The state legislature unanimously voted to extend COVID-19 waivers. Here is the Playbook. 

News

‘At last minute, Pa. lawmakers vote to extend dozens of COVID-19 waivers’: Spotlight PA reports that “the Pennsylvania legislature unanimously voted Wednesday to extend dozens of regulatory waivers put into place last year to help health-care providers fight COVID-19.”

‘Pa. House GOP splits, votes down vouchers for closed schools, mask requirements’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “the Pennsylvania House voted down an amendment to an already controversial school voucher bill this week that would have allowed parents to send their kids to private school with taxpayer money due to either a COVID-19 outbreak or due to their opposition to mitigation efforts — such as a mask order.”

‘At town hall, Casey pushes Biden’s $3.5 trillion plan’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “in a town hall with constituents on Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey urged members of both parties to pass President Joe Biden’s economic agenda, which includes a $3.5 trillion government overhaul that he said would lower costs for families and create jobs.”

‘What to know about Pennsylvania Republicans’ ‘forensic audit’ of the 2020 election’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “lots of questions about how the partisan probe will work remain unanswered. Here’s what we know — and don’t know — about it.”

‘Pa. lawmaker progressing in recovery from motorcycle crash injuries’: PennLive reports that “Pennsylvania state Sen. Pat Browne is back in Pennsylvania, working on his recovery from injuries he sustained in an Aug. 31 motorcycle crash in Colorado, according to an aide.”

‘Interview with Bill McSwain’: Broad + Liberty talks with Bill McSwain about his campaign for Governor. 

‘Gov. Tom Wolf praises Montgomery County vaccination campaign during Norristown visit’: The Daily Local News reports that “Gov. Tom Wolf returned to the state’s third most populous county Wednesday afternoon to get a look at vaccination outreach efforts to combat the novel coronavirus.”

‘‘We must fund the police’: Bucks Democrats are trying to head off GOP attacks in local elections’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “Democrats hope the message will help them oust the sole Republican countywide row officer in the Pennsylvania collar counties surrounding Philadelphia.”

‘Local expert picked for governor’s advisory panel on new Congressional districts’: The Daily Local News reports that “John Kennedy is one of six selected” to serve on the advisory panel. 

‘Allegheny County Government Employees Must Be Vaccinated By Dec. 1’: WESA reports that “Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald is requiring county workers to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination to their managers by Dec.1, a ratcheting-up of the public sector’s efforts to combat a virus that has killed more than 2,000 county residents.”

‘Kurt Zwikl, former Pennsylvania state representative and fixture in Allentown for decades, dies at 72 years old’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “Kurt Zwikl, former Pennsylvania state representative and fixture in Allentown for decades, dies at 72 years old.”

‘Pennsylvania lawmakers press PLCB officials on new 2-bottle limit on some booze’: The Philadelphia Business Journal reports that “as supply chain disruptions and labor shortages continue to impact the hospitality industry in Philadelphia and across the commonwealth, state legislators are pressing Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board leadership about the agency’s recent decision to ration sales of select booze.”

‘Attorney General Josh Shapiro, Lancaster city officials discuss police recruiting challenges’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “Attorney General Josh Shapiro came to Lancaster city on Tuesday to meet with local police and the mayor to discuss the challenges police departments are having in recruiting officers.”

‘Rep. Houlahan says infrastructure bill vital to economy’: The Reading Eagle reports that “U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan said if Congress doesn’t pass a $550 billion infrastructure bill this week, the global economy could suffer for years.”

‘’The future belongs to us’: NextGen America launches $32 million program to turn out young voters in 2022’: CNN reports that “NextGen will organize in Texas, Arizona, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Michigan, Wisconsin and Nevada with a goal to “register, inform and mobilize” hundreds of thousands of young voters, the group says.”

‘Warring city officials declare temporary truce to capture savings for Harrisburg’: PennLive reports that “despite bruised feelings over the renewed battle for Harrisburg’s mayor’s office, it looks like city officials on both sides of that political divide are agreeing to move forward with a plan designed to win the city a financial break on one of the last piles of debt remaining from former Mayor Stephen Reed’s administration.”

‘Pa. Health Dept: 4,570 new COVID-19 cases; More than 2,800 hospitalized’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “the Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed 4,570 new cases  of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the statewide total to more than 1.42 million since the start of the pandemic.”

‘Philadelphia won’t lift mask mandate for businesses ‘until pandemic is well under control,’ Bettigole says’: The Philadelphia Business Journal reports that “Philadelphia’s mask mandate for businesses will continue until the pandemic is “well under control,” Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole said Wednesday during the city’s weekly Covid-19 briefing.”

‘Langerholc agriculture product delivery bill passes Senate’: The Johnstown Tribune-Democrat reports that “Pennsylvania farmers may soon be able to deliver products, such as milk, cheese and homegrown produce, to local homes without clearing a commercial registration requirement.”

‘State bill would keep embattled DAs from staying on job without active law licenses’: The Johnstown Tribune-Democrat reports that “a Pennsylvania state senator’s bill that is now awaiting state House approval would prevent county district attorneys from staying on the job without active law licenses.”

‘Penn State-Lehigh Valley dedicates $14.4-million expansion, including the Charles W. Dent STEM wing’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “Penn State-Lehigh Valley celebrated the completion of a $14.4 million campus expansion project Wednesday that includes a full-service cafeteria and a wing dedicated to STEM learning named in honor of former U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent.”

‘Local officials divided on more election audits’: The Williamsport Sun-Gazette reports that “both county commissioners Tony Mussare and Scott Metzger are open to additional audits of votes if there is a need for it, referring to possible audits in Tioga County and in the southeastern part of the state. No audits have been suggested for here.”

