The state will pay the postage fee for voters to mail in ballots in November’s general election. Here is the Playbook.

July 31st Ups & Downs: Gov. Tom Wolf calls on a GOP state rep to be censured about a letter he penned on the “unmasked community,” a bill from a York County Republican that was passed unanimously lapses into law, plus the Washington Post profile’s “best-known small city” in America. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Pennsylvania Supreme Court tosses challenge to eviction ban
AP: Pennsylvania to pay for mail-in ballot postage in election
AP: Man gets 20 years for threatening Trump, prosecutor
Patriot News: Pa. Gov. Wolf addresses rumors, says he’s not ordering schools to close 
Patriot News: Mike Pence tends to 2 injured Pa. cops after his motorcade is hit by dump truck 
Patriot News: Four Pa. Republican lawmakers sign letter opposing federal bailout of states 
Patriot News: Census countdown is on, but a lot of Pennsylvanians haven’t been counted 
Patriot News: Pa. city council members seek censure against colleagues who participated in Black Lives Matter protest 
Patriot News: Four video gaming terminals opened at Pa. truck stops this week
The Caucus: Pa. lawmakers keep up battle against Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Post-primary, Pa. Republicans notch some voter reg. gains | Analysis 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf says ‘widespread’ school closure rumor is false
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. will pay postage for all mail-in ballots cast in November election
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: With classes heading online, Pa.’s public schools, online charters find themselves in stiff competition
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘14,000 attempts’: Balky technology, expiring unemployment benefits worry workers, state leaders
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Sports, maybe? | Five for Your Weekend
WESA: Report: Probation, Parole ‘Feed Mass Incarceration,’ And The ‘Problem Is Particularly Acute’ In PA
PLSReporter: Department of State to include postage-paid envelopes with mail ballots
PLSReporter: Wolf dispels rumors, says no statewide school closures at this time
Post-Gazette: Biden, Trump camps make pitches on reopening schools
Post-Gazette: Is it Trump? Biden? Nope. It’s Jo Jorgensen 
StateImpactPA: Rising seas puts hundreds of Superfund sites at risk, study says
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania reports 654 coronavirus cases, 5 new deaths
Tribune Review: Pa. to hire more coronavirus contact tracers, starting at $18 an hour
York Dispatch: Addressing rumors, Wolf says he will not shutter schools in the fall 
The Hill: Pennsylvania to use coronavirus aid for prepaid postage on ballots in November election
Morning Call: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf debunks rumors of another statewide school shutdown; ‘I am not closing school buildings’
KYW Newsradio: PennFuture presents green economic recovery plan to state lawmakers
KYW Newsradio: New law places restrictions on third-party food delivery services, including caps on fees
Inquirer: Pennsylvanians worry how they’ll pay bills as $600 in pandemic unemployment assistance expires
Inquirer: Rising coronavirus transmission in New Jersey could mean new restrictions on indoor gatherings; Pa. to hire 1,000 more contact tracers
Politico: ‘Hating Joe Biden doesn’t juice up their base’: Key swing state slips away from Trump
CNN: Biden is eating into Trump’s Rust Belt base
CNN: Joe Biden narrows down his VP list, with Karen Bass emerging as one of several key contenders
CNN: Secretaries of state ask for additional election support funding in light of coronavirus
CNN: Trump campaign fighting to make it harder for Democrats to vote by mail 
KDKA: Pa. State Senate Democrats To Hold Virtual Hearing On Safely Reopening Schools  

Philadelphia 
KYW Newsradio: Philly revives anti-violence strategy to address rising homicide rate
KYW Newsradio: School District eyes all-virtual start for extra time to improve school buildings
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia School District considers developing app to keep parents informed
KYW Newsradio: Deadline approaches for Pennsylvania fire and EMS grants
Philadelphia Tribune: Booker: Biden’s plan is more than economics, it’s also racial justice
Inquirer: Frederick L. Voigt, who spent a half-century overseeing Philly elections, dies at age 76
Inquirer: City Council is handing out masks and social-distancing signs to help business owners open
Inquirer: What is the fair housing rule and how will its repeal affect Philly?
Inquirer: How Philly-area colleges are planning to test students and staff for coronavirus
Inquirer: Faculty, alumni pressure Penn to make payments to support Philly schools in push for ‘racial and economic justice’
Inquirer: Thousands are in limbo as Philly courts remain mostly stalled by coronavirus: ‘It’s just been mass confusion’
Inquirer: Mail delays are frustrating Philly residents, and a short-staffed Postal Service is struggling to keep up
Inquirer: Penn, Drexel officers’ presence on 52nd Street renews calls to defund campus police
Inquirer: Bars closed and traffic dropped during the pandemic, but DUI arrests are up
WHYY Newsworks: Getting undercounted Philly neighborhoods to fill out the census relies on unconventional techniques 
Philly Voice: Vai Sikahema to retire in November after 26 years at NBC10
Philly Voice: Philadelphia Housing Authority extends eviction moratorium to March 2021
Philadelphia Magazine: Temple Faculty Union Demands Right to Teach Online This Fall 
Philadelphia Magazine: MSNBC’s Ali Velshi on Covering Primaries, Pandemics and Protests 

