Former President George W. Bush, President Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris visited the annual September 11 Observance at Flight 93 National Memorial near Shanksville on Saturday to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of 9/11. Here is the Playbook. 

September 10th Ups and Downs: The 2022 Republican Senate race turns personal, a former GOP state Senate and House candidate pleads guilty for his role in the January 6 Capitol riot, plus a news organization is a finalist for online investigative journalism award. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

‘Bush, Biden and Harris pay tribute to heroes of Flight 93’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that former President George W. Bush, President Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris visited the annual September 11 Observance at Flight 93 National Memorial near Shanksville on Saturday to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of 9/11. 

‘Speed, impairment not suspected in Pennsylvania state Sen. Pat Browne’s motorcycle crash’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “the Colorado State Patrol said excessive speed and impairment from drugs or alcohol are not suspected as factors in the Aug. 31 motorcycle crash in which Pennsylvania state Sen. Pat Browne was seriously injured.”

‘Pennsylvania targeting doctors over blanket mask exemptions’: The Associated Press reports that “some Pennsylvania physicians are offering stock doctor’s notes for use by parents wishing to have their children exempted from wearing masks in school, according to state health officials who say they have referred the matter for possible disciplinary action.”

‘Biden approves major disaster declaration in Pennsylvania’: The Associated Press reports that “President Biden has declared a major disaster in Pennsylvania due to heavy rains, severe flash flooding and tornadoes in the commonwealth from the remnants of Hurricane Ida. Biden approved a request from Gov. Tom Wolf for a major disaster declaration allowing assistance to individuals for Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia, and York counties, the White House said Friday night.”

‘Pa. Sen. Pat Toomey questions legality of President Biden’s mandates on COVID-19 vaccine’: PennLive reports that “Sen. Pat Toomey is questioning whether President Biden’s sweeping plan to vaccinate more workers in the private sector is legal.”

‘Biden voters in Pa. grappling with chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, America’s longest war’: WHYY talks with people who voted for President Joe Biden in Pennsylvania about the “U.S.’s official withdrawal from Afghanistan after twenty years of war.”

‘BE THEIR STORYTELLER: Former Pa. Governor calls on community to ‘never forget’ during Sept. 11th remembrance event in Newtown’: The Bucks Local News reports that former Gov. Mark Schweiker, “ who was the Lt. Governor at the time of the attacks and was sent to the Flight 93 crash site in western Pennsylvania to oversee emergency management operations, was the keynote speaker at a 9-11 remembrance event held at Pickering Field in Newtown honoring first responders, including those who died on 9-11 and those serving the community today.”

‘Former Pa. Gov. Mark Schweiker reflects on 9/11 and his role in helping people heal’: PennLive talks with former Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker about the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America and “his role in helping people heal.” 

‘In response to lawmakers’ request, Wolf admin says it’ll release more detailed pandemic data by legislative district’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “a day after Republican lawmakers in the General Assembly asked for it, the state will begin releasing more detailed information about the state of the pandemic in Pennsylvania, including vaccine records by legislative district, Gov. Tom Wolf’s office said Friday.”

‘Prison guards union asks court to review vax-or-test mandate’: The Associated Press reports that “the union that represents corrections officers in Pennsylvania prisons wants a state court to intervene over the governor’s recent mandate that they all get coronavirus vaccines or submit to weekly testing.”

‘Here’s what to watch this week in Harrisburg’: City & State PA details “what to watch this week in Harrisburg.” 

‘Wolf, Amtrak in line with support of trains to Reading’: WFMZ reports that “in Zoom town hall on Friday, Amtrak’s leadership met with Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and officials representing” Reading, Allentown, and Scranton. 

‘Amtrak officials say Lehigh Valley passenger rail service could be achieved in the next 3 years’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “Lehigh Valley residents could be punching a train ticket to New York City in as little as three years, Amtrak officials said during a virtual news conference Friday morning.”

‘Keller calls vaccine mandates ‘totalitarian,’ vows to push back’: The Sunbury Daily Item reports that “U.S. Rep. Fred Keller said Friday he will fight back against President Joe Biden’s announcement this week of new federal vaccine requirements that would affect private-sector employees as well as health care workers and federal contractors.”

‘Mayor Eric Papenfuse recruits former political foe Otto Banks to administration’: PennLive reports that “a week before he is to announce whether he’ll run a write-in campaign to try to keep his job, Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse is bringing a former political foe into his administration.”

