Jeff Bartos formally announced his candidacy for the 2022 U.S. Senate race, while Gov. Tom Wolf announced the nomination of Dr. Denise Johnson to serve as PA’s Physician General. Here is the Playbook.

Bartos Announces 2022 Senate Bid: The Montgomery County Republican, who was the GOP Lt. Governor nominee in 2018, promotes his family’s roots in the state and recent work helping small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic in his campaign launch video.

Cantorna To Seek Second Term as Centre County DA: The Centre Daily Times reports that Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna is seeking reelection. 

Luzerne County GOP Endorses Salavantis and Toohil for Judge: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that the Luzerne County Republican Party has endorsed Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis and state Rep. Tarah Toohil in their campaigns for seats on the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas.  

Harrisburg & DC   
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Capital-Star Q+A: Pa. House Speaker Bryan Cutler talks misinformation, amendments and marijuana
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf taps OB-GYN to serve as new Pa. Physician General 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Denied for now in D.C., advocates keep up the fight for $15 in Harrisburg | Tuesday Morning Coffee
AP: $13B in virus relief bill headed to Pennsylvania governments 
AP: 4 big Pennsylvania counties unhappy over vaccine share
AP: Pennsylvania agrees to settle gas drilling royalties lawsuit 
AP: Bye, Bismarck: 144 cities could lose status as metro areas
Spotlight PA: From tests to vaccines, Pa. health officials still missing crucial race data for COVID-19
Morning Call: The COVID relief bill could hit Biden’s desk soon. Here’s why it might change your 2020 taxes, and send accountants and early filers scrambling.
WHYY Newsworks: Jeff Bartos, politically-connected developer and former lt. gov. candidate, running for U.S. Senate
WHYY Newsworks: ‘We’re fighting for a public health safety issue’: Pa. nurses unions went toe-to-toe with management on hospital staffing ratios 
PLSReporter: Republican Jeff Bartos launches campaign for U.S. Senate 
Patriot News: Fire that burned down ‘Biden Barn’ in Mifflin County is being investigated for arson: police 
Patriot News: Beleaguered postal workers report a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases, further delays 
Patriot News: 29 Pa. counties have substantial spread of COVID-19; positive test rate drops for 12th week
Patriot News: Which states have the most confirmed coronavirus cases (3/08/2021): Where does Pa. stand?
KYW Newsradio: Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus outlines legislative priorities
KYW Newsradio: Employers who make workers get COVID-19 vaccine may be pushing the legal envelope
Beaver County Times: Meadville doctor to serve as PA physician general
WLVR: More Pennsylvanians Seek Help With Online Gambling Addiction
USA Today: Pa. lawmakers receiving credible death threats: How Kenyatta, Sims face hate head-on
USA Today: Former lieutenant governor candidate Jeff Bartos joins 2022 U.S. Senate race
KDKA: Pennsylvania Turnpike Rejects Claims That Its Tolls Are The Highest In The World
CNN: GOP’s shifting focus opens a path for Biden

Philadelphia 
Philly Clout: Someone stole Philly City Councilmember Bobby Henon’s car over the weekend
Inquirer: Congress bails out troubled pension plans for teamsters, Acme, carpenters, electricians, and others in Philly area 
Inquirer: Health Department ignored ‘red flags’ in Philly Fighting COVID partnership, inspector general says 
Inquirer: Philly hospitals care for thousands of suburban patients but can’t give them COVID-19 vaccines.
WHYY Newsworks: Philly Fighting COVID vaccine partnership put city ‘at great risk,’ says inspector general
WHYY Newsworks: Philly extends moratorium on water shut-offs through April 2022 
Billy Penn: How to get to Philly’s FEMA vaccination site: Parking, SEPTA, accessible transport
Philadelphia Tribune: Mumia Abu-Jamal supporters make case for his release in virtual ‘street meeting’
Philadelphia Magazine: Inspector General: City Failed to Properly Vet Philly Fighting COVID
Philadelphia Magazine: William Penn Only Spent Four Years In Pennsylvania, And Other Strange Founder Facts
KYW Newsradio: Report: City’s relationship with COVID-19 vaccine partner lacked safeguards, transparency
KYW Newsradio: Pa. rep from Germantown reaching out to women, girls with virtual health, wellness sessions
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia activist renews hunger strike, calling on mayor to act on gun violence
KYW Newsradio: Activists trying to save John Coltrane house from demolition
Philadelphia Citizen: Who Have They Left Behind? 
Philadelphia Business Journal: Report finds ‘procedural deficiencies,’ lack of transparency in Health Department’s relationship with Philly Fighting Covid
Philly Voice: Series of red flags during city’s Philly Fighting COVID partnership detailed in inspector general’s report 

