A Democratic super PAC announces plans to air TV ads in Pennsylvania to boost former Vice President Joe Biden’s campaign in the fall. Here is the Playbook. 

Dem Group To Boost Biden in October PA TV Ad Buy: Future Forward USA PAC announced that it plans to spend $20 million on television in October boosting former Vice President Joe Biden’s presidential campaign in six states, including Pennsylvania.

PA Dems Blast Toomey on Flap with Former Warren Staffer: The Pennsylvania Democratic Party is attacking Sen. Pat Toomey in a digital ad for his role serving on the five member Congressional Oversight Commission established by the CARES Act.

Reader Poll: Who Should GOP Back for Guv? Someone Else: 46% of readers selected “someone else” out of the eight candidates mentioned in the reader poll. The candidate with the highest vote total was Rep. G.T. Thompson, followed by Sen. Pat Toomey.

Cozen O’Connor Adds Nine Attorneys from Baer Crossey McDemus LLC to Philly Office: The Philadelphia Business Journal reports that Cozen O’Connor has added nine lawyers, including all three name partners, from corporate and technology law boutique Baer Crossey McDemus. 

Legislative Election Update: 
HD-155: Rose Danese, a medical lab technician with over 30 years of experience who currently helps in testing patients samples for COVID-19, is seeking the Democratic nomination for the seat held by state Rep. Danielle Friel-Otten (D-Chester). Otten was first elected to the seat in 2018 after defeating incumbent state Rep. Becky Corbin (R-Chester) by 9 points.

Harrisburg & DC   
Spotlight PA: ‘I’m trying to be transparent,’ Wolf says as his administration rejects bill to restart public records law 
Spotlight PA: Wolf says Pa. employees should refuse to go to work if they don’t feel safe, but some fear putting job at risk 
AP: New cases below 1,000 for 4th straight day in Pennsylvania 
AP: Businesses open in defiance of Pennsylvania shutdown
New York Times: This Working Man Was Ready to Retire. But the Virus Took Him.  
New York Times: Firm Set Up by G.O.P. Operatives Under Scrutiny Over Virus Contracts
WHYY Newsworks: As Pa. poll workers worry about safety, staffing for June primary will be a challenge 
WHYY Newsworks: Wolf announces New-Deal-esqe ‘civilian corps’ to help with COVID-19 response
WHYY Newsworks: Coronavirus update: Pa. Gov. Wolf grants immunity to health care providers  
Patriot News: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf grants civil immunity to doctors, health care workers in COVID-19 front line 
Patriot News: GOP lawmakers criticize Gov. Wolf’s planned ‘Coronavirus Corps’ 
Patriot News: A Civilian Coronavirus Corps; Office Depot closing a distribution center; more: Latest on coronavirus in Pa. 
Patriot News: Pa. Senate examines liquor store closures during pandemic. The big question: When will they reopen? 
Patriot News: Pa. liquor stores will start to reopen for limited in-person sales in ‘yellow counties’
Patriot News: Bill proposed that would offer frontline workers $25,000 for tuition and student loan debt relief: report 
Patriot News: Epidemic envy: Amid coronavirus, families of opioid dead feel slighted. ‘Wouldn’t it be nice if people reacted this way?’ 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Gov. Tom Wolf ran as a champion of government transparency. The COVID-19 pandemic is putting that to the test.
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf proposes creating army of public health workers to tackle contact tracing of COVID-19
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: The latest on COVID-19 in Pa.: 51,845 confirmed cases in 67 counties
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf signs executive order shielding healthcare workers against malpractice claims during pandemic
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: In Supreme Court appearance, Shapiro’s office argues against Trump birth control rules
WESA: Pollster To GOP: Grass Is Greener On The Side Of Pot Legalization 
KDKA: Gov. Wolf Hopes Commonwealth Civilian Coronavirus Corps Will Create Job Opportunities, Up Testing Capacity 
KDKA: Coronavirus In Pennsylvania: U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao Says CARES Act Has ‘Done A Great Deal’ For State
KDKA: Pa. Attorney General’s Office Takes Challenge Over Trump Administration Contraceptive Rules To Supreme Court
Inquirer: As coronavirus death and case numbers decline, pressures build to reopen. Governors say not so fast. 
Inquirer: Pa.’s birth-control war returns to a divided U.S. Supreme Court 
Inquirer: Pa. prisoners are locked in their cells 23 hours a day. This is what it’s like, in their own words. 
Inquirer: Pa. bars are warned: Selling cocktails-to-go is still illegal 
Inquirer: U.S. Supreme Court won’t block Gov. Wolf’s business shutdown order; advocates ask Pa. and N.J. to address coronavirus racial inequities before reopening
PLSReporter: Wolf unveils ‘Civilian Coronavirus Corps’ to help track and contain COVID-19
PLSReporter: Pa. senator calls for removal of L&I Secretary amid unemployment issues
PLSReporter: Some PLCB stores to reopen as lawmakers assail original closure decision
PLSReporter: COVID-19 by the numbers: A statewide look at the coronavirus in Pa.
LNP | LancasterOnline: The ‘nuclear option’ and the emergency ticker: How Pa. lawmakers are trying to limit Wolf’s power in a pandemic 
Fox News: Supreme Court denies Pennsylvania businesses’ request to halt governor’s order keeping them closed
Fox News: Penn Dems ousted from campus coalition over Biden support: ‘Endorsing a sexual predator for president’
Fox News: Little Sister of the Poor on defying ObamaCare mandate: ‘We believe in the dignity of every human life’
Fox News: Supreme Court appears split along ideological lines during arguments in ObamaCare contraception case
KYW Newsradio: Wolf announces creation of Commonwealth Civilian Coronavirus Corps to help with testing, contact tracing
Beaver County Times: Wolf: Commonwealth Civilian Coronavirus Corps will help fight COVID-19, unemployment in Pa.
Beaver County Times: Lawmakers go to bat for Pa. Realtors
National Journal: Brier Releases First TV Ad 
National Journal: Biden Launches Latino Vote Campaign
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: House passes bill to combat agency stonewalling on public records
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Sen. Toomey holds roundtable on ideas to reopening economy  
Morning Call: Pennsylvania at center of hearing Wednesday as U.S. Supreme Court again grappled with birth control access
Morning Call: Pennsylvania to create Commonwealth Civilian Coronavirus Corps; will employ people to expand state’s ability to do tracing and testing, help fight virus 
The Hill: Supreme Court declines to lift Pennsylvania COVID-19 health order 
The Hill: Justices split over religious exemptions for ObamaCare birth control mandate 
The Hill: Human Rights Campaign endorses Biden on anniversary of remarks in favor of same-sex marriage
The Hill: Hardest-hit areas got fewer small-business loans: Fed study  
CNN: Human Rights Campaign endorses Biden on anniversary of his support for same-sex marriage
CNN: Small business owners in hardest-hit states were less likely to get relief loans, study shows
CNN: Supreme Court hears Obamacare contraceptive mandate challenge via telephone

