Former Congressman Keith Rothfus and hedge fund CEO David McCormick are reportedly considering launching GOP campaigns for U.S. Senate. Here is the Playbook. 

News

‘Hedge fund CEO readies Senate bid despite Oz announcement’: POLITICO reports that “hedge fund CEO David McCormick is preparing a run for Senate in Pennsylvania, a move that would upend the Republican primary for the third time in as many weeks.”

‘Former GOP Rep. Keith Rothfus considering jumping into Pennsylvania Senate race’: NBC News reports that “former Rep. Keith Rothfus, R-Pa., told NBC News on Tuesday that he’s considering launching a Senate bid, a move that would further expand the Republican field for a seat that’s crucial to both parties in their fight to win control of the chamber in next year’s midterm elections.”

‘Dr. Oz on Pennsylvania Senate bid: ‘We’re in a great crisis’’: Fox News reports that “Pennsylvania Republican Senate candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz discusses COVID-19 ‘authoritarianism’ and argues America’s values are under attack on ‘Fox & Friends.’”

‘Sen. Jake Corman kicks off campaign for PA governor in his Centre County hometown’: The Centre Daily Times reports that “State Senator Jake Corman, R- Benner Township, officially kicked off his campaign for Pennsylvania governor Tuesday evening at Axemann Brewery, surrounded by family, friends and notable supporters.”  

The Full 2021 PA Society List of Events: Things are shaping up to be fairly subdued this weekend at Pennsylvania Society.

‘Pa. reproductive rights advocates rally as U.S. Supreme Court reviews Mississippi abortion law’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “while the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on a Mississippi law directly challenging Roe v. Wade on Wednesday, advocates, including in Pennsylvania’s capital, organized to show their support for the 1973 landmark decision that declared access to abortion a constitutional right.”

‘Sen. Casey visits NEPIRC to discuss importance of manufacturing’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “U.S. Sen. Bob Casey recently visited the Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) to recognize the organization’s recent attainment of a Silver Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) — the world’s largest association of economic development organizations and practitioners, for its COVID-19 Response, Readiness & Recovery services for regional manufacturers.”

‘GOP’s Corman brings gubernatorial pitch to Mountain Top’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “flanked by state Sen. John Yudichak and i2M Manufacturing owner Chris Hackett, and with a banner proclaiming “People First” behind him, State Sen. Jake Corman’s message was simple. “We want to improve your lives, the lives of the people we represent,” said Corman, who stopped at the Mountain Top manufacturing plant on Wednesday as part of his gubernatorial campaign kickoff. “We’re all in this together.””

‘How the Mississippi Supreme Court case could impact abortion access in Pa. and N.J.’: The Philadelphia Inquirer details “what you need to know about the potential local impact.”

‘‘The Dr. Oz Show’ taken off the air in Philadelphia, New York City due to Pennsylvania Senate run’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “TV host Mehmet Oz is officially running for Pennsylvania’s open U.S. Senate seat, and as a result, his long-running talk show will no longer air — at least in Philadelphia.”

‘Supreme Court Abortion Decision Could Impact Abortion Rights In Pennsylvania And, Ultimately, The 2022 Elections’: KDKA reports that “the Supreme Court took up a highly controversial anti-abortion rights law from Mississippi on Wednesday morning. The case could also have a profound impact on Pennsylvania.”

‘PLCB sees record income and sales in most recent fiscal year’: City & State PA reports that “according to a new report released Wednesday by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, the state saw record net income from liquor sales in the most recent fiscal year, with $2.91 billion in sales when factoring in liquor and sales taxes. The figure marks a 13.7% increase from the previous fiscal year and the largest yearly sales increase in the board’s history.”

‘Watch: First Lady Wolf advocates discuss importance of mental health for justice-impacted women’: WJET reports that “on Wednesday, Pennsylvania First Lady Frances Wolf hosted Women In Reentry: Mental Health, the third in a series of virtual conversations about the impacts of incarceration on a woman’s mental health and the implications they can have on her reentry.”

‘Lehigh Valley lawmakers are deciding whether to seek reelection amid redistricting uncertainty. Here’s who’s in so far.’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “while Lehigh Valley lawmakers pondering re-election campaigns in 2022 have a wild card to consider — the possible redrawing of their district boundaries — many already have decided to run again.”

‘Berks officials are moving forward on plans to establish a passenger railroad authority’: The Reading Eagle reports that “a committee formed earlier this year with representatives from Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties to focus on the restoration of passenger rail service between Reading and Philadelphia is proposing the creation of an authority that would allow the group to receive federal funding and spend money to develop plans.”

‘Most businesses aren’t following Philly’s new plastic bag ban yet, survey says’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “the nonprofit advocacy group PennEnvironment says many businesses are failing to comply with Philadelphia’s new plastic bag ban, which went into effect in October, with fines beginning next year.”

‘State, industries say money from federal infrastructure deal will help, but it only goes so far’: WESA reports that “under the deal reached by federal lawmakers, Pennsylvania is slated to get billions of dollars for infrastructure projects over the next five years.”

‘City Council considers legislation to ban parking in bike lanes’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “cars can’t legally stop or park in a bike lane, but City Council is hoping to give Pittsburgh drivers an extra nudge. Council advanced legislation Wednesday that would add bike lanes to a list of 15 places where drivers can’t park their vehicle, including sidewalks, crosswalks, bridges and railroad tracks.”

‘Want more trees in your Philly neighborhood? Here is your chance to tell City Hall’: WHYY reports that “the plan that aims to nearly eliminate the difference in temperature between the hottest Philadelphia neighborhoods and the citywide average on a sweltering summer day is almost done. But there’s still time for Philadelphians to weigh in on how the city gets there.”

