Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff visited Allentown on Wednesday, while Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will be in Pittsburgh on Thursday. Here is the Playbook. 

Reschenthaler Boosts Parnell Senate Bid: Congressman Reschenthaler said that he thinks Sean Parnell would be the best GOP candidate for U.S. Senate.

NRCC Adds Houlahan to 2022 Target List: Rep. Chrissy Houlahan is now the fourth Pennsylvania Democrat to be added to the National Republican Campaign Committee’s 2022 target list.

Reschenthaler Boosts Parnell Senate Bid: Congressman Reschenthaler said that he thinks Sean Parnell would be the best GOP candidate for U.S. Senate.

Emhoff Visits Allentown: The Allentown Morning Call reports that Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, talked to business owners in Allentown on Wednesday afternoon about the challenges that they’ve faced throughout the pandemic, while promoting President Joe Biden’s infrastructure plan. He was joined by Rep. Susan Wild (D-Lehigh) while talking to the local business owners.   

Buttigieg to Visit Pittsburgh on Thursday: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will be visiting Pittsburgh on Thursday to promote President Joe Biden’s American Jobs Plan. Buttigieg will reportedly be joined by Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto, Sen. Bob Casey, Rep. Conor Lamb, state Department Transportation Secretary Yassmin Gramian, and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald during the visit. 

PennLive Provides Primary Voter Guide: PennLive has released it’s 2021 Pennsylvania primary voter guide that also features contested races from Cumberland, Dauphin, Lebanon, Perry and York counties. 

KDKA Previews PA GOP Supreme Court Race: KDKA previews the upcoming Republican Party primary in Pennsylvania for one spot on the PA Supreme Court. The three candidates vying for the party nomination include Judge Kevin Brobson, Judge Paula Patrick, and Judge Patty McCullough.  

PennLive: ‘Pa. House forms panel to investigate botched effort to advertise constitutional amendment’: PennLive reports that the state House voted on a straight party-line vote, 111-90, to “adopt a resolution forming a five-member panel that will have subpoena powers to examine, investigate and make a complete study” on how the Department of State failed to “advertise a proposed constitutional amendment that would have opened a two-year window for child sex abuse survivors to sue their abusers.”

Inky Gives 4 Takeaways from Philly DA Debate: The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Chris Brennan provides 4 takeaways from the Philadelphia District Attorney debate on Wednesday night between incumbent District Attorney Larry Krasner and challenger Carlos Vega.  

NBC10 Breaks Down Philly DA Debate: NBC10 provides a breakdown of the Philadelphia District Attorney debate on Wednesday night between incumbent District Attorney Larry Krasner and challenger Carlos Vega.  

KYW Newsradio Highlights Philly DA Debate: KYW Newsradio provides analysis from the “heated arguments during, after” the Wednesday night debate between Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and challenger Carlos Vega.  

Pittsburgh City Paper Releases Dem Primary Election Guide: Pittsburgh City Paper has released it’s 2021 Pittsburgh Democratic primary election guide. City Paper also provides previews to the Pittsburgh Democratic mayoral primary, 2021 ballot questions, Allegheny County Common Pleas Judicial elections, Democratic primary for Allegheny County Council District 9, Democratic primary for Pittsburgh City Council District 2, and Pittsburgh City Council District 4.

USA Today Reports on Pa. Black Caucus Legislation: USA Today reports on “How the Pa. Black Caucus wants to dismantle systemic racism.”

Harrisburg Mayoral Candidates Forum Postponed: PennLive reports that the scheduled “Candidates Conversation” between the five Democratic candidates for Mayor of Harrisburg on Wednesday was postponed, due to technical difficulties during taping.  

Wolf Joins Penn State Football Coach James Franklin To Urge PA To Get Vaccinated: PennLive reports that Gov. Tom Wolf joined Penn State football coach James Franklin on Wednesday to urge Pennsylvania residents to get the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Inky: ‘Philly should set a reopening date, City Council members say’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Philadelphia City Council members “pushed back on Health Commissioner Thomas Farley on Wednesday for his lack of commitment to a reopening date for the city.”