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County Republicans: The state of party politics post-Trump
Bucks County Courier Times: Who’s calling? Not J&J with vaccine info. It’s the Bucks GOP. 
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks, Montgomery county lawmakers demand action on mismanaged vaccines 
Bucks County Courier Times: COVID-19, one year later: Pandemic leaves trauma, questions for Pennsylvania nursing homes 
Daily Local News: Region leaders seek transparency from state officials as frustration over vaccine allocation mounts
Daily Local News: Chester County officials, lawmakers pitch in to help on vaccine front 
Daily Local News: Chester County now in ‘low risk’ virus category
Daily Local News: Coronavirus positivity rates decreasing in SE PA counties
KYW Newsradio: Lawmakers say southeastern Pa. shortchanged by 100K vaccine doses
Philadelphia Business Journal: ‘Disappointing and frustrating’: Suburban Philadelphia counties blast Pennsylvania officials over vaccine distribution
Inquirer: ‘What is the plan?’: Suburban Pa. officials blast Dept. of Health over region’s vaccine supply as dispute intensifies
Inquirer: Philly’s suburbs demand more vaccine supply | Morning Newsletter
Montgomery Media: Legislation would help Pa. libraries raise revenue 
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County reports 335 new coronavirus cases, one death over three days
WHYY Newsworks: Philly suburbs, state health officials spar over accusations of ‘short-changed’ vaccine doses
Pottstown Mercury: One year into pandemic, is online learning here to stay? 
Bucks Local News: Southeast Pa. county commissioners, legislators challenge state officials over vaccine supply

Pittsburgh 
Tribune Review: Allegheny County Dems endorse Ed Gainey in Pittsburgh mayoral race
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh moves to cloud-based services powered by Google
Tribune Review: Western Pa. health experts cautious about CDC’s mask-shedding guidance
Post-Gazette: Peduto takes shots at town hall from opponents over property tax hike for Pittsburgh parks
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh creates dashboard to help monitor city opioid overdoses 
Post-Gazette: Pa. reports 3,176 new cases; Allegheny surpasses 1,700 deaths
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 278 More Coronavirus Cases Over 48 Hours
WESA: Teachers ‘Are So Anxious To Get Vaccinated,’ Says Pittsburgh Union President
WESA: Soon Pittsburgh’s Housing Opportunity Fund Will Have To Be More Choosy

SWPA 
WCCS: Reed Among Names Lists As Possible Contenders for Governor 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Stanton, husband seek seats on Johnstown City Council
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Boswell-area man seeking Somerset treasurer post
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Thousands sign up for new Cambria County emergency alert system, exceeding officials’ expectations
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: One area COVID-19 death among seven statewide
Altoona Mirror: Ohio provides election ideas
Tribune Review: Westmoreland officials press state to improve vaccine distribution
Beaver County Times: Taking a shot
Observer-Reporter: Child welfare officials see increase in reports of serious abuse 
Observer-Reporter: Retirees answer call to help out at WHS vaccine clinics

NEPA
Citizens Voice: Fallout from election board controversy continues
Citizens Voice: Exeter council to vote on Radle borough manager contract today
Citizens Voice: Political scene 3/8/21
Citizens Voice: Vaccination data shows about 11% of Luzerne County residents inoculated
Citizens Voice: 20 new COVID-19 cases reported in county on Monday
Times-Tribune: Arora to run for Lackawanna County judge
Times-Tribune: COVID-19 spread easing across state, region
Times-Tribune: Vaccination data shows nearly 14% of Lackawanna County residents inoculated
The Times Leader: Republicans endorse Salavantis, Toohill for judge 
The Times Leader: Luzerne County election director applicants interviewed 
The Times Leader: Luzerne County receives citizen applicants for vacant election board seats 
The Times Leader: 20 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County Monday; 1 more death

