Former Congresswoman Melissa Hart will reportedly run for Governor. Here is the Playbook.

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How Much Will Trump Impact Pennsylvania’s 2022 Races?: In the latest episode of the PoliticsPA Podcast, Muhlenberg political scientist Chris Borick and Politico reporter Holly Otterbein talk with host Tom McGrath about what November’s election tells us about Trump and how much clout the former president does — or doesn’t — have heading into next year’s election.

‘Former Western Pa. Congresswoman Melissa Hart says she’s running for governor’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “Melissa Hart, a former Republican congresswoman from the Pittsburgh suburbs, is joining the crowded GOP field running for governor.”

‘At PA Society, Republicans cast fluctuating fields for 2022 primaries as promising for the party’: Philly Clout reports that “it seems like every day a new Republican, some with attenuated ties to Pennsylvania, looks to run for statewide office in 2022. At Pennsylvania Society, the GOP cast that as promising news.”

‘Rich? Want to be a U.S. senator? Welcome to Pennsylvania!’: The Associated Press reports that “the presidential battleground state’s high-stakes race for an open Senate seat is seeing candidates with big bank accounts and big-time connections exchanging their blue-state mansions for decidedly purple Pennsylvania, and pursuing an opportunity they might never have at home.”

‘Pennsylvania residents losing faith in Joe Biden’s handling of COVID-19 pandemic: Morning Call/Muhlenberg College poll’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “Pennsylvania’s views on President Joe Biden’s handling of the pandemic have shifted considerably since the spring. Forty percent of respondents to a Morning Call/Muhlenberg College poll approve of Biden’s efforts today; 55% approved of them in the spring. Biden’s statewide disapproval rating on the issue now stands at 45%, up from 28% previously.”

‘Morning Call/Muhlenberg College poll: Pennsylvanians still divided over mandatory vaccinations, school masking’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “twenty-one months into the COVID-19 pandemic, Pennsylvanians remain divided over attempts to halt its spread, such as mandatory work vaccinations and school masking, and a core group of adults remains steadfast in rejecting a vaccine, offering various reasons.”

‘Pennsylvania alcohol sales boom: See which counties had the biggest increases’: The Allentown Morning Call lists “the counties ranked by the size of their year-over-year increases, followed by the actual sales total and percentage increase.”

‘Senate panel posts contract with firm hired to assist in its election investigation’: PennLive reports that “the contract with the vendor hired to assist with the state Senate Intergovernmental Committee’s taxpayer-funded investigation of Pennsylvania’s 2020 and 2021 elections was published on the committee’s website on Friday.”

‘House panel extends deadline for proposed congressional map submissions’: PennLive reports that “the House State Government Committee’s deadline for the public to submit proposed congressional district maps has been extended…  to 5 p.m. Monday.”

‘First Lady Jill Biden visits CHOP to encourage parents to vaccinate their children’: The Daily Pennsylvanian reports that “First Lady Jill Biden visited the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia on Friday to encourage parents to vaccinate their children against COVID-19.”

‘Pennsylvania could become destination for abortions if Roe is overturned’: WHYY reports that “in the same way that Oklahoma has now become a destination for abortion care since the Texas ban, it’s likely other states that continue to allow abortions and border those with new bans will see a surge in demand. Pennsylvania is one of those states.”

‘Oz faces residency questions as he begins U.S. Senate campaign. The law appears to be on his side’: WESA reports that “Dr. Mehmet Oz is facing questions about whether he can legally run for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania.”

‘Medical experts say Oz’s medical expertise can be double-edged, especially amid pandemic’: WESA reports that “Oz’s approach to the coronavirus has itself been double-edged. He supports getting vaccinated against COVID. But soon after the pandemic hit, Oz repeatedly promoted taking hydroxychloroquine, a treatment that lacked scientific evidence but was touted for a time by then-President Donald Trump and his allies.”

‘GOP grapples with chaotic Senate primary in Pennsylvania’: The Hill reports that “the Senate GOP primary in Pennsylvania has become a free-for-all after apparent front-runner Sean Parnell’s decision to bow out late last month after losing custody of his children amid the allegations brought by his estranged wife. Now, the party is again contending with an unsettled field as big personalities — with big money behind them — make late entries into arguably the country’s most significant Senate race.”

‘Inside Jim Kenney’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Year’: Philadelphia Magazine reports that “when he was first elected in 2015, Jim Kenney seemed like the perfect mayor for the moment. Then COVID struck, and the moment changed. Will the pandemic ruin what’s left of his legacy, or is there still time for him to bounce back?”

‘Gov. Tom Wolf visits Delaware County to talk about gun violence prevention’: The Daily Local News reports that “Gov. Tom Wolf visited the home field of the Chester Panthers Foundation at Memorial Park Friday after announcing it would be one of three Delaware County entities to receive a portion of $15.7 million in state funds to combat gun violence.”

‘Philly commerce director resigns amid controversy over antisemitic remarks’: KYW Newsradio reports that “Philadelphia Commerce Director Michael Rashid has resigned, amid allegations he belittled employees, made antisemitic comments and posted questionable material on social media.”

‘Haas, Houck reflect on a decade of service on Luzerne County Council’: The Citizens Voice reports that “Linda McClosky Houck and Harry Haas are in the final month of their 10-year run as members of Luzerne County Council.”

Opinion  
Kim Ward: Don’t fear constitutional carry: it makes sense and promotes safer communities 
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Mark S. Singel: Our country requires good leaders but also good citizens 
James MacLaren: Pennsylvania needs to double the Pell grant to help more students stay out of debt
Larry Platt: You Can’t Change A Culture of Corruption… 
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Cassie Miller: State officials discuss trauma, substance abuse among incarcerated women | Friday Morning Coffee
Ray E. Landis: With Medicare open enrollment ending this week, important things to keep in mind 
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: There’s still time to make sure Pennsylvania doesn’t botch another redistricting
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Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Pennsylvania’s schmooze fest in New York City
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Partial justice in the murder of Malcolm X
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Consumer bureau is right to target high bank fees
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PennLive Editorial Board: Harrisburg residents can be sure their drinking water is safe, even if the Susquehanna River is polluted 
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Helen Ubiñas: Despite Philadelphia’s glorious tree lighting, we are a city that is (literally and figuratively) in the dark 
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Keith C. Burris: Who will fight for the GOP’s soul?
Elaine Maimon: Boycott College Rankings 
David M. Shribman: Make way for the new Republicans
Bryan Miller: God, not guns, is the answer
Diana Montoya-Williams: Mixed-status immigrant families have complex health insurance needs that require simple solutions | Expert Opinion
Will Bunch: 3 words America forgot that explain gun insanity, vaccine denial, student debt, and more 
John Cole: Someeeeewhereeee over the Pa. Senate race | Editorial Cartoon
Nancy Eshelman: Oh, how it hurts: Celebrating the life of a best friend who always found time for other people