Gov. Tom Wolf and former Vice President Joe Biden talk about the impact of COVID-19 in PA and beyond, the NRCC promotes Sean Parnell to Young Gun status, plus Auditor General candidates release TV ads. Here is the Playbook. 

NRCC Promotes Parnell to Young Gun Status: The GOP hopeful for the 17th Congressional District is the first Pennsylvania Republican added to the highest level of the National Republican Congressional Committee’s Young Gun program.

Biden Backs Wolf on COVID, Wolf Backs Biden for Prez: Just hours after announcing his support for the former VP’s presidential bid, Gov. Tom Wolf joined Joe Biden for a virtual conversation about the impact of COVID-19 in states.

Auditor General Race: Lamb Touts Kenney Endorsement in Latest Ad: In Pittsburgh City Controller Michael Lamb’s most recent 15 second TV spot, he touts being endorsed by Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, teachers, and firefighters.

Auditor General Race: Ahmad Releases TV Ad: The former Deputy Mayor of Philadelphia’s 30 second TV ad highlights her experience leading up to this run for the statewide office, while promising to hold the government accountable and take on drug companies.

Conklin Releases TV Ad for Auditor General Race: The Democratic state Rep from Centre County’s one minute long spot promotes a message of working together as Pennsylvanians in response to COVID-19.

Legislative Election Update:

SD-17: Lt. Gov John Fetterman endorsed Amanda Cappelletti for the state Senate’s 17th District. Cappelletti is attempting to unseat state Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery) in the primary next week. 

SD-17: Sen. Bernie Sanders sent out a tweet on Wednesday endorsing Amanda Cappelletti for the state Senate’s 17th District. Cappelletti is attempting to unseat state Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery) in the primary next week. Sanders has also previously endorsed Nikil Saval in the Democratic primary for the state Senate’s 1st District and state Rep. Summer Lee (D-Allegheny) in her reelection bid in the state House’s 34th District.  

HD-188: Sen. Bernie Sanders sent out a tweet on Wednesday endorsing Rick Krajewski for the state House’ 188th District. Krajewski is attempting to unseat state Rep. James Roebuck Jr. (D-Philadelphia) in the primary next week. Sanders has also previously endorsed Nikil Saval in the Democratic primary for the state Senate’s 1st District and state Rep. Summer Lee (D-Allegheny) in her reelection bid in the state House’s 34th District.  

SD-49: YourErie.com highlights the race in the state Senate’s 49th District where two Democrats, Julie Slomski, the former Northwest Regional Director for Gov. Tom Wolf, and Andre Horton, a member of Erie County Council, are facing off for the opportunity to unseat state Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-Erie).  

HD-132: Lehigh Valley Live reports Michael McCreary, Lehigh Valley Grand prix owner, is launching a write-in campaign as a Republican for the seat held by state Rep. Michael Schlossberg (D-Lehigh). 

HD-103: PennLive previews the race in the 103rd state House District where state Rep. Patty Kim (D-Dauphin) is facing a primary challenge from Kevin Maxson, a 40-year-old prison reform advocate.  

HD-87: PennLive highlights the race in the 87th state House District where three Democrats, Heather MacDonald, who works with a local family-owned brokerage, Nicole Miller, who became an orthodontic technician and worked as a part-time server up until the end of last year, and Sean Quinlan, an attorney, attempt to unseat state Rep. Greg Rothman (R-Cumberland).  

HD-104: State Rep. Sue Helm (R-Dauphin/Lebanon) is facing a challenge in the GOP primary from Travis Stauffer, a maintenance supervisor, according to PennLive. The winner of that matchup will face Democrat Patty Smith in November. 

HD-12: Both the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and KDKA have previewed state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe’s (R-Butler) GOP primary challenge from Scott Timko, a U.S. Air Force veteran and small-business owner. 

HD-44: State Rep. Valerie Gaydos (R-Allegheny) is facing a GOP primary challenge from Bob Doddato, a North Fayette township supervisor, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

HD-19: WESA previews the matchup in the state House’s 19th District where state Rep. Jake Wheatley (D-Allegheny) is facing a primary challenge from fellow Democrat Aerion Abney. 