Inky: Biden calls Philadelphia sports fans the ‘most informed and most obnoxious’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that President Joe Biden said that Philadelphia sports fans are “the most informed and most obnoxious fans in the world,” on Wednesday during a visit to pick up lunch in Washington D.C.  

KDKA Reports on Possibility on Lamb and Parnell Facing Each Other in 2022 Senate Race: KDKA details the recent POLITICO reports that mention Rep. Conor Lamb (D-Allegheny) and Republican Sean Parnell as potential candidates for U.S. Senate in 2022.   

Tribune-Review: ‘Toomey pledges in Pittsburgh to find out why U.S. Steel nixed $1B Mon Valley project’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that Sen. Pat Toomey said during a visit to Pittsburgh on Wednesday that he wants to find out why U.S. Steel cancelled its planned $1.2 billion Mon Valley Works project last week. 

Luzerne County Judicial Candidates Participate in League of Women Voters Forum: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that four of the five candidates running for the two open seats in the Luzerne County judiciary participated in a virtual forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of the Wilkes-Barre Area and Misericordia University. 

Observer-Reporter: Snyder co-sponsors bill that would expand business interruption policies: According to the Observer-Reporter, state Rep. Pam Snyder is co-sponsoring a “measure that would expand business interruption policies to include losses resulting over the last 14 months.”

Post-Gazette: ‘Speakers at public hearing criticize Peduto, City Council for Pittsburgh’s loss of Black population’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “dozens of activists and former city residents on Wednesday told emotional stories of displacement and asked that the city address the loss of Black residents and use forthcoming federal relief dollars to remedy the lack of affordable housing.”

Kearney and Zabel to Hold Town Hall on Vaccine Hesitancy: The Delaware County Daily Times reports that state Sen. Tim Kearney and state Rep. Mike Zabel will be hosting a virtual town hall on vaccine hesitancy in vulnerable communities on Thursday evening.  

Casey To Host Drive-in Town Hall: Sen. Bob Casey will be holding a drive-in town hall in Beaver County on Thursday evening, according to a press release from his office. 

Pro-Biden Advocacy Group Releases Dual-Language Digit Ads in PA: National Journal reports that Building Back Together, a nonprofit advocacy group that supports President Joe Biden’s agenda, launched dual-language 15 second digital ads that highlight how Biden has helped Latino workers in Pennsylvania. 

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: GOP wants to restore work-search rule for jobless benefits 
AP:  College kids urged to get vaccinated; statewide demand flags
Spotlight PA: Pa.’s state university system adopts strategy to address campus racism
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf to Pa.: Want to see Penn State in-person this fall? Get vaccinated 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. doctors could be punished for rejecting vaccine-skeptical parents under advancing House legislation 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Federal judge strikes down CDC’s nationwide eviction ban 
Patriot News: Voters Guide: Learn about Pa.’s 2021 primary election candidates
Patriot News: Pa. House forms panel to investigate botched effort to advertise constitutional amendment 
Patriot News: Penn State football coach James Franklin teams with Gov. Wolf on vaccine message: ‘Do your part’
Patriot News: Filing for unemployment benefits will be paused May 30 due to conversion to new system
Patriot News: COVID-19 update: New cases, hospitalizations drop in Pa.
USA Today: ‘We are still not safe’: How the Pa. Black Caucus wants to dismantle systemic racism
York Daily Record: Pennsylvania herd immunity in jeopardy as vaccine demand falls off and hesitancy persists
York Daily Record: Pa. Black caucus pushes bills to dismantle systemic racism
WESA: Bill Opening A Window For Child Sexual Abuse Survivors To Sue Abusers Is Again, Up For A Vote
WESA: ‘The Next Chess Move:’ Emergency Powers Ballot Questions Set The Stage For A Balance-Of-Power Showdown 
KDKA: Reports: Conor Lamb, Sean Parnell Could Face Off Again In U.S. Senate Race 
KDKA: Multiple Republican Candidates Vying For Open Pennsylvania Supreme Court Seat 
KDKA: Pa. Turnpike Approves $660 Million Capital Budget 
KYW Newsradio: Bill would reinstate job search requirement for unemployed getting benefits
PLSReporter: Pa. Legislative Black Caucus introduces equity focused bill package
Post-Gazette: Sen. Toomey vows to find out why U.S. Steel canceled its $1.5 billion project
WHYY Newsworks: Gov. Wolf squares off with GOP by firing charter school appeals board members
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. superintendents, charter advocates continue to spar over school funding
City & State PA: Scaling back Wolf’s emergency powers 
City & State PA: Publisher’s Note: City & State PA staffs up
Morning Call: Debate over COVID-19 vaccine requirements intensifies in Harrisburg; Muhlenberg College joins Lehigh University in requiring shots 
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: CDC to ship similar number of first doses to the state next week
StateImpactPA: State climate report predicts nearly six-degree temperature rise, more heat waves and intense storms by 2050
StateImpactPA: Legislature revives effort to create special standards for conventional drillers
The Hill: Haaland: Santorum’s Native American comments ‘unfortunate’
Real Clear Politics: A Referendum on Progressivism in PA’s Major Cities  

