President George W. Bush and Laura Bush were honored by receiving the Liberty Medal award in Philadelphia. Here is the Playbook.

Midterm Election Ups & Downs: The Democrats big night would not have happened without the impact of women on and off the ballot. One Republican Congressman weathered the blue wave and a Democratic Congressman has even more to celebrate than a re-election victory. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

Best Midterm Election Tweets: Some are funny, some are serious, all are worth a Like.

Harrisburg & DC
WHYY Newsworks: George W. and Laura Bush honored for their work with returning veterans
Inquirer: Election results in Pa., Rust Belt hint at cracks in Trump’s coalition
AP: Former mayor won’t face charges for shooting man in pharmacy
AP: Appeals court holding off decision on Lehigh County seal
AP: Federal judge Conaboy dies in Pennsylvania at age 93
PLSReporter: 3 under 3!  
PLSReporter: Tweets of the Week – November 5, 2018

Philadelphia
WHYY Newsworks: George W. and Laura Bush honored for their work with returning veterans
WHYY Newsworks: Changing Philly neighborhood rallies behind family after racist threat
WHYY Newsworks: From trucks to trails, Philly’s new $181 million bond will pay for improvements citywide
WHYY Newsworks: 5 smart lessons about investing to end poverty in Philadelphia
Billy Penn: Interesting analyses of Philly’s high voter turnout
Inquirer: To bolster academics, Philly schools turning to the outdoors
Inquirer: Philly’s Khepera Charter School loses appeal, plans to close next year
Inquirer: Gritty gets write-in votes on Election Day
Philadelphia Magazine: The Best Thing That Happened This Week: Our Raucous Caucus
Philadelphia Magazine: How One of the Largest Marine Corps Birthday Parties Wound Up in South Philly
KYW Newsradio: Cops, PPA issue more tickets in Center City, see minor improvement in transit flow
KYW Newsradio: Catholic agency argues in court to refer same-sex couples to city’s other foster care agencies
KYW Newsradio: Anti-Fascism group holds post-election protest at Independence Mall
KYW Newsradio: People living with HIV/AIDS share their journey of survival, resilience in Center City
PhillyVoice: These are the safest — and least-safe — hospitals in the Philadelphia area

SEPA
Daily Local News: Rep. Harry Lewis named 2018 Citizen of Year; tells officials to do more for Coatesville
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County’s blue wave was more purple
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks the last GOP foothold in Southeast
Bucks County Courier Times: Despite record number of candidates, no gains for Bucks women in 2018
Bucks County Courier Times: Final results pending in Davis-Tomlinson Senate race
Bucks County Courier Times: Yardley councilman’s statements spur adoption of ‘bully-free’ resolution
Pottstown Mercury: Pottstown can be next Phoenixville, says developer
Pottstown Mercury: Council to vote on renewing downtown promotion group
Pottstown Mercury: With second 12% tax hike looming, council makes no changes to budget
Delco Daily Times: Sunoco plans to put ‘hybrid’ pipeline online by end of year
Delco Daily Times: Archdiocese sets up fund to pay victims of abuse

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh eyeing gun legislation in wake of synagogue massacre
Post-Gazette: How Robert Bowers went from conservative to white nationalist
Post-Gazette: In Pittsburgh and beyond, the bells toll for veterans, Armistice Day
Post-Gazette: On anniversary of police shooting, Leon Ford launches city council campaign
Post-Gazette: What’s next after Allegheny County voters sunk a measure to fund children’s programs?
Post-Gazette: Rick Saccone at odds with Republicans after criticizing party’s candidate for his House seat
Tribune Review: Straight party voting at all-time high in Westmoreland County
Tribune Review: Women comprise a growing part of combat veterans in Western Pennsylvania, America
WESA: Jeff Sessions Resignation Prompts Protests In Pittsburgh And Across The Nation
WESA: Days After Election Win, Lindsey Williams May Still Face Fight For Her Senate Seat
KDKA: City Leaders Hope To Bring More Clean Energy Jobs To Area
City Paper: Local leaders, celebrities and Pittsburghers converge to rally for Tree of Life victims

