VP Mike Pence will head to western PA today to headline a “Cops for Trump” event in Westmoreland County and talk about America’s economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic in an event in Somerset County. Here is the Playbook. 

Pence to Headline ‘Cops for Trump’ Event in Westmoreland County: On Thursday, Vice President Mike Pence will headline a ‘Cops for Trump’ event in Greensburg, then head to Somerset to lead a conversation on America’s economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Planned Parenthood PAC Launches $1.25M Effort in PA: The group is aiming to boost former Vice President Joe Biden, Attorney General Josh Shapiro, congressional hopefuls Christina Finello and Eugene DePasquale, and other down ballot pro-choice Democrats in the state as a part of its 2020 electoral program.

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: House speakers get reprieve from criminal history plaques
AP: Pennsylvania may pilot virus-tracing app popular in Ireland
AP: 8 indicted in alleged incidents amid May 30 protest
AP: Borough panel to mull use of ‘squaw’ in street, trail names
Patriot News: Plaques about the crimes of former Pa. House leaders disappear from their Capitol portraits
Patriot News: Postponed gun rights rally at Pa. Capitol now rescheduled for September 
Patriot News: New York Times data shows 211 COVID cases at Pa. colleges, but the numbers aren’t complete
Patriot News: ‘Let’s make this happen’: Gun reform advocates gather at the Pa. Capitol to call for change
Patriot News: Where are Pennsylvania’s 110,218 coronavirus cases? July 29 map, county-by-county breakdown 
Times-Tribune: Poll shows Biden leading Trump by 9 points in Pennsylvania
Inquirer: Pennsylvania voters think Trump is bungling the coronavirus pandemic, new poll says 
Inquirer: Gig workers score a victory in Pa. Supreme Court ruling on Uber drivers’ unemployment benefits 
Inquirer: N.J. officials worry as coronavirus cases increase; Pa. voters think Trump is bungling the pandemic; NBA games to begin after no players test positive
PA Post: PA’s Got Plenty Of 2020 Election Lawsuits: An Update 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf administration rebukes Trump’s census memorandum on undocumented immigrants
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: In Bucks County congressional race, an old story plays out: A debate over debates
PLSReporter: With universal testing completed at long-term care homes, AARP calls on state to bulk up testing
PLSReporter: Metcalfe announces new date for annual Second Amendment rally
PLSReporter: COVID-19 by the numbers: A statewide look at the coronavirus in Pa. 
Fox News: Pennsylvania health secretary condemns transphobic attacks against her
Fox News: Philadelphia police arrest 6 accused of vandalizing state police cruisers during May riot
Citizens Voice: Poll shows Biden leading Trump by 9 points in Pennsylvania 
Post-Gazette: Joe Biden camp to Mike Pence before visit: Pa. needs leadership, not a ‘photo-op’  
StateImpactPA: Green stimulus proposal calls for departure from legislative business as usual
City Paper: Pa. legislator says the “unmasked community” faces harassment because people were mean to him online 
CNN: A Pennsylvania rehabilitation and wellness center gave more than 200 patients hydroxychloroquine without approval, state health department says
Huffington Post: Pennsylvania’s Health Secretary Chief Blasts Transphobic Attacks She’s Faced 
Vanity Fair: “You Might See People Digging In”: Can Joe Biden Actually Sway Obama-Trump Voters? 

Philadelphia 
NBC10: Kenney to appoint Tumar Alexander as Philly’s acting managing director
Philadelphia Magazine: Rachel Levine Has Had Enough of Your Transphobic Bullshit
Inquirer: Mayor Jim Kenney has tapped Tumar Alexander to be Philly’s acting managing director 
Inquirer: Organizers and city officials still talking as Day 50 of the Parkway homeless encampment dawned 
Inquirer: Philly will hire 120 temporary workers for trash pickup as big delays drag on 
Inquirer: Philly promises public school students will have internet access as coronavirus keeps classes online 
Inquirer: After lawsuit and quick naturalizations, 2,200 Philly-area immigrants can vote in November  
Inquirer: ‘Ya Fav Trashman’ gives an inside look at Philly trash pickup on Instagram and the city is listening 
Inquirer: 6 arrested for vandalizing squad cars during Philly protests 
Inquirer: N.J. officials alarmed as cases increase; Philly’s total infections pass 30,000, and Fauci warns states on the rise to stop the surge 
Inquirer: How development can erase Black history in Philly | Morning Newsletter
Philadelphia Tribune: While others pile on, some Blacks stand by Rodney Muhammad after he shares anti-Semitic meme
Philadelphia Tribune: Governor, AG, and Black and Jewish leaders call for Philadelphia NAACP president to resign
Philadelphia Tribune: CCP teach-in to discuss violence against the transgender community
WHYY Newsworks: The tear gassing of West Philly — a history told in police dispatches
Billy Penn: Police misconduct in Philadelphia: Unsealed records name the city’s most cited cops
Philly Voice: Gov. Wolf, Pa. leaders call for Philly NAACP president to resign after posting anti-Semitic meme
KYW Newsradio: At roundtable, Philly police talk gun violence solutions with families of murder victims
KYW Newsradio: Philly superintendent pledges every student will have internet access for online start
SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Elcon officially withdraws application with DEP
Bucks County Courier Times: Montgomery County signs deal for quick coronavirus test results 
WHYY Newsworks: In Bucks race, Fitzpatrick and Finello stake out similar, moderate territory on policing
WHYY Newsworks: Bucks County school board president calls Black Lives Matter ‘anti American’
WHYY Newsworks: Bucks expands program training police to connect people to drug treatment
Inquirer: A Bucks County program is turning local cops into ‘ambassadors’ and connecting drug users with treatment
Bucks Local News: Bucks DA’s office assists State Police in arresting protesters for institutional vandalism in Philly
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County contact tracers see signs of COVID-19 ‘super spreader events’
KYW Newsradio: Montco signs on with North Carolina testing lab in hopes of getting faster COVID-19 test results
Daily Local News: Chester County releases Interactive Circuit Trails status map

