Joe Biden staffs up his Pennsylvania campaign, a Trafalgar poll shows Biden with a 5 point lead over Trump in the state, plus Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick leads the 2nd quarter fundraising in the 1st Congressional District. Here is the Playbook.;

Exclusive: Fitzpatrick Leads Q2 Haul: Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick’s campaign raised $455K last quarter, compared to $310K for Dem challenger Christina Finello.

Biden Staffs Up PA Campaign: Sinceré Harris has been the Executive Director of the PA Democratic Party since 2015. Brendan McPhillips has worked for John Fetterman, Helen Gym, and was PA Political Director for Hillary Clinton.

Trafalgar Poll: Biden 48, Trump 42.7: Former Vice President Joe Biden leads President Donald Trump by 5.3 points in Pennsylvania, according to a poll that predicted Trump’s victory in the Keystone State in 2016.

Pence To Travel Through PA on July 9: Vice President Mike Pence’s visit to Pennsylvania on Thursday includes a fundraiser in Manheim, a roundtable discussion in Chester County, and a speech at Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 5 in Philadelphia.

Biden To Promote Economic Recovery Plan in Lackawanna County: Former Vice President Joe Biden and Vice President Mike Pence will both be campaigning in Pennsylvania on Thursday.

For results on races called prior to today, check out previous Playbooks starting from June 3.

Primary Election Update: 

INCUMBENT LEADS: HD22 Dem: State Rep. Peter Schweyer (D-Lehigh) leads Enid Santiago by 55 votes, which is slightly more than 1%, in this majority Latino district, according to county website results. Lehigh Valley Live reports that although Schweyer declared victory in the race, Santiago is calling for a special election for the seat. 

LEADER: HD75 GOP: Mike Armanini holds a 3 point lead over Lisa Becker in the three candidate race to succeed state Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield). The winner will face Democrat Ryan Grimm in the fall for the GOP friendly district. 

INCUMBENT LEADS: HD175 Dem: State Rep. Mary Isaacson (D-Philadelphia) who holds a 1,109 vote lead, 7%, over Vanessa McGrath, Jeff Dempsey, and Andre Del Valle in the four candidate primary among in-person votes, declared victory in the primary. 

INCUMBENT LEADS: HD182 Dem: State Rep. Brian Sims (D-Philadelphia), who leads challenger Marisa Shaaban by 2,825 votes, 15%, with all of the in-person votes accounted for, while the mail-in votes are still coming in, declared victory in the primary. The GOP candidate in this safe Dem district is Drew Murray. Sims added 1,000 plus votes to his lead in the race as of Friday morning, when he held a 1,786 vote advantage in the race. 

INCUMBENT TRAILS: HD188 Dem: Rick Krajewski holds a 2,624 vote, 21%, lead over state Rep. James Roebuck Jr. (D-Philadelphia) in the four candidate primary and declared victory in the race on Monday. 

