Gov. Tom Wolf signs an executive order addressing gun violence. The state’s unemployment rate ticked up .1%, bringing it to 3.9%. Here is the Playbook. 

August 16th Ups & Downs: Gov. Tom Wolf addresses gun violence and charter schools, the state GOP has a new Finance Committee Chair, and the Philly DA’s comments about “war criminals” garners pushback. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Wolf unveils gun violence effort after Philadelphia shooting
AP: Pennsylvania unemployment rate ticked up to 3.9% in July
WITF: Study: Pa. counties spend double when they pick touch-screen voting machines
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. workers forced to choose between watching Trump, no pay or using paid time off 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pat Toomey pushed for gun control after Sandy Hook. Can the Republican senator lead again?
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘This is about organizing government’: Gov. Wolf signs executive order on gun violence
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: State, union officials fear economic fallout from closure of centers serving Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities
WPSU: Casey Urges Those At Penn State Agriculture Lunch To Oppose Proposed SNAP Changes
Billy Penn: Why a former Philly police star is back to lead state anti-violence efforts
Los Angeles Times: Pennsylvania, other states sue Trump over ‘public charge’ rule denying green cards to immigrants 
PLSReporter: Wolf signs ’unprecedented’ executive order to organize state government in combating gun violence 
PLSReporter: U.S. Rep. Doyle raises alarm for action on climate change legislation in Pittsburgh town hall 
PLSReporter: Right 2 Know Episode 19: Sun, sand and property tax reform
PLSReporter: Did You Get The Memo? Wrongful convictions, smoke detectors and local solar power
PLSReporter: Tweets of the Week – August 12, 2019
PLSReporter: 3 under 3!
Inquirer: Marijuana giant Harvest agrees to relinquish two dispensary permits after Pennsylvania probe
Inquirer: Pennsylvania iGaming reports initial results; from humble beginnings, 24/7 gambling is borne
KDKA: Lt. Gov. John Fetterman Agrees To Officiate Woman’s Wedding After She Tweets Him 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate ticks up for the first time in 3 years
Post-Gazette: Online wagers surpass in-person sports betting in Pennsylvania for first time 
Patriot News: Union workers had to attend Trump event in western Pa. to get paid: report
Patriot News: After eight years in Congress and a failed Senate bid, Lou Barletta says he has no appetite for a House seat run
Patriot News: Reducing gun violence to save lives is aim of Pa. Gov. Wolf’s latest executive order
Patriot News: Why victims of clergy sex abuse embrace hope for justice even if lawmakers should fail to enact reforms 
York Dispatch: PA Treasury goes viral with new Twitter account  
Morning Call: Which 2020 Democratic candidates for president are Pennsylvanians giving the most money to?
StateImpactPA: Research shows thousands could be saved with better air quality standards
StateImpactPA: ‘Great progress’ in South Philly refinery cleanup, fire commissioner says
Bloomberg: Three Mile Island, where America flirted with its own Chernobyl, slated to close

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Meet the Philadelphians behind the 2020 presidential campaigns
Inquirer: After 6 Philly police officers are shot, Wolf to sign order to beef up Pa.’s violence prevention efforts 
Inquirer: Bankruptcy hearing on sale of Hahnemann’s residency program postponed, emergency room officially closed
Inquirer: Philly police shooting suspect Maurice Hill is expected to be charged with attempted murder, gun offenses
Inquirer: Philly’s Bernie Sanders mural is coming down during demolition
Inquirer: Attempted-murder charges filed against Philly police shooting suspect Maurice Hill
Inquirer: 8 hours of chaos: A minute-by-minute account of how Philadelphia police officers made it out alive
Inquirer: Philly DA Larry Krasner said he offered suspect in police shooting a ‘phony baloney’ deal to surrender
Inquirer: What’s new on campus? Here’s a sampling from colleges around the region
Inquirer: Cheyney balances budget and raises $4.4 million, both key to keeping it afloat
Inquirer: How did a Russian entrepreneur who got a Wharton M.B.A. and lived on the Main Line end up on trial in Kuwait?
KYW Newsradio: Wolf orders change to Pennsylvania’s charter regulations; operators fire back
KYW Newsradio: New survey allows Philadelphia residents to share opinions on city services
KYW Newsradio: Community members make their voices, concerns heard at Nicetown-Tioga meeting
KYW Newsradio: Philly community uses rally, motorcade to drive home message: ‘too many guns’
KYW Newsradio: City allocates additional $2M in funding for after-school activities
KYW Newsradio: Thiel totes progress, but refinery cleanup is yet to be placed under control
KYW Newsradio: Philly DA’s office will appeal case against truck driver accused of killing bicyclist
KYW Newsradio: Federal prosecutor, district attorney face off on question of Philly police support
KYW Newsradio: Ross describes harrowing rescue of 2 cops trapped in Nicetown home with gunman
Billy Penn: The North Philly search warrant and PPD’s history of raids gone wrong
Billy Penn: Why a former Philly police star is back to lead state anti-violence efforts
Philly Voice: Suspect in North Philly police shooting charged with attempted murder
Philly Voice: Daughters of Jim Kenney and North Wildwood councilwoman arrested after fight at Jersey Shore
WHYY Newsworks: ‘You can’t go back to normal’: After police shooting, Nicetown-Tioga neighbors say there’s a lot of work to do
PLSReporter: Philadelphia City Commissioners vote to stay the course on new voting machines 
Philadelphia Magazine: With Pa. Turnpike Lawsuit Dismissed, SEPTA Can Breathe a Big Sigh of Relief
Philadelphia Magazine: Bicyclists to Rally for Appeal in Emily Fredricks Case

