Gov. Tom Wolf announced on Tuesday that masks will be required in K-12 schools. Here is the Playbook. 

GOP Senate Hopefuls Call on Biden to Resign Over Afghanistan Attack: Following a terrorist attack in Kabul that claimed the lives of 13 U.S. service members, three leading Republican candidates for U.S. Senate have called for President Joe Biden to resign or be removed from office.

Bush To Speak At Flight 93 Memorial on 9/11: Former President George W. Bush will deliver the keynote address during the ceremony.

‘Pennsylvania mandates masks in K-12 schools, day cares’: The Associated Press reports that “masks will be required in all Pennsylvania public and private schools, as well as child care facilities, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Tuesday, reversing course amid a statewide COVID-19 resurgence that is filling hospital beds and infecting more young people just as students return to class.”

‘Accepting Afghan refugees is the latest issue dividing Pennsylvania Republicans’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “as Pennsylvania and other states prepare to accept thousands of refugees rescued from Afghanistan, new fault lines are emerging in the Republican Party over whether and how to welcome those who fled the country before the U.S. withdrawal.”

‘‘Do No Harm:’ House Lawmakers Get An Earful On How To Redraw Pennsylvania’s Congressional Maps’: WESA reports that “House lawmakers of the chamber’s powerful State Government committee are starting to get ideas and input on their once-in-a-decade task of redrawing Pennsylvania’s congressional districts.”

‘Candidate for Northampton County executive responds to backlash following viral video’: WFMZ reports that “a candidate for Northampton County executive, who’s come under fire for comments he made about school boards and mask mandates, says he wants to set the record straight.”

‘On Overdose Awareness Day, families, advocates call for Pa. to ‘recommit’ to fighting opioid epidemic’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “speaking to a somber sea of purple on the Capitol Steps Tuesday morning, state Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Secretary Jen Smith reflected on the importance of International Overdose Awareness Day.”

‘Lancaster’s state senators vow action against Gov. Wolf for Pa. mask mandate in schools’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “Lancaster County’s two Republican state senators vowed Tuesday to take action against Gov. Tom Wolf’s announcement of a statewide mask mandate at K-12 schools and child care centers.”

‘Reacting to school mask mandate, Boscola says Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf should have let districts decide’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “reacting to word that Gov. Tom Wolf would announce a mask requirement in all Pennsylvania K-12 schools, fellow Democrat Sen. Lisa Boscola said Wolf should have left the decision up to school districts.”

‘Pennsylvania school mask mandate ‘a little late to the party,’ Lehigh Valley school officials say’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “Pennsylvania officials announced a mask order for all public and private K-12 schools and child care centers. For some, the announcement came a little late after all the agita, research and meetings leading to local masking decisions.”

‘Bucks officials react to Wolf mask mandate for all schools’: The Bucks County Courier Times reports that “some Bucks County and state officials are breathing a sigh of relief after Gov. Tom Wolf and the state’s Department of Health ordered a mask mandate for K-12 schools beginning Sept. 7.”

‘Cartwright calls for extension of insurance cost assistance under American Rescue Plan’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Lackawanna) hosted a press conference on Tuesday to “garner support for efforts to make the enhanced benefits permanent.”

‘Latest paid sick leave bill, air quality ordinances referred to Allegheny County Council committee’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “Allegheny County Council got its first look at a newly proposed paid sick leave bill and multiple air quality ordinances at a meeting Tuesday.”

‘Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele to lead statewide D.A. group’: Montgomery Media reports that “the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association announced that Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele was elected president of the association following the untimely death of Washington County District Attorney Gene Vittone.”

‘Protesters urge commissioners to halt pipeline construction’: The Daily Local News reports that “Tuesday morning, 30 demonstrators lifted their voices and protest signs to challenge county commissioners to put a stop to construction of Sunoco/Energy Transfer Mariner East pipeline construction.”

‘Gale Force: Montco’s Gale Brothers Run For Statewide Office’: The Delaware Valley Journal talked with Joe Gale, who is running for governor, and Sean Gale, who is running for U.S. Senate in 2022. 

‘Philly, Pittsburgh chosen as placement options for Afghan evacuees’: City & State PA reports that “​​Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are among the first U.S. cities to accept Afghanistan evacuees fleeing the Taliban and the tumultuous situation in their home country. Both cities are working with federal partners as part of the Operation Allies Refuge, as well as community organizations looking to lend a hand.”

‘The number of Afghanistan evacuees coming to Philadelphia has doubled in a day to 2,386’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “the pace of flights bringing Afghanistan evacuees to Philadelphia has dramatically accelerated, more than doubling the number of new arrivals to 2,386 in a day.”

