Bill McSwain launched his campaign for Governor. Here is the Playbook.

McSwain Launches Campaign for Governor: The former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania under President Donald Trump highlighted his service in the military, tenure as the U.S. Attorney under Trump’s administration, support for law enforcement, goals for the office, while also taking shots at Gov. Tom Wolf’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic in his launch for the 2022 race.

Saccone Announces Bid for Lieutenant Governor: The former GOP state Rep. and one-time congressional hopeful pointed to his experience in the state Legislature and said that he “aggressively fought for his district, often bucking the leadership to advocate for key issues like the Castle Doctrine, property tax reform and veteran’s issues.”

‘Wolf pulls election nominee, slams Senate GOP over handling’: The Associated Press reports that “Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday withdrew his nominee to be Pennsylvania’s top elections official, accusing state Senate Republicans of turning the confirmation process into a partisan charade.”

‘Wetzel leaving as prisons chief, Wolf names acting successor’: The Associated Press reports that “Pennsylvania Corrections Secretary John Wetzel will soon leave the job he’s held for more than a decade and be replaced by a top administrator at the agency, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf announced Monday.”

‘Wolf creates new redistricting oversight panel ahead of fraught map-drawing process’: WHYY reports that “Pennsylvania’s governor issued an executive order Monday creating a new panel of experts to advise him on passing a new congressional map next year.”

‘GOP ‘Moderate’ Blasted Capitol Riots — and Cozied Up to a Jan. 6 Bus Trip Organizer’: Rolling Stone reports that “Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick called Jan. 6th a “coup attempt,” but that didn’t stop him from attending a fundraiser at the home of a man who helped bus hundreds of people to Washington for a “Million MAGA March.””

‘GOP senators look to scale back powers of cabinet officials’: City & State PA reports that “Republican senators in the General Assembly are once again looking to curtail the power of Pennsylvania’s executive branch, but rather than further restrict Gov. Tom Wolf’s authority, this time they have a new target in their sights: cabinet secretaries.”

‘Wolf administration ordered to reveal details of cannabis use as drug addiction treatment’: Spotlight PA reports that “the public could soon know for the first time how many patients use medical marijuana to treat opioid use disorder in Pennsylvania, one of the few states to specifically endorse that treatment option.”

‘Sen. Bob Casey visits Reading to tout his plan to invest in America’s children’: The Reading Eagle reports that Sen. Bob Casey “visited the YMCA on Monday talk about his ambitious set of proposed policies to put children on a successful path.”

‘Gov. Tom Wolf to visit mobile COVID vaccine unit at Reading Area Community College’: The Reading Eagle reports that “the push to get Pennsylvanians vaccinated will continue at Reading Area Community College on Tuesday. Gov. Tom Wolf will stop by to promote the Community-Accessible Testing and Education mobile vaccination unit that has been traversing the state offering free COVID vaccinations.”

‘Sheroda joins state rep race as independent’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “a man who lost his bid for the Republican nomination for the 113th state House seat will run as an independent candidate. John Sheroda, 63, switched his registration to independent July 29 after losing in the Republican nominating process five days earlier to Dominick Manetti.”

‘As nation grapples with climate disasters, Pa. reps look to resurrect a Depression-era program’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “last week, three members of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation — U.S. Reps. Dwight Evans, D-3rd District, Susan Wild, D-7th District, and Conor Lamb, D-17th District, introduced  the “Restore Environmental Economy  and Improve Volatile Economy by the Civilian Conservation Corps Act of 2021,” or the “REVIVE the CCC Act.””

‘City Council redistricting is often contentious in Philly. This year looks different.’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “redistricting rarely goes smoothly for Philadelphia City Council… but this year, lawmakers and City Hall observers are predicting a smoother process, with minimal changes expected to the Council districts that were used in the 2015 and 2019 elections.”

‘Allegheny County Council to vote on sick leave bill Tuesday’: The Pittsburgh Business Times reports that “Allegheny County Council is poised Tuesday evening to take up the latest version of the paid sick leave bill.”

‘County Councilors Seek To Adopt Mask Mandate, But Legal Authority Unclear’: WESA reports that “two Allegheny County councilors have proposed legislation that will establish a mask mandate for public gatherings — and will test the body’s power to pass health regulations even as an earlier months-long dispute over those powers concludes.”

‘County executive candidates Titus, Davis to debate at Erie Regional Chamber’s political forum’: The Erie Times-News reports that “Erie County executive candidates Tyler Titus and Brenton Davis are scheduled to debate Wednesday at the Erie Regional Chamber’s Annual Political Forum.”

