A second Republican challenger joins the race to face Rep. Conor Lamb (D-Allegheny), while Georgia Congressman Doug Collins is set to headline the Northampton County GOP Dinner. Here is the Playbook. 

Lamb Draws Second GOP Challenger: Brian Thomsen, a former Green Beret, MBA and business consultant, who is described as a conservative Republican in his campaign release, said he will focus on Pennsylvania jobs and securing the border if elected.

Georgia Congressman Doug Collins to Headline Northampton County GOP Dinner: Collins, who is the highest-ranking Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, will spend his day in the key swing county meeting business leaders and touring some of the state manufacturing companies before headlining the Republican get together.

SD48: Tom Ryan Announces Bid for GOP Nomination: The retired York County businessman pinpointed lowering taxes and reducing regulations as priorities to help grow the local economy.

Greenwood to Depart from Biotech Innovation Organization: Former GOP Pennsylvania Congressman Jim Greenwood will leave his role as CEO of Biotech Innovation Organization after 15 years, first reported by Politico. 

Harrisburg & DC   
Inquirer: Is the GOP rethinking impeachment? Not Pa. Sen. Pat Toomey.
Inquirer: Pa. warns of scam licensing sites for hunters, anglers that could steal money, personal information
WHYY Newsworks: Amid Trump’s trade war, Pa. farmers fight to survive in an uncertain market
KDKA: KDKA Exclusive: Congressman Conor Lamb Discusses Syria, Impeachment Inquiry 
Washington Post: The famously secluded Amish are the target of a Republican campaign to drum up Pennsylvania votes for Trump 
WITF: ACLU says Pa. county medical marijuana policy violates state law
Beaver County Times: Poll shows voters want independent commission to draw legislative maps 
Beaver County Times: Proposal would require free menstrual products in women’s restrooms 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: New House oversight panel’s first report will tackle lobbying reform, chairman says
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: With redistricting reform in park, advocacy group releases poll showing public support for change
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Toomey: Trump wrong to talk about Biden on Ukraine call. But it’s ‘not unreasonable’ for DOJ to seek foreign help on investigations 
Fox News: Planned Parenthood vows to spend $45M in 2020 to elect abortion-rights candidates
Erie Times-News: Ridge to moderate Global Summit talk  
PLSReporter: New poll says Pennsylvania voters support redistricting reform 
PLSReporter: Temple University to join Attorney General, city on Kensington Initiative
Patriot News: U.S. Navy secretary coming to Harrisburg to announce ship to get name of ‘significant importance to the region’ 
Philadelphia Business Journal: More than a third of Pennsylvania’s revenue comes from federal dollars
The Hill: Planned Parenthood announces $45M campaign to defeat Trump, flip Senate 

Philadelphia 
Inquirer: Kendra Brooks has raised more money than any third-party Philly candidate ever. Here’s how.
Inquirer: North Philly man cleared of murder after 27 years in prison, the 10th exoneration under DA Larry Krasner 
Inquirer: Philly police union criticizes DA Krasner’s spokesperson’s tweet that mocked white supporters at protest 
Inquirer: WHYY says it will not recognize the union. Now what?
Inquirer: Sixers fan: I was ejected from Wells Fargo Center for pro-Hong Kong protest at game against Chinese team 
KYW Newsradio: Police union questions DA’s policies after its spokeswoman tweets ‘racist comment’ 
KYW Newsradio: After 27 years serving a wrongful conviction, man becomes 10th to be exonerated under Krasner
Billy Penn: Respect for time? City Council sessions start an hour late — and it gets worse every year 
Billy Penn: Philly’s $100 million battle to get rid of asbestos and make schools safe 
Billy Penn: How you can help Philadelphia get a fair count in the census
Philadelphia Business Journal: In rare move, Philadelphia Housing Authority seeks to sell University City property
WHYY Newsworks: After pushback from parents, new options proposed for displaced Ben Franklin, SLA students
WHYY Newsworks: A Sixers fan brought a ‘Free Hong Kong’ sign to Tuesday’s game. Here’s what happened next  
Philly Voice: Wells Fargo Center security: Sixers fans with pro-Hong Kong signs ‘disrupted the live event experience’ 

SEPA
Montgomery Media: Lawmakers announced $1M grant for PFAS health study
Delco Daily Times: Delco GOP rips Dems on endorsement, link to Ahr
Delco Daily Times: Ex-state rep raises student privacy concerns in U.D.
Delco Daily Times: Radnor board OKs move to distance itself from convicted ex-prez
Daily Local News: Candidates tour sites in Chester County impacted by the Mariner East Project
Daily Local News: Rep. Otten invites community to health and wellness fair Saturday
Daily Local News: Local officials discuss gun safety at meeting in Westtown
Daily Local News: Phoenixville Police will now issue a ticket for smoking pot in public 
Bucks Local News: Pennsylvania voters urged to request absentee ballots early
Bucks County Courier Times: BucksMont families think PFAS chemicals may have made them sick. Researchers will try and find out.
Pottstown Mercury: Chester County contested races in The Mercury coverage area