Philadelphia 
Philadelphia Citizen: The Citizen Voter Guide: PA Primary Election 2020 
Billy Penn: Kenney ‘not going to sacrifice’ lives, he says in response to ‘Open Up Philly’ rally set for Friday 
Billy Penn: Open to all ages: Where anyone with symptoms can get tested for coronavirus in Philadelphia 
Billy Penn: Philly EMS calls drop 10% during coronavirus lockdown
Inquirer: Here’s who’s behind ‘reopen’ rallies planned for Friday at Philadelphia City Hall 
Inquirer: Do I have to pay my rent? Renters’ rights in Philadelphia during the coronavirus pandemic. 
Inquirer: Homeless living at airport — and one man found in a parked plane — underscore the wreckage of COVID-19 
Philadelphia Tribune: City health commissioner takes issue with mandatory testing 
KYW Newsradio: Philly makes progress against virus but cannot confirm a reopening date
KYW Newsradio: Survey finds Philly teachers were concerned about students’ ability to get online as remote learning started
KYW Newsradio: COVID-19 speeds Philadelphia school teacher hiring process; impact on turnover less certain
Philadelphia Business Journal: Kenney on calls to reopen businesses: ‘We are not going to sacrifice people’s lives’
Philadelphia Business Journal: Philadelphia’s convention business surges in 2019, highlighting role it will play in recovery efforts
Philly Voice: Mayor Kenney slams ‘appalling’ Chris Christie comments about COVID-19 deaths  
Philadelphia Magazine: When Is the Best Time to Reopen Philadelphia? 
Philadelphia Magazine: Gig Workers Were Supposed to Get Unemployment Benefits. They Haven’t Received Any Yet. 
Philadelphia Magazine: Mail Delivery Is Seriously Screwed Up During the Coronavirus Crisis 

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: Scanlon receives 20,000 calls for help during pandemic 
Delco Daily Times: Despite mayor’s concerns, Media barber shop owner intends to re-open Saturday
Daily Local News: Wednesday Update: There are 888 new coronavirus cases in Pennsylvania to bring up total to 51,845 
Daily Local News: Chester County offers $5 million in grants to small businesses 
Daily Local News: Chester County Coroner: Coronavirus deaths on the decline 
Montgomery Media: Coronavirus death toll climbs to 379 in Montco with 26 more deaths reported 
Bucks County Courier Times: More than 3,500 in Bucks now have coronavirus; 52,000 statewide 
Bucks County Courier Times: Newtown, Middletown brace for financial impact of pandemic 
Bucks Local News: Congressmen Fitzpatrick and Dogget introduce bipartisan student tax relief act 
Bucks Local News: MAY 5 COVID-19 UPDATE: 22 deaths reported as Bucks County as cases exceed 3,500 