Pittsburgh 
KDKA: Rep. Guy Reschenthaler In Self-Quarantine After Coming In Close Contact With Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert 
KDKA: Second Lady Karen Pence Visits Pittsburgh To Learn About Program That Offers Beekeeping Training For Veterans
KDKA: Pittsburgh City Controller Michael Lamb To Audit Pittsburgh Public Schools To Ensure Enough Laptops For Students 
KDKA: Parents And Teachers Voice Concerns To Pittsburgh Public Schools Board About Fall Reopening 
KDKA: ‘We Don’t Know What’s Going To Happen:’ Uncertainty Surrounds Sending Students Back To School This Fall 
KDKA: U.S. Attorney Indicts 8 Pittsburgh Protesters For ‘Criminal Activity’ During May 30 Downtown Demonstrations
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 125 New Coronavirus Cases And 5 More Deaths
WESA: Pennsylvania’s Election Code Could Change Before November 
WESA: Post-Gazette Union Members To Vote On Whether To Strike 
WESA: County Data Show COVID-19 Patients Are Going To Fewer Bars And More Parties 
Post-Gazette: Rep. Guy Reschenthaler in self-quarantine after contact with congressman who tested positive for COVID-19 
Post-Gazette: PPS board hears from community days before reopening decision 
Post-Gazette: The Art Institute blame game: House Democrats, Education Department spar over schools’ collapse, accreditation woes 
Post-Gazette: COVID-19 update: 125 new cases, 5 more deaths in Allegheny County; 16 more deaths statewide
Tribune Review: Reschenthaler self-quarantines after House colleague tests positive for covid-19 
Tribune Review: Post-Gazette newsroom union to vote whether to strike; objects to ‘unfair’ changes 
Tribune Review: Allegheny County’s covid-19 investigators find most restaurants complying with guidelines 
Tribune Review: Struggling restaurant owners tell Pa. lawmakers: ‘We’re limping along here’ 
Tribune Review: Feds charge 8 in Pittsburgh protests that turned violent 
Tribune Review: Allegheny County hits triple digits of new coronavirus cases for 7th straight day
Pittsburgh Business Times: Bogen: Majority of bars/restaurants doing ‘great job’ with Covid measures 
City Paper: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette union journalists will vote to go on strike
SWPA 
Altoona Mirror: County seeking contact tracers
Altoona Mirror: Blair divvys up $5M in COVID-19 aid
KDKA: Vice President Mike Pence Heading To Western Pennsylvania Today
Observer-Reporter: Allegheny County reports five new COVID-19 deaths
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Indiana County adds seven COVID-19 cases, Pennsylvania tops 110,000
Tribune Review: Westmoreland County adds 24 new coronavirus cases, 1 death 
Beaver County Times: With universal testing completed, Beaver County sees more COVID in nursing homes 

NEPA
The Times Leader: Bognet challenges Cartwright to 5 debates; Congressman agrees to 1
The Times Leader: Mullery bill in Democratic package to help restaurant, bar workers
The Times Leader: Griffith accused of bullying women; ‘Don’t pull a gender card,’ he replies
The Times Leader: Local higher-ed institutions get shout out in Auditor General online chat
The Times Leader: 34 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County; 834 statewide
Times-Tribune: Hearing on Courtright sentencing dispute set
Times-Tribune: Poll shows Biden leading Trump by 9 points in Pennsylvania 
Times-Tribune: No clear answer on cause of county’s recent spike in COVID-19 cases
Times-Tribune: In last-minute decision, Lackawanna County offers virtual bidding option
Times-Tribune: Taking it to the streets: Outreach brings municipal services from Scranton City Hall into neighborhoods
Times-Tribune: Coming weeks to reveal Scranton School District’s fiscal shortfall from pandemic
Times-Tribune: Resurgence in COVID-19 reaches NEPA
Citizens Voice: Poll shows Biden leading Trump by 9 points in Pennsylvania
Citizens Voice: No clear answer on cause of county’s recent spike in COVID-19 cases
Citizens Voice: Resurgence in COVID-19 reaches NEPA
Citizens Voice: 34 new COVID-19 cases registered in Luzerne County