HD-160: The Daily Local News highlights the race in the 160th state House District where Democrats Cathy Spahr and Anton Andrew are seeking their party nomination in the June primary. The winner will go up against Republican Chris Williams in November. The seat is held by state Rep. Stephen Barrar (R-Delaware), who announced that he is retiring at the end of this current term.

Harrisburg & DC   
Spotlight PA: Pa. House Democrats say they were in the dark for a week about Republican’s positive coronavirus test
Spotlight PA: Red, yellow, green: What to expect in each of Pa.’s tiers for reopening
PA Post: Biden says Wolf’s reopening plan for Pa. is a model for the nation
PA Post: Six Democrats, one Republican vie to succeed DePasquale as auditor general
AP: Pro sports can resume in Pennsylvania, without spectators
Patriot News: Pa. House Democrats say keeping GOP colleague’s exposure to COVID-19 private is ‘unacceptable’
Patriot News: Will students have to wear masks to school? Pa. superintendents face tough choices for fall 
Patriot News: Pa. lawmakers plan to steer federal stimulus funds to nursing homes, small businesses and counties 
Patriot News: Dealing with mail-in ballots emerges as major challenge for Pa. primary election
Patriot News: Pennsylvania announces reopening guidelines for pro sports
Patriot News: Reopening Pa. bars and restaurants FAQ: Capacity limits, rules for yellow and green counties, masks, and more   
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: COVID-19 in the Capitol: One lawmaker positive for COVID, another in quarantine
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: The latest on COVID-19 in Pa.: 69,417 confirmed cases in 67 counties 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf says he would support moving primary mail-in ballot deadline  
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Despite pandemic, Trump plans scaled back July 4 bash on National Mall 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Gov. Tom Wolf endorses Joe Biden for president 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Dem auditor general hopeful Nina Ahmad loaned more than $290K to her campaign 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. House committee takes up agricultural concerns related to COVID-19
WHYY Newsworks: How is your congressional representative responding to COVID-19?
WHYY Newsworks: Battleground 2020: Pennsylvania primary election
WHYY Newsworks: Schools relieved as Pa. budget poised to avoid education cuts, for now  
Inquirer: Gov. Wolf unsure about what life after ‘green’ reopening phase will look like; Pa. lawmaker says he tested positive for coronavirus
KYW Newsradio: Pa. House Democrats outraged by lack of notification about COVID-19 positive GOP member
PLSReporter: House lawmaker tests positive for COVID-19
PLSReporter: With bumpy road ahead, Senate approves Gramian as PennDOT secretary 
Post-Gazette: Gov. Wolf endorses former Vice President Joe Biden for president
Fox News: Biden appears to confuse D-Day with Pearl Harbor Day during campaign event with Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf
StateImpactPA: StateImpact, NPR reporters to host virtual town hall about pandemic’s effect on the environment 
StateImpactPA: Can Joe Biden convince climate voters he is one of them?
KDKA: Former VP Biden, Gov. Wolf Talk Coronavirus Recovery, Including How To Get People Back To Work 
Beaver County Times: Wolf endorses Biden, calling him a ‘strong, steady leader’
National Journal: Bull’s Eye: Happenings in Harrisburg
National Journal: Energy and 2020 swing states: Pennsylvania
The Hill: Professor emeritus reacts to Biden’s ‘you ain’t black’ comments
Politico: ‘Like a letter carrier’: House takes historic plunge with first proxy votes 
Politico: Coronavirus hasn’t hit space — yet
CNN: Graves of veterans vandalized with torn American flags, police say
Real Clear Politics: Watch: Biden Hosts Conversation With Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf On State Coronavirus Response