Philadelphia 
NBC10: Krasner, Vega Clash Over City Crime in Fiery Debate for Philly District Attorney
KYW Newsradio: Heated arguments during, after Krasner-Vega Philadelphia DA debate
Inquirer: 4 takeaways from the only TV debate between Philly DA Larry Krasner and challenger Carlos Vega 
Inquirer: Ben from Ben & Jerry’s blasts Mr. Softee as ‘fake ice cream’ after it stepped into the Philly DA’s race 
Inquirer: Philly should set a reopening date, City Council members say 
Inquirer: Mayor Jim Kenney says Philly is ready for a ‘tourism comeback’ 
Inquirer: The Philadelphia district attorney’s job, explained 
Inquirer: Philadelphia sixth grader surprises Fox News host by defending Biden’s pandemic response 
Inquirer: Biden calls Philadelphia sports fans the ‘most informed and most obnoxious’ 
Inquirer: Philly Council members push for city to set a reopening date; Pa. could nix mask mandate next month at current vaccination pace
Philly Voice: President Biden calls Philly sports fans ‘most informed, most obnoxious’ in the world
Delaware Valley Journal: Ice Cream Mogul Gets In His Licks in Philly D.A. Race 
Delaware Valley Journal: Krasner, Subject of New Documentary, Defends Record, Plans More Progressive Reforms
WHYY Newsworks: Police clear PATCO encampment as City Council challenges Philly’s homeless strategy
WHYY Newsworks: When are COVID restrictions being lifted across the Delaware Valley?
WHYY Newsworks: ‘Mad or nah?’: Philly residents react to Penn’s storage of MOVE childrens’ remains

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: Town hall to be held Thursday on vaccine hesitancy
Delco Daily Times: More than 2,000 apply for Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Daily Local News: Caln Township police begin using body-worn cameras
Daily Local News: Chester County issues proclamation for Apraxia Awareness Day
Bucks County Courier Times: League of Women Voters honors Thomas for Pa. mapping proposal 
Bucks County Courier Times: Facebook posts lead FBI to arrest Northampton man in U.S. Capitol riots
WHYY Newsworks: Walkup COVID-19 vaccine appointments begin in Montco
Inquirer: His wife’s efforts to defend him on Facebook led to the arrest of a Bucks County man charged in Capitol riot
KYW Newsradio: Investigators: Wife’s Facebook posts lead to Bucks County man charged in Capitol insurrection
KYW Newsradio: EPA gives new PFAS council deadline for cleanup plan, but activists ask: Why wait?
Delaware Valley Journal: Upper Darby’s Keffer Solidifies Progressive Standing With Fetterman Endorsement 
Delaware Valley Journal: DelVal Police Departments Struggle to Find Recruits Amid Debate Over Reform
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County records 73 new coronavirus cases in daily report

