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August 26th Playbook

An election security expert announced his candidacy for the 17th Congressional District. Here is the Playbook. 

Pitt Cyber’s Policy Director Announces Dem Campaign for PA17: Chris Deluzio said that infrastructure and good-paying jobs are his top priorities if elected to Congress. He also announced that his campaign brought in over $172,000 one day after formally joining the race.

‘Pennsylvania lawmakers allow opioid emergency to lapse’: The Associated Press reports that “Pennsylvania’s opioid disaster declaration is set to expire at the end of Wednesday after state lawmakers, newly empowered to help manage statewide emergencies, declined the governor’s request for another extension.”

‘What we know about the renewed push for a ‘forensic audit’ of Pennsylvania’s 2020 election’: Spotlight PA reports on the renewed push for a ‘forensic audit’ in Pennsylvania and “how this effort came about, what we know about it thus far, and what it might look like in the future.”

‘State Senate President Jake Corman Renews Investigation Of 2020 Election, But Claims Trump Is Not Directing The Show’: KDKA reports that “State Senate President Jake Corman says the Republican-controlled Senate is moving ahead with a forensic audit of the 2020 election. In his first television interview since announcing this latest investigation, Corman told KDKA political editor Jon Delano that he’s not trying to undermine the 2020 election results.”

‘Wolf asks Republican leaders to return to Harrisburg and pass school mask mandate’: Spotlight PA reports that “Gov. Tom Wolf is calling on the Republican-led legislature to return to the Capitol immediately to pass legislation mandating the use of masks in K-12 classrooms and child-care centers throughout Pennsylvania.”

‘GOP divisions on 2020 election in spotlight as state Sens. Laughlin, Mastriano visit Pittsburgh area’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “the fault lines in the Republican Party over whether it’s politically advantageous and necessary to fully audit the 2020 election — or to move on from it, in one way or another — were stirred again on Wednesday at a restaurant in Bethel Park, where supporters of former President Donald Trump welcomed the state lawmaker at the center of it all.”

‘Pa. lawmakers are making their position on mask mandates known to local school officials’: PennLive reports that “​​Gov. Tom Wolf has made it clear that the decision as to whether to mandate masks in K-12 schools in Pennsylvania was a decision for local school officials. However, some state lawmakers have chosen to inject their views – or the views of constituents who contacted them – into school boards’ decision-making process.”

‘PA Senators share thoughts on Afghanistan, budget resolution’: CBS21 reports that “as efforts continue to evacuate Americans from Afghanistan before the August 31 deadline, today CBS 21 spoke with Pennsylvania Senators Bob Casey and Pat Toomey to get their thoughts on the situation.”

‘Pa. Republican lawmakers chime in on debate over K-12 school mask mandates’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “as Pennsylvania educators prepared to welcome students back to the classroom — and keep them learning in person for as long as possible — a group of state lawmakers joined the mask-wearing debate.”

‘As Pa. schools struggle with student mental health needs, lawmakers look to remove barriers’: PennLive reports that “a recognition that students’ mental health needs have been exacerbated by COVID-19-related issues prompted state lawmakers on Wednesday to focus attention on finding ways to help schools meet that need. The House Children & Youth and Education committees held a joint hearing to hear about barriers that stand in the way of ensuring students receive that help.”

‘Allegheny County residents tell legislative committee they’ll be watching how they draw Pa. congressional map’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “dozens of Allegheny County residents made it clear on Wednesday that they’ll be closely monitoring Harrisburg’s redrawing of Congressional districts in the coming months, and that they care deeply about preventing their communities from being split across tangled webs of politically advantageous lines.”

‘Lamb, Houlahan Take Different Tacks on Backing Biden’s Afghanistan Policy’: The Delaware Valley Journal reports that “U.S, Reps. Chrissy Houlahan and Conor Lamb were both early backers of Joe Biden during the 2020 presidential primary. But they have taken very different tacks regarding President Biden’s troubled handling of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.”

‘Sen. Bob Casey highlights his “Five Freedoms for America’s Children’ Plan’: CBS21 reports that “on Wednesday, Senator Bob Casey highlighted in part how childcare centers have experienced major staffing and funding shortages that have been exacerbated by the pandemic,” in York County. 

‘Where is Pittsburgh’s population growth occurring and who is driving it?’: Pittsburgh City Paper reports that “when the decennial census was released on Aug. 12, the figures showed Allegheny County grew in population for the first time since 1960. The growth wasn’t that substantial, just a 2.2% increase, but it still was a milestone.”

