President Donald Trump will visit a Beaver County ethane cracker plant later this week, while Gov. Tom Wolf calls for banning assault weapons and increased gun restrictions in the wake of recent mass shootings over the weekend. Here is the Playbook.

August 2nd Ups & Downs: A former Attorney General is released from prison, Vice President Mike Pence pushes the USMCA in PA, and two GOP county’s spark controversy over the “squad.” All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

Harrisburg & DC   
KDKA: President Trump To Visit Shell Chemical Ethane Cracker Plant August 8 
PA Post: After mass shootings, Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf calls for banning assault weapons, targeting white nationalism
AP: Cash welfare program ends, court rejects injunction request
AP: Pennsylvania foster kids can now go to college tuition-free
AP: Times Leader newspaper in Pennsylvania sold to Avant
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Perry, local activists wage war of words over empty town hall seats
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Skopov announces second challenge to Turzai
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: “Very validating and very affirming:” PA to add gender neutral option for driver’s licenses next year
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Targeted by the GOP, Pa’s Democratic U.S. House newcomers fill 2020 war chests
PLSReporter: Co-sponsorship memo circulating for minimum wage for TNC drivers
PLSReporter: Did You Get The Memo? State police funding, vaccine policy and online wine
PLSReporter: Right 2 Know Episode 17: Sit down with Marco Cerino
PLSReporter: Tweets of the Week – July 29, 2019
Bucks County Courier Times: State offers grants for agricultural projects 
WHYY Newsworks: VW settlement funds replace diesel with more diesel in Pennsylvania
Reading Eagle: Pennsylvania officials react to El Paso, Dayton shootings 
StateImpactPA: Into the bog: Scientists are trying to learn more about unique peatland ecosystems

Philadelphia
MSNBC Profiles Kenney’s Soda Tax: Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney talks with Stephanie Rhule about Philadelphia’s sugary beverage tax. 
KYW Newsradio: City officials visit Canada to study country’s safe injection sites 
KYW Newsradio: Union rally calls on Philadelphia City Council to keep Hahnemann a hospital
KYW Newsradio: After refinery fire, advisory group seeks public’s input at upcoming meeting
KYW Newsradio: L&I halts construction project after front of home collapses in Kensington
Inquirer: #MeToo Meets Medicine: Philly doctors fight sex harassment, pay gaps by joining Time’s Up Healthcare
Inquirer: Dancing to maracas and drums: Philly celebrates as Puerto Rican governor resigns
Inquirer: Following El Paso rampage, refugee advocates in Philadelphia marshal support for admitting more migrants 
Inquirer: Overhaul of Pa.’s medical transport program on hold after counties raise concerns
WHYY Newsworks: Resignation of Puerto Rico’s governor prompts celebration in North Philly
WHYY Newsworks: Philly ‘health gap’ varies by neighborhood, Health Department finds
Philly Voice: Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery fire ‘may have’ released hydrofluoric acid, per report
Philly Voice: Joe Biden leads race for campaign donors in Delaware, but not Philadelphia
Billy Penn: How faulty construction breaks up Philly families — and why the city can’t stop it
Billy Penn: ‘Do something now’: Union player uses field mic to send gun violence message to Congress
Philadelphia Business Journal: Union wants Hahnemann rezoned so site remains dedicated to health care

SEPA 
Daily Local News: Noone is GOP choice to run for DA in November
Delco Daily Times: Delco Democrats blast DELCORA-Aqua deal
Delco Daily Times: Nether Providence adopts resolution to support redistricting reform
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks area officials announce over $6.7 million in state grants  
Bucks County Courier Times: Waste containing PFAS chemicals poses conundrums  
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County to move forward with new voting machines
Montgomery Media: New bill may change the future of snow days
Inquirer: West Chester’s plastic-bag ban was ‘the right thing to do,’ officials say, even if it defies state law
Bucks Local News: Bucks County schedules final public demonstration of voting machine options

