Congressman Conor Lamb launched his candidacy for U.S. Senate. Here is the Playbook. 

PA8: Daniels Seeks Pro-Trump Lane in Viral Video, Criticism of DC Cops: The NEPA hopeful garnered attention in conservative media for his campaign’s first digital ad of the 2022 cycle, while also appearing in mainstream news outlets for his criticism of the officers who were attacked while defending the Capitol.

August 6th Ups and Downs: The labor movement loses an influential leader, the Pennsylvania Lottery “hits the jackpot,” plus a new beer is released that pays homage to a memorable moment of the 2020 presidential election cycle. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

‘Governor says he won’t require masks in Pennsylvania schools’: The Associated Press reports that “Gov. Tom Wolf on Friday ruled out a mask requirement for Pennsylvania schools as the academic year is about to begin, saying he will leave the decision to school districts.”

‘Friction grows between Pennsylvania lawmakers, Wolf administration over masks in schools’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “state lawmakers concerned about children wearing masks all day in schools questioned Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam on Friday and were told the state supports federal masking recommendations, but is leaving final decisions up to school boards.”

‘Redistricting reform advocates want to end prison-based gerrymandering. Experts say it’s possible’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “redistricting reform advocates lost their chance at having an independent commission determine state legislative districts. But they’re not giving up on pushing for a fair process, and many of them are starting with prison-based gerrymandering.”

‘Theft charges brought down a state lawmaker. But Pa.’s taxpayer-funded system for perks was already ripe for abuse.’: Spotlight PA reports that “theft charges against a Philadelphia-area Democrat highlight Pennsylvania’s lax rules for reimbursing lawmakers with taxpayer and donor money, two state-run systems with little transparency and even less oversight.”

‘Online group planning door knocking campaign in Lancaster County in attempt to audit 2020 election’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “a group falsely claiming that the 2020 presidential election in Pennsylvania was riven with fraud is preparing to go door to door in Lancaster County so its members can conduct their own audit of last November’s results.”

‘Tioga County rally calls for audit of 2020 election’: The Williamsport Sun-Gazette reports that “dozens of people gathered outside the Tioga County Courthouse to show their support for a probe into the voting process that resulted in the defeat of President Donald Trump.”

‘Democrats spar over how to pass the Pennsylvania test’: POLITICO reports that “Conor Lamb’s entry into the race on Friday sets the field in a key race for control of the Senate.”

‘US Senate candidate, PA lawmaker call for investigation after reports on Pitt fetal tissue research’: Fox News reports that “the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) is facing fresh calls for an investigation on its federally funded research on fetal tissue, after information surfaced that many say is troubling. Republican state Rep. Kathy Rapp, who chairs the majority for the legislature’s Health Committee, sent a letter Thursday requesting Pennsylvania’s auditor general review Pitt’s state and federal funding. Pennsylvania Republican Sean Parnell, who is running for U.S. Senate, also called for an investigation.”

‘W.Pa lawmaker wants to fight deepfakes in Pa. politics. But will he hit a 1st Amendment wall?’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “state Rep. Nick Pisciottano wants to make sure deepfake videos don’t interfere with Pennsylvania’s elections in the future. The Allegheny County Democrat has introduced legislation that would make the dissemination of political deepfakes within 90 days of an election subject to civil liability and potential fines.”

‘GOP won’t renew Wolf’s opioid declaration, leaders say’: City & State PA reports that “Republican leaders in the Pennsylvania General Assembly said this week that they will not look to renew Gov. Tom Wolf’s opioid emergency declaration, which gave his administration extra flexibility to respond to the Keystone State’s opioid crisis.”

‘9/11 victims’ families want Biden out of memorials in NY, Pa.’: PennLive reports that “first responders, survivors, and family member of the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks are telling President Joe Biden to stay away from their memorial events this year. The roughly 1,800 individuals released a statement telling Biden to keep out of events observing the tragedy’s 20th anniversary, including some located in New York and Pennsylvania.”

‘‘One of us’: State labor leaders remember AFL-CIO’s Richard Trumka’: City & State PA reports that “AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka’s unexpected death on Thursday shocked the nation, prompting many to remember his work and legacy in the labor movement.”

‘Why PSERS investment strategy has failed to pay off for Pa. taxpayers and school employees’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “poor investments by the state’s biggest pension fund have forced taxpayers and school employees to pay for more for their pensions. Critics call PSERS’ strategy deeply flawed.”

