Congressman Conor Lamb’s campaign for U.S. Senate raised $1.2 million in Q3, while Sean Parnell’s campaign raised $1.1 million. Here is the Playbook. 

News

‘Conor Lamb raised $1.2 million for his Senate bid in the third quarter’: City & State PA reports that “U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb’s first fundraising numbers since jumping into Pennsylvania’s 2022 Democratic primary race for U.S. Senate are in, with the incumbent congressman raking in $1.2 million in the third quarter of 2021.”

‘Trump-endorsed Sean Parnell raises $1.1M for Pennsylvania Senate bid’: The Washington Examiner reports that “Sean Parnell, the leading Republican candidate for Senate in Pennsylvania, raised $1.1 million in the third quarter as he moves to hold off opponents gunning for him in the primary.”

‘How Josh Shapiro locked down the Democratic nomination for governor without even announcing he would run’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “it is a feat virtually unprecedented in modern Pennsylvania Democratic politics. Strategists couldn’t recall another open-seat gubernatorial primary election in which there was no serious challenge.”

‘Amid FBI scrutiny, top PSERS pension officials update financial disclosures’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “amid an FBI investigation into real estate held by Pennsylvania’s big PSERS pension fund, the agency’s investment chief and his top staff have updated their financial disclosures to include their roles on the boards of agency-affiliated companies that own PSERS buildings in Harrisburg and elsewhere.”

‘Your statewide voters guide for the 2021 general election in Pennsylvania’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “voters must pick four candidates for the statewide bench, including to fill one seat on the state Supreme Court.”

‘The Pa. municipal election is weeks away. What to know before casting your ballot on Nov. 2’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “with an Oct. 18 deadline to register to vote and an Oct. 26 cutoff to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot, here’s what you need to know before Election Day.”

‘Manetti, Welby square off for former Rep. Marty Flynn’s House seat’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “two well-known West Scranton residents who’ve known each other a long time want to win the 113th state House District seat.”

‘Wharton prof. Eric Orts suspends U.S. Senate campaign’: The Daily Pennsylvanian reports that “Wharton professor Eric Orts is suspending his bid to represent Pennsylvania in the U.S. Senate, his campaign announced today in a press release.”

‘Pa. parks need $1.4B for infrastructure repairs, improvements, DCNR says’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “the state agency tasked with overseeing Pennsylvania’s 121 state parks says it’s in need of more than $1.4 billion for infrastructure repairs and improvements.”

‘Toomey votes against extending, raising national debt limit; Senate votes to approve both’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey was in the minority Thursday when voting against a Senate agreement to extend the government’s borrowing authority into December, and avoid a national economic disaster, and increasing the nation’s debt limit.”

‘PODCAST: Sen. Dan Laughlin’s Bid for Governor Based on Bringing People Together’: The Delaware Valley Journal reports that “on this edition of the Delaware Valley Journal “On The Air,” State Sen. Dan Laughlin talks about his plans to run for governor and the pitch he plans to make to Pennsylvania GOP primary voters.”

‘Why Is a GOP Candidate Speaking at a Fringe Gun Church?’: VICE News reports that “Pennsylvania congressional candidate Teddy Daniels is speaking at the Rod of Iron Ministries’ “Freedom Festival.” He and that group were both in D.C. on January 6.”

‘National Democrats seek to intervene in GOP-backed challenge to mail voting in Pennsylvania’: NBC News reports that “the Democratic National Committee is seeking to intervene in a lawsuit brought by Pennsylvania Republicans aimed at curbing the use of mail voting, according to a copy of the filing shared with NBC News.”

‘Kids-for-cash damages hearing goes virtual’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “the civil damages hearing against disgraced judges Mark A. Ciavarella Jr. and Michael Conahan has gone virtual.”

