A farewell note, PoliticsPA Playbook. 

Thank You to Readers: Here’s an update on the future of PoliticsPA and my next chapter.

PoliticsPA is Hiring a Managing Editor: We’re hiring! PoliticsPA is seeking a Managing Editor to take the reins of Pennsylvania’s longest-running news website focused on campaign politics.

September 3rd Ups and Downs: Former President Donald Trump endorses a candidate for U.S. Senate, Gov. Tom Wolf scores a win for his climate change plans, plus a GOP candidate in a swing county makes headlines for the wrong reasons. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

‘Suit challenges Pennsylvania’s new mask mandate for schools’: The Associated Press reports that “the Republican leader of the state Senate and a group of parents filed a lawsuit Friday seeking to overturn the Wolf administration’s new mask mandate for Pennsylvania schools.”

‘Wolf needs to score bigger climate victories, activists say’: The Associated Press reports that “Gov. Tom Wolf has notched perhaps his biggest victory in his strategy to fight climate change in Pennsylvania, but climate-change activists still see his record as full of contradictions and suggest he has enough time left in office to score farther-reaching accomplishments.”

‘Retiring GOP Sen. Toomey says Trump should not lead ticket in 2024’: CNBC reports that “Sen. Pat Toomey has urged his party not to nominate former President Donald Trump as its presidential candidate in 2024, calling his conduct in the aftermath of the 2020 election “completely unacceptable.””

‘Trump hands Parnell new momentum in Pennsylvania GOP primary’: The Hill reports that “Former President Trump’s endorsement of Pennsylvania Republican Sean Parnell is elevating him as the early front-runner to win the state’s GOP Senate primary in one of the country’s most significant midterm contests.”

‘Trump’s backing lands early in wide-open US Senate race’: The Associated Press reports that “the most sought-after endorsement in Pennsylvania’s wide-open Republican primary for U.S. Senate went early to Sean Parnell, but the backing of former President Donald Trump isn’t clearing the field for Parnell and it’s yet to be seen what sort of help it will provide.”

‘Pa. Republican Rep. Russ Diamond unapologetic after claims he compared vaccines to rape’: USA Today reports that “a House Republican lawmaker from central Pennsylvania is not backing down after an advocacy group said one of his social media posts compared mandatory vaccines to rape.”

‘This Democrat and Republican from Pennsylvania are part of a unique group in an increasingly polarized country’: CNN reports that Reps. Matt Cartwright (D-Lackawanna) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks) “are from different parties but are part of a unique group of lawmakers.”

‘U.S. Senate candidate Arkoosh says Supreme Court can’t be trusted; time to codify Roe v. Wade’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “insisting that women can no longer trust the U.S. Supreme Court to protect their right to get an abortion, U.S. Senate candidate Val Arkoosh urged senators to codify the landmark Roe v. Wade case into law and to help stop the “all-out assault on women’s health” that can only escalate from here.”

‘Q&A With Lancaster State Sen. Scott Martin Who Is Eying A Run for Governor’: State Sen. Scott Martin (R-Lancaster), who is considering a run for Governor, talked with The Delaware Valley Journal for a Q&A. 

‘Q&A with Pa.’s new open records director: The Right to Know law and Sunshine Act need updating’: Liz Wagenseller talked with LNP | LancasterOnline for a Q&A “about her work, the importance of protecting Pennsylvanians’ rights to information about their government, and how she hopes to shape the future of open records and open meetings laws.”

‘Capital-Star Q+A: Pennsylvania is sick and needs a doctor, says GOP Gov. candidate Nche Zama’: Dr. Nche Zama, who is running for the GOP nomination for Governor, talked with the Pennsylvania Capital-Star for a Q&A about his campaign. 

‘Pa. election investigation hearings begin next week, Senate committee seeks public testimony’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “ten months after the November 2020 election, and seven since the results were certified, a Pennsylvania Senate committee expects to launch an investigation into the electoral process next week. And its members are soliciting the public for help.”

‘Are GOP lawmakers pushing ban on transgender athletes ignoring gender inequities at home districts?’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “five state lawmakers who, earlier this year, sponsored a bill to ban transgender women from participating in women’s sports, are being called on to address existing gender inequities in athletic programs at schools in their home districts.”

