The special election date is set for the 33rd and 41st state Senatorial districts. Here is the Playbook.

March 8th Ups & Downs: The GOP selects their candidate for the 12th Congressional district, a bill about daylight savings time enters the discussion in Harrisburg, and a Mayor in Lackawanna County writes a threatening message towards other elected officials in a Facebook post. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

SD37: Strident New Raja Ad Targets Iovino on Abortion: The Republican candidate is linking his Democratic opponent to legislation in New York and Virginia. Iovino fired back with another broadside against Raja’s business practices.

SD33 & SD41: Special Election Set for May 21: The elections to replace both seats previously held by Republicans will coincide with the Pennsylvania primary.

Harrisburg & DC  
AP: Pennsylvania jobless rate at nearly 2-decade low in January
AP: Special election for 2 vacant state Senate seats set for May
AP: School board president removed over anti-Muslim posts
AP: Prosecutors weigh charges for Pennsylvania official arrested
AP: PA Lottery machines spent most of the day down due to outage
AP: Prosecutor hails drop in western Pennsylvania OD deaths
AP: Proposal aims to ease government efforts to reclaim records
The Intercept: GOP Candidate on Himself: “Did this Guy Make Some Dumbass Facebook Posts? Absolutely.”
Beaver County Times: U.S. Sen. Casey joins Democrats to back anti-hazing bill
Beaver County Times: U.S. Sen. Toomey, presidential hopeful Klobuchar join to repeal medical device tax
Morning Call: Pennsylvania House Democrats vote to pass elections, ethics bill; Brian Fitzpatrick says it won’t fix corruption
Inquirer: As 2020 decision nears, Pa. insiders line up for Joe Biden
Inquirer: Customers would pay millions to rescue Pa. nuclear reactors, including some that are already profitable
KYW Newsradio: REAL ID now available in Pa.
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Special elections for Senate seats slated for May 21
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: In a new ad, a progressive super PAC is going on the attack against Republican Frank Scavo for anti-Muslim social media posts
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘This bill is revolutionary:’ Pa.’s congressional Dems get behind sweeping voting rights, ethics bill
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Most of Pa.’s sick and elderly inmates die in prison. Medical parole could change that
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘Welfare gerrymander’? Why food stamp work requirements are back on the table
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Western Pa. state Senate candidates trade second round of attacks in new ads
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Erie County senator seeks support for e-scooter bill
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Under the Radar: Bill would aim to beef up state’s cybersecurity
StateImpactPA: Unsolicited, PUC commissioner sends legislators a breakdown of nuclear bailout options
Post-Gazette: State to begin study of hyperloop technology, potential Pittsburgh-to-Philadelphia route
The Times Leader: Capitol Roundup: Shapiro warns consumers about new twist on Social Security scam
PLSReporter: City Council passes resolutions to send messages to Harrisburg
PLSReporter: One senator wants Education Savings Accounts for special needs students but school districts worry about funding effects
PLSReporter: Kenyatta hopes to protect Pennsylvania from digital threats
PLSReporter: Freshman Focus: Rep. John Hershey   
Patriot News: 10 years later, Pa.’s open records law has improved access, but some say the law has its flaws
Patriot News: Special election dates set to fill two open seats in the Pennsylvania Senate

Philadelphia
Philly Voice: Joe Biden reportedly eyeing Philly for potential 2020 campaign headquarters
Billy Penn: Alan Butkovitz surprised his campaign website is live — and a mess
Billy Penn: Where will Safehouse open a supervised injection site? Study tags potential locations
KYW Newsradio: Battle over Mayor Kenney’s budget proposal begins with library funding
KYW Newsradio: Philly Jewish leaders explain why certain language may be considered anti-Semitic    
KYW Newsradio: Another day and still no deal between SEPTA, Transit Police  
KYW Newsradio: Providing day care in Philadelphia courts gets support in city council committee  
KYW Newsradio: Strike continues: SEPTA, FOTP wrestle over money and body cam footage
WHYY Newsworks: Philadelphia wants to get the HIV prevention pill to women most at risk
Philadelphia Magazine: This Map Says You’re Probably Being a Jerk to Your Republican Neighbor   
Philadelphia Magazine: Philly Has Never Elected a Woman as Sheriff. These Candidates Want to Change That.
Inquirer: After nearly a half-century in prison, Philly man is granted clemency at age 77
Inquirer: During daylight saving time, he’s Philadelphia’s man of the hour

SEPA
Daily Local News: Rep. Shusterman discusses ‘common-sense’ gun reform
Pottstown Mercury: Frei promoted to trials chief in Chester County D.A.’s office
Bucks County Courier Times: Local leaders tour Bucks state parks, assess needs
Delco Daily Times: Delco D.A. not handing over Glen Mills probe to state

