A chemical engineer announced his candidacy for the 6th Congressional District. Here is the Playbook. 

Chemical Engineer Launches GOP Campaign for PA6: Bob Kennedy said that his platform “aims to achieve conservative goals,” while also appealing to “general election swing voters” and inspiring “support among independents, moderates, young people, and minority voters.”

‘In major shift, Pa. panel votes to count incarcerated people in home districts, not state prisons’: Spotlight PA reports that “thousands of people incarcerated in state prisons will be counted in their home communities rather than in corrections facilities when Pennsylvania redraws its legislative maps, a major change that advocates hailed as the end of a racist policy.”

‘‘This is a war’: Doug Mastriano and mysterious allies continue push for 2020 election audit’: The York Dispatch reports that the “latest rebuff by leadership hardly put an end to the audit push. Instead, Mastriano and his followers have gone on the offensive, continuing to spread false information and innuendo about the legitimacy of the 2020 election. Meanwhile, a mysterious faction calling itself an “election integrity committee” had reportedly been knocking on doors in Lancaster and York counties.

‘Wolf admin unexpectedly pulls the plug on controversial revamp of Pa. safety net program’: Spotlight PA reports that “the Wolf administration has unexpectedly canceled a controversial plan to overhaul a crucial safety net program for tens of thousands of low-income children and parents in Pennsylvania.”

‘Pa. lawmakers push bills on both sides of mask mandate, but don’t expect them to become law’: PennLive reports that “as mask-wearing debates play out in school districts across Pennsylvania, some lawmakers are itching for the state to weigh in on this emotionally charged issue that has ripped some communities apart as the school year begins.”

‘Is TANF program even worth investing in still?’: City & State PA reports that “Pennsylvania hasn’t changed the amount of cash assistance it doles out to needy families since 1990, and a new report shows that beneficiaries are calling on the state to improve on that.”

‘Fitzpatrick touts bipartisanship, but is that what Bucks voters want?’: JD Mullane and Phil Gianficaro with The Bucks County Courier Times talk with Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks) about “cost of living, oil prices and inflation; COVID and vaccination controversies; the 1/6  hearings and why some Republicans treat breaking into the U.S. Capitol as “no big deal’: infrastructure investment.”

‘Months after its launch, risk-limiting election audit pilot comes under review by Senate panel’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “as Senate Republicans coordinate an investigation into Pennsylvania’s two most recent elections, an audit initiative is under review — 10 months after it launched — by an executive branch committee with election oversight.”

‘Paroled murderer accused of killing 8-year old boy can’t sue Pa. legislator who named proposed law for the victim: U.S. court’: PennLive reports that “a convicted murderer who is accused of killing an 8-year-old boy while on parole for another slaying can’t sue a Pennsylvania legislator who introduced a bill named for the murdered child, a federal appeals court panel has ruled.”

‘Chester officials say collaboration has helped lower gun violence there. When Philly officials visited Tuesday, discord followed.’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “several Philadelphia city councilmembers visited Chester on Tuesday to learn about how government and law enforcement officials there have worked hand-in-hand to reduce gun violence in 2021” and “by the end of the day Tuesday, Mayor Jim Kenney and District Attorney Larry Krasner were trading insults with one another, exposing the deep fissures between key figures in city leadership.”

‘Bucks County updates school COVID guidance after PA says plan was ‘inconsistent and alarming’ with CDC, state’: The Bucks County Courier Times reports that “the Bucks County Health Department has updated it recommendations to school districts after the head of the state health department called parts of its previous guidance “inconsistent and alarming” with state and federal agencies. The update was released Tuesday, a day after the county received a scathing letter from state officials.”

‘Election investigation a waste of time, money, say Chester County Democrats’: The Daily Local News reports that “members of Chester County’s delegation to the state Senate questioned the need for, and motives behind, a Republican-led inquiry into the results of the 2020 presidential election, following the announcement of a “full forensic investigation” by a top Senate leader earlier this week.”

‘Giffords memorial honors the 1,700 Pennsylvanians gunned down last year’: KYW Newsradio reports that “white vases filled with white flowers neatly spanned across the lawn in front of Independence Hall Tuesday morning. Each vase, all 1,700 of them, represents a person who was shot and killed in Pennsylvania in 2020. Former Arizona U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and her organization unveiled the memorial in the hopes of sending a clear message: Enough is enough.”

