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August 26th Playbook

Gov. Tom Wolf calls for legalizing recreational marijuana as part of COVID-19 relief, while a PPP poll shows former VP Joe Biden leading President Donald Trump by 35 points in Scranton. Here is the Playbook.

PPP Poll: Biden Leads Trump by 35 in Scranton: 65% of voters in Scranton said that they’d vote for Biden if the presidential election were held today, while 30% said they’d vote for Trump, and 5% said they were unsure.

Harrisburg & DC   
Spotlight PA: Gov. Tom Wolf wants Pa. to legalize marijuana, provide more COVID-19 relief this fall 
Spotlight PA: Thwarted at every turn, Pa. GOP lawmakers hatch new plan to curtail Wolf’s emergency powers 
Spotlight PA: Civil rights marchers shot at in Pa. while on trek from Milwaukee to Washington, D.C.
Inquirer: Heather Heidelbaugh needs big money to beat Josh Shapiro. Pat Toomey’s allies are spending it. 
Inquirer: With COVID-19 rates down, governors of Pa. and N.J. talk budgets and relief for families and businesses 
Inquirer: American Blossom Linens sees business grow by 400% during pandemic
AP: No bipartisan fix to Pennsylvania’s mail-in voting in sight
AP: Wolf: Pennsylvania eviction moratorium to lapse Aug. 31
AP: Probe: Pandemic jobless pay went to Pennsylvania inmates
Patriot News: Wolf calls for legalizing marijuana for recreational use in Pa., but GOP lawmakers say it’s a pipe dream 
Patriot News: Eviction, foreclosure protection in Pa. expires Aug. 31, but Gov. Wolf is asking the General Assembly to extend it 
Patriot News: Appeals court overturns U.S. judge’s order freeing ICE detainees from Pa. prisons over COVID-19 fears 
Patriot News: Where are Pennsylvania’s 130,035 coronavirus cases? Aug. 25 map, county-by-county breakdown
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf puts recreational weed, paid family leave, hazard pay and business grants on fall agenda 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: With deadline set to expire, Wolf asks lawmakers to extend moratorium on evictions, foreclosures 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. Senate GOP advances ‘first pass’ at election fixes. Wolf says talks are ongoing 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: GOP lawmaker from Carbon County says he wants to let Pa. state parks charge visitors a fee 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: A Heavy Lift: In new ad, DePasquale uses CrossFit as a metaphor for politics | Tuesday Morning Coffee
USA Today: Republicans bristle at Wolf’s fall legislative agenda on pandemic recovery, reform
PLSReporter: Wolf calls for hazard pay, legal pot and government reforms in fall legislative wish list 
PLSReporter: Senate GOP leaders unveil election reform proposal but its prospects are unclear 
Fox News: Philadelphia church shocker: Suspect seen punching woman leaving altar is ID’d, charges deferred, police say
WHYY Newsworks: Republican DA who supported George Floyd protesters censured by local GOP
WHYY Newsworks: Battleground 2020: Mail-in voting
Billy Penn: PA unemployment update: Who gets the extra $300 and how long will it last?
National Journal: Parnell Highlights Military Background at RNC, Steers Clear of Campaign
National Journal: DePasquale Pumps Iron in Second PA-10 Ad
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania receives $1.5B to supplement unemployment benefits
Tribune Review: Gisele Fetterman gets personal about her medical marijuana use
Tribune Review: Gov. Tom Wolf wants Pa. to legalize marijuana, provide more covid-19 relief this fall
Roll Call: Both parties featured this House battleground at their conventions
Politico: ‘It’s been Covid, Covid, Covid’: Pro-Trump super PAC plans ad blitz on the economy 
Real Clear Politics: A Historical City Went From Boom to Bust in the Blink of an Eye
Huffington Post: Black Lives Matter Protester Shot While Marching Through Pennsylvania

