President Donald Trump delivered an address in Westmoreland County on Thursday night, while a Monmouth Poll shows Shapiro and Torsella leading their reelection bids as the race for Auditor General is in a dead heat. Here is the Playbook. 

Monmouth Poll: Shapiro, Torsella Lead Reelection Bids, Auditor General Race A Dead Heat: Shapiro leads Heidelbaugh by 10 points among registered voters, while Torsella holds a 5 point advantage over Garrity among registered voters. Ahmad has a 2 point lead over DeFoor for Auditor General.

Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Perry’s Race Moves From Leans GOP To Toss-Up: The election analyst described Dem candidate Eugene DePasquale as a “strong challenger” and pointed to the 10th District possibly trending Democratic at the presidential level in November.

Quinnipiac Poll: Biden 52, Trump 44: Pennsylvania likely voters have mixed views about Biden, while Trump’s favorability and job approval rating are both underwater.

Dean, Evans, Houlahan, and Wild Sign Letter Calling For Climate Change to Be Focused During Presidential Debates: 70 members of Congress including PA Reps. Madeleine Dean (D-Montgomery), Dwight Evans (D-Philadelphia), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Chester) and Susan Wild (D-Lehigh) signed a letter calling on the Commission on Presidential Debates and the debate moderators to ensure that climate change is a central focus alongside coronavirus, racial injustice, and economic crisis of this year’s presidential and vice presidential debates. 

Ivanka Trump To Host Fireside Chat in Chester County: According to a press release from the Trump campaign, Ivanka Trump will host a Fireside Chat on Friday at 12:30 PM. Chester County is the lone county in the state that flipped from red to blue in the previous presidential election that voted for Gov. Mitt Romney in 2012, but sided with Sec. Hillary Clinton in 2016.

Lamb To Join Biden Campaign Call Responding To Atlantic Story on Reported Trump Comments on Veterans: Annie Karni, a White House correspondent for the New York Times, tweeted on Friday morning that the Biden campaign is hosting a conference call today with Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Khizr Khan, and Rep. Conor Lamb (D-Allegheny) “in reaction to the appalling revelations about Donald Trump and veterans.” Trump sent out a thread of tweets on Thursday night denying the report from The Atlantic.  