‘4 election reform bills lawmakers could consider this fall’: City & State PA details “four major proposals that lawmakers could take up this fall.”

‘Pa. state senators propose tapping rescue plan money for environmental programs’: Capitolwire reports that “key senators want to tap part of a large reserve of federal American Rescue Plan dollars to fund state environmental programs.”

‘Teachers unions have been influential during the COVID-19 pandemic’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “the focus on education over the past 18 months has thrust teachers unions into the spotlight perhaps more than ever before as they have fought for the safety of their members while facing pressure from school administrations, members of the public and some politicians. But labor leaders and experts say the organizations are fulfilling their purpose.”

‘The 2021 Pennsylvania Labor Power 100’: City & State PA’s “Labor Power 100 recognizes labor leaders and workers advocates at the forefront of today’s organized labor movement.”

‘As Labor Day Kicks Off Election Season, Race For Mayor Of Pittsburgh Could Be More Competitive Than Usual’: KDKA highlights the Pittsburgh mayoral race between state Rep. Ed Gainey (D-Allegheny) and Republican Tony Moreno. 

‘Resolving city crime is target of mayoral hopefuls Gainey, Moreno’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette talked with state Rep. Ed Gainey (D-Allegheny) and Republican Tony Moreno about their campaigns for the Pittsburgh Mayor. 

‘Pa. to refund $19 million to 109,000 people it overcharged in unemployment error’: Spotlight PA reports that “the state Department of Labor and Industry will pay out more than $19 million in refunds after it overcharged nearly 110,000 people for unemployment interest payments over a decade.”

‘Toomey to visit Bear Creek Charter School in support of school choice’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “as children across Pennsylvania are heading back to school, U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey will visit the Bear Creek Community Charter School on Wednesday at 10 a.m. to highlight the importance of school choice.”

‘Sheriff deputies will provide extra security at Northampton Area school board meetings after GOP candidate says he’ll bring ‘strong men’ to confront pro-mask members’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “Northampton County sheriff deputies will offer additional security at upcoming Northampton Area School Board meetings after a local political candidate made concerning comments about leading a group of “20 strong men” and replacing elected officials with parents who disapprove of mask mandates.”

‘Lawmakers move to block RGGI after rule wins regulatory approval’: StateImpactPA reports that “after nearly two years of criticizing Gov. Tom Wolf for bypassing the legislature with his plan to join a regional cap-and-trade program, lawmakers can finally try to stop the process through the regulatory system.”

‘State launches course to train climate leaders’: StateImpactPA reports that “Pennsylvania is now the second state in the country to sponsor a program to train climate leaders, following Maryland.”

‘Philly lawmakers: PA should tap COVID relief funds to help flooded businesses’: Billy Penn reports that “Democratic lawmakers in Philadelphia are calling on the state legislature to tap into a multi-billion pot of coronavirus relief funds to help those small businesses recover.”

‘Philadelphia’s blue-collar city worker union reaches agreement on contract with raises, paid parental leave’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “after a marathon negotiating session that ended shortly after 4 a.m. Friday, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney’s administration and the largest union for city workers reached a tentative agreement for a three-year contract that gives employees annual raises, includes a significant boost to the union’s health-care fund, and provides paid parental leave for the first time.”

‘Kenney defends decision to hold Made in America as Philly recovers from Ida flooding’: PhillyVoice reports that “Mayor Jim Kenney defended the city’s decision to allow the two-day concert event to continue as scheduled, saying Friday that the festival is an opportunity for Philly to “have some fun.””

‘York County district attorney won’t prosecute citations related to school mask mandate’: The York Daily Record reports that “York County District Attorney Dave Sunday said on Friday that he will not prosecute criminal citations related to alleged violations of the upcoming mask mandate in schools and has directed law enforcement against filing them.”

‘Group rallies for higher minimum wage on Wilkes-Barre’s Public Square’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “State Sen. Art Haywood, D-Philadelphia, joined a crowd of local Democratic legislators and organizers for a “Raise the Wage” rally on Public Square, calling on the government to raise the federal minimum wage in order to better serve the American people.”

‘Berks resident’s redrawn map of Pa. legislative districts wins an award’: The Reading Eagle reports that “Rockland Township resident Sean Cardinale was one of 10 contestants to be singled out for his work.”