‘Comitta backs plan to extend Medicaid coverage’: The Daily Local News reports that “State Senator Carolyn Comitta was joined at Chester County Hospital by Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Meg Snead, leaders of the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus, and doctors and medical professionals to discuss the importance of Pennsylvania’s plans to extend Medicaid coverage to one year postpartum for all Pennsylvanians.”

‘Here is how, and when, Erie County Council might create a ‘diversity commission’’: The Erie Times-News reports that “a commission devoted to empowering minority populations and businesses in Erie County is one step closer to happening. But before it can be funded, county officials must first decide who will lead it.”

‘Papenfuse names former mayoral rival Otto V. Banks to key city post’: PennLive reports that “continuing to build a new team of rivals as he weighs a write-in candidacy to stay in office as Harrisburg mayor, Eric Papenfuse introduced former city councilman Otto V. Banks as the city’s Director of Economic Development Monday.”

‘20,000 Philly schools employees must get vaccinated by Sept. 30. Here’s what happens if they don’t.’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “the Philadelphia School District’s 20,000 employees must be vaccinated for COVID-19 by Sept. 30, but they won’t lose their jobs if they opt not to get the shot.”

‘PIAA Board May Recommend COVID-19 Vaccine For Student Athletes’: KDKA reports that “the PIAA may soon recommend its student-athletes get vaccinated against COVID.”

‘Lancaster city asks public for feedback on use of $39.5 million in COVID-19 relief funds’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “Lancaster city is launching a new effort to get public feedback on how the city’s $39.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds should be used, Mayor Danene Sorace announced Monday.”

‘Daniel Hilferty to succeed David Cohen as chairman of Philadelphia Soccer 2026’: The Philadelphia Business Journal reports that “Philadelphia Soccer 2026 is getting a new chairman. Former Independence Health Group CEO Daniel J. Hilferty will replace David L. Cohen, senior adviser to the CEO of Comcast Corp. (NASDAQ: CMCSA), who has held the chairmanship since May 2019.”

‘Central City takes another step toward police force’: The Johnstown Tribune-Democrat reports that “Borough officials took another step toward starting a police department Monday, voting to apply for a low-interest loan up to $47,000 to buy and equip an all-wheel-drive cruiser.”

‘Al Franken to perform at Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that former U.S. Senator Al Franken will be performing on Saturday, Oct. 23 at Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall in Munhall.

‘Democrats pick county exec’s wife to run for district judge seat in Bethlehem Township’: Lehigh Valley Live reports that “a subset of the Northampton County Democratic Committee has selected a candidate to fill their party’s slot in the November election for district judge in Bethlehem Township that was vacated by the death of Patricia Broscius.”
Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Wolf pulls election nominee, slams Senate GOP over handling 
AP: Wetzel leaving as prisons chief, Wolf names acting successor 
AP: Ex-federal prosecutor under Trump joins GOP governor primary
Rolling Stone: GOP ‘Moderate’ Blasted Capitol Riots — and Cozied Up to a Jan. 6 Bus Trip Organizer
WFMZ: Court hearing on Pa. school mask mandate lawsuit postponed
Spotlight PA: Wolf administration ordered to reveal details of cannabis use as drug addiction treatment
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa.’s long-serving prisons chief, John E. Wetzel, is leaving, Wolf admin says 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf pulls election chief’s nomination amid legislative election review row 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: As nation grapples with climate disasters, Pa. reps look to resurrect a Depression-era program  
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. prison guards union sues to block Wolf’s vaccine policy
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. logs 12K new COVID-19 cases over the weekend; More than 2,200 hospitalized, Health Department says
Patriot News: Gov. Wolf says he’s rescinding nomination of top election official over dispute with Senate GOP’s audit 
Patriot News: Pa. corrections secretary is leaving, Gov. Wolf names replacement
Patriot News: IBM paid Pa. $33M to settle lawsuit over jobless benefits computer project
Patriot News: COVID-19 in Pa.: Hospitalizations rise above 2,200 as spike continues
WHYY Newsworks: Former U.S. Attorney McSwain joins growing field of GOP candidates for Pa. governor
WHYY Newsworks: Wolf creates new redistricting oversight panel ahead of fraught map-drawing process
City & State PA: Wolf yanks secretary of state nomination, slams Senate for handling 
City & State PA: GOP senators look to scale back powers of cabinet officials 
City & State PA: Who wants to run for governor as a Republican in 2022?
Inquirer: Bill McSwain says he’s running for governor of Pennsylvania, officially joining competitive GOP primary
Inquirer: COVID-19 cases among Pa. school-age children are 10 times higher than they were last year
Delaware Valley Journal: PA Unions’ Vax Lawsuit Sneak Preview of Biden’s Coming Attractions
KDKA: PIAA Board May Recommend COVID-19 Vaccine For Student Athletes 
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pennsylvania: State Reports 3-Day Total Of 12,406 New Cases, 33 Additional Deaths
Broad + Liberty: Pa. teachers’ union to provide “Nice White Parents” training to teachers 
Broad + Liberty: PAC focused on in-classroom instruction finds new motivation after Wolf’s mask mandate
StateImpactPA: Man killed while working at Three Mile Island
Post-Gazette: The great shot debate: To boost or not to boost?
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Senate contest attracts crowd of contenders; governor race less clear-cut  

