Rafferty for Attorney General: John Rafferty will throw his hat in the ring for PA Attorney General, the Montgomery County State Senator confirmed to PoliticsPA yesterday afternoon.

New Orie Charges: State Sen. Jane Orie will face new charges in Allegheny County, including forgery and tampering with evidence.

Metcalfe Slams Obama: State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe is throwing some fire at Barack Obama this week, criticizing the President’s recent executive order calling for a review of deportation orders. He called the President’s action “treasonous.”

Philly Mag Montco GOP: Philadelphia Magazine has an in-depth look at the factionalism over the past decade that has plagued the Montgomery County Republican Committee, which once upon a time was singled out for praise by Ronald Reagan.

National
The Hill: Corruption In Afghan Government Has Potential To Compromise U.S. Military Mission, Says Sen. Casey
Roll Call: Sen. Toomey Among Supercommittee Members Likely To Be Sympathetic To Desires of Republican Study Committee
Washington Post: Democrats Gain Partial Victory In August Town Halls
Los Angeles Times: Hurricane Irene; Broadway: Storm’s Economic Damage Less Than Feared
Philadelphia Inquirer: Republican Field Still Wide Open To Challenge Casey
Philadelphia Inquirer: Politics- and Evolution- Are Oh So Personal
AP, York Daily Record: Critics: Obama slow to fill disaster aid coffers

Statewide
Trib Live: Pennsylvania Lawmakers See Online Sales Tax Net Loss
Post Gazette: Pa. Governor’s Panel Advises More Red-Light Cameras
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Gas Lease, Royalty Income Taxes Top $100 Million
PR: State Legislators Call Out Obama on Treasonous Immigration
PA Senate Republican News: Senate Education Committee Hears Testimony on Chairmen’s Charter School Bill
State House Sound Bytes: New charges against Orie filed in Allegheny County
Capitol Ideas: Philly Mag takes a devastating look at the decline of MontCo’s Republicans
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Gas lease, royalty income taxes top $100 million
StateImpact: One day later, more than 400,000 Pennsylvanians still without power
State House Sound Bytes: Smurfer patrol
Times Tribune: Angeli departs gaming board
AP, The Times Leader: President issues emergency declaration for Pa.
Standard Speaker: Illegal immigration bills in spotlight
AP, Standard Speaker: Pa. state senator charged with forgery, perjury
AP, Standard Speaker: Corbett views flooding, as state seeks federal aid
Chambersburg Public Opinion: Rep. Kelly calls for more ways to raise money for Pa. highways

Philly
AP, The Patriot-News: State of Emergency Declared in Philly as Irene Nears City
Philadelphia Inquirer: Nutter: No Price Tag For Irene Yet
Philadelphia Inquirer: How Did City Government Perform During Hurricane?
Philadelphia Inquirer: Viaduct Revival
Philly Clout: Cheri Hokala Adds Horse Stunt To Sherriff’s Campaign
Fox Philly: Mayor Nutter Praises Hurricane Irene Response, Answers Critics
News Works: Philadelphia Mayor Thanks Residents For Pitching In and After of Irene
Philadelphia Inquirer: The American Debate: Republicans are Running Right, Maybe Right Off the Map
Philadelphia Daily News: Stu Bykofsky: Councilwoman Sanchez Not In Step On the ICE Issue

Philly Suburbs
Philly Magazine What Would Reagan Say About Montco Dems?
Action News: Philly and PA Counties Watch For River Flooding
Philly Burbs: Cawley comes home to survey damage
Philly Burbs: Bensalem Mayor: Cleanup Will Be “Incredible Expense’
Philly Burbs: Montco Dem candidates excel at ribbon cuttings
Daily Times: Pa. Lieutenant Governor to Visit Darby Borough
AP, Daily Times: Bottom Line on Irene: Wet, Deadly, Expensive, But No Monster
Montgomery Media: Zoning Board Dismisses Challenge to Abington’s Transit District
Montgomery Media: Hatfield Township Looks to Preserve 10 Acres
Montgomery Media: Study Shows Questions Remain About Economic Benefits of Marcellus Stale
Bucks Local News: Bucks County Congressman Michael Fitzpatrick Urges Federal Disaster Declaration
Fox Philly: 11 Pa. Counties Targeted For Disaster Aid

South Central
Patriot News: U.S. State Department looking at foreign workers’ host agency in Hershey-area labor dispute
Patriot News: Harrisburg faces critical vote on fiscal recovery plan

NEPA
Times Tribune: NEPA districts face boundary shifts
Times Tribune: New documents filed in alleged political firing case
Times Tribune: Governor to visit damaged areas in region; some roads reopen

Leigh Valley
The Morning Call : 21,000 PPL customers still without power

Opinion
Capitol Ideas: Gov Corbett Asks For Emergency Assistance:
Big Tent: Casey: Corruption Threatens Afghani Gains
State House Sound Bites: Assessment of Irene Damage
Attywood: Rick Perry Doesn’t Allow Hurricane To Stop Rally
Pennsylvania Ave: Irene Thwarts Santorum

Blogs
PA Water Cooler: Santorum’s Chickens Come Home To Roost
LuLac Political Letter: Lou Barletta on Medicare
Keystone Politics: Public Sector Jobs Not The Road To Riches