State Rep. Scott Conklin (D-Centre) announces that he is running for Auditor General, while state Rep. Harry Readshaw (D-Allegheny) announces that he will retire at the end of his current term. Here is the Playbook. 

Conklin Launches Bid for Auditor General: The state Representative from Centre County is the fifth Democrat to formally join the race.

Readshaw Announces Retirement: The Allegheny County conservative Democrat has represented the district since 1995.

Keller Announces Reelection Bid: Rep. Fred Keller (R-Snyder) announced on Tuesday his intentions to seek reelection for the 12th Congressional District. Keller coasted to a 36 point victory in the special election in May 2019 over Democrat Marc Friedenberg in the ruby red 12th District. 

Warren Campaign To Open First PA Office: Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign will be opening its first office in the state in Philadelphia on Thursday. 

Day, Murt Appointed to New Committee Chairmanships: House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) announced on Tuesday that state Rep. Gary Day (R-Lehigh) will serve as the chair of the Aging and Older Adult Services Committee, while state Rep. Tom Murt (R-Montgomery) will serve as the chair of the Human Services Committee for the rest of the legislative session. This move comes as a result of state Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks) preparing to vacate his House seat and role as chair of the Human Services Committee Chair to serve as a commissioner in Bucks County. 

Legislative Election Update: 

SD-9: State Sen. Tom Killion (R-Delaware) announced that he is seeking a second term in the state Senate, according to the Daily Local News. Killion defeated Democrat Martin Molloy for the seat in 2016 by over 2.5 points. 

HD-138: Tara Zrinski, a Northampton County Councilwoman, announced her intentions to seek the Democratic Party nomination for the state House seat in the Lehigh Valley, according to LehighValleyLive. Zrinksi’s announcement comes after state Rep. Marcia Hahn (R-Northampton) announced that she was not seeking a sixth term. Hahn won her most recent reelection bid in 2018 by 17 points over Democrat Dean Donaher. 

HD-106: Jonathan Keeler, a union truck driver, announced his intentions for the Democratic Party nomination for the seat held by state Rep. Thomas Mehaffie (R-Dauphin), according to PennLive. Mehaffie won his most recent reelection bid over Democrat Jill Linta by 9 points. 

HD-84: Joe Hamm, Jersey Shore Borough Manager and Lycoming County Republican Party Chairman, announced his intentions to seek the Republican Party nomination for the state House seat in Lycoming County, according to the Williamsport Sun-Gazette. Hamm’s announcement comes after state Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming) announced that he was not seeking an eighth term in the state House. Everett coasted to victory in his most recent reelection bid by besting Democrat Linda Sosniak by 57 points. 

HD-6: State Rep. Brad Roae (R- Crawford) announced that he is seeking an eighth term in the state House. Roae ran unopposed in his most recent reelection bid. 

Harrisburg & DC   
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Turzai schedules March 17 special elections for three House seats
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Readshaw announces retirement, clearing the way for progressive challenger
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: House GOP retirements continue, as State Government Committee chair announces exit 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Veteran Democratic Rep. Scott Conklin joins the race for Pa. Auditor General
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Farm show season highlights issues facing Pennsylvania agriculture
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Public sector unions face legal threats, but they’re on a ‘winning streak’
AP: Speaker sets March votes to fill 3 vacant state House seats
AP: Lawmaker joins Democratic primary field for auditor general
Patriot News: Who is Suleimani and what does his killing mean to you | Battleground Pa. podcast
Patriot News: Pa. House Democratic leader criticizes schedule of special elections, citing cost: ‘A waste of taxpayer dollars’ 
PLSReporter: The list of legislative retirements is growing. Here’s who won’t be running for re-election to the General Assembly in 2020.
PLSReporter: Committee shakeup, special election dates announced in House
PLSReporter: State officials optimistic that investments in agriculture will create renewed interest
Inquirer: Six-year-old Maddie asks a judge to free her and her father after 195 days at the Berks immigrant detention center
Inquirer: Pennsylvania’s new hemp rules may hurt early farmers but boost the industry
The Hill: Unprecedented ad drive puts Bloomberg on political map
CNN: Trump’s NAFTA replacement moves one step closer to final ratification