‘District attorney plans ‘thorough review’ of Hamlet’s ethics case’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office said Friday it is planning a “thorough review” of the ethics violations by Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Anthony Hamlet.”

‘Another staffing ‘crisis’ is brewing in Lancaster County Government, threatening court operations’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “a day after Lancaster County’s government approved a plan to address critical staffing shortages at the prison, an email obtained by LNP|LancasterOnline showed that another part of county government is facing a staffing “crisis” that threatens to disrupt normal operations.”

‘Lancaster County’s economic recovery mired 14,000 jobs short of pre-pandemic level’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “job growth in the county remained tepid in July, new state statistics show, with the number of filled positions here rising a mere 0.5% from June, leaving it well short of its pre-pandemic norm.”

‘After Heated Debate, Allegheny County Jail Oversight Board Members Narrowly Allow Controversial Training To Continue’: WESA reports that “controversial emergency response training at the Allegheny County Jail was the subject of heated debate among members of the jail’s oversight board Thursday.”

‘Allentown City Council asks for input on Coronavirus relief aid’: WFMZ reports that “the city of Allentown is asking for your help in deciding how coronavirus relief aid should be invested in the community. City council members say public meetings will be held within the next few weeks to get input from residents on how money from the American Rescue Plan should be spent.”

‘Students in Westmoreland County planning school walkouts in protest of mask mandates Tuesday’: WTAE reports that “two high school students in Westmoreland County said Monday night they’re planning a walkout to protest the mask mandate when it takes effect Tuesday.”

‘Reading awarded $3.3 million lead-based paint removal grant’: The Reading Eagle reports that “the city will use the federal funds to remove hazardous paint in 150 homes.”

‘Hamburg School District superintendent won’t enforce Pa.’s mask mandate until board tells him to’: The Reading Eagle reports that “the Hamburg School Board will meet Tuesday to decide whether or not to enforce a new statewide mask mandate for schools.”

‘Tamaqua Area School District defies state, keeps masks optional’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “face masks will remain optional at Tamaqua Area schools. The school board voted 5-2 at an emergency meeting Thursday to uphold the district’s current health and safety plan and allow for “parental choice” on masking.”

‘Some Southwestern PA School Districts Divided On Statewide Mask Mandate Enforcement’: WESA reports that “last week, Gov. Tom Wolf announced that the state Department of Health would require all teachers, students, staff, and visitors to wear masks in Pennsylvania schools and child care facilities. But in Southwestern Pennsylvania, some of the largest districts vary on how they plan to enforce the mandate and several local school district officials said the requirement itself came as a surprise.”

‘Funeral procession for former Reading mayor pauses at City Hall for salute of honor’: The Reading Eagle reports that “the Friday morning funeral procession for former Mayor Joseph P. Kuzminski, who died Aug. 26 at the age of 94, made a stop in front of City Hall where his family was presented with the American flag and a salute of honor.”

‘’Part of our history’: Expert says welcoming Afghan evacuees reflects Philly’s culture’: KYW Newsradio reports that “Philadelphia is preparing to welcome hundreds more evacuees from Afghanistan through Philadelphia International Airport, in a role the city has played for centuries.”

‘Pennsylvania’s 25 best colleges for 2022, ranked’: The Philadelphia Business Journal reports that “with more than 100 four-year colleges and universities, the Philadelphia area is a hotbed of higher education. Pittsburgh-based data company Niche confirmed as much in its latest rankings for 2022, in which 10 Philadelphia-area schools claimed spots among the 25 best colleges in Pennsylvania.”