South Central 
Patriot News: Postponed gun rights rally at Pa. Capitol now rescheduled for September
Patriot News: ‘Let’s make this happen’: Gun reform advocates gather at the Pa. Capitol to call for change
Patriot News: Plaques about the crimes of former Pa. House leaders disappear from their Capitol portraits
Patriot News: 834 new coronavirus cases reported Wednesday, statewide total tops 110K
LNP | LancasterOnline: Plaques noting corruption charges of former Pa. House speakers taken down by Turzai; Cutler may consider changes at end of session
LNP | LancasterOnline: Here are which Lancaster County schools have announced fall reopening plans
LNP | LancasterOnline: Columbia Borough mayor defends against release of full police policy; citizens have mixed stances
LNP | LancasterOnline: Wednesday’s COVID-19 updates: Pa. up to 110K total cases; Lancaster County has 5.4K
York Dispatch: York County OKs allotment plan for $14 million in CARES Act cash
York Dispatch: York judicial center workers ‘do not have a right to make me sick,’ paralegal says
York Dispatch: York City ends furloughs; 103 employees back to work
York Dispatch: York County has 27 additional cases linked to COVID-19, no new deaths
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: Cumberland County reports 15 new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday
Lehigh Valley      
Express Times: What Lehigh County is doing to brace for national spotlight on ’20 election night
Express Times: What should police reform in Pa. should look like? Lehigh Valley residents testify before lawmakers.
Express Times: Lehigh Valley unemployment flat, new data shows, as $600 extra benefit expires 
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus update: Case count tops 110K; 16 more deaths; a bump in hospitalizations statewide; Lehigh Valley sees most new cases in weeks | Pa. COVID-19 county case map (07/29/20)
Reading Eagle: Some Berks County residents question public responsiveness of commissioners
Reading Eagle: Pro-life activist stops in Reading to denounce former Vice President Joe Biden
Reading Eagle: Berks County adds 20 coronavirus cases
Morning Call: Black Lives Matter, Back the Blue protests face off outside Allentown City Council hearing on police funding
Morning Call: Lehigh elections board asks county, state prosecutors to investigate Allentown elections judge for ballot tampering
Morning Call: Find out how your school plans to reopen and keep students safe
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: 834 more cases reported on Wednesday; Lehigh Valley new-case counts move higher

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: State mistakenly declares Laughlin Democratic nominee
Erie Times-News: Erie International Airport to receive $3.65 million grant
Erie Times-News: Bush to headline Erie speaker series
Erie Times-News: Erie priest calls police review board ‘problematic’
Centre Daily Times: Pa. nursing homes complete first round of universal COVID-19 testing. Here’s what it means in Centre County
Centre Daily Times: Centre County saw a spike in COVID-19 cases Sunday. The numbers were wrong, officials say
Centre Daily Times: Reopening updates: Centre County adds 5 COVID-19 cases, as Pa. cases top 110,000
Patriot News: Clarion University reverses course and plans to offer remote instruction for the fall semester
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County commissioners OK broadband grant for $2.5 million
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Jersey Shore schools look to state-proposed reopening phases, parent input
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County five new COVID-19 cases

Opinion  
York Dispatch Editorial Board: Generally speaking, Scott Perry is not the go-to voice when it comes to science
Inquirer Staff: Should police departments get funding from foundations? | Pro/Con 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A matter of respect 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: More transparency from local arts groups
Kerry A. Benninghoff: Why we need to make sure Pa. schools are ready to open this fall 
Maria Quiñones-Sánchez: Businesses, Step Up In The “New Normal”
Imam Abdul-Halim Hassan and Rev. Mark Kelly Tyler: As clergy, we stand together against hate and anti-Semitism 
John L. Micek: Yale study: COVID unemployment benefits didn’t stop people from seeking work | Wednesday Morning Coffee
Bruce Ledewitz: In Harrisburg and D.C., the GOP meddling with our courts is a threat to democracy 
Paul Muschick: If there’s ever another coronavirus crisis, you’ll appreciate this new Pennsylvania law
Christine Flowers: Today’s protesters should look to example of Lewis and brethren
Dom Giordano: Biden may pay price for not answering FOP’s endorsement questions 
Helen Ubiñas: How long does it take to finish an investigation into a pathetic Philadelphia detective? Too long. 
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Rodney Muhammad and the blame game
Emma Horst-Martz: Utility shutdowns are the COVID-19 consumer threat no one’s talking about