Pittsburgh  
KDKA: President Trump To Visit Shell Chemical Ethane Cracker Plant August 8 
KDKA: More Independents Than Ever Before Running For Local And County Offices This Year
KDKA: Judge David Cashman Resigns From Jail Oversight Board
KDKA: Local Leaders, Organizations Comment On Mass Shootings In Ohio And Texas 
Post-Gazette: Trump to tour cracker plant in Beaver County next week
Post-Gazette: After combative meetings, board chair Judge David Cashman resigns from the Jail Oversight Board
Post-Gazette: Eight independents, third-party candidates announce runs for City Council
Post-Gazette: Peduto clashes with Cultural Trust over Downtown safety concerns
Post-Gazette: PWSA reports lower lead results since additive put in water supply
WESA: Cashman Resigns As Chair of Jail Board After Contentious Meeting 
WESA: Independent Hopefuls Seek To Join City Council Races This Fall 
City Paper: Progressive independent Lisa Middleman kicks off campaign for Allegheny County DA 
City Paper: East Liberty to get six new electric vehicle charging stations 
Pittsburgh Business Times: State awards $8.5M to cleaner energy transportation projects including several in Pittsburgh region
Pittsburgh Business Times: Wolf administration allocates millions in RACP grants to development projects in region
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgher to serve as disability advocate on state’s Council of Reform
Tribune Review: Trump to visit Beaver County ethane cracker plant Thursday
Tribune Review: Analysis shows Bernie Sanders with most donors and money in U.S., Western Pa.; Joe Biden still leads in polls
Tribune Review: Proposed ban on feeding Pennsylvania wildlife riles some in the Pittsburgh region  
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania officials, clergy react to shootings in Ohio, Texas  
PLSReporter: Allegheny County DA draws challenger ahead of November election

SWPA
Beaver County Times: Trump to visit Shell Chemical’s ethane cracker plant Aug. 8
Beaver County Times: Democratic challenger Wayne Kress says Sheriff Tony Guy registering WayneKress.org is ‘dirty politics’
Beaver County Times: Beemac Trucking, IBEW get $500,000 state grants
Beaver County Times: Beaver, Lawrence restaurant licenses up for auction 
Observer-Reporter: Wolf: 40 new jobs coming to Mon Valley at TechnipFMC
Observer-Reporter: City council proceeds with cyber security measures
Altoona Mirror: Wolf signs bill to aid foster care students
Altoona Mirror: Pike2Bike trail gets $1M boost
Altoona Mirror: Sessions offer vets information
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Farmers experience good, bad of solar energy systems
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Region lands state grant money
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Key state bike laws 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: State launches program to help ‘grandfamilies’
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Burns: State funds Croyle Township road repair

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Receivership in Scranton would mean voided contracts, no local control if recovery plan rejected
Times-Tribune: Trespassing ATV riders a growing problem, but few places to ride within law 
Citizens Voice: Payments on delinquent recycling fees up in W-B
The Times Leader: Republican Luzerne County Council contenders pass on seeking vacant seat
The Times Leader: Five Republicans apply for Luzerne County Council seat
The Times Leader: Wolf acts on reforms to protect, advocate for vulnerable Pennsylvanians
The Times Leader: PA Lottery sales and profits hit new record

South Central  
Patriot News: Scott Perry: Progressive groups are trying to ‘hijack’ town halls and make ‘mockery’ of legislative process
Patriot News: Cameras, counselors and yoga: How Pa. schools spent millions on safety and security measures
York Daily Record: Winners & losers: See which York County projects were awarded state redevelopment grants
Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle Borough Council puts brakes on food carts in downtown 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Community gathers to support refugee population, amid a Trump proposal that would ‘zero’ new refugees allowed in the U.S. 

