Demonstrators rallied across Pennsylvania in support of abortion rights. Here is the Playbook.
News

‘Abortion rights supporters rally in Harrisburg, across Pa. to protect Roe v. Wade’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “the event at the Pa. Capitol was part of a coordinated day of rallies across the state, nation.”

‘Police report says candidate was sideswiped in fatal crash’: The Associated Press reports that Charlie Gerow, “a candidate for governor driving on the Pennsylvania Turnpike was sideswiped by a motorcyclist in a July nighttime crash that left the motorcyclist dead and the candidate traveling another 5 miles with the motorcycle lodged on his car, according to a new police report.”

‘Deadline passes in GOP’s election ‘investigation’ subpoena’: The Associated Press reports that “the deadline passed Friday for Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration to comply with a subpoena from a Republican-controlled state Senate committee pursuing what the GOP calls a “forensic investigation” of last year’s presidential election, as a state court sorted through three legal challenges.”

‘Pennsylvania midterms may be more a referendum on Trump than Biden’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “the midterm elections — usually a referendum on the sitting president and the party in power — may actually be a litmus test of Pennsylvania’s attitude toward the former president, analysts, insiders and experts said this past week.”

‘Pa. Republicans won’t hire a contractor for 2020 election review until a judge gives the OK, aide says’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “Pennsylvania Senate Republicans say they won’t hire a private contractor to assist with their review of the 2020 election until a judge weighs in on the matter.”

‘Here’s what’s on deck this week in the Harrisburg political arena’: City & State PA reports on what to watch this week in Harrisburg. 

‘Amid renewed abortion debate, Arkoosh wants Congress to codify Roe’: City & State PA reports that “with hundreds of marches planned across the nation in defense of abortion rights, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Val Arkoosh on Friday called for Congress to take federal action to protect abortion access as Republican-led states weigh new restrictions on aboriton access.”

‘Gov. Wolf says Pennsylvania’s school mask mandate won’t end until children can get vaccinated’: WLVR reports that “at a press conference on Sept. 30, Gov. Tom Wolf signaled the commonwealth’s school mask mandate will not end until children under 12 can be vaccinated against COVID-19.”

‘Pennsylvania Latino political power, health, future examined at statewide convention’: WITF reports that “as political lines will be literally redrawn and vaccination efforts offer a possible turning point in the COVID-19 pandemic, Latinos in the commonwealth are looking to how they can ensure an equitable and just future.”

‘Nearly half of Pa. school principals surveyed said they’ve been threatened over mask order’: PennLive reports that “school administrators have faced hostility from some parents and residents after Pennsylvania’s mask order for schools took effect last month.”

‘Dog law Senate bill ‘unlikely’ to move forward, aide to top Pa. senator says’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “despite a funding deficit more than two decades in the making, a bill to increase dog license fees and boost funding for Pennsylvania’s Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement, likely won’t see a vote this session.”

‘John Dougherty and Bobby Henon bribery trial: What you need to know’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “Union leader John J. Dougherty and Philadelphia City Councilmember Bobby Henon are headed to court, more than two years after they were charged in a federal bribery and corruption case. The outcome could shape the future of organized labor, politics, and public corruption investigations in the city for years to come.”

‘John Dougherty and Local 98 remain political forces. Will his trial change that?’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “the union is still a big spender in elections, and few politicians dare speak out against Dougherty. But he’s been quieter of late. “I don’t feel his presence over my shoulder,” said one consultant.”

‘Solar companies are eyeing Pa. farmland. A legislative agency is looking at ways communities can prepare’: StateImpactPA reports that “The Center for Rural Pennsylvania is hoping the state can find a balance between the economic and climate benefits of solar energy and the risk of losing productive farmland and community character.”

‘Proposed natural gas power plant in Washington County asks state to withdraw permits’: StateImpactPA reports that “a company that proposed natural gas-fired power plant in southwest Pennsylvania is canceling the project’s state permit. The announcement was a victory for environmental groups who opposed the plant.”

‘US Steel is trying to block Allegheny County’s new coke oven rules’: StateImpactPA reports that “US Steel is challenging an Allegheny County proposal to reduce pollution from the company’s Clairton coke works.” 

‘Pa. hit liquor sales record in 2020-21 fiscal year | The Numbers Racket’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “according to a report the PLCB released last month, liquor sales (and taxes) generated $2.91 billion in the 2020-21 fiscal year, a 13.7 percent increase from the previous year.”

‘Pa. Health Dept: More than 5,300 new COVID-19 cases; More than 2,800 hospitalized’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “the Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed 5,352  new cases  of COVID-19 on Friday, up from Thursday’s tally of 4,892 new cases, bringing the statewide total to nearly than 1.43 million since the start of the pandemic.”

‘Somerset DA Thomas taking leave of absence; ‘More to this story,’ his attorney alleges’: The Johnstown Tribune-Democrat reports that “Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas is taking a leave of absence from his post to focus on the criminal case against him, but he is not resigning, his attorney said Friday.”