Philadelphia 
Philadelphia Magazine: State Rep Chris Rabb Wants to Give $65,000 a Year to People Who Are Wrongfully Convicted
Philadelphia Business Journal: Kenney backs Gov. Wolf’s push to legalize recreational marijuana for Covid relief funding
WHYY Newsworks: Federal judge clears city to remove homeless encampments on Ben Franklin Parkway, Ridge Ave. 
WHYY Newsworks: Philadelphia to replace judge that supervised landlord-tenant court 
WHYY Newsworks: Under investigation for sexual abuse, Devereux still has a contract to detain migrant children in PA
Inquirer: Federal judge allows city to clear out homeless encampments on Benjamin Franklin Parkway and in N. Philly 
Inquirer: Philly can clear out homeless encampments, judge rules | Morning Newsletter
KYW Newsradio: Federal judge permits city to disband Parkway encampments due to public health, safety
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia falls below 100 new COVID-19 cases a day — lowest rate since April
Philly Voice: Federal judge rules Philly can shut down homeless encampments 
Billy Penn: Philadelphia Black and Jewish leaders come together to clear the air, work on solutions
Billy Penn: Under investigation for sexual abuse, Devereux still has a contract to detain migrant children in PA

SEPA
Montgomery Media: ‘Let them play’: Upper Dublin community holds rally calling for fall sports participation 
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County records 2 coronavirus deaths over seven-day period
Daily Local News: Chester County schools get funding to improve services to underserved students 
Daily Local News: After 66 years, Unionville retires iconic Indians name 

Pittsburgh 
City Paper: Mayor Peduto tells WESA he plans to run for reelection, amid recent criticism 
City Paper: Pittsburgh City Council introduces police facial recognition, predictive policing ban 
City Paper: Gov. Wolf recommends legalizing recreational marijuana as part of COVID-19 relief 
City Paper: The Delta Foundation, one of Pittsburgh’s most prominent LGBTQ nonprofits, dissolves
WESA: After Criticisms, Peduto Says Changes Are Being Made In Responses To Protests 
WESA: Art Commission To Discuss Fate Of Pittsburgh’s Columbus Statue 
WESA: Coronavirus Test Result Delays Hinder Contact Tracing 
KDKA: Allegheny County Sending Out Mail-In Ballot Applications
KDKA: Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto Calls For Review Of Schenley Park’s Christopher Columbus Statue
KDKA: Gov. Wolf Dedicates $17 Million To Help Schools Improve Services To Historically Underserved Students
KDKA: Pittsburgh Public School Board To Vote On Future Of Fall Sports, Superintendent Dr. Anthony Hamlet
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Announces 58 More Coronavirus Cases, 3 Additional Deaths 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh Councilman O’Connor introduces bill regulating police use of facial recognition tech
Post-Gazette: Mayor Peduto seeks recommendation on fate of Columbus statue in Schenley Park
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Don Walko to step down in September
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County council approves use of purple paint to designate no trespassing areas
Post-Gazette: COVID-19 Update: Pa. reports 561 new cases, Pittsburgh region 126
Tribune Review: Gisele Fetterman gets personal about her medical marijuana use 
Tribune Review: Allegheny County’s covid positivity rate has dropped 3 percentage points since mid-July

SWPA 
Beaver County Times: Parnell asks voters to join ‘the chorus of patriot voices’ at RNC 
Observer-Reporter: Reschenthaler invited to watch Trump’s acceptance speech from White House lawn 
Observer-Reporter: Greene seeking director of budget and elections 
Observer-Reporter: Washington County sees two new COVID-19 deaths
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Somerset County commissioners, DA at odds over employee agreements 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: State Rep. Frank Burns announces more funding for schools 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Re-upping the recycling program: Somerset seeks to hire coordinator 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria adds nine COVID-19 cases, Blair has ninth death
Post-Gazette: Counties say Pa. set restrictions on possible Trump event while car shows with thousands go on
Tribune Review: Westmoreland County marks another day of single digit new covid-19 cases
Altoona Mirror: Blair commissioners to reconvene today
Altoona Mirror: Blair eyes CDBG grants