Pittsburgh  
Post-Gazette: Fitzgerald proposes $959M county budget with no tax increase
Post-Gazette: State police to take over night patrols in Rankin
Post-Gazette: City to pay $47,000 to man beaten by police outside of PPG Paints Arena
KDKA: KDKA Exclusive: Congressman Conor Lamb Discusses Syria, Impeachment Inquiry 
KDKA: Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala Visits Montour High School To Examine Security Upgrades
KDKA: 367 People Submit Claims For Pittsburgh Diocese’s Compensation Fund 
City Paper: U.S. Steel exec out after company loses billions in value; still given $1.4 million payout
Pitt News: Pitt files exception to proposed grad union ruling
PLSReporter: County Executive Rich Fitzgerald proposes 2020 budget to Allegheny County Council
WESA: State Police To Pick Up Night Patrols In Rankin 

SWPA 
Beaver County Times: Poll shows voters want independent commission to draw legislative maps
Beaver County Times: Proposal would require free menstrual products in women’s restrooms 
Beaver County Times: Prothonotary to be guest speaker at history center
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Johnstown City Council has full agenda, tables and removes most items 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Johnstown man whose letter sparked backlash at Penn State over perceived racial insensitivity is world traveler, says ‘the African people are wonderful’
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: ‘Humbled and honored and thrilled’: Haines sworn in as federal judge 
Altoona Mirror: Blair considers advisory committee 
Altoona Mirror: Franklin denounces letter to player
Observer-Reporter: Community meeting held following city police officer’s enounter with LeMoyne Center employee
Observer-Reporter: Peters Township plans to borrow $20 million for projects involving high schools

NEPA
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Councilman Haas to run for Congress against Cartwright 
The Times Leader: Funding announced to repurpose former Times Leader building
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County must order new voting machines by end of year to qualify for state reimbursement 
Times-Tribune: Scranton ethics board to hold first meeting 
Citizens Voice: County councilman Haas planning Congressional run 
Citizens Voice: Group questions Meuser despite no-show 
Citizens Voice: County firefighters to receive $1.3M in aid 
Citizens Voice: County officials still negotiating with voting machine vendors 
Citizens Voice: US Supreme Court again refuses to hear Ciavarella appeal  

South Central 
Patriot News: U.S. Navy secretary coming to Harrisburg to announce ship to get name of ‘significant importance to the region’ 
Patriot News: PennLive reader panel seeks voices to talk 2020 election, key issues 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Smucker, Zimmerman to host ‘MAGA Meet-up’ Thursday in East Earl
York Daily Record: York County commissioner candidates on 911, taxes 
York Dispatch: County court sued over ban on Pennsylvania probationers using medical pot

Lehigh Valley     
Reading Eagle: Full house expected at Berks forum on property taxes
Reading Eagle: Reading City Council learns about housing funds at budget meeting 
Morning Call: Easton considers fiber optic network to increase connectivity, bring wireless internet to neighborhoods 

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Millcreek teacher announces run for Congress 
Erie Times-News: Ridge to moderate Global Summit talk 
Erie Times-News: C-SPAN bus stops in Erie to talk, teach politics 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Secretary tours flood-prone part of Williamsport 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Residents share flooding concerns with DEP secretary 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Finance package given positive recommendation

Opinion  
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Gun control guidance: Florida red flag law is a good example for others states
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: An imperfect solution: Allegheny County must work to make voting more accessible 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Dose of reality: Border agent who harassed journalist needs checked
Inquirer Editorial Board: Eliminating overdue library fines is a fine idea 
Ryan Costello: Tech companies should not treat online drug sales like free speech 
John L. Micek: Battleground Bad News: Majority of Pa. voters say impeachment inquiry is justified | Wednesday Morning Coffee
Ernest Owens: Progressives, Your Support for Safe Injection Sites Is “White Lives Matter” by Another Name
Rick Shrum: Put aside a fear of fracking and embrace its possibilities
Tom Wickizer, Evan V. Goldstein, and Laura Prater: More mental health care won’t stop the gun epidemic, new study suggests | Analysis
George Parry: Undercharging Rittenhouse stabber raises worrying questions about Larry Krasner 
Chris Kelly: Why the mystery deadline?
Bruce Ledewitz: Why Democats need to tap the brakes on impeachment 
Dan Simpson: A losing season for U.S. foreign policy
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Houston Rockets courting China
Chris Kelly: ‘Stable Genius’ Betrays Kurds, Shames America
Rachael Miroddi and Allison Beck: Pennhurst Asylum is exploitation, not entertainment 
Keith Naughton: Why impeach Trump? Follow the polls
Trudy Rubin: Another Trump phone call opens door to slaughter of Syrian Kurds 
Barbara Wright: Why I joined other Philly cleaners to vote to strike