Carla Sands announced her candidacy for U.S. Senate. Here is the Playbook. 

Sands Launches 2022 Senate Bid: The former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark during President Donald Trump’s administration highlights her family’s roots in Cumberland County, work in Trump’s administration, and career prior to serving in Trump’s administration in her announcement video.

Biden Nominates Gutmann To Serve As Ambassador To Germany: If confirmed, University of Pennsylvania President Amy Gutmann would be the first woman to hold the position as U.S. Ambassador to Germany.

‘Long waits for Pa. election results are here to stay after a key GOP lawmaker closed the door on changes’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “the point person on election issues for state House Republicans says he’s done considering election legislation until 2023, after Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf last week vetoed the bill he wrote.”

‘Minimum wage, cocktails to go and more: Pa. lawmakers have unfinished business when they return in fall’: PennLive reports that “state lawmakers managed to get a state budget done on time this year but they left a lot of other unfinished items on their plates that could be discussed in the fall.”

‘Voter ID aims to prevent fraud that doesn’t exist, and more to know as Pa. considers stricter rules’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports “Republicans are pushing stricter voting rules against the objections of Democrats, led by Gov. Tom Wolf, who last week vetoed an election overhaul that, among other major changes, would have required that all voters show identification at the polls. Republicans are now turning their focus to a constitutional amendment that would go straight to voters for approval.”

‘Pa. Turnpike approves toll increase for 2022’: PennLive reports “The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission approved a 5% toll increase for 2022, the agency said Tuesday. It will affect both E-ZPass customers and “TOLL BY PLATE” customers.”

‘Ethics panel closes investigation into former Pa. Victim Advocate Jennifer Storm’: Spotlight PA reports “after a more than year-long investigation, state ethics investigators have found that Pennsylvania’s former chief advocate for crime victims did not trade on her high-profile public position to benefit her personal business ventures.”

‘What is a Civilian Democracy Corps? Malcolm Kenyatta says we need one.’: City & State PA reports that “speaking from Gettysburg six months after a mob of pro-Trump rioters stormed the Capitol in Washington, D.C., state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta outlined a multi-part plan to strengthen the nation’s voting laws and democratic processes if he’s elected to the U.S. Senate in 2022.”

‘Pennsylvanians rally in Harrisburg to push for changes in federal election law: ‘Our voting rights are in peril’: PennLive reports that “a group of grassroots and non-profit organizations held a rally in Harrisburg on Tuesday to persuade U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey to support a bill to change federal election law.”

‘‘A political football’: Philly bars and restaurants mourn loss of cocktails-to-go’: WHYY reports “with state lawmakers recessed for the summer, there’s virtually no chance Pennsylvania will get cocktails-to-go back before at least the fall. So now, restaurants and bars that increasingly relied on them to cover pandemic-induced budget gaps are heading back to the drawing board, or just accepting their losses.”

‘New law could expand 5G’s reach in Pa.’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “a law that Gov. Tom Wolf signed last week likely will open Pennsylvania to the next generation of wireless internet and cell phone services, lawmakers and industry officials say.”

‘‘How many more must die?’: Philly lawmakers plead for help reducing gun violence’: WHYY reports “a day after a holiday weekend wracked by shootings, elected officials in Philadelphia are calling on their counterparts in Harrisburg and Washington to do more to help reduce gun violence. State Sen. Sharif Street, whose 21-year-old nephew was murdered in broad daylight over the weekend, said it’s time for everyone to step up and set aside partisan politics.”

‘As Philly pledges renewed community anti-violence efforts, some advocates are asking: What took so long?’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports “some activists say several aspects of Mayor Jim Kenney’s plan to invest in community-based anti-violence strategies resemble initiatives that were in place as recently as 2015 but fell out of favor.”

‘Council, mayor draw up plans to spend federal COVID dollars. Activists say they were left out of the discussion.’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports on some of the “larger line items in Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto and City Council’s four-year plan to spend the $335 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds — a plan that community activists say has been drawn up “without any community input or transparency.”

‘Rep. Wild hosts series of Lehigh Valley events highlighting impact of COVID aid’: WFMZ reports that Rep. Susan Wild (D-Lehigh) is hosting a “series of local events” this week where “she’s discussing the American Rescue Plan, community-funded projects for the district, and the need for a robust child care and paid leave legislation.”

