Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney tells the Philadelphia Inquirer that he will not be running for statewide office in 2022. Here is the Playbook. 

Inky: Kenney Rules Out 2022 Statewide Run: Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, who reportedly was weighing a run for Governor and U.S. Senate in 2022, told the Philadelphia Inquirer that he would not be seeking either office next year.

Woods Withdraws from Pittsburgh’s Mayoral Race: Marlin Woods, an Independent candidate in Pittsburgh’s Mayoral race, ended his campaign over the weekend.

‘‘Humanitarian disaster’ and ‘tragedy’: Pa. lawmakers sound off on the fall of Afghanistan’: PennLive reports that “with the collapse of Afghanistan, Pennsylvania lawmakers urged the military to protect Americans and allies aiming to get out of the country as it spirals into chaos.”

‘Casey, Toomey, Cartwright, Meuser comment on Afghanistan’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports on the responses from Sens. Bob Casey and Pat Toomey, plus Reps. Matt Cartwright (D-Lackawanna) and Dan Meuser (R-Luzerne) about the ongoing situation in Afghanistan. 

‘Democrats and Republicans from Pa. and N.J. agree: The result of Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan is a tragedy’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “while many agreed with Biden’s move to end U.S. entanglement in Afghanistan, Democrats and Republicans questioned the execution and lack of foresight.”

‘‘Nothing short of a tragedy’: Lehigh Valley politicians react as Taliban takes control in Afghanistan’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “current and former Lehigh Valley politicians were quick to react to what the Associated Press called a “lightning offensive” as the Taliban overran city after city, culminating in Taliban fighters installing themselves in the presidential palace in Kabul.”

‘Berks County’s congressional delegation reacts to withdraw from Afghanistan’: The Reading Eagle reports that “members of Congress representing Berks County said they were heartbroken by the events taking place in the country and agreed the United States must ensure the safe evacuation of those who helped allied forces.”

‘Bucks County Congressman responds to President’s remarks on Afghanistan’: The Bucks Local News reports on Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick’s (R-Bucks) response “following President Joe Biden’s address on the crisis in Afghanistan.”

‘Lancaster’s federal lawmakers react to Afghanistan government collapse’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “Lancaster County’s representatives in the U.S. Congress react to the sudden and chaotic collapse of Afghanistan’s government.”

‘Pennsylvania to offer weekly COVID-19 testing for schools’: The Associated Press reports that “Pennsylvania will offer voluntary COVID-19 testing in K-12 schools, state health and education officials announced Monday, promoting the effort as a way to keep the doors open for in-person learning amid a statewide resurgence of the coronavirus.”

‘Pa. Senate panel vets proposal to allow for longer retention of unfounded child abuse reports’: PennLive reports that “a state Senate committee is examining revisions to the state’s child protection law that would include a change that would allow the state to hold on to unfounded reports of child abuse longer.”

‘Gov. Tom Wolf: 80% Of Pennsylvanian Adults Have At Least One COVID-19 Vaccine Dose’: KDKA reports that “Eighty percent of Pennsylvanian adults have gotten at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Monday.”

‘Hispanics are now a strong majority in Allentown, Census numbers show’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “after years of population growth, Hispanics now make up a large majority of Allentown’s population, data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows.”

‘Cartwright pitches Biden’s healthcare plan’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Lackawanna) was in Wilkes-Barre on Monday, “joining health care advocates from Protect Our Care Pennsylvania, to call for the expansion and improvement in health care for the American people that would be put in place by President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda.”

‘Pa. Democrats running for U.S. Senate united in efforts to maintain party majority in Congress’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate seat is considered one of the most competitive, with some observers predicting it’s likely to flip and others saying it’s too close to call.”

‘Census data lends support to concept of Pittsburgh’s Black flight, top economist says’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “it’s likely that the decline in Pittsburgh’s Black population over the past decade is due to residents moving to other municipalities outside of the city in Allegheny County, a top regional economist at the University of Pittsburgh said Monday.”

‘’Dude in Forty Fort’ gets probation for ballot fraud’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “the “dude in Forty Fort” who was accused of committing election fraud in his dead mother’s name in an effort to earn former President Donald Trump an extra vote pleaded guilty Monday to a ballot fraud charge and was immediately sentenced to probation.”

‘Here’s what we know about the East Cocalico Township official charged in connection to the Capitol attack’: LNP | LancasterOnline details what is known thus far “about the East Cocalico Township official charged in connection to the Capitol attack.”

‘Republican Scott Hough withdraws name from Northampton County Council race’: WFMZ reports that the Republican candidate “has withdrawn from the Northampton County Council race.”

‘Reading may soon allow the public back at its meeting as a potential City Hall shutdown looms’: The Reading Eagle reports that “Reading City Council is considering allowing the public to attend its meetings again while Mayor Eddie Moran’s administration is hinting at another City Hall closure.”

