Wagner Backs Bartos for Senate: Former state Senator and 2018 gubernatorial candidate Scott Wagner campaigned with Jeff Bartos in southwest Pennsylvania on Thursday.

‘Gov. Wolf asks lawmakers to make an early return to Harrisburg, extend opioid declaration’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has asked the Republican-controlled Legislature to make an early return to Harrisburg to extend the opioid disaster emergency declaration.”

‘Hearings begin this week on Pennsylvania legislative, congressional redistricting’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “the committees and commissions responsible for redrawing Pennsylvania’s legislative and Congressional maps — a task that will determine and guide the political order of the next decade in Washington and Harrisburg — are set to make significant progress this week in their work.”

‘Inside PSERS: Here’s one union that really likes management’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “despite criticism over lackluster investments and an FBI probe PSEA, the powerful teachers union, has remained a staunch ally of the executives who manage Pennsylvania’s largest pension fund.”

‘Mysterious ‘election integrity committee’ puts pressure on York County officials’: The York Dispatch reports that “with a self-appointed “election integrity committee” knocking on doors across York County, local officials are struggling under mounting external pressure to — or not to — audit the 2020 election.”

‘State Sen. Cris Dush speaks out against death threats toward Tioga County commissioners’: The Williamsport Sun-Gazette reports that state Sen. Cris Dush (R-Clinton) “condemned those who are making death threats against the Tioga County commissioners over their decision not to submit voting machines to an election audit in a statement released Friday.”

‘State Rep. Kevin Boyle lashes out at city councilmember in deleted late-night tweet’: Billy Penn reports that “in an unusually hostile Twitter post, state Rep. Kevin J. Boyle raged against City Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, referencing the city’s spiking homicide rate and a police reform bill Thomas introduced this summer.”

‘PennDOT panel recommends fee hikes to replace the state’s gas tax’: City & State PA reports that “a bipartisan commission convened by Gov. Tom Wolf is recommending that lawmakers approve a slate of transportation funding recommendations to replace the state’s gas tax, including a user fee for miles traveled, a package delivery fee and an electric vehicle fee.”

‘Senate rolls out bipartisan infrastructure bill, but it’s far from a done deal’: WFMZ reports on Sens. Bob Casey and Pat Toomey and Rep. Susan Wild’s (D-Lehigh) thoughts on the bipartisan infrastructure bill. 

‘U.S. House passes bill for Doyle’s projects on affordable housing, workforce development and street maintenance’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “the U.S. House has passed a bill that would provide almost $12.3 million in federal funding for 10 community projects in the Pittsburgh region.”

‘Pa. Bar Association announces 2021-22 chairs for committees, sections’: PennLive reports that “more than 80 lawyers and judges from across the state have taken leadership roles as 2021-22 chairs of committees and sections of the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA).”

‘Pa. Lottery hits the jackpot with record profits of $1.3 billion’: PennLive reports that “the lottery reported a record-breaking year with profits that topped $1.3 billion in the 2020-21 year to benefit programs that help senior citizens.”

‘KDKA Investigates: Examining Connections Between Plea Deals And Race In Allegheny County DA’s Office’: KDKA “crunches years of plea deals” that the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office “negotiated with Black defendants, comparing those to deals with white defendants.”

‘After outcry over dirty streets, Kenney to revive cleaning in 7 Philly neighborhoods’: WHYY reports “Philadelphia will launch an expanded street cleaning pilot over the coming weeks — and begin asking residents to move their cars to make way for mechanical sweeper trucks.”

‘Reading does not have a public works director 18 months into the Moran administration’: The Reading Eagle reports that Reading Mayor Eddie Moran “has been in office for more than 18 months and is still missing a key member of his administration: a public works director.”

‘Griffith mask mandate ‘ridiculous’’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “Acting Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo announced on Monday that all visitors to county buildings will be required to wear masks regardless of their vaccination status, and at least one member of County Council has made it clear he will not support the mandate.”

‘Scranton may require COVID-19 testing for city employees who don’t provide vaccine proof’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that Scranton “is considering whether to require COVID-19 testing for employees who elect not to provide proof of vaccination, Mayor Paige Cognetti said Friday.”

‘As Federal Infrastructure Bill Progresses, New Report Shows How Public Transit Investment Would Impact Pittsburgh’: WESA reports that “as the U.S. Senate advances its plan to reinvest in public infrastructure, a new report shows how a multi-billion dollar investment in public transit would create racial equity through better economic opportunities.”

