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September 25th Playbook

Several polls released on Thursday showed former VP Joe Biden leading President Donald Trump by a few points in the state, while Biden endorsed Rep. Matt Cartwright’s reelection bid for Congress. Here is the Playbook. 

F&M Poll: Biden 48, Trump 42: Biden holds a 6 point advantage over Trump in the state with likely voters, while he extends his lead to 9 points, 49-to-40, among registered voters in the state.

Poll: Biden 47.3, Trump 44.6: In the latest Baldwin Wallace University Great Lakers Poll, Biden has just under a 3 point advantage over Trump in Pennsylvania, while he also leads Trump by 9 points in Wisconsin and 8 points in Michigan. Trump has a 0.6% edge over Biden in Ohio.

CNBC/Change Research Poll: Biden 49, Trump 45: Biden’s 4 point lead in the Keystone State is unchanged in comparison to the CNBC/Change Research poll conducted in early September.

Poll: Biden 49, Trump 45: The latest polling from the Elections Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison conducted by YouGov in collaboration with the Wisconsin State Journal shows the race tightening in PA.

PA8: Biden Endorses Cartwright: Biden said Cartwright represents the values of the hardworking people of Northeastern Pennsylvania in his endorsement.

PA7: Toomey Endorses Scheller: Sen. Pat Toomey has endorsed Lisa Scheller’s bid for the 7th Congressional District. Toomey describes Scheller as a “pragmatic, conservative leader” in the endorsement. 

Western PA Organizations Unite To Boost Black Voter Turnout: According to The Observer-Reporter, organizations have united to increase Black voter turnout for the upcoming election in 8 counties in western Pennsylvania. 

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Democrats in Pa. scramble to limit number of ‘naked ballots’
AP: Republicans lose a round in Pennsylvania mail voting dispute
AP: Biden’s Scranton vs. Park Ave. appeal targets working class
AP: Fraud, backlogs disrupt US unemployment benefit payments
AP: Post office defends on claims that cuts threaten election
Inquirer: Fact-checking Trump’s claim that Biden would ‘immediately’ eliminate fracking and mining in Pa. 
Inquirer: Pa. lawmakers promote CROWN Act legislation banning discrimination against natural hair styles 
Inquirer: Pa. slashing workers’ unemployment checks after paying them double by mistake 
Inquirer: Snubbed retiree gets back at Sunoco for canceling a Mariner East pipeline meeting 
Patriot News: Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf asks lawmakers to stop ‘irresponsible behavior’; GOP leaders say he won’t work with them
Patriot News: It’s ‘imperative’ mail-in ballot issues get corrected, U.S. Attorney tells Luzerne County officials
Patriot News: Fed. investigation finds 7 votes for Trump discarded in Pa. county but doesn’t say why
Patriot News: Rage over Breonna Taylor decision brings hundreds to Pa. streets in peaceful protests
Patriot News: Biden leading Trump in Pa. but this battleground state is ‘up for grabs,’ new polls show
Patriot News: Where are Pennsylvania’s 153,397 coronavirus cases? Sept. 24 map, county-by-county breakdown
WHYY Newsworks: Battleground 2020: all eyes on Pennsylvania
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. coronavirus recovery: Wolf slams GOP for trying to thwart COVID-19 mitigation
WHYY Newsworks: The BLM movement found support in red, rural Pa. What does it mean for 2020?
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: In another clash with lawmakers, Wolf vetoes bill blocking his efforts to fight climate change 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: PA GOP disputes assertions in bombshell Atlantic story 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: New F&M Poll: Biden leads Trump, 49-40 percent in Pa.; Biden gets edge on managing pandemic | Thursday Morning Coffee
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: DeFoor pledges to use office to track COVID-19 spending 
WITF: Poll Shows Fewer Than One-Third Of PA Republican Voters Will Trust Mail-In Ballot Results 
PLSReporter: Wolf vetoes bill that would block entrance into cap-and-trade program 
PLSReporter: Wolf doubles down on pandemic response; calls for government reforms 
PLSReporter: Intellectual disability advocates seek CARES Act dollars to weather financial hardships
Morning Call: Gov. Wolf says coronavirus-driven Pennsylvania budget deficit of billions of dollars will have state ‘scrambling’ 
Post-Gazette: Pa. COVID-19 tracing app on track with download projections despite privacy concerns 
Fox News: DOJ orders Pennsylvania county to change ballot practices after ‘troubling’ findings 
Fox News: Fox News Poll: Tight race in Ohio, Biden tops Trump in Nevada and Pennsylvania
National Journal: Peterson, DePasquale Go Negative in MN-07, PA-10
National Journal: Potential 2021 state legislative control and trifectas
National Journal: Running not just against Republicans, but against a recession in Pennsylvania
KYW Newsradio: Wolf accuses state legislature of political ‘posturing’ with ‘dangerous legislation’ 
The Hill: Biden leads Trump in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin: poll 
The Hill: Democrats launch ad informing Pennsylvania voters on ‘naked ballots’ 
The Hill: Poll finds Biden widening lead in Pennsylvania 
The Hill: Seven military ballots cast for Trump found discarded in Pennsylvania 
The Hill: Fox News poll: Biden ahead of Trump in Nevada, Pennsylvania and Ohio
KDKA: Pennsylvania Officials React To Pres. Trump’s Refusal To Guarantee Peaceful Transition Of Power If He Loses
KDKA: Gov. Tom Wolf To Sen. Pat Toomey: Follow Precedent, Wait To Confirm Supreme Court Nominee 
CNN: ‘Put up or shut up.’ The Pennsylvania Attorney General challenges President Trump over claims of voter fraud 
CNN: How Republicans in key states are preparing to run out the clock on the election 
CNN: White House touts unusual Justice Department announcement about ‘discarded’ Trump ballots in Pennsylvania
CNN: Obama urges voters to focus on down-ballot races to combat gerrymandering
Politico: Fox News poll: Biden leads in Nevada, Pennsylvania, Ohio 
Politico: DOJ announcement on Pennsylvania ballot investigation baffles election experts 
Philadelphia Magazine: COVID-19 Made Pa.’s Casinos Smoke-Free. Now Advocates Want to Make the Change Permanent.  