‘Restricting Ballot Questions In PA: New Bill Proposed’: The Abington Patch reports that “State Rep. Benjamin Sanchez, D-153, announced that he is introducing legislation to limit the submission of all future ballot questions to voters to general elections only during presidential and gubernatorial election cycles, which is when voter turnout is often the highest.”

‘Some Pittsburgh-area parents are giving Nazi salutes and prescribing horse medicine in response to new school mask mandates’: Pittsburgh City Paper reports that “with COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Allegheny County on the rise, many school districts around Pittsburgh are implementing mask mandates. And with the renewed mandates, groups of parents and activists are voicing their criticism.”

‘A significant chunk of Philly’s CARES Act money is paying for police and prisons’: WHYY reports that “upwards of a third of Philadelphia’s first round of COVID-19 pandemic relief funds appears to have been spent on staffing costs for city police, prisons, and the fire department.”

‘Philly achieves $80M surplus with some federal help’: WHYY reports that “the city of Philadelphia has finished the fiscal year with a close to $80 million surplus.”

‘2 Penn Museum staffers used ‘extremely poor judgement’ with MOVE remains, study says’: KYW Newsradio reports that “a law firm hired by the University of Pennsylvania Museum has concluded that staff members who handled human remains from the 1985 MOVE bombing violated no “professional, ethical or legal standards.” However, they accused those staff members of “extremely poor judgement and gross insensitivity.””

‘Graham Hetrick has a minority view on pandemic response, and he can’t shut up about it’: PennLive reports that “Dauphin County Coroner Graham Hetrick is getting a lot of pushback for his public pronouncements about masking and vaccines in the face of a resurgent pandemic.”

‘Montco’s Rep. Stephens Hosts Hearing on Assaults in Schools’: The Delaware Valley Journal reports that “the state House Children and Youth and State House Education Committees met in Montgomery County last week to gather information on sexual assaults in schools.”

‘Labor, industry group urges panel to reject Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative’: The Pittsburgh Business Times reports that “a group of business and labor leaders called Pittsburgh Works Together is urging the Independent Regulatory Review Commission to turn thumbs down on Pennsylvania’s plan to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative carbon-trading program.”

‘Former Congressman Charlie Dent recounts his experience taking in Afghan refugee a decade ago’: WFMZ talks with former Congressman Charlie Dent about his experience taking in an Afghan refugee in 2011, while WFMZ also reports that “tens of thousands of refugees are expected to come to the U.S., and Allentown and been marked as one of seven cities statewide where they could come.”

‘Pittsburgh Public Schools, teachers union working on agreement for vaccine mandate for employees’: WTAE reports that “Pittsburgh Public Schools and its teachers union are working on an agreement on a vaccine mandate for employees.”

‘30 of 59 school districts with masking policies are in Allegheny County’: The Pittsburgh Business Times reports that “Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and Allegheny County Health Director Dr. Debra Bogen urged the rest of the county’s school districts to implement masking mandates to protect students, particularly under the age of 12, from Covid-19.”

‘Pittsburgh plans to invest in electric bicycles for police following Justice Department grant’: The Pittsburgh Business Times reports that “the City of Pittsburgh announced plans to add electric-powered bicycles to its mobile police bicycling unit following a $113,702 grant from the United States Department of Justice Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program. City Council received legislation to accept the funding on Aug. 24.”

‘State secretary of education visits Pitt-Johnstown, thanks leaders for COVID-19 efforts’: The Johnstown Tribune-Democrat reports that “Noe Ortega, Pennsylvania Department of Education secretary, said he and Deputy Secretary Tanya Garcia visited the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown on Tuesday to “celebrate and really thank” the school’s leadership for COVID-19 mitigation efforts.”

‘Pa. agriculture secretary visits Bucks County farm, touts PASS program’: WFMZ reports that “Pennsylvania’s head of agriculture rolled up his sleeves Wednesday in Bucks County to highlight the state’s efforts to reduce food waste and hunger.”

‘Major central Pa. hospital system will require COVID-19 vaccination for employees’: PennLive reports that “Montour County-based Geisinger, one of Pennsylvania’s major health care systems, said Wednesday that all employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 15.”

