Jim Bognet releases his first TV ad of the general election for the race in PA8. Here is the Playbook.

August 7th Ups & Downs: Sen. Bob Casey takes a role with the DNC, a former state rep begins a house-arrest portion of her sentence, plus mail-in advocates tout good news, but see possible trouble ahead for the election. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

PA8: Bognet Hopes to Dodge Cartwright Pre-Existing Playbook with New Ad: The GOP congressional hopeful talked about his roots in northeast Pa., pre-existing conditions, and entitlement programs in his first TV ad of the general election. Cartwright’s campaign isn’t buying it.

Biden Releases Two PA Specific Videos: Former Vice President Joe Biden released two videos on Twitter that target PA voters. One video blames President Donald Trump for the current unemployment rate, while the other is a Scranton-centric video of voters saying why they support the former VP. 

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Lawsuit challenges signature verification of mail-in ballots
AP: Panel delays decision on Pennsylvania sports for two weeks
Spotlight PA: How arguments in Washington are holding up coronavirus relief in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Teachers’ pension fund adopts new, more transparent travel policy after revelations of hidden L.A. trip costs
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: League of Women Voters files federal lawsuit to force Pa. to come up with uniform procedure to authenticate mail-in ballots
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Trump does end run on Congress; signs executive order extending unemployment benefits, suspends payroll taxes
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: It’s August. So it’s Shark Week | Five for Your Weekend
Erie Times-News: PA could spend $1 million on mail-in ballots amid Trump suit 
Patriot News: Pa. sued over rejection of mail-in ballots due to problems with signatures 
Inquirer: Trump’s path to winning Pa. runs through small Rust Belt towns — like one near Biden’s hometown
Inquirer: Can a change of address land you in state prison? If you’re on parole in Pennsylvania, it can.  
PLSReporter: PIAA postpones sports for 2 weeks; wants more information from Wolf Administration 
PLSReporter: Wolf Administration seeks extension of $600 federal unemployment payments 
StateImpactPA: Some faculty’s environmental science research on hold, while others find work around, in face of COVID-19
Delaware Valley Journal: Democrat House Leader Silent on Allegations of Verbal Abuse by Rep. Brian Sims 
KDKA: Pennsylvania Quickly Recovering From Unemployment Claims Filed During The Coronavirus Pandemic, Study Finds
National Journal: Charlie Cook’s Tour of American Politics
WESA: In Another Voting Lawsuit, League Of Women Voters Sues Pennsylvania Over Mail-In Ballot Procedures  
The Hill: Biden leads Trump in battlegrounds of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin: poll
Post-Gazette: Less than a year after paying off prior debt, Pennsylvania is borrowing money from the federal government for its unemployment systems
Politico: Biden continues to lead in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, polls indicate
Politico: Trump aides exploring executive actions to curb voting by mail 
Politico: Black Lives Matter movement sparks ‘collective awakening’ on marijuana policies
Huffington Post: ‘Yo Semite’ T-Shirts Sell Bigly At Jewish Museum After Trump Gaffe

Philadelphia 
Inquirer: Philly and the suburbs want to set up extra election offices for a new kind of early voting
Inquirer: Trump boat parade comes to Philly and cruises down the Delaware River: ‘Today’s about America’ 
Inquirer: Gov. Tom Wolf is asking the feds to offer disaster loans to arson victims during Philly’s George Floyd protests  
Inquirer: COVID-19 has shut hundreds of the Philly-area’s small businesses, Yelp says. And that’s just for starters. 
Inquirer: Community groups rally in West Philly to protest Penn, Drexel cops’ presence at 52nd Street teargassing
Inquirer: A growing number of Philly-area school districts are planning virtual openings, relieving some parents and frustrating others
Inquirer: More Philly-area school districts plan virtual openings | Morning Newsletter
KYW Newsradio: After Philly gun violence spikes, Council to convene emergency hearing
KYW Newsradio: School District of Philadelphia weighs factors needed to resume in-person education
KYW Newsradio: School District negotiates new union contracts, amid COVID-19 concerns 
WHYY Newsworks: Marchers push Drexel, Penn to dissolve private police forces by 2025
Philadelphia Magazine: Mayor Kenney’s Thursday Zoom Press Conference Didn’t Go So Well
Philadelphia Tribune: Kenney joins calls for Philly NAACP to oust Rodney Muhammad over anti-Semitic meme he shared
Philadelphia Tribune: City launches initiative to help students gain internet access
Philadelphia Gay News: Local LGBTQ leaders chosen as delegates to DNC
Philly Voice: Mayor Kenney joins calls for Philly NAACP president to resign after posting anti-Semitic meme
Philly Voice: Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf seeks loans for victims of Philly fires set during social unrest
Philadelphia Business Journal: Trump’s Yosemite gaffe brings towering sales to National Museum of American Jewish History 
Billy Penn: How fast is the coronavirus spreading (or not) in Philadelphia? Check this chart