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Trump hones law and order message in Pennsylvania
AP: Housing advocates prep for worst-case scenario on evictions
AP: Federal agents search nursing home with many virus deaths
Washington Examiner: Trump tells Salena Zito Biden’s campaign is a ‘fraud’ 
Inquirer: Trump decries ‘rioters, looters, violent extremists, anarchists’ in Pennsylvania rally as Biden visits Kenosha
Inquirer: Biden has an 8-point lead over Trump in Pa. and almost all voters have decided, poll says 
WPXI: President Trump sends strong message on mail-in ballots, protests during Latrobe rally
WESA: Biden, Trump Make Pittsburgh-Area Campaign Stops
Post-Gazette: Trump reaffirms message of law and order at Latrobe rally
Politico: ‘Can you imagine if we’re waiting on Pennsylvania?’: State Dems scramble to avoid voting fiasco
Politico: Poll: Biden leads Trump by 8 points in Pennsylvania, 3 in Florida
Politico: The Lawsuits That Could Decide the 2020 Election
Politico: Trump spins rumors about his own health into new attack on Biden
Spotlight PA: Pa. inspector general reviewing legality of some state police traffic stops, searches
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: House Repubs again snuff out Wolf’s calls for recreational cannabis legalization
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: With little notice, Pa. Senate panel advances voting bill that Wolf, Dems oppose
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Dr. Deborah Birx, Trump’s COVID coordinator, credits Pennsylvania’s ‘remarkable job’ addressing COVID-19 pandemic
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Trump hits Biden on jobs, protests — and plays the greatest hits in W. Pa. campaign stop
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: New Pa. guidelines allow for families, others to provide in-person care at nursing homes
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: With deadline approaching, here’s how Pa. counties are doing with their Census response rates | Thursday Morning Coffee
Patriot News: Trump official Dr. Deborah Birx has only praise for how her home state of Pa. has handled COVID-19
Patriot News: Legalized marijuana would raise hundreds of millions of dollars for Pa., Wolf and Fetterman say
Patriot News: Pa. nursing homes will allow visitors to help care for some residents
Patriot News: Coronavirus in Pa.: 1,160 new cases reported Sept. 3, the most in more than a month 
WITF: Fewer Pennsylvanians Are Participating In The Census Than They Did A Decade Ago
Delaware Valley Journal: POLLSTER: Silent Trump Voters Are Real, But Are There Enough to Win PA? 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board reports first sales decline in over 25 years despite record levels of net income 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pennsylvania’s unemployment claims reach new pandemic lows, down more than 12% from previous week’s report
PLSReporter: Wolf’s support for pot reignites cannabis legalization debate 
Fox News: Pennsylvania Sen. Casey says Biden benefits from locals’ trust, dismisses mail-in vote concerns
Fox News: Biden-Trump race tightening in the biggest battleground: Poll 
Fox News: Pennsylvania college removes ‘thin blue line’ coronavirus masks after critics call them ‘offensive’
Fox News: Temple University latest school to cancel nearly all in-person classes for fall semester after coronavirus spike
Morning Call: Pennsylvania lawmakers quickly advance bill to let school districts, not Gov. Wolf, decide crowd size at sports events during pandemic 
KDKA Radio: Franco Harris
Post-Gazette: Wolf, Fetterman renew push for legalized marijuana
StateImpactPA: For now, latest federal rollback of coal regs won’t affect PA plants
StateImpactPA: Scientists know more about how COVID-19 spreads. So is it safe to bring your reusable bags back to the grocery store?
USA Today: Dr. Deborah Birx in Pa.: White House coronavirus expert says Pa. has controlled pandemic
CNN: Trump mocks Biden for wearing mask: ‘Did you ever see a man that likes a mask as much as him?’
CNN: Trump’s false claims on mail-in voting do more to harm elections than threat of fraud, experts say
The Hill: Quinnipiac shows Biden with 8-point lead in Pennsylvania
The Hill: Trump skewers Biden, suggests again supporters vote twice in Pennsylvania
The Hill: Trump says, he’s ‘truly an environmentalist’, slams bans on plastic products
The Hill: Biden launches ad on police violence against Black Americans
The Hill: Progressive group launches presidential, Senate ads in battleground states
The Hill: Justice Dept. probe of state nursing home COVID-19 rules draws criticism  

Philadelphia 
Philly Clout: Trump dodges systemic racism 4 years after telling Philly’s Black voters he’s ‘not a bigot’
Inquirer: Philadelphia keeps clearing homeless encampments. But who is being helped? 
Inquirer: Postrecession Allentown rebuilt its downtown with a big tax break. The Sixers want a similar deal in Philly. 
Inquirer: As Labor Day weekend nears, residents are still on edge about fireworks exploding in city 
Inquirer: Philadelphia police detain 17 protesters for blocking court entrance as eviction hearings resumed for a day
Inquirer: Homelessness isn’t a new problem for Philly | Morning Newsletter
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. campaigns weather uncertainty, keep election plans flexible as Nov. 3 approaches
WHYY Newsworks: Protesters demand Philadelphia halt evictions; 17 people arrested
KYW Newsradio: Commissioner: More guns taken off Philly streets, but fewer crimes solved as homicides rise
KYW Newsradio: Lawyers for inmates housing on State Road sound the alarm on Philly jail conditions
KYW Newsradio: 17 protesters arrested outside Philly landlord-tenant court 
Billy Penn: Inquirer journalists of color demand action on diversity and culture in public report card
Billy Penn: Neighbors beg for 24-hour patrols at violent North Philly corner, but police cite lack of resources
Philadelphia Business Journal: Philadelphia sticking with indoor dining plan despite Covid-19 outbreak at Temple University

