Dr. Jill Biden and Sen. Bob Casey will discuss reopening PA schools in a virtual campaign event today, while a new poll shows former VP Joe Biden leading President Donald Trump by 3 points in PA. Here is the Playbook.

Pence to Headline ‘Cops for Trump’ Event in Westmoreland County: On Thursday, Vice President Mike Pence will headline a ‘Cops for Trump’ event in Greensburg, then head to Somerset to lead a conversation on America’s economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gravis Poll: Biden 48, Trump 45: Former Vice President Joe Biden leads President Donald Trump in PA by 3 points. FiveThirtyEight grades the pollster as having a slight Democratic lean, although this specific poll had 43% that were self described conservatives, 36% moderates, and 20% liberal.

Jill Biden and Bob Casey To Discuss Reopening PA Schools in Virtual Campaign Event: Dr. Jill Biden, Sen. Bob Casey, and President of the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers Nina Esposito-Vigitis will discuss “how a plan to safely reopen schools is essential to the health and safety of their community,” on Tuesday.

Guilfoyle to Headline ‘Catholics for Trump’ Virtual Event in PA: Kimberly Guilfoyle, National Chair of the Trump Victory Finance Committee, will discuss the current political situation in Pennsylvania and “explain how Catholic voters can help re-elect President Trump, on Monday evening.

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Wolf lets bill on records access during disasters become law 
AP: Pennsylvania school leaders to state: We need more help 
AP: 800-plus new cases in Pennsylvania as Phillies game canceled
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Workers to Pa. lawmakers: Take risks to keep us safe and paid during COVID — and after 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Planned Parenthood to launch $1.25M Pa. push to help Biden, down ballot Dems 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: COVID-19 causes national coin shortage, U.S. Mint confirms 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: How Pa. courts are handling cases of animal abuse | The Numbers Racket 
Patriot News: Gov. Tom Wolf allows public records bill to become law but uses announcement to criticize GOP 
Patriot News: Pa. essential workers say they have to choose between their health and a paycheck 
Patriot News: Pa. Liquor Control Board names new executive director 
Patriot News: Poland-based company expected to spend more than $300 million to build large manufacturing plant in Pa. 
Patriot News: Pa. tavern apologizes for menu item mocking Secretary of Health Rachel Levine
Patriot News: Which states have the most confirmed coronavirus cases (7/27/2020): Where does Pa. stand? 
Inquirer: Another Pennsylvania poll shows Joe Biden leading Trump 
PLSReporter: Despite a pledge to veto, Wolf to let public records bill become law 
PLSReporter: Wolf doubles-down on mask requirement for students as GOP questions school plans 
PLSReporter: COVID-19 by the numbers: A statewide look at the coronavirus in Pa. 
Fox News: Philadelphia police cruisers across city targeted, set on fire
Fox News: Biden takes aim at Trump over coronavirus in new ad blitz courting seniors
Forbes: House Passes Bill To Cancel $10,000 In Private Student Loans For Every Borrower
NBC News: Pro-Trump super PAC losing the money race to Democrats
National Journal: Biden Leads in AZ, FL, MI, NC, PA, WI Polls 
Politico: Pro-immigrant messages could move undecided voters in swing states 
Politico: Trump’s Summer of Love Is a Distant Memory Now
KDKA: Pa. Bar And Restaurant Owners To Testify At State Capitol, Seeking Recovery Package To Help With Losses Due To Coronavirus Restrictions
KDKA: Federal Court Rules Pa. Attorney General Josh Shapiro Can Pursue Lawsuit Against Navient  
Philadelphia Business Journal: Pennsylvania attorney general scores legal victory against Navient
ABC27: Gov. Wolf calls for a raise on PA minimum wage
CNN: Ex-GOP governor: ‘No question’ Trump could question election 
CNN: Ex-DHS Sec. Tom Ridge says presence of federal authorities in Portland ‘not consistent’ with agency’s mission
Morning Call: MAP: Where coronavirus is in Pennsylvania 