Philadelphia 
Philly Clout: A voter fraud conspiracy theorist called Philly election officials corrupt. He didn’t like the pushback.
Billy Penn: Should legalizing pot come with reparations? Advocates say yes — and so does PA’s governor
WHYY Newsworks: Philly City Council wants to keep expanded outdoor dining options through 2021
WHYY Newsworks: Protesters march through Center City demanding justice for Breonna Taylor
WHYY Newsworks: SEPTA managers, cops earn double salaries with overtime as agency battles fiscal crisis
WHYY Newsworks: Upside to Philly’s tailgating ban? FDR Park free of cars and noise, nature lovers say  
Inquirer: Breonna Taylor protesters in Center City occupy I-95, mix it up with motorists, then head through South Philly
Inquirer: Pa. lawmakers promote CROWN Act legislation banning discrimination against natural hair styles 
Inquirer: Philly to remove 53 kids from Devereux’s live-in facilities after it finds lax supervision 
Inquirer: Mercy Philadelphia Hospital has new lease on life through Penn Medicine and other nonprofits 
Inquirer: Inquirer LIVE: Worldview with Trudy Rubin and Fiona Hill 
Inquirer: Pa. slashes unemployment checks after overpaying workers | Morning Newsletter
KYW Newsradio: Protesters take to I-95 in second night of unrest after grand jury decision in Breonna Taylor case
KYW Newsradio: Philly is pulling kids out of residential facilities run by Devereux but won’t say why
KYW Newsradio: In wake of Breonna Taylor’s death, Philly police make a change to how they will serve warrants
KYW Newsradio: Philly businesses cautiously watch for protests in city as they rebound from previous unrest
Philadelphia Gay News: Lambda Legal discusses LGBTQ stakes in Supreme Court
Philly Voice: Philly announces $20 million in additional COVID-19 small business grants 
Philadelphia Citizen: What Failed Leadership Looks Like 