‘Pa. Attorney General’s Office To Prosecute Case Against Somerset County DA’: KDKA reports that “the state Attorney General’s Office will prosecute the case against the Somerset County District Attorney.”

‘Western Pa. legislative districts divided on vaccines, state data shows’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “in a push for accountability among Pennsylvania’s lawmakers, Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration last week released COVID-19 vaccination rates by state legislative district.”

‘Pittsburgh mayoral candidate forum to be livestreamed Monday’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that “with just over a month until election day, 1Hood Power will host a forum for Pittsburgh’s mayoral candidates to discuss key issues for voters.”

‘Philly’s soda tax is paying for upgrades to rec centers. But Mayor Kenney and City Council disagree on the pace.’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “the slow progress of the program has frustrated City Council, which plans to hold a hearing this fall to question administration officials on the status of Rebuild.”

‘Philadelphia accepting applications for new Citizen Police Oversight Commission’: KYW Newsradio reports that “a nominating panel began accepting applications this week for Philadelphia’s new Citizen Police Oversight Commission, which officials hope will increase police accountability.”

‘Montgomery County to correct 16,000 mail ballots for next month’s election’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “Montgomery County disclosed Saturday it sent voters 16,000 incorrectly printed mail ballots for the Nov. 2 municipal general election, and county election officials said they were in the process of canceling them and will issue new ones.”

‘Four candidates race to fill two County Council seats in November election’: The Delaware County Daily Times reports that “two Democrats and two Republicans will face off on the November ballot for two open Delaware County seats.”

‘Bucks lawmaker introduces ‘Made in PA’ bill in support of goods manufactured in the Keystone State’: The Bucks Local News reports that “on Manufacturing Day, Bucks County State Rep. Perry Warren announced the introduction of his Made In PA bill to make it easier for consumers to support and purchase goods manufactured in Pennsylvania through the creation of a Made in PA logo and a publicly-searchable website for consumers to find PA products.”

‘Resolution to support workers alleging natural hair discrimination’: Philadelphia Tribune reports that “City Councilmember Cherelle Parker has introduced a resolution supporting local federal security officers who are allegedly facing discrimination from their employer.”

‘About 1,000 march in Philly as part of national day of support for reproductive rights’: WHYY reports that “a crowd of about 1,000 turned out Saturday afternoon on Benjamin Franklin Parkway for Philadelphia’s Bans Off Our Bodies March, joining a nationwide day of mobilization in support of women’s reproductive rights amid moves by states to limit abortion access.”

‘Hundreds rally for reproductive rights in Pittsburgh as part of a nationwide demonstration’: WESA reports that “abortion-rights supporters filled half a dozen city blocks marching through downtown Pittsburgh Saturday. The march was part of a nationwide call to protect reproductive rights after Texas instituted the nation’s most restrictive abortion law — and ahead of the Supreme Court’s next term, during which a conservative majority of justices could rule on the future of Roe v. Wade.”

‘The pandemic, election integrity and even dinosaurs came up at Thursday’s Lehigh County executive debate. Here are 3 takeaways.’: The Allentown Morning Call provides three takeaways for the first televised debate between “Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong and challenger Glenn Eckhart.”

‘One candidate unvaccinated, the other asks why at Lehigh County executive debate’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “the pandemic, criminal and social justice, affordable housing and other issues highlighted a debate Thursday night between the candidates running for Lehigh County executive.”

‘Ballot-on-demand voting hours expanded in Northampton County’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “ballot-on-demand voting hours are expanded at the Northampton County elections office for the November general election, officials said Friday.”

‘Nancy Matos Gonzalez, Pennsylvania’s first Latina district judge, retiring after 30 years of serving Bethlehem’s South Side’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “Nancy Matos Gonzalez, Pennsylvania’s first Latina district judge, is retiring after 30 years of serving south Bethlehem.”

‘Hundreds rally at Delco courthouse in favor of reproductive rights’: The Delaware County Daily Times reports that “hundreds converged upon the Delaware County courthouse Saturday, joining hundreds of similar rallies across the nation in support of reproductive rights.”

‘Ralliers support equitable funding for schools’: The Daily Local News reports that “about three dozen proponents for fair funding of public schools rallied during Thursday evening’s vigil at the Historic Courthouse.”

‘Comitta highlights pediatric cancer tax credit’: The Daily Local News reports that “in recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, state Senator Carolyn Comitta highlighted ongoing efforts to combat pediatric cancer and support life-saving research in Pennsylvania.”

‘Burns tours U.S. Steel facility; told mill search in infancy’: The Johnstown Tribune-Democrat reports that “after his tour on Friday of the U.S. Steel facility in Braddock, Allegheny County, state Rep. Frank Burns, D-East Taylor Township, knows there’s work to be done.”

‘Westmoreland Democrats prepare for last stand as Republicans seek full government takeover’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that “the once-dominant political party in November will try to hold on to its last vestiges of power as Republicans seek to claim every elected office at the courthouse.”

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