Pittsburgh 
WESA: Activists Want Open Data About How Pittsburgh Police Use ‘Less-Lethal’ Weapons, Ban On Purchasing More 
Post-Gazette: Transportation secretary visiting Pittsburgh to tout president’s American Jobs Plan
Post-Gazette: Speakers at public hearing criticize Peduto, City Council for Pittsburgh’s loss of Black population 
Post-Gazette: County proposal would require polluters to reduce pollution during unfavorable weather 
Post-Gazette: County will follow state’s lead on lifting pandemic restrictions
Post-Gazette: Effects of CDC eviction moratorium decision unclear as advocates, landlords fear fallout
Post-Gazette: COVID-19 Latest: Allegheny County OK with Wolf’s restriction rollback; Sick leave bill will get public input
KDKA: Reports: Conor Lamb, Sean Parnell Could Face Off Again In U.S. Senate Race 
KDKA: Plan Before City Council Would Infuse Millions Of COVID Relief Funding Into Fight Against Gentrification 
KDKA: Activist Groups Demand City Retract Bid On Less-Lethal Weapons, Call It Money Spent ‘To Use Against Its Own Citizens’ 
KDKA: Pittsburgh City Council Holding Public Hearing Regarding Concerns Over Pittsburgh’s Declining Black Population 
KDKA: ‘This May 31st Will Look A Lot Different’: Allegheny Co. Officials Say They Will Follow State’s Easing Of COVID-19 Restrictions 
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 158 New Coronavirus Cases, 9 More Deaths
Pittsburgh Business Times: What Allegheny County officials are saying about the governor’s mitigation orders 
Pittsburgh Business Times: County health department unveils paid sick leave bill 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Allegheny County Health Department moves forward with proposed plans for stricter air quality regulations 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Potential power plant questioned by neighbors in Allegheny, Westmoreland counties
Pittsburgh Business Times: State forecast paints grim, hotter portrait for Pennsylvania in 2050
Pittsburgh Business Times: Wolf said rate of vaccinations key to his decision to reopen more on Memorial Day
Tribune Review: Sen. Toomey pledges in Pittsburgh to find out why U.S. Steel nixed $1B Mon Valley project 
Tribune Review: Activists call for Pittsburgh to cancel bid for supplies of less-lethal weapons 
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh residents, council members take up issue of Black flight from city 
Tribune Review: Allegheny County officials cite equity and hesitancy as barriers to vaccinations 
Tribune Review: Allegheny County officials support lifting of restrictions, tackle covid vaccine myths 
Tribune Review: Poll workers needed in some Allegheny County precincts as primary election prep continues 
Tribune Review:  Allegheny County reports 2nd-lowest covid case total in past month
City Paper: 2021 Pittsburgh Democratic Primary Election Guide 
City Paper: Democratic Primary Election 2021: Pittsburgh Mayor 
City Paper: Democratic Primary Election 2021: Ballot questions 
City Paper: Allegheny County Common Pleas Judicial Elections 
City Paper: Democratic Primary Election 2021: Pittsburgh City Council District 2 
City Paper: Democratic Primary Election 2021 Pittsburgh City Council District 4 
City Paper: Democratic Primary Election 2021: Allegheny County Council District 9 
WTAE: Pittsburgh City Council holds hearing on decline in Black population
WTAE: Mon Valley pollution watches and warnings discussed by county board of health

SWPA 
Tribune Review: Sen. Kim Ward endorses covid vaccine for return to normalcy
Observer-Reporter: State Rep. Pam Snyder co-sponsors bill that would expand business interruption policies
Observer-Reporter: Gov. Wolf to lift COVID-19 mitigation on Memorial Day except for mask mandate
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Conference planned for Community HUB program grant award
Altoona Mirror: Businesses ready for relief
Altoona Mirror: Residents urged to get vaccine

NEPA
The Times Leader: League of Women Voters holds forum on Luzerne County judge race 
The Times Leader: 77 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County on Wednesday; 1 death
Citizens Voice: Luzerne County judicial candidates face off during online forum 
Citizens Voice: More than 100,000 county residents now fully vaccinated
Times-Tribune: Candidates vie for party nominations in Archbald, Jessup, Jermyn 
Times-Tribune: County plans to sell former visitor’s center building for $1.25 million 
Times-Tribune: Providers say mass vaccinations disappearing, but COVID fight marches on

