Sen. Cory Booker holds a rally in Philly, while Gov. Tom Wolf and Sen. Bob Casey call on federal and state lawmakers to enact stricter gun laws after recent mass shootings. Here is the Playbook. 

Booker Talks Gun Violence, Trump Rhetoric in Philly Speech: In his first public appearance as a declared candidate in Pennsylvania, Booker focused on combating gun violence, while accusing President Donald Trump of engaging in “moral vandalism”.

Pennsylvania Congressional Vulnerability: Baseline Ratings for 2020: The first rankings for vulnerability for the year include 2 GOP held seats as the most vulnerable in the state.

Skopov to Challenge Turzai Again in 2020: The Democrat lost to the GOP House Speaker by close to 9 points in her 2018 bid for the seat in Allegheny County.

Harrisburg & DC   
Post-Gazette: Wolf declines calls for special session on gun laws unless consensus on bills emerges 
Patriot News: Pa. lawmakers proposing controversial ‘heartbeat’ abortion bill despite Gov. Tom Wolf’s vow to veto 
Patriot News: Bob Casey urges Mitch McConnell to move House gun bill to floor for debate, vote
Patriot News: Gov. Wolf, Sen. Casey call for action on guns after mass shootings
Billy Penn: The NRA hates Pat Toomey, but he still can’t get background checks passed
WITF: Fellow Pa. Dems challenging Leach promise similar policies, but a change in culture
Morning Call: Will Pat Toomey’s gun background check bill even get a vote? 
AP: Court reviews fine in case that could rewrite nepotism rules
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Trump wants states to pass red flag gun laws. Will the Pennsylvania Legislature comply? 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf calls for ‘swift passage’ of red flag law, universal background checks in wake of El Paso, Dayton shootings
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. ICE detainee stops her own deportation with a phone call
PA Post: Pa. educators turn to Secret Service for safety advice
City Paper: Sen. Pat Toomey says assault weapons are too popular to ban, but his constituents disagree  
StateImpactPA: Pipeline experts say vapor buildup likely led to explosion at Chester County pump station
StateImpactPA: Who will decide the future of the South Philly refinery?
Beaver County Times: State honors Purple Heart recipients Aug. 7 
PLSReporter: Dems renew call for special session on gun control while key Republicans preach patience

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Could Johnny Doc face two trials? Codefendants urge separate proceedings for embezzlement, corruption allegations 
Inquirer: ‘Expanding Sanctuary’ documents Latinx role in Philly’s campaign to end PARS access 
Inquirer: Here’s how to have your say in the future use of the fire-damaged Philadelphia refinery site
Inquirer: Sen. Cory Booker Campaigns in Philadelphia 
Inquirer: Haverford student, 22, who hacked the IRS for Donald Trump’s tax returns, pleads guilty
PlanPhilly: Who will decide the future of the South Philly refinery?
KYW Newsradio: Dougherty co-defendants in federal corruption case want separate trial, distance from Henon      
WHYY Newsworks: Defense attorney: No overlap between ‘Johnny Doc’ and co-defendants
WHYY Newsworks: Philly mother decries ‘a slow-moving massacre in our city’ after latest mass shootings 
WHYY Newsworks: Dangerous South Philly refinery chemical still poses threat to community 
PLSReporter: Philadelphia announces Hepatitis A outbreak
Billy Penn: After protests and staff walkout, two West Philly restaurants close for bias training

SEPA 
Pottstown Mercury: Pa. lawmaker offers plan to eliminate property tax
Pottstown Mercury: Mass shooting vigil set for Thursday in Smith Family Plaza 
Bucks County Courier Times: Congressman Fitzpatrick hosts Democrat Conor Lamb, addresses veteran affairs
Bucks County Courier Times: DEP finds PFAS chemicals in soil near contaminated Rockhill water wells
Bucks County Courier Times: Woman ejected from Sesame Place for alleged racist remarks 
Inquirer: Activists flag cops’ offensive Facebook posts, prompting probes across Montgomery County
KYW Newsradio: Watchdog group reveals more offensive social media posts from suburban cops
KYW Newsradio: Federal judge moves discrimination suit forward for 2 teachers fired over Palestinian speaker outrage
KYW Newsradio: ‘Backfire’ boom on Mariner East Two shakes Chesco residents literally and figuratively
Philly Voice: Exclusive: Watchdog group finds offensive social media posts from 32 police officers in Montgomery County
AP: Feds: Haverford College students tried to access Trump’s tax return 
Daily Local News: Chester County comments on pipeline incident 
Daily Local News: Downingtown Municipal Water Authority to review its bulk sales with Sunoco after public concerns are raised 
Daily Local News: Rep. Houlahan visits beer wholesaler in Hatfield 