SWPA
Observer-Reporter: Staff raise alarm on ‘toxic’ workplace at county jail
Observer-Reporter: City officials mull 2019 budget
Observer-Reporter: Charleroi Council appoints new member
Beaver County Times: A celebration of freedom: Parade pays tribute to area veterans for their service, patriotism and love of country
Altoona Mirror: Dems win, but state still split
Altoona Mirror: Tyrone board to review contract with K-9 unit
Altoona Mirror: Schools to receive $25,000 grants  
Altoona Mirror: Blair County leaders debate home rule charter
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Altoona-Johnstown diocese trims 9 positions, addis 7
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: ‘A good time to get fresh ideas’: Geistown has new council president, VP, mayor

NEPA
The Times Leader: Pa. treasurer wants families of veterans to search for military decorations
The Times Leader: Luzerne County sheriff outlines budget challenges
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Coroner Lisman discusses his retirement plans
Times-Tribune: Archbald to consider ban on all tobacco products in parks, playgrounds
Citizens Voice: Haas suggests expense cuts as budget talks move forward

South Central
Lebanon Daily News: How Lebanon legislators plan to reform gov’t
LancasterOnline | LNP: Animal cruelty charge filed against Lancaster city officer accussed of assaulting woman
LancasterOnline | LNP: Here’s how Lancaster County is counting and certifying the last few votes from Election Day
Carlisle Sentinel: Former Lancaster mayor won’t face charges in shooting
Carlisle Sentinel: Solar farm, connector road discussed in South Middletown Township
York Dispatch: York County considers buying building for coroner, other departments
York Dispatch: Pa. Human Relations Commission to hold racism town hall in W. Manchester
York Daily Record: After audit reveals parties, some seek resignation
York Daily Record: York County solicitor no longer an employee

Lehigh Valley
WFMZ: Lehigh County election official: Election Day technology problem confined to one location
WFMZ: Quakertown school board ponders meeting changes
Express Times: Parents oppose Pa. school district policy to arm teachers
Morning Call: Investigation under way over Lehigh County voting irregularity
Morning Call: Easton investigating harassment complaint against officer
Morning Call: Bethlehem could see a tax hike next year
Morning Call: Here’s what Bethlehem’s proposed $5 million bond would go toward
Morning Call: Another 400 acres from Northampton County in the works for Cherry Valley Wildlife Refuge
Reading Eagle: Latinos encouraged by election turnout in Reading
Reading Eagle: Spring Township Democrat wants to be Berks County Commissioner
Reading Eagle: Berks crowd protests Trump’s attorney general appointment

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Prison inmate numbers, county caseloads on the rise
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: City financial plan includes staff cuts
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: First step toward expanding growth areas approved
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: State Appropriations chairman talks spending
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Water, sewer authority mulls rate hikes, no change at Beaver Lake
Erie Times-News: Erie County officials reflect after incidents in prison
Erie Times-News: Erie faces budget challenges in 2019, beyond
Erie Times-News: Tax, fee hikes proposed for 2019 Erie budget

Opinion
Inquirer Editorial Board: Why can’t we get it right when serving veterans?
Inquirer Editorial Board: Pa.’s legislature has one easy step to save children: tougher gun laws
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: No right is absolute: It is time for common sense and common sense rules on guns
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: At arm’s length: U.S. must not be too cozy with murderous prince
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Vanishing wildlife: Humans must be stewards for other creatures
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Getting their due: Pittsburgh sports teams want respect but could do more to earn it
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Give thanks and reflect: When duty called, our veterans answered
Ronnie Polaneczky: This Philly high school lost 64 grads in Vietnam. Now it will have a new life
Jessie Fields: Political empowerment starts with open primaries
John Baer: Two of my readers offer thought-provoking insight into our politics and our rights
Keith C. Burris: Recalibration
Ruth Ann Dailey: The fake news of World War I
Jonathan Smith: Mental health care for veterans takes on the Warrior Ethos
Will Woldenberg: On Veterans Day, do more than say thanks
George Parry: Note to Trump’s lawyer: Do not cooperate with Mueller lynch mob
Trudy Rubin: ‘Nationalist’ Trump attends WWI centennial in France meant to warn ‘never again’
Helen Ubiñas: After mass shootings, seek comfort but don’t get comfortable
Will Bunch: Can ‘Minnesota Nice’ trump Manhattan mean? The case for Sen. Amy Klobuchar in 2020
Maria Panaritis: Inside the room that houses the unclaimed dead at the Chester County coroner’s office
Monica Weymouth: Rib donation, bubble wrap, and whatever it takes to get Ruth Bader Ginsburg to 2020