Good morning politicos, and welcome to the buzz.

Tea Party Debate: Rick Santorum didn’t break into front runner status at last night’s debate, but he did score some points on red meat conservative issues. Maybe most notable was a heated back-and-forth with Texas Rep. Ron Paul.

Tom Smith: The coal industry veteran and Tea Party leader has begun the task of reaching out to the state’s myriad grassroots activists and campaign contributors. It’s little surprise that the Senate hopeful is starting with the people who fueled Senator Pat Toomey’s successful run last year.

Todd Platts: Low-key congressman Todd Platts (R-York) has finally stepped foot into the spotlight by earning the chairmanship of this year’s “Obscure Caucus,” compiled by Roll Call.

New Media Campaigning: The Fort Washington-based online ad agency CampaignGrid is expanding. Check out the story in the Inky.

Corbett’s Challenger: They say the early bird catches the worm. Max Myers, a minister from Cumberland County, agrees. Tom Corbett’s first Democratic challenger has already announced his 2014 candidacy.

Action! The Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the oldest continuously sitting high court in America, is finally joining the 21st century by opening its courtrooms to cable television coverage – today.

National
USA Today: Rep. Shuster Waiting On Presidential Candidates Transportation Policies Before Endorsing A Candidate
Fox News: Sen. Toomey, Republicans Slam White House For Pitching Tax Hikes To Pay For Jobs Plan
Politico: Meet Sen. Toomey, Member of the Supercommittee
Fox News: Rep. Shuster Introduced Legislation Last Week That Would Issue Congressional Gold Medal To All Killed On 9/11
NPR: Rep. Critz Speaks With NPR About 9/11’s Impact On Shanksville, Pa.
Pittsburgh Tribune: Obama ‘Supportive’ of Providing Federal Disaster Aid
Republican & Herald: Rep. Holden Speaks About 9/11 In Minersville
Morning Call: Toomey Says Entitlement Programs Must Be Addressed
Associated Press: Perry Assailed by GOP Rivals Defends His Record

Statewide
Pittsburgh Tribune: Pennsylvania Lifts Requirement for Summer-Blend Gas
AP, Post Gazette: Damages Near $50 million in Flooded Eastern PA
Wall Street Journal: Gas Drilling Has New Challenge in Pennsylvania
Capitol Ideas: Corbett Admin Appoints #CenPaFlooding Clean-Up Task Force, Runs Down The Damage
Capitol Ideas: Monday Morning Coffee: Obama Supportive Of Providing Federal Disaster Aid
WITF: Families of Flight 93 Heroes Lay Unidentified Remains to Rest at Crash Site
State Impact: Too Fast of Hydraulic Fracturing?
State Impact: Ohio to Learn From Pennsylvania Fracking Mistakes
State Impact: Pipelines Coming Under Scrutiny
State Impact: Can Pennsylvania’s State Forests Survive Additional Marcellus Shale Drilling?
State Impact: Corbett Ally Takes Over DEP’s Southwestern Office
State Impact: Drill Bits: Summer GAs Regs Waived, And Consol’s Investment Pays Off
Philly.com: Council’s proposed maps, by the numbers
PhillyClout: PICA says August tax collections down compared with last year
Sun Gazette: PennDOT inspecting roads and bridges, but hasn’t released detours
Phillynow.com: Daily Grinder: DROP and paid-sick leave on table this week, again?
AP, Phillburbs.com: Gas pipeline firm in Pa. pulls utility application
AP, Phillyburbs.com: GOP bill would shake up Pa electoral vote count

Philly
Phillynow.com: Fox chase SEPTA station earns LEED certification – but is that a good thing?
CBS Philly: Pa. Supreme Court to allow TV cameras for its Philadelphia return
CBS Philly: Area residents looking for work hope The American Jobs Act will be beneficial
CBS Philly: With eye on job growth, city council weighs 2 bills to cut corporate taxes
CBS Philly: From DROP to PLOP? Council could override mayor’s veto this week
WHYY Newsworks: Citizen created district maps come closer to getting it right

Philly Burbs
Pottstown Mercury: Pa. owed millions in unpaid fines
Phillyburbs.com: Sen. Casey tours flood damage
Delco Daily Times: Irene makes way into Haverford billboard hearing
Bucks Local News: In Newtown, U.S. Senator Casey pushes for GPS program to support national security and jobs at Lockheed Martin
Bucks Local News: Pennsbury students ‘plant’ nearly 3,000 American flags at Garden of Reflection to honor victims of attacks

Pittsburgh
Early Returns: Daily Santorum: let’s party
Early Returns: Monday: Rohrer for Senate?
Post-Gazette: Taxes, spending highlight county executive debate
Post-Gazette: Major inadequacies reported at PWSA
Post-Gazette: Nordenberg urges Senate to reverse funding trend
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania lifts requirements for summer-blend gas

Southwest
Daily Courier: Fayette County employees could get on-site health care clinic -greta
Beaver County Times: Sainovich says county’s repayment demand is “amateurish”
Beaver County Times: Obama calls on Congress to act on jobs bill
Observer-Reporter: For leaders, legacy of Sept. 11 has no end
Observer-Reporter: Stupid remark? Not so

South Central
Carlisle Sentinel: New Kingston Fire Dept Dedicates 9/11 Memorial
York Dispatch: Residents Now Returning Home
Patriot News: Highspire Boil Advisory Lifted
Lancaster Online: Quarryville Backs Draft of Tax Ordinance

NEPA
Citizen’s Voice: Flooding Prompts New Calls for Levee
Standard Speaker: Board Seeks More School Space
Daily Review: County Government Offices Reopen
Times Online: Local Pilot A Part Of 9/11 Jets Tribute
Pocono Record: Park Pumped With Funds For Improvements

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Labor department probes employee records at Stairways in Erie
Centre Daily: Centre County Salvation Army seeks donations for flood victims
Sun Gazette: Pausing to remember
State College: Statewide Democratic candidates to speak at State College fundraiser

Opinion
Lancaster Online: A Chance for Bipartisanship
Post-Gazette: Congress must help the Postal Service to survive
Tribune Review: How Obama protects Teamsters
Tribune Review: Deep in the heart of Texas…
Philadelphia Inquirer: Gaming reform moving ahead?
Philadelphia inquirer: Obama grasps reality: jobs are priority
Courier Express: Property tax system needs to be scrapped
Philadelphia Inquirer: Create reverse police force for Philly
Centre Daily: Time to reauthorize the FAA
Pottstown Mercury: Have we seen the end of political corruption in Pa.?
Pottstown Mercury: Thank you, America, for the golden age of Islam
The Express Times: Lopatong Township Council Preliminary Aproves $309 ASCAP Fee, With Oppostion

Blogs
The New American: Sen. Toomey, the Supercommittee and the Military-Industrial Complex’s War On Defense Cuts
Young Philly Politics: How about a sitdown strike across Hershey’s supply chain?
NEPArtisan: Going Rogan: Free Money is good
John Hanger: Burning trash burries Harrisburg in debt; Ugly numbers
Keystone Politics: Sam Rohrer may announce Senate bid at fundraiser for Birther School Board candidate
Pennsylvania Progressive: A jobs initiative
Lu Lac Political Letter: Looters arrested