Attorney General Josh Shapiro announces his support for legalizing recreational marijuana. Here is the Playbook. 

September 27th Ups & Downs: Gov. Tom Wolf announces his support for legalizing marijuana, Democrats in the state support impeachment proceedings, and Team Youse gets the better of Team Yinz in the annual Capitol All Star Softball Game. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

Wolf Endorses DePasquale: Gov. Tom Wolf endorsed Auditor General Eugene DePasquale in his bid for the 10th Congressional District. In a release about the endorsement, Wolf called DePasquale a “great partner to me in Harrisburg,” and pointed to his record as Auditor General as proof he’s ready to serve in Congress. 

Biden To Visit Pittsburgh on Election Day: Former Vice President Joe Biden’s campaign sent out a release on Friday saying that the 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful will be making a campaign visit in Pittsburgh on Nov. 5, 2019. Additional details have yet to be released about the upcoming campaign visit. 

Harrisburg & DC   
Patriot News: Pa. Senate seat drawing a crowd of potential candidates
Patriot News: Pa. Attorney General Shapiro calls for legalizing recreational marijuana
Patriot News: Pa. second lady Gisele Fetterman: From ‘invisible’ undocumented immigrant to loud, proud advocate
AP: Pennsylvania’s top cop now supports legalizing marijuana
AP: New chapter opens in Pennsylvania in fight over suing church
AP: Lamb joins ranks of Democrats backing impeachment inquiry
AP: Pennsylvania high court passes on death penalty review
National Journal: Politics of Impeachment Now Favor Democrats
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Attorney General Josh Shapiro says he supports legalizing cannabis
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: How Pa.’s ‘Fab Four’ on Capitol Hill got to ‘Yes’ on impeachment
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: CNN’s Van Jones on what unifies America: ‘We have to fix the probation system’
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: The House GOP wants to ‘Energize PA.’ Environmentalists say ‘no thanks’
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: With Congress in the throes of impeachment fever, Pa.’s Scanlon has some tips on staying civil
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: State employee retirement board balks at investing in prison-linked private equity firm
Morning Call: Your View by former leaders of state’s Republican, Democratic parties: Why Pennsylvania should allow independents to vote in primaries 
CNN: These five freshman congresswomen changed history by becoming unlikely leaders on impeachment
CNN: Vulnerable Democrats air impeachment concerns to Pelosi
PA Post: Study recommends better marketing, new regulations to aid Pa. dairy farmers
KDKA: Joe Biden Coming To Pittsburgh In November   
PLSReporter: Right 2 Know Episode 24: Southeast Spotlight with Sen. Sharif Street
PLSReporter: Did You Get The Memo? Polk and White Haven centers, prescription drug costs and Footloose
Inquirer: Why Democrats Chrissy Houlahan and Andy Kim shifted on impeachment and Jeff Van Drew didn’t
Inquirer: Pa. Supreme Court rejects petition to find death penalty unconstitutional  
Inquirer: 5 reasons why there’s a medical marijuana drought in Pennsylvania 
StateImpactPA: Temple researchers will look at link between PFAS and cancer
StateImpactPA: Philadelphia to issue recommendations for developers eyeing PES refinery

Philadelphia 
Philadelphia Tribune: NAACP to appeal to Gov. Wolf to address ‘epidemic of unfair firings’ at SEPTA
Philadelphia Tribune: City Council expands lead-safety testing for rental units; Kenney says he will sign
Philadelphia Tribune: Philly councilman rolls out plan to give city’s poorest residents a break on wage tax
Philadelphia Tribune: Governor, state senators continue to back Cheyney despite struggles 
Inquirer: Every Philly polling place will soon be accessible to voters with physical disabilities and mobility issues
Inquirer: Pa. Supreme Court rejects petition to find death penalty unconstitutional 
Inquirer: In gentrifying Philly, speculators pay heirs peanuts — then flip their properties for massive gains
Inquirer: Under fire for DROP deal, Fred Wright, the first black leader of the city’s white-collar union, steps down
Inquirer: Philly becoming a national model for how to make serving the community more common
Inquirer: Hahnemann’s end was expected to be a crisis. But that’s not what happened, Philly health officials say.
Billy Penn: With Meek Mill as leader, dirt bike culture is stronger than ever. But Philly riders still have nowhere to go.
KYW Newsradio: Dozens rally for climate change at City Hall as numbers dwindle
KYW Newsradio: Pennsylvania’s highest court says no to determining if death penalty is unconstitutional
KYW Newsradio: New program aims to help people with special needs gain employment with the city
KYW Newsradio: Experts fear proposed rule change puts SNAP benefits at risk 
KYW Newsradio: New city program helps communities find solutions to nutrition inequity 
KYW Newsradio: People with ‘need for chaos’ fueling online disinformation, according to research by Temple professor
Philadelphia Magazine: Gov. Wolf Is Finally Chill About Legalizing Marijuana
Philadelphia Magazine: A Museum Exhibit Devoted to Ruth Bader Ginsburg Is Opening in Philly 

