A Franklin & Marshall College poll shows Lt. Gov. John Fetterman leading in the Democratic race for U.S. Senate, while the Republican field is split. Here is the Playbook. 

Poll: Fetterman Leads Dem Senate Race, GOP Field Split: In the latest Franklin & Marshall College poll, 30% of registered Democrats polled said that they would vote for Lt. Gov. Fetterman as either their first or second choice in the 2022 primary, while Sean Parnell, Kathy Barnette, and Jeff Bartos are within a few points of each other in the GOP race to succeed outgoing Sen. Pat Toomey.

‘Hearings in election ‘investigation’ to begin, senator says’: The Associated Press reports that Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman (R-Centre) “said Monday that hearings will begin this week as he committed to carrying out a “full forensic investigation” of the state’s 2020 presidential election.”

‘Former Gov. Tom Ridge’s aides reflect on 9/11 and what happened behind the scenes’: PennLive reports that ​​Mark Campbell and Mark Holman, both former chief of staff to Gov. Tom Ridge, “spoke at the Pennsylvania Press Club luncheon on Monday at the Hilton Harrisburg.” 

‘Here are the candidates to replace Pat Toomey in the U.S. Senate’: The Philadelphia Inquirer provides a list of the candidates who are running for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania. 

‘Casey pushes for federal funding for early childhood education during Scranton preschool visit’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that Sen. Bob Casey visited the Day Nursery Association on Monday in Scranton “to advocate for his Five Freedoms for America’s Children plan: to be healthy, to be economically secure, to learn, to be free from hunger and to be safe from harm.”

‘Sen. Elizabeth Warren says CEO of Pa. agency handling student debt ‘lied’ before Congress. He says he could have been clearer.’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “two powerful U.S. senators, a Republican and a Democrat, are targeting the CEO of PHEAA, which has backed away from a key federal loan servicing contract. Job losses in Pennsylvania may follow.”

‘Census numbers show shrinking rural districts’: The Williamsport Sun-Gazette reports that “analysts are still poring over newly released U.S. Census data, but it’s clear that Pennsylvania’s more rural and conservative electoral districts are shrinking, while its more left-leaning regions continue to grow.”

‘Chester County makes moves to combat climate change’: The Daily Local News reports that the Chester County commissioners signed a “memorandum of understanding to participate in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Power Agreement Partnership.” 

‘Most City Council members back Philly teachers union’s call for wider student COVID testing’: Chalkbeat Philadelphia reports that “nine members of the City Council have joined the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers in calling for the school district to continue testing for asymptomatic students as part of its COVID plan this year.”

‘Ryan Boyer may be the most powerful person in Philly you haven’t heard of’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Ryan Boyer, the leader of the Laborers District Council in Philadelphia, “has now risen to a unique position of power, even if many in the city don’t know his name.”

‘Despite support for Allentown mayor’s police chief pick, City Council divided on whether to confirm pick now’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “Allentown Mayor Ray O’Connell’s nominee to permanently lead the police department has the approval of rank and file officers and City Council, members say, but some council members say they’ll stand by a pledge not to fill any Cabinet positions until the next mayor takes office.”

‘Minor league ballpark? Resort and spa? Which Lehigh Valley projects will get millions in taxpayer dollars?’: Lehigh Valley Live lists “the projects, as described in their RACP applications, vying for their share of the pie,” in the Lehigh Valley. 

‘State College residents concerned about full Beaver Stadium’: The Daily Item reports that “next month’s home contest will be the first full-capacity event at Beaver Stadium since late 2019, but with coronavirus infections continuously rising in Pennsylvania, some local residents are worried it still might be too soon.”

‘State officials visiting Mt. Lebanon High encourage mask use, COVID testing and vaccinations’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “marking the first day of in-person schooling at a high school in Allegheny County that’s mandating its students wear masks, two top state officials said Monday they continue to urge masking in schools but are ultimately leaving it up to local districts to make the final decision.”

‘A ruling against the P-G could further protect reporters against racial discrimination’: Pittsburgh City Paper reports that “a recent ruling in” Alexis Johnson, a former Pittsburgh Post-Gazette staffer, who now works at VICE, “case could have larger implications, possibly providing extra legal protections for journalists.”