Philadelphia 
KYW Newsradio: Mayor defends city health commissioner’s pandemic response after heated Council hearing
KYW Newsradio: Community College of Philadelphia announces fall classes will begin online 
Inquirer: A congressman caught in the 1970s Abscam sting is now at the heart of a Philly election fraud probe, sources say 
Inquirer: Philly voters are about to decide whether the city will have a Department of Labor
Inquirer: City workers facing layoffs say Philadelphia should tax the rich. Is that possible?
Inquirer: Council implores Kenney administration to support Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium 
Inquirer: Voting is different in Philly this year. Here’s what you need to know for Tuesday’s coronavirus primary. 
Inquirer: Restaurants could serve outside, the Phillies could practice in Philadelphia under Wolf decree; Cape May to reopen ocean
Inquirer: Three out of four Philly residents think you should wear a mask when leaving home
Inquirer: Edward ‘Ned’ Madeira Jr., 92, former co-chairman, top litigator at Pepper Hamilton
Inquirer: 100,000 Americans have died from coronavirus. These are the stories of some of those lost in Greater Philadelphia.
Billy Penn: Procrastinator’s Guide to the 2020 primary election in Philly
WHYY Newsworks: Coronavirus emergency results in major cuts in city spending on affordable housing 
WHYY Newsworks: How is your congressional representative responding to COVID-19?
WHYY Newsworks: City teachers wary of opening schools without contact tracing and a vaccine
WHYY Newsworks: Coronavirus update: Gov. Wolf announces guidance for reopening businesses  
WHYY Newsworks: How is your congressional representative responding to COVID-19?
Philly Voice: Outdoor dining permitted at restaurants in Philly, suburbs beginning June 5 with plenty of restrictions
Philadelphia Business Journal: Survey: Most Philadelphians value social distancing, don’t think their neighbors do 
Philadelphia Business Journal: Cozen O’Connor snaps up high-profile litigation team 
Philadelphia Tribune: CCP announces plans to hold online classes for the fall 
Philadelphia Tribune: Area legislators provide face masks, gloves to fight virus 
Philadelphia Magazine: Kenney Wants to “Reason” With People Who Flout COVID Rules, Not Make “Mass Arrests”
Philadelphia Magazine: Philly Mag Announces Special Virtual ThinkFest
Philadelphia Magazine: Pennsylvania’s Big Mail-In Primary Could Get Messy. What You Need to Know to Make Your Vote Count

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: Gargantuan effort fuels race to push out mail-in ballots
Daily Local News: Spahr, Andrew face off for 160th Dem vote 
Daily Local News: Mail-in ballots due by Tuesday, June 2 deadline to be counted 
Daily Local News: Math error in Harrisburg may raise school tax bills 
Daily Local News: Kennett Square adopts resolution welcoming refugees
KYW Newsradio: Delco says it’s processed more than twice the expected amount of mail-in ballots
KYW Newsradio: Judge rejects Montco’s request to extend deadline for mail-in ballots
Bucks County Courier Times: Montgomery mail-in extension denied by county Judge
Bucks County Courier Times: Pennsylvania latest target for COVID-19 unemployment scammers
Bucks County Courier Times: Outdoor dining back on the menu next week in “yellow”counties
Montgomery Media: More Montgomery County jail inmates test positive for coronavirus 
Montgomery Media: Sentencing hearings to resume in Montgomery County with coronavirus precautions
Bucks Local News: Bucks County posts lowest four-day count on COVID-19 cases in two months 
Bucks Local News: Legislation announced in Harrisburg to privatize state-controlled liquor stores
Pottstown Mercury: Wednesday Update: Pennsylvania coronavirus cases increase by 780 to 69,417 according to the Department of Health