‘UPDATE: Philly school board approves vaccine mandate for staff’: KYW Newsradio reports that “after meeting for about two hours, the Philadelphia Board of Education voted Tuesday night to require 20,000 district teachers and employees to get COVID-19 vaccines.”

‘Allegheny County Council Considers Bills To Boost Transparency In Elections, Procurement’: WESA reports that “Allegheny County Council took up several measures Tuesday to give the public more access to key government functions. Three bipartisan bills strive to set new rules for monitoring elections, while a Democratic proposal seeks to publicize more information on county contracts, such as a controversial pair of agreements to furnish county jail employees with less-lethal weapons and militaristic training.”

‘Union employees to Allegheny County: Appeal Shuman’s license revocation’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “members of the Service Employees International Union Local 668 gathered outside the Shuman Juvenile Detention Center Tuesday afternoon to ask the county to appeal the state’s revocation of the facility’s operating license, rather than close the center for good.”

‘First Afghan families arriving in Philly as resettlement agencies prepare for a surge of newcomers’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “the first few families have begun to arrive in Philadelphia from Afghanistan, including a family of eight that crowded into the Mayfair home of a former Afghan translator. More are in the pipeline, their numbers unknown.”

‘Pennsylvania closes in, at least temporarily, on top gas producing spot’: The Pittsburgh Business Times reports that “Texas’ natural gas production dropped 6.1% through the end of May, after being down just under 1% in 2020 and rising 13.7% in 2019, according to EIA. Pennsylvania’s natural gas production, on the other hand, has increased in 2021.”

‘State College Borough Plans To Request A Census Recount, Suspecting A Pandemic-Related Undercount’: WPSU reports that “the Borough of State College is listed as having about 1,500 fewer residents than in 2010 in new 2020 population data the Census Bureau released last week.”

‘Advocates tell DOE that the cost of Appalachian petrochemicals too great’: The Pittsburgh Business Times reports that “environmental advocates made their case for environmental justice and the health and economic impacts of ethane and petrochemical development in Appalachia during a public hearing Tuesday convened by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management.”

‘Bobby Wilson appointed to Pittsburgh Land Bank board; Council returns to Chambers’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “a new face will soon be on the board of the Pittsburgh Land Bank, a seven-year-old agency that has yet to renovate or sell a single parcel. Councilman Bobby Wilson has been appointed to take the seat of Council President Theresa Kail-Smith, whose term expired.”

‘Seeing the light: Peduto administration aims to reduce light pollution in proposed ordinance’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “Mayor Bill Peduto’s office on Tuesday introduced a “dark sky” ordinance in an effort to reduce light pollution that often upstages the stars, disrupts wildlife and wastes energy.”

‘In Reversal, State Says Allegheny County Can Run WIC Program’: WESA reports that “state health officials have reversed a controversial bidding process that awarded a contract to provide the Women, Infants, and Children program in Allegheny County to an agency based in Washington County and removed it from the Allegheny County Health Department, which has run the program locally since 1974.”

‘Reading looks to get more small, minority and women owned businesses city contracts’: The Reading Eagle reports that “Mayor Eddie Moran’s administration unveiled its plan to help local, small and minority owned businesses get a shot at landing some city contracts.”

‘Residents Share Concerns Over Proposed Amazon Facility In Lawrenceville’: WESA reports that “while Amazon pushes to expand its distribution facilities in boroughs outside of Pittsburgh, the retail giant also hopes to advance its efforts to build in Lawrenceville. But those efforts are receiving pushback from community members who say they’re concerned about the potential impacts of an Amazon facility on the surrounding neighborhood.”

‘Pittsburgh plans to add 36 electric vehicles to its fleet with $10.4 million in federal funds’: The Pittsburgh Business Times reports that “the City of Pittsburgh announced plans to add three dozen electric vehicles to its fleet and increase its electric charging infrastructure as part of legislation introduced by Mayor William Peduto on Aug. 24.”

‘LCTA names COLTS chief as new executive director’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “the head of the County of Lackawanna Transit System is leaving to lead the Luzerne County Transportation Authority this fall.”

‘Another Dauphin County newspaper to cease publication’: PennLive reports that “in this week’s edition of the Upper Dauphin Sentinel, publisher Ben Kocher announced that the last issue will be published next Tuesday, Aug. 31.”