Harrisburg & DC   
Post-Gazette: Tom Ridge protected the homeland by crafting better bureaucracy. Can DHS combat a new age of threats?
Post-Gazette: Teachers unions have been influential during the COVID-19 pandemic
AP: Trump’s backing lands early in wide-open US Senate race 
AP: Suit challenges Pennsylvania’s new mask mandate for schools
AP: Wolf needs to score bigger climate victories, activists say 
AP: Biden to mark 20th anniversary of 9/11 at 3 memorial sites 
AP: First responders nationwide resist COVID vaccine mandates
USA Today: Wolf administration’s school mask mandate starts today. Is it legal?
USA Today: Pa. Republican Rep. Russ Diamond unapologetic after claims he compared vaccines to rape
USA Today: Pa. priest abuse: Why some of the oldest victims fear they will die without justice 
Spotlight PA: Pa. to refund $19 million to 109,000 people it overcharged in unemployment error 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: A school mask mandate takes effect in Pa. this week: Here’s what to know
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Capital-Star Q+A: Pennsylvania is sick and needs a doctor, says GOP Gov. candidate Nche Zama 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. Sen. Corman, parents sue to overturn Wolf’s mask order 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. election investigation hearings begin next week, Senate committee seeks public testimony 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: From librarians to Uber drivers: This is the changing face of the Pa. labor movement 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Are GOP lawmakers pushing ban on transgender athletes ignoring gender inequities at home districts?  
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: The U.S. House’s budget reconciliation package would provide path to citizenship for many in Pa. 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Labor Day 2021, by the Numbers | The Numbers Racket
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf announces grant funding for gun violence prevention projects | Five for the Weekend
LNP | LancasterOnline: Q&A with Pa.’s new open records director: The Right to Know law and Sunshine Act need updating
Delaware Valley Journal: Q&A With Lancaster State Sen. Scott Martin Who Is Eying A Run for Governor
Patriot News: Sickest COVID-19 patients at Penn State Health often in 20s or 30s, with almost none vaccinated 
Patriot News: COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations among kids continue to soar
City & State PA: The 2021 Pennsylvania Labor Power 100 
City & State PA: 4 election reform bills lawmakers could consider this fall 
Inquirer: A look at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pa.
Inquirer: A Lehigh County woman’s bear spray-stained walls helped identify her as a Capitol riot suspect
Inquirer: Shanksville social studies teacher passes on stories of 9/11 and United Flight 93
Inquirer: Twenty years in the making, Shanksville’s Remember Me Rose Garden is built on faith
Capitolwire: Pa. state senators propose tapping rescue plan money for environmental programs
KDKA: Texas Abortion Law Has Ramifications In Upcoming Pennsylvania Elections, Both Sides Say
KDKA: Pennsylvania School Mask Mandate Takes Effect Tuesday, Lawsuit Seeks To Stop It
WESA: As Pennsylvania’s School Mask Mandate Takes Effect, Any Court Challenge May Face Slim Odds
WESA: Judge: Potential ‘Danger’ Means Central Pennsylvania Man Charged In Jan. 6 Attack Must Stay In Jail Before Trial
Washington Post: The Trailer: Why Democrats want to talk about Texas’s abortion law (and Republicans don’t) 
Express Times: How easy is it to get public records? Not easy enough, Pa. office says
Morning Call: Pennsylvania woman escapes gamut of fear, explosions in Afghanistan; ‘A blast at any moment’
Tribune Review: ‘Hallowed ground’: Families of those on United jetliner, Shanksville community and others forged resolve to see Flight 93 National Memorial come to life  
Tribune Review: ‘Where the plane went down’: Shanksville remains small, quiet, but forever connected to 9/11 and United Flight 93
StateImpactPA: Lawmakers move to block RGGI after rule wins regulatory approval
StateImpactPA: Twenty years after Flight 93 crashed, the living memorial faces both old and new threats
StateImpactPA: Flight 93 crashed among coal mines. Treating the water there was no ordinary project
StateImpactPA: State launches course to train climate leaders
StateImpactPA: Climate change’s ‘fingerprint’ seen in Ida flooding
CNBC: Retiring GOP Sen. Toomey says Trump should not lead ticket in 2024
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pennsylvania business establishments grew year over year
Pittsburgh Business Times: Lawsuit challenges state’s order on masking in schools
The Hill: Retiring GOP senator urges party not to nominate Trump in 2024 
The Hill: Trump hands Parnell new momentum in Pennsylvania GOP primary
KYW Newsradio: In Depth: Texas’ new abortion law — why the Supreme Court didn’t do anything, and the future of Roe v. Wade
Broad + Liberty: Pennsylvania mandates masks in public schools
Broad + Liberty: Biden administration appoints second state health official under Covid-19 investigation
CNN: This Democrat and Republican from Pennsylvania are part of a unique group in an increasingly polarized country
CNN: Biden to travel to New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia to mark 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks
Philadelphia Business Journal: Pennsylvania’s 25 best colleges for 2022, ranked