SEPA
Daily Local News: Coatesville area man announces candidacy for Houlahan seat
Daily Local News: Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, citing a security risk, cancels her town hall in Reading 
Daily Local News: Cheyney University reports $2.1 million surplus
Daily Local News: Sappey announces Savvy Senior Seminar for Aug. 20
Daily Local News: West Chester police officers may get body cameras
Bucks Local News: Developer pitches $100 million redevelopment vision for Williamson Park Town Square in Morrisville Borough
Bucks Local News: Newtown Supervisors pass resolution urging use of native plants; township to hire consultant to prepare long-range financial plan
Bucks Local News: Charles Martin honored at final Grange Fair meeting as a Bucks County Commissioner
Montgomery Media: Federal deficit will double without change, budget expert warns Pottstown audience
Montgomery Media: Transportation infrastructure discussed with state representatives; local officials say completion of 309 connector a priority
Delco Daily Times: Wolf Pack: Local pols back guv’s moves on gun control
Delco Daily Times: Judge: Not so fast on Chester Water Authority deal
Delco Daily Times: Delco GOP council team: Dems outsourcing work for phone polling
Bucks County Courier Times: Gov. Tom Wolf unveils gun violence effort after Philadelphia shooting
Bucks County Courier Times: Paperwork error will mean lower Pennsbury tax increase
Pottstown Mercury: No area school districts will try snow day alternative this year

Pittsburgh  
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh gun-ban opponents sue DA to force acceptance of complaints vs. mayor, council
Post-Gazette: After 4 police shootings in a month, Allegheny County Council plans to move forward on police review board 
Post-Gazette: Trump’s large union crowd at Shell was given the option of not showing up — and not getting paid 
Post-Gazette: Somebody’s watching: Legislator pushes bill to set standards for license plate readers 
Post-Gazette: Former Carnegie councilman had a hunch about massage parlor targeted in investigation 
Post-Gazette: Online wagers surpass in-person sports betting in Pennsylvania for first time 
WESA: Trump’s Pittsburgh Visit Blurs Ethical Boundaries, Critics Say
WESA: For Many Veterans In Allegheny County, There’s An Alternative Route Through The Justice System
WESA: Man Who Allegedly Threatened To Bomb Pittsburgh Church Denied Bail
City Paper: Mike Doyle’s climate change town hall focused on electric cars and Paris Agreement
KDKA: Lt. Gov. John Fetterman Agrees To Officiate Woman’s Wedding After She Tweets Him 
KDKA: Governor Tom Wolf Pushes For Quick Action Against Gun Violence, Causing A Local Reaction 
KDKA: AG Shapiro Files Suit Challenging Trump Administration’s Public Charge Rule 
Pittsburgh Business Times: EQT among world’s fastest-growing natural gas producers 
Tribune Review: State to hold hearing on rail passenger and freight service in Western Pa. 

SWPA
Altoona Mirror: ‘Red flag’ gun plans up for debate 
Altoona Mirror: Joyce, Ward address Farm Bureau members 
Altoona Mirror: Court allows lawsuit against diocese 
Observer-Reporter: County seeking bids for multimillion-dollar airport project 
Observer-Reporter: DA seeks injunction on plans to move office
Beaver County Times: State Sen. Elder Vogel Jr.’s family farm recognized by state Department of Agriculture 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Thompson: Plan would create new ag visa system
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Wolf executive order targets gun violence
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: PA inundated by robocalls
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: ‘Painful’ effort causes friction as property work lags in Johnstown 

NEPA
The Times Leader: Wolf signs sweeping executive order to reduce gun violence
The Times Leader: Push on to convince Luzerne County residents to participate in Census
Times-Tribune: Unreliable internet access hampers rural businesses
Times-Tribune: Report challenges internet providers’ advertised speeds