‘Reading City Council to return to all-virtual meetings’: WFMZ reports that “Reading City Council announced Monday night it will return to all-virtual meetings until further notice.”

‘‘I had to do what I was told’: Former Westmoreland County elections director claims scapegoating in federal lawsuit’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “the former director of the Westmoreland County Election Bureau JoAnn Sebastiani in a federal lawsuit filed Monday said she was fired without just cause, forced to change her political affiliation and “scapegoated” while in the position.”

‘Lycoming County commissioners OK recruitment, retention plan for 911 call center; controller questions legality’: The Williamsport Sun-Gazette reports that “Krista Rogers, county controller, accused the county commissioners of acting outside the “process established within the law” for their handling of a recruitment/retention package for 911 Call Center employees.”

‘Here’s what Philly experts say you can do to actually combat climate change’: Billy Penn lists “some tips from Philly climate experts on the most impactful lifestyle changes you can make to lessen the blow on our planet.”

‘County Democratic picnic planned at Boswell Community Park’: The Johnstown Tribune-Democrat reports that “all three Democrats vying for an open U.S. Senate seat in 2022 will be among the crowd gathering Sunday for a Democratic Picnic at Boswell Community Park.”

Snyder To Join Allen at Campaign Launch: Brian Allen, a psychologist and an Associate Professor of Pediatrics in the Penn State College of Medicine who is challenging Rep. Scott Perry (R-York) in the GOP primary for the 10th Congressional District, announced that Craig Snyder will be a guest speaker at his campaign launch event in Mechanicsburg on September 6. Snyder, a former chief of staff to Sen. Arlen Specter, is running for U.S. Senate. 

PA8: Gosar Endorses Daniels: Arizona GOP Congressman Paul Gosar announced on Twitter that he is supporting Teddy Daniels for the 8th Congressional District in 2022. 

Rendell Endorses Stancu for Bucks DA: Former Gov. Ed Rendell has endorsed Antonetta Stancu for Bucks County District Attorney, according to a tweet from Bucks United. 

Arkoosh To Hold Virtual Roundtable With Philadelphia-Based Black-Owned Business Leaders: According to a press release, Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh, who is seeking the Democratic Party nomination for U.S. Senate, will be holding a virtual roundtable conversation of “Philadelphia-area Black-owned business leaders to discuss the challenges they face, their priorities, and how Washington can better support small businesses.”

Harrisburg & DC   
Spotlight PA: In major shift, Pa. panel votes to count incarcerated people in home districts, not state prisons 
Spotlight PA: Wolf admin unexpectedly pulls the plug on controversial revamp of Pa. safety net program
AP: Assembly map-drawing panel to count inmates in home towns 
AP: Pennsylvania ends jobless-claims system lawsuit against IBM
Patriot News: Pa. lawmakers push bills on both sides of mask mandate, but don’t expect them to become law
Patriot News: Paroled murderer accused of killing 8-year old boy can’t sue Pa. legislator who named proposed law for the victim: U.S. court
Patriot News: Daily new COVID-19 infections again push 3,000 in Pa., 22 more die: daily update
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. redistricting commission to count people in prison at their old home, not in their cell 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Months after its launch, risk-limiting election audit pilot comes under review by Senate panel 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: House Democrats advance budget resolution, overcoming standoff on timing of infrastructure vote 
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. ends ‘prison gerrymandering’ with closely divided committee vote
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania redistricting commission: Prisoners will be counted based on home addresses, not prison location
City & State PA: Is TANF program even worth investing in still?
Inquirer: More people in Pa. and N.J. started coronavirus vaccinations in August than in July
Inquirer: Penn State professors teach on Zoom to protest lack of vaccine mandate 
USA Today: Legislative Redistricting Commission splits on ‘prison gerrymandering’ change. Here’s why
WFMZ: Pa., N.J. plan on welcoming Afghan refugees
StateImpactPA: Federal pipeline agency issues warning letter to Shell for Falcon project
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pennsylvania closes in, at least temporarily, on top gas producing spot
The Hill: Pennsylvania Senate president plans election investigation hearings
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pennsylvania: State Health Department Reports 2,795 New Cases, 22 Additional Deaths