Philadelphia 
KYW Newsradio: Philly unveils plan to reduce racial disparities in COVID-19 pandemic
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia officials, US attorney spat over large event ban
WHYY Newsworks: Millions of paycheck protection dollars went to Pennsylvania lobbyists 
WHYY Newsworks: State NAACP condemns Philly chapter president’s anti-Semitic meme, won’t act without national guidance 
WHYY Newsworks: What we know about kids and COVID-19 as Philly region grapples with back-to-school plans 
WHYY Newsworks: Battleground 2020: 100 days out
Inquirer: Philly is stepping up enforcement of coronavirus rules for outdoor dining 
Inquirer: Philly working to minimize spread after Marlins outbreak; new cases trending up in Pa.; young people urged to take caution when socializing 
Inquirer: Parties indoors are ‘playing with fire,’ N.J. governor warns; Philly outlines steps to reduce coronavirus risk in communities of color
Philadelphia Tribune: NAACP, Urban League, other organizations to co-host virtual ‘Census Party’ 
Billy Penn: 10 ways the School District of Philadelphia can become an antiracist organization

SEPA
Daily Local News: Lawmakers target PPP loan forgiveness for small businesses
Daily Local News: Questions raised about West Chester’s finances, plans
Daily Local News: Monday Update: Department of Health reports 839 new coronavirus cases and more in younger age groups
Bucks Local News: Bucks County ‘Back the Blue’ rally to show support for local law enforcement
Bucks Local News: Yardley Borough Council votes unanimously to create voluntary auxiliary police unit 
Bucks County Courier Times: Bensalem to consider hybrid back-to-school plan
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County authorizes $1.7M in coronavirus contracts
Pottstown Mercury: Limerick supervisors grapple over ‘racist’ accusation and masks

Pittsburgh 
KDKA: ‘It’s Ground Zero’: Western Pennsylvania A Hot Spot For Campaign Visits This Week 
KDKA: Second Lady Karen Pence To Visit Pittsburgh, Will Focus On Local Veterans’ Affairs 
KDKA: Parents, School Leaders Weighing Challenges Surrounding Safely Transporting Children To And From School Amid Coronavirus Outbreak 
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Announces 180 More Coronavirus Cases, Total Rises To 7,474
Post-Gazette: House Dems vote to remove Confederate statues with an assist from Pa. Republicans
Post-Gazette: U.S. Senate approves Pittsburgh attorney for federal bench 
Post-Gazette: More frequency, better connectivity cited by Allegheny County residents as goals for NEXTransit campaign 
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County marks fifth straight day of triple-digit increase in COVID-19 cases
WESA: Pittsburgh’s Economy Will Take A Hit Without That Weekly $600 From The Feds 
WESA: Split Ticket: Western Pennsylvania Voters Talk Climate Change And Fracking 
WESA: New Census Memorandum ‘Discriminates’ And ‘Disenfranchises’ Says Casa San Jose Executive Director 
WESA: Prominent Local Activists Face Protest-Related Charges 
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh officials: Floating cinema promoter hasn’t sought required permits 
Tribune Review: New hospitalizations for covid-19 remain low for Allegheny County
City Paper: Man at pro-police counter protest shouts “kill transgenders” at Black Lives Matter rally in suburban Pittsburgh

SWPA 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Vice President Pence scheduled to attend Somerset event Thursday 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: More than $1 million available for city businesses affected by COVID-19 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Somerset County has 6 new COVID-19 cases among 839 statewide
Beaver County Times: Beaver County police: poor mask behavior could be disorderly conduct, trespassing 
Beaver County Times: Beaver, Lawrence COVID-19 cases continue to rise
Tribune Review: Westmoreland controller does about-face on mask wearing
Observer-Reporter: State health secretary: COVID-19 cases still on the rise in Pennsylvania, wear a mask 
Observer-Reporter: Canon-McMillan moves to hybrid plan to reopen school
Altoona Mirror: Tea party cancels meeting
Altoona Mirror: Council may tweak professional licensing policies
Altoona Mirror: Blair empanels first juries in months