South Central 
LNP | LancasterOnline: 2,700 Lancaster County voters receive wrong instructions for mail-in ballots 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County officials eye land near Conestoga River as potential site for new prison [update] 
LNP | LancasterOnline: PA Treasury may owe up to $53M to Lancaster County residents; here’s how to check if you’re owed money 
LNP | LancasterOnline: From masks to school closures, how will reduced COVID-19 restrictions impact Lancaster County schools? 
LNP | LancasterOnline: COVID-19 cases still high but showing some improvement in Lancaster County after April’s increases
Patriot News: Harrisburg mayoral candidates forum scheduled for today is postponed 
York Daily Record: York County COVID-19 vaccine tracker: 28% of people fully vaccinated
York Dispatch: Residents: More public input needed on York City surveillance proposal 
York Dispatch: State to lift COVID-19 requirements on school closures, event limitations starting May 31 
York Dispatch: Wednesday update: Three more die due to COVID-19 in York County
Carlisle Sentinel: Lower Frankford man running write-in campaign for township supervisor 
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 61 new cases of COVID-19 in Wednesday’s report for Cumberland County

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: Doug Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, hears about challenges facing Lehigh Valley business owners during visit to Allentown
Morning Call: Debate over COVID-19 vaccine requirements intensifies in Harrisburg; Muhlenberg College joins Lehigh University in requiring shots 
Express Times: Second gentleman Doug Emhoff visits Allentown to tout Biden economic plan 
Express Times: COVID in Pa.: Half the state now has a COVID vaccine shot; case rates dropping as reopening set; Berks Co. reaches 1K deaths | Pa. coronavirus updates (5/5/21) 
Reading Eagle: Berks County hands over letter supporting residential center plan to the Reading Eagle 
Reading Eagle: 3 Republicans vying for Maxatawny Township supervisor
Reading Eagle: 2 Democrats in race for Laureldale mayor 
Reading Eagle: 2 Republican candidates running for Kenhorst mayor
Reading Eagle: COVID pandemic death toll for Berks residents reaches 1,000
WFMZ: Second gentleman visits Allentown to talk to small businesses 
WFMZ: House bill could require unemployed to search for jobs, business owners ready to hire
WFMZ: Allentown supervisors required to take unconscious bias training 

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Why Penn State’s James Franklin, Gov. Tom Wolf urged those eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine
Erie Times-News: City officials: number of vaccinated Erie cops, firefighters increases
Erie Times-News: Erie County sees more COVID-19 outbreaks but not more overall cases
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County Commissioners approve grant for gas line

Opinion  
Mike Regan: What a yes vote means on May 18 ballot questions 
Derek Green: Pa. needs help on climate change. RGGI is one solution. 
Paul Muschick: Why Pennsylvania’s new mask rule is a mistake 
Lauren Vidas: Row Office Revolt? 
York Dispatch Editorial Board: Merging Pa. universities a good idea, but more college changes are needed
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Pa. legislative leaders failed in their duty to select reapportionment chair
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Tesla and the self-driving vehicle industry needs federal oversight
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Much ado about masking in the Solanco School District — and we really don’t understand why
Tina Clymer: Pennsylvania’s counties are providing lifesaving mental health services in the COVID-19 crisis
Abdul-Aliy Muhammad: City of Philadelphia should thoroughly investigate the MOVE remains’ broken chain of custody
Janice Ford Benner: After flying from Philly to Palm Springs, I’m waiting for vaccine passports before my next trip
Michelle Gainer: What Pennsylvania schools most need is not more white teachers like me 
Joyce M. Davis: Doctors are warning of a post-COVID mental health crisis that is already underway | Social Views
Daniel J. Wilson: I developed polio because I was too young for Salk’s vaccine. So take it from me – everyone eligible should get COVID shots
Gene Therapy: Too fast? COVID vaccine was decades in the making
Chris Freind: ‘Three’s a charm:’ Woke culture jeopardizes ‘Jeopardy!’ and Kelly Donohue