Philadelphia 
KYW Newsradio: Philly Council learns how Chester cut violent crime; Krasner criticized for lack of participation
KYW Newsradio: UPDATE: Philly school board approves vaccine mandate for staff
KYW Newsradio: Giffords memorial honors the 1,700 Pennsylvanians gunned down last year
KYW Newsradio: The Penn researcher behind Pfizer’s vaccine technology is already onto the next pandemic
Inquirer: Chester officials say collaboration has helped lower gun violence there. When Philly officials visited Tuesday, discord followed. 
Inquirer: First Afghan families arriving in Philly as resettlement agencies prepare for a surge of newcomers 
Inquirer: Vaccines now mandatory for 20,000 Philly school district staff 
Inquirer: Now on Independence Mall: 1,700 vases of flowers to represent Pennsylvania gun deaths over the last year 
Inquirer: Photos of gun memorial violence at Independence Mall  
Billy Penn: Here’s what Philly experts say you can do to actually combat climate change 
Philadelphia Business Journal: Meet PHL Inno: Business Journal to launch expanded coverage of Philadelphia-area startups and entrepreneurs
WHYY Newsworks: Philly school board mandates COVID vaccine for all staff by unanimous vote 

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Fitzpatrick touts bipartisanship, but is that what Bucks voters want?
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County updates school COVID guidance after PA says plan was ‘inconsistent and alarming’ with CDC, state 
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County orders jail staff to get COVID vaccine or be terminated 
Bucks County Courier Times: Can hospitals in Bucks and beyond handle rise in pediatric COVID cases?
Inquirer: Pa.’s health secretary rebuked Bucks County officials over their school reopening guidance, prompting them to revise it
Delco Daily Times: Philly council visits Chester for ideas on reducing violence 
Daily Local News: Election investigation a waste of time, money, say Chester County Democrats

Pittsburgh 
KDKA: Chris Deluzio Announces Run For Conor Lamb’s House Seat Even Though No Guarantee The District Will Exist After Reapportionment
KDKA: Shuman Juvenile Detention Center Workers Plead With Allegheny County To Keep Facility Open
KDKA: Teachers Union Ratifies 4-Year Contract, Agrees On Start Date For Pittsburgh Public School Classes To Begin
KDKA: Group Of Parents Opposed To Masks In Schools Rally In North Park
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny County Health Department Reports 263 New Cases  
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County Council gets bills to allow more observation of election-related activities
Post-Gazette: Bobby Wilson appointed to Pittsburgh Land Bank board; Council returns to Chambers
Post-Gazette: Union employees to Allegheny County: Appeal Shuman’s license revocation 
Post-Gazette: Seeing the light: Peduto administration aims to reduce light pollution in proposed ordinance
WESA: Allegheny County Council Considers Bills To Boost Transparency In Elections, Procurement 
WESA: In Reversal, State Says Allegheny County Can Run WIC Program
WESA: Shuman Juvenile Detention Center Closure Sparks Concerns About Potential Effects On Children
WESA: Residents Share Concerns Over Proposed Amazon Facility In Lawrenceville
WESA: Pennsylvania Education Secretary Says He Can’t Mandate Masks, But He’s Urging Schools To Require Them
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh plans to add 36 electric vehicles to its fleet with $10.4 million in federal funds
Pittsburgh Business Times: Advocates tell DOE that the cost of Appalachian petrochemicals too great
Tribune Review: ‘We will find you’: Pittsburgh officials start illegal dumping crackdown
Tribune Review: Advocacy group threatens suit over Allegheny County Jail militaristic training contract 
Tribune Review: Pa. report describes ‘gross incompetence’ at Shuman Juvenile Detention Center 
WTAE: North Allegheny School District parents rally over mask policy

SWPA 
Observer-Reporter: Mask mandate on public transit extended through January 2022
Observer-Reporter: Tributes for Vittone pour in from across Pennsylvania
Post-Gazette: ‘I had to do what I was told’: Former Westmoreland County elections director claims scapegoating in federal lawsuit
Post-Gazette: State flags in Washington County ordered to fly at half-staff for late district attorney
Tribune Review: Fired Westmoreland election bureau director claims commissioners set her up to fail
KDKA: Former Head Of Elections In Westmoreland County Sues County And Its Commissioners
Beaver County Times: Beaver County’s COVID cases up 19.7%; Pennsylvania cases surge 17.3%
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Vaccination rates climb as COVID-19 cases increase
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: State commission votes to change how state prisoners are counted for legislative redistricting
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: State secretary of education visits Pitt-Johnstown, thanks leaders for COVID-19 efforts
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: County Democratic picnic planned at Boswell Community Park