‘This 23-year-old hopes to change the direction of the Lancaster GOP — away from Trumpism’: LNP | LancasterOnline talks with Joe Mohler, the Republican Committee of Lancaster County’s newly elected area chair for LancasterTownship, about his “hopes to change the direction of the Lancaster GOP – away from Trumpism.”

‘Pittsburgh controller to council: Better monitoring needed for federal COVID-19 relief dollars’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “Pittsburgh City Controller Michael Lamb is urging City Council to rethink large one-time transfers of federal COVID-19 dollars to city authorities and nonprofits that “could lead to accountability issues down the road.””

‘Pittsburgh could get additional Amtrak service to Harrisburg, Philadelphia and New York within three years’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “in less than three years, Amtrak may be able to add another round trip to The Pennsylvanian passenger route that links Pittsburgh with Philadelphia and New York City.”

‘Dems, GOP Pick 10th Nominee For County Common Pleas Seat’: WESA reports that “Allegheny County voters, who already faced the daunting prospect of electing nine judges to the Court of Common Pleas, now have two more names to choose from this November.”

‘These Pittsburgh-area Republicans oppose vaccine mandates, despite their popular support and historical significance’: Pittsburgh City Paper reports that “President Joe Biden announced a vaccine mandate on Sept. 9 that required employers with more than 100 workers to have employees be fully vaccinated or tested weekly for COVID-19. Biden’s action aligns with public opinion, which is strongly in favor of corporate vaccine requirements for employees, but three prominent Pittsburgh-area Republican politicians have taken umbrage with the widely supported policy.”

‘At least 1.8 million Philly-area workers fall under Biden vaccination, testing mandate’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “several Philly-area companies reacted with a wait-and-see attitude on Friday to President Joe Biden’s sweeping order requiring vaccinations or weekly COVID tests for American workers in larger companies.”

‘Luzerne County DA Sam Sanguedolce will run unopposed if seat is on November ballot’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce will run unopposed if the DA seat is on the ballot Nov. 2.”

‘Amtrak official says Scranton-to-NYC train could happen soon’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “Northeast Pennsylvanians could resume traveling by passenger train to New York City in as soon as three years, Amtrak officials said Friday.”

‘Refugees, immigrants offset population slide, increase Erie County’s diversity’: The Erie Times-News reports that “Erie’s Asian population more than doubled between 2010 and 2020 and the number of people who are multi-racial increased 172%, according to new census data.”

‘Penn State professor accused of assaulting counter-protester at pro-vaccine rally’: PennLive reports that “a Penn State professor is facing misdemeanor charges after police say he assaulted a counter-protester at a pro-vaccination rally on campus last month.”

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Bush warns of domestic extremism, appeals to ‘nation I know’ 
AP: Biden places wreath at Shanksville 9/11 memorial 
AP: GOP aims to advance election ‘investigation’ with subpoenas 
AP: Pennsylvania targeting doctors over blanket mask exemptions 
AP: Biden approves major disaster declaration in Pennsylvania 
AP: Prison guards union asks court to review vax-or-test mandate
WHYY Newsworks: Biden voters in Pa. grappling with chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, America’s longest war
LNP | LancasterOnline: 20 years after Flight 93 crashed on his family’s land, WITF’s Tim Lambert shares journey
LNP | LancasterOnline: NPR reporter Scott Detrow talks ‘Sacred Ground’ project on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 with Tim Lambert [Q&A]
Patriot News: Former Pa. Gov. Mark Schweiker reflects on 9/11 and his role in helping people heal
Patriot News: Pa. Sen. Pat Toomey questions legality of President Biden’s mandates on COVID-19 vaccine
Patriot News: Following request from Pa. lawmakers, Gov. Wolf says he’ll release more COVID-19 vaccination data
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: In response to lawmakers’ request, Wolf admin says it’ll release more detailed pandemic data by legislative district 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘There just aren’t enough words’: 20 years later, former Gov. Tom Ridge, staffers reflect on 9/11 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Community colleges hardest hit by pandemic enrollment declines | The Numbers Racket 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: To get COVID vaccines to Pennsylvanians, clinics come to Pa. parks | Five for the Weekend 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. Health Dept: 5K new COVID-19 cases; More than 2K hospitalized
The Daily American: Flight 93 National Memorial holds 20th anniversary ceremony
Inquirer: Sept. 11 brought America together. Today’s crises are driving us apart.
Inquirer: Pa. school mask exemption loophole draws pushback from Wolf administration
Spotlight PA: Expiring COVID-19 waivers could make Pa. health-care staffing shortages worse
City & State PA: Here’s what to watch this week in Harrisburg 
City & State PA: Jake Corman calls for subpoenas as next step in election audit process 
City & State PA: Act of duty: Police departments are struggling to rebuild their ranks
WESA: Pennsylvania Business Groups Reserve Judgment On Biden Vaccine Mandate
StateImpactPA: Midstate county seeks input on climate action plan
Post-Gazette: Where employers are requiring COVID-19 vaccines, some workers weigh hesitancy against their paycheck