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: Fitzgerald has no ‘intel’ but thinks Allegheny County will move to green next week
Post-Gazette: In 44th Pa. House district, first-term legislator faces repeat challenger
Post-Gazette: Primary 2020 update: Allegheny County voters can expect mail-in ballots by Friday
Post-Gazette: City council extends Pittsburgh’s emergency declaration for another 7 days
Post-Gazette: Metcalfe’s GOP challenger, Scott Timko, hopes to seize on incumbent’s ‘boorish’ behavior
Post-Gazette: 2 new deaths in Western Pa.; state reports 780 new cases of COVID-19
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County to participate in national program to reform court fees and fines
Post-Gazette: Pa. Supreme Court disbars Pittsburgh attorney
WESA: Familiar Foes Offer Different Visions In 19th House District
WESA: Allegheny County Settles Some Claims Over Jail Conditions Amid COVID-19
WESA: Child Care Advocates Tell Lawmakers More Funding Is Needed To Prevent Sector Collapse
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 1 Additional Death, 12 New Coronavirus Cases That Brings Total To 1,828
KDKA: Controversial State Lawmaker Rep. Daryl Metcalfe Faces A Republican Challenger In Tuesday’s Primary
KDKA: ‘It’s Apocalyptic’: Pittsburgh Leaders Estimate Downtown Office Occupancy Is At 30 Percent As Work From Home Continues
KDKA: ‘Some Of These Facilities Can Be Used Responsibly’: Cranberry Park Begins To Reopen While Other Places, Like Pittsburgh, Have No Plan To Reopen Playgrounds Or Pools
KDKA: Gov. Tom Wolf Allows Outdoor Dining At Restaurants In The ‘Yellow’ Phase, Starting June 5
The Incline: The procrastinator’s guide to Pittsburgh’s 2020 primary: Snail-mail edition 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pennsylvania releases new reopening guidelines for restaurants, professional sports
Tribune Review: Mail-in ballots expected to drive high turnout in Allegheny, Westmoreland
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh police union says city overcharged members ‘millions’ for medical benefits
Tribune Review: Gov. Wolf order: Pittsburgh pro sports teams may return to practice, play without fans
City Paper: Why Bernie Sanders (and Tulsi Gabbard) are still on the primary election ballot
Pittsburgh Business Times: Fitzgerald: Penguins have ‘solid plan’ to host NHL games
Pittsburgh Current: Allegheny County is dramatically reducing its polling places over COVID-19 safety concerns 

SWPA 
Observer-Reporter: O’Neal introduces legislation to privatize state liquor stores
Observer-Reporter: Taxpayers could be contributing up to $2.6 million to employees’ pension fund
Observer-Reporter: 16 polling places have changed since last year
Beaver County Times: PA House delegation splits along party lines in temporary budget vote
Beaver County Times: Wolf lauds manufacturers for helping during COVID-19 pandemic; guidance for restaurants, bar released
Tribune Review: Westmoreland County recalling furloughed workers
Altoona Mirror: Wolf praises local firms for virus response
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: U.S. agriculture secretary joins western Pa. food distribution
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: One new Bedford COVID-19 case among 780 additional in state
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Wolf issues more guidelines for green, yellow phases

NEPA
The Times Leader: Most Luzerne County primary election voters may be casting ballots by mail
The Times Leader: 15 new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Luzerne County; 3 new deaths
The Times Leader: Vough: mask, temperature reading required to enter courthouse after June 1 reopening
The Times Leader: Wolf issues green phase order, guidance on dining, professional sports
Times-Tribune: Pandemic creates funding crisis for Scranton schools, as leaders look at
Times-Tribune: Yellow phase now allows outdoor restaurant dining
Times-Tribune: COVID-19 – Complete Coverage
Citizens Voice: County offers options to return ballots 
Citizens Voice: Unemployment relief continues in yellow phase 
Citizens Voice: 15 new cases, 3 new deaths confirmed in county

South Central 
Carlisle Sentinel: Local reps not told of legislator testing positive for COVID-19 until Wednesday 
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: New deaths top 100 again in Pa., few new numbers reported in Cumberland County 
Patriot News: Tom Brier, Eugene DePasquale vie for Democrats’ big shot in 10th Congressional District in Pa.
Patriot News: Sue Helm faces challenger in GOP primary for Pa. House’s 104th district 
Patriot News: Three Democrats vie for nomination in 87th Pa. House District 
Patriot News: Pa. House member in Dauphin County faces challenger in June 2 primary 
Patriot News: Want to see how to use Dauphin County’s new voting machine? Watch our Facebook Live today 
Patriot News: ‘We do not have a voice’: With no union, minor leaguers wonder about baseball’s next step
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County’s June 2 voters guide: A look at local races
LNP | LancasterOnline: A complete guide for Lancaster County voters for the June 2 primaries
LNP | LancasterOnline: Is CDC guidance for schools feasible? Lancaster County educators say it raises more questions than answers 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Thursday’s COVID-19 updates: Nearly 70K state residents have tested positive for virus, over 3K in Lancaster County 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Pa. restaurants, bars can offer limited outdoor dining in yellow-phase counties starting next week 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County courts will stay closed to the public through end of June — with some flexibility
York Dispatch: York City changes polling locations for June primary election
York Dispatch: Census estimate: York County population surpassed 450k in 2019
York Dispatch: Officials fear mail-in ballots will delay election results

