Michael Bloomberg’s presidential campaign announces the hiring of several directors to senior positions for the state’s operation, while the Republicans select their candidate for the upcoming special election in the state House’s 18th District. Here is the Playbook. 

Torsella Enters 2020 With $1M Cash on Hand: The Democratic incumbent raised over $750,000 during the year according to his campaign.

HD18: KC Tomlinson Selected as GOP Nominee for Special Election: Tomlinson, the third generation Funeral Director and daughter of state Sen. Tommy Tomlinson (R-Bucks), said her priorities in office would be to prevent “dangerous Philadelphia policies” from entering the Bensalem district, hold the line on taxes, and combat the opioid crisis.

Bloomberg Announces Initial PA Hires: The Democratic presidential hopeful named Kevin Kinross as the campaign’s state’s director, while announcing a number of other hires including 12 regional organizing directors.

PA10: NARAL Pro-Choice America Endorses DePasquale: NARAL Pro-Choice America, who describes itself as the nation’s leading pro-choice advocacy group, endorsed Democrat Eugene DePasquale’s bid for Congress in the 10th Congressional District. 

Legislative Election Update: 

SD-33: Rich Sterner, current vice president of the Bermudian Springs School Board, announced his intentions to seek the Democratic Party nomination for the seat held by state Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-Adams). Mastriano bested Democrat Sarah Hammond in a special election by 37 points in 2019 for the seat vacated by state Sen. Rich Alloway (R-Adams/Cumberland/Franklin/York), who retired in February 2019. 

SD-9: Democrat John Kane, who is one of three candidates seeking his party’s nomination according to the Daily Local News, rolled over 40 endorsements from local, county, and statewide officials that included Attorney General Josh Shapiro, Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, Treasurer Joe Torsella, state Sen. Katie Muth (D-Montgomery) and more. The seat is held by state Sen. Tom Killion (R-Delaware), who defeated Democrat Martin Molloy for the seat in 2016 by over 2.5 points. 

HD-104: State Rep. Sue Helm (R-Dauphin) announced that she is seeking an eighth term in the state House. She won her most recent reelection bid by 9 points. 

HD-30: State Rep. Lori Mizgorski (R-Allegheny) announced her intentions to seek a second term in the state House. Mizgorski bested Democrat Betsy Monroe by 4.5 points for the seat in 2018. 

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Toomey says Senate trial should be fair, mum on witnesses
AP: Gov. Wolf mixes state work with personal time in Israel trip
AP: Pipeline firm to pay another $2M fine in Pennsylvania
AP: Gambling revenue in Pennsylvania hits new record high
AP: Education agency awards $1M to fight campus sexual assault
AP: Study: Spotted lanternfly costing Pennsylvania $50M annually
AP: $2M Fine Levied After Mariner East Pipelines Spill Of 208,000 Gallons Of Drilling Fluids Into Pennsylvania Lake
Patriot News: Scott Wagner sells Penn Waste to Canadian company 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa’s Fitzpatrick’s votes with Dems to torpedo DeVos student loan rule
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: At Harrisburg pensions panel, private equity firms pitch their soundness as investments
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: With their contract extended, PHEAA officials suggest improvements to controversial federal student loan program
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Cocaine, marijuana and heroin topped fourth quarter drug seizures | The Numbers Racket
Inquirer: Pat Toomey and Bob Casey just split on Trump’s trade deal — but not how you might think
Inquirer: Pennsylvania officials want the Philadelphia Museum of Art to revamp harassment policies after scandal involving former manager
Inquirer: Pa.’s $57 billion pension fund chooses a history teacher as new chair
Inquirer: Centre County DA says no charges have been filed after hazing allegations by a former Penn State football player 
PLSReporter: Senators voice displeasure as Department of Corrections recommends closing state prison in Luzerne County
PLSReporter: Right 2 Know Episode 38: Call me maybe?
PA Post: Pa.’s state parks need $500M for fixes. But there’s no agreement on where to get that money
Spotlight PA: Youth groups are skirting Pa. law intended to protect children from abuse in wake of Penn State scandal
Beaver County Times: Toomey bucks Trump on USMCA vote; Casey backs it citing ‘Democratic improvements’ 
The Hill: Planned Parenthood launches $45M campaign to back Democrats in 2020
The Hill: Democrats plan major investments in state legislative races
The Hill: Here are the 10 senators who voted against Trump’s North American trade deal
Philly Voice: Pennsylvania, New Jersey to sue Trump administration over plan to cut food stamps
Politico: 14 states sue Trump administration over food stamp rule
Fox News: Planned Parenthood launches 2020 initiative with endorsements, 5-figure ad buy
Fox News: Pennsylvania schools turning to ‘cyber snow days’ on bad weather days
CNN: Koch network plans its biggest election-year effort in 2020