NEPA
Citizens Voice: County council approves capital plan 
Citizens Voice: County council divided on proposed Mackey review 
Citizens Voice: Ciavarella denied new hearing, 28-year sentence stands 
Citizens Voice: Two local Republicans invited to White House for Trump acceptance speech 
Citizens Voice: Federal grant will aid victims of domestic violence 
Citizens Voice: 14 new COVID-19 cases, 1 death reported in county
Times-Tribune: Two local Republicans invited to White House for Trump acceptance speech
Times-Tribune: Scranton seeks court OK for payroll tax
Times-Tribune: Scranton, other NEPA students could be without laptops as virtual learning begins
Times-Tribune: Susquehanna County virus surge alters school plans; Lackawanna surpasses 2,000 cases
The Times Leader: County officials begin discussion of Mackey probe options
The Times Leader: ‘Ciavarella is wrong’: Federal judge denies disgraced jurist new sentencing hearing
The Times Leader: Beyond the Byline: Signs, signs, everywhere there are signs
The Times Leader: 14 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County; 561 statewide

South Central 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Rep. Smucker calls mail-in ballot delivery concerns ‘simply ludicrous’ while House hearings mull solutions 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Here’s how new coronavirus cases in Pa. and Lancaster County have trended since March 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Tuesday’s COVID-19 updates: Pa. at 130K total cases; Lancaster County has had 6.5K
Patriot News: Snyder County hires expert to examine similar handwriting on primary mail-in ballots 
Patriot News: Where are Pennsylvania’s 130,035 coronavirus cases? Aug. 25 map, county-by-county breakdown
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 11 new cases of COVID-19 for Cumberland County Tuesday
York Daily Record: District judge admitted into diversion program
York Dispatch: York County judge enters diversionary program after accusations of misconduct 
York Dispatch: As York City eyes sale of wastewater system, six municipalities ask for control 
York Dispatch: York County has 2 new deaths linked to COVID-19, 22 new cases

Lehigh Valley      
Express Times: Lehigh Valley counties warn of confusion around unsolicited ballot applications 
Express Times: 165 signs highlighting Easton’s shopping, heritage coming to downtown dining scene 
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus update: State tops 130K cases, 7,600 deaths; Lehigh Valley reaches 9,200 cases | Pa. COVID-19 county case map (08/25/20)
Morning Call: Northampton County executive says he may veto referendum that would put LGBTQ protections on the ballot 
Morning Call: Northampton County police and communities of color continue to discuss how to build trust and respect on both sides. But they agree on one thing: defunding the police is not the answer. 
Reading Eagle: Christian Leinbach criticized for attending rally after finding out he may have been exposed to coronavirus 
Reading Eagle: Risk of coronavirus community spread remains moderate in Berks County, state reports
Reading Eagle: Reading’s single trash hauler ordinance stinks, protesters say 
Reading Eagle: Berks County coronavirus cases rise by 42

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Erie County Council seats college board, nixes one appointee 
Centre Daily Times: Here’s what to know about casting your vote — in-person, by mail or absentee — in Centre County
Centre Daily Times: Pa. Republicans propose election law changes as anxiety builds over mail voting
Centre Daily Times: Reopening updates: Centre County adds 4 cases of COVID-19, and other updates for Aug. 25
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Advocates: Accessibility commission may be valuable resource
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Federal unemployment aid complicates state benefits
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County 8 new COVID-19 cases