Philadelphia 
KYW Newsradio: 20 years later, 9/11 remembered in ceremonies across the region
KYW Newsradio: Former Philly police commissioner recalls protecting Islamic community after 9/11
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia joins state in offering help, resources for Ida victims
Inquirer: At least 1.8 million Philly-area workers fall under Biden vaccination, testing mandate 
Inquirer: Former Independence Blue Cross CEO Daniel Hilferty to succeed David Cohen as Philadelphia’s World Cup bid chair 
Inquirer: Biden’s federal vaccine mandate will ‘set precedent’ for Philly-area employers to strengthen requirements 
Inquirer: On the anniversary of Sept. 11, local Muslims contemplate what they’ve endured the last 20 years 
Billy Penn: Birth trauma for parents is common at Philadelphia hospitals, but not usually covered by insurance 
Billy Penn: Headlines from 9/11: How Philadelphia news covered the attack that changed the U.S. forever 
Billy Penn: The ‘war tax’ resistance movement and the Philly athlete who pioneered anthem protests

SEPA
Bucks Local News: BE THEIR STORYTELLER: Former Pa. Governor calls on community to ‘never forget’ during Sept. 11th remembrance event in Newtown
Bucks County Courier Times: Sen. Bob Casey says flood relief in on its way at Bucks drive-in town hall
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks health director’s silence fuels doubts over school mask guidelines
Bucks County Courier Times: 20 years. 10,037 Americans dead.  Bucks County reflects on 9/11
Delco Daily Times: Delco notables share where they were when the events of Sept. 11, 2001 unfolded
Daily Local News: Chester County to get federal disaster aid as residents continue cleanup from Ida
Daily Local News: Coatesville remembers 911 victims at commemorative service 
WHYY Newsworks: At the Garden of Reflection, looking back on the passing of so many on 9/11
Pottstown Mercury: Montco officials release statements on disaster declaration for remnants of Hurricane Ida 

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh controller to council: Better monitoring needed for federal COVID-19 relief dollars 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh could get additional Amtrak service to Harrisburg, Philadelphia and New York within three years
Post-Gazette: Next Pittsburgh schools chief will have full agenda as district faces internal, external challenges
Post-Gazette: ‘We’re doing our best’: Pa. community hospitals feeling the heat from rising COVID-19 cases, staffing issues
WESA: Dems, GOP Pick 10th Nominee For County Common Pleas Seat 
WESA: ‘It’s About 20 Minutes Outside Of Pittsburgh … Good Luck’: Former Mayor Tom Murphy Reflects On The Morning Of 9/11
WESA: Local Advocates Push To Get Child Tax Credit Payments To ‘Families Who Need It Most’ 
WESA: One Fighter Pilot Tasked With Taking Down Flight 93 
WESA: First COVID-19 Death Reported Of Man Who Was Incarcerated In The Allegheny County Jail
KDKA: ‘They Want To Go To Work:’ Western Pa. District Of Laborers Calling On Congress To Pass Biden’s Infrastructure Plan
KDKA: Discussions Over Amazon Proposal In Churchill To Continue  
City Paper: These Pittsburgh-area Republicans oppose vaccine mandates, despite their popular support and historical significance 
City Paper: Allegheny County Dems charging $8k “gate fee” at nominating session for open court seat

SWPA 
Observer-Reporter: Saccone set to announce candidacy for lieutenant governor Friday
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: PHOTO GALLERY | WATCH VIDEO | Bush, Harris salute heroes of Flight 93 on 20th anniversary of 9/11 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: PHOTO GALLERY | WATCH VIDEO | Bush: 40 heroes’ sacrifice a lesson that can’t be forgotten; Families urge nation to ‘strive to be worthy’ in divided times 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Gleason, Lengenfelder refuse to resign from Air Force Academy board
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: More than 5,000 Pa. school-age kids get COVID-19 in one week, 67 in Cambria, as infection rates climb
Post-Gazette: Bush, Biden and Harris pay tribute to heroes of Flight 93
KDKA: VP Kamala Harris, Former Pres. George W. Bush Share Their Reflections At Ceremony for Flight 93 In Shanksville
Altoona Mirror: Blair commissioners review potential grant funding
Altoona Mirror: Local area still in high transmission