‘Christopher Columbus statue removed in Chester’: The Delaware County Daily Times reports that “the Christopher Columbus statue which stood in Market Square on the Avenue of the States in Chester for 66 years was removed Sunday.”

‘Peduto administration looks to give COVID-19 funds to URA, guaranteed basic income project’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “while most of Pittsburgh’s $335 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds have been allocated to shore up city jobs and fill revenue holes, the Peduto administration is now looking to spend the remainder, including giving tens of millions to the city’s authorities as well as a smaller amount to jumpstart a guaranteed personal income pilot project.”

‘Mayor fights rising fentanyl deaths in Pittsburgh by allowing test strips’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “with hundreds of people dying in the Pittsburgh area each year of fentanyl overdoses, Mayor Peduto issued an executive order Tuesday allowing the use of fentanyl test strips — a critical tool for detecting the presence of the highly potent drug.”

‘Pittsburgh officials revisit ending pension offset for retirees’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that “after receiving a petition signed by more than 200 city employees Tuesday, Pittsburgh City Council members said they support removing a pension offset that decreases the benefits paid to retirees who are also collecting Social Security.”

‘Elizabethtown Mayor Chuck Mummert named 2021 Mayor of the Year’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “Elizabethtown Mayor Clarence “Chuck” Mummert Jr. has been named Mayor of the Year by the Association of Mayors of the Boroughs of Pennsylvania.”

‘Pa. lawmakers visit NIZ in downtown Allentown’: WFMZ reports that “the Neighborhood Improvement Zone in downtown Allentown is 129 acres. And, on Tuesday, about a dozen state lawmakers got to see what it’s all about.”

‘Amid Ethics Controversy, Critic Questions Superintendent Contract’: WESA reports that “as Pittsburgh Public Schools board members weigh their reaction to a state ethics case against Superintendent Anthony Hamlet, City Controller Michael Lamb says the superintendent should have been more open about the investigation last year — when the school board extended Hamlet’s contract.”

‘Former Centre County district attorney reinstated after more than 2-year suspension’: The Centre Daily Times reports that “Centre County’s former top prosecutor has been reinstated to practice law by the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania after a more than two-year suspension.”

‘Despite Withdrawal From Afghanistan, Pittsburghers Work To Get More Afghans Out And Resettled Locally’: KDKA reports that “just hours after the last flight left Kabul, Afghanistan, another flight arrived in Pittsburgh with an Afghan family. The Pittsburgh community is still helping to get Afghans out of their country and resettled here.”

‘Penn State releases University Park student vaccination rates, which outpace commonwealth’s rate’: The Centre Daily Times reports that “some 80% of Penn State students at University Park have provided proof of vaccination, far outpacing the commonwealth’s 65.8% adult vaccination rate, according to data recently provided by the university.”

‘Berks County launches economic development initiative’: The Reading Eagle reports that “Berks County has unveiled a new initiative to help boost the local economy. At an operations meeting Tuesday, the commissioners celebrated the launch of IMAGINE Berks. The effort will result in a new economic development strategic action plan for the county.”

‘Farewell to former Reading mayor to include procession’: WFMZ reports that “the final farewell to a former Reading mayor will include one last ride past the building from which he once served the city and its residents. Funeral plans are now in place for Joseph P. Kuzminski, who died last Thursday at the age of 94.”

Harrisburg & DC   
Spotlight PA: Gov. Tom Wolf mandates masks in Pa. schools, daycares 
Spotlight PA: ‘Have they locked the doors?’ Judge presses for details on Hershey charity spat with board member
AP: Pennsylvania mandates masks in K-12 schools, day cares
Inquirer: Accepting Afghan refugees is the latest issue dividing Pennsylvania Republicans
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: In change of heart, Wolf admin uses health powers to order K-12 mask mandate in Pa. 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: The U.S. leaves Afghanistan, ending an ‘unwinnable’ war, Pa. lawmaker says 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: On Overdose Awareness Day, families, advocates call for Pa. to ‘recommit’ to fighting opioid epidemic
Patriot News: Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf defends order for masks in schools, cites COVID-19 surge and inaction of school boards, lawmakers
Patriot News: New COVID-19 infections again top 3,000 in Pa.: daily update
Bucks County Courier Times: Wolf mandates masks in all K-12 schools in PA, says delta variant has ‘changed everything’ as cases rise
City & State PA: Wolf reverses course and announces mask mandates for all state schools
City & State PA: Philly, Pittsburgh chosen as placement options for Afghan evacuees
WESA: ‘Do No Harm:’ House Lawmakers Get An Earful On How To Redraw Pennsylvania’s Congressional Maps
WHYY Newsworks: Reversing course, Wolf imposes mask mandate for Pa. schools, childcare facilities
Express Times: As Pa. deer hunting season quickly approaches, brace for these major changes
StateImpactPA: Judge vacates Trump’s rollback of protections for streams, wetlands
Pittsburgh Business Times: Wolf administration defends masking mandate as GOP leadership criticizes
The Hill: Judge orders Jan. 6 rioter to remain in prison until trial
The Hill: Pennsylvania reverses course, will issue mask mandate for K-12 schools
KDKA: Last American Soldier To Leave Afghanistan Is Pennsylvania Native
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pennsylvania: State Health Dept. Reports 3,249 New Coronavirus Cases
Delaware Valley Journal: Wednesday’s IRRC Vote Could Push PA Into RGGI, Higher Energy Costs
Huffington Post: Capitol Rioter Who Palled Around With Pa. Republicans Ordered Jailed Until Trial