SEPA
Daily Local News: Chesco Democratic D.A. candidate: Statewide probe needed on pipeline issue
Daily Local News: Dinniman tours elk country
Daily Local News: Comitta invites public to Community Conversations in West Chester
Daily Local News: Killion and Quinn to host senior expo at Penn State Brandywine
Daily Local News: Chester County officials meet with students to discuss climate change
Daily Local News: After decades of hardship, officials see a bright future for Coatesville
Pottstown Mercury: Oct. 17 YWCA rally and art contest battle gun violence
Delco Daily Times: County Council fighting goes into overdrive as the November election looms
Delco Daily Times: Dems claim GOP council ignores emergency communications needs

Pittsburgh  
KDKA: Joe Biden Coming To Pittsburgh In November
City Paper: Western Pa. GOP Congressmen blame “socialist” ideas for impeachment inquiry into Trump 
City Paper: Pardon applications for marijuana-related offenses now free, streamlined in Pa.
Post-Gazette: A new era at the Post-Gazette 
Post-Gazette: Critics say Port Authority should have more public input before eliminating bus stops
Post-Gazette: Uniontown’s downtown shows signs of life amidst deep poverty
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County Jail without hot water through Wednesday  
Tribune Review: Murrysville council to take public comment on fracking well application
PLSReporter: Allegheny County Council considers legislation on conversion therapy

SWPA 
Beaver County Times: Lamb: House impeachment inquiry ‘must be focused only on facts, not partisanship’
Beaver County Times: Rep. Bernstine’s language creating school-to-work program folded into approved bill
Beaver County Times: With new voting machines, ballots to cost 26 cents each 
Beaver County Times: Census: Some bright spots, but experts warn of woes
Observer-Reporter: Lawmakers have mixed reaction to Wolf’s pot proposal 
Observer-Reporter: SNAP access could be jeopardized for area residents 
Observer-Reporter: Monessen to continue receiving state aid for emergency responder pension plans 
Observer-Reporter: Auditor General: Brownsville Area School District must improve finances
Altoona Mirror: Casey bill urges Medicare expansion 
Altoona Mirror: Local governments agree on block grant changes 
Altoona Mirror: Republican reps have little to say on impeachment 
Altoona Mirror: Schmitt sponsors shredding event
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Statute of limitations bill to get aired before Senate committee 

NEPA
The Times Leader: House GOP leaders: ‘No interest in legalizing recreational marijuana’ 
The Times Leader: Reproductive rights protest held at Luzerne County Courthouse 
The Times Leader: Toomey: Eric’s Law would deliver justice to victims and their families 
The Times Leader: Federal government provides update on flood map changes along the Susquehanna River
Times-Tribune: Scranton officials consider GPS tracking system for city fleet 
Citizens Voice: Schuylkill County hemp farmer harvests first legal grow

South Central 
Patriot News: Pa. Senate seat drawing a crowd of potential candidates
Patriot News: Pa. Attorney General Shapiro calls for legalizing recreational marijuana
Patriot News: Pa. second lady Gisele Fetterman: From ‘invisible’ undocumented immigrant to loud, proud advocate
York Daily Record: York County judge candidate faces reprimand
York Dispatch: Diverse legal network amplifies voices of low-income women 
LNP | LancasterOnline: From Lt. Gov. Fetterman’s listening tour, 67% of Lancaster County residents say they’re ready for recreational marijuana