NEPA
The Times Leader: Luzerne County DA Sam Sanguedolce will run unopposed if seat is on November ballot
The Times Leader: Rep. Mullery named to ‘Labor Power 100’ list
The Times Leader: Casey calls for improved access to nursing home vaccination data
The Times Leader: Speakers call for unity at Luzerne County 9/11 event
The Times Leader: Pa. Secretary of Education heaps praise on WB Area High School
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Court posts two probation management openings
The Times Leader: Boback holds joint ‘Veterans Service Officer Day’ at the Capitol
The Times Leader: Luzerne County sees rises in coronavirus hospitalizations and vaccinations
The Times Leader: Kingston ZIP code reports most new COVID-19 cases for the week
Times-Tribune: Amtrak official says Scranton-to-NYC train could happen soon
Times-Tribune: Never forget: Vigil in Scranton marks 20th anniversary of 9/11
Times-Tribune: State, NEPA again record big daily increases in COVID-19
Times-Tribune: NEPA added 247 COVID-19 cases, no deaths
Citizens Voice: Amtrak official says Scranton-to-NYC train could happen soon
Citizens Voice: Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony held at LCCC’s Walk of Honor
Citizens Voice: 105 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Luzerne County on Sunday

South Central 
Patriot News: Mayor Eric Papenfuse recruits former political foe Otto Banks to administration
Patriot News: York County school district alters its mask exception policy to require medical certification
Patriot News: Cumberland Valley School Board to consider rescinding its COVID-19 health and safety plan
LNP | LancasterOnline: This 23-year-old hopes to change the direction of the Lancaster GOP — away from Trumpism
LNP | LancasterOnline: ‘Etched in our collective memory’: First responders, others remember 9/11 attacks 20 years later
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster woman joined a cross-country ride to advocate for climate change
LNP | LancasterOnline: 20 years after Flight 93 crashed on his family’s land, WITF’s Tim Lambert shares journey
LNP | LancasterOnline: NPR reporter Scott Detrow talks ‘Sacred Ground’ project on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 with Tim Lambert [Q&A]
LNP | LancasterOnline: Pennsylvania investigating Lebanon doctor issuing mask exemption forms
LNP | LancasterOnline: Here’s how many COVID-19 cases were reported at Lancaster County schools this week
Carlisle Sentinel: Court finds former Cumberland County judge Placey’s conduct violated law; sanctions to be decided
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 204 new cases of COVID-19 reported over weekend in Cumberland County
York Daily Record: Why all the mask mayhem in York County schools? Experts weigh in

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: Speed, impairment not suspected in Pennsylvania state Sen. Pat Browne’s motorcycle crash
Morning Call: Amtrak officials say Lehigh Valley passenger rail service could be achieved in the next 3 years
Morning Call: ‘When we are all working together as one, we are stronger’: Lehigh Valley officials, residents commemorate 9/11
Morning Call: From the editor: How we marked 20th anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks
Reading Eagle: Passenger rail is the road to a brighter future, Reading, Scranton and Allentown leaders say
Reading Eagle: Berks County elections office to investigate how 1 voter had 2 registrations
Reading Eagle: Pleas for unity accompany Reading tribute to 9/11 victims, first responders
Reading Eagle: Berks County adds 100 new COVID cases as delta surge continues
WFMZ: Wolf, Amtrak in line with support of trains to Reading
WFMZ: Amtrak discusses vision for passenger rail service from Allentown to NYC 
WFMZ: Berks commissioners to take board meetings on the road
WFMZ: Bethlehem area school temporarily closing following multiple COVID-19 cases
Express Times: Colorado police detail Sen. Pat Browne’s motorcycle crash
Express Times: Amtrak: Lehigh Valley passenger rail to NYC could start in about 3 years once funding in place
Express Times: Northampton County Prison among 26 in Pa. with inadequate inmate voting policy, report finds
Express Times: THE DAY AFTER 9/11: How the Lehigh Valley stepped up | Stories of fear, sorrow and duty
Express Times: 12 COVID cases mean this Bethlehem area elementary school is going virtual
Express Times: Weekly Pa. COVID update: Cases among Pa. kids rise; Biden mandates vaccines for 100M workers