Philadelphia 
WHYY Newsworks: Kenney says Afghan relocation effort in Philadelphia is going smoothly 
WHYY Newsworks: Philly schools are back, but strife looms over COVID, labor, and building problems 
Inquirer: The number of Afghanistan evacuees coming to Philadelphia has doubled in a day to 2,386
Inquirer: Philadelphia water bills will go up Wednesday. Here’s why, and how it could have been worse. 
Inquirer: Masks required in Pa. schools, Gov. Tom Wolf announced 
Inquirer: PFT, Philly schools have a tentative contract 
Inquirer: Like Penn, Princeton criticizes professors over MOVE remains 
Philly Voice: Pennsylvania to require masks in schools, child care facilities, Wolf says
Broad + Liberty: Persistent drug crime stokes fear in Philly neighborhood
Chalkbeat Philadelphia: Philadelphia teacher contract talks come down to 11th hour
KYW Newsradio: 7 more Afghan evacuee-filled planes head to Philly as city expands ways to help
KYW Newsradio: ‘On the brink of a strike vote’: Philly schools, union negotiations go down to the wire

SEPA
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele to lead statewide D.A. group
Daily Local News: Protesters urge commissioners to halt pipeline construction 
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks officials react to Wolf mask mandate for all schools
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks NAACP, ADL Philadelphia condemn Pennridge’s halt in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts
Delaware Valley Journal: Gale Force: Montco’s Gale Brothers Run For Statewide Office
Broad + Liberty: Citing pension, some see ‘sweetheart deal’ in Shapiro’s Davidson case
Delco Daily Times: Christopher Columbus statue removed in Chester

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: Latest paid sick leave bill, air quality ordinances referred to Allegheny County Council committee
Post-Gazette: Peduto administration looks to give COVID-19 funds to URA, guaranteed basic income project
Post-Gazette: ‘We have to act now’: Gov. Wolf mandates masks in K-12 schools, day care centers 
Post-Gazette: Mayor fights rising fentanyl deaths in Pittsburgh by allowing test strips 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh Public Schools short 650 bus seats for first day of classes 
WESA: Paid Sick Days Bill Returns To Allegheny County Council
WESA: City Council To Take Up Legislation For Bereavement Leave For Pregnancy Loss
WESA: Amid Ethics Controversy, Critic Questions Superintendent Contract
WESA: ‘This Has No Vaccine’: Families, Friends Gather On Overdose Awareness Day To Remember Those Who Have Died
KDKA: Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto Signs Executive Order Allowing Fentanyl Test Strips
KDKA: Despite Withdrawal From Afghanistan, Pittsburghers Work To Get More Afghans Out And Resettled Locally
KDKA: Pittsburgh Public Schools Says 650 Students Fall Into ‘Seat Gap’ Amid Transportation Issues
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny County Health Department Reports 263 New Cases
Pittsburgh Business Times: Allegheny County paid sick leave bill sent to committee 
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh officials revisit ending pension offset for retirees 
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh employees would get bereavement leave after miscarriages under proposal 
City Paper: New plumbing code amendment could expand gender-neutral bathroom access in Allegheny County 
City Paper: Controversial Allegheny County Jail contractor has criminal history and warned of a race war against correctional officers 
WTAE: Memorial held in downtown Pittsburgh for victims of drug overdoses

SWPA 
Observer-Reporter: Monessen City Hall moving next door
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Six COVID-19 deaths in region among 21 statewide
Tribune Review: Jeannette to sit on stimulus money for now
Beaver County Times: Beaver County’s COVID cases up 26.5%; Pennsylvania cases surge 28.4%