Pittsburgh  
KDKA: Local Lawmakers Demand Action On Federal And State Gun Legislation 
KDKA: Students Can Get Free Breakfast And Lunch In Ambridge Area School District
Post-Gazette: Parks Conservancy to host four more public meetings on ‘Parks Plan,’ ballot initiative 
Tribune Review: Game Commission proposal to ban feeding deer and turkeys draws a lot of interest
PLSReporter: Allegheny County unveils record expungement and sealing program
City Paper: Sen. Pat Toomey says assault weapons are too popular to ban, but his constituents disagree 
City Paper: CMU forms center to research the influence of online disinformation

SWPA
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Local hospitals get mixed marks in Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council’s Common Procedures Report
Beaver County Times: Commissioners, Marion Township residents to collaborate on Brush Creek 
Observer-Reporter: New addiction treatment facility in Greene already needs to expand
Altoona Mirror: Ickes to replace Paule on GOP ballot 
Altoona Mirror: TASD to vote on temporary superintendent replacement

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Scranton City Council appoints attorney to fill vacant seat
Times-Tribune: Residents express anger over Scranton school tax hikes 
Times-Tribune: Scranton’s new mayor faces old stormwater problem 
Times-Tribune: Wasko seeks Republican mayor nomination 
The Times Leader: Luzerne County voting district reductions and additions planned 
The Times Leader: Applicant for Luzerne County Council seat appears ineligible
The Times Leader: Advocacy group fights for grandparents raising grandchildren
Citizens Voice: County council interviews 5 candidates for board vacancy

South Central  
LNP | LancasterOnline: ‘It’s just common sense,’ Toomey says, calling for background checks to pass Congress 
Patriot News: Pa. lawmakers proposing controversial ‘heartbeat’ abortion bill despite Gov. Tom Wolf’s vow to veto 
Patriot News: Bob Casey urges Mitch McConnell to move House gun bill to floor for debate, vote
Patriot News: Gov. Wolf, Sen. Casey call for action on guns after mass shootings

Lehigh Valley    
Express Times: Democrat challenging District Attorney Jim Martin withdraws amid cancer fight
Reading Eagle: Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture visits Berks to tout new app that will make it easier to find fresh produce
Reading Eagle: Bern Township adopts social media policy  
Morning Call: Will Pat Toomey’s gun background check bill even get a vote?
Morning Call: Tensions rise over how Lehigh Valley picks which transportation projects will get dwindling pot of money
Morning Call: Chief Alsleben defends Allentown police force’s work, faces criticism from dissatisfied residents

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Former Erie Mayor Sinnott interested in Ohio post 
Erie Times-News: Wi-Fi plan for Erie’s Opportunity Zones moves forward 
Erie Times-News: Erie Coke asks to introduce new info in shutdown fight
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Commissioners: Violent crimes are ‘under control’ 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Formation of city ethics commission in early stages 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County to save $1.2 million in bond refinancing 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Community prayer vigil to be held tonight 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Officials break ground for cancer center expansion 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Muncy considers road safety, flooding

Opinion  
LNP Editorial Board: Hunger is a real issue for many college students 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Stop foreign intervention: Congress must protect the integrity our elections 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Confidence shattered: Gas explosion rocked Washington neighborhood 
Inquirer Editorial Board: Improving a neighborhood isn’t so simple, even for groups who care about the same place
Guy Reschenthaler: Mueller show’s over; it’s time to move on
Wayne D. Fontana: This new student loan program will make college more affordable for more Pa. students
John L. Micek: America is at a turning point with guns. Again 
Inquirer Staff: ‘A sense of spiritual stillness’: Philly writers reflect on Toni Morrison’s profound impact | Perspective
John L. Micek: ‘Symbolic steps on guns don’t save lives,’ Top Senate Republican says she’ll hold hearings on gun safety measures
Mark O’Keefe: The high cost of the Pa. Turnpike is taking a toll on all of us. Lawmakers should approve this plan for relief
Solomon Jones: White supremacists are right about one thing: Donald Trump is their president
Dan Simpson: American leaders need to tackle guns, climate change
Christopher J. Ferguson: No, violent video games are not to blame for mass shootings. Stop saying they are
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: The Beloved Toni Morrison
David Zimbalist: After tone-deaf response to sexual assault allegations, Curtis Institute should clean house 
Madeline Bell: CEO of CHOP: Girl Scouts taught me leadership 
The Angry Grammarian: Does labeling tragedies as ‘terrorism’ empower the culprits or comfort the victims? 
Maria Panaritis: Driving while black in Wyeth country 
Jordan M. Hyatt and Carina Gallo: The A$AP Rocky case shines light on a different approach to criminal justice