‘U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean says child tax credit will be ‘life changing’ for thousands of local families’: Montgomery Media reports that Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Montgomery) called the child tax credit “life changing.” 

‘City of Reading offers $3M towards Reading Fightin Phils stadium upgrades’: WFMZ reports that “the city of Reading is a step closer to keeping the Fightin Phils in Baseballtown,” after “city and Berks County leaders met with team officials to come up with a plan to fund upgrades to FirstEnergy Stadium, and all sides say they’re making progress.”

‘FBI is investigating York County judge candidate Steve Stambaugh, 3 former employees say’: The York Daily Record reports that “the FBI is investigating Steve Stambaugh, a personal injury attorney who’s running for York County judge, and the inquiry relates to unemployment compensation, three former employees told the York Daily Record/Sunday News.”

‘Churchill residents protest potential Amazon development’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that “a large group of Churchill residents who oppose a potential Amazon distribution center in their community held a protest Tuesday evening.”

‘Audacy goes local to replace Rush Limbaugh on 1210 WPHT’: The Philadelphia Business Journal reports that Dom Giordano will move from mornings to Rush Limbaugh’s 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. shift on conservative talk radio station 1210 WPHT. 

‘Former Westmoreland jail warden sues commissioner, alleges discrimination and emotional distress’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that “the former longtime warden of the Westmoreland County Prison sued county Commissioner Gina Cerilli Thrasher this week, claiming in the lawsuit that “relentless and baseless harassment, discrimination and retaliation” forced him to retire early.”

‘Former Luzerne County Children and Youth director facing criminal charges’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “Former Luzerne County Children and Youth Director Joanne Van Saun has been charged with failing to investigate hundreds of reports of child abuse and neglect and covering up the cases with false reports, according to documents filed in Dauphin County.”

‘Wilkes-Barre Police being equipped with body cameras’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “with the policy completed for the use of body worn cameras and training underway, city police officers have been wearing them since last week.”

‘’We loved him’: Pequea Twp. mourns ‘unexpected’ death of supervisor Anthony Cazillo’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “Pequea Township residents and officials are mourning the death of township supervisor Anthony Cazillo,” who died suddenly of natural causes on Wednesday at the age of 26. 

PA18: Dickinson Raises Over $210K in Q2: WESA’s Chris Potter reports that Jerry Dickinson, a law professor at the University of Pittsburgh who is challenging Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Allegheny) in the 2022 Democratic Primary, has raised nearly $212,000 in the 2nd quarter. 

Casey Talks to POLITICO About Infrastructure Proposal: POLITICO reports that Sen. Bob Casey said that “total for physical and human infrastructure should be “at a minimum” within the ballpark of the White House’s $4 trillion proposal,” adding that “We should try to get as close to that as possible.”

Harrisburg & DC   
Spotlight PA: Ethics panel closes investigation into former Pa. Victim Advocate Jennifer Storm
AP: Ex-ambassador, investment CEO seeks Pennsylvania Senate seat 
AP: Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls to jump by 5% early next year 
AP:  Child welfare agency leader accused of falsely ending cases
Patriot News: Minimum wage, cocktails to go and more: Pa. lawmakers have unfinished business when they return in fall
Patriot News: Pa. Turnpike approves toll increase for 2022 
Patriot News: Fireworks blamed for multiple fires, deaths across Pa.
Patriot News: COVID-19 update: nearly 76% of adults have had at least one dose of vaccine
Inquirer: Long waits for Pa. election results are here to stay after a key GOP lawmaker closed the door on changes
Inquirer: Voter ID aims to prevent fraud that doesn’t exist, and more to know as Pa. considers stricter rules
Inquirer: Trump’s former ambassador to Denmark is the latest Republican to join the Pennsylvania Senate race
Inquirer: The Pennsylvania State Police force is overwhelmingly white, and officials offer few remedies for increasing racial diversity
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: New law could expand 5G’s reach in Pa. 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Following Cosby’s release, two Pa. senators want to mandate written non-prosecution agreements 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: CDC study finds racial, regional disparities as schools in Pa., elsewhere, reopened for in-person learning 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Hunger strike ends at Pa. prison; organizers proclaim it a success
City & State PA: What is a Civilian Democracy Corps? Malcolm Kenyatta says we need one.
York Daily Record: Pa. Turnpike tolls to increase in 2022 for E-ZPass. toll-by-plate users
KDKA: Pennsylvania Reimposes Work Search Requirements For Those Getting Unemployment Benefits
StateImpactPA: Report offers case studies for how Pa. could help areas affected by RGGI
StateImpactPA: Environmental groups seek pre-trial ruling against U.S. Steel
KYW Newsradio: Some bad news, possible good news with upcoming Pennsylvania Turnpike rate hikes
City Paper: CNN ranks Pennsylvania Senate seat as most likely to flip in 2022
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission approves 5% toll increase to take effect in 2022
CNN: ‘The big lie’ leads to a disturbing sight in Philadelphia 
CNN: Biden and Harris to focus on voting rights Thursday, expand DNC program 
The Hill: Pennsylvania dentist and Trump associate accused of groping patient
The Hill: DNC launches organizing program ahead of midterms  

