Federal prosecutors have opened an investigation of child sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests in PA, while multiple Congressional candidates debated last night. Here is the Playbook.

PA8: Self-Funding Puts Chrin Close to Cartwright’s 3Q Fundraising Total: The candidates brought in nearly the same amount to their campaigns this filing period, but Cartwright enters the last full month with double the cash on hand.

PA17: Lamb, Rothfus Discuss Climate Change, Gun Control, and More in 2nd Debate: Lamb said he was “very concerned” about climate change, while Rothfus criticized Obama-era regulations and the Paris climate accord.

Speaker Ryan Goes to PA8: A spokesperson for Speaker of the House, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) confirmed that Ryan visited PA8 on John Chrin’s behalf on Wednesday to show support for his campaign.

SD-38 Candidates Joust Over Socialism and Right Wing Extremism: Republican candidate Jeremy Shaffer has continually pegged Democratic candidate Lindsey Williams as a “socialist” for her affiliation with the Democratic Socialists of America. Williams says in the KDKA story that she joined to seek their endorsement in the primary, but still has yet to receive an endorsement from them. She accused Shaffer of being a far-right “extremist” and using the word socialism as a scare tactic. Shaffer says he is conservative, but on the notion that he is a “far-right Republican”, people looking at his record he believes people will “see otherwise.”  

Harrisburg & DC
AP: Federal prosecutors open clergy abuse probe in Pennsylvania
AP: Feds: Child exploitation focus of Pennsylvania church probe
AP: The Latest: 3 Pennsylvania dioceses confirm federal probe
AP: Lawmakers leave town, clergy child sex abuse bill undone
AP: Pennsylvania toughens penalties for repeat DUI offenders
AP: Church abuse bill in limbo after hitting wall in Senate
AP: The Latest: Senate GOP still want deal on clergy abuse bill
StateImpactPA: Sunoco: Mariner East 2 delayed to 2020, so company will join three pipes as substitute
PLSReporter: Pressure-filled week ends without Senate vote on statute of limitations reform
PLSReporter: Though accountability concerns remain, new regulations for intellectually disabled care advance
PLSReporter: Nearly $50 million in state dollars headed to PWSA for lead pipe replacements
PLSReporter: Philadelphia updates citywide response to opioid crisis
KDKA: One-On-One: Barletta Critical Of Casey Ad, GOP’s Handling Of Obamacare Repeal
PennLive: Saving pets, slowing speeders, more: 16 bills Pa. legislators decided should become law
KYW Newsradio: Pennsylvania Supreme Court makes landmark labor ruling on cancer claims
Billy Penn: Is Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate 20 percent higher than the national average? Not anymore.
Billy Penn: Saxbys plans to give away free lattes for voting. That’s a nice idea — but also illegal.
WHYY Newsworks: 2019 ACA rates to decrease for first time in Pennsylvania
WESA: In Pennsylvania’s Lopsided Gubernatorial Race, A Study In Contrasts

Philadelphia
Philly Clout: Is Philly Democratic boss Bob Brady stiffing his party in the midterm elections?
Inquirer: Even in Philadelphia, one of the most determined sanctuary cities, refuge is elusive
Inquirer: The Philly rule that jails people indefinitely on detainers could get way worse
PhillyVoice: City announces plan to clear Frankford Avenue, Emerald Street drug encampments
KYW Newsradio: Pennsylvania Supreme Court makes landmark labor ruling on cancer claims
KYW Newsradio: Housing in Philly for children detained at US border gets a thumbs down
KYW Newsradio: Philly unveils new plan to address opioid crisis
Billy Penn: Grilled on Trump and scorned by donors: What it’s like to run for Congress as a Republican in Philly

SEPA
Montgomery Media: Souderton council president: ‘Too early to say there’s no tax increase’
Bucks Local News: Bucks County Board of Elections seeking to hire poll workers for Election Day
Bucks Local News: First District Congressional candidates receive endorsements from gun violence prevention groups
Delco Daily Times: Delco sheriff calls for $5 an hour pay raise for his deputies
Bucks County Courier Times: Democrats in general assembly races endorse common agenda
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County Courier Times 2018 General Election Voters Guide
Bucks County Courier Times: Republican mailer riles Democrats into demanding retraction
Bucks County Courier Times: Morrisville Council revises contractor ordinance
Pottstown Mercury: Pottstown OKs 5% water rate hikes for next three years
Pottstown Mercury: Bensalem shoots down zoning for 619-unit community at former Drexel property
Daily Local News: Audit uncovers $15,000 overpayment by Avon Grove School District
Philadelphia Business Journal: Bucks County tourism grows, nears $1B in economic impact