‘Hundreds of Penn State faculty may teach remotely to protest lack of vaccination mandate’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “Penn State University leaders wanted a full return to in-person instruction with Monday’s start of fall classes, touting huge COVID-19 ventilation upgrades, indoor mask mandates on some two dozen campuses and weekly testing for the unvaccinated. But some faculty members upset by Penn State’s refusal to institute a vaccine mandate — in their view, the best way to keep campuses safe — are delivering a different looking start to fall semester across the 90,000-student flagship institution.”

‘Pa. climate scientist says state, country should take the lead on solutions’: StateImpactPA reports that “the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change calls for immediate and large-scale changes to keep global temperatures from rising to a disastrous level.”

‘Climate activists set their sights on the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’: WHYY reports that “Pennsylvania climate activists have set their sights on the state’s utility regulator. The interfaith group POWER wants Gov. Tom Wolf to appoint new members of the Public Utility Commission who are dedicated to climate justice and ending environmental racism. They say they’ve met with Gov. Wolf and put out a call for candidates as part of an effort to reform the PUC and increase the use of renewable energy.”

‘Westmoreland’s former elections director claims political coercion and scapegoating in federal lawsuit’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that “JoAnn Sebastiani, former director of the Westmoreland County Election Bureau, claimed in a federal lawsuit filed Monday against all three county commissioners that she was “scapegoated,” belittled and discriminated against before she was fired without adequate cause.”

‘Gov. Tom Wolf orders flags to half-staff to honor Washington County district attorney’: WTAE reports that “Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday ordered the commonwealth flag on all commonwealth facilities, public buildings and grounds in Washington County to fly at half-staff immediately to honor Washington County District Attorney Eugene Vittone, who passed away on Saturday.”

‘Reading looks to invest millions in parks, roads and playgrounds’: The Reading Eagle reports that “Reading is starting to invest millions of dollars in its streets and parks. City Council voted 6-0 Monday night to approve a $2.3 million paving contract with Leesport-based Lime Co. Council Vice President Lucine Sihelnik was absent from the meeting.”

‘McAlanis put on leave, sends East Cocalico supervisors apology for distractions caused by his actions Jan. 6’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “the East Cocalico board of supervisors on Thursday night accepted an indefinite leave of absence from its recreation board Chair Ed McAlanis.”

‘Luzerne County Election Board set to hire outside legal counsel’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “first a Luzerne County Council majority hired outside legal counsel to challenge the county election board’s decision to place the district attorney race on the November election ballot. Now the five-citizen election board is set to vote Wednesday on appointing its own outside attorney to provide legal defense against council’s suit, which was filed earlier this month in county court.”

‘Marion Munley again recognized by Best Lawyers’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “Munley Law is pleased to announce that Marion Munley has been named “Lawyer of the Year, Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs,” Northeastern Pennsylvania, by Best Lawyers.”

‘Services set for district judge who was a longtime assistant district attorney’: Lehigh Valley Live reports that “services for District Judge Patricia Broscius, who died Wednesday morning after a long battle with cancer, are scheduled, according to her obituary.”

‘A new study ranks Philadelphia roads the best among any big city. Yes, really’: KYW Newsradio reports that “believe it or not, a new study, partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, ranked Philadelphia roads among the best of any big city in the country.”

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Hearings in election ‘investigation’ to begin, senator says 
Patriot News: Former Gov. Tom Ridge’s aides reflect on 9/11 and what happened behind the scenes 
Patriot News: Pa. senator stripped of committee chairmanship following feud with GOP leadership over election review
Patriot News: Key factor used to rate the effectiveness of Pa.’s public school teachers can’t be released to the public, court says 
Patriot News: Masks don’t protect children? They can harm kids? We fact check the claims being made by the anti-mask crowd
Patriot News: Pa. COVID-19 surge continues over weekend: update
Inquirer: Here are the candidates to replace Pat Toomey in the U.S. Senate
Inquirer: Top Pa. GOP lawmaker says hearings will begin this week to start ‘forensic investigation’ of 2020 election
Inquirer: Sen. Elizabeth Warren says CEO of Pa. agency handling student debt ‘lied’ before Congress. He says he could have been clearer.
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. GOP lawmaker says he’s taking election investigation ‘very seriously’
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: State health officials welcome students back to school, urge districts to utilize testing resources
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Dems seek support services for survivors of Native American boarding schools in Pa., elsewhere
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Risk of drowning more prevalent in the summer months | The Numbers Racket
City & State PA: Poll: PA voters are largely undecided on U.S. Senate candidates
WHYY Newsworks: Climate activists set their sights on the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
StateImpactPA: Pa. climate scientist says state, country should take the lead on solutions
Post-Gazette: Hundreds of Penn State faculty may teach remotely to protest lack of vaccination mandate
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pennsylvania: 12 Million Vaccine Doses Administered As State Reports 3-Day Total Of 7,652 New Cases
Huffington Post: Here Are The States Offering To Resettle Afghan Refugees

