Rep. Conor Lamb is expected to launch his campaign for U.S. Senate next week according to reports, while state Sen. Dan Laughlin speaks out against the push for a forensic audit of the 2020 election in PA. Here is the Playbook. 

Report: Lamb Preparing To Join Senate Race in August: Roll Call first reported on Wednesday that Rep. Conor Lamb is expected to launch his campaign on Aug. 6 at an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union hall in Pittsburgh.

Laughlin Speaks Out Against 2020 Election Audit: The GOP state Senator and potential gubernatorial candidate penned an op-ed on Thursday stating his opposition to a “forensic audit” of the 2020 election in Pennsylvania.

‘County declines election audit without new voting machines’: The Associated Press reports that Tioga County “formally declined to participate in a “forensic investigation” of the state’s 2020 presidential election sought by backers of former President Donald Trump, dealing another blow Thursday to prospects for a months-long spectacle of the kind playing out in Arizona.”

‘This is 100% voter intimidation’: Residents in York County questioned about their vote’: The York Daily Record reports that “a York County official contacted police this week after receiving complaints that individuals were knocking on doors and asking residents about how they voted.”

‘Transportation funding panel advancing a $15.6B package’: The Associated Press reports “a transportation funding commission set up by Gov. Tom Wolf to find ways to end Pennsylvania’s reliance on its gas tax will issue a $15.6 billion package of recommendations, which lean heavily on shifting to a vehicle-miles-traveled fee that numerous states are exploring.” 

Spotlight PA Highlights Pennsylvania’s Pandemic Spending: Spotlight PA detailed Pennsylvania’s spending during the coronavirus pandemic in a story titled, “Tracking Pa.’s pandemic spending, by the numbers.”

‘Pa.’s opioid disaster declaration expires next week. Will Gov. Tom Wolf renew it?’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “the most recent declaration will expire on Aug. 5, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency confirmed. Wolf has not indicated plans for an extension.”

‘Democrats urge feds to shut down Berks County immigration facility’: City & State PA reports that “a collection of more than 50 state and local officials are calling on President Joe Biden’s administration to shut down the controversial Berks County Residential Center, a federal immigrant detention center run by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”

City & State PA’s Biggest Winners & Losers This Week: City & State PA highlights the three winners and losers in Pennsylvania politics this week. 

‘U.S. Senate candidate visits Coudersport on statewide tour’: Tioga Publishing reports that Jeff Bartos, a Montgomery County real estate developer who was the GOP Lt. Governor nominee in 2018 and is seeking the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate, campaigned in Potter County. 

‘Berks elections board addresses calls for audit of 2020 presidential election’: The Reading Eagle reports that “at a meeting Thursday, the board addressed those concerns with a presentation that shows county election results are, in fact, audited.” 

‘Pa. will contact people who skipped second COVID-19 shot; no mandates planned’: PennLive reports that “Pennsylvania next week will send texts to about 250,000 people who got a first dose of COVID-19 but didn’t follow through on a second.”

‘Houlahan, Manning, Gottheimer and Sires send a clear message to the State Department: Fix the passport system now’: The Daily Local News reports that “on Wednesday, Reps. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Kathy Manning (D-MI), Josh Gottheimer and Albio Sires (D-NJ) introduced and passed an amendment to the appropriations package that would urge the State Department to use funds appropriated by Congress to address the passport backlog that is having a dramatic effect on American families across the country. This comes directly on the heels of Rep. Houlahan’s bipartisan effort alongside Rep. Hill (R-AR) urging the Secretary of State to swiftly address this unacceptable backlog.”

‘Flags and fervor: The Berks County Patriots are fighting for the right in the Biden era, but who are they?’: The Allentown Morning Call details who the Berks County Patriots are. 

‘City Controller’s audit finds Philly’s behavioral health contractor overspent, lacked accountability’: WHYY reports that “Philadelphia’s mental health and addiction services contractor has not properly and effectively used its public financial resources, according to an audit by the City Controller’s Office.”

‘Pittsburgh City Council Hosting Community Meetings On American Rescue Plan’: KDKA reports that Pittsburgh City Council “is hosting four community meetings on the American Rescue Plan.”

‘Allegheny County Quietly Working On Plans For $380M In COVID Aid’: WESA reports that “it likely will be another month before Allegheny County officials release details on a proposal to spend $380 million in federal coronavirus aid. While the county budget office has consulted with other agencies since June on how to use the funds, it does not intend to share specifics until after County Council returns from its summer recess August 24.”