NEPA
The Times Leader: Rep. Toohil cancels Senior Expo due to COVID-19 concerns
The Times Leader: Former Luzerne County election director must pay fine for ethics code violation, state says
The Times Leader: Crispell’s conflict: Ex-Luzerne County election director must pay ethics violation fine
The Times Leader: Mountain Top resident Demko tapped to lead Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board
The Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre Police Department testing body cameras
The Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area does poorly in ranking of ‘most educated cities’ 
The Times Leader: 12 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County; 839 statewide
Citizens Voice: State ethics commission fines former county election director Crispell 
Citizens Voice: County council to vote on proposed tax deadline extension
Citizens Voice: PLCB appoints new executive director 
Citizens Voice: 12 new COVID-19 cases reported in county; 839 statewide
Patriot News: Poland-based company expected to spend more than $300 million to build large manufacturing plant in Pa.  
Times-Tribune: PLCB appoints new executive director 
Times-Tribune: Wayne County Commissioners announce $2.4 million in funds for businesses, nonprofits impacted by pandemic 
Times-Tribune: Scranton School District could create equity plan 
Times-Tribune: Valley View School Board approves plan to start year with online learning 
Times-Tribune: Four new COVID-19 deaths statewide, but one in NEPA

South Central 
York Dispatch: ‘It’s huge’: GOP sponsor celebrates Gov. Tom Wolf not vetoing RTK bill
York Dispatch: York County focus shifts to virtual learning as shutdowns loom
York Dispatch: UPDATE: York County has 31 new cases of COVID-19, 1 new death
LNP | LancasterOnline: ‘Where is the little guy?’: Pa. convenience store owners band together to keep games of skill
LNP | LancasterOnline: College students create grassroots group aimed at supporting Black Lives Matter movement in Lancaster
LNP | LancasterOnline: Data shows 14 Lancaster police departments are largely white, male; advocates call for change, chiefs say they lack applicants. 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Monday’s COVID-19 updates: Pa. up to 108K cases; Lancaster County has 5.3K
Patriot News: A church’s call for criminal justice reform reaches Episcopal diocese of central Pennsylvania 
Patriot News: Big Spring School District to offer two days in-person instruction this fall
Patriot News: More than 800 new coronavirus cases reported in Pa. Monday 
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: Cumberland County reports 23 cases of COVID-19 Monday, hits its highest seven-day rolling average for cases
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: COVID-19 case rate increase in Cumberland County ‘not significantly concerning at this time’

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: Judge rules order to release children detained at Berks County Residential Center cannot be enforced 
Reading Eagle: Reading extends contract with police and hires interim public works director 
Reading Eagle: Rate of new coronavirus cases continues to rise in Berks County and Pennsylvania
Morning Call: In place of the annual celebration, this year’s Puerto Rican Day march in Allentown focuses on oppression, resistance
Express Times: What happened to a half million worth of taxpayer dollars? Easton charter school auditor suspects fraud
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus update: State tops 108K cases with 839 new positives; 14 Pa. counties with ‘concerning’ case rates; vaccine testing underway | Pa. COVID-19 county case map (07/27/20)
North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Area schools approve safety plans for reopening
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County five new COVID-19 cases
Patriot News: Pa. tavern apologizes for menu item mocking Secretary of Health Rachel Levine
Patriot News: Flag-burning activist sues Lewisburg, claims its burn law violates free speech
Centre Daily Times: With 1 new COVID-19 case added, Centre County keeps ‘sudden spike’ in overall count
Erie Times-News: Erie County school reopening plans remain fluid
Erie Times-News: Millcreek to survey parents on school reopening options

Opinion  
Kerry Benninghoff: We need to make sure schools are ready to open this fall
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Who is in charge? 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Time to bring our troops home 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: War is not a game 
Inquirer Editorial Board: ‘Totally blindsided’: Tenants and attorneys say evictions come as a surprise 
Delco Daily Times Editorial: Pennsylvania essential workers deserve raise to minimum wage
John L. Micek: Wolf lets GOP-authored open records bill lapse into law without his signature | Monday Morning Coffee
Yasha Zarrinkelk and Dena Ferrara Driscoll: SEPTA and other transit systems are in dire need of more coronavirus relief 
Ezekiel J. Emanuel and Connor Boyle: It’s not too late to learn life-saving lessons from reopening failures 
Charlie Gerow: Joe Biden’s winning strategy won’t work 
Tony Norman: Person. Woman. Man. Camera. TV: The Sequel
Michael Froehlich: Homeowners of color being hit harder during the pandemic as history repeats itself
Amol S. Navathe and Joshua M. Liao: Barring visitors from hospitals can worsen patient care during COVID | Expert Opinion
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Sexistaurus roams Congress and takes on AOC
Dick Polman: These are the 3 big reasons Biden is trumping Trump