Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto pushes for background checks and red flag laws in a visit to DC, while Vice President Mike Pence pays tribute at the Flight 93 Memorial in Somerset County. Here is the Playbook. 

Peduto Pushes for Background Checks, Red Flag Laws in DC Visit: The Mayor of Pittsburgh met with a bipartisan group of mayors and Sen. Pat Toomey in an effort to gain support for gun control legislation.

Vice President Pence Pays Tribute at Flight 93 Memorial: Pence and other speakers hailed those on Flight 93 as heroes.

Rendell Calls Warren a “Hypocrite” in WaPo Op-Ed: Former PA Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell wrote an opinion piece for the Washington Post saying that he “likes Elizabeth Warren,” but accused the 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful of being a “hypocrite” over campaign fundraising. 

Harrisburg & DC   
Post-Gazette: ‘We pay a debt of honor’: VP Pence, others remember Flight 93 victims 
Post-Gazette: Senators: Trump could decide on background checks support ‘in the next day’ 
WESA: Pence Vows To ‘Honor The Memory’ Of 9/11 Victims, Noting A Generation Has Grown Up Since The Attacks
WESA: State Dems Push For Harassment Investigation Reforms 
Morning Call: In ‘substantive’ 40-minute call, Pat Toomey told Donald Trump to ‘seize an opportunity’ on gun background checks. President remains non-committal 
WHYY Newsworks: Is 50 years a de facto life sentence? Pa. Supreme Court will decide
AP: Pennsylvania high court asked to throw out death penalty
AP: The Latest: Pennsylvania court asked to toss death penalty
AP: Democrats step on shaky political ground with fracking bans
AP: AP Analysis: N. Carolina flashes warnings for Trump and Dems
Spotlight PA: Pa. nurses are fed up with hold times, rude answers, and delays dealing with state licensing board
WITF: Do Pa’s liquor laws rip off consumers? Lawmakers hear opposing arguments
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa.’s Toomey: ‘Too soon to call it quits’ on background checks
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘People can’t afford to bathe themselves’: What life is like for Pennsylvanians who lost cash assistance 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pennsylvania’s protections for public-sector workers are more than 60 years old. Unions are pushing for an update 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: From town halls to police cruisers, here’s how 10 Pa. municipalities plan to reduce gun violence 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. U.S. House lawmakers split along party lines on gun safety votes 
KDKA: Pa. Attorney General Josh Shapiro Says Purdue Pharma Settlement ‘Far From Over’
The Hill: Watch live: Pence speaks at the Flight 93 national memorial ceremony to mark 9/11 anniversary
Real Clear Politics: VP Mike Pence Speaks At 9/11 Ceremony In Shanksville, Pennsylvania
Inquirer: Pa. high court hears arguments in Philly over constitutionality of death penalty 
Inquirer: Pennsylvania slaps $81,500 fine on pest-control firm for not providing contracts to consumers
Patriot News: OxyContin settlement ‘a slap in the face’, Pa. Attorney General says
PLSReporter: Yaw seeks more transparency in natural gas royalty payments 
PLSReporter: PLCB announces record sales as lawmakers float pricing changes 
PLSReporter: House Commerce discusses business innovation, entrepreneurship at Temple University 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Shapiro balks at tentative deal with Purdue Pharma
StateImpactPA: How did fracking contaminants end up in the Monongahela River? A loophole in the law might be to blame

Philadelphia 
Philadelphia Magazine: Meet the City Council At-Large Candidate Endorsed by Elizabeth Warren 
WHYY Newsworks: City Council preview: Everything Philly leaders will be fighting about this fall 
WHYY Newsworks: DA Krasner fought against civil asset forfeiture. But under his watch, the practice continues 
WHYY Newsworks: Did asbestos in a Philly school cause a teacher to get cancer? It’s complicated. 
Inquirer: As Philly’s Council returns from recess, mayoral ambitions could affect agenda
Inquirer: Pa. high court hears arguments in Philly over constitutionality of death penalty 
Inquirer: Teachers’ union investigating a possible cancer link to Philly schools, warns of hazards 
Inquirer: Representing charters and Muslim women: Meet Philly’s newest school board members 
Inquirer: 2 more Philly cops to be fired in Facebook probe, bringing total to 15 
Inquirer: California bill could pave the way for labor rights for Uber drivers in Philly 
Philadelphia Tribune: Local students give their take on justice policy reforms at hearing
KYW Newsradio: Bonuses for PES refinery executives paid right after South Philly fire spark outrage 
KYW Newsradio: Philly teachers’ union warns of asbestos issue in schools after teacher diagnosed with mesothelioma 
KYW Newsradio: Advocates argue Pennsylvania Supreme Court should toss death penalty 

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Santarsiero, PennDOT tour Bucks roads and bridges 
Bucks County Courier Times: New Britain to remain with Central Bucks police; tax hike likely 
Daily Local News: Muth calls for prescription drug price capping 
Daily Local News: Sunoco ordered to cover exposed pipeline 
Daily Local News: County pitches in for Melton construction 
Daily Local News: Residents hear about ways to protect Chester County’s air, land and water 
Daily Local News: Public invited to meet elected officials in Kennett Square Sept. 28 
Daily Local News: Comitta hosting third annual Senior Fair Sept. 14 
Delco Daily Times: County Council approves raises for park police, sheriff’s deputies 