Lehigh Valley     
Reading Eagle: Rep. Mark Rozzi opposes bid to reduce state regulations, saying it will increase bureaucracy 
Reading Eagle: Food stamp proposal could impact about 6,400 people in Berks County 
Reading Eagle: The Rundown: Quote of the week belongs to Reading City Council’s president, Jeffrey Waltman 
Morning Call: After backing Trump impeachment probe, Susan Wild heads back to Lehigh Valley for town hall next week 
Morning Call: ‘It’s better than a horse race’: Lehigh County to auction off bonds to get money for Cedarbrook, Old Courthouse projects 
Morning Call: Being a whistleblower is risky business, making some rich and ruining others, as Lehigh Valley cases show 
Morning Call: Your View by former leaders of state’s Republican, Democratic parties: Why Pennsylvania should allow independents to vote in primaries 

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: State official: Agriculture still key economic driver for state 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: House committee passes bill aimed at health care
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Council approves pension obligation 
Erie Times-News: Roll Call: How local legislators voted on key issues last week
Erie Times-News: Lawyers grade Erie County judges up for retention
Erie Times-News: Letter: Feds asked for Erie Coke air sampling in 2011 
Erie Times-News: Judge declines to certify DEP appeal in Erie Coke case

Opinion  
Inquirer Editorial Board: Whistle-blower scandal doesn’t trump homegrown corruption 
Inquirer Editorial Board: Celebrate Philly’s decline in poverty — but with caution 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Grown-up solutions: Pennsylvania must develop plan for combating child poverty 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Trust the process; trust the people
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Settle trade war: U.S., China need to find a resolution soon 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Eye to the future: PennDOT tackles work zone safety, self-driving cars 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Technological skepticism: Think twice about downloading TikTok app 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Community support: The importance of RIDC’s gift to the Urban League
Bucks County Courier Times Editorial: Removing vaccination law exemptions would slow the spread of measles 
Fred Keller: Pennsylvania natural gas produces economic prosperity, more secure homeland
T.J. Rooney: Your View by former leaders of state’s Republican, Democratic parties: Why Pennsylvania should allow independents to vote in primaries
John L. Micek: Report: Pa.’s Perry, Fitzpatrick among Congress’ most-endangered incumbents | Friday Morning Coffee
Shira Goodman: On a red flag law for Pa.: It’s the start of the fight in the House — not the final word
Paul Muschick: Staring down Trump: The day Republican congressman Charlie Dent won his high-stakes standoff with the president 
George Ferko: Pennsylvania Supreme Court is right to reject petition against death penalty 
Helen Ubiñas: When you hold a silent protest against unsolved murders and the police commissioner shows up 
Keith C. Burris: Three warnings
Brian O’Neill: Pittsburgh should try to recycle 2,000 tons of glass in 2020
David M. Shribman: Bernie Sanders’ biggest problem is Elizabeth Warren
Tony Norman: The end of the ‘do us a favor’ presidency of Donald Trump
Gene Therapy: Giuliani’s job description, boiled to its essence
Karen Kane: If not us, who?
Geoffrey Garrett: Why 2019 feels like 1929 — and what we can do to change course
Ruth Ann Dailey: Jimmy Carter at 95
Karen Winterich, Gabriel E. Gonzales and Gergana Nenkov: Recycling rates could rise significantly with this simple tweak
Lloyd E. Sheaffer: What do you do when the news leaves you numb? A little shame goes a long way 
John L. Micek: Ukraine debacle makes it clear: Trump’s only in it for himself 
Tim Hartman: The Pa. Liquor Control Board has some transparency problems | Editorial Cartoon
Christine Flowers: The UN did not steal Greta Thunberg’s childhood 
Mike Newall: Her parents were murdered in front of her in their Philly bodega. Now she’s performing on Latin America’s hit TV singing competition. 
Trudy Rubin: Another Trump scandal: Blocking visas for Iraqis who saved American lives 
Abraham Gutman: Anti-vaxxers are a problem for herd immunity, but lack of paid family leave might be a bigger one | Brain Trust
Kara Maletta-Howe: ‘Is Daddy dead?’ Wife of police officer shares how her family copes after Tioga shootout | Perspective
Will Bunch: History will be cruel to many who saw Trump treachery and DIDN’T become whistle-blowers 
Bill Thompson: Government infringement in media is state-run media
Enrijeta Shino and Daniel A. Smith: Your voting habits may depend on when you registered to vote | Analysis