SEPA
Daily Local News: Rep. Comitta introduces legislation to reduce carbon pollution 
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County authorizes coalition for rent, utility assistance amid coronavirus pandemic 
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County: Moving census deadline will hurt count 
Bucks County Courier Times: Federal order halts evictions, but over 200 in Bucks face filings
Delco Daily Times: Questions arise as Delco council earmarks $20M for DCIU 
Delco Daily Times: Radnor schools to shed ‘Raider’ nickname

Pittsburgh 
WPXI: President Trump sends strong message on mail-in ballots, protests during Latrobe rally
WESA: Biden, Trump Make Pittsburgh-Area Campaign Stops
Post-Gazette: Trump reaffirms message of law and order at Latrobe rally
Post-Gazette: Dr. Deborah Birx, White House’s coronavirus response coordinator, visits Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Community leaders rally together to promote voter turnout in ‘Campaign for Power’
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh joins regional initiative to reduce food waste in cities
Post-Gazette: Post-Gazette staff wins 23 Golden Quills and 2 best-of-show awards 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh to hold public hearing on the Columbus statue in Schenley Park 
KDKA: President Donald Trump Predicts A Win In Pennsylvania, Slams Gov. Wolf’s Handling Of Coronavirus During Campaign Stop In Latrobe
KDKA: ‘We’re Tired Of The Lies’: Joe Biden Supporters Gather In Latrobe During President Donald Trump’s Rally
KDKA: President Donald Trump’s Visit Puts Westmoreland County In Political Spotlight
KDKA: Mike Pence To Visit Pittsburgh Area Next Week 
KDKA: White House’s Top Coronavirus Official Dr. Deborah Birx Visits Pittsburgh, Meets With Mayor Peduto
KDKA: Art Commission To Hold Special Hearing, Public Comment On Schenley Park’s Christopher Columbus Statue
KDKA: City Council Members Invite Joe Biden Back To Pittsburgh To Tour Black Communities
KDKA: Around The Table: Large Crowds And Presidential Campaigning 
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Announces 105 New Coronavirus Cases And 1 Additional Death
Tribune Review: Trump fires up enthusiastic crowd at campaign stop at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport near Latrobe 
Tribune Review: Dems blast Trump policies, ‘chaos’ ahead of president’s Westmoreland County rally 
Tribune Review: Thousands of supporters pack Unity airport, nearby roads, to hear Trump campaign speech
Tribune Review: Leader of White House covid-19 response team visits Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Trib journalists win Golden Quills awards 
City Paper: Allegheny County advocates and elected officials call for ballot drop-off boxes and other election fixes
City Paper: In renewed call for legalizing recreational marijuana, Lt. Gov. Fetterman calls it a “turnkey solution” for Pa.
City Paper: Small businesses say Delta Foundation should repay vendor fees from canceled Pittsburgh Pride

SWPA 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Trump tells Latrobe gathering he’s ‘back to work’ amid ‘China virus,’ social unrest
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria, Blair add COVID-19 deaths, state has 1,160 new cases
KDKA: President Donald Trump’s Visit Puts Westmoreland County In Political Spotlight
KDKA: Greene County DA Wants To Give CARES Act Funding To Police Departments
Beaver County Times: Lamb teams with GOP members on three vets bills 
Beaver County Times: FBI serves federal search warrants at Brighton Rehab
Beaver County Times: Shapiro wants injunction halting mail changes
Altoona Mirror: Gallitzin Township plan to disband police draws ire
Altoona Mirror: Blair to promote CARES aid
Altoona Mirror: Airport to spend $166K for land
Tribune Review: Westmoreland County reports 14 new covid-19 cases
Observer-Reporter: Census workers going door-to-door 
Observer-Reporter: Wolf, Fetterman renew call for marijuana legalization in Pennsylvania
Observer-Reporter: Washington County records one additional coronavirus death