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Congressional candidate Barnette supports reopening schools
Pottstown Mercury: Montgomery County approves $1.7M in coronavirus contracts 
Delco Daily Times: Delaware County council spends over $2M to get ready for election 
Daily Local News: Constables want pipeline charges thrown out
Daily Local News: Appointment may come soon for Chester County court
Daily Local News: West Chester’s new budget reality — $9 million in cuts 
Daily Local News: Several Chester County schools get $500,000 in state funding 
Daily Local News: Chesco COVID-19 webinar series continues Aug. 13
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County works to revise mail-in ballot strategy ahead of general election 
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County has lowest coronavirus percent-positivity rate in SE Pa. 
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County recorded 19 homicides in 2019; D.A. says all cases solved 
Philadelphia Tribune: Delco Black Caucus calls for change after heated BLM protest
Inquirer: Philly and the suburbs want to set up extra election offices for a new kind of early voting
Inquirer: Upper Darby’s entire sanitation department is being quarantined for two weeks. Here’s where you can drop off trash in the meantime.
Bucks Local News: AUGUST 6 BUCKS COUNTY COVID-19 UPDATE: Cases decline; daily average at 29 over past three days
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks eyes mental health court, police co-responder program 
Bucks County Courier Times: Middletown considering anti-discrimination ordinance 

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: A roadblock on next relief bill? $200 million in unspent funds by Allegheny County
Post-Gazette: New president of national teachers union a Pitt, Penn State grad
Post-Gazette: Heidelberg mayor named Pennsylvania Mayor of the Year
Post-Gazette: Port Authority, transit union still talking after contract expired June 30
Post-Gazette: Internet companies handled ‘dramatic surge’ during pandemic because of infrastructure investments, industry says
Post-Gazette: With 61 additional COVID-19 cases reported Sunday in Allegheny County, new cases continue to fall
WESA: For Local Unemployed Workers, ‘It’s Really Stressful’ Waiting For Congress To Reach Stimulus Deal
Tribune Review: Allegheny County judge adds protections to moratorium on evictions 
Tribune Review: Allegheny County reports 61 new coronavirus cases
KDKA: Lawsuit Challenging Mail-In Ballots Filed Against County Executive Rich Fitzgerald And Pa. County Election Boards 
KDKA: Pittsburgh Crime Levels Drop During First Half Of Year 
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 61 New Coronavirus Cases, Raising Countywide Total To 8,857

SWPA 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: PIAA delays start of fall sports two weeks; lawmakers argue decisions should be made locally 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Blair adds 10 virus cases Sunday, part of record per-week totals for Blair, Cambria
Altoona Mirror: City eyes budget shortfalls
Altoona Mirror: Joyce announces $1M grant for Broad Top Area Medical Center
Tribune Review: ‘I don’t want to die here’: Problems at Brighton Rehab didn’t start with coronavirus, Trib investigation finds 
Tribune Review: Westmoreland County adds 14 new coronavirus cases
Observer-Reporter: Washington County’s COVID-19 deaths double in less than a month 
Observer-Reporter: United States’ coronavirus caseload surpasses 5 million

NEPA
Citizens Voice: County council to vote on Pedri’s proposed capital plan on Tuesday
Citizens Voice: Upswing in COVID-19 cases sets off warnings in Hazleton area 
Citizens Voice: 10 new COVID-19 cases reported in Luzerne County on Sunday
Inquirer: Trump’s path to winning Pa. runs through small Rust Belt towns — like one near Biden’s hometown
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Council holding public hearing on proposed capital plan
The Times Leader: Protesters demand justice for Shaheen Mackey
The Times Leader: $10M US grant will help Hazleton Public Transit build new bus facility
The Times Leader: Council members propose reprimand against Griffith
The Times Leader: Luzerne County’s rising coronavirus testing positivity rate among those that “bear watching,” governor says
The Times Leader: Zip code data shows Hazleton remains county’s COVID-19 hot spot
The Times Leader: 10 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County; 760 statewide 
Times-Tribune: Scranton students want a normal school year but know it’s not possible 
Times-Tribune: Supporters gather for Black Lives Matter rally in Tunkhannock 
Times-Tribune: No new virus deaths in NEPA; three counties account for 25 new cases in region

South Central 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster’s elected delegates switch gears for virtual DNC, RNC conventions
LNP | LancasterOnline: ‘The uniform itself brings so much fear’: Activists call to defund, disarm police while chief offers warnings
LNP | LancasterOnline: Live updates: Protesters gather outside of city police station on Sunday
LNP | LancasterOnline: Sunday’s COVID-19 updates: Total case count surpasses 118K, 5.8K coming from Lancaster County
York Dispatch: York County lawmakers sound off on Wolf’s sports recommendation
York Dispatch: After allegation, York City Mayor Michael Helfrich makes 2 drug tests public
York Dispatch: York County has 71 additional cases of COVID-19 on Sunday
Carlisle Sentinel: Cumberland County receives $33M in pandemic relief requests, with only $23M to dole out
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 4 new COVID-19 cases reported in Cumberland County; York County sees massive spike
Patriot News: Police reform, education and COVID-19: what you need to know from Mayor Papenfuse today 
Patriot News: Black Lives Matter mural unveiled in midtown Harrisburg 
Patriot News: 760 new coronavirus cases reported, statewide total reaches 118,852