‘Scranton mayor, others call for bold federal investment in electric vehicle and clean transportation infrastructure’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “from the steps of City Hall, Mayor Paige Cognetti and others called Friday for increased federal investments in electric vehicle and clean transportation infrastructure.” 

‘Meuser supports infrastructure investment, but opposes $3.5T spending bill’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that Rep. Dan Meuser (R-Luzerne) “said it is critically important that Congress passes a stand-alone “hard infrastructure” bill that will revitalize communities, strengthen broadband, and build roads, bridges, and rails that will help communities and the economy thrive.”

‘Racism in road projects — PennDOT looking at how highways have harmed neighborhoods of color’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “PennDOT recently began focusing on helping… the roughly 3,000 other low-income Lehigh Valley residents who, unable to afford personal or public transportation, must walk, bicycle or skateboard on potentially dangerous state roads and bridges.”

‘’Kirra is forever 10′: Families hurt by pediatric cancer join Sen. Martin to fund research in Pa.’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that state Sen. Scott Martin (R-Lancaster) “played a major role in helping” families hurt by pediatric cancer secure funds to research in Pennsylvania. 

‘Lancaster County without plan for American Rescue Plan funds as Lancaster city, other counties move forward’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “Lancaster County government is still without a roadmap to spend over $100 million in pandemic relief funds as other communities move forward with spending plans.”

‘Westmoreland residents seek input on spending $105M in pandemic funds’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that “calling $105.3 million in federal funds a potential game changer for Westmore­land County residents, a local grassroots group is preparing to take a lengthy wish list to county commissioners.”

‘Q&A with Allentown interim police Chief Charles Roca: ‘Not policing the community, policing with the community’’: The Allentown Morning Call talked with Allentown interim police Chief Charles Roca “about growing up on the South Side, how his early career as a counselor at KidsPeace and a Lehigh County probation officer shaped his philosophy on police work and what he hopes to accomplish if he gets the job permanently.”

‘What Pa. county has the most miles of hiking trails? | The Numbers Racket’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports on “what areas have the most miles of trails for optimal exploration” in Pennsylvania.

‘Chester County Commissioner Josh Maxwell to run the NYC Marathon in support of mental health services’: The Daily Local News reports that “Chester County Commissioner Josh Maxwell will be running the New York City Marathon on Nov. 7 in support of youth mental health and suicide prevention services in Chester County.”

‘Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald And His Doppelganger Jeff Daniels Meet’: KDKA reports that “after he went viral for looking like actor Jeff Daniels, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald has met his doppelganger.”

Lamb to Make Announcement on Friday: According to a media advisory, Rep. Conor Lamb (D-Allegheny) is scheduled to “make an announcement” on Friday afternoon at IBEW Local #5 in Pittsburgh. Reports surfaced last week that Lamb is expected to announce his candidacy for U.S. Senate on August 6. 

Sands Donates to Trump Super PAC: The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jonathan Tamari reports that Carla Sands, former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark during President Donald Trump’s administration, donated $35K to Trump’s Super PAC “exactly one week before launching her campaign.”

Kenyatta Talks with Alyssa Milano on ‘Sorry Not Sorry’ Podcast: State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D-Philadelphia), who is seeking the Democratic Party nomination for U.S. Senate, talked with Alyssa Milano on the “Sorry Not Sorry” podcast.  

Gnibus Talks to Pennsylvania Kitchen Table Politics Podcast: The Pennsylvania Kitchen Table Politics Podcast talks with former congressional candidate Kristy Gnibus as “she reflects on finding and energizing Democratic voters in rural and red counties.”

