President Trump will visit Pittsburgh next week to headline the annual Shale Insight Conference, while a second Republican challenger emerges in the race for the 8th Congressional District. Here is the Playbook. 

Trump To Headline Shale Conference In Pittsburgh: This will be President Donald Trump’s second official White House visit to Western PA in recent months.

Former Lehigh County Commissioner Launches Bid Against Wild: Scheller, who describes herself as a traditional conservative Republican, said the issues that matter most to the residents of the 7th District are jobs, education, healthcare, and secure borders.

Luzerne County Councilman Announces Bid Against Cartwright: The Republican hopeful for the seat describes himself as a fiscal conservative that believes the national debt needs to be addressed.

PA18: Dickinson Takes Veiled Swipe at Doyle in First TV Ad: Aired during the presidential debate, the spot called out Democrats who accept campaign donations from the fossil fuel industry – which includes incumbent Rep. Mike Doyle.

Reader Poll: Should PA Pass a ‘Fair Pay To Play Act’ for College Athletes?: State Reps. Ed Gainey and Dan Miller, both Allegheny County Democrats, plan to introduce the legislation in which college athletes would be able to profit off of their name, image, and likeness, similar to legislation passed in California.

Majority of PA Congressional Delegation Votes for Resolution Condemning Trump’s Syrian Troop Withdrawal: 16 members of Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation were apart of the 354 votes for a resolution that stated their opposition to ending certain United States effort to prevent Turkish military operations against Syrian Kurdish forces in Northeast Syria. The state’s Democratic delegation voted unanimously in condemning Trump, while seven Republicans voted yes as well. The two GOP Congressmen from the state that voted against the resolution were Reps. John Joyce (R-Blair) and Dan Meuser (R-Luzerne).

Liberal Group Places Krasner on Supreme Court Shortlist: Demand Justice, a group aimed at “restoring the ideological balance and legitimacy of the federal courts” released its own Supreme Court shortlist, which included Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner. 

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Trump to headline gas industry gathering in Pennsylvania
AP: Voting chief fires back against bid to derail ballot measure
AP: Gorsuch to present Liberty Medal to retired Justice Kennedy in Philadelphia
AP: British family deported after illicit US border crossing
Morning Call: Pennsylvania leads nation in student loan debt, and new lawmaker wants to know why
Post-Gazette: President Trump planning to visit Pittsburgh next Wednesday  
Inquirer: Convincing Pennsylvania prison lifers to apply for clemency is Lt. Gov. John Fetterman’s toughest campaign yet
Inquirer: Who is Fethullah Gülen, the Turkish cleric in the Poconos who Rudy Giuliani pushed to extradite?
Inquirer: Pennsylvania state universities move toward more shared services, cost savings
WITF: New voting systems about to launch in more than half of Pennsylvania counties
WITF: Pa. tries a new tactic to help people navigate its professional license system
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘There is irreparable harm’: Pa. Supreme Court considers temporarily restoring cash assistance for poor Pennsylvanians
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Has impeachment silenced Washington’s debate over gun violence reduction?
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Tempers warming: Will a debate over climate change stall a long-overdue update of Pa.’s science standards?
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: U.S. House overwhelmingly votes to condemn Trump’s Syrian troop withdrawal
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: DePasquale to Legislature: Legalize fentanyl test strips
PLSReporter: Auditor General outlines recommendations for fighting fentanyl use in new report
PLSReporter: Policy Committee considers student debt reform
PLSReporter: For Republicans, permitting reforms offer a chance to attract businesses to Pa.
Patriot News: Pa. auditor general says fentanyl test strips could save lives, urges lawmakers to legalize them
Patriot News: Major Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board shipping contract draws scrutiny
Patriot News: White House selects Christmas tree from Pa. farm  
StateImpactPA: Trump to appear at gas conference in Pittsburgh next week
StateImpactPA: Chemical Safety Board says PES refinery explosion ‘did not have to happen’ 
StateImpactPA: How Philadelphia built a neighborhood on toxic soil of former Clearview Landfill
Philly Voice: What to know about proposed bill that would legalize marijuana in Pennsylvania
Philly Voice: Chris Christie calls Pennsylvania sports betting ‘a rolling dumpster fire’
The Hill: Pennsylvania governor tells Trump his state will keep welcoming refugees

