Former Congressman Patrick Murphy is reportedly being considered to serve as the Secretary of the Army in President Joe Biden’s administration. Here is the Playbook. 

Report: Murphy Being Considered For Army Secretary: Politico’s Morning Defense newsletter reports that former Congressman Patrick Murphy is being considered to serve as the Secretary of the Army in Biden’s administration.

Inky: Kenney Mulls 2022 Statewide Bid: Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney is considering a run for Governor or U.S. Senate in 2022, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Wolf Selects Alison Beam As PA Health Secretary: On Friday, Gov. Tom Wolf announced his intention to nominate Alison Beam to serve as Secretary of the Department of Health and Dr. Wendy Braund as Interim Acting Physician General.

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Perry: I ‘obliged’ Trump with introduction to Justice lawyer
New York Times: Jeffrey Clark Was Considered Unassuming. Then He Plotted With Trump.
Patriot News: Special election date set to fill seat left vacant by Sen. Dave Arnold’s death 
Patriot News: Statute of limitations reform takes another step in Pa. legislature 
Patriot News: PennDOT plans to toll major Pa. bridges, but truckers and lawmakers want to put on brakes
Patriot News: Nearly all Pa. counties show substantial spread of COVID-19, positive test rate drops for 6th week
Patriot News: COVID-19 hospitalizations in Pa. continue to fall, although state reports 138 more deaths
Patriot News: Which states have the most confirmed coronavirus cases (1/25/2021): Where does Pa. stand? 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: No pomp, zero circumstance: Wolf will deliver virtual budget address
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. Rep. Perry confirms talks with Trump, DoJ lawyer, stays mum on calls for resignation, report 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Special elections to fill vacant House, Senate seats to take place May 18 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: A breakdown of Pa.’s vaccine provider information | The Numbers Racket 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. Rep. Dwight Evans joins call for Biden to commute federal death sentences | Tuesday Morning Coffee
KDKA: Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman Raises $1M In 2 Weeks Of Announcing Possible US Senate Run
KDKA: Pa. Lt. Gov. John Fetterman Wants To Reach Swing Voters Ahead Of Possible Run For U.S. Senate
PLSReporter: Pa. House Republicans name Dunbar new caucus chairman 
PLSReporter: Right 2 Know Episode 78: Brace Yourselves, Election Hearings Are Coming 
PLSReporter: Jan. 25 COVID-19 Update: 2-day increase of 7,910 cases
Inquirer: Pa. Congressman Scott Perry acknowledges introducing Trump to lawyer at the center of election plot
Inquirer: One Pa. county sees sharp spike in cases; city severs partnership with Philly Fighting COVID; new restrictions on air travel go into effect
Fox News: Pennsylvania woman accused of stealing Pelosi laptop during Capitol riot covering tracks online: DOJ
CNHI: Perry confirms he introduced Trump to DOJ attorney
CNHI: Lawmakers question state’s COVID vaccine rollout
CNHI: Trucking industry warns tolls could ‘destroy’ businesses
CNHI: UNDER THE RADAR: Lawmaker proposes bill to crack down on robocalling with spoofed numbers
WESA: Top Labor Leader Praises Biden’s Early Moves, Says Unions Are Key To Preparing For Uncertain Future
National Journal: Perry Introduced Trump to Potential Rosen Replacement
National Journal: The five questions that will shape the 2022 Senate map

Philadelphia 
KYW Newsradio: City Council to begin process of creating new Citizens Police Oversight Commission this week
KYW Newsradio: Pa. health officials: No formula for how COVID-19 vaccine is divided up in the state
Inquirer: Kenney had plans. Then the pandemic hit. Can he avoid lame-duck status and get Philly ‘back on track’?
Inquirer: City drops Philly Fighting COVID as vaccination partner after it failed to disclose for-profit arm
Inquirer: ‘You’re already political’: Post Trump, Philly kids talk civics, school reopening and what’s next
Inquirer: CBS puts two execs on leave after report alleging racist, sexist behavior involving Philly’s CBS3
Inquirer: Pa. underwrites a $100 million ‘big-ticket’ Phila. sewer plant upgrade
Billy Penn: City says to re-register if you signed up with Philly Fighting COVID, cut off from vaccines
WHYY Newsworks: Philly Fighting COVID kicked out of city vaccine program after sudden switch to for-profit 
Philadelphia Magazine: Philadelphia Health Department Severs Relationship with Philly Fighting COVID