‘Big Pa. pension plan posts record for investment returns, but still trails other funds’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “the state’s mammoth pension plan for public school teachers has recorded a record return on investments. However, other plans have done even better.”

‘Pa.’s transportation funding pitch faces a rough road’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “recommendations from Pennsylvania’s Transportation Revenue Options Commission might never pass the proposal stage in the attempt to eliminate the state’s gasoline tax and replace it with a package of other taxes and fees.”

‘Conor Lamb’s Decision To Run For U.S. Senate May Lead To Elimination Of His Congressional District’: KDKA reports that “Congressman Conor Lamb’s decision to run for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate leaves an opening in his House seat in suburban Pittsburgh. But it’s not clear if Lamb’s district will still exist after next year.”

‘It will take a lot of traveling to win Toomey’s Senate seat, Conor Lamb says in Erie’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “hobnobbing with many of the Democrats who helped turn Erie County blue in the 2020 presidential election, U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb kicked off the second day of his U.S. Senate campaign by saying it will take “going everywhere” across Pennsylvania for him to win the seat.”

‘Senate aspirant Lamb brings campaign to WB’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “two days after announcing a run for Pennsylvania’s open U.S. Senate seat, Rep. Conor Lamb brought his campaign to the Wyoming Valley on Sunday afternoon.”

‘State lawmakers ask Philly schools to reconsider new start times’: KYW Newsradio reports that “ten Philadelphia lawmakers are asking the School District of Philadelphia to rethink its new start times for schools this fall.”

‘Philly plans to start giving out millions in anti-violence funds next month’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “Philadelphia will soon begin handing out millions of dollars to community groups working to combat the city’s surge in shootings, with a focus on programs aimed at healing trauma and creating safe havens and mentorship.”

‘Schuylkill County man running for Pa. governor as independent candidate’: The Reading Eagle reports that Eddie Wenrich, a manager of an AT&T store in Harrisburg, announced that he’s running as an independent candidate for Governor in 2022.

‘City, state leaders look to mitigate South Side violence’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “state and city officials are continuing to work on plans to address the increased violence and crowding that has been occurring on the South Side. State Sen. Jay Costa said he gathered state Liquor Control Board members, state police Liquor Control Enforcement officials, state police, and city officials and other community leaders Thursday.”

‘Philly GOP Launches Billboard Campaign as Hispanic Support Climbs the Charts’: The Delaware Valley Journal reports that “the Philadelphia GOP is building on its growing success among the state’s Hispanic voters by launching an ad campaign targeting a demographic long considered a hardened part of the Democratic coalition.”

‘Larry Krasner finally discusses his infamous ponytail on NPR’s ‘Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me’’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “during a taping of NPR’s ‘Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me,’ Philadelphia’s district attorney revealed the moment he decided to cut off his infamous ponytail.”

‘Northampton County Executive McClure says it may be time for a tax break’: WFMZ reports that “Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure told county council that it may be time to cut property taxes.”

‘Luzerne County Council holds second round of search committee interviews’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “while Luzerne County Council initially planned on interviewing eight more candidates for the search committee that will find the next county manager, only four were interviewed on Thursday night.”