‘Sen. Judy Schwank will host panel to discuss school safety amid rising COVID cases’: The Reading Eagle reports that “State Sen. Judy Schwank will host a telephone town hall Tuesday night to discuss issues related to keeping students safe when they return to school amid rising COVID cases fueled by the Delta variant.”

‘Cumberland County reaches 70% of population with one dose of COVID-19 vaccine’: The Carlisle Sentinel reports that “Cumberland County passed the 70% mark in partial vaccinations against COVID-19 Monday.”

‘Libertarian Rosica running for West Chester mayor’: The Daily Local News reports that “Libertarian and activist Beth Ann Rosica is running for mayor. She identifies herself as “fiscally conservative and socially liberal.””

‘Nazi salute at Fox Chapel school board meeting appears on ‘Last Week Tonight’’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “a recent video from a Fox Chapel Area School Board meeting went national Sunday evening courtesy of John Oliver.”

‘Former Lackawanna County Commissioner Ray Alberigi laid to rest’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “services were held Monday for Ray Alberigi of Jessup, former Lackawanna County commissioner, who died Aug. 11 at 87.”

‘Audit the Vote Rally’ To Take Place in Gettysburg: According to a tweet from GOP congressional candidate Teddy Daniels, “Women for America First” will be hosting an “Audit the Vote” rally in Gettysburg on Tuesday evening. GOP State Sen. Doug Mastriano, a potential candidate for Governor, and Arizona state GOP Sen. Wendy Rogers are headlining the event, while Daniels and state Rep. Stephanie Borowicz (R-Clinton) are also listed as special guests and speakers. 

DePasquale Releases New Video: Eugene DePasquale, the state’s former Auditor General and former congressional candidate, released a new video aimed at criticizing Rep. Scott Perry (R-York). DePasquale sent out a fundraising email in May saying that he is “strongly considering” challenging Perry again in 2022. 

Joe and Marygrace Vadala Talks to Pennsylvania Kitchen Table Politics Podcast: The Pennsylvania Kitchen Table Politics Podcast talks with Joe and Marygrace Vadala in the final episode of Season 1. “Joe is a teacher and Marygrace is a nurse. Lifelong residents of Lackawanna County, they share in very personal terms memories from President Trump campaigning on their street,” this week one year ago in Old Forge. 

Barletta To Campaign in Montour, Susquehanna, and Wyoming Counties: Former Congressman Lou Barletta (R-Luzerne), who is seeking the GOP nomination for Governor, will be making campaign stops in Montour, Susquehanna, and Wyoming counties on Tuesday. 

Richey To Campaign in York County: According to a press release, Jason Richey, a partner at Pittsburgh’s K&L Gates law firm who is seeking the Republican Party nomination for Governor in 2022, will be campaigning in York on Tuesday to meet with “local business and political leaders” and also attend a “meet-and-greet rally Tuesday evening at Do It Outdoors along Farmtrail Road.”

Cognetti to join four-state mayor virtual roundtable on Biden infrastructure and climate plan: Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti will join mayors from four other states on Wednesday afternoon for a virtual town hall to “highlight the importance of passing President Biden’s infrastructure and climate plan, focusing on the impacts these transformative investments would have on local communities,” according to a press release.

Mullany Joins Joyce’s Office: POLITICO reports that Ben Mullany will be the communications director for Rep. John Joyce (R-Blair). Mullany “previously served as communications assistant and legislative correspondent for Joyce and is a Targeted Victory and Rep. Denver Riggleman (R-Va.) alum.”

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Pennsylvania to offer weekly COVID-19 testing for schools
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. Democrats running for U.S. Senate united in efforts to maintain party majority in Congress
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: As school begins, state officials offer optional vaccination, testing initiatives to districts
Patriot News: Pa. lays out plan for COVID-19 testing in school, urges schools, parents to opt in
Patriot News: Pa. Senate panel vets proposal to allow for longer retention of unfounded child abuse reports
Patriot News: ‘Humanitarian disaster’ and ‘tragedy’: Pa. lawmakers sound off on the fall of Afghanistan
Patriot News: ‘We should have been out a long time ago’: Perspectives from those who served and sacrificed in Afghanistan
Patriot News: Little League could cancel world series if ordered to add two teams, official testifies
Patriot News: Pa. sees weekend jump in COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations
Inquirer: Democrats and Republicans from Pa. and N.J. agree: The result of Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan is a tragedy
Inquirer: He left the GOP after Jan. 6. Now he’s starting a third party in Pennsylvania.
City & State PA: Voluntary COVID-19 testing and vaccines are coming to PA schools
Morning Call: Wolf administration unveils program for optional, self-administered COVID-19 nasal swab testing by kids in schools
Post-Gazette: State announces free COVID-19 testing, vaccine clinics for schools
Reading Eagle: Some Pa. senior care groups hesitant to back vaccine mandates for workers
Reading Eagle: Pa. pushing free weekly COVID testing and vaccine clinics to ensure a safe school year
StateImpactPA: When it comes to electricity, Pennsylvanians have lots of options. Experts say to do your homework
WESA: As Welfare Reform Turns 25, It Isn’t Working, Advocates For Poor Families Say
WESA: What To Do If You Lose Your Vaccination Card In Pennsylvania
KDKA: Gov. Tom Wolf: 80% Of Pennsylvanian Adults Have At Least One COVID-19 Vaccine Dose
KDKA: Pennsylvania To Offer Weekly COVID-19 Testing Program For Schools
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pennsylvania: State Health Department Reports 3-Day Total Of Nearly 6,000 Cases
KYW Newsradio: Pennsylvania offers pooled COVID-19 testing in classrooms to mitigate spread
WTAE: Gov. Wolf: 80% of Pennsylvanians 18 and older have received first dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Express Times: Pennsylvania unveils plan for free, voluntary COVID-19 testing in K-12 schools