Pittsburgh  
KDKA: Mayor Bill Peduto Still Hopeful About Gun Reform Following Washington D.C. Trip 
KDKA: Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy And City Council Discuss Tax To Fix Public Parks 
KDKA: Sunday Hunting Proposal Praised By Local Hunters 
KDKA: Allegheny County Receiving Funding To Address Opioid Epidemic  
WESA: Council To Hold Hearing After Group Calls For Reparations For Pittsburgh’s Black Residents 
WESA: State Dems Push For Harassment Investigation Reforms 
City Paper: Kenneth Aquiline uses own struggles with drug addiction and homelessness to help fellow veterans 
City Paper: Is Pittsburgh vulnerable to fracking-induced earthquakes?
Post-Gazette: City council, controller grill mayor’s office, Parks Conservancy over tax increase ballot question
Post-Gazette: Senators: Trump could decide on background checks support ‘in the next day’ 
Post-Gazette: In rare unanimous vote, Senate confirms Stephanie Haines as district court judge 
Post-Gazette: Ahead of broadband buildout, Doyle leads effort to improve coverage maps 
Post-Gazette: Union leaders, elected officials vow to extend worker protections to public sector employees 
Post-Gazette: Feds OK Alcosan’s $2 billion plan to reduce sewage overflows 
Post-Gazette: Pardon recommended for McKeesport man denied council seat due to drug record 
Tribune Review: Peduto: Meeting with McConnell over gun law was ‘low point of pessimism’ 
Tribune Review: State board pardons former McKeesport councilman-elect stymied by 25-year-old drug convictions 
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh City Council debates proposed 0.5 mill tax increase for parks 
Tribune Review: Allegheny County to receive about $15 million to fight opioid crisis 

SWPA
Beaver County Times: Pence to Flight 93 families: America stands with you 
Beaver County Times: Beaver County Commissioners: Maple Syrup festival won’t be cancelled
Observer-Reporter: Shale gas development is fueling the region’s future
Tribune Review: State rep will host concealed-carry seminar in Fayette County 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: ‘Remember that day’: Flight 93 families embrace opportunity to share memories at ‘special place’ 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Senate confirms Johnstown candidate Haines as U.S. District Court judge 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Dubnansky named Johnstown’s new economic development director 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: New program aimed to protect children from sexual abuse 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Sunday hunting plan bogged down in dispute over permission rules

NEPA
The Times Leader: Yudichak, Baker ready for public hearing on White Haven Center 
The Times Leader: Luzerne County ethics complaints against former election director dismissed 
The Times Leader: Plymouth Twp. fire company plans town hall meeting
Times-Tribune: Scranton labor attorney Abrahamsen resigns 
Times-Tribune: Census Bureau to canvass Wayne County 
Citizens Voice: W-B council president apologizes during work session 
Citizens Voice: County council OKs tax break for Mericle project 
South Central  
Patriot News: Pa. House of Representatives to spend $1 million to create more meeting room space 
Patriot News: No additional buyout offers in the works for Pa. state government employees 
Patriot News: 9/11 ‘Continuing Their Climb’ in Harrisburg honors firefighters who died on Sept. 11 
York Dispatch: York City never listed police commissioner post, pulled candidate from old pool
LNP | LancasterOnline: Hallam Borough questions affordability of continuing to use Hellam police

Lehigh Valley     
Reading Eagle: Reading City Council confirms David Hunter as city’s community development director 
Reading Eagle: Pa. agency to pay University of Pennsylvania $10 million to tackle chronic wasting disease, other deer ailments 
Morning Call: In ‘substantive’ 40-minute call, Pat Toomey told Donald Trump to ‘seize an opportunity’ on gun background checks. President remains non-committal 
Morning Call: Health care costs push Pennsylvania voters to demand change — including getting rid of insurance companies
Morning Call: Who is Glenn Granitz, Allentown’s new police chief?
Morning Call: On 9/11, Lehigh County moves to help homeless vets
Morning Call: Lehigh County Jail launches program to help inmates land jobs
Express Times: Allentown’s newest police chief takes the helm

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Laughlin pledges support for public worker safety bill
Erie Times-News: Suicide Prevention Task Force to hold session at Behrend
Erie Times-News: County executive’s Bike Around County ride set for Friday
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Commissioners to consider road bids

Opinion  
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: If this, what next?: Animal cruelty must not be tolerated 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Brazil needs our aid: As Amazon rainforest burns, where is the world? 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Depression linked to diet: Healthful eating in kids can reduce risks
Inquirer Editorial Board: Commissioner says she didn’t know L.A.P.D. “King” T-shirt was racist. That tells you everything. 
Ed Rendell: I like Elizabeth Warren. Too bad she’s a hypocrite.  
Maria Panaritis: Judi Reiss lost her son in the 9/11 attacks. The Bucks County mom is now a model for us all. 
Rachel Levine: How Pa. is continuing to help those with the disease of addiction
Jennifer Kretschmer: Flight 93 site a fitting memorial to the souls lost on 9/11 
John L. Micek: Report: These right-wing oligarchs are leading the fight to kill anti-poverty programs | Wednesday Morning Coffee
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Trump rescues the Bahamas
Priya E. Mammen: Harm reduction saves lives now and in the future 
Dan Simpson: Trump’s foreign policy is a failure
Jackie Zulli: Tell your state senator to support this important bill that fights Lyme disease 
Ernest Owens: If Christine Coulter Had Been Photographed Wearing a Swastika, She Would Have Resigned Already
Chris Kelly: This isn’t ‘fake news,’ I swear
Trudy Rubin: By firing John Bolton, Trump shows a desire to go solo on diplomacy with puny results 
John L. Micek: How Ken Stringfellow’s ‘Touched’ LP became an indispensable document of 9/11