LEADER: TOSSUP: HD198 Dem: Darisha Parker now holds a 267 vote lead in the primary over Bernard Williams, while Fareed Abdullah and Supreme Dow also trail for the seat held by outgoing state Rep. Rosita Youngblood (D-Philadelphia). As of Friday morning, Williams held a 122 vote lead in the primary. The margin between first and last place is also slim. 
Harrisburg & DC   
Inquirer: Joe Biden has hired top aides to run his Pennsylvania campaign
Inquirer: Mike Pence and Joe Biden are both coming to Pennsylvania on Thursday. Pence will meet police in Philly.
Spotlight PA: Lawmakers will rule again over redrawing of Pa. political boundaries, but critics aren’t giving up
AP: Pence, Biden to hit Pennsylvania campaign trail on same day
AP: Rising infections in southwest Pennsylvania prompt concern
KDKA: Can Legalizing Recreational Marijuana Lessen The Blow Of Pa.’s $3.2B Deficit? Lt. Gov. John Fetterman Says ‘The Time Is Now’
KDKA: Congressman Mike Kelly Denies Any Wrongdoing In His Car Dealership Getting Coronavirus PPP Loan
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: A look at Pa.’s 10th Congressional District – and what the June primary results tell us about the race | Analysis
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pro 2nd Amendment lawmakers want to let you carry a gun during an emergency
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: General Assembly passes protections against sexual assault in police custody
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Spying wave of evictions, House Dems call for Wolf to extend moratorium to year’s end
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: With COVID cases at a nearly two-month high, Casey, Toomey join Wolf to urge Pa. residents to wear masks
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: With COVID-19 cases on the rise, Allegheny Co. mulls new dining restrictions
PLSReporter: Local officials: Wolf Admin. to announce ‘targeted mitigation’ for five western counties Wednesday as COVID-19 counts rise in region
PLSReporter: House eyes changes to governor’s disaster powers
Patriot News: Toomey, Casey join Gov. Wolf in asking Pa. residents to wear masks 
Patriot News: Which Pa. companies got more than $150,000 from federal loan program? Search the database
National Journal: Pennsylvania Poll: Biden 48%, Trump 43%
Beaver County Times: Wolf, Casey, Toomey join to call for mask-wearing in public 
WHYY Newsworks: ‘I thought it was a hoax’: Pa. students, universities respond to Trump restrictions for international visas 
The Hill: Biden hires top aides for Pennsylvania
Post-Gazette: Federal rule change for international students criticized by higher-ed groups
Politico: Convention jitters grip Democrats
CNN: Trump could sink the House GOP in suburbia
PA Post: Some Police Departments Say Publicizing Use-Of-Force Policies Builds Trust. Others Disagree

Philadelphia 
Philadelphia Magazine: West Philly’s Rick Krajewski on Running for Office, Defunding the PPD and the National Leftist Uprising
Philadelphia Magazine: 80 Notable Philly Institutions and Businesses That Received PPP Loans
Inquirer: Mike Pence and Joe Biden are both coming to Pennsylvania on Thursday. Pence will meet police in Philly.
Inquirer: Joe Biden has hired top aides to run his Pennsylvania campaign
Inquirer: Philly-area law firms received at least $228 million, the most of any industry for coronavirus cash
Inquirer: Philly landlords sue to overturn new coronavirus pandemic renter protections
Inquirer: Philly says it’s close to a deal to end the homeless encampment on Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Inquirer: Antifa rumors and hoaxes have stoked real fear in Philadelphia neighborhoods
Inquirer: Philly-area charter, private schools receive millions in federal PPP loans
Inquirer: Tell us what matters most to Pennsylvania voters ahead of the 2020 election
Inquirer: Systemic racism is a public health issue in Philly, elsewhere | Morning Newsletter
Inquirer: Allegheny County’s infection rate twice as high as Philly’s; Wildwood nixes weekly fireworks over lack of masks; where cases are up and down in Pa.
Inquirer: Systemic racism is a public health issue. Community health workers are proven to help.
Billy Penn: Accurately tracking Philly’s gun violence epidemic depends on one guy named Gary
WHYY Newsworks: Philly landlords sue city over coronavirus-related renter protections 
WHYY Newsworks: ‘It’s not normal’: After violent Fourth of July weekend, South Philly residents march for change 
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. coronavirus recovery: COVID-19 cases in young Philadelphians continue to increase
Philadelphia Tribune: Black leaders call on Philadelphia police to end stop and frisk — again
Philadelphia Citizen: Mosaic Development Partners 
Philadelphia Business Journal: Philadelphia in ‘no hurry’ to reopen indoor dining, health commissioner says
Philly Voice: Vice President Mike Pence to meet with Philly police union 
KYW Newsradio: ‘An imperfect storm’: Commissioner Outlaw discusses gun violence surge amid pandemic, calls to defund police
KYW Newsradio: New COVID-19 cases in Philly have stabilized, but officials aren’t rushing to relax restrictions
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia School District outlines how it plans to keep students, staff safe from coronavirus this fall

SEPA
Daily Local News: Dinniman backs repeal of fireworks legalization 
Bucks County Courier Times:  PFAS health study kicks off with online meeting
KYW Newsradio: Nearly half of Bucks County’s new COVID-19 cases are from out of state, officials say
Bucks Local News: BUCKS COUNTY JULY 6 COVID-19 UPDATE: County averages 26 new cases; travelers boost total