‘Prison guard vaccinations increase after governor’s mandate’: The Associated Press reports that “the number of vaccinated state prison system employees has nearly doubled in the two months since Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf mandated vaccines or weekly testing to help contain the coronavirus, a policy prison guards unsuccessfully challenged in court.”

‘Back online, Monessen coke plant again draws air pollution complaints’: StateImpactPA reports that “the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is investigating air quality complaints related to the restarting of a coke plant in Westmoreland County.”

‘Westmoreland County state lawmaker wants subsidies to Pitt, Penn State and Temple shifted to vouchers for students’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports on “why Eric Nelson says it promotes access and choice and others disagree.”

‘Toomey looking to restore authority over ‘national security’ tariffs’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Lehigh Valley, and Mark Warner, D-Virginia, this week introduced bipartisan legislation to prevent presidential abuse of “national security” tariffs by reinstating congressional authority over trade.”

‘20 state attorneys general sue over Postal Service slowdown’: The Hill reports that “a group of 20 state attorneys general filed a lawsuit Thursday over a slowdown in mail delivery that began this month.”

‘Liquor Control Board awards nearly $2 million in grants to support Pennsylvania’s wine, beer and cider industries’: WESA reports that “Pennsylvania’s wine, beer and cider industries are getting a boost from the Wolf administration to increase marketing and production. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board approved grants totaling $1,925,319 for 13 different projects.”

‘Marijuana-related arrests decreased sharply nationwide in 2020, but not in Pa.’: Pittsburgh City Paper reports that “the FBI released its crime statistics for 2020 late last month, detailing that the nation saw a 36% decrease in marijuana-related arrests compared to 2019. This comes in contrast to Pennsylvania’s marijuana-related violations, which saw a 7% decrease in 2020 compared to 2019.” 

‘Recorded Dougherty, Henon conversations focus of 1st week of federal corruption trial’: KYW Newsradio reports that “the federal corruption trial of Philadelphia City Councilman Bobby Henon and electricians union leader John Dougherty will begin its second week on Tuesday, following a first week that focused on establishing Dougherty’s influence on Henon.”

‘After a day of wrangling, South Philly Columbus statue to stay covered — for now, court rules’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “a late-night Commonwealth Court decision vacated an earlier decision Saturday by a Common Pleas Court judge to allow the plywood box to be immediately removed from the statue on Marconi Plaza.”

‘Council President Clarke counters Domb’s outdoor dining bill with his own’: WHYY reports that “Councilmember Allan Domb’s proposal to make outdoor dining more of a permanent fixture in Philadelphia is facing a challenge from Council President Darrell Clarke.”

‘Councilmember Curtis Jones urges citizens to call out ‘red flag’ behavior’: The Philadelphia Tribune reports that “Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. took the floor during Thursday’s virtual City Council meeting to urge people to speak up if someone they know is going through a mental health crisis.”

‘First lady to host a charla during Allentown stop’: Lehigh Valley Live reports that “First lady Jill Biden’s Lehigh Valley visit this week continues her series of conversations and listening sessions with the nation’s Hispanic community, the White House said Friday.”

‘Jill Biden’s Lehigh Valley stop will be 1st by sitting first lady in almost a decade’: Lehigh Valley Live reports that “when Jill Biden appears in Allentown next week, she’ll continue a recent trend of high-profile politicos paying the Lehigh Valley a visit, including her husband, President Joe Biden, and former President Donald Trump. She’ll also be the first sitting first lady to make a Lehigh Valley stop in almost a decade.”

‘At Berks Democratic Party dinner, get out the vote is the message’: The Reading Eagle reports that “at the Berks County Democratic Committee’s fall dinner Friday night, keynote speaker U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb told a crowd gathered at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in downtown Reading that elections like 2021 are crucial.”

‘Striking Kellogg’s workers joined Saturday by Lt. Gov. John Fetterman’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “about 150 unionized workers striking outside the Kellogg’s cereal-making plant in East Hempfield Township were joined by Lt. Gov. John Fetterman on Saturday afternoon.”