South Central  
Patriot News: After eight years in Congress and a failed Senate bid, Lou Barletta says he has no appetite for a House seat run
Patriot News: Reducing gun violence to save lives is aim of Pa. Gov. Wolf’s latest executive order
Patriot News: Why victims of clergy sex abuse embrace hope for justice even if lawmakers should fail to enact reforms 
York Dispatch: PA Treasury goes viral with new Twitter account  
LNP | LancasterOnline: Bulletproof backpacks: A controversial sign of the times following more mass shootings  
LNP | LancasterOnline: School District of Lancaster considers 5 school boundary realignment options  

Lehigh Valley    
Morning Call: Susan Wild says Netanyahu assured ‘any member of Congress welcome,’ then changed his tune after Trump tweet 
Morning Call: Eight pieces of proposed legislation under review by lawmakers seeking to banish school property taxes 
Morning Call: Which 2020 Democratic candidates for president are Pennsylvanians giving the most money to?
Morning Call: Gov. Wolf signs executive order on gun violence prevention, calls for lawmakers to fix ‘weak gun laws’
Morning Call: ‘Pride is for everyone’: Annual Lehigh Valley Pride celebrates equality, pushes for more 
Express Times: ‘Medicine is just too damn expensive’: Rep. Susan Wild warns of a health care emergency
Express Times: Easton wanted to crack down on illegal fireworks use. Now the effort’s on hold. 
Reading Eagle: Historic preservation tax credits give downtown Reading a boost
Reading Eagle: Berks transportation planners setting new priorities in the wake of a possible $68 million funding cut 

North by Northwest
WPSU: Casey Urges Those At Penn State Agriculture Lunch To Oppose Proposed SNAP Changes
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Little League gives Lycoming County economy a boost  
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Commissioners to livestream their meetings  
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Comms: Federal aid for acidic mine drainage still needed  
Erie Times-News: Albion considers future of police force  
Erie Times-News: Erie neighborhoods have widely different life expectancies  
Erie Times-News: Goellner hired as Erie-based federal public defender
Inquirer: Solar as a crop? Penn State to install state’s largest solar array on 500 acres of farmland.
Centre Daily Times: This Milesburg plant took heat when Pa. blocked plastic bag bans. Is it doing enough to be sustainable? 
Centre Daily Times: Milesburg plastic bag plant doesn’t want to be ‘poster boy’ for pollution

Opinion  
Inquirer Editorial Board: Pennsylvania leaders need to figure out how to jumpstart innovation economy 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A chance at justice: Statute of limitations work-around is a win 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: FirstEnergy’s bad faith: The whole truth came after the bailout 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Big Pharma’s racket: Congress, Trump must bring sanity to drug prices 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Stand down: The proposal to storm Area 51 was a bad joke 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A ride to remember: 9/11 trail event to raise funds, awareness 
Tom Murt and Sen. Maria Collett: Legislature must address gun violence
Sarah Anne Hughes: Some counties are paying a lot more for less secure voting machines | Friday Morning Coffee
Joel Segel, Douglas L. Leslie, Gary Zajac, Max Crowley, and Paul L. Morgan: Opioid epidemic may have cost states at least $130 billion in treatment and related expenses — and that’s just the tip of the iceberg
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: PA drug dealers for sensible gun laws
Brian O’Neill: Michael Skelly’s quest to transform American energy didn’t pan out
Adam Richter: Pennsylvania’s Clean Slate Law doesn’t wash away news archives
Tim Hartman: Stop us if you think you’ve heard this one before | Editorial Cartoon
Jenice Armstrong: The North Philly mass shooting that left six cops injured exposed the best and the worst in folks here and elsewhere 
Melissa Simpson: ‘Jawn Wick’ and North Philly neighbors’ response to the police standoff
Keith C. Burris: The comfort of an old shoe
Jason Blazakis: Domestic terrorism is fueled by paranoid delusions. Here’s how we fight them.
Joseph Rogan: How the college admissions scandal hurt students with disabilities
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Surviving the Philadelphia police shooting
Maria Panaritis: Is the system keeping us safe? A fair question after Delco DUI, North Philly shootout 
John A. Tures: Did the assault weapons ban reduce mass shootings? Just look at the data 
Kelly Garrett, Robert Bond, and Shannon Poulsen: Too many people think satirical news is real
Roxanne Patel Shepelavy: Philly needs more trees, please 
Daniel Gottlieb: Shame of the Boy Scouts: I was sexually abused by my troop leader | Perspective
Inga Saffron: As more and more Philly rowhomes collapse, a culprit emerges 
David M. Shribman: California may define the 2020 race
Abraham Gutman: When moving to opportunity offers no opportunity at all: A lesson from the Great Migration | Brain Trust
Ruth Ann Dailey: Drinking responsibly
Christine Flowers: Echoes from an afternoon of bullets in Philadelphia