‘Westmoreland officials say no plans to accept juveniles from soon-to-close facility in Pittsburgh’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that “Westmoreland officials said Wednesday there are no plans for the county’s juvenile detention center to accept troubled youth from the soon-to-shutter Shuman Center in Pittsburgh.”

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Pennsylvania lawmakers allow opioid emergency to lapse 
AP: Wolf asks Legislature for law mandating masks in classrooms 
Spotlight PA: What we know about the renewed push for a ‘forensic audit’ of Pennsylvania’s 2020 election 
Spotlight PA: Wolf asks Republican leaders to return to Harrisburg and pass school mask mandate
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Gov. Wolf asks Republican lawmakers to mandate masks in K-12 schools, child care centers 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘Our fight is not over,’ Gov. Wolf says — but Pennsylvania’s opioid disaster declaration is 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. Republican lawmakers chime in on debate over K-12 school mask mandates
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: State officials throw their support behind ‘collaborative’ efforts to combat invasive species
USA Today: Why has Gov. Tom Wolf changed his mind on requiring masks in schools? Find out here
Post-Gazette: Wolf asks Republican leaders to return to Harrisburg and pass school mask mandate
Patriot News: Pa. lawmakers are making their position on mask mandates known to local school officials 
Patriot News: As Pa. schools struggle with student mental health needs, lawmakers look to remove barriers
Patriot News: Pa. opioid disaster declaration is coming to an end
Patriot News: Pa. gives progress report on effort to give COVID-19 vaccine and tests to minorities
Patriot News: Pa. reports one of the highest new COVID-19 infection counts since spring
Pittsburgh Business Times: Wolf asks legislators to help craft school masking mandate
Pittsburgh Business Times: Labor, industry group urges panel to reject Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
Washington Post: In latest bow to Trump, GOP lawmakers in Pennsylvania plan to launch hearings on 2020 vote
KDKA: State Senate President Jake Corman Renews Investigation Of 2020 Election, But Claims Trump Is Not Directing The Show
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pennsylvania: State Health Department Reports 3,622 New Cases, 33 Additional Deaths
ABC27: Pa. Senators react to withdrawal from Afghanistan deadline and Biden’s efforts
CBS21: PA Senators share thoughts on Afghanistan, budget resolution
StateImpactPA: As climate change urgency grows, Pa. is still working on new standards for teaching about it
StateImpactPA: Federal officials working on ethane report hear from some in Appalachian communities
The Hill: Pennsylvania governor pushing for law requiring mask mandates in schools 
CNN: Pennsylvania election review moves forward amid GOP infighting 
Axios: First look: House Republicans hit inflation, not Afghanistan

Philadelphia 
WHYY Newsworks: A significant chunk of Philly’s CARES Act money is paying for police and prisons
WHYY Newsworks: Philly achieves $80M surplus with some federal help 
WHYY Newsworks: Philly health officials monitor effects of mask and COVID vaccine mandates
Inquirer: Penn report on mishandling of MOVE remains faults two scholars for ‘gross insensitivity’ 
Inquirer: Philly ‘eliminated’ veteran homelessness in 2015. Why are there still vets on the street?
Inquirer: Philly hopes to reach vaccine milestone this week as COVID-19 shots on the rise in Pa. and N.J.
Billy Penn: West Philly residents to city officials: Get money to grassroots startups, do job training in the neighborhoods
KYW Newsradio: 2 Penn Museum staffers used ‘extremely poor judgement’ with MOVE remains, study says
KYW Newsradio: Number of COVID-19 patients in Philly hospitals breaks 200 for first time in months
Philadelphia Tribune: Independent report on handling of MOVE bombing victims’ remains attempts to clear Penn of fault
Philadelphia Citizen: Ideas We Should Steal: Finding Families For Foster Kids 

SEPA
Delaware Valley Journal: Lamb, Houlahan Take Different Tacks on Backing Biden’s Afghanistan Policy 
Delaware Valley Journal: Montco’s Rep. Stephens Hosts Hearing on Assaults in Schools
Abington Patch: Restricting Ballot Questions In PA: New Bill Proposed
Delco Daily Times: Aqua looking to increase water rates by 17%
Daily Local News: Masks will be required in West Chester schools
WFMZ: Pa. agriculture secretary visits Bucks County farm, touts PASS program
Bucks Local News: Bucks County Commissioners, courts mandate COVID vaccination for all employees
Pottstown Mercury: Montgomery County to explore renewable energy purchasing opportunities
Pottstown Mercury: Aqua sewer rate request could mean 90% jump for Limerick customers 