‘Somerset County DA tried to have charges against wife dropped, letter indicates’: The Johnstown Tribune-Democrat reports that “Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey L. Thomas sought to have charges against his wife dropped last month, soon after she was accused by Windber police of assaulting him during a domestic dispute, a letter obtained by The Tribune-Democrat indicates.”

‘House bill prevents county class changes linked to census’: The Johnstown Tribune-Democrat reports that “Pennsylvania counties can maintain the class codes currently in place after Gov. Tom Wolf signed House Bill 1591 into law on Oct. 1.”

‘Local lawmakers send well wishes to state rep seriously injured in crash’: The Observer-Reporter reports that “colleagues of a local state representative injured in a vehicle accident are sending wishes for a speedy recovery to their friend.”

‘Gov. Tom Wolf visits Clemens Food Group to highlight Hatfield expansion’: Montgomery Media reports that “Gov. Tom Wolf, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and local officials toured the Clemens Food Group headquarters in Hatfield Friday, thanking them for a $235 million expansion project that will keep the company local.”

‘Dean, others call on Biden to end ICE contract with Berks’: WFMZ reports that “U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean announced Friday afternoon that she recently sent a letter to President Joe Biden, urging him and the Department of Homeland Security to terminate the contract Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has with Berks County to operate the Berks County Residential Center in Bern Township.”

‘Gov. Wolf highlights Easton’s efforts to transform blighted properties into productive spaces’: WFMZ reports that “transforming vacant, blighted properties into productive spaces has been an ongoing priority in Easton. Friday, the governor visited the city to highlight these efforts.”

‘Bucks lawmaker applauds agreement allowing law enforcement to share gun crime data across state lines’: The Bucks Local News reports that “State Senators Steve Santarsiero (D-Bucks) and Amanda M. Cappelletti (D-Montgomery, Delaware), senate co-chairs of the bicameral PA SAFE Caucus, applauded Governor Tom Wolf’s announcement regarding an agreement that allows law enforcement agencies from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut to share gun crime data across state lines in order to detect, deter, and investigate gun crimes, as well as identify and apprehend straw purchasers, suspect dealers, firearms traffickers, and other criminals.”

‘Merck & Co. Employees Protest ‘Jab or Job’ Vax Mandates’: The Delaware Valley Journal reports that “about 75 Merck & Co. employees and their supporters protested outside the Merck plant in Upper Gwynedd Thursday evening, claiming the company is forcing them to get the COVID-19 vaccine by Nov. 1 or face losing their jobs.”

‘‘An Uncontrollable Danger:’ Pennsylvania Municipal League Calling On Legislature To Change Fireworks Laws’: KDKA reports that “they’re being called an “uncontrollable danger” and the Pennsylvania Municipal League says they want something done about fireworks in the commonwealth.”

‘Protesters Join Columbus Day Parade, Call On City To Celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day In Its Place’: KDKA reports that “on Saturday, city streets were lined with bands, floats, and a crowd in Bloomfield as groups celebrated Pittsburgh’s Italian heritage with the Columbus Day Parade.”

‘Zelienople Police Investigating Vandalism Of Butler County Democrats’ Tent At Fall Fest’: KDKA reports that “the Zelienople Police are investigating the vandalism of the Butler County Democrats’ tent at the Zelienople Fall Fest.”

‘Many Philly schools are crumbling. Help needs to come from Washington, leaders say.’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “many Philadelphia schools urgently need repairs, and local funds alone can’t pay for the billions of dollars needed to bring buildings up to 21st-century standards. Help must come from Washington, officials said Friday.”

‘Local universities start changing police practices in the aftermath of George Floyd’s killing’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “George Floyd didn’t die on a college campus, but his killing at the hands of Minneapolis police last year brought a wave of scrutiny to university police forces. After intense examination, several local schools have begun to make changes.”