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: State lawmakers: Delco needs $10M for county health department
Delco Daily Times: Krull earns Krueger endorsement for Common Pleas court
Daily Local News: Sappey named to Veterans Affairs, Agriculture committees
Daily Local News: Hudson announces bid for West Chester mayor 
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County new restitution program seeing results
Bucks County Courier Times: CB East grad out as White House doctor
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks COVID-19 death toll hits 1,000
Bucks Local News: State Senator Santarsiero to host telephone Town Hall on COVID-19 vaccine 
Bucks Local News: ‘WE CAN ACHIEVE GREAT SUCCESS’: John Burke announces bid for Newtown Borough Mayor
Bucks Local News: JAN. 24TH BUCKS COUNTY COVID-19 UPDATE: Deaths pass 1,000; rate of new cases continues to decline
Montgomery Media: Coronavirus positivity rate continues downward trend in Montgomery County, six neighboring counties
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County reports two coronavirus deaths, 771 new positive cases over three days

Pittsburgh 
City Paper: Sen. Lindsey Williams calls out Pennsylvania’s vaccine roll out, wants more direct communication to residents 
WESA: Pittsburgh City Council Considers An Infusion Of Cash For Affordable Housing 
WESA: Port Authority CEO Expects Some Relief From Federal Government
Tribune Review: Kendra Clarke appointed to fill council vacancy in Etna 
Tribune Review: New coronavirus cases continue to decline in Allegheny County
Post-Gazette: PPS board president seeks reelection 
Post-Gazette: Gun, ammo sales surged in 2020 — and turmoil around the election starts 2021 off the same way 
Post-Gazette: COVID-19 Update: As Pa. cases decline, did state avoid post-holiday surge?
KDKA: President Joe Biden’s ‘Buy American’ Executive Order Could Benefit Western Pennsylvania, Trade Experts Say   
KDKA: COVID-19 In Allegheny County: Appointments Extremely Limited As Vaccinations Begin For People 65 And Older 
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pennsylvania: State Health Dept. Announces 2-Day Total Of 7,910 New Coronavirus Cases, 138 New Deaths

SWPA 
Altoona Mirror: Gregory’s office vandalized
Observer-Reporter: Washington resident, employee in DA’s office, running for district judge
Observer-Reporter: Immigration advocates applaud President Biden’s executive actions on immigration 
Observer-Reporter: Cokeburg man announces candidacy for magisterial district judge 
KDKA: Westmoreland County Coroner Kenneth Bacha Seeking Reelection
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: UPDATE: COVID-19 surge continues to ease; Cambria adds 55 new cases

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Cognetti says city’s progress means she deserves reelection
Times-Tribune: Chermak pitches budget study commission, surprising majority commissioners
Times-Tribune: Scranton likely to explore officially renaming a street after Joe Biden
Times-Tribune: Weekend new COVID-19 cases continue decline, but not regional death toll
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Council faces some major decisions this week
The Times Leader: 70 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County on Monday
Citizens Voice: With Sen. Baker as chairwoman, Pa. Senate Judiciary Committee approves seven bills
Citizens Voice: Proposed ballot questions on charter amendments up for vote on Tuesday
Citizens Voice: West Pittston-based attorney Laura Dennis announces bid for Luzerne County judge 
Citizens Voice: Incumbent Saidman seeks reelection to Luzerne County Council
Citizens Voice: 70 new COVID-19 cases reported in Luzerne County  