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: Black Lives Matter march turns tense in Ridley Township 
Delco Daily Times: U.S. Labor secretary talks economy amid coronavirus pandemic at Willow Grove visit
Delco Daily Times: ‘Back the Blue’ shows support for cops in Ridley 
Delco Daily Times: Delaware County trials pushed back to November 
Delco Daily Times: Eddystone goes back to in-person meetings 
Daily Local News: Chester County makes moves on mail-in voting
Daily Local News: Dinniman: Parents, school officials should review school reopening report 
Daily Local News: Houlahan backs efforts to increase child care support during pandemic 
Daily Local News: Chester County Health Director: Rise in new coronavirus cases anticipated 
Daily Local News: Few nursing home deaths recorded in Chester County 
Daily Local News: Sunday Update: Department of Health reports 1,542 new coronavirus cases in Pennsylvania over weekend
KYW Newsradio: Labor secretary visits Montco, discusses rebuilding economy
Bucks County Courier Times: U.S. labor secretary thanks essential workers in Willow Grove 
Bucks County Courier Times: Hundreds gather for separate BLM, Back the Blue rallies 
Bucks County Courier Times: Casey pitching “Rosie” cause in Senate as Levittown’s Mae Krier receives 5,000th mask request
Bucks Local News: JULY 30 BUCKS COUNTY COVID-19 UPDATE: Cases average 44 over past three days; hospitalizations remain low
Montgomery Media: MontcoMoms is a grassroots effort for social justice 
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County court officials establish pretrial services unit; address bail reform

Pittsburgh 
WESA: Pittsburgh Public Students Will Learn Remotely Until November 
WESA: ‘We Are In A State Of Emergency.’ Demonstrators Show Up For Trans Health Care & Housing Protections 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh Public Schools votes to start school year online only  
Post-Gazette: ‘A New Deal that works for all of us’ is the Appalachian call for an alternative future 
Post-Gazette: Biden, Trump camps make pitches on reopening schools
Post-Gazette: Amid high unemployment, Congress debates how to target jobless benefits without wreaking havoc on Pa.’s system
Post-Gazette: Freedom from Facebook? With Congress on board, an antitrust movement enters new phase 
Post-Gazette: Is it Trump? Biden? Nope. It’s Jo Jorgensen 
Post-Gazette: Tuned In: KDKA-TV adds 7:30 p.m. newscast 
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County reports 2 new deaths, 82 new COVID-19 cases
KDKA: Pittsburgh Public Schools Board Votes For Online-Only Classes During First 9 Weeks 
KDKA: Pennsylvania To Foot The Cost Of Stamps For Mail-In Ballots This November
KDKA: U.S. Department Of Transportation Awards $1 Million To University Of Pittsburgh
KDKA: Residents Of Crafton Organize Protest Against Borough Council
KDKA: Crafton Borough Council Members Trade Harsh Words After One Makes Corruption Claims 
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 82 New Coronavirus Cases, Increasing Countywide Total To 8,242
Tribune Review: Veterans hold Black Lives Matter rally in Pittsburgh 
Tribune Review: City of Pittsburgh awarded over $4.6 million in grants in 2020  
Tribune Review: Union probes Port Authority dress policy, barring political statements on masks 
Tribune Review: Ross nursing home reports 39 new coronavirus cases 
Tribune Review: Allegheny County reports 82 new coronavirus cases, 2 new deaths
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh Public Schools to go remote for first nine weeks of school year 
Pittsburgh Business Times: U.S. Department of Transportation awards University of Pittsburgh grant to research accessibility of autonomous vehicles
City Paper: After criticizing COVID mitigation efforts, Rep. Guy Reschenthaler self-quarantines following possible exposure 
City Paper: PHOTOS: More than 100 protest in Pittsburgh against Trump’s trans policy reversals
City Paper: This map quantifies the Sheetz versus Wawa turf war

SWPA 
Beaver County Times: Bernstine disappointed spectators barred from high school games
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Fatal overdoses in Cambria County down 9% in ‘19
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Johnstown demonstrators call for police policy changes
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Blair, Cambria add double-digit COVID-19 cases over weekend
Post-Gazette: A decade of water woes in Butler County community
Tribune Review: Westmoreland County adds 16 new coronavirus cases
Altoona Mirror: ‘Building bridges’ — Rally supports first responders
Altoona Mirror: SAPD to receive $4.3 in CARES funds
Observer-Reporter: Washington County records 17 new COVID-19 cases
Observer-Reporter: Greene County reports first COVID-19 death

