fundraising push to flip Pa. in 2020
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Philly Mayor Jim Kenney endorses Pittsburgh’s Michael Lamb as Auditor General race heats up
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Dept. of Banking and Securities aims to boost financial literacy, savings for Pa. women
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: As impeachment heads to the Senate, Pa. Dems call for transparency, witnesses; GOP lines up behind Trump
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Va. Gov. Northam ‘discussing’ whether to take legal action against Pa., EPA over Bay cleanup
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Management companies don’t have the same rights as charter schools, appeals board rules 
Inquirer: Mike Bloomberg is getting a head start on the Pennsylvania Democratic primary with a huge hiring spree
WITF: Pa. Democrats say House speaker struck failed GOP votes from the record
WITF: Two freshman Democrats are trying to guarantee medical consent in Pa.
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. provides some of the worst opportunities for students of color, reports say
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. moves to close another prison as incarceration rates drop
Beaver County Times: Suicide panel releases report on ways to address mental health issues
PLSReporter: House approves amended Polk/White Haven moratorium with veto-proof majority
PLSReporter: Attorney General Josh Shapiro announces re-election bid
PLSReporter: A House divided: Despite disagreement over enforcement, bill to ban cell phone use while driving moves to Senate
PLSReporter: House passes tax break for Philly businesses
PLSReporter: Greenstein: 2020 a ‘turning point’ for PASSHE, state funding of higher education
PLSReporter: Lebanon County DA Dave Arnold wins race for Senate District 48
Post-Gazette: ‘We are ready’: State System chancellor says reforms in place but next 12 months critical
Post-Gazette: Trump plans to sign a partial trade deal with China. But will it end the uncertainty?
Post-Gazette: Farmers could be biggest beneficiaries in new U.S.-China trade deal
Morning Call: Pennsylvania House just approved ban on cellphone use while driving. Here’s why some are now calling it a ‘step backward’
Daily Beast: Trump Privately Obsessed With Bernie Sanders’ Popularity and Socialism’s Appeal
City Paper: The results are in: Here’s who’s using medical marijuana in Pennsylvania, and why
Politico: Democrats plan $50M campaign to flip state legislatures before redistricting
Politico: National immigrant rights group endorses Sanders
WESA: Toomey Voices Opposition To USMCA Ahead Of Senate Vote 

Philadelphia 
Inquirer: Mike Bloomberg is getting a head start on the Pennsylvania Democratic primary with a huge hiring spree
Inquirer: Meet the woman whose new job is to help Philadelphia kids
Inquirer: Philly demonstrators demand remaining aid for Puerto Rico outside HUD offices
Inquirer: Mayor Jim Kenney wants the Philadelphia Museum of Art to revamp harassment policies after the scandal involving a former manager 
Inquirer: Whitewater fans fear change at Lehigh dam, wonder why New York City is involved
Philly Voice: Elizabeth Warren opens presidential campaign office in West Philadelphia
WHYY Newsworks: The new boss at PIDC wants to robot-proof the city’s economy
PLSReporter: House passes tax break for Philly businesses
Philadelphia Business Journal: Philadelphia positioned for continued growth, panel says, if government gets on board
Philadelphia Business Journal: New York magazine veteran poised to lead Inquirer: ‘I think there’s a lot to be optimistic about.’
Philadelphia Business Journal: PIDC promotes from within for new president 
KYW Newsradio: City launches program to improve job prospects for immigrants in Philly

SEPA
Daily Local News: Killion’s seat a top target for Dems
Bucks Courier Times: Bucks County preparing for new machines ahead of special election 
Delco Daily Times: Delco moves forward on establishing a health department
Pottstown Mercury: Pottstown committee, commission appointments set for 2020

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: Meet Pittsburgh’s new development leaders who will refocus economic growth
Post-Gazette: Trump plans to sign a partial trade deal with China. But will it end the uncertainty?
WESA: Toomey Voices Opposition To USMCA Ahead Of Senate Vote
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘We’re all gonna do great things’: New Allegheny County Council member Bethany Hallam looks to the year ahead
Pittsburgh Business Times: Peduto pledges change in development approach by the city
Pittsburgh Business Times: URA to establish line of credit program for minority, women-owned businesses
City Paper: The displacement of Anthony Hardison from his Lawrenceville apartment is a microcosm of a neighborhood epidemic
KDKA: Campaign 2020: What To Expect As Articles Of Impeachment Head To Senate
KDKA: Kidsburgh: State Program Gives Each Child Born In Pa. $100 Towards College