‘Feds suggest ways they can ‘fill where the gaps might be’ in fighting Philadelphia crime’: KYW Newsradio reports that “top law enforcement officials gathered Tuesday for what they say was a listening session with the U.S. Justice Department on how to tackle the gun violence crisis through their newly introduced Public Safety Partnership announced a few months ago.”

‘Chester County election results finished … almost’: The Daily Local News reports that “results of eight close races in last month’s Municipal Election — for Magisterial District Judge, borough council, township supervisor and school board members — were certified Wednesday by the Chester County Board of Elections. The vote to officially approve of the results in those races was unanimous, with all three members of the board — county commissioners Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell, and Michelle Kichline — all agreeing to certify the results of those races, which upheld the original tallies from the ballots counted by county Voter Services staff.”

‘With the deadline here, 90% of Allegheny County employees meet vaccine requirement’: WESA reports that “Allegheny County’s nearly 5,000 employees had until Wednesday to get vaccinated against COVID-19. According to officials, more than 90% of the county’s workforce has complied.”

‘Pittsburgh region’s jobless rate falls to 5.9%; labor force shrinks’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that “the Pittsburgh region’s unemployment rate in October fell below 6% for the first time since the pandemic took hold of the economy in April 2020, a combination of more jobs being filled and, once again, fewer people in the labor force.”

‘Pittsburgh City Council urges police to work more closely with faith groups’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that “an ongoing effort to build police-community relations through involvement with local houses of worship will be expanded, after City Council voted to recommend an expansion of such programs Tuesday.” 

‘Dozens rally in Schenley Park to ‘defend’ women’s rights as top court hears abortion case’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “as the U.S. Supreme Court began hearing arguments about a Mississippi abortion ban, the decision of which could change abortion rights nationwide, protesters held events in Pittsburgh to “defend women’s reproductive rights.””

‘No tax increase expected in Washington County’s 2022 budget’: The Observer-Reporter reports that “the initial Washington County budget for next year is expected to increase nearly 50% over the approved 2021 plan, thanks to the influx of federal COVID-19 stimulus relief funds pouring in for new projects and programs.”

‘Blair mulls restrictions on public comment’: The Altoona Mirror reports that “Blair County commissioners are showing interest in adopting a policy — perhaps as early as Thursday — that will restrict the public comment portion of their meetings to county residents and nonresidents who own property in the county or represent a business operating in the county.”

‘Lackawanna County Commissioners approve 2022 county budget with no tax hike’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “Lackawanna County’s majority commissioners approved a $145.6 million 2022 general fund budget Wednesday that holds property taxes steady for the second straight year.”

‘Cognetti administration submits 90 amendments to proposed Scranton budget’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti’s administration furnished city council with 90 amendments to Scranton’s proposed 2022 budget, further frustrating council members already fed up with errors and late revisions to the tentative spending plan.”

‘Luzerne County IT director announces resignation during budget hearing’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “after arguing his office is significantly short-staffed, Luzerne County Information Technology Mauro DiMauro announced his resignation during Tuesday’s 2022 budget work session.”

‘Lancaster County schools adjust mask plans after Pa. Supreme Court agrees to consider appeal’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “most Lancaster County schools appear to be requiring masks for the foreseeable future now that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court will hear arguments on the state Department of Health’s school mask order.”

‘Reading mayor says mental health discussions ‘necessary’’: WFMZ reports that “mental health professionals gathered online Tuesday night to start a conversation that is getting louder as the COVID-19 pandemic ebbs and flows.”

‘City administration proposes $28.3M budget with no tax increases’: The Williamsport Sun-Gazette reports that “Williamsport has a proposed $28.3 million budget for 2022 that calls for no increase in property or other taxes.”

‘After 52 years on Etna council, Pete Ramage finishes last term’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that “a council president for 46 years, Ramage is stepping down at the end of his term later this month because of health reasons.”

‘Pa. logs highest one-day total of new COVID-19 infections in months: Wednesday update’: PennLive reports that “Pennsylvania registered 7,606 new COVID-19 infections on Wednesday, its highest one-day count since January.”

Opinion  
Paul Muschick: Why I support a plan to restore toll takers on the Pennsylvania Turnpike
Ned Rauch-Mannino: Pennsylvania should pursue all energy resources to manage skyrocketing costs this winter 
Della Clark: Lawmakers should commit to an equitable recovery by investing in small businesses
Colleen Hroncich & Stefanie Mason: School Choice Is the Fix for Pennsylvania’s Broken Education System
Arthur G. Steinberg and Chadwick Schnee: Debate: Should Pa. end school mask mandates? | Pro/Con
Joyce M. Davis: We need people of courage and character now more than ever | Social Views
John L. Micek: Who you calling ‘sleepy?’ Suburban HBG neighborhood unites to fight development | Wednesday Coffee
York Dispatch Editorial Board: Dr. Oz, go sell your magic beans someplace else
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: More attention must be paid to the conditions at Lancaster Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Teaching — and living — wisdom in our schools
Danielle Walters: With nurses stretched to their limits, a plan to reduce their workloads 
Daniel Pearson: Being Black in white spaces: A conversation with sociologist Elijah Anderson | Expert Opinion
John Fry and Scott Gabriel Knowles: As campuses return to normal, will college administrators heed the lessons of COVID? | Rebuilding Philly
Sandi Shaffer: The system is broken and children with disabilities are not getting the services they need
Alison McCook: Omicron may not be cause for panic, but it’s certainly cause for despair 
Gene Therapy: Whether ’tis Nobler to win the Nobel, or just want one