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh City Council extends COVID-19 emergency declaration until Aug. 25 
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County considering modifying bar, restaurant order 
Post-Gazette: Worried about surge, state may impose ‘targeted mitigation’ in southwestern counties 
Post-Gazette: City Council declares ‘Black Pittsburgh Matters,’ establishes LGBTQIA commission
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County’s criminal court division turns to videoconferencing amid positive virus tests
Post-Gazette: Federal rule change for international students criticized by higher-ed groups
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Leaders Hope To Release New Coronavirus Order On Wednesday
KDKA: LGBTQIA+ Commission And Black Pittsburgh Matters: City Council Unanimously Passes 2 Bills
KDKA: Allegheny Co. President Judge Orders ‘As Many Proceedings As Possible Through Videoconferencing’
KDKA: Protesters March At Delta Foundation In Support Of Black Transgender And LGBTQ+ Communities
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Confirms Another Day With Over 200 More Coronavirus Cases, And 6 New Deaths
WESA: We ‘Want Our Voices To Be Heard,’ Says Black, Young And Educated Founder
Pittsburgh Business Times: Bogen signals new order may allow outdoor dining
Tribune Review: State expected to prohibit indoor dining in Westmoreland, Allegheny as covid-19 cases rise 
Tribune Review: More Allegheny County court staffers test positive for covid-19; judge orders more video hearings 
Tribune Review: Allegheny County reports 6 new covid-19 deaths, 204 new cases
City Paper: Pittsburgh on verge of ending some off-street parking minimums, but advocates say banning curb-cuts is necessary too

SWPA 
Observer-Reporter: Commissioners, Dr. Levine discuss local impact of pandemic; hospitals need meds, COVID-19 tests 
Observer-Reporter: Davanzo hosts concealed-carry seminar 
Observer-Reporter: State Rep. Pam Snyder urges cyber charter school reform 
Observer-Reporter: COVID-19 cases begin to surge again in Pennsylvania
Beaver County Times: Beaver County COVID case count spikes; state considers restrictions on five local counties 
Beaver County Times: Cracker plant workers concerned amid COVID rise
KDKA: County Leaders Say State Will Close Indoor Dining In Westmoreland And Beaver Counties
Altoona Mirror: Blair leaders: $11M grant incoming
NEPA
Citizens Voice: Biden to campaign in Dunmore on Thursday
Citizens Voice: County audit shows $3.1 million surplus for 2019
Citizens Voice: Six new COVID-19 cases, one new death in Luzerne County reported Tuesday
Times-Tribune: Biden to campaign in Dunmore on Thursday 
Times-Tribune: Data shows thousands of NEPA companies received Paycheck Protection Program loans 
Times-Tribune: Scranton would remain financially distressed through 2021 under amended exit plan
Times-Tribune: Namedropper, July 8, 2020
Times-Tribune: COVID-19 cases, deaths spiked Tuesday
The Times Leader: Biden to visit Dunmore 
The Times Leader: Biden, Pence to campaign in Pa. tomorrow 
The Times Leader: Pedri: Luzerne County audit reveals $3.1 million surplus 
The Times Leader: Legislators join Gov. Wolf in call for mask wearing 
The Times Leader: Wolf announces $53M for child care providers; $1M for Luzerne County 

South Central  
LNP | LancasterOnline: Vice President Mike Pence to visit Manheim on campaign trip through Pa. 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Sen. Pat Toomey discusses possible fourth coronavirus relief bill in visit to Lancaster 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County officials ask staff, visitors to comply with state mask mandate inside county buildings 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster city Planning Commission vows to put racial equity ‘front and center’ 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Proposal to Lancaster city council would allow for retail space, apartments, restaurants 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Should Confederate, Columbus monuments be taken down? Local professors, city council president to discuss Wednesday 
LNP | LancasterOnline: State seeks forfeiture of gambling machines, equipment and cash from former Columbia speakeasy 
LNP | LancasterOnline: As Pennsylvania numbers rise, Lancaster County sees a downward trend in new coronavirus cases
Carlisle Sentinel: Toomey, Perry skeptical of renewal as end of pandemic unemployment benefits nears 
Carlisle Sentinel: After slow holiday weekend, COVID-19 numbers back up in region
York Dispatch: Pardon me? York City to host educational clinic on second chances 
York Dispatch: ‘Horrible experiment’: York officials rail against fireworks law 
York Dispatch: York City Hall to close Wednesday for York Water Co. work 
York Dispatch: York County has 41 new COVID-19 cases, one new death 
York Daily Record: Gettysburg protest draws call for removal of Confederate statues, criticism of response 
Patriot News: Troubling wave of COVID infections among 20-somethings hits Pa.