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Packed Democratic primary looms for Pennsylvania Senate seat
AP: Conor Lamb joins 2022 race for open Pennsylvania Senate seat
AP: Governor says he won’t require masks in Pennsylvania schools
Patriot News: No plans for statewide mask mandate in Pa. schools, Gov. Wolf and key officials say 
Patriot News: GOP lawmakers won’t extend Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf’s opioid disaster declaration
Patriot News: 9/11 victims’ families want Biden out of memorials in NY, Pa.
Spotlight PA: Theft charges brought down a state lawmaker. But Pa.’s taxpayer-funded system for perks was already ripe for abuse.
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Redistricting reform advocates want to end prison-based gerrymandering. Experts say it’s possible
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. health officials are leaving mask mandates up to K-12 schools. A Senate committee has questions 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: W.Pa lawmaker wants to fight deepfakes in Pa. politics. But will he hit a 1st Amendment wall?
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: W.Pa U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb announces 2022 bid for U.S. Senate 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Trump allies’ lingering election probes spark public skepticism, concerns in Congress
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Here’s how Pennsylvania’s Olympians fared in Tokyo | Five for the Weekend
Morning Call: Friction grows between Pennsylvania lawmakers, Wolf administration over masks in schools
WHYY Newsworks: Conor Lamb joins Senate race, making a case for the Blue Dog Democrat
City & State PA: GOP won’t renew Wolf’s opioid declaration, leaders say
City & State PA: ‘One of us’: State labor leaders remember AFL-CIO’s Richard Trumka 
City & State PA: Here are the candidates running for PA’s U.S. Senate seat in 2022
Inquirer: Conor Lamb just jumped into Pa.’s Senate race. He wants to be the centrist candidate.
Inquirer: Why PSERS investment strategy has failed to pay off for Pa. taxpayers and school employees
Inquirer: Big Pa. pension plan posts record for investment returns, but still trails other funds
Inquirer: Gov. Wolf says he won’t require masks in Pa. schools, unlike in New Jersey
Inquirer: Pa., N.J., and Del. leaders weigh vaccine-verification options, but largely hold off on mandates
Post-Gazette: It will take a lot of traveling to win Toomey’s Senate seat, Conor Lamb says in Erie
Post-Gazette: Buried in student loan debt, college grads grow impatient with Washington
Post-Gazette: In weekend session, U.S. Senate clears key hurdle for $1 trillion infrastructure bill
Post-Gazette: Pa.’s transportation funding pitch faces a rough road 
Fox News: Rep. Conor Lamb announces run for PA Senate seat 
Fox News: US Senate candidate, PA lawmaker call for investigation after reports on Pitt fetal tissue research
StateImpactPA: Demolition of two TMI cooling towers postponed until next year
StateImpactPA: Environmental group asks court to order lawmakers pay back money meant for conservation
Pittsburgh Business Times: Wolf: State won’t mandate masks in schools this coming year 
The Hill: Conor Lamb to run for Senate in Pennsylvania
Washington Post: How cryptocurrency became a powerful force in Washington
Reading Eagle: Pa. statistics show a big week of people starting the inoculation process
Politico: Democrats spar over how to pass the Pennsylvania test 
Politico: Conor Lamb launching Senate bid in Pennsylvania
CNN: How a Trump environmental lawyer tried to weaponize the Justice Department to help the President 
CNN: Democratic showdown takes shape in Pennsylvania as Rep. Conor Lamb enters Senate race 
CNN: ‘We have to build off that success’: GOP hopes women lead the party back to House majority 
CNN: ‘This is no way to make policy’: Cryptocurrency advocates express frustration with bipartisan infrastructure language 
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pennsylvania: Health Department Reports 5th Consecutive Day With Over 1,000 New Cases
Huffington Post: Democratic Rep. Conor Lamb Enters Pennsylvania Senate Race 
Real Clear Politics: PA Voter: “I Feel Like Inflation Is Through The Roof And I’m Terrified”

Philadelphia 
KYW Newsradio: State lawmakers ask Philly schools to reconsider new start times
KYW Newsradio: Community College of Philadelphia requiring COVID-19 vaccinations
Inquirer: Philly plans to start giving out millions in anti-violence funds next month 
Inquirer: Larry Krasner finally discusses his infamous ponytail on NPR’s ‘Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me’ 
Inquirer: Community College of Philadelphia to require vaccines, the first public college in the region to do so  
Philly Voice: Larry Krasner discusses wearing a ponytail into his 40s on NPR’s ‘Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!’ 
Philadelphia Business Journal: Philadelphia-area colleges tighten mask, vaccination policies with rise of Delta variant
Delaware Valley Journal: Philly GOP Launches Billboard Campaign as Hispanic Support Climbs the Charts

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: If CDC won’t mandate masks in schools, ‘neither will I,’ Gov. Wolf says
Bucks County Courier Times: COVID cases rising among children in Philadelphia region, CHOP specialist says
Delaware Valley Journal: Back to School PA PAC Is Dishing Cash And Taking Names
Delco Daily Times: No new mask mandate in Chester County as topic continues to divide Americans nationwide
Delco Daily Times: Schuylkill County man running for Pa. governor as independent candidate
Daily Local News: Pennsylvania’s 15th opioid disaster declaration to be the last, lawmakers say
Pottstown Mercury: COVID-19 spread spiking in Chester County