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: GOP divisions on 2020 election in spotlight as state Sens. Laughlin, Mastriano visit Pittsburgh area
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County residents tell legislative committee they’ll be watching how they draw Pa. congressional map
Post-Gazette: Rep. Doyle says he’s tested positive for COVID-19
Post-Gazette: ‘Pittsburgh’s story is my story’: WTAE-TV reporter David Kaplan announces departure from station
Post-Gazette: North Allegheny school board adjourns meeting after some audience members refuse to mask up
Post-Gazette: Pa. Ethics Commission completes investigation into Pittsburgh Public School Superintendent Anthony Hamlet’s financial disclosures
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh Public Schools finalizes new contract with teachers
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County tracking vaccines by ZIP code; Braddock has lowest rate
WESA: With No Action In Harrisburg, Eyes Turn To Allegheny County Health Department For K-12 COVID-19 Mitigation
WESA: City School District Changes Start Times, Negotiates Staff Vaccine Mandate
WESA: As Violent Crimes Increase In Some City Neighborhoods, Residents Debate Officer Visibility
WESA: SNAP Benefits Are Increasing Due To Rising Food Prices
KDKA: Pennsylvania Congressman Mike Doyle Says He Has Tested Positive For COVID-19
KDKA: Pennsylvania House State Government Committee Holding Redistricting Hearing
KDKA: Mayor Bill Peduto Introduces New ‘Dark Sky’ Lighting Ordinance In The City
KDKA: Growing Concern About How School Districts Will Handle Positive Tests And Exposures Among Students
KDKA: Churchill To Continue Public Hearings On Possible Amazon Facility On Thursday
KDKA: North Allegheny School Board Meeting Adjourned Because Some Parents Wouldn’t Wear Masks
KDKA: Pittsburgh Public Schools Expected To Require COVID-19 Vaccinations Or Regular Testing For Employees
KDKA: Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Anthony Hamlet Facing State Fines And Sanctions For Ethical Violations
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny County Health Department Reports Over 300 New Cases, 9 Additional Deaths 
Tribune Review: Rep. Mike Doyle announces positive coronavirus test despite getting vaccinated
Tribune Review: Peduto introduces ‘Dark Sky’ legislation to reduce light pollution in Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Half of Pa. schools with mask mandates are in Allegheny County, officials say 
Tribune Review: Reporter David Kaplan leaving WTAE after six years
Tribune Review: Covid cases, hospitalizations continue to rise in Allegheny, Westmoreland
WTAE: US Rep. Mike Doyle says he has tested positive for COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated
WTAE: Pittsburgh Public Schools, teachers union working on agreement for vaccine mandate for employees
WTAE: Mayor Peduto introduces “dark sky lighting” legislation
Pittsburgh Business Times: 30 of 59 school districts with masking policies are in Allegheny County
Pittsburgh Business Times: Meet Pittsburgh Inno: Business Times to launch expanded coverage of Pittsburgh-area startups and entrepreneurs
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh plans to invest in electric bicycles for police following Justice Department grant
City Paper: Where is Pittsburgh’s population growth occurring and who is driving it?
City Paper: Some Pittsburgh-area parents are giving Nazi salutes and prescribing horse medicine in response to new school mask mandates

SWPA 
Tribune Review: Westmoreland officials say no plans to accept juveniles from soon-to-close facility in Pittsburgh
Observer-Reporter: Peters Township residents file suit over mask mandate
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: State secretary of education visits Pitt-Johnstown, thanks leaders for COVID-19 efforts
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria has largest COVID-19 increase since April, state report includes ‘old’ cases
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Vaccination rates climb as COVID-19 cases increase
Beaver County Times: Local gas prices may decline as summer ends

NEPA
The Times Leader: LCTA: Fiume scored ‘head and shoulders’ above other candidates for post
The Times Leader: $13.1M in ARPA payments to Luzerne County municipalities announced
The Times Leader: 80 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County Wednesday; 3,622 statewide
Citizens Voice: Election board agrees to work with election consultant
Citizens Voice: Elections consultant will take part in board meeting Wednesday 
Citizens Voice: Geisinger mandates COVID-19 vaccine for all employees
Citizens Voice: 80 new COVID-19 cases reported in county Wednesday
Times-Tribune: Geisinger mandates COVID-19 vaccine for all employees
Times-Tribune: State adds COVID-19 cases from early in pandemic to total