South Central  
Patriot News: Former Pa. House member to run for open Senate seat as independent 
Patriot News: Lavet Henderson announces candidacy for Harrisburg City Council
Patriot News: Lawyer Kathryn Waters running for judge’s seat on Dauphin County court 
Patriot News: Former Harrisburg NAACP leader Paula Rideout-Harris dies at 68. 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Here’s how Lancaster County restaurants, hotels hit by COVID-19 can apply for part of a $6.2M grant 
LNP | LancasterOnline: 9 people in Lancaster County died of COVID-19 last week; here’s a look at county, state data
York Dispatch: York County has 111 new COVID-19 cases
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 45 new COVID-19 cases reported Sunday and Monday in Cumberland County

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: Berks County left out of COVID vaccine distribution discussions with Pa.
Reading Eagle: New plan for Berks County Residential Center disappoints activists
Reading Eagle: Berks lags behind in COVID vaccine distribution; county officials are at a loss to understand why
Reading Eagle: PennDOT plans to analyze how tolling Berks bridge will impact the community
Reading Eagle: Vote to disband Northern Berks Regional Police Department rescinded 
Reading Eagle: Nearly $5 million in COVID aid available for Berks County hospitality businesses
Reading Eagle: Risk of COVID community spread returns to ‘substantial’ in Berks County
WFMZ: Schwank calls on Pa. to give Berks-specific vaccine plan 
WFMZ: Questions about migrant center plague Berks commissioners
WFMZ: Northampton County launching call line to help seniors make appointments for COVID-19 vaccines
Morning Call: Northampton County will help senior citizens book COVID-19 vaccinations
Morning Call: Pa., Lehigh Valley schools and others partner to help ‘near completers’ unemployed due to the pandemic
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: 3,176 additional cases over two days. 480,000 doses promised this week
Express Times: South Whitehall man admits being in U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, court papers say
Express Times: COVID in Pa.: CDC issues new guidelines for post-vaccine interactions; Lowest Lehigh Valley case increase in 4 months | Pa. COVID vaccine map (03/08/2021)

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Arson suspected in nearby ‘Biden Barn’ blaze; central Pa. community responds in big way
Centre Daily Times: Centre County district attorney seeking second term as county’s top prosecutor
Centre Daily Times: Applications open for Centre County’s $10.6 million Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Centre Daily Times:  More COVID-19 relief funds are available for Centre County hospitality businesses. Here’s how to apply
Centre Daily Times: March 8 update: Centre County adds 38 cases of COVID-19; Pa. reports 3,176 new positives
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Former mayoral candidate runs for City Council
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: County, city vote to approve contracts
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: DuBoistown addresses snow removal issues
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County 17 new COVID-19 cases
Erie Times-News: Township to ‘right-size’ Millcreek police command

Opinion  
Mike Regan: It’s Time for Pennsylvania to Lift Mask Mandate and Restaurant Capacity Limits 
Joe Ciresi: Pa. needs to fix its unfair special education funding for charter schools
Ryan Bizzarro: Pro-life is pro-vaccine
Abraham Gutman: Legislation inspired by Inquirer would help immigrants, but citizenship process needs bigger overhaul 
Bruce Ledewitz: Lawmakers, Wolf need to clarify Pa.’s mail-in voting law before 2022 
Inquirer Editorial Board: Pa.’s tragic and shameful failure to fix unemployment benefits system
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Looking to the bright side and some of the good things happening now
Salena Zito: Chris Frye is helping stage New Castle’s comeback
Tyler DeRubio and Leigh Wilson-Hall: The temporary expansion of the Child Tax Credit should become permanent to help Philly’s families
Joseph Certaine: Danielle Outlaw put in an untenable position by Kenney administration 
Sherri Brokopp Binder and Danilo Sanchez: Why tiny homes will not solve Lehigh Valley’s homeless problems
Jon Geeting: Leaving Money on the Table
Jamie Manson: Johnson & Johnson vaccine is not morally compromised and even the Vatican knows it 
Joseph Kertis: Pandemic is forcing more seniors to stay at home
Nicole Wyglendowski: I’m teaching from my North Philly classroom with no students in the room 
Tom Stiglich: Cartoon: Holding extremists accountable