Philadelphia 
KYW Newsradio: A push to legalize marijuana across Pa. by 2 Philadelphia-area lawmakers
KYW Newsradio: Some Philly stores try to ban troublesome teens as cops increase presence in Center City
Inquirer: Mark Sanford kicked off his presidential campaign against Donald Trump in Philly. One person showed up.
Inquirer: Convincing Pennsylvania prison lifers to apply for clemency is Lt. Gov. John Fetterman’s toughest campaign yet
Inquirer: For South Philly residents, new report on refinery explosion prompts more health worries
Inquirer: Appeals court rules against Krasner in fight with judge
Inquirer: Philly officials propose restricting e-cigarette sales to ‘protect young people’
Inquirer: Seven ‘Scabby the Rats’ line Public Ledger Building as unions protest
Inquirer: S. Philly refinery blast released 5,000 pounds of a deadly chemical, federal investigators say
Inquirer: Philadelphia launches regional collaborative to tackle climate change, recycling, renewable energy
Inquirer: Philly pension board drops Ken Fisher as money manager after derogatory comments about women 
Inquirer: Can Sixers partner Michael Rubin and Meek Mill’s legal team help another Philly man get free of probation? 
Philadelphia Magazine: PES Explosion Released Highly Toxic Chemical Into Atmosphere, Investigators Say
WHYY Newsworks: WHYY reporters, producers to vote in SAG-AFTRA union election this month
WHYY Newsworks: Amid hospitalizations, Philadelphia officials propose a flavored vape ban for minors

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Senate bill aims to legalize adult-use marijuana 
Delco Daily Times: Leach bill would legalize recreational marijuana in Pa.
Delco Daily Times: Delco Sikhs make history in Washington
Delco Daily Times: Suits claims Glenolden ordinance violates state law
WHYY Newsworks: Second loitering arrest video prompts call for AG to investigate Chester Twp. police for racial bias
Daily Local News: Protesters call for councilman Bill Scott to resign
Daily Local News: Killion goes back to school to get first-hand look at education
Daily Local News: Rep. Sappey, policy committee examine stormwater management
Daily Local News: Houlahan introduces legislation to honor state’s mushroom growers
Daily Local News: Commissioners proclaim Community Planning Month

Pittsburgh  
WESA: President Trump To Speak At Shale Conference In Pittsburgh On Wednesday
WESA: Campaign Filings Show Congressional Incumbents Outraised Opponents In Third Quarter
Post-Gazette: President Trump planning to visit Pittsburgh next Wednesday 
Post-Gazette: AG Shapiro drops probe related to Tree of Life shooter’s favored social media site
Post-Gazette: Doyle wades into debate over liability shield for internet publishers in era of hate speech, illegal activity
Post-Gazette: Judge dismisses effort by Pittsburgh gun-ban opponents to force DA Zappala’s hand 
Post-Gazette: Pa. auditor general: Save lives fast by legalizing fentanyl test strips 
Post-Gazette: City set to spend $3.1 million on new automatic defibrillators 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Trump to travel to Pittsburgh next week
KDKA: President Trump To Visit Pittsburgh To Speak At Marcellus Shale Coalition
KDKA: Mark Sanford, 1 Of 3 Republicans Seeking To Take On President Trump, Stops In Pittsburgh
KDKA: 2 State Senators Introduce Bill To Legalize Recreational Marijuana Use In Pa.
KDKA: KDKA Exclusive: Pittsburgh School Board Reprimands Supt. Anthony Hamlet Over Unauthorized Cuba Trip 
KDKA: Judge Dismisses Push By Gun Rights Advocates To Have DA Zappala Review Private Criminal Complaints Against City 
KDKA: Pennsylvania Rep. Wants To Introduce Bills To Address Hate Crimes
PLSReporter: Fitzgerald, Drozd sqaure off in debate as Allegheny County executive race heats up
City Paper: Uber cuts about 350 employees nationwide, including from their autonomous vehicle division
City Paper: Three Pennsylvania official state animals are vulnerable to climate change
Tribune Review: City council urged to confront inequities, institutions hindering Pittsburgh’s black residents 
SWPA 
Observer-Reporter: Bartolotta named to state commission for women
Observer-Reporter: President to visit area natural gas event Wednesday
Beaver County Times: ExxonMobil Corp. considering cracker plant in Beaver County
Beaver County Times: Trump to attend Pittsburgh energy conference 
Beaver County Times: Auditor General DePasquale calls for Legislature to legalize fentanyl testing strips