Philadelphia 
Chalkbeat Philadelphia: Most City Council members back Philly teachers union’s call for wider student COVID testing
Inquirer: Ryan Boyer may be the most powerful person in Philly you haven’t heard of 
Inquirer: Fuel storage tank catches fire at former PES refinery site in South Philly owned by Hilco
KYW Newsradio: A new study ranks Philadelphia roads the best among any big city. Yes, really
KYW Newsradio: UPDATE: More than 100 firefighters help put fire at PES oil refinery under control
WHYY Newsworks: Fuel tank ignites at Hilco site, drawing 100 firefighters to former PES refinery in South Philly
Philadelphia Tribune: Gun violence is a disease that needs a vaccine
Philadelphia Business Journal: Fire erupts at former South Philadelphia refinery site undergoing expansive redevelopment
Philadelphia Citizen: “Lyft For Litter” 

SEPA
Daily Local News: Chester County makes moves to combat climate change
Daily Local News: State Senator Steve Santarsiero to host full schedule of community events this fall 
Daily Local News: Mask policy causes uproar in Unionville
Inquirer: Aqua Pa., big buyer of town utilities, seeks to boost suburban water bills 17% — and sewer charges far more
Bucks County Courier Times: Pennsbury equity and diversity plan again bashed as critical race theory agenda 
Bucks County Courier Times: Despite protest, Doylestown Health, St. Mary and most other area hospitals requiring employees be vaccinated
Delco Daily Times: Nichols appointed interim receiver for Chester Upland
Delco Daily Times: Upper Darby looks to better serve residents using mapping technology

Pittsburgh 
WESA: Deluzio Announces Bid For Western PA Congressional Seat 
WESA: Mayor Announces Crackdown On Illegal Dumping in Pittsburgh 
WESA: City School Teachers Approve Contract On Which District Transportation Plan Hinges 
Post-Gazette: State officials visiting Mt. Lebanon High encourage mask use, COVID testing and vaccinations 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh teachers ratify contract, greatly aiding PPS’s transportation plan 
Post-Gazette: U.S. judge to North Allegheny School District: Everyone has to wear a mask 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh announces $10 million agreement with Crown Castle to unify city’s fiber network 
Tribune Review: Federal judge reinstates mandatory masks at North Allegheny
City Paper: A ruling against the P-G could further protect reporters against racial discrimination
WTAE: Pitt Cyber’s policy director announces run for Congress  
WTAE: Pa. Education Secretary visits Mt. Lebanon High School, answers questions on Pa. mask policies 
WTAE: Judge requiring North Allegheny schools to return to mandatory mask policy
KDKA: City Of Pittsburgh Cracking Down On Littering And Illegal Dumping 
KDKA: North Allegheny’s Masking Mandate Reinstated After Judge Approves Temporary Restraining Order 
KDKA: Shuman Juvenile Detention Center Will Close In September 
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny County Health Department Reports 701 New Cases In 72 Hours  

SWPA 
Observer-Reporter: District Attorney Gene Vittone remembered for life of service
Tribune Review: Westmoreland’s former elections director claims political coercion and scapegoating in federal lawsuit
Tribune Review: Westmoreland controller questions approved raises in new union contract
KDKA: Gov. Tom Wolf Orders Commonwealth Flag To Be Flown At Half-Staff In Honor Of Washington County District Attorney Eugene Vittone
WTAE: Gov. Tom Wolf orders flags to half-staff to honor Washington County district attorney
WTAE: Fired Westmoreland County elections director sues county, three commissioners
Altoona Mirror: Cambria projects get state funding
Altoona Mirror: Prison reinstates masking protocols
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Numbers down in COVID-19 report
Beaver County Times: Beaver County Partnership receives $125,000 grant for education and workforce study