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: Peduto: Pittsburgh’s ‘true north’ is resident safety when it comes to reopening
Post-Gazette: After push from gas drillers, Fed to expand Main Street loans to bigger businesses
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County courts extend judicial emergency into June
KDKA: Coronavirus In Pennsylvania: U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao Says CARES Act Has ‘Done A Great Deal’ For State
KDKA: Coronavirus In Pittsburgh: Mayor Peduto Says Residents’ Safety Comes First In Reopening Plans For City
KDKA: Coronavirus In Pennsylvania: Joint Letter From Reps. Lamb And Doyle Calls For More Resources For Nursing Homes
KDKA: U.S. Supreme Court Will Not Hear Challenge To Gov. Wolf’s Shutdown Order Filed By Local Politician And Businesses
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 19 More Coronavirus Cases, Bringing County Total To 1,394
KDKA: Pitt, Penguins, Pirates And Steelers Donate Combined $800,000 To University Of Pittsburgh’s Center For Vaccine Research
Tribune Review: Many new Allegheny County coronavirus cases linked to long-term care facilities
Tribune Review: Peduto: Coronavirus could bring pop-up drive-in theaters to Pittsburgh
City Paper: State Rep. candidate Danny DeVito loses Supreme Court challenge to reopen Pa 
City Paper: Photos: First Responders Procession honors Pittsburgh healthcare workers on National Nurses Day
Pittsburgh Business Times: Fitzgerald hopes Pittsburgh region could partially reopen May 15
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh development chief: planning commission meetings to restart in May
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh Foundation releases $8.3 million in emergency grants to local nonprofits providing aid
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh International Airport becomes first in the U.S. to use ultraviolet light on its cleaning robots

SWPA 
Beaver County Times: Beaver County Commissioners criticize Department of Health over Brighton Rehab outbreak
Beaver County Times: Beaver County Commissioners to Wolf: Reopen the southwest 
Beaver County Times: Vogel, Marburger Dairy donate milk to Beaver, Lawrence county food pantries
Beaver County Times: PA rape-kit backlog down 97 percent since 2016; Beaver County has eight
Beaver County Times: State liquor stores to open for in-store sales in Lawrence, Mercer counties
Observer-Reporter: Commissioners prepare to take Wolf to court over shutdowns, lack of input
Observer-Reporter: Washington County property owners have all of 2020 to pay taxes at face value
Observer-Reporter: State officials discuss anti-hunger programs
KDKA: ‘Frustration’: 4 Southwestern Counties Send Letter To Gov. Wolf Demanding Answers, Threatening Legal Action If They Stay In The ‘Red’
KDKA: ‘I Had To Save My Business’: Blair Co. Businesses Reopen In Defiance Of Gov. Tom Wolf’s Coronavirus Shutdown Order
Post-Gazette: State Liquor Control Board reopening nearly 80 stores in yellow-phase counties
Tribune Review: Senate bill would mandate safety protocols for Pennsylvania nursing homes
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: County elections offices see jump in demand for early ballots, make plans for safety at polls
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria County Sheriff Bob Kolar dies
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Somerset, Cambria and Bedford add cases; Blair County has first COVID-19 in a nursing home
Altoona Mirror: Burke: Blair not ready to reopen
Altoona Mirror: Schmitt appeals for move to yellow
Altoona Mirror: Bedford leaders send appeal to governor to reopen county

NEPA
The Times Leader: What will Luzerne County voting be like on June 2?
The Times Leader: Cartwright announces $500K brownfields grant for Earth Conservancy
The Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre City Council working on public participation for next meeting
The Times Leader: Rep. Toohil pushes for automatic and immediate rebates for seniors
The Times Leader: Yudichak, Newport Twp., DCNR partner on enforcement at Pinchot forest
The Times Leader: 3 more COVID-19 deaths reported in Luzerne County; 26 new confirmed cases
Citizens Voice: Pedri’s primary plan gets approval 
Citizens Voice: 3 more COVID-19 deaths reported in county
Citizens Voice: Reopening of court offices will take time 
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County Commissioners extend emergency declaration to June 8 because of expected surge of mail-in ballots 
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County school districts to share $7M in federal emergency stimulus money 
Times-Tribune: COVID-19 – Complete Coverage