‘Vittone named chief of Pa. District Attorneys Association’: According to the Observer-Reporter, “Washington County District Attorney Eugene Vittone will serve as the president of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA).”

‘Schwager enters ARD program on prostitution charge’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “the former president of the Pennsylvania Bar Association has been accepted into the ARD program on the back of a charge of patronizing a prostitution.”

‘Council plans to appoint manager search committee at next meeting’: The Citizens Voice reports that “Luzerne County Council plans to appoint the members of the county manager search committee on Aug. 10.”

‘York police try to expand access to surveillance cams, but some fear more harm than good’: The York Daily Record reports that “recent efforts by the York police department to increase access to video surveillance cameras have been praised by some who are eager to fight violent crime in the city, but the head of the local chapter of the NAACP said more cameras might do more harm than good.”

Parnell Talks to Fox & Friends: Sean Parnell, a combat veteran and former congressional candidate who is seeking the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate in 2022, joined Fox & Friends for an interview to “warn” that “wokeness in the military distracts from the main focus of the military.”

Bartos Talks to Zeoli: Jeff Bartos, a Montgomery County real estate developer who was the GOP Lt. Governor nominee in 2018 and is seeking the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate, talked to Rich Zeoli on TalkRadio 1210 WPHT in Philadelphia about “his bus tour across the entire state of Pennsylvania.” 

Wild Talks to O’Donnell on MSNBC: Rep. Susan Wild (D-Lehigh) joined The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell on MSNBC to talk about President Joe Biden’s visit to the Lehigh Valley and the bipartisan infrastructure bill. 

Wade Joins Casey’s Office: POLITICO reports that ​​Landy Wade is joining Sen. Bob Casey’s office as deputy scheduler. Wade is currently working as schedule to Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-NY) and he is an alum of Rep. Rose DeLauro’s (D-CT) office.

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: County declines election audit without new voting machines
AP: Transportation funding panel advancing a $15.6B package 
AP: York County calls police over ‘election integrity’ members visiting homes
AP: Pennsylvania to text people who missed second vaccine shot
AP: Pennsylvania man who threatened to attack CIA pleads guilty
Spotlight PA: Tracking Pa.’s pandemic spending, by the numbers 
Spotlight PA: Thousands of Pa. households still waiting for rental relief as eviction ban nears its end 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa.’s opioid disaster declaration expires next week. Will Gov. Tom Wolf renew it? 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. health officials decline new mask mandate, discuss vaccine initiatives 
Morning Call: Pennsylvania has no plans to require masking again, but will start texting those who missed second vaccine shot
Morning Call: The federal eviction moratorium is set to expire Saturday, but President Joe Biden has called on Congress to extend it again. Here’s what you need to know
Post-Gazette: As details emerge, bipartisan support solidifies behind $1 trillion infrastructure deal
City & State PA: Democrats urge feds to shut down Berks County immigration facility
City & State PA: This week’s biggest Winners & Losers
Post-Gazette: Retiring CEO Jeffrey Romoff’s focus on UPMC’s growth created critics and admirers
Patriot News: Pa. GOP senator criticizes Republican attempts to ‘discredit the 2020 election results’ with an audit
Patriot News: Will COVID-19 vaccination mandates replace mask mandates? 
Patriot News: Pa. Commonwealth Court announces return to in-person proceedings
Patriot News: Pa. reports 1,088 new COVID-19 cases, more people hospitalized: update
Patriot News: Pa. will contact people who skipped second COVID-19 shot; no mandates planned
Fox News: ‘Quality-of-life crimes’ in Philadelphia, including public urination and prostitution, to get new treatment
KDKA: Senate Moves Ahead On Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill
KDKA: State Leaders Offer Guidance To Parents On Keeping Unvaccinated Kids Safe
KDKA: 99% Of Pennsylvanians Dying From COVID-19 Are Unvaccinated, Says Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pennsylvania: State Health Department Reports Over 1,000 New Cases
The Times Leader: Schwager enters ARD program on prostitution charge
Inquirer: Utilities disconnect 116,000 Pa. households after state lifts moratorium on pandemic shutoffs
Inquirer: Pennsylvania pushes for more second shots as delta variant spreads: ‘Now is the time to get vaccinated.’
Tribune Review: Pa. health officials: Nearly all covid hospitalizations, deaths among unvaccinated
York Daily Record: If you haven’t had your second dose of the COVID vaccine, expect a text message from the state
The Hill: Pennsylvania Republican: Election audit happening without ‘credible evidence of fraud’
Times-Tribune: Former bar association president gets ARD in prostitution case
WTAE: COVID-19: Pennsylvania reports 1,088 new cases, 62% of adults fully vaccinated
Huffington Post: Seeing A Make-or-Break Moment, Climate Groups Plan Blitz Over Congressional Recess