‘Philadelphia schools plan COVID-19 testing for students, vaccine mandates for some’: KYW Newsradio reports that “with more than 82% of its staff vaccinated against COVID-19, the Philadelphia School District is moving to vaccinate and test more of its students.”

‘WPHT promotes from within to replace Spike Eskin as brand manager’: The Philadelphia Business Journal reports that “Greg Stocker has been promoted to brand manager of Talk Radio 1210 WPHT, where he will oversee content strategy, talent, operations and branding for the conservative-talker. He was previously assistant brand manager for the station.”

‘Philly Trans March returns to demand justice, equity, and liberation’: WHYY reports that “more than 200 people packed into Washington Square Park on Saturday afternoon for this year’s Philly Trans March. For more than 10 years, the marchers have rallied in different locations in the city to demand justice, equity, and liberation for trans, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming people.”

‘Chester County prosecutors seek union representation’: The Daily Local News reports that “prosecutors in the Chester County District Attorney’s Office are attempting to form a collective bargaining unit, a rare but not unprecedented step among county employees that has generated a dispute between the sides over whether the county commissioners are hindering the effort.”

‘‘It sounds like it’s over, but it’s not over’ — Montgomery County officials give Ida update’: Montgomery Media reports that “five weeks after the remnants of Hurricane Ida came through the region, damaging property and displacing hundreds of residents, officials received a status report during Thursday’s Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting.”

‘Arkoosh, Lawrence get flu shot during Montgomery County Commissioners meeting’: Montgomery Media reports that “two of Montgomery County’s top officials rolled up their sleeves and got a flu shot Thursday morning during the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting.”

‘14 contests mark municipal election in western Montgomery County’: Montgomery Media reports that “voters in 14 western Montgomery County boroughs and townships will have some choices to make when they get into the voting booth on Nov. 2.”

‘Delaware County hires its first epidemiologist’: The Delaware County Daily Times reports that “Delaware County’s first epidemiologist shared his vision for the role as Delaware County Council took an official step in establishing a county health department last week.”

‘Citiparks director stepping down to join Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “Ross Chapman will be leaving his role as the city of Pittsburgh’s director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, or Citiparks, to join the nonprofit Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Mayor Bill Peduto announced.”

‘Dormont passes LGBTQ nondiscrimination law, becoming seventh municipality in Allegheny County to do so’: Pittsburgh City Paper reports that “on Oct. 5, Dormont borough council unanimously passed an ordinance that prohibits discrimination against certain protected classes of people and creates a Dormont human relations commission.”

‘Belding explains his vision for Greene County’s future’: The Observer-Reporter reports that “Mike Belding said plans are in place to attract businesses and individuals to Greene County.”

‘Commissioners to tweak meeting public comment period’: The Observer-Reporter reports that “the Washington County commissioners may have to tweak their public comment period after updating the policy during Thursday’s meeting that led to complaints from several people who wanted to speak but were denied.”

‘Luzerne County Council majority vows no county tax increase next year’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “there will be no property tax hike in Luzerne County next year, a majority of county council members promised Wednesday.”

‘Luzerne County officials focused on Nov. 2 election preparations’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “it’s crunch time for the Nov. 2 general election, and Luzerne County’s administration expressed confidence it will be ready.”

‘Luzerne County Election Board approves mail ballot drop box sites’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “Luzerne County will have mail ballot drop boxes in Pittston, Hazleton, Wilkes-Barre and Wright Township before the Nov. 2 general election, with the possibility of a fifth location in the Back Mountain still up in the air, the county Election Board decided Friday night.”

‘Jewish Federation to buy Pa.’s state university system’s HQ on 6.5 acres in Harrisburg’: PennLive reports that “the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg’s offer to buy the 6.5-acre Dixon University Center campus in Harrisburg has been accepted by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.”