SWPA 
Observer-Reporter: Elections office plans mandatory training for poll workers
Observer-Reporter: Monessen man says actions taken at council meeting violate Sunshine Law
Beaver County Times: Rochester’s Elmore enters GOP primary for Matzie’s seat
Beaver County Times: Bernstine’s bill reforming Sunshine Act unanimously passes House 
Beaver County Times: Homeless men still transported out of Beaver County

NEPA
The Times Leader: House approves bill that would halt closure of White Haven, Polk centers
The Times Leader: Retreat closure report draws strong reactions, mostly angry
The Times Leader: Griffith says he’s being civil, but not the manager
The Times Leader: DOC report recommends closing of SCI Retreat
Times-Tribune: Cognetti defends emergency counsel hire before council
Times-Tribune: Head of national teachers union pledges support for Scranton teachers
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County commissioners introduce tax-hike budget, passage in doubt
Times-Tribune: Assault charges against political consultant held for court
Times-Tribune: Clarks Green Council holds off on senior center vote 
Times-Tribune: Department of Corrections recommends closure of SCI-Retreat in Luzerne County 
Times-Tribune: Scranton City Council to urge DePasquale to audit sale
Citizens Voice: W-B mayor plans to visit city’s problem areas
Citizens Voice: County council votes down solicitor referendum
Citizens Voice: DOC recommends closure of SCI-Retreat 

South Central 
York Daily Record: State senate special election wrap-up
AP: Judge agrees to block Trump order on refugee resettlement, which Cumberland County approved Monday
Patriot News: Pa. House passes bill to strengthen penalties for not properly marking dams that can become ‘drowning machines’
Patriot News: The 2020 Battlefield | Battleground Pa. podcast
Patriot News: ‘Perpetual state of probation’: Changing a system that critics say wastes taxpayer money and wrecks lives 
Patriot News: ‘Pennsylvania Skill’ game maker seeks protection from police raids while state court reviews machines’ legality
York Dispatch: Phillips-Hill’s anti-sex trafficking bill moves to House floor
York Dispatch: County board: We will ‘make sure the processes were followed’ in Ulrich hiring

Lehigh Valley      
Express Times: Small businesswoman, former teacher running for Republican state house nod
Reading Eagle: Reading council and Mayor Eddie Moran break bread, literally, at first meeting of 2020
Morning Call: A ‘no-excuse Census’: Officials unveil Allentown regional office, discuss jobs, recruitment and education 
Morning Call: Pennsylvania House just approved ban on cellphone use while driving. Here’s why some are now calling it a ‘step backward’

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Lawmakers aim to stop closure of 2 institutions for disabled
Erie Times-News: Erie City Council members deny filling vacancy a ‘done deal’ 
Erie Times-News: Thompson seeks re-election to Congress 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Yaw speaks to Chesapeake Bay cleanup issue 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Veteran lawmaker anxious to get to work 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Young helped to improve residents’ living standards, parks and streets
Centre Daily Times: New Ferguson Township supervisor sets his sights on development, environmental issues

Opinion  
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Pipeline woes: DEP needs to be vigilant in monitoring company
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Overdue justice: Iranian hostages still waiting for restitution
Inquirer Editorial Board: Pennsylvania needs better strategy for treating addicted people behind bars
Frank Dermody: Let’s not turn back the clock on affordable health care in Pa.
Kate Klunk: New year, new laws take effect
John L. Micek: New report calls for ‘comprehensive’ fight against Pa.’s other public health crisis: Suicide | Wednesday Morning Coffee
Paul Muschick: Why is hailing Soleimani’s death on the Pennsylvania legislature’s agenda?
Kathleen McHale: Why we need to jump-start Pa.’s ‘stalled’ investment in early childhood care and education
Abraham Gutman: Philly can learn a lot about criminal justice reform and public safety from Chicago prosecutor Kim Foxx | Q&A
Andrew Knips: I work at a Philly school closed by asbestos. We’re fed up. 
Lindsay Kuo: M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘Servant’ disrespects Fitler Square residents 
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Impeachment witnesses for Mitch McConnell
Dennis Jett, Amy Dacey, and Pearl Dowe: The 3 quotes that defined the 2020 Dems’ Iowa debate | Analysis
Trudy Rubin: Never mind Iran, impeachment: Pay attention to Taiwan 
Dan Simpson: Misgovernance drags down otherwise great nations