Philadelphia 
WHYY Newsworks: Mayor Kenney on rich people, rude Philly and why a city driving tax will never happen
WHYY Newsworks: Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney
WHYY Newsworks: Safehouse asks judge for a final ruling that makes it legal
Billy Penn: 5 reasons Kenney’s grand Rebuild project might see some big changes
Billy Penn: Work in addiction recovery? You could get $100k to pay back student loans
Inquirer: Philly’s supervised injection site backers say they won’t delay opening while Justice Dept. appeals
Inquirer: 2020 is set to be a big year for Philly workers. Here’s what to watch for in City Hall
Inquirer: Puerto Rico earthquake stirs worries for Philly relatives: ‘I feel helpless’
Philadelphia Tribune: Kenney signs orders on racial equity, reshaping Office of Education as he lays out 2nd-term priorities
Philadelphia Tribune: New leader seeks to reform Philly D.A.’s Victim Services Unit
PLSReporter: Philly DA challenging “use of force” laws in appeal
KYW Newsradio: Study: Should Philly’s fiscal watchdog disappear as planned or stay longer?
KYW Newsradio: No toll hikes on bridges across the Delaware River — for now

SEPA
Bucks Courier Times: Speaker sets March vote to fill DiGirolamo’s Pa. House seat
Bucks Courier Times: Funeral plans announced for late Congressman Fitzpatrick
Bucks Courier Times: Bensalem officials sworn into office
Bucks Courier Times: Bristol Township appoints manager
Daily Local News: Killion announces re-election bid for 9th District Pa. Senate seat
Daily Local News: Houlahan: Funds secured by critical education programs in Chester, Berks counties
Daily Local News: McKinney fired in Chesco sheriff shake-up
Bucks Local News: Funeral arrangements announced for former Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick
Bucks Local News: Newtown Township Supervisors reappoint Phil Calabro as chairman, name Dennis Fisher vice-chair
Delco Daily Times: Republicans lining up for 160th seat as Dems stage deva ju
Pottstown Mercury: Pottstown council welcomes new members, retains leadership 

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: After 13 terms in office, state Rep. Harry Readshaw announces retirement
KDKA: Natural Gas Industry Facing Local Job Cuts
KDKA: KDKA Exclusive: Mayor Says Downtown Homeless Shelter Will Be Built With The Backing Of Corporations And Non-Profits
KDKA: Pittsburgh Public Schools Seeking Redevelopment Proposals For 4 Unused Buildings
KDKA: Monessen Mayor Returns To 1st Meeting In Nearly 2 Years, Fires City Clerk And Solicitor
WESA: Readshaw Announces Retirement, And Challengers Eye A Suddenly Open Seat 
Tribune Review: State Rep. Harry Readshaw announces retirement after 13 terms
Tribune Review: Monessen mayor attends 1st meeting in nearly 2 years, fires clerk and solicitor
Tribune Review: 2 newcomers join Monroeville council
Tribune Review: New Lower Burrell mayor appoints brother-in-law as acting police chief
Tribune Review: Judge bans public, media from Wilkinsburg mass shooting jury selection
City Paper: Pittsburgh state House Rep. Harry Readshaw is retiring at end of year

SWPA 
Altoona Mirror: Erb retains position as chairman
Observer-Reporter: Monessen mayor returns to meetings, pledges to take city in ‘new direction’
Observer-Reporter: Washington public officials sworn in
Observer-Reporter: Commission Chairman Diana Irey Vaughan introduces new county solicitor
Observer-Reporter: Commissioners hire chief of staff
Tribune Review: March 17 special election set to fill Justin Walsh’s former state House seat
City Paper: On his first day, new Westmoreland County sheriff finds his office littered with dirty clothes and a DVD of Paul Blart: Mall Cop
KDKA: New Westmoreland Co. Sheriff Claims His Office Was Trashed On First Day Of Work
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria County commissioners, Ebensburg council, Cambria Township supervisors host reorganizational meetings
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Local school districts get ‘Teacher in the Workplace’ grants
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Rep. Sankey to hold outreach event on Jan. 21
Beaver County Times: Local business owners featured in nationwide oil and gas campaign
Beaver County Times: Beaver County Conservation District manager received lump payment after termination
Beaver County Times: Six Beaver County school districts awarded $25,000 teacher workplace grants 

NEPA
Citizens Voice: Brown vows cooperation with Wilkes-Barre council, controller
Citizens Voice: County council retains McGinley as chair, rejects budget reopener
Citizens Voice: Brown’s inauguration draws large crowd to Kirby Center
The Times Leader: County Council: McGinley still chair, budget re-opening fails, legal counsel proposal advances
The Times Leader: Two towns, two mayors, two brothers: Coughlin siblings lead Nanticoke, Plymouth
The Times Leader: Six area districts get $25,000 each in state teacher grants
Times-Tribune: Another fight over appointments threatens to divide Lackawanna commissioners
Times-Tribune: Chermak taps attorney Paul LaBelle as minority solicitor
Times-Tribune: Gaughan chosen Scranton City Council president  
Times-Tribune: County row officers sworn in for new terms 
Times-Tribune: Final funding piece clears way for Scranton Counseling project

