The ad wars begin in earnest in PA-Gov and elections analysts move two PA incumbents toward more vulnerable territory. Good morning politicos, here is the Playbook.

Wagner Launches First General Election Ad: The “Straight-talkin’, trash-haulin’ businessman for Governor” releases his first 30 second TV ad for the general election.

PA16: Cook Moves Race to Lean Republican: The election analyst moved the seat from Likely Republican to Lean Republican.

PA8: Elections Analyst Says Race now Leans Democratic: Inside Elections moved PA-8 from Likely Democratic to Leans Democratic.

Harrisburg & DC

NY Times: For Midterms, Supreme Court Political Drama Plays to Its Audience (Interviews PA-7 candidates and Rep. Leanne Krueger-Braneky).
Capitolwire:  PA has new law to create central database for life insurance policies
State Impact: Federal appeals court dismisses pipeline case that charged FERC with bias
AP: About 2,500 inmates transferring to new Pennsylvania prison
AP: Wolf promotes job skills development funded by state budget
AP: City seeks mayor’s removal over water cannon remarks
WITF: Pa. GOP compiling lists of Democrats who support party Socialists
WITF: Tough sell for collective bargaining-boosting bills, but unions see hope

Philadelphia
Philadelphia Business Journal: City Controller turns audit focus on PPA
Inquirer: SCI Phoenix, Pennsylvania’s costliest prison, finally opens
Inquirer: SEPTA’s new Regional Rail locomotive makes debut
Inquirer: Homeowners may hate them, however property taxes aren’t going anywhere … but up
Inquirer: Center City water main break aftermath: A few buildings still lack power, months of work ahead
Inquirer: Pa. Supreme Court justices got nearly $180K in donations from law firms in clergy abuse case, records show
Inquirer: Can Philadelphia school officials be trusted with millions in state money to clean up lead paint?
Inquirer: Philly’s controller to audit PPA’s parking enforcement  
Inquirer: H.R. McMaster book scheduled for 2020
Inquirer: Senate calls for more say on tariffs in bipartisan vote
WHYY: Congressman Norcross calls for immigration deal in wake of visit to displaced minors
Philly Voice: Kellyanne Conway draws ire for #ThaiCaveRescue tweet
SEPA
Daily Local: Two protestors arrested at pipeline construction site in Middletown
Bucks County Courier Times: Price hikes, termination fees spark hike in consumer complaints about trash haulers  
Bucks County Courier Times: Lower Southampton supervisors urged to dig deeper into zoning, building department
Pottstown Mercury: Pottstown groups fight drugs, violence in borough
Montgomery Media: North Wales council names consultant temporary head of police department
Pittsburgh
WESA: Peduto Says Amazon Competition A ‘Poker Game’ And City Shouldn’t Have To Reveal Its Cards
WESA: Allegheny County Council To Seek Public Input On Potential Police Review Board
WESA: Twice A Supreme Court Runner-Up, PA’s Thomas Hardiman Is Back At Work
Pittsburgh Business Times: City working with Boss in innovative energy savings initiative
Pittsburgh Business Times: Exelon bids $140M for FirstEnergy Solutions retail contracts
Pittsburgh Business Times: West Mifflin superintendent sues school board over unpaid leave, claims political retaliation
Post-Gazette: Wolf vows to appeal FEMA denial of disaster aid for Western Pa.
Post-Gazette: Clinton, Sanders to headline teachers convention in Pittsburgh
SWPA
Altoona Mirror: Former DA disbarred
Altoona Mirror: Council voices support for parks
Observer-Reporter: Ortitay bill would streamline university governing
Observer-Reporter: O’Neal plans openings at district offices
Observer-Reporter: FBI in Pittsburgh recruiting diversity among agents
Observer-Reporter: City facade program to disburse $45K, drop matching funds requirement
Beaver County Times: State Rep. Aaron Bernstine reaches out to municipalities on job growth
Beaver County Times: County faces tough budget decisions for 2019
Beaver County Times: County official critical of detective bureau costs
NEPA
Standard-Speaker: Wolf announces local teacher in the workplace grants
Standard-Speaker: New state law bans skimming devices  
Standard-Speaker: Casey campaign reports $9.8M cash
Citizens’ Voice: Sanders Returns To Pennsylvania To Stump For Fetterman
The Times-Tribune: Pence To Headline Barletta Fundraiser For US Senate Campaign
Times Leader: Rating change in Cartwright-Chrin race may indicate race is tightening
South Central
Lancaster Online: Stun gun incident prompts residents to call for changes at City Council meeting
Lancaster Online: In rejecting for-profit Geo’s bid, Lancaster County commissioners consider a county position to fight recidivism
York Daily Record: Red or blue? These 6 Pa. counties will offer a test for Casey, Barletta in Senate race
The Sentinel: State: Care facility failed to report sexual assaults of residents in Hampden Township
PennLive: Property owners accuse Pa. of discrimination in State Archives condemnation
Lehigh Valley
Reading Eagle: Berks County activists divided on Brett Kavanaugh
The Morning Call: Lehigh County officials search for fixes to pay-to-play law
The Morning Call: Filings to block Pennsylvania grand jury report into sex abuse give glimpse of priests’ concerns
WFMZ: Brown water in Reading safe to drink, RAWA officials say
North by Northwest
Sun-Gazette: Commissioners give preview of 2019 budget considerations
Sun-Gazette: City reassigns grant; intends to seek larger sum
Sun-Gazette: Township looks for grants for pollution-cutting project
Opinions
Inquirer Editorial: We’re smoking mad that Harrisburg won’t let Philly govern
Observer-Reporter: Pipeline infrastructure should be supported
Citizens’ Voice Opinion: Increase public scrutiny and accountability
Lancaster Online Letter to the Editor: Why the gas price disparity?
Lancaster Online Letter to the Editor: Rising property taxes hit seniors hard
Express-Times Letter: Election reform: Let voters ‘rate’ candidates
Reading Eagle Letter: Facts don’t support cartoon about ICE
Sun-Gazette Letters: Unfair
The Lu Lac Political Letter:  A PENNSYLVANIA PARADOX
Commonwealth Foundation: Should Taxpayers Underwrite Union Work?
Trudy Rubin: Trump does Putin’s dirty work at NATO summit
Jenice Armstrong: Instagram’s No Gun Zone is out to make Philly’s mean streets safer
Ronnie Polaneczky: Four Cameroonian teens are ‘almost inconsolable’ after being denied access to Philly basketball camp
Jerry Shenk: Democrats’ High Court histrionics
Rep. Thomas Murt: Expand the firearm task force
Delco Daily Times Editorial: ‘Mama Bears’ deliver message against pipeline