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Congressional debate set for Oct. 28 
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County holds first outdoor judicial sale; generates $1.63 million 
Times-Tribune: State aiming to bolster COVID-19 contact tracing in Northeast PA 
Times-Tribune: Region sees 56 new coronavirus cases, most in Luzerne County 
Citizens Voice: Libertarian VP candidate looking for support in Kirby Park, blasts Republicrats
Citizens Voice: State aiming to bolster COVID-19 contact tracing in Northeast PA
Citizens Voice: County announces grants to aid youth sports, municipalities
Citizens Voice: School districts decide whether to enact hybrid reopening plans or allow students in school five days a week
Citizens Voice: 48 new COVID-19 cases reported in Luzerne County on Sunday
The Times Leader: Citizen Police Academy in the works for Wilkes-Barre 
The Times Leader: Remote access to Luzerne County government services encouraged
The Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre applies for state grant to address blight 
The Times Leader: Luzerne County accepting coronavirus funding requests from municipalities and sports leagues 
The Times Leader: Man gets 20 years for threatening Trump, prosecutor
The Times Leader: 48 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County; 654 statewide

South Central 
York Daily Record: Clergy criticize Mastriano’s views on COVID-19
York Daily Record: Mask orders ignored in York County Judicial Center
York Dispatch: Perry, Smucker: No change to presidential election schedule 
York Dispatch: Sunday update: 39 new cases of COVID-19 in York County
Patriot News: Four Pa. Republican lawmakers sign letter opposing federal bailout of states 
Patriot News: Voters Registration Jam draws, well voters to Reservoir Park in Harrisburg 
Patriot News: More than 650 new coronavirus cases reported today: Pa. Health Dept.
Patriot News: Dozens help paint Black Lives Matter mural in Harrisburg to unite, change minds 
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: Most of region sees small increase of COVID-19 cases; York sees another spike
LNP | LancasterOnline: Sunday’s COVID-19 updates: Pa. surpasses 113K total cases, death toll reaches 7.2K

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: Black Lives Matter activists silently protest at ‘pro-Trump/Back the Blue’ rally in Emmaus, where tensions rose but settled
Morning Call: Three Allentown council members call for Gerlach and Siegel to be censured for joining Black Lives Matter protests
Morning Call: How many Lehigh Valley businesses have permanently closed amid the coronavirus pandemic?
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: 654 new cases reported Sunday
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus reopening: 654 new cases bring case total to 113,590. Pittsburgh and Philly suburbs still driving new cases. | Pa. COVID-19 county case map (08/02/2020) 
Reading Eagle: Libertarian vice presidential candidate in Berks County during Pennsylvania Whistle Stop Tour 
Reading Eagle: Berks County on Gov. Wolf watch list for coronavirus test-positivity level 
Reading Eagle: Berks adds 22 coronavirus positives in Sunday report

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Libertarian presidential nominee Jorgensen stumps in Erie
Erie Times-News: How Erie-area legislators voted, week ending July 31
Erie Times-News: Coordinator needed for Erie crime reduction plan
Erie Times-News: Erie neighborhood centers launch COVID-19 task force
Erie Times-News: State reports 13 new COVID-19 cases for Erie County
Centre Daily Times: Libertarian presidential candidate Jorgenson stops in Centre County
Centre Daily Times: 5 Centre County police departments, 0 Black officers: What’s being done to diversify ranks?
Centre Daily Times: Reopening updates: 3 COVID-19 cases removed from Centre County’s total, DOH reports 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Libertarian VP candidate makes stop in city
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Drug abuse continues to confront communities
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Officials: Levee funding big step toward repair
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County five new COVID-19 cases 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: COVID cases increase in Lycoming County

Opinion  
Jared Solomon and Jordan Harris: Pa.’s African-American, Jewish-American communities are united in the fight for justice
Tom Ridge: Unlike Trump, Republicans must strongly, fully denounce racism
Mary Jo Daley: Breastfeeding isn’t just healthy for mother and child; it’s good for the environment
York Dispatch Editorial Board: School and safety first 
Inquirer Editorial Board: Washington Ave. could be a great city street, with new survey pointing the way
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: We must hold charter schools accountable 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: China, trade and human rights 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Careful, Joe 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: The end of conventions? 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Salute to Negro Leagues
Daren Berringer: For performers and fans, alike, music in the time of pandemic is a healing sound
John L. Micek: Report: Thousands in Pa. excluded from emergency SNAP benefits | Friday Morning Coffee 
John L. Micek: Trump isn’t serious about delaying the election. He’s deadly serious about destroying its legitimacy 
Tim Hartman: Pa.’s unemployment system: A unique fixer-upper opportunity | Editorial Cartoon
Maria Panaritis: Time to panic as Pa. teachers defect, and safety concerns threaten reopenings
Jennifer Dorning: The pandemic has shown just how much workers need unions 
Chris Kelly: City finally joins neighborhood blight fight
Keith C. Burris: What’s in a word?
Gene Therapy: Trump last week: Might not accept election results. Trump this week: What election?
Ruth Ann Dailey: Truman and cancel culture
Rebecca Zimmerman: How suburban school districts like Lower Merion can show that Black lives matter 
Anonymous: Temple’s plan for on-campus learning puts North Philly neighbors at risk
Monica Yulieth Hinestroza Jordan: I’m an immigrant doctor in Philadelphia. It shouldn’t be so hard for us to do our jobs. 
Helen Ubiñas: The Rep. John Lewis Little Free Library is my way to promote ‘good trouble’ 
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Running away with the election
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Stimulus plan for White House housing