Pittsburgh
WESA: Saccone’s Final Bill In Harrisburg Ends Suspension Of Driver’s Licenses For Drug Offenses
WESA: ‘Robocalls’ Circulating In 38th State Senate District
Post-Gazette: New Pittsburgh initiative’s mission is to help blacks rise to executive ranks
Post-Gazette: Firm plans hydroelectric plant below Highland Park Bridge
Post-Gazette: Shaler Area reappoints Superintendent Sean Aiken
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh school board considers resolution opposing Chick-fil-A sponsorship of Kids Marathon
Post-Gazette: Port Authority, police force reach tentative 5-year deal
Post-Gazette: Clairton Coke Works fined another $620K due to ’emissions problems’
Post-Gazette: Monroeville residents will decide whether tax collector should be elected position
KDKA: Pa. Senate Candidates Exchange Heated Words, Republican Accuses Democrat Of Being A Socialist
Pittsburgh Business Times: See where Pittsburgh lands on the list of best city for jobs in 2018
Tribune Review: Proposed budget shows no tax rate increase
Tribune Review: South Fayette officials plan to have new township manager by end of year

SWPA
Altoona Mirror: Penn Cambria approves hiring of new principal
Observer-Reporter: Director: Allocation will only cover a percentage of new voting machines’ cost
Observer-Reporter: Attorney files suit against Majestic Hills developer, North Strabane and others
Observer-Reporter: Peters Township council discusses borrowing for park development
Beaver County Times: Democratic poll has Ron DiNicola closing in on GOP incumbent Mike Kelly
Beaver County Times: State Sen. Camera Bartolotta’s bill relocating domestic violence victims goes to governor’s desk

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Commissioner’s resolution backs resident in Scranton Beltway project fight
Times-Tribune: Pence to stump for Chrin in Forty Fort
Times-Tribune: Dickson City names acting police chief
News Item: Voter registrations surpass 2014 midterm numbers
Times Leader: Two more Luzerne County infrastructure awards announced
Citizens Voice: Pedri announces grants for Back Mountain
Citizens Voice: South Abington residents continue fight against turnpike commission
Standard Speaker: Planners seek info on work at hospital
Standard Speaker: City stormwater focus of public forum Tue.
Standard Speaker: Luzerne Council debates election bureau’s need for budget increase

South Central  
PennLive: Different visions: U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, challenger George Scott take big stage
PennLive: Bob Casey apologizes for Barletta attack ad | Friday Morning Coffee
PennLive: Ex-Shamokin School Board member sanctioned for violating state ethics laws
Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle School Board will not seek Act 1 exemption
York Daily Record: New representative to be elected to the 93rd state House seat in York County
York Daily Record: Scott Wagner: ‘I’m not an angry guy. I’m a passionate guy.’
York Dispatch: Resident to York City Council: ‘Fascist’ public comment buzzer silences black community
York Dispatch: Central York teachers union compromises on health care to increase salaries
York Dispatch: 169th District House race: Klunk vs. Hammond
York Dispatch: 48th District Senate race profile: Folmer vs. Herr
York Dispatch: Rep. Scott Perry, George Scott bring civility to second 10th District debate
LNP | LancasterOnline: Damaris Rau touts School District of Lancaster’s growing dual enrollment program at State of the District Breakfast
LNP | LancasterOnline: Sen. Ryan Aument: Senate should not adjourn until agreement is reached on child sexual abuse bill
LNP | LancasterOnline: On Politics: Jess King’s fundraising in context; Lancaster-led bills make the cut before Harrisburg session adjourns

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Wake-Up Call: Nothstein’s bumpy velodrome tenure, and a call for Bucks County poll workers
Morning Call: Lehigh Valley congressional candidates mind their business in forum about jobs, the economy
Morning Call: AdWatch: Wild about spending your money
Morning Call: After war of words, Allentown open to truce over $1.25 million cost to raze Nat Hyman’s fire-gutted warehouse
Reading Eagle: Dan Meuser, Denny Wolff face off in Berks County
Express Times: Congressional candidates focus on Lehigh Valley economy, bigger than 2 states’

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: DiNicola promises to listen, be accessible if elected to Congress
Erie Times-News: Erie unveils ‘investment prospectus’ for Opportunity Zones
Erie Times-News: Sonney to host public meeting for Waterford Township bridge project
Centre Daily Times: State, county and local officials discuss repairs of ‘challenging’ bridges
Centre Daily Times: There’s a sudden vacancy on the Bellefonte Borough Council. Here’s why and what’s next
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Commissioners delay new prison hire, talk other options

Opinion
Maria Panaritis: The Catholic Church owns the Pa. Capitol. Abuse victims saw that Wednesday night.
Christine Flowers: I bet Bob Casey Sr. would agree with Lou Barletta when it comes to campaign ads
Ronnie Polaneczky: Philly’s SVU suddenly closed. Victims and advocates don’t know when it will reopen
Will Bunch: Teen bullying expert on Trump: The nonstop attention gives him power
Hans Menos: Reviewing police in Starbucks incident: Why new report used ‘white supremacy’ and other loaded terms
Inquirer Editorial Board: Shame! Pennsylvania Senate Republicans fail victims of priest sex abuse
Inquirer Editorial Board: Starbucks report says racism affects policing. Police disagree.
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Justice knows no borders: Two attorneys general work together on case
Cecilia Elena Rouse and Sarah Turner: As Harvard’s admissions face federal scrutiny, a reminder that grades aren’t everything
Brian O’Neill: This is what real Christianity looks like
Dan Simpson: The U.S. should clean up its act