Philadelphia 
Philly Clout: A Philadelphia Democrat turned a memorial service into a snap election for ward leader
WHYY Newsworks: Supervised injection at Prevention Point? Ahead of major ruling, Safehouse lacks location and funding
WHYY Newsworks: High levels of cancer-causing gas recorded at PES refinery in May, report reveals
WHYY Newsworks: Redlining’s ongoing harm: Intensifying impact of climate change, new study says
WHYY Newsworks: ‘We’re scared,’ South Philly residents say after city officials reveal explosion cause
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia city government could set record this year for overtime spending
KYW Newsradio: Teachers Union: ‘alarming’ levels of asbestos in air detected at McClure Elementary before reopening
Inquirer: Pennsylvania officials want the Philadelphia Museum of Art to revamp harassment policies after scandal involving former manager
Inquirer: A Philly woman who earned her way off probation was told she’s ‘an outlier.’ She’s hosting the Probation Awards to prove otherwise.
Inquirer: Where the wild things park: Why so many cars in Philly park illegally
Philadelphia Business Journal: Mayor Kenney responds to anti-business perception: ‘We’ll lose some, we’ll gain some’
Philadelphia Tribune: Heshimu Jaramogi, leader of multimedia journalism in Philadelphia, has died
Philadelphia Tribune: Initiative encourages businesses to hire ex-offenders
Philadelphia Citizen: Be A Problem Solver  
Philadelphia Citizen: The Citizen Recommends: Transparency In Local Government 

SEPA
Daily Local News: Sen. Dinniman launches 2020 reelection campaign
Daily Local News: Killion submits key testimony in pipeline case
Daily Local News: Air of embezzlement still hangs over Kennett supervisors
Daily Local News: Comitta among honorees at upcoming chamber banquet
Delco Daily Times: Delco Jail Oversight Board gets down to business
WHYY Newsworks: Bucks-Montco group joins nationwide petition to designate PFAS as hazardous waste 
Bucks Courier Times: Judge dismisses PFAS suits over “hazardous substance” designation

Pittsburgh 
WESA: With Eye To Redistricting in 2021, National Group Targets PA Legislative Races
KDKA: Mayor Unveils New Economic Growth Team To Manage City’s Growth
KDKA: Central Catholic Student Who Says School’s Hair Policy Unfairly Targets Black Students Creates Viral Petition
KDKA: Former Police Officer Michael Rosfeld, Acquitted In Antwon Rose Shooting, Suing University Of Pittsburgh
KDKA: Local Journalist Files Lawsuit Challenging Court Rules Prohibiting Audio Recording In Bail Hearings
Post-Gazette: Lawmakers push for more VA oversight in wake of Clarksburg deaths
Post-Gazette: Ex-cop Rosfeld, acquitted in Antwon Rose II homicide, sues to get old Pitt policing job back
Post-Gazette: Buyer’s market — Downtown office vacancies hit a 10-year high
Tribune Review: Rep. Lori Mizgorski to seek re-election to State House
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh police union disputes city’s early contract offer
Tribune Review: Former cop Michael Rosfeld sues University of Pittsburgh over 2018 firing
Tribune Review: Baldwin council under fire for solicitor switch process
Tribune Review: Judge won’t dismiss charges against ex-Derry mayor accused in gun incident
City Paper: Petition asks Central Catholic to reverse hair-ban that a student says is ‘outdated’ and unfairly targets Black students