Philadelphia 
Billy Penn: Philly lawmakers: PA should tap COVID relief funds to help flooded businesses 
Inquirer: Philadelphia’s blue-collar city worker union reaches agreement on contract with raises, paid parental leave 
Inquirer: Philly wants to hear from homeowners and businesses with Ida damage 
Inquirer: How officials in Philly are cleaning up after Ida, from the Vine Street Expressway to Manayunk 
Inquirer: ‘War has no mercy’: Vietnamese here know what Afghan arrivals are facing
KYW Newsradio: ‘Part of our history’: Expert says welcoming Afghan evacuees reflects Philly’s culture
KYW Newsradio: What a difference a year makes: Why Labor movement morale is high at Philly parade
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia blue-collar city workers union reach new tentative deal
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia officials say recovery from Hurricane Ida flooding could take months
KYW Newsradio: Why Philadelphia’s SEPTA subways didn’t flood when New York City’s did
Philly Voice: Kenney defends decision to hold Made in America as Philly recovers from Ida flooding
Philadelphia Business Journal: Philadelphia Business Journal extends nomination deadline for 2021 Best of the Bar, Racine Award

SEPA
Daily Local News: Chamber leaders hopeful for economic rebound for businesses, as labor force rises across Greater Philadelphia Region
KYW Newsradio: State lawmakers tour areas clobbered by Ida, promise help is on the way
KYW Newsradio: Montgomery County recommends outdoor masking in public, even if vaccinated
Inquirer: Montco recommends masking outdoors
WHYY Newsworks: ‘We have nothing’: In Coatesville, residents brace to battle insurers, hope for government aid
WFMZ: Masking recommendations are back in Montgomery County
Delaware Valley Journal: Dems New Election Law Could Stop PA From Enacting Voter ID, Other Reforms 
Delaware Valley Journal: Critics Bemoan Vote to Put PA in Cap-And-Trade RGGI Energy Plan
Delaware Valley Journal: Delco D.A. Fears Officers Shot 8-Year-Old in Sharon Hill

Pittsburgh 
KDKA: As Labor Day Kicks Off Election Season, Race For Mayor Of Pittsburgh Could Be More Competitive Than Usual
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny County Reports 912 New Cases In 72 Hours
Post-Gazette: Resolving city crime is target of mayoral hopefuls Gainey, Moreno
Post-Gazette: U.S. Senate candidate Arkoosh says Supreme Court can’t be trusted; time to codify Roe v. Wade
Post-Gazette: District attorney plans ‘thorough review’ of Hamlet’s ethics case 
Post-Gazette: ‘In the meantime, what do we do?’: Pittsburgh-area workers brace for the end of federal unemployment benefits programs
WESA: After Heated Debate, Allegheny County Jail Oversight Board Members Narrowly Allow Controversial Training To Continue
WESA: Some Southwestern PA School Districts Divided On Statewide Mask Mandate Enforcement
Tribune Review: Experts: UPMC’s reputation is safe despite federal false billing allegations
City Paper: Pa. Senate candidate Val Arkoosh speaks to Pittsburghers about importance of protecting abortion access
City Paper: The Delta Foundation is trying to trademark the term “Pittsburgh Pride”
City Paper: Now Hiring: Communications Manager, a “Scream Team,” and more job openings this week in Pittsburgh

SWPA 
New Castle News: ‘I’d be dead today.’ Her own COVID-19 bout sends western Pennsylvania councilwoman on a mission to tell people to get vaccinated
Observer-Reporter: South Strabane considers appealing census data
Observer-Reporter: Advisory attorney assigned to Uniontown man charged in Capitol assault
Tribune Review: Greater Latrobe, Derry Area students plan walkouts to protest mask mandate
Tribune Review: Westmoreland pension fund at all-time high with $675 million banked
WTAE: Students in Westmoreland County planning school walkouts in protest of mask mandates Tuesday
WTAE: Some South Fayette residents fault township cleanup response after flooding, township says help coming
Beaver County Times: Beaver County’s COVID cases up 28.3%; Pennsylvania cases surge 12.8%

