Clinton leads Trump, Beemer fires Castor and we ask our readers about the Senate race between McGinty and Toomey. Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

Reader Poll: Katie McGinty or Pat Toomey?: We ask our readers who they prefer in the PA Senate race?

Reader Poll: Khan Leads Crowded Democratic Field: The results for our survey on the Philly DA Democratic primary.

Trump Talks About Divide with Toomey (VIDEO): The GOP presidential nominee brushed off the Senator’s desire to keep him at arm’s length.

Washington Post/SurveyMonkey Poll: Clinton 47% Trump 43%: The group surveyed all fifty states.

PA-Sen: Toomey Hits McGinty in New TV Ad (VIDEO): The Senator is hoping immigration will energize voters.

Trump Coming Back to Philly: The GOP presidential nominee will be speaking at the Union League Wednesday morning.

Beemer Boots Castor, Announces New Staff Members: The new Attorney General makes more personnel announcements.

PA-Sen: Toomey Issues His Own Debate Challenge: The Toomey camp renews this campaign’s debate over debates.

Statewide
Capitolwire: DePasquale warns of potential ‘transportation disaster’ following PA Turnpike Commission audit
Capitolwire: Pennsylvania looks elsewhere for PlanCon reform
Capitolwire: POINT OF ORDER: PA’s PLCB ‘asset’ has far more liabilities than it appears able to cover
PLS Reporter: General Fund revenue lags behind estimates
PLS Reporter: DePasquale audit shows increased tolls won’t fix turnpike’s debt problems
PLS Reporter: Beemer continues staff shakeup at OAG
PLS Reporter: Summer Session: Rep. Seth Grove (R-York)
StateImpactPA: Township moves to halt gas production, citing anger over royalties
State House Sound Bites: Wolf looks to working group for ideas on improving state higher ed
State House Sound Bites: More staffing changes in the AG’s office

Philadelphia
Inquirer: After 45 years, Rendells to divorce
Inquirer: Kenney staffers heading to Europe on a trade mission
Inquirer: Clinton attacks Trump for ‘disrespect’ of vets ahead of Philly visit
Inquirer: McGinty, Toomey trade barbs to launch fall campaign season
Daily News: Baer: Is Pa. still in play for the presidency?
KYW: Wolf strongly defends pay raises for non-union workers.
WHYY Newsworks: U.S. Senate hopefuls kick race into high gear with Philadelphia events
WHYY Newsworks: Kids stage play-in for clean air at City Hall
Billy Penn: Donald Trump has the possibility of a large labor turnout for his campaign support.
Philadelphia Business Journal: Donald Trump scheduled to be in Philadelphia Wednesday September 7th

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Clinton has the ability to lead America
Bucks County Courier Times: Third parties are left in the dark for political debates
Delco Daily Times: Development in Chester can potentially help the current fiscal crisis
Montgomery Media: Clinton and Trump bring a whole new meaning to the free independent press

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: DA’s inquiry looks into county staff referrals to Beechview estate lawyer
Post-Gazette: Contractor faces hefty fine for Liberty Bridge fire
Post-Gazette: ITT Technical Institute closure stuns students
Post-Gazette: Program to aid minority-owned construction firms with competitive bidding
Post-Gazette: Consumers seeking alternatives to EpiPen
Tribune-Review: Increased Pa. cigarette tax rakes in millions
Tribune-Review: Pittsburgh honors legacy of Pirates legend Roberto Clemente
Tribune-Review: Bill Clinton to campaign for Hillary in Pittsburgh on Friday

Southwest
Beaver County Times: Shell buys former PGT Trucking headquarters for $12.5 million
Beaver County Times: Turnpike commission growth projections “should be setting off alarms,” auditor general says
Beaver County Times: Auditor General DePasquale praises county audit results, says cracker plant jobs should go to Pennsylvanians
Tribune-Democrat: Peoples pitches natural gas to Colver residents
Tribune-Democrat: Somerset County, deputy sheriffs will go to arbitration regarding contract

NEPA
Times Leader: Pennsylvania offering buyouts, other aid to Plymouth Township flood victims
Times Leader: Luzerne County union criticized for continued clothing allowance and longevity bonus
Times Leader: Three West Pittston council members resign posts over police chief’s pension
Times-Tribune: Former AG Kane seeks $1 million in divorce case
Times-Tribune: Scranton schools welcome back students, open new center

South Central
Patriot-News: A look at Mayor Eric Papenfuse through on month of his emails
Patriot-News: Ed Rendell is getting a divorce – and the records are sealed
Patriot-News: Middletown drops wards in favor of at-large voting system
Carlisle Sentinel: Audit warns of turnpike’s costs, increase in toll scofflaws
Carlisle Sentinel: Kane’s former No. 2 to leave job next week
York Dispatch: West York puts police chief on leave, names acting chief

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Lehigh Valley Chamber backs increasing minimum wage
Morning Call: Nazareth Mayor resigns amid theft charges
Morning Call: Bethlehem adopts new tax-break district targeting homes north and east of historic main street
Reading Eagle: Prosecutors want 13 more Cosby accusers to testify at his trial
Reading Eagle: Boyertown council changes traffic patterns
Express Times: Chemical spill prompts evacuation, closes roads in Palmer Township

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Centre County seeks HUD grant
Erie Times-News: Erie COunty Council rejects EMTA charter deal
Erie Times-News: Millcreek officials drop election sign complaint

Opinion
Post-Gazette: Keep it plain: Ballot question on judges should be straightforward
Post-Gazette: State treasures: The rare books of Pennsylvania, available to all
Inquirer: Misleading ballot question may raise judges’ retirement age to 75
Inquirer: Plan to change schools’ racial makeup may have cost Upper Darby chief his job
Patriot News: Here are a few questions debate moderators should ask Donald Trump
Patriot News: Does a machine shop in Harrisburg point the way to a manufacturing revival?

Blogs
Keystone Crossroads: Pennsylvania to fund drug addiction treatment centers
Keystone Crossroads: What does it take to preserve a community? In Centralia, memories and faith
LuLac Political Letter: Trump/Clinton Race Narrows