Pittsburgh
WESA: Former County Councilor Matt Drozd Announces Run For County Executive
WESA: Water Problems At Allegheny County Jail Come To A Boil
Post-Gazette: State Senate race: Republican D. Raja says his rise is ‘a great American story’
Post-Gazette: State Senate race: Democrat Pam Iovino says Navy career prepared her to serve
Post-Gazette: Incumbents, Kane secure Allegheny County Democratic Committee endorsements
Post-Gazette: Detroit chief defends officers in encounter with Controller Wagner
Post-Gazette: Wagner, husband dispute police version of Detroit incident
Post-Gazette: Post-Gazette honored for Tree of Life coverage
Post-Gazette: Coalition criticizes Mayor Bill Peduto’s recent trip to Israel
Post-Gazette: State to begin study of hyperloop technology, potential Pittsburgh-to-Philadelphia route
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh looks to break ‘glass ceiling’ with stronger protections for pregnant workers
KDKA: ‘We Did Nothing Wrong’: Allegheny Co. Controller Chelsa Wagner Wants Name Cleared In Altercation With Detroit Police
KDKA: Detroit Police Issue Warrant To File Assault, Battery Charges Against Allegheny Co. Controller Chelsa Wagner
The Incline: Pittsburgh is without an ADA coordinator — and needs one now more than ever, advocates say
Tribune Review: Women account for about a third of judges in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania courts  

SWPA  
Observer-Reporter: N. Franklin eliminated local police force; what was role of property reassessment?
Beaver County Times: Pitt student’s murder spurs bill on electronic monitoring for PFA defendants
Beaver County Times: ‘That’s the brotherhood’: Friends celebrate life of late John DiMarzio, former Monaca councilman, firefighter
Altoona Mirror: Carper eyes council seat  
Altoona Mirror: Kimla sets sights on recorder post
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Young Professionals of the Alleghenies work inspired Rae’s run for city council
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: DeBartola seeks city council position  
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Searching for service: Adams Twp. supervisors eye meeting on gas line  
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Windber’s district judge seeks re-election  
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: SUNSHINE WEEK | Ethics issues can snare officials  

NEPA
Citizens Voice: Candidates discuss issues in special election
Citizens Voice: Former local mayor raising awareness of blood clots
Times-Tribune: Allegheny County rep Friendly Sons speaker
The Times Leader: Capitol Roundup: Shapiro warns consumers about new twist on Social Security scam

South Central  
York Dispatch: Reps. Smucker, Perry rip House Dems’ ethics reform bill
York Dispatch: York City appoints new interim economic and community development director
Carlisle Sentinel: Cumberland County Housing Summit addresses need for affordable housing
LNP | LancasterOnline:   Strasburg native to open state’s largest hemp processor in Red Lion

Lehigh Valley   
Morning Call: April sentencings for final defendants in Allentown, Reading corruption cases
Reading Eagle: Reading Mayor Wally Scott is running for a second term
Reading Eagle: Berks County taxpayers are on the hook for up to $439,196 in Reading constable pay
Reading Eagle: Then and Now: Berks County officials purchase new voting machines
Reading Eagle: Berks County’s clerk of courts calls for changes in constable pay
Reading Eagle: Package of bills aims to help farmers markets
Reading Eagle: Reading pastor announces run for City Council seat
Reading Eagle: Limits proposed on who can serve as a guardian

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: ‘No place in our society’: Lawmakers attempting a national hazing crackdown after Timothy Piazza’s death
Centre Daily Times: Could Pennsylvania’s minimum-wage earners see a raise? Here’s why policymakers have incentive to act
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: State lawmakers tour Penn College  
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Prison program estimated to save millions
Erie Times-News: Roll Call: How Erie-area legislators voted on key issues last week   
Erie Times-News: Rennie to announce County Council candidacy

Opinion  
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Suing for student safety: Courts may determine schools’ liability
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: EDITORIAL: Breakthrough on AIDS?: The cure of two men is new reason for hope
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Pop-up recycling: PA Resources Council helps us do the right thing
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: The ones who walked away: Michael Bloomberg and Sherrod Brown decline to run
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: EDITORIAL: Agendas under wraps: Alcosan overhaul should include transparency
Inquirer Editorial Board: The mayor’s budget paints rosy picture of the future
LNP Editorial Board: Lancaster County residents, and commissioners, deserve more answers from district attorney  
Elizabeth Fiedler: If we want a future for our kids and ourselves, we must tackle climate change | Women’s Day 2019
John L. Micek: The hugely important court fight over abortion rights you’re not hearing about is right here in Pa. | Friday Morning Coffee
Christine M. Flowers: We need to question narratives of victimization | Women’s Month 2019
Trudy Rubin: On International Women’s Day, brave female activists imprisoned around the world
Helen Ubiñas: It’s time for ‘America’s neglected middle child’ to use our voice | Women’s Day 2019
Claire Sliney: Amid marketing and social-media onslaughts, Gen Z women have to find ourselves | Women’s Day 2019
Matthew Gardner Kelly: Charter school cap efforts are gaining momentum. Here’s why
Anwar Curtis: In Harrisburg, ‘500 Men Reading Week’ encourages the growth of thousands of city school children
Fletcher McClellan: Raise the minimum wage? For Pa., there’s no time like the present
Jacob Udo-Udo Jacob: These students were once captives of Boko Haram. Now they’re finding new meaning to their lives in Pa.
Tim Hartman: Here’s what needs to be dragged into the light | Editorial Cartoon
Joan Myers Brown: After decades of building inclusive art, succession is the next step | Women’s Day 2019
Mike Newall: A decades-long gang war in South Philly is consuming a generation of kids
Signe Wilkinson: Philadelphia gets a tax cut, sort of
Will Bunch: Is America’s warped justice system too broken to handle Trump’s massive corruption?
Joseph N. DiStefano: Why it costs a little extra to buy Vanguard funds in Pennsylvania’s college-savings plan
Brian O’Neill: How affordable is ‘affordable housing’?
Keith C. Burris: The sins of the fathers
David M. Shribman: Standing out from the crowd