NEPA 
Times-Tribune: Casey pushes for federal funding for early childhood education during Scranton preschool visit
Times-Tribune: Weekend totals mask leaps in new COVID-19 cases, deaths
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Election Board set to hire outside legal counsel 
The Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre NAACP Freedom Fund banquet tickets on sale
The Times Leader: 38 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County on Monday; 1,846 statewide
Citizens Voice: 38 more COVID-19 cases reported in Luzerne County on Monday

South Central 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Here’s which Lebanon County schools will require face masks this fall
LNP | LancasterOnline: COVID-19 deaths show small uptick in Lancaster County following surge in cases, hospitalizations
Carlisle Sentinel: COVID-19 mask policies for Sentinel area school districts
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 37 new COVID-19 cases for Cumberland County Monday
Patriot News: New COVID-19 treatments, available in central Pa., may blunt death toll of delta surge

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: Despite support for Allentown mayor’s police chief pick, City Council divided on whether to confirm pick now
Morning Call: ‘This isn’t how the military works’: As Afghanistan falls, Lehigh Valley veterans feel confusion, anger
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: 7,652 cases added since Friday; close to zero vaccinated people hospitalized
Reading Eagle: Reading looks to invest millions in parks, roads and playgrounds
Reading Eagle: Gerrymandering is the topic Tuesday at Wyomissing Public Library; Caron banquet to honor Zac Clark; Hay Creek Festival set and more
Reading Eagle: How Berks school districts are handling masking [Map]
Reading Eagle: COVID vaccine approval spurs optimism in Berks County pharmacists
Express Times: Minor league ballpark? Resort and spa? Which Lehigh Valley projects will get millions in taxpayer dollars?
Express Times: Services set for district judge who was a longtime assistant district attorney 
Express Times: Allentown mayor nominates veteran cop as city’s new police chief 
WFMZ: Lehigh Valley businesses weighing whether to mandate COVID shots
WFMZ: Allentown’s interim police chief nominated for the permanent job, outlines goals for the city where he grew up 

North by Northwest
The Daily Item: State College residents concerned about full Beaver Stadium
Erie Times-News: Faced with Delta spread, Pa. school districts change masking policies. What to know
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Census numbers show shrinking rural districts

Opinion  
Stacy Garrity: Joe Biden’s Afghanistan disaster
Brendan Boyle: The debt Ceiling: A broken mechanism
Joe Hohenstein: As U.S. House members return to D.C., Pa’s delegation needs to back infrastructure
John L. Micek: Amid COVID spike and Kabul crash, Biden & Wolf hang steady in new poll | Monday Morning Coffee
John L. Micek: New poll: Pa. voters are a hard ‘no’ on gerrymandering | Tuesday Morning Coffee
Salena Zito: What Biden doesn’t understand
Patty-Pat Kozlowski: Wit or witout gunfire?
Heshie Zinman: Sen. Toomey’s historic opportunity to protect LGBTQ elders 
Inquirer Editorial Board: In Philly, someone has been shot every day since Jan. 2 as multiple crises plague the city 
Chad Dion Lassiter: In 2010, I traveled to Haiti to provide aid. Today, this nation needs more than the U.S. is giving.
Lorraine Haw: My son is incarcerated. Prison gerrymandering silences his voice. It’s time to end it 
Ryan Unger and Kevin J. Schreiber: If you want to hasten our recovery from COVID-19, consider getting vaccinated
Frank Pizzoli: Creating change a long game for Williamsport LGBTQ activist Dan Maneval 
Daniel Pearson: Sigh. Another public transit pilot, another missed opportunity for Philly.
Mary Schuler and Ashley Ritter: How one Philly nursing home overcame hesitancy to get 98% of staff vaccinated
Ray E. Landis: We have to reverse COVID’s blow to American life expectancy. Here’s how 
Jenice Armstrong: New carpentry program in South Philly gives high school students tools they can use to build on 
Dick Polman: It was always going to end this way in Afghanistan 
George Magakis, Jr.: The fossil fuel industry doesn’t get the consequences of climate change
Marian Dossou: Pennsylvania lawmakers need to focus on helping small businesses recover from COVID-19