A new Mercyhurst poll shows President Donald Trump trailing a few of the Democratic presidential frontrunners in Erie County. Sen. Bob Casey will campaign for former Vice President Joe Biden in New Hampshire on Friday. Here is the Playbook. 

Mercyhurst: Trump Trails in Erie County: The most recent poll shows Trump looking up at Former VP Biden and Sens. Warren and Sanders in the key swing county.

Casey to Campaign for Biden in New Hampshire: Sen. Bob Casey will attend a phone bank with volunteers for Biden’s campaign Friday afternoon in Manchester.

GOP Ad Links Cartwright to Impeachment: The Super PAC is hoping to soften up support for impeachment by targeting Dems like Cartwright who represent districts the President won.

Hartman Announces Bid for Auditor General: The Lancaster County Democrat is the first to formally join the race to replace Auditor General Eugene DePasquale.

Tabas Talks to National Journal: In an Q&A with Alex Clearfield, PAGOP Chairman Lawrence Tabas said he’s optimistic over a number of races in 2020 from President Trump to flipping seats in Congress. 

Harrisburg & DC   
Inquirer: Pa. Sen. Daylin Leach sues Inquirer, reporter, alleging defamation
Inquirer: If you have a minor marijuana conviction in Pennsylvania, you can now get an expedited pardon 
Inquirer: Pennsylvania’s overdose crisis is shifting, new DEA report finds
Inquirer: Penn State law clinic urges Pa. public-defender system for immigrants facing deportation, saying stakes can be life or death
Inquirer: For Joe Biden, Trump’s impeachment inquiry emphasizes his strong standing while also testing it
Inquirer: Comcast lawsuit in Supreme Court could cause ‘irreparable harm’ to minority protections, NAACP warns
Spotlight PA: We’re investigating the business of drug addiction treatment in Pa. Share your stories.
National Journal: Wednesday Q+A With Lawrence Tabas
WITF: Pa.’s upcoming election features a contentious ballot question: Marsy’s Law, or not?
WITF: New report says Pa. state parks funding hasn’t kept pace with inflation
PA Post: ‘Red flag’ gun bill author eyes changes to ease lawmakers’ concerns
Post-Gazette: DEP lawyers up for state grand jury shale gas investigation    
Patriot News: Rep. Russ Diamond announces bid for Pa. Senate seat vacated by Mike Folmer 
Patriot News: Survivors’ stories ‘made an impact’ on senators weighing changes to Pa.’s statutes of limitations 
Patriot News: ’It’s the right thing to do:’ Gov. Wolf, allies tout expedited pardons process for ‘low-level’ marijuana crimes
Patriot News: Gov. Wolf aims to raise Pa.’s profile in climate change fight by joining multi-state carbon tax program 
Patriot News: Pa. state parks funding failing to keep pace with inflation: report  
WHYY Newsworks: The fate of Sen. Toomey’s background checks bill
PLSReporter: Fine wine, good spirits and… weed? Lawmakers propose legalization bill that would sell marijuana at state stores 
PLSReporter: Legislators weigh action on statute of limitations reform in Senate hearing 
PLSReporter: Stein appears in Philadelphia to challenge voting machines 
StateImpactPA: Shale gas off-ramp: Pa.’s fracking boom produces a glut of ethane that’s helping fuel plastics production overseas
AP: Pennsylvania to move forward on power plant emission caps
AP: Fight over Philadelphia’s voting machines may head to court
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Tanqueray and chronic? Pa. House Democrat wants to sell legal cannabis in state liquor stores
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Trump’s labor board won’t stop Pitt grad students’ union push
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Report: Special education costs are ballooning, as state funding lags behind
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pennsylvanians with minor cannabis convictions can apply for an expedited pardon 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Can reporters prevent gun violence? This Philadelphia journalist wants to find out 
The Hill: Federal judge rules first U.S. supervised opioid injection site is legal

Philadelphia 
Inquirer: Judge: Philly supervised injection site proposal does not violate federal law 
Inquirer: Green Party’s Jill Stein moves to challenge Philly’s new $29M voting machines
Inquirer: City Council members want the Philadelphia School District to release hidden attendance data 
Inquirer: Bankrupt Philly refinery’s request to pay secret executive bonuses raises objections  
Inquirer: Workers at Philly’s public media station, WHYY, decide to unionize
Inquirer: Asbestos concerns cancel class for the rest of the week for Ben Franklin, SLA students
Billy Penn: Everything you need to know about Philadelphia’s new voting machines
WHYY Newsworks: ‘Crackhouse statute’ argument against supervised injection site shot down by judge 
WHYY Newsworks: Kensington neighbors dismayed by ruling on supervised injection site
WHYY Newsworks: WHYY reporters, producers form union, ask for voluntary recognition
KYW Newsradio: Judge to decide if PES refinery can give confidential bonuses to execs while owners muddle through bankruptcy 
Philadelphia Tribune: Black-owned firm to help transform South Broad Street site
Philadelphia Tribune: Week-long celebration offers resources for minority-owned businesses 

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: Recreational pot advocates tout economic benefits for Pa.
Inquirer: Pa. Sen. Daylin Leach sues Inquirer, reporter, alleging defamation
WHYY Newsworks: Brian Fitzpatrick on Trump’s Ukraine call
Daily Local News: Elected officials explain importance of local government
Daily Local News: State Rep. Shusterman to host Veterans’ Breakfast
Bucks County Courier Times: Sanders was right to check out symptoms, Bucks doctor says
Pottstown Mercury: Montco contested elections in The Mercury’s coverage area 