Pittsburgh 
KDKA: Congressman Conor Lamb Announces His Candidacy For U.S. Senate
KDKA: Conor Lamb Enters A Highly Competitive Senate Race With No Clear Front-Runner 
KDKA: Conor Lamb’s Decision To Run For U.S. Senate May Lead To Elimination Of His Congressional District
KDKA: Pittsburgh-Area Leaders Call On Unvaccinated To Get COVID-19 Vaccine
KDKA: City Of Pittsburgh To Require COVID-19 Vaccines For All New Employees
KDKA: Popular Bloomfield Restaurant Spork To Require Proof Of COVID-19 Vaccination And Masks
KDKA: COVID-19 Vaccination Rate Of Young Adults Below 50% In Several Local Counties 
WESA: ‘All Of It Is On The Line’: Conor Lamb Joins Race For Pennsylvania Senate Seat
WESA: Local Communities Want Federal Dollars To Fortify Climate Change Infrastructure
WESA: Contracts For ‘Less Lethal’ Weapons, Military-Style Training At Allegheny County Jail Criticized By Oversight Board
WESA: Liberty Air Quality Monitor Documents Morning Of High Air Pollution
WESA: Hundreds Of Violations, Few Penalties: Allegheny County’s health enforcers frequently inspected — But Rarely Fined — Two McKeesport Properties
Post-Gazette: ‘These are serious times’: Conor Lamb enters 2022 U.S. Senate race 
Post-Gazette: City, state leaders look to mitigate South Side violence 
Post-Gazette: City of Pittsburgh to require vaccines for new employees, mask rules for unvaccinated 
Post-Gazette: A ban on evictions lapsed before being reinstated. Housing advocates are relieved but uncertain
WTAE: Allegheny County says all new employees must be vaccinated for COVID-19
City Paper: Pittsburgh-area Rep. Conor Lamb announces 2022 Pennsylvania senate run
City Paper: NAACP of Pa. criticizes firing of Black leadership at Sewickley Academy
Tribune Review: Rep. Conor Lamb jumps in race for Pat Toomey’s Senate seat 
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh officials announce mask requirements for unvaccinated employees 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Here’s which banks were Pittsburgh’s biggest 2021 PPP lenders
Pittsburgh Business Times: City of Pittsburgh issues new masking guidance for facilities

SWPA 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Wolf still seeks help for counties to pay for public defenders
KDKA: All People Inside Washington Co. Judicial Facilities, Regardless Of Vaccination Status, Ordered To Wear Masks
Altoona Mirror: Delta variant drives COVID-19 spike
Altoona Mirror: PennDOT seeking public input
Altoona Mirror: Pa. seeks next step in drug crisis
Altoona Mirror: First responders may get tax credit: 
Observer-Reporter: WHS chief urges public to get vaccinated

NEPA
The Times Leader: Senate aspirant Lamb brings campaign to WB
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Council holds second round of search committee interviews
The Times Leader: Legislation would protect pregnant workers against workplace discrimination
The Times Leader: 61 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in county, no new deaths
The Times Leader: COVID-19 increase looks like another surge, countywide and in ZIP codes
Citizens Voice: U.S. Senate candidate Lamb visits Wilkes-Barre
Citizens Voice: Communities to appeal FEMA flood mapping; flood insurance price spikes likely
Citizens Voice: County council interviews search committee applicants
Times-Tribune: Delinquent tax collection deal between county, city in jeopardy; officials say it can be salvaged
Times-Tribune: Analysis: Local school district budgets for 2021-22
Times-Tribune: 70 Years Ago – Scrantonians questioned by Senate Crime Committee
Times-Tribune: Spread of COVID-19 in Lackawanna County prompts reevaluation of masks indoors
Times-Tribune: COVID-19 spread now substantial in Lackawanna County

South Central 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Online group planning door knocking campaign in Lancaster County in attempt to audit 2020 election
LNP | LancasterOnline: From masks to online learning, how are Lancaster County schools managing COVID-19 this year?
LNP | LancasterOnline: Are Lancaster County school districts eliminating key COVID-19 prevention strategies, like masks, too soon?
York Dispatch: York City Police receive big boost for free surveillance camera program
York Dispatch: COVID-19 delta variant has more York County residents seeking vaccines
York Dispatch: Mother, medical marijuana advocate reflects on life of son who died from epileptic seizure
Carlisle Sentinel: School districts optimistic about five-days-a-week in-person instruction
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 44 new cases of COVID-19 reported Friday in Cumberland County