‘Fox News reporter on coming home to Harrisburg area from Afghanistan: ‘In Kabul, you are a target’’: PennLive reports that “Trey Yingst, a native of the Harrisburg area, is a foreign correspondent with Fox News based out of Jerusalem. He went to Afghanistan to cover the aftermath of the American withdrawal from country and the ensuing takeover by the Taliban.”

‘Harrisburg woman formally charged with stealing Pelosi’s laptop in US capitol riot’: PennLive reports that “a formal indictment has been revealed against a Harrisburg woman suspected of stealing the laptop of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during the riot at the United States Capitol on Jan. 6.”

‘How many Lancaster County students got approved for a school mask exception? [Lancaster Watchdog]’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “despite the outrage many parents have displayed at school board meetings across Lancaster County since the Pennsylvania Department of Health announced its school mask order at the end of August, the number of approved mask exceptions is relatively low at local school districts.”

‘How Lehigh Valley-area lawmakers voted in U.S. House, Senate’: The Allentown Morning Call reports on “how area lawmakers voted during the last two weeks.” 

‘Some call for more security for ballot drop boxes in Northampton County’: WFMZ reports that “with elections just under a month away and ballot drop boxes open to voters, residents and council members in Northampton County are once again discussing security.”

‘Luzerne County reaches agreement with Courtdale over mayoral race’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “a lawsuit brought against the Luzerne County Bureau of Elections by the borough of Courtdale to get the borough’s mayoral race on the November election ballot has been resolved and the race will be on the ballot in November, according to Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo.”

‘Biden personally called Pennsylvania hospital to see why friend could not be admitted’: The Hill reports that “President Biden on Thursday said that he had personally called a hospital in Pennsylvania to ask them why his friend could not be admitted to the emergency room when she was having difficulty breathing.”

‘COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations rise among vaccinated in PA’: The Associated Press reports that “the proportion of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations among vaccinated Pennsylvania residents rose sharply last month, reflecting the fact that a higher percentage of the population has now gotten the shot but also likely that protection has waned somewhat, state health officials said Friday.”

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John L. Micek: Report shows risk for Dems losing blue-collar voters in Pa., other states | Friday Morning Coffee
Tom Perez: President Biden’s plan is crucial for Latino Pennsylvanians
Christian Nascimento: Radical Change vs. Reality
Mike Tedesco: Downtown Johnstown about to take off
PennLive Editorial Board: If we can tell women what to do with their bodies, let’s tell men, too 
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: More Pennsylvania schools should take advantage of free COVID-19 testing tool offered by state
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: A health advisory council, controlled by politicians, is the wrong prescription for Lancaster County 
Inquirer Editorial Board: Who to vote for in the 2021 general election
Inquirer Editorial Board: Maria McLaughlin is the right choice for the Pa. Supreme Court 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: The housing authority is failing its tenants  
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Declawing ban is right move 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: With R. Kelly’s conviction, his victims finally get justice
Jim Jackson: Republican politicians are prolonging pandemic by politicizing vaccinations
Mark Kelly Tyler: A century and a half later, Octavius V. Catto’s campaign for voting rights remains a call to action 
Ruth Ann Dailey: Biden through history’s lens
​​David M. Shribman: The seeds of discord are sprouting anew
Tony Norman: Fables of the insurrection
Keith C. Burris: The era of posture
Paul Muschick: Try to take a gun on a plane at LVIA? This should be your punishment
Nichole Persing: You can help us during COVID-19 pandemic by getting vaccinated
Betty Dunkel: Some good news at the capitol for a change 
Donald Brown: We have a moral obligation to the world to address climate change now 
JoEllen Bitzer: The PA legislature is failing us
Katherine Rapin: How To Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day 
Rebecca Whitmire: Students Should Have Access to Menstrual Supplies. Period.
Kathryn Canavan: The story of the second woman executed in Pa. history shows why the death penalty must end 
Jobert E. Abueva: Every day should be National Coming Out Day
John Cole: The PSERS scandal, explained | Editorial Cartoon
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