Pittsburgh  
Post-Gazette: Council roundup: City to get internal ‘racial equity toolkit’, Finance Department looking to better manage tax collection
Post-Gazette: DEP lawyers up for state grand jury shale gas investigation 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh Public Schools launches pilot program to diversify teacher workforce
Post-Gazette: A shared future: Braddock, East Pittsburgh, North Braddock eye comprehensive plan
Post-Gazette: District judge race in Moon roiled by fundraising faux pas
Post-Gazette: Voters must register by Monday for the Nov. 5 election
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania provides $96,000 for urban farming in Allegheny County
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania bill would legalize pot, make state the only seller
KDKA: Matt Drozd Sheds Light On What May Be Major Jail Dilemma 
KDKA: Gov. Tom Wolf And Lt. Gov. John Fetterman Provide Update On Marijuana Conviction Pardon Process 
KDKA: President Trump Engages In More Back And Forth On Impeachment Charges 

SWPA 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Somerset County candidates focus on addiction crisis
Altoona Mirror: Charter school reforms touted
Altoona Mirror: Blair libraries seek small funding increase
Altoona Mirror: Census rep urges participation
Beaver County Times: Beaver County chamber cancels commissioners debate
Beaver County Times: Two companies interested in Beaver County property reassessment
Beaver County Times: Casey denounces Trump’s attacks on whistleblower
Observer-Reporter: Jobless rates stay same in Washington, Greene

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Judges order Bolus off ballot in Scranton mayoral election; three other challenges rejected
Times-Tribune: NEPA’s unemployment rises in August
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Election Board issues recommendation on new voting system
The Times Leader: Hard facts and a personal moment: Combatting opioid crisis
Citizens Voice: Local lawmakers assist Dallas students at voter registration drive
Citizens Voice: County voting machine reports released; financial info redacted

South Central 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Former congressional candidate Christina Hartman announces run for auditor general 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Bill proposes sale of recreational marijuana at Pennsylvania’s state stores 
Patriot News: Rep. Russ Diamond announces bid for Pa. Senate seat vacated by Mike Folmer 
Patriot News: Survivors’ stories ‘made an impact’ on senators weighing changes to Pa.’s statutes of limitations 
Patriot News: ’It’s the right thing to do:’ Gov. Wolf, allies tout expedited pardons process for ‘low-level’ marijuana crimes
Patriot News: Gov. Wolf aims to raise Pa.’s profile in climate change fight by joining multi-state carbon tax program 
Patriot News: Pa. state parks funding failing to keep pace with inflation: report 
Patriot News: Harrisburg awarded $5 million to combat lead paint in local homes 
Patriot News: Eight to receive Catalyst Awards for contributions to Harrisburg region 
York Dispatch: York County Commissioners back down after publicly lashing sheriff 
York Daily Record: New voting system: What you need to know
Carlisle Sentinel: Fight over Philadelphia’s voting machines may head to court; same machine purchased in Cumberland County
Carlisle Sentinel: Tax on beer sold at Pennsylvania breweries goes into effect causing some beer prices to rise in Midstate

Lehigh Valley     
Morning Call: At town hall, Susan Wild defends impeachment probe but pledges to remain focused on other issues
Morning Call: High school politician takes an idea rooted in tragedy and gets 84 trees planted on Interstate 78 corridor 
Reading Eagle: Former Reading Mayor Vaughn Spencer’s sentence for corruption is appropriate, federal prosecutors argue
Reading Eagle: Marsy’s Law, explained: What you need to know about the crime victims’ rights measure on the November 5 ballot
Reading Eagle: Pennsylvania judges running to keep their jobs: 5 ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions you’ll face on Election Day 
Reading Eagle: Reading resident petitions City Council for traffic light at Second and Buttonwood streets
Express Times: Congressman Susan Wild backs impeachment inquiry at town hall in Allentown
Express Times: Heritage Riverview project behind schedule in Easton, but Hearst still on board, mayor says
Express Times: Would free parking make you shop in downtown Bethlehem? City council wants to find out
Express Times: Here are the Lehigh Valley candidates in contested races this election

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Mercyhurst poll: Biden leads Trump among Erie County voters 
Erie Times-News: Kelly to host safety seminar in Greenville 
Erie Times-News: Erie City Council shelves resolution on EDDC plan 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Governor advocates for cyber charter oversight 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lawmakers to host gun law seminar

Opinion  
Inquirer Editorial Board: The court ruled, and Philly is out of excuses. We need a supervised injection site now.
Inquirer Editorial Board: Philadelphia City Councilman David Oh’s clumsy post a reminder: Elections matter 
Inquirer Staff: Pro/Con: Should Pa. legalize recreational marijuana? 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Data for progress: State police must be transparent about who they stop 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Turn in your jeans: Fashion tastes are corrupting the environment
Rep. Stan Saylor: Legalizing marijuana in Pa. is a terrible idea
Emily Balog and Matt Miclette: Too many Pa. veterans are dying by suicide. Tell your lawmakers that Red Flag laws save lives
John L. Micek: Report: Pa. ranks 18th nationwide for its energy efficiency efforts | Wednesday Morning Coffee
Dan Simpson: Issues of impeachment, climate change threaten U.S.
Maria Panaritis: Smartphones are grenades in our kids’ pockets — and we’re not doing enough about it 
Christopher Brueningsen: Pennsylvania schools look to a ‘reset’ to solve tuition crisis 
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Trump’s golf stroke of genius
Trudy Rubin: ‘Absolutely, this harms Ukraine.’ Prominent NGO official in Kiev talks about Trump shakedown 
Lena Surzhko-Harned: Why Ukraine’s president may come to regret his conversation with President Trump | Analysis
The Angry Grammarian: Adam Schiff is a grammatical hero when it comes to Trump’s whistle-blower