‘Commissioners, sheriff affirm 2nd Amendment’: The Williamsport Sun-Gazette reports that ““You won’t find this sheriff enforce anything that the federal administration tries to shove down our throats, because we have the right to bear arms,” Lycoming County Sheriff Mark Lusk stated before a group of community members as the county commissioners considered a resolution in support of the Second Amendment.”

‘Should Centre County have its own health department? A study could help officials decide’: The Centre Daily Times reports that “a feasibility study to determine if Centre County would benefit from its own health department is under consideration by the commissioners, in a joint effort with State College Borough.”

‘Wanted: New elections director for York County amid personnel changes in the office’: The York Daily Record reports that “with four weeks remaining until the Nov. 2 election, York County is looking for a new director of voter registration and elections.”

‘Environmental Groups Push For Pittsburgh Plastic Bag Ban’: WESA reports that “environmental advocacy nonprofit PennEnvironment released a letter Wednesday signed by 100 Pittsburgh businesses and organizations in support of a plastic bag ban, an ordinance expected to come before City Council later this fall.”

‘Burgess Affordable Housing Bill Raises Questions About Pittsburgh City Council’s Role In Development’: WESA reports that “Pittsburgh City Council hotly debated, but ultimately delayed action on, three bills intended to address affordable housing needs Wednesday. The bills, which were introduced by Councilor Ricky Burgess, drew questions about whether they involve council too deeply in development decisions, and council ultimately decided to submit them for a review by the city’s planning commission.”

‘Around The Table: Analysts Discuss Pittsburgh Mayoral Race And November Election’: KDKA reports that “Stacy Smith and a group of political experts go Around The Table. In this week’s episode, the political analysts discuss the mayor’s race in Pittsburgh, the November election and much more.”

‘PPS board names interim replacement for ex-Superintendent Hamlet’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “with high hopes of addressing some of the district’s most prominent issues, Wayne Walters said he was “ready and well-prepared” to take over as Pittsburgh Public Schools interim superintendent after his appointment Wednesday evening.”

‘Westmoreland election bureau director post to remain vacant’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that “Westmoreland County commissioners said Wednesday they will not hire a new election bureau director until after voters cast ballots in November.”

‘Carlisle mayor schedules ‘Day For Truth and Reconciliation’ over Native American boarding schools’: PennLive reports that “Mayor Tim Scott has issued a proclamation declaring September 30, 2021, as a “Day for Truth and Reconciliation” in Carlisle, in honor and remembrance of survivors and victims of the United States’ now-defunct system of residential boarding schools for native American children, including the former Carlisle Indian Industrial School at Carlisle Barracks.”

‘Bob Woodward to headline Harrisburg Book Festival’: PennLive reports that “internationally bestselling author and journalist Bob Woodward is headlining this year’s Harrisburg Book Festival.”

‘Abington Heights student aims to end gerrymandering, wins statewide contest for congressional map’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “Abington Heights High School student Nicholas Booth won first place in the youth division of the state Draw the Lines competition for his congressional district map.”

‘PDE secretary addresses Latino convention in Reading’: WFMZ reports that “The Pennsylvania Latino Convention officially got underway in Reading on Wednesday with a kickoff breakfast at the DoubleTree Hotel in center city.”

‘Bethlehem lays out how it wants to spend $34 million in COVID relief’: LehighValleyLive reports that “city officials on Tuesday evening laid out their vision for the city’s share of the American Rescue Plan Act to Bethlehem City Council, emphasizing federal rules guiding the spending are not yet finalized.”

‘Local unemployment rate sees slight increase’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “the local unemployment rate rose slightly in August, but industry experts see promising signs for the future of the job market.”

‘COVID aid fills Blair’s coffers’: The Altoona Mirror reports that “Blair County ended 2020 with a cash reserve of just over $11 million that’s available for future use, the county’s latest audit shows.”

‘Lehigh County trying to tackle the opioid crisis, one packet at a time’: WFMZ reports that “the opioid crisis in Lehigh County shows no signs of letting up. So this year, county leaders will be handing out special packets at Community Day to help people safely get rid of their old painkillers.”

‘Lehigh County will begin sending more than 24,000 mail-in ballots next week. Here’s where you can drop them off in person’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “Lehigh County officials will begin mailing out more than 24,000 mail-in ballots next week ahead of the Nov. 2 general election.”

Opinion  
Paul Muschick: How I may unintentionally be among the millions of Pennsylvania Turnpike toll outlaws
Laura Karet and Bryan Salesky: Congress should follow the Pittsburgh way
John L. Micek: Report: Pa. kids show elevated blood levels at more than twice the national rate | Wednesday Coffee
John L. Micek: Republicans are the clowns in the debt ceiling circus. The act isn’t funny anymore
Inquirer Editorial Board: Bring the 2026 World Cup to Philly — and world-class soccer facilities to neighborhoods 
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Particularly during this pandemic, schools need parents to keep their sick kids at home. And parents need paid family leave.
Daily Local News Editorial: Pass Deana’s Law and protect against repeat DUI offenders  
Bill White: [Bleep] Trump signs were just as offensive as crude Biden signs
Joyce M. Davis: Hispanic Heritage Month reminds us of the rich diversity of cultures in Central Pennsylvania | Social Views
Christine Flowers: The anti-abortion movement is on the march
Gina Diorio: How AG Shapiro cost PA landowners tens of millions of dollars
Kristine Villanueva: Congress has a huge opportunity to help fix Philly’s stubborn digital divide
Paul Offit: Philly vaccine pioneer: Was the human cost of doing fewer COVID-19 trials on kids worth it? | Expert Opinion
Elizabeth Wellington: The R. Kelly verdict shows why it’s important to listen to Black women when they speak up