NEPA
The Times Leader: Cartwright touts need for child care, early learning in Plains Twp. visit
The Times Leader: Capitol Roundup: Shapiro warns of scams as Pennsylvania recovers from hurricane damage
The Times Leader: Toomey to visit Bear Creek Charter School in support of school choice
The Times Leader: Luzerne County added 21 workers in August, new report shows
The Times Leader: Group rallies for higher minimum wage on Wilkes-Barre’s Public Square
The Times Leader: Toohil’s Senior Citizens Expo to return Sept. 16
The Times Leader: Boback announces Patriot Day ceremony for 9/11
The Times Leader: West Pittston continues push for levee funding
The Times Leader: 46 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County on Monday; 1 death
Citizens Voice: Wolf’s office: Tamaqua school officials could be sued over defiance of state mask ban 
Citizens Voice: Former county, GOP official Dombroski-Gebhardt dies
Citizens Voice: 10 Children and Youth employees left last month; outside review to finish soon
Citizens Voice: Political Scene returns 
Citizens Voice: 46 new COVID-19 cases reported Monday in Luzerne County, one new death 
Times-Tribune: Scranton City Council returns from August recess Tuesday 
Times-Tribune: Local leaders honor workers to mark Labor Day
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County website knocked offline from network problem
Times-Tribune: NEPA adds 130 COVID-19 cases, one new death
Pocono Record: Poconos look toward upcoming fall tourist season, labor shortage

South Central  
York Daily Record: York County district attorney won’t prosecute citations related to school mask mandate 
York Daily Record: ‘No more cooks left’: York County continues to struggle with worker shortages 
York Dispatch: York County DA won’t pursue charges against mask mandate violators 
York Dispatch: York County funds new affordable housing projects 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Another staffing ‘crisis’ is brewing in Lancaster County Government, threatening court operations
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County’s economic recovery mired 14,000 jobs short of pre-pandemic level 
LNP | LancasterOnline: City of Lancaster ‘ahead of the game’ in removing lead hazards with HUD grant 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Bethany seeks foster parents for migrant children in northern Lancaster County; here’s how to apply 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Here’s how many COVID-19 cases were reported at Lancaster County schools this week
Carlisle Sentinel: Midstate officials: Number of pediatric COVID positives rising, though hospitalizations remain low 
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 66 new COVID-19 cases for Cumberland County Monday
Patriot News: HACC faculty hold protest on Labor Day in support of unionization 
Patriot News: COVID-19 is coming back to school too, central Pa. districts say

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: Sheriff deputies will provide extra security at Northampton Area school board meetings after GOP candidate says he’ll bring ‘strong men’ to confront pro-mask members 
Morning Call: Steelworkers mark Labor Day with return of Bethlehem parade: ‘People are starting to understand the value of workers again’
Morning Call: With gun violence resurgent in Allentown, police and community leaders work to build relationships on the streets
Morning Call: Tamaqua Area School District defies state, keeps masks optional
Reading Eagle: This is what could happen if schools don’t enforce the mask mandate in Pa. 
Reading Eagle: Berks resident’s redrawn map of Pa. legislative districts wins an award 
Reading Eagle: Funeral procession for former Reading mayor pauses at City Hall for salute of honor 
Reading Eagle: Hamburg School District superintendent won’t enforce Pa.’s mask mandate until board tells him to 
Reading Eagle: Reading awarded $3.3 million lead-based paint removal grant 
Reading Eagle: COVID cases continue to rise in Berks County with another delta record: 152 
WFMZ: Allentown City Council asks for input on Coronavirus relief aid 
WFMZ: Labor Unions are becoming more popular again, but have a long way to go 
WFMZ: PHOTOS: Solemn salute to former Reading mayor 
WFMZ: HUD grant to help mitigate lead hazards in Reading 
WFMZ: HASD superintendent on masks: ‘I don’t know what to do’ 
Express Times: Weekly Pa. COVID update: Delta causing hospitalization surge; school mask mandate starts Tuesday 
Express Times: U. Nazareth has a problem with horses roaming around. A new measure seeks to address it. 