Opinion  
Nikil Saval and Stephanie Sena: Even with judge’s sign-off, criminalizing encampments isn’t the solution to Philly’s housing problem 
Inquirer Editorial Board: Pa.’s eviction moratorium expires Monday. Lawmakers must act now to prevent mass evictions. 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: CMU refuses to cave
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Using privilege badly
Emily Morgan: Pa.’s small businesses are stronger – and alive today – because of digital services
Dick Polman: 2020 Election: Biden versus ‘a grave counterintelligence threat’
Paul Muschick: Dirt bikes in Allentown: Why police should seize them
Chris Kelly: Yard signs mark boundaries of two Americas
Tony Norman: The Protocols of the Elders of Zion 2.0: The rise of QAnon
Will Bunch Newsletter: Trump RNC: A ‘Seinfeld’-ian show about nothing 
Barbara Flanagan: Aramark exec: National School Lunch Program needs extension to feed hungry kids during pandemic 
Trudy Rubin: Poisoning of Alexei Navalny is a litmus test for Trump and Putin
Helen Ubiñas: If you don’t know by now that Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, you’re not ignorant. You’re racist 
Tine Hansen-Turton and Liz Hayden: People with intellectual disabilities need to be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccine | Expert Opinion
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: QAnon or QuackAnon?

17 Responses

    1. ^^ Deadbeat racist scumbag who can’t spell or properly use punctuation or construct a sentence. In other words, typical white supremacist trash.

  1. Weed keeps the black man down !
    Another gimmick by the Democrats ! They had enough and are moving towards Trump .

    1. You should be honest with yourself. The problem is people who think that you can control and speak for black people ,but you only want to control the black man. That’s you. You will only ever see things as trump tells you to.

      1. Have you been to up town Harrisburg ? The bro’s are high as kites but can’t figure out how to get a job . Get if the plantation man . Weed is back for the black man and you know it .

    2. ^^ Deadbeat racist scumbag who can’t spell or properly use punctuation or construct a sentence. In other words, typical white supremacist trash.

  2. Wolf didn’t ask for it , Fetterman did . And guess who approved all the medical marijuana
    qualifications ??? Richard Levine ! Back pain , toe fungus, belly pain ……

    Ask Ozzy Osborne about weed…

    1. ^^ Deadbeat racist scumbag who can’t spell or properly use punctuation or construct a sentence. In other words, typical white supremacist trash. Also works for the GOP in Harrisburg.

  3. All people can see and hear the lies that keep airing on news ,but all accept it .when racist people hear a lie the fit there way of thinking they will always support a President that wants to enslave the people. People of color.the people who are going along feel that way ,but will never say it out loud.

    1. ^^ Same exact deadbeat racist scumbag who can’t spell or properly use punctuation or construct a sentence. In other words, typical white supremacist trash. Works for the GOP in Harrisburg.

  4. The Gov had a secret committee give out lucrative grow marijuna contracts.

    His policies during the virus crisis have led to the closure of many small business all over PA, putting thousands out of work.

    Suddenly he makes top priority of once again helping his friends in the marijuana industry by legalizing it?

    His Administrartion’s lack of transparency and abuse of emergency powers get a free pass from the state media.

    Despicable.

    1. You lie! Legalizing marijuana would be the best thing that could happen in PA. I have a condition, essential tremor, that if I could get marijuana it would help my shaking and I would not have to take blood pressure medicine to control it. But who has the money to go to the Doctor and who has the money to pay for medical marijuana? I can go to DC and buy it, but I must use it in DC or risk being arrested in PA.

        1. ^^ Same exact deadbeat racist scumbag who can’t spell or properly use punctuation or construct a sentence. In other words, typical white supremacist trash. Works for the GOP in Harrisburg.

  5. Trump weaponized Melania; she was a drone. Hard to stay awake as she droned on and on about nothing. Odd that she never mentioned the court ruling that day that her husband has to pay court fees to porn star Stormy Daniels, who Trump was screwing as Melania gave birth to their son. Jerry Falwell, Jr also resigned from Liberty University because his wife was screwing the pool boy for years, while he watched. Such christian behavior by her friends.

  6. RNC has featured the BIG LIE incessantly. Damn near everything the speakers say is a LIE or distorted from reality. Abuse of govt position and facilities is rampant. Hatch Act is violated repeatedly. So disgusting and so illegal.

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