NEPA
Citizens Voice: I-80 tolls among concerns Luzerne County acting manager shares with Hazleton chamber
Citizens Voice: LCTA names COLTS chief as new executive director 
Citizens Voice: Council mulls Sherman Hills, flood authority proposals
Citizens Voice: More than 60 new COVID-19 cases reported in county
Times-Tribune: LCTA names COLTS chief as new executive director
Times-Tribune: Scranton could be showcased on billboards nationwide 
Times-Tribune: No new COVID-19 deaths in region, but cases keep rising
The Times Leader: 65 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County on Tuesday; 2,795 statewide

South Central  
York Dispatch: ‘This is a war’: Doug Mastriano and mysterious allies continue push for 2020 election audit
York Dispatch: COVID surge worsens as ICU bed availability dwindles in York County 
Patriot News: Another Dauphin County newspaper to cease publication
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 49 new COVID-19 cases for Cumberland County Tuesday; hospitalizations increase by 11
LNP | LancasterOnline: Two years after auditor general recommends gun tracing system to stem violence, police departments rarely use it
LNP | LancasterOnline: Masked and unmasked, Lancaster County students return for another pandemic school year
LNP | LancasterOnline: Here’s which Lancaster County schools will require face masks this fall [updates]  

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: Reading looks to get more small, minority and women owned businesses city contracts
Reading Eagle: Pa. awards $20,000 grant to LGBT Center of Greater Reading
Reading Eagle: 10 of 18 Berks County school districts require masks [Updated]
Reading Eagle: Berks adds 89 new COVID cases, county coroner adds 6 deaths
Morning Call: Bethlehem woman seeks help from U.S. politicians for family trapped in Afghanistan
Morning Call: Lehigh Valley Planning Commission chair on warehouses at Dutch Springs aqua park: ‘This proposal is a disaster for the quality of life in the Lehigh Valley’
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: Local hospitalizations 7 times higher in month as 2,795 cases added statewide
WFMZ: Reading City Council to return to all-virtual meetings
Express Times: Amtrak eyes 3 Poconos stops, 1 Warren Co. stop in proposed NYC-Scranton service

North by Northwest
WPSU: State College Borough Plans To Request A Census Recount, Suspecting A Pandemic-Related Undercount
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County controller’s request to move staff back to controller’s office voted down by commissioners
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County commissioners OK recruitment, retention plan for 911 call center; controller questions legality
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Government officials address invasive species problems
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: New City of Williamsport website now up and running 
Erie Times-News: PA Supreme Court lets stand Judge Trucilla’s order against Judge Domotrovich in ethics dispute
Erie Times-News: 2 Erie County ZIP codes share common traits of COVID vaccine hesitancy like mistrust, fear
Erie Times-News: Erie County schools plan to obey face-masking mandate despite some frustration

Opinion  
Gabby Giffords: Universal background checks will save lives in Philadelphia 
Rich Askey: Why all students should be required to wear masks this fall
Paul Muschick: There’s a new ringmaster in Pennsylvania GOP circus to audit the 2020 election for Trump
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Pittsburgh should welcome refugees fleeing Afghanistan 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Court rules the Steelers can paint the words ‘Heinz Field’ on a section of seats
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: With delta surging, the county commissioners silent and no public health department in this county, Lancaster Chamber steps up
Inquirer: Inquirer readers respond to the Afghanistan exit
Gene Therapy: School dazed: Mask arguments an embarrassment with no end.
Tony Norman: The parable of an endless war
Will Bunch Newsletter: Afghan exit is a low moment for journalism 
Stephen N. Xenakis and Jesse D. Hamilton: Afghanistan withdrawal: Warfighters’ déjà vu
Amelia E. Van Pelt and Angela K. Shen: The wicked problem of booster shots for Americans | Expert Opinion
Marlene Kanuck: Why are Rep. Perry and Sen. Toomey playing party politics?
Geoff Glatt: Regarding Harrisburg Streets, Is anybody paying attention?