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Yaw angry over Greenhouse Gas compact vote
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Area schools: No mask? No service
Centre Daily Times: Facing division, Centre County school districts prepare for PA mask mandate to take effect
Centre Daily Times: Centre County COVID-19 cases reach highs last seen in April as 1 new death reported

Opinion  
Carla Sands: Reimagining Education for ALL Students in Pennsylvania 
John L. Micek: Pa. Senate hopefuls who want to rein in big tech have major stock holdings | Friday Morning Coffee
Charlie Dent: The GOP’s Texas-sized mistake on abortion
Mark Pinsley: Pennsylvania should require proof of vaccination to enter bars, concerts, gyms and sporting events
Paul Muschick: COVID-19 thrust Dr. Rachel Levine into the spotlight. Now she’s using it to be a transgender advocate
Paul Muschick: Pennsylvania’s billionaires rolled in the dough during the pandemic while working stiffs suffered
Mark S. Singel: We shouldn’t tolerate hecklers in golf or in politics 
Michael Peifer: PHEAA delivers on its mission to help students pay for college 
Kendra Brooks and Elizabeth Fiedler: Philly’s first week of school marred by inconsistent expectations and a lack of transparency 
Joseph N. DiStefano: For the first time, rebels block PSERS management’s investment advice at state’s biggest pension fund
Rob Bair and Jacquelyn Bonomo: America can build back better with good-paying union jobs that strengthen our infrastructure 
Salena Zito: Our bargain for normal is failing 
David Callahan: The shale gas revolution is helping to meet the challenges of today’s complex world 
Richard A. Anderson: This pandemic is unquestionably one of the unvaccinated
Rosslyn Wuchinich and Nicolas O’Rourke: On Labor Day, recognizing Philly’s labor movement wins
Tony Hanna: Mark Twain of planners helped shape the Lehigh Valley
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: It’s about time: Mask mandate is necessary in Pennsylvania
Express Times Opinion Staff: A weak candidate in Northampton Co. talks of ’strong men’ and proves his idiocy | Turkeys & Trophies
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Sorrowful opioid epidemic is ongoing and Pennsylvania disaster declaration should be have been continued 
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: ‘Audit’ idiocy and peddling of the Big Lie persist in Pennsylvania, with help from Lancaster County state Rep. Dave Zimmerman 
Inquirer Editorial Board: 20 years after 9/11, reflecting on grief, justice, and vengeance 
Inquirer: These Philadelphians share their memories of 9/11, two decades later
PennLive Editorial Board: You can’t put a price on the human suffering drug companies unleashed pushing opioids 
Mark O’Keefe: The Philly ‘burbs grew over the last decade. That’s a problem for the GOP 
Sunny Ghai: Zoning laws were meant for warehouses. We need to address new 24/7 ‘fulfillment centers’
Jennifer Lin: Smoke, debris and pedestrians covered with dust: An Inquirer reporter’s memories of Sept. 11 
Karly Matthews: The urban-rural climate divide should be bridged by nature
Sheela Jane Menon, Ph.D.: ‘Pro-life’ Catholic schools should mandate children wear masks in the classroom 
Chris Kelly: Activist’s Scranton connections aid escape from Taliban
Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia: A legacy of immigration exclusion and racism followed the tragedy of 9/11 
Will Bunch: Forget unity. Good people must fight to save America from a widening abyss
Will Bunch: We knew America would never be the same after 9/11. We didn’t know how bad. 
Laurie D. Olin: ‘The towers were burning’: The view of 9/11 as a train from Philly pulled into New York 
Keith C. Burris: Will folly march on?
David M. Shribman: The way we were
Albert Eisenberg: There are fair compromises on LGBT protections — but the “Equality Act” falls short
Chris Comisac: Gov. Wolf has worn out his welcome
The Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Salsgiver: An open letter to Sen. Mike Regan 
Jay S. Bookman: Threats against nurses, school boards rage on as mainstream GOP stands by 
Andrew Read: Vaccines could affect how the coronavirus evolves – but that’s no reason to skip your shot
Ruth Ann Dailey: What’s in a pronoun?
Allison Stevens: Cleaning up ‘forever chemicals’ must be a federal priority 
Brigette Herbst: School uncertainty erodes the trust of our most vulnerable students
John Cole: The big hole in Pa.’s COVID-19 safety net for children
Ask Amy: Parents ponder COVID risk to their kids
Jay Lynch: Biden needs to do better 
Robin Angerton: Kudos to Gov. Wolf for mandating masks in schools 
Peter Schorr: The opioid epidemic is far from over 
James Johnson: Political correctness is trumping biological truth
Kalim A. Bhatti: The Taliban do not understand the rights Islam grants to women 
Jack Freed: I support the withdrawal from Afghanistan 
Janice Myers: Families need access to affordable child care