Gov. Tom Wolf’s appointed Redistricting Reform Commission released its findings thus far that show Pennsylvanians think the state’s redistricting process needs improvements and lacks transparency. Here is the Playbook. 

August 30th Ups & Downs: The collaborative effort of a newsroom holding Harrisburg accountable is announced, a Congressman and county party unfairly accuse a local paper of being a fake news corporation, and a trending GOP county fails to field a candidate for Coroner. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

Harrisburg & DC   
WITF: Report: Pennsylvanians say they’re fed up with secrecy, manipulation surrounding redistricting — and they can fix it.
Inquirer: Philly’s labor leaders sense a snub from Joe Biden and his campaign 
Inquirer: Gov. Tom Wolf hung out with Jay-Z at Made in America 
Inquirer: Parents consider buying bulletproof backpacks as gun violence shapes their children’s lives
Inquirer: Read The Inquirer’s PFAS water contamination coverage
Inquirer: Lawmakers try to close ‘loophole’ in DUI law 
Post-Gazette: State and U.S. lawmakers will lead roundtable discussion on veteran suicide Tuesday  
Post-Gazette: A (pancake) house divided? Not quite. Pamela’s co-owners ready to continue legacy as a campaign stop 
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania hoping applications pick up for REAL ID as October 2020 deadline looms  
Patriot News: Liquor reform 2.0? Bill would change how Pa. grocery stores display and sell beer and wine
PA Post: Inclusive school climate stressed as one way to prevent student violence
KDKA: EPA Proposal Would Ease Rules On Regulation Of Methane Gas Emissions  
AP: Fighting gun trafficking gets ensnared in political fight
AP: Big tech or big labor? 2020 Democrats line up with unions
AP: Public warned of possible measles exposure in Pennsylvania
AP: Worker killed when wall collapses at Pennsylvania coal mine
Morning Call: Pat Toomey gets pelted and praised for votes on bills to reduce Medicare costs
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Appointees, not lawmakers, should draw Pennsylvania’s political districts, Wolf-convened panel recommends
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: More states are letting candidates use campaign dollars for childcare. What about Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Corrections officials suspend referrals, review contracts as they prepare to rein in spending on reentry services
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Four Pa. Republicans voted for a landmark gun control law in 1993. Now there’s just one yes vote. Here’s what that means 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Labor Day 2019: How to plan a mini-road trip to mark Pennsylvania’s worker history
Bucks County Courier Times: Sen. Casey and AG Shapiro meet with students to discuss gun safety 
StateImpactPA: Criminal defense counsel represents DEP in Mariner East probe
StateImpactPA: Most of a dangerous toxic chemical at the PES refinery is now neutralized — but risk remains
StateImpactPA: PFAS chemicals showing up in Montgomery County water beyond military bases

Philadelphia 
Inquirer: Philly’s labor leaders sense a snub from Joe Biden and his campaign 
Inquirer: Gov. Tom Wolf hung out with Jay-Z at Made in America 
Inquirer: In 1990s, Philly’s now-interim top cop wore T-shirt: ‘L.A.P.D. We Treat You Like a King’     
Inquirer: Philly is trying to stop illegal dumping by tracking who hauls contractors’ trash   
Inquirer: Demonstrators circle Philly ICE office during ninja-style protest 
Inquirer: After threats and outrage led N.J. theater to cancel a conference on racism, free speech advocates meet in Philly
Inquirer: A Philly Starbucks wrote ‘ISIS’ on a Muslim man’s cup 
Philadelphia Magazine: What We Know (So Far) About the Future of the PES Refinery
WHYY Newsworks: Biden hears frustration from labor union in his campaign’s backyard
WHYY Newsworks: ‘Particularly dark’ Labor Day for Philadelphia’s unemployed union workers
WHYY Newsworks: Thousands of Philly union members rally on the waterfront for Labor Day
Billy Penn: DA: Philly faces ‘crisis’ in prosecuting drug cases, with backlog of 37,000 untested kits
KYW Newsradio: Rain dampens but does not stop the Philadelphia Labor Day Parade
KYW Newsradio: Philly case could determine if a union ally, the giant inflatable rat, is legal
KYW Newsradio: USW cheers on PES’ latest potential suitor: The refinery’s former CEO  
KYW Newsradio: South Philly residents can breathe easier: Crews neutralize toxic chemical at refinery  
Philadelphia Business Journal: How wealthy are southeastern Pennsylvania school districts? 
Philly Voice: Number of children charged as adults in Philly has dropped substantially under DA Larry Krasner 
Philly Voice: Chestnut Hill Starbucks employee writes ‘ISIS’ on Muslim man’s order slip 
SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Sen. Casey and AG Shapiro meet with students to discuss gun safety 
Delco Daily Times: Sunoco fined $319K for pipeline violations 
Delco Daily Times: Gun rights advocate takes stand against new gun control measures 
Delco Daily Times: Dems seek to reverse GOP tide in Springfield 
Delco Daily Times: PUC approves settlement with Buckeye, allowing for reversal of Laurel Pipeline 
Daily Local News: Kennett Square officials to vote on resolution condemning Trump 
Daily Local News: Councilman Bill Scott: ‘I don’t think I should resign’ 
Daily Local News: Comitta plans senior expo in West Chester Sept. 14 
KYW Newsradio: Over 100 drug overdose victims are recognized in Chester County
Roxborough Review: DeLissio slates 2 fall shredding events
Pottstown Mercury: Despite increase, Pottstown remains most underfunded district in the region 
Pottstown Mercury: Berks County commissioners discuss constable system costs 

