Wolf picks new Police Commissioner, Toomey and Sestak debate the Iranian nuclear deal and our bi-annual congressional vulnerability rankings. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz!

PA-Gov: Wolf Names New Police Commissioner: Major Tyree C. Blocker is the Governor’s latest nomination for police commissioner.

PoliticsPA’s 2016 Congressional Vulnerability Ranking: A comprehensive look at PA’s competitive congressional contests in 2016.

PA-Sen: Toomey, Sestak Pick Sides on Iran Deal: Toomey will vote ‘No’ on Pres. Obama’s nuclear pact.

Politically Uncorrected: Pennsylvania’s Expatriate Presidential Candidates: How does a state long a political colossus in presidential politics fail so dismally, election after election to produce presidential aspirants?

HD-161: Casey Endorses Krueger-Braneky: Pennsylvania’s senior Senator picks sides in tomorrow’s special election.

PSEA Backs Wecht for PA Supreme Court: Wecht’s campaign gains the support of the powerful teachers union.

SD-37: Heather Arnet Wins Democratic Nomination: The CEO of the Women and Girls Foundation was chosen by Democrats for the Nov. 3rd special election.

PA-6: Daylin Leach Endorses Parrish: The outspoken State Senator is supporting Mike Parrish’s congressional bid.

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Retired major picked to run PA state police
State House Sound Bites: Legislature could borrow money to weather budget impasse
State House Sound Bites: A 1991 budget impasse flashback
PA Independent: Conservatives question state GOP’s return on campaign investments
StateImpact: Pa. coal operator announces bankruptcy
StateImpact: Coal will remain vital source of PA energy despite new federal plan, trade group says
PLS Reporter: Progress continues to elude budget negotiators
PLS Reporter: Mixed PA reaction follows release of EPA Clean Power Plan
Capitolwire: No new state budget? PA tax revenues still coming in … even if not quite as much as last year
Capitolwire: Republicans wary of going to Treasury for payroll as budget standoff continues

Philadelphia
Inquirer: 23K sign petition for gay teacher’s reinstatement
Inquirer: Case against Fattah was built over several years
Inquirer: Philly has three more mayoral candidates
Capitolinq: Ethics panel to investigate Fattah allegations
WHYY: Trump widens GOP lead, Christie likely to make debate cut
WHYY: Indicted Fattah says he’ll stay in office, run for re-election
WHYY: Budget missing, but Pennsylvania collects $2B-plus in taxes
Philadelphia Business Journals: Beer: Why Pennsylvania needs the malt beverage tax credit
Philadelphia Business Journals: Local insurance startup plans to sell to independent providers

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Terroristic threat charges filed after Stowe standoff
Pottstown Mercury: Pottstown a winner under competing property tax reform plans
Bucks Courier Times: Waste Management Inc. fined $528K by state
Delco Times: Delco Animal Control gets support from Lansdowne council
Daily Local News: “Secrecy’ clause not proper, says expert
Daily Local News: Phoenixville council shoots down police drone plan

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh City Council passes paid sick-leave requirement
Post-Gazette: Cheyney and Shippensburg universities notify faculty of possible layoffs
Post-Gazette: Gateway assistant to the superintendent resigns
Post-Gazette: Drop in oil prices pushes down gasoline in Pittsburgh area
Post-Gazette: Murrysville doctor who has practice in Pittsburgh probed in Zimbabwe lion killing
Tribune-Review: Former Pennsylvania Sen. Richard Schweiker dies at 89
Tribune-Review: Storms knock out power to thousands of customers in Western Pa.
Business Journal: Citizens lends $5.35M for rehab of 100 affordable apartments
Business Journal: Peduto administration files amended complaint against ICA

Southwest
Altoona Mirror: Raystown hosts water safety events
Altoona Mirror: Plenty of room(s)
Observer Reporter: Cumberland Township officials discuss zoning appeal of permit for drug treatment clinic
Observer Reporter: Greene County sheriff releases July activity report
Observer Reporter: Monongahela historical society offers high-tech walking tours

NEPA
Times Leader: North East Pennsylvania Land Bank Authority will have power to ‘trump’ others at tax auctions
Times Leader: Lawyers file brief in PUC ‘tip letter’ appeal by Times Leader, other papers
Times-Tribune: Budget impact costs weighed
Times-Tribune: Dunmore firehouse addition to go out to bid
Times-Tribune: Union rep: children and family services should get binding arbitration

South Central
Lebanon Daily News: Attorney to fill vacant Democratic ballot slot in DJ contest
Lancaster Intelligencer: State police commissioner nominee Tyree Blocker headed Lancaster-based group
Lancaster Intelligencer: Lawmaker wants semiautomatic rifles legalized for hunting in Pennsylvania
York Dispatch: Wolf: Pa. Officials must “do everything in our power” to comply with Clean Power Plan
York Dispatch: York County Economic Alliance voices support for anti-discrimination act for LGBT community
York Daily Record: York City schools report: the good, the bad and the ugly
Patriot-News: Gov. Tom Wolf on budget negotiations: ‘I could just roll iver, but I’m not going to do that’
Patriot-News: Don’t forget: Special election for state House seat set for Tuesday in Cumberland County

Lehigh Valley
WFMZ: PPL reports loss after Talon spin-off
WFMZ: Art advocate seeks more funding in state budget
Morning Call: Pennsylvania emissions target to be more stringent than U.S. average under Obama climate change regs

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Scoot districts OK personnel changes
Centre Daily Times: Debate stage: Voters like Bush, Rubio. A lot don’t like Trump
Centre Daily Times: Obama’s battle against global warming: Hope vs. reality
Erie Times-News: Erie gun buybacks, which failed in ’94, considered again

Opinion
Post-Gazette: Death of a mullah: The U.S. should focus on leaving Afghanistan
Tribune-Review: Merging health insurers: Suffering ahead?
Lancaster Intelligencer: State Department of Health needs to strengthen its oversight of Pa.’s nursing homes
Lancaster Intelligencer: Frey Farm Landfill expansion a responsible plan
Daily News: Nothing ‘generous’ about pensions
Inquirer: Better fuels than fossils
Daily News: State budget is better late than awful
York Dispatch: York County needs domestic violence task force
York Daily Record: Is Tom Wolf really the most liberal governor in the U.S.?
Patriot-News: Sanctuary city mayors should be ‘arrested,’ Bobby Jindal says
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Kasich unique record stands out

Blogs
Citified: Insider: Who Really Could Replace Chaka Fattah in Congress?
Citified: Will the Ben Franklin Bridge Close or Not During the Pope’s Visit?
Keystone Crossroads: Ideas Worth Stealing: Could NYC teach Pa. cities something about limiting the Council members’ power in development decisions?
Bals Blog: Neil Young, Monsanto and Us
Keystone State Education Coalition: PA Ed Policy Roundup Aug 3: New PSSA levels: “all of a sudden they weren’t good teachers anymore and they weren’t good students”
PA Budget and Planning Commission: In Honest & Constructive Debate You’re Not Supposed to Make Up Stuff
Above Average Jane: Who is Leanne Krueger-Braneky?