North by Northwest
Sunbury Daily Item: Keller calls vaccine mandates ‘totalitarian,’ vows to push back
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Opponents of mandate requiring masks in schools rally in Jersey Shore
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Williamsport native briefed president on day of attacks
Patriot News: Penn State professor accused of assaulting counter-protester at pro-vaccine rally
Erie Times-News: Refugees, immigrants offset population slide, increase Erie County’s diversity
Erie Times-News: 2-month-long free fare EMTA program used by 151k in Erie, but pandemic still eroding ridership
Erie Times-News: Erie County Sept. 11 service reflects on 20 years of sacrifice, remembers military personnel
Erie Times-News: Crawford County defendant in Capitol riots says rights violated; federal judge disagrees
Centre Daily Times: Local NAACP criticizes Penn State over handling of ‘harassment’ incident involving faculty members
Centre Daily Times: Mount Nittany Medical Center COVID-19 patients mostly unvaccinated, almost double last year

Opinion  
Mark S. Singel: Sen. Pat Toomey deserves respect from both Republicans and Democrats
Fred Keller: Real solutions to our nation’s problems come from the people
Mary Gay Scanlon and Adam Garber: Amid alarming violence, we’ve had an important win for victims
Mike Regan: A response to the Rev. Dr. Salsgiver and mask mandates 
Steve Aaron: Memories of 9/11: A whirlwind day aside Gov. Tom Ridge in Shanksville and hearing his comforting words
Deja Alvarez: Tackling Philly’s high energy burden can help shore up against storms 
Cliff Rieders: COVID-19 and abortions have a lot in common 
Inga Saffron: Heavy-handed security at Independence Mall is the forever legacy of 9/11
Paul Muschick: America united against a common enemy after 9/11. Why can’t we do the same now?
Chris Kelly: Scavo owes America an apology
Major Pete Whitney (Retired): If you want to support Afghan war veterans, here’s how 
Deborah Rose Hinchey: End the grandstanding. Pa. lawmakers need to get serious about protecting the vote
John L. Micek: GOP-controlled Pa. Senate panel to vote Wednesday on subpoenas in election probe | Monday Coffee
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: GOP proposal for election signature matching costly, complex and unnecessary
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: We have some questions for mask- and vaccine-resisters and the officials who acquiesce to their demands 
PennLive Editorial Board: A sincere thanks to all the men and women who prevented another 9/11
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A lawsuit built on hypocrisy 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: The day the world changed 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Bereavement time for miscarriages shows compassion 
Delco Daily Times Editorial: COVID impact on poor schools gets day in court in Pa. fair school funding lawsuit
Cathryn Miller-Wilson: Ease burden on Afghan refugees by waiving immigration fees 
Priya Mammen: Philly’s ‘just good enough’ approach toward our kids is a public health failure 
Elliot Weinbaum: Look to Philadelphia for smart ways to invest new early learning funds 
Jonah Garnick: In the wake of Ida’s destruction, Philly needs lifesaving water resilience 
Jana Benscoter: I wrote obituaries of hundreds of 9/11 victims. 20 years later, I still remember their stories
George Drees: Memories of 9/11: Documenting the Pa. Task Force 1 trip to NYC, and adding to it on each anniversary
Nancy Eshelman: 20 years after 9/11, there is still an enemy – and it is us 
Randy McKillop: Memories of 9/11: Memorial helps shine a spotlight on the life of a hero from Hershey
Claude Phipps: Memories of 9/11: An overnight stay turns into a week in a NYC turned upside down
David M. Shribman: The many, many facets of Joe Biden
Keith C. Burris: Twelve delusions
Ruth Ann Daily: Texas erases hard-won progress
Roxanne Patel Shepelavy: How Not To Start A School Year 
Will Bunch: A tragic, senseless drone killing should mark the end of America’s 9/11 era 
Salena Zito: Brother of fallen firefighter has made it his life’s mission to remember sacrifices of 9/11 
Dick Polman: Texas is using bounty hunters to enforce its abortion law. Welcome to the thugocracy
Mike Hirsch: Why I’m participating in walk to help ALS research
Chris Smith: Does Corman want to be hands on or hands off? 
Sheila Heapes: Thank you Governor Wolf for protecting our children 
Rachel Mark: Metcalfe’s action for climate change is to banish the climate clock 
John Cole: The Pa. Senate’s electoral dog-and-pony show. What’s being overlooked? | Editorial Cartoon 
Cynthia Falk: A walk with Mom through time and forgetfulness
Kelisa Folk: Home buyers beware
Sarah DeSantis: September Suicide Prevention Month, Together we can help #StopSuicide