Philadelphia 
KYW Newsradio: ‘Heartbroken and infuriated’: How Philly Afghan-American leader feels as Taliban takes power
KYW Newsradio: ‘All they want is safety’: How Philly, US groups will aid Afghan refugees coming to America
WHYY Newsworks: Amid an unrelenting gun violence crisis, Philly DA Krasner sends $250,000 to community groups working to reduce bloodshed
Billy Penn: How to get more people vaccinated? In Philly, by hosting a parade down Broad Street
Inquirer: Could we have done more? Veterans share mixed feelings about U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. 
Inquirer: Transport workers union warns members to prepare for tough contract talks with SEPTA 
Inquirer: In Pa., 80% of adults have received at least one vaccine dose; Montgomery County recommends indoor masking, but will let businesses decide on mandates

SEPA 
Bucks Local News: Bucks County Congressman responds to President’s remarks on Afghanistan 
Bucks Local News: Bucks County lawmakers recognize Council Rock graduate on being named U.S. Presidential Scholar
Daily Local News: Libertarian Rosica running for West Chester mayor 
Daily Local News: Rep. Herrin to host policy hearing on childcare and early childhood education 
Bucks County Courier Times: Montgomery County advises vaccinated to mask up amid delta variant
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County mask debate: A looks at parent petitions, county guidance
WHYY Newsworks: ‘Frustrating and concerning’: Montco urges masks, vaccinations as delta variant spreads
KYW Newsradio: Montco says people should wear a mask indoors, vaccinated or not
Pottstown Mercury: Hennessey leads hearing on bill to issue driver’s licenses to undocumented residents 
Delco Daily Times: Towns to disburse millions in emergency relief

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: Census data lends support to concept of Pittsburgh’s Black flight, top economist says 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh-area Afghan vet ‘disappointed and angry’ over rapid fall of Kabul 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh Public Schools may implement hybrid instruction if transportation issues not solved 
Post-Gazette: Nazi salute at Fox Chapel school board meeting appears on ‘Last Week Tonight’ 
KDKA: Without Union Approval, Pittsburgh Public Schools Return Remains Uncertain
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 3-Day Total Of Nearly 600 New Cases
KDKA: ‘Early Warning Sign’: Multiple Local Counties Have ‘High’ COVID-19 Transmission As Delta Variant Continues To Spread 
WESA: ‘We Need You To Do Better’: Parents Call For City School District Accountability In Public Hearing 
WESA: Allegheny County Moves From A ‘Substantial’ To ‘High’ Rate Of COVID-19 Transmission
WESA: New City Of Pittsburgh Website Offers Centralized Park Info And Interactive Trail Maps 
WESA: Rural Communities Are Already Feeling Effects Of Climate Change, But A Climate Activist Says It’s Not Too Late
Pittsburgh Business Times: Census data shows Allegheny County grew 2.2% in past decade – here’s a closer look at the data
Pittsburgh Business Times: Allegheny, Washington reach CDC’s highest level of Covid transmission
Tribune Review: CDC: Allegheny, Westmoreland counties now considered to have high spread of covid-19 
WTAE: Rise in coronavirus cases having impact on Pittsburgh area businesses
City Paper: Fake TMZ site set up by far-right conspiracy theorist tries to smear Conor Lamb 

SWPA 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Johnstown loses population again
Altoona Mirror: City holding public meeting on American Rescue Plan funds
Altoona Mirror: Evictions impact renters, landlords
Beaver County Times: How many people live in Beaver County after the 2020 Census count?
Beaver County Times: How many people live in Allegheny County after the 2020 Census count?

