The first Republican formally joins the race for Auditor General. Here is the Playbook. 

Stuckey Announces Bid for Auditor General: The three term Lancaster County Commissioner is the first Republican to formally enter the race.

Heidelbaugh Launches GOP Bid for Attorney General: The Pittsburgh area attorney touts her experience in the courtroom and in elected office as proof she’s ready for the job, which she describes as a “destination, not a stepping-stone.”

Martina White Elected Philly GOP Chair: The state Representative from Northeast Philadelphia becomes the first woman to lead the city’s Republican Committee.

Legislative Election Update: 

HD-49: Tony Bottino Jr., a Republican, has launched a primary bid for the state House seat held by state Rep. Bud Cook, according to the Observer-Reporter. 

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Democrat concedes race for Pennsylvania appeals court seat 
AP: Pennsylvania lawmaker accused of driving under influence 
AP: County resists Pennsylvania’s push for new voting machines 
AP: Pennsylvania medical pot sales top $500M in first 2 years
Patriot News: FBI investigates Pa. Gov. Wolf administration’s pipeline permits – yes, that Gov. Wolf 
Patriot News: Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf says he’s got nothing to hide on pipeline permitting  
Patriot News: Pa. lawmaker was within legal alcohol limit when he was stopped: police
Morning Call: As impeachment hearings begin, a new poll shows Pennsylvania voters split on whether to remove President Trump
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: McCaffery, King win seats on Pa. Superior Court as Democrat Green-Hawkins concedes
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: How Pa’s members of Congress reacted to the first day of impeachment hearings 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: In radio interview, Wolf breaks with Pittsburgh’s Peduto on nat gas, enraging environmentalists 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: DePasquale: Climate change costing Pa. millions in infrastructure damage, but there’s a fix 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Riding Virginia’s blue wave, Congress renews push for Equal Rights Amendment 
WITF: Pa. couldn’t process unemployment for four days. Now 2,500 people may get late checks. 
Beaver County Times: Toomey offers resolution asserting presidents cannot ban fracking
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Gun violence hearings planned across state
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Senate poised to send Wolf Sunday hunting bill
Pittsburgh Business Times: Exclusive: Pennsylvania on short list for potential ethane storage hub
PLSReporter: Auditor General says the state should do more to address climate change 
PLSReporter: Amid harm reduction conversations, lawmaker pushes for needle exchanges to be legal statewide 
PLSReporter: Rep. White elected chair of Philadelphia GOP 
PA Post: Retired military leaders say Pa. schools need more money
The Hill: Plurality in battleground states support Trump’s impeachment: poll
StateImpactPA: Timeline: Mariner East 2 pipeline project’s permit problems and investigations
Philadelphia 
Inquirer: Philly’s controller says only 30% of soda tax revenue has been spent. She wants more transparency. 
Inquirer: Wage tax refunds could be coming soon for Philadelphia’s poorest workers 
Inquirer: Pension costs continue to burden Philly School District, report says 
Inquirer: U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments in Comcast racial-discrimination case 
Inquirer: Philly-area native Steve Castor emerges as key player in impeachment hearings 
Inquirer: Trump impeachment as education: How Philly-area teachers and students are handling the hearings
Billy Penn: Lawsuit: Philly Sheriff Williams targeted female deputy’s marriage, called her ‘a broken down woman’ 
Billy Penn: Here’s a list of resources to include when reporting on gun violence in Philly 
Billy Penn: A Philly group posted bail for 130 people. Here’s what happened next.
KYW Newsradio: Philly Republicans hope to turn tide with first woman to lead major party in city
KYW Newsradio: Got a problem with I-95 construction? PennDOT wants to know about it 
Philly Voice: Pennsylvania medical marijuana sales top $500 million in first two years
WHYY Newsworks: Philly school knew about toxic lead in drinking water but kept parents in the dark
WHYY Newsworks: Predatory lending, redlining, gentrification, and the American homeowner
Philadelphia Tribune: Police widow wants Philly DA off Mumia Abu-Jamal appeal

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: Dems unveil transition website, invite public to take part
Delco Daily Times: Delco officials raise stink over odors, leak, haunch criminal probe  
Delco Daily Times: Springfield commissioner takes heat for social media post
Daily Local News: State awards $5.5M in transportation grants for region
KYW Newsradio: DEP identifies potential source of PFAS-contaminated water in upper Bucks County
Bucks Local News: State awards $2M for improvement projects in Yardley, Newtown Township, Morrisville, Dublin and Buckingham
Pottstown Mercury: Ex-Conshohocken cop, New Hanover supervisor candidate convicted of witness intimidation