Philadelphia 
Inquirer: City Council redistricting is often contentious in Philly. This year looks different.
Inquirer: ‘We’re uprooted’: Hundreds who lost their homes still waiting for Ida relief aid 
Inquirer: Artifacts from the 9/11 terrorist attacks are spread throughout the world, including around the Philly region 
Inquirer: Philadelphia will pay $2M to Rickia Young, the woman police beat in front of her child during unrest
Inquirer: 20,000 Philly schools employees must get vaccinated by Sept. 30. Here’s what happens if they don’t.
Billy Penn: Amazon to add ‘several thousand’ jobs in Philly and surrounding area
WHYY Newsworks: Another round of grants and a warning from Philadelphia’s DA 
WHYY Newsworks: Philly schools’ trash problems linger as vendor blames staff shortage 
WHYY Newsworks: Philly schools outline vaccine mandate for staff
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia School District sets deadline for staff to upload proof of vaccination
KYW Newsradio: Philly’s bid to host 2026 World Cup gets new leadership
KYW Newsradio: FEMA opens window for Philly-area Ida flood, storm victims to make damage claims
Philadelphia Business Journal: Daniel Hilferty to succeed David Cohen as chairman of Philadelphia Soccer 2026
Philadelphia Magazine: With No Ban on Large Events in Philadelphia, Mummers Move Forward With 2022 Parade

SEPA
Montgomery Media: Sen. Casey visits Montco early learning center 
Montgomery Media: Stephens announces state infrastructure award to help Aqua fund PFAS filtration plant 
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County records 459 new coronavirus cases, no deaths over three days
Daily Local News: Comitta backs plan to extend Medicaid coverage 
Daily Local News: Comitta to hold mobile office locations
Daily Local News: At Chester County Justice Center, it’s mask on, mask off
Inquirer: Lawyers say a Pennsylvania county traps people with mental illness in jail indefinitely
Delaware Valley Journal: ‘I’ll Get Government Off Your Back:’ McSwain Enters GOP Gov’s Race
Delaware Valley Journal: DelVal Senator: Wolf’s RGGI Move Endangering PA Jobs, Livelihoods 
Delaware Valley Journal: DelVal Communities Marked the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 

Pittsburgh 
WESA: County Councilors Seek To Adopt Mask Mandate, But Legal Authority Unclear 
WESA: What Does Hamlet’s Resignation Mean For Students?
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County Council members proposing masks for indoors, large outdoor gatherings  
KDKA: 2 Allegheny County Councilmembers To Introduce Mask Requirement Legislation 
KDKA: Amazon To Announce Hiring Spree In Pittsburgh, With Hundreds To Be Hired 
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny County Reports Over 1,000 New Cases In 72 Hours
Pittsburgh Business Times: Peduto proposes parking requirement changes for restaurants 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Allegheny County Council to vote on sick leave bill Tuesday 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Allegheny County council members to introduce masking bill
Tribune Review: Hallam, Bennett to introduce mask requirement proposal to Allegheny County Council 
Tribune Review: Latrobe Council postpones meeting following covid outbreak at municipal building 
Tribune Review: Al Franken to perform at Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall
WTAE: Allegheny County Council members to propose mask requirement for gatherings 

SWPA 
Observer-Reporter: 9/11 is recalled in ceremonies in the area, around the country
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Central City takes another step toward police force 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Veterans town hall to be held at Duman Lake Park 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: COVID-19 surge revives COVID Questions virtual town hall; state’s 7-day average tops 4,000 cases
Post-Gazette: Beaver district closes two schools after ‘unimaginable number’ of COVID-19 cases
Tribune Review: Westmoreland Commissioner Chew pledges to cover lost drug court grant for weekend testing
Altoona Mirror: City outlines HUD grant use
Altoona Mirror: Blair targets mental health
Altoona Mirror: City council approves zoning exception
Beaver County Times: Black’s Run Bridge acquisition could connect Beaver County to national trail network