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: Two Pennsylvania congressional lawmakers propose quarterly stimulus check due to coronavirus crisis 
Reading Eagle: Pennsylvania says greenhouse gas plan could create jobs and raise $300 million in revenue 
Reading Eagle: Reading Area Community College gets $252,000 grant for early childhood education students
Reading Eagle: Berks records 29 new coronavirus cases
Express Times: ‘Stand up for Lebanon’ event set for Sunday evening in Easton 
Express Times: Update on coronavirus in Pa.: 813 new cases, 16 more deaths reported Saturday
Morning Call: E-classrooms become popular alternative, as Lehigh Valley school districts create programs to meet booming demand 
Morning Call: NIZ authority can resume public improvement projects with backing, greater say from developer 
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: 760 new cases in state, as nation surpasses 5 million cases

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Centre County’s representatives, opponents share views on Pennsylvania’s response to COVID-19
Centre Daily Times: Here’s what you should know about State College’s new ordinance, which fines non-mask wearers, others
Centre Daily Times: State College borough leaders condemn ‘new order Nazi’ comments made by councilwoman
Centre Daily Times: Reopening updates: Centre County adds 2 new cases of COVID-19, and other updates for Aug. 9 
Erie Times-News: Democrats investigate State Department error that made Laughlin their nominee 
Erie Times-News: How Erie-area legislators voted, week ending Aug. 7
Erie Times-News: Fire safety plans in place a year after fatal Erie fire 
Erie Times-News: Erie County schools receive grants for online learning programs 
Erie Times-News: Erie-area technical schools awarded CARES funds 
Erie Times-News: State reports 8 new COVID-19 cases in Erie County
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Council votes down transit union contract
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: School districts plan reopenings during ‘health crisis’
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County 10 new COVID-19 cases

Opinion  
Sen. Pat Browne: Thoughts on redeveloping Allentown State Hospital site
Mark DiRocco: How schools are set up for reopening failure 
Observer-Reporter Editorial: Coronavirus has made life even harder for rural hospitals
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Retain judicial elections 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Cast a wider news net 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Churchill out of context 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Sudan steps forward
Inquirer Editorial Board: As we await Columbus statue’s fate, Philly should plan to review all monuments 
Colin McNickle: Pa. casinos lost big in lockdown. Here’s how that happened
Tim Hartman: So about that Pa. Turnpike pot bust | Editorial Cartoon
Anna Payne: Combating systemic racism shouldn’t be political
Shane Fitzgerald: Police reform town hall to feature local residents
Inga Saffron: Philly developers propose thousands of new apartments in a rush to beat the tax abatement change 
Claudia Aiken, Sydney Goldstein, and Vincent Reina: Philly’s housing insecurity crisis needs long-term solutions 
Salena Zito: So much the same, but so much different, in this Pennsylvania election year 
John L. Micek: Why do these urban planners – including many from Pa. – think we should defund police? | Friday Morning Coffee
Adam Eichen: Congress bailing out corporate lobbying groups is a terrible idea 
Neil Makhija: Indian Americans have a stake in the Biden VP pick
Josie B. H. Pickens and Robert W. Ballenger: This Pa. law on utility shutoffs unfairly impacts Black and Brown people. It must be repealed
Ruth Ann Dailey: Scenes from a local protest
Dennis Deslippe: The US Postal Service is not a joke; we need to defend it
Jeffrey Lord: The Biden Basement Strategy Backfires 
Chris Kelly: Grieving a school year on life support
Keith C. Burris: Shells full of nuts
David Shribman: Postwar transformations echo this election year
Gene Therapy: Taking bids on the Knucklehead Hall of Fame
Jessica Blatt Press: Ideas We Should Steal: Ambitious Mental Health Training for Cops 
Ann L. Rappoport: Killing spotted lanternflies is the relief I needed in 2020 
Max Eden: Biden opens the door to expand school choice 
Maria Panaritis: At the elite Shipley school in Bryn Mawr, money is no object in coronavirus-reopening plans 
Carl Hisiro: The election is a referendum on Trump. It’s also one on his enablers
Robert Ferrito: Why criticisms of Christopher Columbus are unfair
Ann Womble: Is college a good deal? It’s hard to really know 
Will Bunch: I’m not freaking out about Biden’s VP pick because I’m already thinking ahead to 2024