Pittsburgh 
KDKA: State Representative From Monroeville Charged With DUI
KDKA: Local Members Of Congress React To Start Of Public Impeachment Hearings
KDKA: Lt. Gov. Fetterman Defends Gov. Tom Wolf’s Ethics In Pipeline Investigation
Post-Gazette: Amanda Green-Hawkins forfeits right to recount, concedes in Pa. Superior Court race 
Post-Gazette: Shapiro: Meeting Thursday will ‘dot i’s’ on opioid settlement process 
Post-Gazette: Auditor General urges proactive state response to combat climate change 
WESA: ACE Says Transit Will Be A Key Issue In His Final Term
Pittsburgh Business Times: Exclusive: Pennsylvania on short list for potential ethane storage hub
Tribune Review: Allegheny County Council holding 2 budget hearings, no property tax hike next year 
Tribune Review: State Rep. Markosek charged with DUI 

SWPA 
Observer-Reporter: Shapiro declines to confirm a grand jury investigation into natural gas industry
Observer-Reporter: Republican emerges to run against State Rep. Bud Cook in 49th District 2020 primary
Observer-Reporter: Coroner’s office: It can be a challenge finding next-of-kin
Observer-Reporter: Monongahela planning how to spend 2020 CDBG funds
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Council focuses on codes inspection, wants to make it uniform across city
Beaver County Times: Monaca awarded $500K state grant for streetscape renovations
Altoona Mirror: Blair write-in votes posted online
Altoona Mirror: Blair budget to raise taxes
Altoona Mirror: Council rethinks proposed tax hike

NEPA
The Times Leader: Stakeholders, state officials discuss impact of closing SCI-Retreat
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Election Board member resigns 
The Times Leader: Board delays changes to Wilkes-Barre’s pensions, awaits word on sewer system sale 
The Times Leader: Luzerne County seeking to avoid Plymouth special election
Citizens Voice: Election board makes it official after oversight
Citizens Voice: County could hire new health care firm for LCCF 
Citizens Voice: City postpones pension vote amid sewer system proposal
Times-Tribune: Study provide ‘sobering view of education funding statewide 
Times-Tribune: Ex-Obama chief of staff warns of job dislocation 
Times-Tribune: Write-in votes pick supervisors, council members 

South Central 
York Daily Record: GOP seeks recount in Lebanon city council race
Patriot News: FBI investigates Pa. Gov. Wolf administration’s pipeline permits – yes, that Gov. Wolf 
Patriot News: Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf says he’s got nothing to hide on pipeline permitting 
Patriot News: Must Harrisburg reveal the names of donors to its gun law defense fund? Maybe, Pa. Supreme Court says
Carlisle Sentinel: Grants to fund improvements at Silver Spring, Hampden intersections
LNP | LancasterOnline: ‘We’re going to keep fighting’: Lancaster students, DACA recipients rally in D.C.
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County experiences living history as impeachment proceedings go public  
York Dispatch: Year after devastating flooding in York County, DePasquale calls for climate action
York Dispatch: Helfrich calls for state pension, healthcare reform in first budget hearing

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: Board rules Mayor Wally Scott violated Reading’s charter
Reading Eagle: Berks County write-in candidates have 5 days to claim their votes
Reading Eagle: Reading council overrides mayor’s veto of funding for ethics board
Morning Call: As impeachment hearings begin, a new poll shows Pennsylvania voters split on whether to remove President Trump
Morning Call: Allentown residents can now recycle electronics, clothing from doorstep thanks to pilot program with software platform
Morning Call: Public will be invited to give input on Easton’s Centre Square 
Express Times: Uncounted votes found in Lower Saucon, Wilson Borough as ballot audit nears

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Locals comment on impeachment proceedings 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: County officials continue counting local votes
StateCollege: 13 Candidates to Be Considered for Interim Mayor of State College

Opinion   
Inquirer Editorial Board: Why the impeachment inquiry matters
Inquirer Editorial Board: Tragedy a too-costly lesson about mental health treatment access
LNP Editorial Board: At Franklin & Marshall, greater emphasis on empathy is needed to combat racism
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Back to the table?: Developer should be a better Oakland neighbor 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Information is power: Breast implants disclosure must be required
John L. Micek: ‘Right to Repair’ has hit Pa. Here’s why it could be the next, big legislative fight | Wednesday Morning Coffee
John Baer: Of Michael Bloomberg, Democrats and their amazing race 
Patricia Epple: Support this effort to help lower prescription drug prices in Pa.
Diana Polson: A new community college is the economic development engine that Erie needs to succeed
Phil Gianficaro: Sons gone, trauma remains
Dan Simpson: Americans must stand up against forever war
Antoinette Kraus: Surprise medical bills should be stopped, not arbitrated 
Mike Newall: Philly’s missing men are another grim statistic in a city drowning in inequality 
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoons: Gunning for our kids
Trudy Rubin: Talk of a ‘new Cold War’ between U.S. and China is misleading 
Ernest Owens: Win or Lose, Comcast Is on the Wrong Side of History in Supreme Court Case
Alice Bast: Patient voices should drive celiac disease treatments beyond the gluten-free diet 
The Angry Grammarian: Clarity is key in Trump impeachment proceedings. That’s why the ellipsis must die.