NEPA
Citizens Voice: Pence to visit Duryea next week 
Citizens Voice: Lawmakers ask inspector to probe state center closings
Citizens Voice: 2 candidates for city council blast other’s campaign
Citizens Voice: Census key to region
The Times Leader: DOC hearing on SCI-Retreat closure set for Thursday
The Times Leader: Nearly $1 million budget increase proposed for Luzerne County correctional system
The Times Leader: Zoning board denies WB homeless shelter application
Times-Tribune: Pence to visit Duryea next week
Times-Tribune: State Rep. Marion L. Munley next addition to Distinguished Citizens Memorial in Scranton 

South Central 
York Dispatch: DePasquale out-raised Perry in third quarter, according to finance reports
York Dispatch: Sheriff’s challenger declines donation from York City CEO
York Dispatch: York City Council considers a ban on wheel booting in private lots
LNP | LancasterOnline: Four takeaways from Tuesday’s district attorney candidate debate
LNP | LancasterOnline: Refugees can continue to resettle in Pennsylvania, Gov. Wolf tells President Trump
Patriot News: Pa. auditor general says fentanyl test strips could save lives, urges lawmakers to legalize them
Patriot News: Major Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board shipping contract draws scrutiny
Patriot News: White House selects Christmas tree from Pa. farm  

Lehigh Valley     
Morning Call: Pennsylvania leads nation in student loan debt, and new lawmaker wants to know why
Morning Call: After revived debate over position qualifications, Allentown Council confirms Craig Messinger as public works director
Morning Call: Former Allentown City Councilwoman Gail Hoover launching new foundation ‘to plug the holes’
Morning Call: Easton Opioid Awareness Task Force to host forum this Saturday 
Reading Eagle: British family likely deported after crossing border into U.S. from Canada and being detained in Berks facility

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: City Council approves $2.5 million EDDC state grant
Erie Times-News: State to act on Erie’s community college application 
Erie Times-News: Erie, state human relations commissions hold town hall

Opinion  
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Breaking a promise: DA Zappala should debate his challenger 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: An unlikely friendship: Outrage over DeGeneres-Bush sighting is unfair
Scott Perry: The comments and actions of Schiff demand his formal censure
Mark O’Keefe: As enrollments continue to slide, is there a way to save Pa’s state-owned universities? 
Andrea Custis: It’s time for Pa. to make sure college athletes get ‘Fair Pay to Play’
John L. Micek: Pentagon’s Inspector General’s office will study PFAS use at military bases | Wednesday Morning Coffee
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Peacekeepers in Syria and Philadelphia
Alexander Emmert: I spent over five years working in the Middle East. Abandoning Kurdish allies in Syria is disheartening. 
Thomas J. Shattuck: NBA debacle in Philly and beyond shows Americans finally waking up to Chinese censorship 
Chris Kelly: Daring to defy Caesar
The Angry Grammarian: The maddeningly inconsistent answer to a pressing Trump quid pro quo question 
Jon Roesser: Community co-ops are the only truly local grocers 
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Elizabeth Warren’s healthcare plan costs