Two Democratic Congressional candidates in Western PA released their first ads, while Barletta pins Casey as an obstructionist during Kavanaugh’s hearings. Here is the Playbook.

PA17: Lamb’s 1st Ad Channels Message from Special Election Victory: He vows to fight against outside special interest groups.

PA8: NRCC 1st Ad Attacks Cartwright on Taxes: The NRCC has the district as a top target.

PA16: DiNicola Talks Fighting Special Interests in 1st TV Ad: He highlights taking on the federal government to protect workers benefits.

Harrisburg & DC
PennLive: Barletta: Casey’s ‘blind obstructionism’ of Kavanaugh is a ‘dereliction of duty’ | Thursday Coffee
PennLive: Gov. Wolf gets first-hand look at damage from last week’s flooding
PennLive: Pa. Attorney General Josh Shapiro discusses predator priests and the legal fights they’re still causing  
PennLive: Corrupt politicians don’t have to pay restitution, but people who steal from nonprofits do: Pa. court
Morning Call: Wake-up Call: Anonymous op-ed claims internal Trump resistance; PA-7 forums set for October
WTAE: President Donald Trump to attend 9/11 anniversary ceremony in Shanksville, Pennsylvania
WHYY Newsworks: Bill To Keep Guns Out Of The Hands Of Domestic Abusers Stalled In PA
Post-Gazette: State prisons plan crackdown on illegal drugs, officials announce
PLSReporter: Even though ruled law of the land, how to put Janus into state code sparks controversy
PLSReporter: House Labor & Industry hold hearing for PA overtime threshold and minimum wage
StateImpactPA: StateImpact’s ‘energy, explained’ podcast: Episode 1 — A very controversial pipeline
AP: Major opioid maker to pay for overdose-antidote development
WITF: As prison lockdowns continue, ACLU voices concerns
Pittsburgh Business Times: Wolf administration awards more than $30 million in new RACP grants to projects in region  
AP: Redistricting Battles Already Playing Out In 2018 Midterms
Observer-Reporter: Gov. Wolf visits SCI-Greene to announce new safety measures for state prisons

Philadelphia
Billy Penn: Why Ryan Pownall’s murder trial will be Philly’s most-watched in decades
Inquirer: ‘Outraged’ Philly Council members demand answers after Glen Mills assault
Inquirer: Roosevelt Boulevard is on pace for a deadly year. Could speed cameras help?
Inquirer: Philly pays $600K to settle latest suit against Officer Cyrus Mann, cop who shot 3
Inquirer: Teachers leave Philly schools at especially high rates, new study says
Inquirer: Cosby sued for failing to pay legal bills
WHYY Newsworks: ‘You have to have hope:’ Sotomayor brings messages for children to Free Library
WHYY Newsworks: Judge orders pair who fundraised for homeless man to testify
Philadelphia Business Journal: Philadelphia-area school districts with the best teachers

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Limerick will soon be debt free
Bucks County Courier Times: State Rep. Tina Davis hosting annual Senior Expo on Thursday
Bucks County Courier Times: Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick plans water contamination task force
Delco Daily Times: Longtime GOP stalwart Tom Judge Sr. feted on his retirement from courthouse
Delco Daily Times: Delco GOP head joins Supreme Court Disciplinary Board
WHYY Newsworks: Ryan super PAC invests in Bucks County congressional race
Inquirer: Former Lower Southampton public safety director pleads guilty in $400,000 money-laundering scheme
Philadelphia Business Journal: Philadelphia-area school districts with the best teachers

Pittsburgh
City Paper: Internal poll shows Democrat state Senate nominee Lindsey Williams with 9-point lead over Republican Jeremy Shaffer
Post-Gazette: State prisons plan crackdown on illegal drugs, officials announce
Post-Gazette: New fund to address social justice crises in black community
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh Public: Installing air conditioning in schools would cost millions
Post-Gazette: Diocese of Pittsburgh sends DA sexual misconduct allegation against former bishop
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County Jail partially lifts lockdown
Post-Gazette: Appeals court upholds Pittsburgh church’s firing of pastor
Post-Gazette: Behind that new Giant Eagle contract, a trend toward union mergers and different tactics
Tribune Review: Clairton steelworkers signal they’re ready to strike; U.S. Steel says that won’t happen
Tribune Review: Former Greensburg Bishop Anthony Bosco accused of ‘inappropriate touching’
Tribune Review: Nike, Kaepernick ads called ‘gutsy move’ as reaction continues
Pittsburgh Business Times: Wolf administration awards more than $30 million in new RACP grants to projects in region
WESA: How Anti-Abortion Protests In Pittsburgh Spawned A Movement
WTAE: President Donald Trump to attend 9/11 anniversary ceremony in Shanksville, Pennsylvania

SWPA
Beaver County Times: Building support
Observer-Reporter: Gov. Wolf visits SCI-Greene to announce new safety measures for state prisons
Observer-Reporter: Seventh judge to be elected in 2019, commissioners study where to put courtroom
Observer-Reporter: Washington County Democratic Committee to hold banquet
Observer-Reporter: Cook to hold town hall in California
Observer-Reporter: Ortitay to hold health expo
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Trump to attend 9/11 anniversary ceremony in Shanksville
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Lawmakers look for legal answers about switch to separate playoffs for private schools

NEPA
The Times Leader: As Bambera looked on, abusive ‘Father Ned’ got new assignment
The Times Leader: Ratings agency interested in Wilkes-Barre plan after Act 47 rejection by state
The Times Leader: Public grand opening Friday for new Luzerne County record storage site
Times-Tribune: Commissioners approve extending KOZ benefits at lots targeted for business expansion
Citizens Voice: Congressional candidate Meuser changes voting residence to property in 9th district

South Central
PennLive: Gov. Wolf gets first-hand look at damage from last week’s flooding
PennLive: Pa. Attorney General Josh Shapiro discusses predator priests and the legal fights they’re still causing
PennLive: Harrisburg schools superintendent won’t provide job title for administrator earning $115K
PennLive: Corrupt politicians don’t have to pay restitution, but people who steal from nonprofits do: Pa. court
PennLive: York DA rules officer-involved shooting was justified

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Wake-up Call: Anonymous op-ed claims internal Trump resistance; PA-7 forums set for October
Morning Call: PA-7 congressional candidates to take stage at first general election forums
Express Times: Pen Argyl mayor resigns; takes Williams Township position

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Locals critique police use of excessive force
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Out-of-district address ousts city school board member
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Republicans to hold fall dinner
Erie Times-News: New community school director hope to effect change

Opinion
Times-Tribune Editorial Board: Keep guns from abusers
Rick Jensen: Verizon’s life-or-death ‘mistake’ with California firefighters
Ronnie Polaneczky: Mom’s heartbreaking request: Help our sick kids save future children
Inquirer Editorial Board: Americans deserve to know more about Brett Kavanaugh’s time in the White House
Stu Bykofsky: Don’t wear blindfolds for crime suspects
Mike Newall: How Philly’s overheated schools show disregard for our students
Trudy Rubin: American political drama inspires London theater
Charing Ball: ‘Cosby Show’ actor shamed for his side gig: Another indignity for the creative class
John Rennie Short: Campaign season is moving into high gear – your vote may not count as much as you think
Kathleen E. Carey: Take guns from abusers; no one should have to ‘live in fear’
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: The cancer at OSU: Revelations of mishandled abuse allegations pile up
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Stopping the rot: McKeesport is acting to halt blight and related ills
Brian O’Neill: Heat dismissal? Students must learn to suffer