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: Berks County judge vacates Reading Charter Board ruling against former Mayor Wally Scott
Reading Eagle: Berks officials investigating constable over ‘absolutely racist’ Facebook posts
Reading Eagle: Berks businesses retain more than 37,000 jobs with PPP loans of $150,000 to $10 million
Reading Eagle: Berks residents asked to oppose systemic racism, police brutality during Peaceful Stand on Penn Street Bridge
Reading Eagle: Reading City Council continues to mull trash ordinance
Reading Eagle: 25 more coronavirus positives for Berks County; state overall most in nearly 2 months
Patriot News: Berks County DA says constable under investigation over racist social media posts: report
Morning Call: Which Lehigh Valley businesses received federal PPP loans to help weather the coronavirus crisis? 
Morning Call: Masks will be mandatory in Pennsylvania schools. Here’s a Q&A on what the rule means for students and teachers
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: 995 new cases is largest one-day increase in nearly 2 months as infections shift to younger people
Express Times: Coronavirus in Pennsylvania: Cases surge nearly 1K in one day; state totals 91K cases and nearly 6,800 deaths; COVID-19 testing also hits 1-day high; virus hitting younger age groups | Coronavirus Pa. map (07/07/20)

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Board to cast final vote on Erie’s community college bid
Erie Times-News: Delayed tests result in Pa.’s biggest one-day case count since early May
KDKA: Congressman Mike Kelly Denies Any Wrongdoing In His Car Dealership Getting Coronavirus PPP Loan
Centre Daily Times: Bellefonte Borough, Centre County commissioners approve resolutions to endorse mandatory masking
Centre Daily Times: Ferguson Township planned to consider a plastic bag fee. Why that won’t happen anytime soon
Centre Daily Times: State College police are set to soon receive new body cams. But how transparent will they be?
Centre Daily Times: Reopening updates: Pennsylvania adds almost 1,000 COVID-19 cases, with 2 in Centre County 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Sheriff’s office gets $122K in riot gear, equipment
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Fire chief calls to tame fireworks ‘war zone’ in city
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Commissioners to act on personnel, a grant application and more Thursday

Opinion  
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Offering a second chance
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Notice thy neighbor 
Inquirer Editorial Board: For new police oversight commission to work, Philly must learn from its past
Lt. Gov. John Fetterman: Discretion and de-escalation are a police officer’s strongest tools
Chris Kelly: Rebels win Second Battle of Gettysburg
York Dispatch Editorial Board: It’s time to sweep Redskins nickname into dustbin of football history
Shira Goodman: A message to our public servants: You represent all of us. Think twice about your social media posts
Will Bunch Newsletter: Pa. grand jury ‘indicts’ fracking. Now what? 
Lyle Ungar and Angela Duckworth: Philadelphia needs more contact tracers 
John L. Micek: As the pandemic rages, overdose deaths are on the rise in Pa. | Tuesday Morning Coffee 
Paul Muschick: ‘Mask exempt’ cards? Nice try, but they’re not valid
Ernest Owens: I’m Done Reasoning With COVID Safety Violators Who Have a Death Wish
Ana White: Ally or Actor?: How to avoid the trap of performative activism 
Dan Simpson: Keeping up with other nation’s crises
Phil Gianficaro: Fear of COVID-19 unmasks anger
Maria Panaritis: Working parents can’t become pretend public-school teachers again this fall 
Solomon Jones: The Pledge of Allegiance is a lie in Trump’s America 
Trudy Rubin: Beijing’s crackdown on Hong Kong is dangerous for the world