President Trump will host a rally with U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Lou Barletta in Wilkes-Barre, PA tonight, while multiple third party candidates enter races across the state. Here is the Playbook!

Wolf and Wagner Keep Up the Attacks in New Ads: Wolf calls Wagner an insider, while Wagner slams Wolf on education.

Green Party files 6 candidates for November’s election: This is the first election for Governor since 2002 to include a candidate from the Green Party.

Moving On: Mayor Jim Kenney’s Chief of Staff, Jane Slusser, has stepped away from her role and plans of “mobilizing voters” for the midterm election campaigns. Jim Engler is Kenney’s new Chief of Staff as of August 10.

Obama Makes Waves: President Obama makes his first wave of 2018 midterm endorsements which includes multiple Democratic candidates in Pennsylvania.

Legislative Election Updates

HD-153: Ben Sanchez has been selected by the Democratic Committee as the new candidate for the seat previously held by Congressional candidate for PA-4, Madeleine Dean.

HD-93: Megan O’Rourke, the Democratic candidate for the 93rd district being vacated by Rep. Kristin Phillips-Hill, has dropped out of the race.

Don’t see news from your campaign, or an article from a local news outlet in our legislative elections list? Add press@politicspa.com to your list and send us your updates!

Harrisburg & DC
AP: Pennsylvania medical marijuana program starts dry leaf sales
AP: The Latest: Lawmaker hails naming priests accused of abuse
StateImpactPA: Sale of Oyster Creek nuclear plant could speed decommissioning by decades
City and State PA: By the numbers: where PA Democrats and Republicans have gained voters
PLSReporter: School funding sparks loud campaign fights, raises legislative questions
Inquirer: Ex-state chief justice backs embattled former state prosecutor
Inquirer: Wolf, Wagner spar over funding formula as education surges to center of Pa. governor’s race
Propublica: Kris Kobach’s Lucrative Trail of Courtroom Defeats

Philadelphia
Inquirer: D.A.’s Office: Under new program, crisis responders will immediately help homocide victims’ families
Inquirer: In Philly immigration court, a judge is replaced after delaying man’s deportation
Inquirer: Four city labor contracts, 1 pension fund and a plan to close a $6 billion gap
Inquirer: Change of guard in Kenney administration: Progressive Jane Slusser out as chief of staff
Inquirer: Trump visits the county county that helped swing Pa. to the right. Can Democrats win it back?
KYW Newsradio: Untraceable 3D-printed guns ‘unstoppable’ despite Philadelphia law, court action

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Bridge Commission: No toll hikes on Burlington-Bristol or Tacony-Palmyra bridges next year
Bucks Local News: Morrisville Borough awarded $250K block grant for Patriots Park; community invited to ‘Night Out’
Bucks Local News: On the banks of the Delaware River in Bucks County, 45 foreign nationals take the oath to become U.S. citizens

Pittsburgh
PLSReporter: Divisive vote by council moves forward city purchase of former Art Institute of Pittsburgh building
PLSReporter: Over anger of advocates, Pittsburgh city council approves UPMC hospital expansion
WESA: Activists Slam State Lawmaker’s Proposal To Drug Test People Seeking PFA
WESA: Pittsburgh-Area Physician Indicted On 121 Counts For Overprescribing Opioids
WTAE: Antwon Rose’s family files federal lawsuit against borough, officer, mayor, police chief
KDKA: Bethel Park Councilman Facing Drug, Fraud Charges in Separate Cases
Post-Gazette: Cash-strapped Duquesne City Schools agreed to $300,000 settlement in child sex abuse case
Post-Gazette: U.S. Steel appeals fine for air violations at coke works
Tribune Review: Peduto responds to union criticism over $400M UPMC Mercy expansion
Tribune Review: Medical marijuana dispenser has its best sales yet on 1st day that dry leaf form becomes available

SWPA
Beaver County Times: Firm sets priorities to get county’s financial act in order
Beaver County Times: Beaver County drug overdose calls drop by 44 percent
Observer-Reporter: Dry leaf marijuana coming to Washington dispensary next week
Altoona Mirror: Patton Borough seeks funds after flooding
Altoona Mirror: Blight team seeks subsidy expansion

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Scranton Diocese Not Releasing Names of Accused Clergy Before Grand Jury Report Release
Times-Tribune: Man Wanted For Threatening Trump May Have Stolen Van
Times-Tribune: Blight battle to expand countywide
Times-Tribune: Dry leaf marijuana now available at Scranton dispensary
The Times Leader: Hearing set to discuss possible sanctions in Dallas contract dispute
The Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre’s bid for distressed status all but certain
The Times Leader: Medical marijuana as autism treatment is topic of Friday program

South Central
PennLive: Here’s what we know about the accused clergy in the Harrisburg diocese
PennLive: Allentown Diocese to release list of accused priests
PennLive: Harrisburg diocese withdrawal of priest honors fails to impress accusers
PennLive: Key moments from Diocese of Harrisburg’s statement on child sex abuse
York Daily Record: Democrats scramble to scramble to replace Meggan O’Rourke, who quit 93rd Pa. State House district race

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Wake-up Call: Trump rally coming
Morning Call: Libertarian enters race to represent Lehigh Valley in Congress
Morning Call: Libertarian enters race to represent Lehigh Valley in Congress

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Dry leaf medical marijuana is coming to State College
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Consulting firm head alleges ‘gag order’ by mayor
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Council-manager final suggestion for charter commission
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Residence inn addition on City Council agenda today

Opinion
Maria Panaritis: A huge clergy abuse probe is about to go public. Could Pa.’s attorney general be on the verge of slaying Goliath?
Abraham Gutman: 3D printed guns: How did we get here and what can we do?
Sharif El-Mekki: While Jalen Rose throws shade at LeBron James’ new school, black students continue to suffer
Dom Giordano: Even in modern form, socialism is an unhealthy lifestyle
Inquirer Editorial Board: Supreme Court right to release clergy sex abuse report, but don’t weaken it
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Lonesome whistle: Protect court employees who report wrongdoing
Brian O’Neill: Stockholm Street and the syndrome of neglect
Observer Reporter Editorial: Protesters in Pittsburgh should turn energy into action
The Times Leader Editorial: Our view: Stop posting of plans for printable guns online
John L. Micek: Will clergy sex abuse report jump-start stalled Pa. statute of limitations bill?
PennLive Editorial Board: Harrisburg Diocese took a step to atonement by releasing names of abuser priests
Sam Rubin: Wolf has the power to stop Mariner East. He should use it
Elizabeth Bruenig: The Catholic Church has obliterated its ability to inspire trust