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: Lehigh Valley procrastinator’s guide to the 2020 election
Morning Call: Pennsylvania restaurants in yellow phase counties can start outdoor dining on June 5; Lehigh Valley included 
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus updates: While case total approaches 70,000, Wolf says ‘hard work and sacrifice’ have led to falling new-case rates 
Morning Call: Allentown convenience store must pay more than $1,000 of price-gouging for hand sanitizer 
Express Times: $20 for 16.9 ounces of hand sanitizer? That’s price-gouging, state tells Allentown store. 
Express Times: 2 are now running as GOP write-ins in this Lehigh Valley district. 1 is the Democratic incumbent. 
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus update: Cases near 70K; 5,265 have died. Testing in Lehigh Valley shows positive trends. | COVID-19 county case map (5/27/20) 
Reading Eagle: Reading secures nearly $200K in federal funding to boost coronavirus response 
Reading Eagle: Here’s who donated to candidates in the Pa. 127th House District race 
Reading Eagle: Berks County officials highlight how small business owners will emerge from coronavirus shutdown 
Reading Eagle: Coronavirus cases increase by 33 in Berks County 
Reading Eagle: Reading City Council pays tribute to late wife of longtime councilman

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lawmaker: Strengthen religious freedom during emergencies 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County Commissioners ask Wolf to move county into green phase
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Council reviews extension on mayor’s COVID-19 rule
Patriot News: ‘What aren’t we passing’ to go ‘green?’ Lycoming commissioner wants answer from Wolf
Centre Daily Times: Centre County’s 6th COVID-19 death was a personal care home resident, coroner says
Erie Times-News: Erie starts wastewater testing to try to track COVID-19 
Erie Times-News: Erie County records 10 new cases of COVID-19
Erie Times-News: Erie County Public Library to reopen in phases

Opinion  
Elizabeth A. Bolden: Pa.’s community college have a crucial role to play in emerging from COVID-19
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Protecting our seniors: House proposal would direct funds to nursing homes
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: The right to discreet help: Digital data related to health should be protected
Inquirer Editorial Board: Inquirer Editorial Board’s recommendations for 2020 Philly region primary | Endorsement Guide 
Inquirer Staff: Should other states join Pennsylvania and ratify the Equal Rights Amendment? | Pro/Con
Paul Muschick: Pennsylvania’s coronavirus briefings: 3 ways to make them actually helpful
John L. Micek: The 5(ish) Tweets that sum up a most unusual budget season | Wednesday Morning Coffee
Nathaniel Persily and Tom Westphal: Mobilize Pa. National Guard to secure the June primary
Christine Flowers: Stop Wolf’s theft of funds from non-public schools
Simon F. Haeder: We need to get creative to protect nursing home residents during a pandemic. Here’s how 
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Follow the data to reopen
Nick Zuwiala-Rogers and Jennifer Barr Dougherty: By not closing streets, Philly misses chance to be a leader in safe social distancing 
Zachary Wright: Comcast must open Wi-Fi networks to get 20,000 Philadelphia students online 
Liz Hersh: Unlike COVID, there is a cure for homelessness: housing 
Ernest Owens: I Won’t Vote for Joe Biden, the Lesser Racist, Until I Have To in November
Dale Klatzker: The Forgotten And Future Epidemic
Brian O’Neill: The masks reveal no middle ground
Anna Shipp: Social Equity and Climate Resistance Are Economic Drivers  
The Angry Grammarian: Confused by Philly’s mail-in ballots? You’re not alone. 
Anwar Curtis: Higher education is a partnership between school and student — especially now
Stephen Silver: With Little League canceled, my family loses more than just sports | Perspective
Maria Panaritis: ‘Everything’s drying up’: Blowup pools and hardware supplies are vanishing. Blame COVID.