Philadelphia 
Philly Clout: A GOP candidate for Congress who opposes the Jan. 6 select committee was up close at the riot
WHYY Newsworks: City Controller’s audit finds Philly’s behavioral health contractor overspent, lacked accountability 
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. coronavirus update: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to mandate vaccines for all employees
Inquirer: Controller finds overpayments, money spent on yoga in Philly’s administration of Medicaid funding
Inquirer: Four Seasons Total Landscaping is releasing a ‘Lawn Jawn’ beer with an epic label of the infamous news conference
Philadelphia Gay News: All Philly public schools to have gender neutral bathrooms
KYW Newsradio: SEPTA workers want hazard pay in next contract, union poll finds
KYW Newsradio: Philly milestone: 75% of adults have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Philly Voice: Federal eviction moratorium expires Saturday, Kenney says there’s millions in federal aid available
Philly Voice: Police pilot program exploring alternatives to stop-and-frisk coming to Northwest Philly
Philadelphia Business Journal: Commonwealth Court: Philadelphia violated law when it singled out commercial properties in reassessment
Billy Penn: The story of Laura Foreman, reporter whose affair inspired The Inquirer’s ethics policy and proved a double standard in journalism  

SEPA
Daily Local News: Houlahan, Manning, Gottheimer and Sires send a clear message to the State Department: Fix the passport system now 
Daily Local News: Chester County Commissioners seek volunteers to help direct county’s American Recovery Plan Act funds 
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County flood victims eligible for low-interest loans to help recovery 
KYW Newsradio: Pennsylvania ‘strongly urges’ all in K-12 schools to mask up, even if vaccinated
Inquirer: Shootings and murders are down in Chester as new community-driven program takes root
Inquirer: Despite CDC guidance, some Philly-area schools aren’t planning to require masks — for now
Montgomery Media: Updated: Montgomery County issues new school guidance, call for universal masking 
Montgomery Media: Souderton Police get body cameras 
Montgomery Media: A shot at free meat for a year as vaccine push continues in Montgomery County
Bucks Local News: Bucks County homeowners, renters and businesses impacted by July flooding may be eligible for loans 

Pittsburgh 
WESA: Allegheny County Quietly Working On Plans For $380M In COVID Aid 
WESA: As End Of Eviction Moratorium Nears, Millions In Federal Assistance Remains
WESA: Google Contract Workers Win First Labor Deal After Nearly 2 Years Of Negotiations
WESA: Affordable Housing Is Largely ‘Out Of Reach’ For Low-Income Pennsylvanians 
Post-Gazette: Retiring CEO Jeffrey Romoff’s focus on UPMC’s growth created critics and admirers
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh City Council to hold August community meetings on COVID-19 relief dollars 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh and DHS officials encourage at-risk Pennsylvanians to apply for ERAP as eviction moratorium comes to an end 
Post-Gazette: State and county officials put focus on child safety, CDC guidance at museum event 
Post-Gazette: PG SPECIAL REPORT | Burning For Bitcoin: A waste coal-burning, crypto-mining pirate ship sets sail 
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County seeks ideas for overhaul of jail
KDKA: Rep. Conor Lamb To Announce Candidacy For U.S. Senate
KDKA: Pittsburgh City Council Hosting Community Meetings On American Rescue Plan 
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh Public Schools board approves mask mandate 
Erie Times-News: Allegheny County COVID-19 vaccine tracker: 55% of people fully vaccinated
City Paper: In honor of UPMC CEO Romoff’s retirement, a look back at his loathsome legacy
City Paper: Pittsburgh’s air quality in 2021 on pace to have one of worst years in recent history
City Paper: Nurses at Pittsburgh’s West Penn Hospital vote to authorize strike 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh workers ratify agreement with Google contractor HCL America
WTAE: State representatives visit Kennywood, discuss pandemic’s impact on tourism

SWPA 
Observer-Reporter: Vittone named chief of Pa. District Attorneys Association
Observer-Reporter: COVID-19 hospitalizations rise in Pennsylvania
Observer-Reporter: Rent assistance grants available as eviction moratorium set to expire
Altoona Mirror: Blair moves slow on rescue spending
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: State to send reminders about second vaccine doses amid reports of rising COVID-19 cases
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Wolf: No new mask mandate

