An in-depth look at the PA-8 race, FiveThirtyEight calls PA the “tipping-point state” and we ask our readers whether they favor legalizing marijuana. Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

PA-8: Maps: Santarsiero’s Advantage: An in-depth look at how the Democratic nominee can flip the open seat and how the GOP can stop him.

FiveThirtyEight: PA is Electoral College “Tipping Point”: Dave Wasserman predicts that the Keystone State will be the key prize in the 2016 presidential election.

Kane Suffers Legal Setback: Judge rejects the AG’s attempt to have the case against her dismissed.

PA-2: Fattah Blames Staff for Fraud, Corruption: The Congressman’s defense team singles out two ex-aides as the guilty parties.

Reader Poll: Do You Favor Legalizing Marijuana in PA?: We survey our readers on the issue of marijuana legalization.

Reader Poll: Paterno Covered Up for Sandusky: Our readers believe the former head coach hid his assistant’s crimes.

Ridge Refuses to Support Trump: The former Governor will not vote for either Trump or Clinton this November.

Statewide
StateImpactPA: Pipeline opponents target FERC in a week of actions
Capitolwire: Republicans appear to link teacher furlough bill to increased education spending
State House Sound Bites: Pennsylvania to require anti-hazing policies in school
PA Watchdog: Compromise and the art of the definition

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Fattah trial focus turns to ex-Sallie Mae CEO’s loan to ’07 mayoral campaign
Inquirer: GOP vows to carry teacher layoff bill into Pa. budget battle
Inquirer: Philly schools want to start talks to find new revenues by 2019
Inquirer: On procedural grounds, judge rejects Kane’s claim of selective prosecution
Philly.com: Pennsylvania to require anti-hazing policies in schools (AP)
Philly.com: Pennsylvania Doctors launch Anti-Opioid Addiction Effort (AP)
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. immigrants apprehensive about latest ICE sweep
WHYY Newsworks: U.S. appeals court delays release of bridge scandal conspirator list
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. House panel votes on party lines for Republican pension bill 

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Spring-Ford board eyes $150M budget, 2% tax hike
Pottstown Mercury: Area company working to be Amazon of HVAC
Pottstown Mercury: Obama casts Trump Philosophy as one of Ignorance, Isolation
Bucks County Courier Times:  Bristol Townships school board approves preliminary budget
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks towns get more than $800,000 for traffic signal upgrades
Bucks County Courier Times: Middletown attorneys drafting a resolution opposing proposed Elcon Plant in Falls  
POAC.com: Online, live poker merge Saturday at Resorts

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania close to requiring ignition locks for first-time drunken drivers
Post-Gazette: Toomey criticizes sanctuary city effort; detractors say he is fear-mongering
Post-Gazette: Mayor says Penguins should either develop or give up the Civic Arena site
Tribune Review: Allegheny County Controller says air polluters aren’t sweating five-figure fines
Tribune Review: highmark sues federal government over Obamacare
Tribune Review: Kane’s bid to quash charges rejected on procedural grounds
KDKA: Former Governor Tom Ridge: ‘I Won’t Be Voting For Donald Trump’

Southwest
Beaver County Times: State Sen. Bartolotta co-introduces bill to help babies of mothers with postpartum depression
Beaver County Times: Move to establish new squadron at 911th set to clear legislative hurdles
Beaver County Times: Pastors urge opposition to LGBT anti-discrimination bills in state Legislature
Altoona Mirror: Residents seek reassessment answers
Altoona Mirror: Altoona Area School District discusses school proposal
Altoona Mirror: No tax hike in Spring Cove School District budget
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria Commissioners to vote on hotel tax increase that would bring in $250K for additional marketing efforts

NEPA
Times Leader: Luzerne County Council to decide if charter change proposals should go to voters
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County seeks to dismiss lawsuit naming sheriff, deputy
Citizens Voice: County considering ordinance to create blighted property review committee
Citizens Voice: State House passes legislation on transparency process for sewer, water agreements
Standard Speaker: City council questions mayor’s plan for police

South Central
Patriot-News: Gov. Wolf signs bill easing disabled students’ entry into workforce
Patriot-News: Transgender bathroom rights and non-discriminatory laws are about to top state issues in Pa.
York Daily Record: Pa. chamber president: We’re opposed to minimum wage hikes
Lancaster Online: House panel votes on party lines for Republican pension bill
Lebanon Daily News: Lebanon County GOP to hold reorganization meeting
Lebanon Daily News: District Attorney joins sanctuary city controversy
Lebanon Daily News: Pa. chamber president: We’re opposed to minimum wage hikes

Lehigh Valley
Reading Eagle: State could enter online gambling game
Reading Eagle: Women in the draft: Where area politicians stand
Reading Eagle: Pottstown School District health care savings likely to prevent tax increase
Reading Eagle: District judge charged with theft suspended without pay
Reading Eagle: State corrections secretary celebrates success at Wernersville center
Lehigh Valley Live: ‘Emotion’ could lead to Election Day shutdown of Easton schools this fall

North by Northwest
Centre Daily: Heroin epidemic having impact in rural Pennsylvania
Centre Daily: State Senate approves sale of former Philipsburg hospital property
Centre Daily: Former grand jury judge protests request to testify in Sandusky case
Onward State: Attorney General’s Office May Investigate Second Mile
Sun Gazette: Budget deadlines loom for legislature
Go Erie: No funding to monitor Zika virus in Erie County
Go Erie: Erie’s African-American community wants to meet with HUD officials
Go Erie: Sanders supporters protest Erie County Democratic Party

Opinion
Citizens Voice: Lessons from London election could apply to US
Tribune Review: Bill would give game commission control of license fees
Post-Gazette: The treasures of Teenie: The Carnegie keeps faith with a Pittsburgh great
Post-Gazette: Libations not for thee: Looser liquor rules for Dems show folly of LCB
Patriot-News: This year, lawmakers need to close the ‘Delaware loophole’ once and for all
Patriot-News: Ballot question votes exposed a flaw in our electoral system that we need to fix
Pottstown Mercury: It’s Not Just the GOP Who is in Trouble this Year
Reading Eagle: Editorial: Federal government shouldn’t dictate restroom rules
Inquirer: Why such a negative view of vaping?
Inquirer: Don’t blame Obama for Trump

Blogs
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Beitler Explains Lower Mac’s Low Taxes
Commonwealth Foundation: Liquor Liberty Loophole for DNC
Commonwealth Foundation: New Plan Doesn’t Protect Taxpayers from Pension Politics
Keystone Education Coalition: Study calls for at least $3.2 billion in added Pa. school funding
Citified: Council: Why Did $1.3 Million for School Nurses Go Unspent?