Philadelphia 
Inquirer: As a Philly state senator buried a relative killed by gun violence, officials again called for gun-safety laws 
Inquirer: As Philly pledges renewed community anti-violence efforts, some advocates are asking: What took so long? 
Inquirer: After a two-year freeze, Temple raises tuition by 2.5% 
WHYY Newsworks: ‘How many more must die?’: Philly lawmakers plead for help reducing gun violence
WHYY Newsworks: ‘A political football’: Philly bars and restaurants mourn loss of cocktails-to-go 
WHYY Newsworks: Housing activists sue PHA to keep families living in abandoned Philly properties
Philadelphia Business Journal: Audacy goes local to replace Rush Limbaugh on 1210 WPHT
KYW Newsradio: ‘Not acceptable that we do nothing’: State senator mourns nephew killed by gunfire, calls for change

SEPA
Delaware Valley Journal: Galluch On Board For Delco Congressional Race
Montgomery Media: U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean says child tax credit will be ‘life changing’ for thousands of local families
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County records lowest coronavirus positivity rate in the region
WFMZ: Gov. Wolf orders commonwealth flags to fly at half-staff for Montco firefighter who died in line of duty
Delco Daily Times: Police across Southeast Pennsylvania to target aggressive drivers
Daily Local News: Chester County’s coronavirus positivity rate drops below 1 percent

Pittsburgh 
Tribune Review: Churchill residents protest potential Amazon development
Post-Gazette: Council, mayor draw up plans to spend federal COVID dollars. Activists say they were left out of the discussion.
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania Turnpike commission approves 5% toll hike beginning in January
Post-Gazette: County Council approves Picklesburgh license, agrees to grant monies and fee increases on air quality permitting
Post-Gazette: Anthony Hamlet and other Pittsburgh school officials to meet with City Council on Wednesday
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh region under Code Orange air quality alert on hot and muggy Tuesday 
Post-Gazette: Business of Pittsburgh: Incentivizing work, from the unemployment line to the corner office 
KDKA: Churchill Residents Confront Borough Council Members Over Amazon Distribution Center Proposal
KDKA: Code Orange Issued For Unhealthy Air Quality In Pittsburgh Area 
WTAE: Allegheny County Council votes to have Picklesburgh on Andy Warhol Bridge 
WTAE:  Opponents of proposed Amazon warehouse hold protest in Churchill
WESA: Churchill Residents Say They’re Concerned About Proposed Development Believed To Be For Amazon 
WESA: Southwestern Pennsylvania Under Air Quality Action Day Tuesday

SWPA 
Altoona Mirror: University merger plan has raised tension
Altoona Mirror: Law requires opioid information 
Post-Gazette: Ex-warden in Westmoreland County sues on retaliation, harassment claim
Tribune Review: Former Westmoreland jail warden sues commissioner, alleges discrimination and emotional distress
Observer-Reporter: Region under air quality alert
Observer-Reporter: Coronavirus numbers continue to drop across the region