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: Parkside councilwoman asked to resign over social media posts 
Bucks Local News: Parents, students and taxpayers to rally for the reopening of Pennsbury schools
Bucks County Courier Times: Plastic preemptions stirs Doylestown council
Daily Local News: Dinniman calls for legislation to protect dogs, consumers 
Daily Local News: Sign thefts spike during presidential election years 

Pittsburgh 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Shale Insight reaches out to presidential candidates to speak at virtual event — one says no, other a maybe
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh Steelers ‘optimistic’ fans will return to Heinz Field in October 
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County delivers nearly 70,000 mail-in ballots to the post office 
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County lifts its gathering restrictions to align with state rules 
Post-Gazette: The Revolution pipeline, two years since its rupture, is back under construction in Beaver County
Post-Gazette: Scott Township commissioner Dave Calabria removed as president
Tribune Review: Allegheny County lifts covid restrictions in favor of state mitigation orders 
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh Bishop Zubik issues letter as pundits call Catholic vote ‘crucial’ to presidential race 
Tribune Review: Allegheny County sends out 1st batch of mail-in, absentee ballots 
Tribune Review: Allegheny County reports 60 new coronavirus cases 
KDKA: Pittsburgh Civil Rights Attorney Speaks Out Against Breonna Taylor Decision
KDKA: Allegheny County Health Department Lifts Coronavirus Order; State Orders Still Stand
KDKA: Two Protests March Through Downtown Pittsburgh
KDKA: Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office Firearms Department Booked Until March 2021
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 60 New Coronavirus Cases, Zero Additional Deaths
City Paper: Protesters march in Downtown, Hill District to voice anger about Breonna Taylor outcome 
City Paper: ELECTION 2020 VIDEO TRAINING: Best practices and lessons from the Primary
WESA: Pittsburgh Public School Board Votes For Independent Data Analysis On Arrests and Citations
The Incline: How to dress your ‘naked ballot’ and make sure it’s counted 

SWPA 
Observer-Reporter: Western Pennsylvania organizations looking to increase Black voter turnout in election
Observer-Reporter: Bishop Zubic addresses political divide among Catholics 
Observer-Reporter: State House fails to override Gov. Wolf’s veto of high school sports bill 
Beaver County Times: Beaver County gives OK for ballot printing 
Tribune Review: More coronavirus cases found at Westmoreland Manor; county calls in National Guard to help
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: ‘New opportunities’: Johnstown in financial position for ‘more flexibility’ 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria County adds 7 virus cases
Altoona Mirror: Wolf rebukes lawmakers over tactics
Altoona Mirror: Ashville Park to be renovated

NEPA
The Times Leader: Luzerne County ballot probe: What we know so far 
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Council members want answers on tossed ballots
The Times Leader: UPDATED: Federal probe focuses on discarded Trump ballots in Luzerne County
The Times Leader: Election 2020: Area union steward talks about backing Biden
The Times Leader: Mullery announces DCNR grant funding to improve recreational spaces 
The Times Leader: Council: New parking lease in the works with downtown Wilkes-Barre employer 
The Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre’s August balance positive, budget shortfall expected at year’s end 
The Times Leader: 10 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County; 853 statewide
Patriot News: Ex-Shamokin mayor candidate charged with threatening councilwoman
Citizens Voice: Decision on body cams for Wilkes-Barre cops expected in 2 weeks 
Citizens Voice: Feds: Trump votes discarded in Luzerne County 
Citizens Voice: 10 new COVID-19 cases in county
Times-Tribune: Congressional debate set for Oct. 18 
Times-Tribune: Feds: Trump votes discarded in Luzerne County 
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna, Monroe counties report new COVID-19 deaths