Harrisburg & DC   
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Gov. Wolf asks lawmakers to make an early return to Harrisburg, extend opioid declaration 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Special election for former Rep. Margo Davidson’s seat to be held Nov. 2 
Patriot News: Pa. Lottery hits the jackpot with record profits of $1.3 billion
Patriot News: Largest layoffs in Pa. so far this year include the closings of a coal mine, a hospital and a prison
Patriot News: Pa. Bar Association announces 2021-22 chairs for committees, sections
Patriot News: People in these 9 Pa. counties should be masking indoors, per latest CDC guidance
Patriot News: Pa. logs more than 3,000 new COVID-19 cases over weekend
AP: Cheyney to use stimulus money to erase unpaid student bills
Inquirer: A second Pa. district attorney sues AG Shapiro’s office over opioid settlement
Inquirer: Inside PSERS: Here’s one union that really likes management
Post-Gazette: Hearings begin this week on Pennsylvania legislative, congressional redistricting
Post-Gazette: 2nd student death at Penn State tied to COVID-19 as fall approaches
Post-Gazette: COVID-19 vaccinations on the rise in Pennsylvania, though doctors urge the need for continued effort
Erie Times-News: As COVID spreads, what happens after voters stripped Wolf’s powers?
City & State PA: PennDOT panel recommends fee hikes to replace the state’s gas tax 
KYW Newsradio: ‘We are at a pivotal moment’: State implores lawmakers to encourage vaccinations
KYW Newsradio: While Congress, White House trade blame on rental help, Pa. has the cash
USA Today: PA Lottery reports a record $1.3 billion in profits. These were the most popular games 
WHYY Newsworks: Wolf wants to extend opioid emergency declaration; GOP skeptical
WTAE: COVID-19 transmission levels in Pennsylvania by county
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pennsylvania: Health Department Reports 3-Day Total Of 3,019 New Cases, 7 Additional Deaths

Philadelphia 
Philly Clout: Kevin Boyle tweeted — and deleted — an attack that Isaiah Thomas is ‘playing the race card’ on police traffic stops
Billy Penn: State Rep. Kevin Boyle lashes out at city councilmember in deleted late-night tweet
Billy Penn: Philly area restaurants are requiring vaccination: a running list
Inquirer: Street sweeping is coming to four Philly neighborhoods next week — and more this fall 
Inquirer: Watch Philadelphians march around City Hall carrying small coffin replicas to protest gun violence
Inquirer: Philly region seeing a ‘substantial’ spread of COVID-19, expanding the area where indoor masks are recommended
WHYY Newsworks: After outcry over dirty streets, Kenney to revive cleaning in 7 Philly neighborhoods
WHYY Newsworks: Kenney: No more arrests for possession of fentanyl test strips
WHYY Newsworks: Allegheny County joins Philly in backlash to Shapiro’s opioid settlement deal
WHYY Newsworks: Mask limbo: Philly businesses and shoppers create their own rules in void of cohesive message
KYW Newsradio: Move your cars: Next phase of Philly’s street sweeping program gets underway
KYW Newsradio: New, more racially diverse LGBTQ organizers now planning Philly Pride events
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia again tops 100 new daily COVID-19 cases; city takes no new steps…yet
Philadelphia Business Journal: ‘No exceptions’: Some Philadelphia restaurants requiring proof of Covid-19 vaccination
Philadelphia Magazine: Philly Restaurant Martha Sparks Outrage Over Proof-of-Vaccination Policy

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: 164th District Seat to be decided in November 
Delco Daily Times: Chester Housing Authority to reduce impact of evictions
Daily Local News: Chester County Commissioner Josh Maxwell to run the NYC Marathon in support of mental health services
Daily Local News: Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan praises those who fought North Coventry fire
Bucks County Courier Times: Pa Supreme Court greenlights Bucks County eviction stay program
Bucks County Courier Times: Central Bucks has become ground zero for debate over masks in schools 
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks has been hit hard by natural disasters. Here is the help available now
Delaware Valley Journal: Montgomery County Accidentally Releases COVID Data 
Delaware Valley Journal: DelVal Recorder of Deeds Offices Are On Track for a Historic Year
Pottstown Mercury: Coronavirus positivity rate rising in SE Pa.

Pittsburgh 
WESA: Pittsburgh City Council Working on Federal Aid, Preparing For New Mayor 
WESA: PNC Bank Pledges To Address ‘Completely Unacceptable’ Conditions As Officials Demand Changes At Its McKeesport Properties 
WESA: Mon Valley On Pace For Twice As Many Hydrogen Sulfide Violations As Last Year 
WESA: Pandemic Fuels An Explosion Of Need For Unemployment Insurance And A Wave Of Fraud
KDKA: Marlin Woods Officially Files To Run For Pittsburgh Mayor As Independent Candidate 
KDKA: Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald And His Doppelganger Jeff Daniels Meet 
KDKA: KDKA Investigates: Examining Connections Between Plea Deals And Race In Allegheny County DA’s Office
KDKA: Mortgage Foreclosure Moratorium Ends As Feds And State Ramp Up Program To Help Homeowners
KDKA: As Eviction Moratorium Expires, Many Worried They’ll Be Left Without A Roof Over Their Heads
KDKA: Giant Eagle Reinstates Mask Requirements Regardless Of Vaccination Status
Post-Gazette: U.S. House passes bill for Doyle’s projects on affordable housing, workforce development and street maintenance
Post-Gazette: How to get help: The eviction moratorium has ended, and many will need assistance 
Post-Gazette: Mt. Lebanon commissioners to return to in-person meetings, approve improvements to firing range
Post-Gazette: Giant Eagle to reinstitute mask requirements starting Friday
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh poised for PPP portal to smooth forgiveness 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Allegheny County, most of southwestern Pa., moved to ‘substantial’ risk by CDC
WTAE: Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald meets Jeff Daniels during filming for ‘American Rust’ 
Tribune Review: Covid spread now ‘substantial’ in Allegheny, other Western Pa. counties