South Central 
CBS21: Sen. Bob Casey highlights his “Five Freedoms for America’s Children’ Plan
Patriot News: Graham Hetrick has a minority view on pandemic response, and he can’t shut up about it
Patriot News: Major central Pa. hospital system will require COVID-19 vaccination for employees
Carlisle Sentinel: COVID-19 mask policies for Sentinel area school districts
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 61 new COVID-19 cases for Cumberland County Wednesday, 2 additional deaths 
Delaware Valley Journal: Lancaster Nuns Still Fighting Pipeline Most Have Forgotten
York Dispatch: Both of Pennsylvania’s U.S. senators appear in York Wednesday 
York Dispatch: Two new COVID-19 deaths reported in York County amid latest surge
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County proposes COVID-19 relief funds to address prison staff shortages as cases rise 
Chambersburg Public Opinion: Southcentral Pa. communities gearing up for America’s semiquincentennial 

Lehigh Valley      
WFMZ: Former Congressman Charlie Dent recounts his experience taking in Afghan refugee a decade ago
Morning Call: Lehigh Valley woman remains trapped in Afghanistan: ‘Things are very bad’
Morning Call: In a hot housing market, Bethlehem is sizzling and has one of ‘hottest ZIP codes’ in country
Express Times: Emotions run high as Nazareth Area School Board approves tiered masking plan
Reading Eagle: Berks County sees a delta-variant surge record 121 cases 

North by Northwest
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
Centre Daily Times: Here’s where to get a COVID-19 test in Centre County as demand rises

Opinion  
Jake Corman: Careful, Thoughtful Investigation is Necessary to Restore Faith in Our Elections
Mike Schlossberg: Mask mandates are a small sacrifice to keep kids in schools
Andrew Lewis: Parents need to be in the driver’s seat when it comes to their kids’ education 
Jordan Harris: Infrastructure bill can make good on Biden-Harris’ pledges for racial equity 
John L. Micek: Report: Pa.’s billionaires more than doubled their wealth during pandemic | Thursday Morning Coffee
John L. Micek: Ahead of House vote, progressives offer Appalachia infrastructure agenda | Wednesday Morning Coffee
Wendell Young IV: It’s time for all employers to mandate the COVID vaccine for workers
Phill Kline: Election Rules Have to Mean Something
Inquirer Editorial Board: Conflicts between Kenney and Krasner impede Philadelphia’s response to the gun violence epidemic 
Inquirer: Is ‘Buy American’ the right path forward for our economy? | Pro/Con
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: It’s a mistake to make masks optional in Lancaster County schools this year — and unfair to parents seeking to protect their kids from delta
Joyce M. Davis: Educators, parents and mental health experts battle anger, anxiety and stress as kids head back to school | Social Views
Chris Kelly: De-worming anti-vax science deniers
Christine Flowers: The smarmy K-12 mask crusade
Dr. Kimberlee Josephson: Apprehension about ESG criteria in business is warranted
Ernest Owens: Why I’ve Decided to Stop Debating Vaccine-Resistant People
John Dominguez: Transparency about what college degrees are worth is the solution to student debt 
Jenice Armstrong: One mom comforted another after her daughter was struck by a stray bullet. A year later, the roles are reversed
Terry Williamson: From today’s Afghanistan to yesterday’s Vietnam
Michael Kurtz: Students from struggling economic backgrounds sent home with food for the weekend have improved test scores, study finds
Fletcher McClellan: Johnson had Vietnam. Bush had Iraq. Biden has Afghanistan 
Alfred A. White: We need to learn more about Critical Race Theory
Trudy Rubin: What you need to know about the chaotic U.S. departure from Afghanistan

2 Responses

  1. Kudos to Cong Dent urging kindness toward the desperate people escaping craziness in Afghanistan. Good story to relate and his personal experience is important to share. As for the “forensic audit” and while I respect Sen Corman it is hard to say “my forensic audit is Trump free while the other political people’s audits are Trump based.” I mean if the audit looks like a way to suppress Dem votes by questioning mail in ballots and or other means to knock down Dem voter numbers then it varies little from Trump’s “forensic audit.” If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck then its probably a duck.

  2. Inheritances are not always what you wish for. Biden inherited Afghanistan from Trump, who made it worse than when he got it from Obama, who got it from Bush (Shrub). At least, Biden has vowed to end it here and not pass it on to the next POTUS.

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