Lehigh Valley    
Express Times: See how Pennsylvania’s $8.5M Volkswagen settlement aims to help clear Lehigh Valley air
Express Times: Crisis counseling offered to neighbors after fatal officer-involved shooting in Allentown
Reading Eagle: Pennsylvania officials react to El Paso, Dayton shootings 
Reading Eagle: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture offering classes for businesses to obtain spotted lanternfly permit
Morning Call: Allentown mayor asks city council to decide if police Chief Alsleben is fit for job  
Morning Call: Property tax elimination plan that taxes retirement income gets 45 percent favorable reaction statewide, sponsor says
Morning Call: School property tax elimination debate has reached “tipping point,” Boscola says 
Morning Call: Her township now on course, Lower Macungie planner leaves a decadelong legacy
Morning Call: For Allentown residents dealing with violence, counselors lent an ear at a neighborhood park 
Morning Call: Should Pennsylvania tax pensions? Reactions range from ‘attack on retirees’ to ‘reasonable concept’ 

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Section of street in Erie dedicated to late state Rep. Flo Fabrizio
Erie Times-News: Government meeting in Erie County, week of Aug. 5 
Erie Times-News: Gun rights advocate: Mass shootings are ‘a person issue’
Erie Times-News: State officials tour McKean Conservation Area 
Erie Times-News: Erie diocese’s abuse fund payouts reach $3 million

Opinion  
Inquirer Editorial Board: Kathleen Kane released from prison — one of them, anyway 
Inquirer Editorial Board: Focused Deterrence, done right, could be the solution for Philadelphia’s homicide problem
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Stiffing the poor: Sneaky legislators cut cash assistance program
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Smart airport upgrade: Wait-time info will help put travelers at ease
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Whither the regatta: Officials must start now to put event back on track
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Turning kids around: Program for at-risk youth merits expansion
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Rev up fuel talks: CAFE compromise would help auto industry
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: History’s vandals: San Francisco board may destroy imporant mural 
The Times Leader: Our view: Diamonds for surplus, coal for delays
Lloyd Smucker: My reflections from the southern border 
Katie Muth, Maria Collett and Lindsey Williams: Pa. just eliminated general assistance. The need for it hasn’t gone away
Alex M. Azar: President Trump takes a stand against deadly but often-forgotten kidney disease
Kristine Howard: We must resolve to end the mistreatment of immigrant children in Pa. – and everywhere
Council President Darrell Clarke: We have a plan to keep more kids safe from gunfire 
Sheila Mastropietro and Stephanie Gromek: Lancaster County must remain a welcoming place for refugees 
Diana Polson: I’m a researcher: How Pa’s Medicaid expansion went beyond just data and touched my life
John L. Micek: Pa’s weirdest state law is even weirder than you think it is | Friday Morning Coffee
Gwen Shaffer and Jan Fernback: Census 2020: How going digital could undercount those who need the census most
Tony Norman: The secret slurs of American presidents
Keith C. Burris: Why the national mood is glum
Will Gonzalez: Census 2020: The danger of undercounting Pennsylvania’s Latino and immigrant communities 
Jon Delano: Is downtown Pittsburgh safe?
Adam Richter: A bill to regulate social media use revives the debate over government involvement in the internet 
Will Bunch: Trump’s America unravels in one bloody nightmare weekend. Now it’s time to clean house 
Tim Hartman: How to avoid a naming rights dispute for Heinz Field | Editorial Cartoon
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Philadelphia’s Police Facebook squad
Angel Franco: In Philadelphia, a saddened El Paso native remains ‘El Paso strong’
David M. Shribman: Democratic candidates ignore Social Security at their own peril
Shanna Danielson: El Paso Shooting: Another day, another mass shooting in America. Let’s end it now 
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Moderate or progressive vacation?
Jen Devor: Census 2020: Philly’s preparing, and we need your help 
Bronwyn Banerdt: Don’t expect Curtis alumni like me to stay silent on sexual-assault investigations
Karen Kane: The Cleveland Clinic CEO’s advice for UPMC, Highmark
Brian O’Neill: Many questions to answer before tax referendum for city parks hits ballot
Kevin McClure: All public universities get private money, but some get much more than the rest
Ruth Ann Dailey: A new spark for Light of Life
Charles F. McElwee: In defense of hometowns 
Chris Kelly: Learning curve