SWPA 
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
Citizens Voice: DOC recommendation to close SCI-Retreat draws criticism from local lawmakers
Citizens Voice: Crestwood board looks to reduce potential tax hike
Citizens Voice: Judge Amesbury considering retirement 
Times-Tribune: Domenick hired Doughton as confidential secretary in commissioners office
Times-Tribune: Scranton Sewer Authority approves $7M settlement of lawsuit over 600 missing easements
Times-Tribune: As complaints of rotten smell multiply, landfill critics said DEP reporting process flawed
The Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre Mayor Brown a new face at city council
The Times Leader: Wilkes University gets $30,000 It’s On Us state grant
The Times Leader: Facing shortfall, Crestwood considers pushing tax rate above state limit

South Central 
York Dispatch: Scott Wagner’s Penn Waste sold to company with Canada, Texas ties
York Dispatch: York County deputies, paralegals lose jobs; sheriff says office changing direction
Patriot News: Scott Wagner sells Penn Waste to Canadian company
Patriot News: Pa. state universities offer retirement incentive hoping to thin out faculty ranks
Patriot News: Pa. corrections chief says smarter probation system would reduce prison population
Patriot News: Pa. lawmakers want fewer people on probation; here’s how other states are doing it
Patriot News: Are you ready for the 2020 presidential race? | Battleground Pa. podcast
Patriot News: Lewisburg prison’s population down significantly during transition period
Carlisle Sentinel: Adams County school director launches campaign for state 33rd Senatorial seat 
York Daily Record: 2020 elections: More scanners, redistricting of poll

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: Shortly before U.S. and Iranian air strikes, Rep. Susan Wild got an up-close view of U.S. defenses in Mideast
Morning Call: Allentown pastor claims ‘political extortion’ after appointment to NIZ board blocked
Express Times: Small businesswoman, former teacher running for Republican state house nod

North by Northwest
Erie News Now: Ron DiNicola Not Seeking Public Office in 2020, Focusing on Community College Effort Instead
Erie Times-News: Erie mayor diagnosed with prostate cancer
Erie Times-News: Erie City Council chooses process for filling vacancy
Erie Times-News: Erie’s Ridge reflects on 25 years since inaugural
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Loyalsock Township supers keep chair, vice chair
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Montgomery borough appoints council members
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Comms, county staff blast lack of state funding
Centre Daily Times: Why the Centre County DA did not prosecute charges from a Penn State football hazing lawsuit

Opinion  
Inquirer Editorial Board: Solving Philly’s homeless problem is a human imperative
Inquirer Staff: Will Trump’s wine tariffs help or harm Pennsylvania businesses? | Pro/Con
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Lifting a gun ban: Federal law should have review process
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A better life: Harry and Meghan are going their own way
John Baer: What I’d like Democrats to say. And what Bloomberg could actually do 
Ernest Owens: Black People Have Spent Centuries in “Service.” They Should Take Off on MLK Day.
Kevin Flowers: Erie student activists to sit down with Kelly
Annette Mercado: Cyber charters transformed my struggling kids. Why do Pa. politicians want to change my choice? 
Mike Newall: Philly deserves more answers on the shiny new plan to stop the shootings 
Maria Panaritis: ‘The ethical climate in American business is in decline,’ and Wawa and Boeing offer proof 
John L. Micek: How much is that smoke worth to you? Over a lifetime a Pa. smoker will fork out $1.9M, report |Thursday Morning Coffee
Marc Scaringi: Nancy Pelosi is no gambler
Bruce Ledewitz: The U.S. is still in Iraq. Are we liberators? Or are we occupiers? The answer matters 
Albert Eisenberg: Why hasn’t the left canceled Elizabeth Warren yet? 
Will Bunch: As N.Y. freaks out over bail, can America ever choose justice over vengeance? 
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Elizabeth Warren is handshaking up the Democratic Debate
Christine Flowers: I don’t like Meghan Markle. That doesn’t make me racist. 
David C. DeWitt: Ignorance is not bliss: The dangerous politics of anti-intellectualism