NEPA
The Times Leader: Former Luzerne County Children and Youth director facing criminal charges 
The Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre Police being equipped with body cameras 
The Times Leader: No new cases of COVID-19 reported in Luzerne County on Tuesday; 116 statewide
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County commissioners to hold in-person meeting
Times-Tribune: Nine new COVID-19 cases reported in region
Citizens Voice: Former Luzerne County C&Y director charged with child endangerment 
Citizens Voice: Wilkes-Barre mayor: ‘Hometown Heroes’ banners delayed 
Citizens Voice: Luzerne County has no new COVID-19 cases and deaths, 5 in hospital
Pocono Record: Luzerne Children and Youth director arrested, charged with endangering children

South Central 
Patriot News: Pennsylvanians rally in Harrisburg to push for changes in federal election law: ‘Our voting rights are in peril’ 
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 1 new case of COVID-19 reported in Cumberland County Tuesday; Fulton shows ‘substantial transmission’
York Daily Record: FBI is investigating York County judge candidate Steve Stambaugh, 3 former employees say 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Neighbors of prospective prison property worried new facility will interrupt ‘peaceful’ life along the river 

Lehigh Valley      
WFMZ: Rep. Wild hosts series of Lehigh Valley events highlighting impact of COVID aid 
WFMZ: City of Reading offers $3M towards Reading Fightin Phils stadium upgrades 
WFMZ: Wolf Administration, Berks Co. leaders grant over $4M to help local businesses in pandemic recovery 
Reading Eagle: Berks commissioners back $6 million in support for Fightin Phils and Santander Arena
Reading Eagle: City Council on board with contributing $3 million towards FirstEnergy Stadium upgrades
Reading Eagle: State and local leaders tout financial aid for Berks restaurants
Reading Eagle: Berks commissioners want to keep public comments focused on county topics 
Reading Eagle: EPA planning a public meeting on the cleanup of Exide Superfund site in Berks 
Reading Eagle: Pennsylvania Turnpike to see new round of toll hikes in 2022 
Reading Eagle: Berks County adds 17 new COVID cases over 4 days
Morning Call: Tolls will climb yet again on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in 2022
Morning Call: It’s been five years since South Whitehall residents voted to save Wehr’s Dam. What’s happening?
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: Case rate increases for first time in 75 days and Lehigh records a death

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: State Rep. Scott Conklin to host town hall to address COVID-19 recovery and more
Patriot News: Williamsport accused of violating agreement to make City Hall ADA compliant

Opinion  
Jeff Nobers: Pittsburgh offers a better path on energy 
John L. Micek: Pa. Republicans are weaponizing the state Constitution. No one wins there | Tuesday Morning Coffee
Inquirer Editorial Board: Philly jails are in crisis, and a tactic used during COVID-19 is the solution 
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Testing children for lead exposure may have been overlooked during the pandemic. It must not be overlooked any longer. 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: The telework mandate is over. Decisions about workplaces should be made based on specifics
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Tragedy and country
Joyce M. Davis: Mental Health, COVID-19 and gun violence are topics of PennLive’s 6 p.m. Tuesday webinar and Facebook Live
Bill Hangley Jr.: A cautionary tale for Philly violence prevention: Evaluating success is only half the job 
Solomon Jones: White supremacists won’t back down until more white people stand up to them 
Quinn O’Callaghan: Finding a Middle Ground on Dirt Bikes 
Dave Galluch: Philadelphia’s shipyards once boomed. Why do they struggle for funding now?
Cathryn Miller-Wilson: Over-policing Black immigrants can turn one mistake into deportation 
Aaron Gorodzinsky: Antisemitism finds new life — as opposition to Israel
Roxanne Patel Shepelavy: “Equity To End Inequity” 
Sylvester Mobley: Equity in tech means redesigning the wheel 
Jenice Armstrong: Don’t be so fast to quit your day job. One city truck driver didn’t — and her dream is within reach  
Elizabeth Wellington: An unfair decision about swim caps at the Olympics is taking an emotional toll on me 
Emily Low: Call on Pennsylvania lawmakers to do the same as New York legislators 
Phil Edmunds: Inane legislation is doomed to fail 
Pete Gurt: A life of giving: Celebrating Catherine Hershey’s 150th birthday 
Will Bunch Newsletter: As the world burns, D.C, fiddles on climate 
Rob Tornoe: Cartoon: Critical race theory and real cancel culture