South Central 
Patriot News: Attending Trump campaign rally at Harrisburg International Airport? Here’s what you need to know
Patriot News: Vice President Mike Pence to host debate watch party in Lancaster County
Patriot News: President Trump’s rally at Harrisburg International Airport: How could that affect your flight?
Patriot News: Nine polling places change location in Cumberland County for general election
York Dispatch: ‘Undermine our Republic’: Perry, Smucker chastise Trump’s election comments 
York Dispatch: York County has 3 new deaths linked to COVID-19, 44 new cases
Carlisle Sentinel: Cumberland County announces nine polling place site changes for Nov. 3 election
Carlisle Sentinel: PUC issues final order on Baker case, forcing Sunoco to hold safety meeting in county on Mariner East pipelines
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 18 new cases of COVID-19 and one additional death reported for Cumberland County Thursday
York Daily Record: VP Pence to host debate watch party in Pa. 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Pence to hold debate watch party in Lititz next week
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County voters will have access to ballot drop box for November election  

Lehigh Valley      
Express Times: Pa.’s election bellwether is getting redder: GOP narrowing voter gap in Northampton County
Express Times: Kimberly Guilfoyle leads Women for Trump rally in Northampton County (PHOTOS) 
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus update: 853 new cases; state worst in U.S. at death reporting; Lehigh Valley on cusp of 10k cases | Pa. COVID-19 county map (09/24/20)
Reading Eagle: Berks County officials say retirement of elections director will not impact November election
Reading Eagle: Reading Pride Celebration urges ‘in-depth investigation’ and ‘appropriate training’ in wake of police shooting of transgender woman
Reading Eagle: 24 more coronavirus cases for Berks County ends better reporting week
Morning Call: Drop boxes for absentee and mail-in ballots coming to Lehigh County. Here’s where you’ll be able to find them. 
Morning Call: Allentown Managing Director Joe McMahon abruptly departs 
Morning Call: Who is Michelle Kott, nominated to be Bethlehem’s first female police chief? 
Morning Call: LIST: Here are the football crowd size plans at Lehigh Valley high schools

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Racist, homophobic letter sent to Biden backers in Erie area 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lawmakers not happy with failure to override governor’s veto
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Marcellus Shale gas benefits touted by panelists
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: City Council approves minimum pension obligation 
Centre Daily Times: CBICC announces future land development that aims to create ‘hundreds’ of Centre County jobs
Centre Daily Times: Centre County adds 124 COVID-19 cases, new test sites to open and other updates for Sept. 24

Opinion  
Inquirer Editorial Board: Trump won’t commit to a peaceful transition of power, so it’s up to us to save democracy 
Inquirer Editorial Board: Republican lawmakers in Harrisburg should be obsessing over helping Pennsylvanians, not sticking it to Governor Wolf 
Inquirer Staff: Should Supreme Court justices have term limits? | Pro/Con 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: The real issue 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Simplify the grant process 
Charles F. McElwee: Berks County reflects an urban-rural trend that could deliver Pa. to Trump
Paul Muschick: What a bunch of cowards! Pa. House Democrats caved instead of standing their ground on high school sports fans
Amal Bass and Christine Castro: With Roe v. Wade in jeopardy, how Pa. can protect reproductive rights 
Helen Ubiñas: The first Latina in many newsrooms writes about this country’s love — and hate — of immigrants 
Jenice Armstrong: Breonna Taylor: Say her name because her Black life mattered 
Tony Norman: Confronting the bully who runs America
Nancy Heiden: September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Here’s how to Be SMART about saving lives
Ana White: Call of Duty: Mental health workers have a key role during police interactions 
Larry Platt: Did LeBron Choke? 
Will Bunch: Will Dems’ embrace of mail, masks, and social distance help Trump win the election? 
Trudy Rubin: Trump’s use of ‘the big lie’ with COVID-19 echoes autocrats past and present 
Bethany Watson-Ostrowski: My coronavirus ‘pod squad’: Chaos, managed risk, and glimmers of sanity for our kids 
Maria Panaritis: Upper Darby has its first Black fire chief, who stands alone — for now 
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: President Trump wonders if ‘peaceful transfer of power’ is a thing

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