NEPA
Citizens Voice: County leaders hope to work with state to resolve C&Y issues
Citizens Voice: State imposing mask mandate in schools after Wolf is “left holding the bag”
Citizens Voice: More than 40 new COVID-19 cases reported in county
Times-Tribune: Cartwright calls for extension of insurance cost assistance under American Rescue Plan
Times-Tribune: City Council requiring masks at meetings
Times-Tribune: State reports 1.3 million COVID-19 cases since start of pandemic
The Times Leader: 48 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County on Tuesday; 3,249 statewide

South Central  
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster’s state senators vow action against Gov. Wolf for Pa. mask mandate in schools
LNP | LancasterOnline: Are you considering keeping your child out of school now that Pa. has imposed a mask mandate?
LNP | LancasterOnline: Elizabethtown Mayor Chuck Mummert named 2021 Mayor of the Year
LNP | LancasterOnline: Ephrata man charged in Capitol violence to remain in custody pending trial: judge [update]
LNP | LancasterOnline: School bus driver shortage threatens to disrupt transportation at Lancaster County schools
York Daily Record: Jefferson: Portrait of a town that lost population in the 2020 Census
Patriot News: Last soldier to leave Afghanistan is a central Pennsylvania native 
Patriot News: Harrisburg prepares for flash flooding, but river not expected to threaten city: mayor
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 47 new COVID-19 cases and one additional death for Cumberland County Tuesday

Lehigh Valley      
WFMZ: Candidate for Northampton County executive responds to backlash following viral video
WFMZ: Pa. lawmakers visit NIZ in downtown Allentown
WFMZ: Wolf: Masks to be required for K-12 students statewide amid rising COVID-19 cases
WFMZ: Farewell to former Reading mayor to include procession
WFMZ: South Whitehall Township to vote on naming interim manager
Morning Call: Reacting to school mask mandate, Boscola says Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf should have let districts decide
Morning Call: Pennsylvania school mask mandate ‘a little late to the party,’ Lehigh Valley school officials say
Morning Call: Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf, in reversal, issues mask order for all K-12 schools; Republican senator says ‘people are livid’
Reading Eagle: Education and health groups asked for the new mask mandate for Pennsylvania schools 
Reading Eagle: Berks County launches economic development initiative
Reading Eagle: Berks sets case record for delta variant surge with 149

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Penn State releases University Park student vaccination rates, which outpace commonwealth’s rate
Centre Daily Times: Former Centre County district attorney reinstated after more than 2-year suspension
Erie Times-News: COVID-19 surge higher than Erie hospitals predicted; more patients expected

Opinion  
Paul Muschick: Shame on Northampton County candidate who called for ‘20 strong men’ to intimidate school boards
Jon Geeting: Magic Seats, Ward Leaders And The 2022 Ward Elections 
Guy Ciarrocchi: Pennsylvania–a rising or setting sun?
Joyce M. Davis: Local union leader Wendell Young calls for mandatory workplace vaccinations in meeting today with PennLive’s Editorial Board
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: We need more of leaders heeding science and far less politicization of public health issues 
Broad + Liberty: The Editors: Once again, DelCo D.A. Jack Stollsteimer outshines Larry Krasner
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: SBA grants, finally arriving, are crucial to maintaining Pittsburgh cultural groups 
Colleen Hroncich: Back-to-school season in Pennsylvania defined by conflict
Tony Norman: When nay becomes neigh: The horsification of the American mind
Terrill Theman: Why vaccinated students should still wear masks
Margaret Swoboda: Kudos to Gov. Wolf, and shame on Sen. Corman for failing to protect children from COVID-19 
Keith Naughton, Ph.D.: Biden’s falling poll numbers — both better and worse than you think
Christine Flowers: Biden’s Legacy Will Be ‘He Left Them Behind’
Trudy Rubin: We must keep our promises to save our Afghan allies in danger from the Taliban 
Cheryl Tierney, MD, MPH: Lower Dauphin High School is putting students at risk by not mandating masks 
Ali Olomi: The history of the Taliban is crucial in understanding their success now – and also what might happen next
Matt Rousu: What is the “SALT deduction” — and why do some Congressional Democrats want to repeal it?
Olubunmi Ojikutu: Pediatrician: Here’s how I’m thinking about vaccines for my kids | Expert Opinion
Katie Burrows-Stone: SLA Beeber teacher: I had two hours to completely flip my first-day plans for virtual learning 
Paul Muschick: WWII flying ace gets his name on former ‘Hokey Bridge’ — six years late