South Central 
York Dispatch: Grove’s bill to resume RTK processing advances to Senate
York Dispatch: York County has six new COVID-19 cases, 888 additional statewide 
Patriot News: U.S. Rep. Scott Perry stays on a list of “most vulnerable” incumbents in 2020 campaign cycle 
Patriot News: GOP lawmakers criticize Gov. Wolf’s planned ‘Coronavirus Corps’ 
Carlisle Sentinel: More nursing home cases reported in Cumberland County as COVID-19 numbers rise slightly in region 
Carlisle Sentinel: Tracking COVID-19: Charts detail the course of coronavirus in Cumberland County 
Carlisle Sentinel: Wolf pitches public service corps as reported COVID-19 cases show signs of flattening
York Daily Record: Coronavirus updates: Pa. cases near 52K; state stores to reopen in yellow phase counties 
LNP | LancasterOnline: The ‘nuclear option’ and the emergency ticker: How Pa. lawmakers are trying to limit Wolf’s power in a pandemic 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Amid grim death toll, some signs of hope that rate of new coronavirus cases is easing 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster mayor: police responded to house parties last weekend; here’s what some departments are saying 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Thursday’s COVID-19 updates: Lancaster County has 2,041 cases, 209 deaths 
LNP | LancasterOnline: In race to save the economy, nursing homes become a flash point in Lancaster County 

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: Ed Pawlowski asks again to be released from federal prison during the coronavirus pandemic
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus updates: Deaths in nursing homes and personal care homes top 2,100 as Pennsylvania House backs bill to boost government transparency
Morning Call: ‘Folks need to get back to work’: Motorists line up at Lehigh Valley’s first drive-thru coronavirus testing site amid calls for expanded access
Morning Call: NIZ authority doles out tax revenue to City Center, other developers before returning $22 million baseline to state coffers
Morning Call: Allentown City Council postpones meeting after City Hall’s internet goes down, preventing video stream
Morning Call: LANTA receives $21.6 million CARES Act grant 
Reading Eagle: Berks County officials want local economy to reopen without meeting benchmarks 
Reading Eagle: Construction companies in Berks County relieved to reopen, nervous about future 
Reading Eagle: Music, drugs, parties still problem at Pagoda, Reading councilman says 
Reading Eagle: Sen. Schwank holds telephone town hall on coronavirus health concerns and unemployment 
Reading Eagle: Berks County adds 8 coronavirus deaths
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus update: 51K cases, 3.1K deaths in 2 months since virus appeared in Pennsylvania | COVID-19 case map (5/6/20) 
Express Times: As Pennsylvania counties reopen, not all state liquor stores will immediately follow
Express Times: Bethlehem businesses should learn Friday if they’ll get a share of city’s $300K relief fund

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Erie City Council moves CARES Act plans forward 
Centre Daily Times: What does the yellow phase for Centre County mean? 
Centre Daily Times: Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Centre County on May 6 
Centre Daily Times: Centre County reports 7 new COVID-19 cases in nursing and personal care homes
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: What it means here: More liquor stores reopening; Farms eligible for disaster loans

Opinion  
Brian Fitzpatrick and Mike Thompson: Business interruption insurance bills will help small businesses through national emergencies
John Baer: There are reasons Gov. Wolf’s red-yellow-green code draws questions
Inquirer Editorial Board: Our post-pandemic transit challenges will require regional solutions  
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Paying college athletes: NCAA takes first step in allowing players to cash in
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Drone rules: The FAA shouldn’t overly restrict hobbyists
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A fitting tribute: Mister Rogers honored by Library of Congress
Jenice Armstrong: Finally, there’s help for Pa.’s small businesses that doesn’t involve a lot of red tape 
Ray E. Landis: Hit hard by COVID-19, Wolf, lawmakers can’t forget older residents in budget talks 
Janel Myers and Fletcher McClellan: Want to avoid a cruel summer for Pa. students? Start by closing the digital divide 
Marvin Marsh: Ahead of SCOTUS arguments: Real religious freedom means letting people make their own decisions
Dena Ferrara Driscoll: With social distancing tweaks, Philly pools should reopen this summer 
John L. Micek: Pa. Rep. Perry moves up a list of Congress’ most endangered incumbents | Wednesday Morning Coffee
Albert Eisenberg: Thanking low-wage frontline workers demands more than just a pay raise 
Gillian Sealy: We hope the Supreme Court will put women’s reproductive rights first
Ernest Owens: Jacqueline McBride Is White Privilege Personified
Dan Simpson: This too shall pass
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Layers of the virus’ underlying conditions
Maya Richard-Craven: As a black woman, I have survivor’s guilt during the pandemic | Perspective