South Central 
Patriot News: Union truck driver announces his bid for the 106th state House district seat
Patriot News: Former top Pa. Senate aide sworn in as newest Commonwealth Court judge
LNP | LancasterOnline: Smucker, Toomey ask Supreme Court to revisit Roe v. Wade, along with 205 other members of Congress
LNP | LancasterOnline: Local activists to host ‘No War With Iran’ protest in Penn Square
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County’s first female district attorney sworn in
York Daily Record: Special election: Dave Arnold’s stand on issues
York Daily Record: Background: State Senate candidate Dave Arnold
Carlisle Sentinel: Departing as Cumberland County commissioner, Jim Hertzler proud of successes, but sees work to be done
Carlisle Sentinel: Bill Tracker: ‘Silver Alert’ would tell the public about endangered seniors
York Dispatch: Attorney Sandra Thompson’s public reprimand scheduled by disciplinary board
York Dispatch: In first vote, Rivera opposes Nixon as York City Council head

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: Newly elected Lehigh County commissioners sworn in, signifying new era for Democrats
Morning Call: Here’s who will lead Bethlehem City Council
Morning Call: Emmaus council: Business owner sworn in, outgoing member thanks ‘amazing community’ 
Morning Call: Whitehall Township commissioners swear in four, but they’re still looking for one more member
Morning Call: $20,000 grant will help Allentown landlords install newly required window guards in apartments where young children live
Morning Call: ‘You’re not getting it straight’: Fourth Lower Saucon Council member appointed amid testy exchanges 
Reading Eagle: Reading Mayor Eddie Moran names new managing director, new parking authority board
Reading Eagle: Shillington swears in 18-year-old council member
Express Times: Northampton County Council member to seek office in state House
Express Times: Bethlehem mayor apologizes for delayed disclosure of holding cell suicide
Express Times: Given chance to select 1st Latina leader, Bethlehem City Council opts for status quo
Express Times: As pipeline battle heads toward Supreme Court, PennEast asks for more construction time

North by Northwest
NorthcentralPA: Congressman Fred Keller announces reelection bid
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Hepburn Township supervisor to seek House seat
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Legislator announces bid for auditor general
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Senator’s bill aims to reduce pollution into streams 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: City council fills new mayor’s seat
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Yaw elected chairman of tri-state Chesapeake Bay Commission
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: New DA asks commissioners to reduce staff
Erie Times-News: Matt Martin: Make your voice matter in 2020 election

Opinion  
LNP Editorial Board: Congress needs to do its job and take back its power to authorize war
Inquirer Editorial Board: We have seen war. Why can’t we learn from that?
Inquirer Editorial Board: Wawa’s data breach hits close to home but reflects global problem 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Push for improvements: Transit riders should offer input at meetings
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Restrict loot boxes: Video games shouldn’t groom children for gambling
JD Mullane: Mike Fitzpatrick, the man, not the myth or legend
John L. Micek: How Pittsburgh is turning a post-industrial wilderness into a park | Tuesday Morning Coffee
Donald J. Mihalek: A Town Underwater and Rescued by Mike Fitzpatrick
Ray Landis: The crisis no one wants to discuss: What to do when a loved one needs long-term care
Mike Newall: Mayor Kenney plans citywide street sweeping. I’d like to see him drive the trucks. 
Sterling Johnson: Philly needs better bill to promote community benefit agreements for fair development 
Helen Ubiñas: Mayor Kenney’s second-term agenda may just bring out the ‘Woo Girl’ in me 
Camari Ellis: Other Philly institutions besides government should divest from Mummers 
Stephen F. Gambescia: Wentz hit and concussion another reminder football is not safe for youth 
Will Bunch: Here are six troubling, unanswered questions about the U.S. assassination of Iran’s Soleimani 
Trudy Rubin: Trump’s threat to strike Iranian cultural sites puts him in league with ISIS, Taliban
Gene Therapy: Presidents should not golf, except Trump — he should golf all the time
Tony Norman: Trump threatens war on humanity’s past to secure his future
Keith Naughton, Ph.D.: Impeachment moved nobody, but threatens trouble for Democrats
John A. Tures: Are we about to blunder into war in Iran? Some points to ponder