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Educators, Cartwright urge passage of Heroes Act
Times-Tribune: Courts see flood of landlord-tenant complaints as eviction ban expires
Times-Tribune: Routine COVID-19 testing to be tied to rate of spread in community; region adds 43 new cases
Citizens Voice: Educators, Cartwright urge passage of Heroes Act
Citizens Voice: State to allow ‘compassionate caregivers’ in nursing homes
Citizens Voice: 17 new COVID-19 cases in county; 1,160 new cases statewide
The Times Leader: 17 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County; 1,160 statewide

South Central 
York Daily Record: Scott Perry talks 2020 election, pandemic, protests
York Dispatch: Former York County GOP chair disavows Perry following comments about race
York Dispatch: York City health officials struggle with COVID-19 data
York Dispatch: York County COVID-19 spike smashes record; officials won’t confirm ‘outbreak’ locations
Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle creates commission to form climate action plan
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: York County COVID-19 spike Thursday helps push state to highest increase in weeks
LNP | LancasterOnline: Number of landlord-tenant complaints in Lancaster County rise after moratorium expired this week
LNP | LancasterOnline: COVID-19 blocking efforts of idled Lancaster County workers to get jobs, new report indicates
Patriot News: Trump official Dr. Deborah Birx has only praise for how her home state of Pa. has handled COVID-19
Patriot News: White House drug czar gives message of support to central Pa. police: ‘The only metric that matters is saving lives’

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: Sen. Pat Toomey does not rule out a run for Pennsylvania governor in 2022 while talking coronavirus recovery with Lehigh Valley business leaders
Morning Call: Pennsylvania lawmakers quickly advance bill to let school districts, not Gov. Wolf, decide crowd size at sports events during pandemic
Morning Call: Fans at high school football games? Probably not, say Lehigh Valley superintendents tasked with executing new rules
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: 1,160 new cases reported Thursday; largest one-day increase since late July 
Reading Eagle: Berks County adds 45 new coronavirus cases, most since July 24
Express Times: In Lehigh Valley visit, Pat Toomey talks about mail-in ballots and COVID-19
Express Times: Bethlehem police Chief Mark DiLuzio in hot water over ‘offensive’ Facebook post
Express Times: Lehigh Valley airports get $10.5M in FAA grants for runway projects
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus update: whopping 1,160 new cases across the state; despite increase elsewhere, Lehigh Valley staying consistent | Pa. COVID-19 county map (09/03/2020)

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Trump boat parade, road tour planned for Sunday in Erie
Erie Times-News: Erie County to declare racism a public health crisis
Erie Times-News: Coronavirus fears won’t stop Erie County poll workers
Erie Times-News: Legislation could halt Erie district’s busing proposal
Erie Times-News: City of Erie seeks diversity consultant
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Business owners learn information on COVID funding
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County 7 new COVID-19 cases
Centre Daily Times: Centre County sees 2nd highest daily increase in COVID-19 cases

Opinion  
Mark Pinsley: How Lehigh County’s proposed budget promotes systemic racism
Paul Muschick: Evictions are still looming. Here’s what Pennsylvania can do about it.
Tara Yokopenic: Trump’s broken promises
Inquirer Editorial Board: Partisan or not, questions about Pa., N.J. nursing homes deserve answers 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Public deserves update on air standards
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A misguided energy ambition
Larry Platt: Answering Rodney 
Zoë McLaren: Will the new 15-minute COVID-19 test solve U.S. testing problems?
Bruce Katz and Richard Florida: How To Build Philadelphia Back Better
Tony Norman: Going to the Tull to see ‘Tenet’
Will Bunch: America’s real hoax: Record highs on Wall Street as millions of jobless people can’t pay rent 
Trudy Rubin: Why U.S. kids can’t go back to school and German kids can