NEPA
The Times Leader: Casey, Toomey, Cartwright, Meuser comment on Afghanistan
The Times Leader: “Dude in Forty Fort’ pleads guilty to absentee ballot violation
The Times Leader: Cartwright pitches Biden’s healthcare plan
The Times Leader: Three more Luzerne County Children and Youth workers under investigation
The Times Leader: 18 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County Monday; 1,446 statewide
Citizens Voice: Cartwright promotes Biden health care agenda at bus tour stop 
Citizens Voice: ‘Dude in Forty Fort’ gets probation for ballot fraud 
Citizens Voice: DA set to provide police presence at airport; search committee’s first meeting set 
Citizens Voice: Education funding lawsuit nears trial date 
Citizens Voice: Three Luzerne County Children and Youth managers placed on unpaid leave 
Citizens Voice: 18 new COVID cases reported in Luzerne County
Times-Tribune: ‘Dude in Forty Fort’ gets probation for ballot fraud 
Times-Tribune: Former Lackawanna County Commissioner Ray Alberigi laid to rest 
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County seeks proposals for countywide property reassessment 
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County commissioners, prison board to meet Wednesday 
Times-Tribune: With rise in COVID-19 cases comes rise in hospitalizations

South Central 
Carlisle Sentinel: Cumberland County reaches 70% of population with one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 23 new COVID-19 cases for Cumberland County Monday 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster’s federal lawmakers react to Afghanistan government collapse
LNP | LancasterOnline: Here’s what we know about the East Cocalico Township official charged in connection to the Capitol attack
LNP | LancasterOnline: Hearing for Ephrata man charged in Capitol violence postponed after prosecutors cite new evidence [update]
LNP | LancasterOnline: Sturla hosts 10th annual Back-to-School Event [photos]
York Dispatch: York County reaches highest possible COVID-19 transmission rate tracked by CDC
York Dispatch: Central School Board meeting spawns student-masking rally
Patriot News: COVID-19 vaccine demand triples at central Pa. provider as statewide, national pace improves

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: Berks County’s congressional delegation reacts to withdraw from Afghanistan
Reading Eagle: Reading may soon allow the public back at its meeting as a potential City Hall shutdown looms
Reading Eagle: Sen. Judy Schwank will host panel to discuss school safety amid rising COVID cases
Reading Eagle: East Cocalico Township official charged in U.S. Capitol insurrection
Reading Eagle: Berks man charged in Capitol insurrection will remain behind bars until his trial, federal judge rules
Reading Eagle: COVID hospitalizations on the rise as new cases continue to climb in Berks County 
Morning Call: Hispanics are now a strong majority in Allentown, Census numbers show
Morning Call: ‘Nothing short of a tragedy’: Lehigh Valley politicians react as Taliban takes control in Afghanistan 
WFMZ: Republican Scott Hough withdraws name from Northampton County Council race
WFMZ: Local politicians react to situation in Afghanistan
WFMZ: Bethlehem Council committee to review ‘responsible contract ordinance’
WFMZ: Schwank to host back-to-school health, safety town hall
Express Times: Petition drive underway to save the Wilson Area School District logo

North by Northwest
WPSU: Penn State Faculty Approve Vote Of ‘No Confidence’ In Administration’s Fall COVID Plans
Erie Times-News: Pa. officials urge school COVID-19 vaccine clinics, unveil optional virus testing for K-12
Centre Daily Times: Here’s how the lawmakers who represent Centre County in Congress voted Aug. 6-12
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Public told to beware of fraud over jobless benefits

Opinion  
Lou Barletta: Shocking Allegations of Live Baby Organ Harvesting Deserve Explanation
Jon Geeting: Ready, Set… Redistrict!
Michael Brevda: Nursing home reform backed by Pat Toomey and Bob Casey will improve bad care 
Gary Blumenthal: Will Pa.’s leaders prevent the collapse of the intellectual disability system?
Cassie Miller: Survey: LGBTQ adults hit harder by food, economic insecurities during pandemic | Tuesday Coffee
Inquirer Editorial Board: The local lesson from Afghanistan’s fall 
Morning Call: ‘An armed society is a polite society’: Reaction to whether Pennsylvania should make it easier to carry a concealed weapon
George A. Nation III: We must end deceitful pricing system used by hospitals
Ernest Owens: The Return of COVID Restrictions Proves That Unvaccinated Lives Matter
Keith Naughton, Ph.D.: Electric choice is saving people millions and helping the environment 
Wenonah Hauter: Carbon capture technology won’t solve our emissions problems 
Trudy Rubin: The horror of Afghan women abandoned by America’s troop pullout 
Jenice Armstrong: His brother was killed in July, but that hasn’t stopped this young man from pursuing his dream of becoming a doctor 
Hannah Elaine Pell: A family connection to the opening and closing of Three Mile Island