Pittsburgh  
WESA: Impeachment Divides Activists Who Helped Propel Lamb To Victory
KDKA: Rich Fitzgerald Marches And Matt Drozd Waves As November Election Season Kicks Off 
KDKA: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Unions Asking For Fair Contract This Labor Day 
KDKA: Thousands Flock Downtown To Take Part In Annual Labor Day Parade 
KDKA: EPA Proposal Would Ease Rules On Regulation Of Methane Gas Emissions
Pittsburgh Business Times: As USW amps up tech membership, the union pushes to represent HCL workers
Pittsburgh Business Times: Local leaders named to governor’s authority that will develop new health insurance exchange 
Pittsburgh Business Times: United Steelworkers announces tentative agreement with Alcoa 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Google contract workers seek to join United Steelworkers 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Peduto pushes for more police downtown
Post-Gazette: State and U.S. lawmakers will lead roundtable discussion on veteran suicide Tuesday  
Post-Gazette: Elections board appears likely to pick ES&S voting machines for use beginning in 2020  
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania hoping applications pick up for REAL ID as October 2020 deadline looms  
Post-Gazette: SEIU president rallies workers in Pittsburgh on Labor Day  
Post-Gazette: Amazon rainforest fires spark activist rally in Oakland  
Post-Gazette: Bridgeville woman charged with racist attack on Port Authority bus in Pittsburgh  
Post-Gazette: A (pancake) house divided? Not quite. Pamela’s co-owners ready to continue legacy as a campaign stop  
Tribune Review: Thousands turn out for Pittsburgh’s Labor Day Parade 
Tribune Review: 30,000 lives could be saved with cleaner air, CMU professor says 
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania law doesn’t prohibit children on ATVs
SWPA
Observer-Reporter: Fayette commissioners expected to adopt comprehensive plan next month 
Observer-Reporter: Judge Traci McDonald-Kemp makes history in Washington County 
Observer-Reporter: Cook to host concealed carry seminar 
Observer-Reporter: Attorney: Opioid lawsuit ruling pressures drug companies to settle local suits
Observer-Reporter: Addiction, recovery focus of event in Washington 
Observer-Reporter: Program fights Southwestern Pennsylvania youth homelessness with host homes
Pittsburgh Business Times: Greene County to unveil rebranding effort — and it’s all about energy
Beaver County Times: County pays off tax loan, could skip next year 
Beaver County Times: Toyota dealership pays off student meal debt
Altoona Mirror: New beer fights brewing in Harrisburg 
Altoona Mirror: Politics in brief 
Altoona Mirror: Johnstown airport receives grants 
Altoona Mirror: Geist dies in Russia 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Hospitals aim for clean bill of health in state reports 

NEPA
Citizens Voice: Luzerne County Council mulling tax break for developer 
Times-Tribune: Scranton seeks cost of downtown walkability plan 
Times-Tribune: University of Scranton task force responds to abuse in Catholic Church
The Times Leader: Tax break extension benefits pitched to Luzerne County Council 
The Times Leader: Luzerne County seeking a deputy coroner — again 
The Times Leader: L&I offers reminders about job rules for teens during the school year 
The Times Leader: More security cameras coming to Luzerne County properties

South Central  
LNP | LancasterOnline: Proposal for new liquor permits would ease rules for convenience, grocery stores 
Patriot News: Kratom has been linked to several deaths, but banning the herbal supplement isn’t easy: Pa. lawmaker
Patriot News: Spotlight PA launches: PennLive/The Patriot-News partners with others to cover state government
Patriot News: Millersville University’s president focuses on cost and relevance: ‘We have to give students more reasons to come here’
Patriot News: Former Pa. House member Rick Geist, a key figure on transportation issues, dies while touring Russia
Patriot News: Job satisfaction among American workers continues to increase, but there are more reasons than salary: poll
Carlisle Sentinel: DEP: Sunoco’s Mariner East 2 construction caused accelerated erosion, sedimentation in Cumberland County 
Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle Borough Council plans public discussion Wednesday to discuss homelessness, sleeping in public places
Carlisle Sentinel: Mount Holly Springs council members speak out against alleged ethnic intimidation
York Dispatch: States, local govs skeptical of opioid settlement deal 
York Dispatch: Meal debt grows in York County schools following lunch shaming regulations