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: Schuylkill County man running for Pa. governor as independent candidate 
Reading Eagle: Penn State requiring masks on all campuses, including Berks
Reading Eagle: Berks still faring well in delta surge compared to Pa. overall, nearby counties
Morning Call: How Lehigh Valley-area lawmakers voted in U.S. House, Senate
Morning Call: Lehigh Valley college students are set to return to campus with masks, proof of vaccinations
Morning Call: Residents in this Slate Belt township have a long history of fighting development. Meet the group opposing an enormous industrial park.
Morning Call: Lehigh Valley mask mandates: When, where you need to wear a mask
WFMZ: Northampton County Executive McClure says it may be time for a tax break
WFMZ: Northampton County OKs business grants totaling $1.13M
WFMZ: Lehigh County, Allentown, Bethlehem bringing back face mask requirements at government facilities
Express Times: Lehigh says it will require all faculty and staff to be vaccinated against COVID
Express Times: Bethlehem, Allentown and Lehigh County to require face masks inside government buildings
Express Times: Pa. weekly COVID update: New cases up 178% over 2 weeks; concern of a Musikfest super-spreader

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Tioga County rally calls for audit of 2020 election
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Condemned: Health, safety concerns prompt officials to move staff out of City Hall
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County Water and Sewer Authority: Lairdsville sewer project moving forward
Centre Daily Times: Centre County reverts to ‘moderate’ transmission, as COVID-19 cases increase
Centre Daily Times: CDC: Centre County now has ‘substantial’ COVID-19 transmission, masking indoors advised
Erie Times-News: Erie County in substantial COVID transmission; no mandate, officials request ‘respect’ for masking decisions

Opinion  
Judy Schwank: Pennsylvania nursing homes face long-term challenges 
Mark S. Singel: Some governors are behaving badly
Paul Muschick: Pennsylvania’s unvaccinated inmates are being housed together. Colleges should do the same with students.
Paul Muschick: It’s mind boggling that books about Black people are controversial at a Northampton school district
Becky Bennett: Across the Divide: Rural vaccine resisters, while wrong, are not always irrational
Jenice Armstrong: Congressman Dwight Evans says the outrage over gun violence isn’t ‘to the level it should be’ 
Chris Kelly: Bannon, Daniels, Scavo and the hard road to Jan. 6
Larry Platt: How To Reverse The Murder Epidemic 
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Lancaster County Republican commissioners don’t seem to want to spend county’s federal relief funds. We want to know what readers think. 
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Applauding state Sen. Aument’s call for hearing on fireworks law
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo must resign in wake of investigation’s findings 
PennLive Editorial Board: We can’t give up on people who aren’t vaccinated 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Getting school buses on the road  
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Counting breakthrough cases is key
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Airport is living off the land 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: U.S. Attorney picks represent ‘firsts’
John L. Micek: Biden Admin. approves Pa’s plan to spend $1.6B in aid to schools | Friday Morning Coffee
Bridget Cambria: Philly’s ICE field office is flouts its own agency’s guidance, putting lives in danger 
Joan Miller Moran and Edward Miller: We urge others to build on the legacy of The Century Fund
Cheri Rinehart: COVID-19 has spotlighted the need for long-term funding for Pa. Community Health Centers
Matthew Stepp: Air quality
Jonathan Lipman: Child tax credit is fine, but what we really need is to value caregiving
Daniel Pearson: 4 no-brainer solutions to Philly’s disgusting trash crisis 
Joanne Corte Grossi and Rawle Andrews Jr.: For uninsured Pennsylvanians, it’s easier than ever to get affordable coverage
Jason Villemez: Why we need to care about unsolved trans deaths
Kaitlin (Guarascio) Cooke: For the People Act is needed to protect the right to vote
Will Bunch: America needs to listen to the anguished operators of our flying death robots
Claire Murphy: Lawmakers should implement the Grand Jury recommendations on fracking
Toby Tomlinson Baker, Ph.D.: Sen. Casey is right: Congress needs to help college students with disabilities
Ruth Ann Dailey: Group identity might be hiding our flaws
Maria Wheeler-Dubas: Three keys to having productive vaccine conversations
David M. Shribman: Trump Republicans eschew 11th Commandment
Jason Karlawish: We can’t drug our way out of despair over Alzheimer’s
Keith C. Burris: Distinguishing
Nina Sidhu: It’s time for Pennsylvania to join Massachusetts and be a part of the solution 
Kathy Dugan: Get the vaccine
John Cole: Back on the COVID hamster wheel. Get vaccinated | Editorial Cartoon
Bruce Gruenwald: Ted Cruz is quibbling with efforts to keep people safe 
James Tweed: Let’s celebrate the Republican heroes