South Central
Lebanon Daily News: Date set for special election to fill state Senate seat vacated left by Dave Arnold
WITF: Rep. Scott Perry Confirms Election Fraud Talks With Trump, DOJ Lawyer
Patriot News: Latest Trump election revelation leaves U.S. Rep. Scott Perry at the center of controversy – again
Patriot News: Congressman Scott Perry defends his actions in Trump election controversy
Patriot News: Special election date set to fill seat left vacant by Sen. Dave Arnold’s death 
Patriot News: Experts discuss how parenting issues impact youth violence in Harrisburg in Tuesday’s “Save Our Children” webinar
Patriot News: Debate over possible sale of Cumberland County’s nursing home remains hot as foes renew call for pause
Patriot News: Court hearing delayed for Harrisburg woman accused of stealing Nancy Pelosi’s laptop
Carlisle Sentinel: Democrats call for resignation, ‘consequences’ in light of NY Times report on Scott Perry
Carlisle Sentinel: The advocate: Carlisle’s Stephen Bloom still focused on making a difference
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 86, 71 case totals of COVID-19 for Cumberland County in Monday’s two-day report 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Former White House coronavirus response coordinator found early success at Lancaster County science fairs
LNP | LancasterOnline: More than 200 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Lancaster County [Monday’s COVID-19 updates]
York Dispatch: COVID-19 kills six more in York County on Sunday and Monday
York Daily Record: Congressman Scott Perry explains his role in effort to overturn election results

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: State lawmakers who represent Berks County get to work on committees
Reading Eagle: Immense challenges await President Joe Biden
Reading Eagle: Berks County passes 30,000 COVID cases, but longer-term averages point to a slowdown
Reading Eagle: Reading Downtown Improvement District board holds its last meeting
Reading Eagle: Risk of community spread of COVID ‘substantial’ in all but 1 Pennsylvania county
Reading Eagle: COVID forces judges in Berks County to balance speedy trials with safe courtrooms
Reading Eagle: These 11 municipalities in Berks County raised property taxes for 2021 [MAP]
WFMZ: Taiba Sultana announces run for Easton City Council
WFMZ: ASD teacher placed on leave over Washington protest says he did nothing illegal, is being harassed
Express Times: More work needed on bail reform in Lehigh County, controller says in report
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus update: State passes 800K COVID cases, but overall case trends continue to drop | How many people has CVS vaccinated? | Pa. COVID county case map (01/25/21)
Morning Call: Lehigh County Authority to provide financial assistance to some customers facing water, sewer shutoffs for unpaid bills 

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: High court to decide whether to hear Kelly voting case
Erie Times-News: Dahlkemper to deliver ‘State of County’ Thursday
Centre Daily Times: Inmate alleges transgender discrimination in federal lawsuit against Centre County jail
Centre Daily Times: Jan. 25 update: Centre County has lowest positivity rate in Pa., adds 130 COVID-19 cases
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Council keeps half-mill tax increase, commissioners OK youth services contracts
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Federal program aids library with payroll
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County 39 new COVID-19 cases

Opinion  
Paul Muschick: Pennsylvania’s health secretary nominee isn’t a physician. Why that doesn’t matter.
Elizabeth A. Bolden: With budget season approaching, Wolf, lawmakers must fully fund Pa.’s community colleges 
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Frustrated by lack of answers and urgency in protecting Pennsylvania nursing homes 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Mount Washington billboard battle was a waste 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Traffic is down but driving deaths are up
Mark O’Keefe: Johnstown lawmaker scores big win in fight with Pa. liquor board. But the fight continues 
Priya Mammen: Philadelphia’s overdose crisis hangs in the balance of conflicting city, state, and federal officials 
Miriam Enriquez: Biden needs cities like Philadelphia to help him undo ICE’s culture of fear 
John Weaver: Hackers are a major threat to national security, and it will only get worse
Timothy R. James: Regional group to protest York City wastewater plant sale
Calista Lopez: Reflections From A First-Time Voter 
Brian McElwee: Philly’s beloved Catholic schools are slowly dying. It doesn’t have to be this way. 
Seunglee David Park and Emily Kennedy: Philly transportation needs a universal way to measure racial equity