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Sheroda joins state rep race as independent
Times-Tribune: Commissioners, prison board meet Wednesday
Times-Tribune: Rusyn pleads guilty to Capitol riot role
Times-Tribune: New COVID-19 case counts rise, even on Mondays
Citizens Voice: Council to vote on reinstating law firm that filed Coney Barrett motion last year
Citizens Voice: Haas proposes protection from vaccine mandate for county workers
Citizens Voice: DA election suit to continue; Sanguedolce will run unopposed if election is held
Citizens Voice: Political Scene 9/13/21
Citizens Voice: Rusyn pleads guilty to Capitol riot role
Citizens Voice: 67 new COVID-19 cases reported in county
The Times Leader: 67 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County on Monday; 1 death

South Central 
Patriot News: Papenfuse names former mayoral rival Otto V. Banks to key city post 
York Daily Record: Central York School Board declines to reverse book ban after series of protests 
York Dispatch: Demonstrators rally against book ban at Central Admin 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County parents pressure school boards to defy mask mandate; Octorara forced to postpone meeting 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster city asks public for feedback on use of $39.5 million in COVID-19 relief funds 
Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle to begin research into options for dealing with single-use plastics 
Carlisle Sentinel: A clerical error resulted in $1.14 million going to the wrong township and school board in Cumberland County 
Carlisle Sentinel: Gleim, Delozier to hold seminars on concealed carry 
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 55 new cases of COVID-19 reported for Cumberland County Monday

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: Sen. Bob Casey visits Reading to tout his plan to invest in America’s children
Reading Eagle: Gov. Tom Wolf to visit mobile COVID vaccine unit at Reading Area Community College
Reading Eagle: Berks DA issues public health advisory after 70 overdoses in 1 weekend
Reading Eagle: Berks gets another 105 COVID cases
Morning Call: Palmer Township mother’s ordeal in Taliban-held Afghanistan ends; ‘I want to get home. I miss my kids.’
Morning Call: Live Updates: For first time since ‘20 strong men’ comment, Northampton Area school board is meeting under heightened security
Morning Call: Jim Thorpe man pleads guilty to parading inside the Capitol during Jan. 6 riot
Morning Call: New record keeping software will make it easier for Lehigh County police departments to share information
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: 12,406 additional cases over weekend; more than 75% of Lehigh Valley vaccinated
Express Times: Democrats pick county exec’s wife to run for district judge seat in Bethlehem Township
WFMZ: Casey visits Reading Y to promote plan to help children
WFMZ: Live updates: Northampton school board meets amid increased security
WFMZ: Dozens of overdoses prompt public health alert in Berks 
Republican Herald: Schuylkill County native had connection to one of the biggest lies about 9/11

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: County executive candidates Titus, Davis to debate at Erie Regional Chamber’s political forum
Erie Times-News: Here is how, and when, Erie County Council might create a ‘diversity commission’
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Jersey Shore illuminates Main Street for 9/11 victims
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Williamsport city tax office moves to 100 W. Third St.
Patriot News: 14 parents sue Montoursville school district in federal court to overturn mask mandate
Centre Daily Times: US News lists Penn State as top-25 public school in latest rankings — but also as B1G’s worst value

Opinion  
Mark Critz: Hold politicians, the media and ourselves to higher standard
Maria Goellner: Pennsylvanians pay a high price for failed criminal justice policies
Adam Nagel: Pennsylvania shouldn’t sit on federal recovery money when people are drowning now 
John L. Micek: The crisis of veterans’ suicides: How one Pa. county is responding | Tuesday Morning Coffee
Inquirer Editorial Board: SEPTA’s Metro plan showcases the potential of community feedback in public planning
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Rules of the road for electric scooters
Broad + Liberty Editors: The Editors: Where are they now? Many Krasner employees with troubled histories still employed
Roy Wells: The revitalization of Midtown Harrisburg is far from over
Tony Norman: The Robert E. Lee weekend of Lost Causes cult
Dom Giordano: Teaching 9/11’s Legacy
Neha Skandan: How we can cut opioid deaths among young people
Elaine Maimon, PhD: Know Your Constitution 
Cierra Freeman: Philly parent: Schools need more input from families when making critical decisions
Christine Flowers: The heroes in Pennsylvania helping save Afghan lives
Michael Coard: These Black children changed American history. Never forget them 
Jill Sunday Bartoli: Some reflections on the lessons of 9/11 
Cynthia Sherbin: We need to break the cycle of gun violence. That starts with us
Gabe Kaminsky: When will PA mayors wake up to the crime crisis?
Arden Tewksbury: Thank Sen. Patrick Leahy for trying to help dairy farmers 
John Currie: What on earth are we going to do about climate change? 
Linda A. Kerns: Man’s best friend rushed to Ground Zero twenty years ago
Ben Wren: 20 years after 9/11, Broadway’s ‘Come From Away’ helps us to Never Forget
Tim Hartman: Kenney vs. Krasner, the heavyweight fight!