Lehigh Valley     
Reading Eagle: Berks Patriots to host candidates night
Reading Eagle: Pa. political experts weigh in on Trump’s GOP challengers and their chances of success
Reading Eagle: Reading City Council passes resolution opposing shift in highway funding
Reading Eagle: Warren, Sanders have a good week in a poll
Inquirer: Allentown School District wants to cut charter costs to fill budget hole 
Express Times: Phillipsburg Republicans shake up council slate after candidate drops out
Morning Call: Pat Toomey gets pelted and praised for votes on bills to reduce Medicare costs
Morning Call: PA alcohol-sales reforms must balance customer convenience with rights of businesses, lawmakers say
Morning Call: ‘This is the point of no return’: Lehigh County executive says taxes must increase in 2020
Morning Call: Lower Mac to decide whether library tax will go to vote
Morning Call: In South Whitehall, committee will ponder whether it’s time to get rid of plastic bags and straws

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Trump campaign targets Erie with aerial advertising 
Erie Times-News: Union profile is high in Erie in 2019 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: City Council working to form ethics commission 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Authority chairman nixes idea to transfer city stormwater 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Funding on its way to Tiadaghton Valley force — could expansion be next?
Centre Daily Times: Home sharing sites collect Centre County’s new tax, but do hosts reap the same benefits as hotels

Opinion  
Inquirer Editorial Board: Labor Day is a reminder that wage inequality still exists in Pa. 
Inquirer Editorial Board: The forgotten public health program that cut homicides by 30% in Philly 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Real opioid justice: Liable companies should bankroll treatment 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Gun violence: THE issue of 2020 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: The slippery slope: Government should not regulate online speech 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Justice and mercy: Jewish congregations lobby against death penalty 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Charter school troubles: Gov. Wolf sees need for added regulations 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A bid for Greenland: Not as crazy as it seems? 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: End robocall pollution: Congress must keep up the pressure to stop spam 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Polk Center’s future?: A money saving way to reduce disruption for residents 
Chrissy Houlahan: Congress must continue to fight for the American worker
Aerion Abney: New voting technology is good step for Pennsylvania, but voters need training 
John L. Micek: In central Pa., a new wall?: How a Trump rule could come between immigrants and their doctors | Friday Morning Coffee
Tim Hartman: It’s time to settle that school lunch debt | Editorial Cartoon
Lloyd E. Sheaffer: So you’re running for president, and you have a plan? Tell me more. Please
Richard W. Bloomingdale: Labor Day 2019: Let’s make this year a call to action for working people
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Labor Day pink slips for Philly workers
Rafael Alvarez: Women of steel
David M. Shribman: The four challenges of the Grand Old Party
Joan M. Cook and Amy Ellis: Sexual abuse against gay and bisexual men brings unique stigma and harm
Sam Pond: Amazon must address warehouse working conditions 
Gretchen E. Ely: When religious ideology drives abortion policy, poor women suffer the consequences
Dick Polman: Joe Walsh’s primary bid could be an actual problem for President Trump. This is why 
Trudy Rubin: Will Trump sell out Afghan women and U.S. security? 
Keith C. Burris: The sermon in the suicide
Joe Batory: Made in America is ‘an ongoing atrocity’ for neighborhood residents 
Abraham Gutman: This cheap intervention could prevent more teen drug use than ‘Just Say No’ | Brain Trust
Christine Flowers: Bret Stephens reveals he’s a snowflake
Jeffrey Hirsch: Worker-protection laws aren’t ready for an automated future
Alesia Bani: Gritty anti-street harassment photos are nice, but we need to change culture 
Mike Newall: A Philly rugby star overcame a stray bullet. Now the Army won’t have him. 
Jenice Armstrong: New documentary featuring South Philly’s Will Little focuses on impact of gun violence on shooters 
Karen Kane: Is there a better way to do this?
Cam A. Johnson: Generation Z is the loneliest generation, and social media is to blame 
Morgan Rollins: Life after injury: Finding purpose by building prosthetics 
B.G. Kelley: Visitors should stop trashing Wissahickon Valley Park 
Gene Therapy: Where have you gone Fred Rogers?