NEPA
Times-Tribune: 113th House District race set
Times-Tribune: Feds creating database to aid in Capitol breach case
Times-Tribune: Rusyn may plead guilty in Capitol riot case
Times-Tribune: City and Scranton Tomorrow see potential for community space in narrow section of Center Street 
Citizens Voice: Council plans to appoint manager search committee at next meeting 
Citizens Voice: Rusyn may plead guilty in Capitol riot case
Citizens Voice: Former bar association president gets ARD in prostitution case
Citizens Voice: 35 new COVID-19 cases reported in county; more than 1,000 reported statewide
The Times Leader: 35 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County Thursday; 1,088 statewide

South Central  
York Daily Record: ‘This is 100% voter intimidation’: Residents in York County questioned about their vote
York Daily Record: York police try to expand access to surveillance cams, but some fear more harm than good
York Dispatch: ‘Election integrity committee’ in York County accused of voter intimidation
York Dispatch: York County schools relax COVID masking policies, despite CDC guidance
York Dispatch: 42 new cases of COVID-19 reported in York County
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 28 new cases of COVID-19 reported Thursday in Cumberland County
LNP | LancasterOnline: ‘The program is not ending’: Rental assistance still available for Lancastrians as eviction moratorium end nears
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster business owners ask state Senate how to get past worker shortage
LNP | LancasterOnline: Hempfield school board doubles down on controversial Independence Law Center hire

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: Berks elections board addresses calls for audit of 2020 presidential election
Reading Eagle: Pa. adds more than 1,000 COVID cases for first time since May
Morning Call: Flags and fervor: The Berks County Patriots are fighting for the right in the Biden era, but who are they?
Morning Call: Do Lehigh Valley business owners think President Biden’s ‘Buy American’ plan will work for them?
Morning Call: Mack Trucks to hire 400 in the Lehigh Valley to meet demand. Now, it just needs the supply chain to cooperate
Morning Call: Eight cents per mile: Here’s what a vehicle-miles-traveled fee could cost Lehigh Valley drivers
Morning Call: Feds: 250 workers losing their jobs at two Lehigh Valley plants due to foreign competition are eligible for assistance
WFMZ: U.S. Senate candidate visits Coudersport on statewide tour
WFMZ: Lawmakers ask Biden to end contract for Berks Family Residential Center
WFMZ: President Biden made his trip to the Lehigh Valley all about buying American products, but can that really be done?
WFMZ: Wyomissing high school student talks music, trades CDs with Biden
WFMZ: Berks County Commissioners hear what was anticipated to be the final COVID-19 data report
Express Times: Every City of Bethlehem employee’s 2020 salary and the reason we’re showing them

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Will face mask mandates return for Erie County residents? A health department official weighs in
Erie Times-News: Pennsylvania won’t mandate face masks in public despite rising COVID-19 rates
Centre Daily Times: Meeting on State College’s oversight board for police turns into shouting match. Here’s what happened

Opinion  
Ron Beitler: Why we are finished with warehouses
John L. Micek: Poll: Majority of Pa. residents oppose GOP-backed ‘investigation’ of 2020 election | Friday Coffee
Rev. Nicolas O’Rourke: Broadband Access Is a Human Right 
Inquirer Editorial Board: Amid the pension’s crisis, it’s time for change at PSERS 
Inquirer: Should Philadelphia declare a gun violence emergency? | Pro/Con
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Merging Wilkinsburg and Pittsburgh is a move worthy of mulling
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: A plea agreement brings a measure of justice to the family of Linda Stoltzfoos. We thank law enforcement and the community. 
Peter Gonzales: Pennsylvania companies need workers. Two bills to protect immigrant workforce will help. 
Michael Coard: White critics know nothing about critical race theory 
Patricia Henwood: As an emergency doctor fighting delta’s rise, I’ve seen trust change on the COVID-19 vaccine | Expert Opinion
Donald Kozlosky: Trump lost, and he lost for so many reasons
Will Bunch: In an America of ‘suicide shifts’ and toxic work culture, Simone Biles speaks for all of us 
Trudy Rubin: Much of the world struggles on vaccination as Americans refuse COVID-19 vaccine 
Aarushi Dedhiya: The ticking time bomb: climate change 
Alvin Blake: Hypersonic missile capability