SWPA 
Altoona Mirror: Commissioners alter meeting schedule
WTAE: Effort to legalize fentanyl test strips in PA drives state Rep. Struzzi
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Westmoreland County hits vaccination milestone; Cambria has 51.1% of residents partly covered
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat : Somerset, Indiana, Clearfield counties have elevated COVID-19 spread, masks recommended indoors

NEPA
The Times Leader: Griffith mask mandate ‘ridiculous’
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Council reviewing batch of tax-delinquent repository purchase offers
The Times Leader: 26 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County Monday; 913 statewide
Citizens Voice: Council election season starts; three months until election day
Citizens Voice: Masks to be required at Luzerne County buildings starting Tuesday
Citizens Voice: In wake of national opioid settlement, families of NEPA victims say no price makes up for human lives
Citizens Voice: COVID-19 vaccinated Luzerne, Wyoming residents may need to mask
Citizens Voice: 26 new COVID-19 cases reported in county
Times-Tribune: In wake of national opioid settlement, families of NEPA victims say no price makes up for human lives
Times-Tribune: Scranton union president vows to fight district’s mask-optional policy
Times-Tribune: COVID-19 vaccinated Luzerne, Wyoming residents may need to mask
Times-Tribune: Scranton pop-up City Halls continue this month and into September

South Central
York Dispatch: Mysterious ‘election integrity committee’ puts pressure on York County officials 
York Dispatch: York officer accused of reenacting George Floyd murder sues city, demanding reinstatement 
York Dispatch: Case against woman accused of stealing GOP flyers in West York dismissed
York Dispatch: Vaccinated or not, York City Hall to require masks at all times
York Daily Record: Leaders in law enforcement from Harrisburg and Carlisle join York on neighborhood walk
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 67 new cases of COVID-19 reported over the weekend in Cumberland County
LNP | LancasterOnline: ‘You’re gonna blow up today’: Police search for woman who called in bomb threat at Ephrata judge’s office

Lehigh Valley       
WFMZ: Senate rolls out bipartisan infrastructure bill, but it’s far from a done deal
WFMZ: Reading awarded $400K state grant for courtyard project
Reading Eagle: Reading does not have a public works director 18 months into the Moran administration
Reading Eagle: Pa. awards $475,000 for improvement projects in Reading and West Reading
Reading Eagle: Fatal overdoses in Berks seem on pace to top last year’s record total
Reading Eagle: Berks County adds 80 COVID cases over 3 days
Morning Call: Lehigh Valley school districts were already seeing more students with mental health issues. Then the pandemic happened.
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: Northampton County has state’s highest infection rate as state reports 3,019 cases since Friday

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: State Sen. Cris Dush speaks out against death threats toward Tioga County commissioners
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: 2020 election audit efforts take hits across country

Opinion  
Mike Jones and David Safavian: Delaying probation reform hurts Pa.’s public safety and pocketbook 
Danilo Burgos and Donna Bullock: Hoarding billions in stimulus dollars leaves small businesses behind
Danilo Burgos: Creating jobs in the U.S. and in Central America will help stop the southern border crisis
Ronna McDaniel: Pennsylvanians can’t afford Biden’s economic crisis
Jon Geeting: The Trash Election? 
Maria V. Gallagher: The federal Hyde Amendment is in danger
Inquirer Editorial Board: As Pa. overdose deaths persist, the opioid settlement brings promise and peril
Times-Tribune Editorial Board: No private financing for ‘fraudit’
Delco Daily Times Editorial: Charter reform left on the table by legislators
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Pat Toomey gets it wrong; Sherrod Brown is right
Richard Booker: Delco Reassessment Leads to Higher Taxes for Homeowners
Donna Cooper: Our chances of closing Philadelphia’s digital divide improved with the pandemic
Daryl James: How beauty workers get an ugly deal in Pennsylvania