Gov. Tom Wolf talked about the school mask mandate in a visit to Montgomery County on Wednesday. Here is the Playbook. 

‘Gov. Wolf makes case for mask mandate in visit to Norristown’: Montgomery Media reports that “Gov. Tom Wolf and education officials from across the state stopped in Norristown Wednesday afternoon with a simple message: “The goal this year is not just to start the year with kids in school. It’s to keep the kids in school throughout this year.””

‘Biden asked to declare disaster in Pennsylvania due to storm’: The Associated Press reports that “Gov. Tom Wolf is asking President Biden to declare a major disaster in Pennsylvania due to heavy rains, severe flash flooding and tornadoes in the commonwealth last week from the remnants of Hurricane Ida.”

‘Lou Barletta’s seeking a political comeback as Pennsylvania governor’: City & State PA highlights former Congressman Lou Barletta’s campaign for Governor. 

‘Publisher to reissue Pa. senator’s WWI book with corrections’: The Associated Press reports that “the academic press that published a Pennsylvania state senator’s book about World War I hero Sgt. Alvin York has asked him to review a list of factual errors and sourcing issues in the book and the press’ director said Tuesday it plans to publish a corrected version early next year.”

‘Fetterman campaign touts more than 300,000 individual contributions in Senate bid’: The Hill reports that “Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman’s (D) Senate campaign announced Wednesday that it has received more than 300,000 individual campaign contributions.”

‘Ethics panel announces four investigations’: Roll Call reports that “the House Ethics Committee announced on Tuesday it is investigating four members: Democrat Tom Malinowski of New Jersey and Republicans Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania, Jim Hagedorn of Minnesota and Alex X. Mooney of West Virginia.”

‘Jake Corman joins parents suing over state’s school mask mandate’: City & State PA reports that “Jake Corman, the president pro tempore of the state Senate, announced this week that he and a group of other parents are asking the Commonwealth Court to halt Gov. Tom Wolf’s current mask mandate, which requires indoor masking in all schools across the state.”

‘After losing primary, Harrisburg mayor poised to announce write-in campaign decision’: PennLive reports that “Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse has made a decision on whether to mount a write-in campaign in the fall general election to try to keep his job for a third term. He hasn’t said what that decision is. But he said he made it over the holiday weekend.”

‘Majority of voters want fracking in Pennsylvania to end, says poll’: Pittsburgh City Paper reports that “according to a recent poll commissioned for the sustainably minded think tank Ohio River Valley Institute, 55% of Pennsylvania voters support the immediate or eventual end of natural gas drilling, aka fracking, in the commonwealth.”

‘Pittsburgh City Council in support of $500 monthly payments to low-income residents’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “two hundred low-income city residents could be the recipients of $500 in unrestricted monthly cash assistance for two years if Pittsburgh City Council gives a final nod of approval next week.”

‘Allegheny County Sick Leave Bill Sails Through Committee, Final Vote Expected Next Week’: WESA reports that “an Allegheny County Council committee has unanimously endorsed a proposal to require paid sick time at workplaces across the county.”

‘‘Unfortunate but necessary’: Anthony Hamlet to resign as Pittsburgh Public Schools superintendent’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Anthony Hamlet, who has faced increasing criticism in recent weeks following a state report that accused him of several ethical violations, informed the school board that he will resign as district chief effective in October.”

‘Scavo pleads guilty to Capitol riot role, faces six months in prison’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “Former Old Forge School Director Frank Scavo’s illegal incursion into the “citadel of liberty” could cost him his freedom. Scavo, 59, pleaded guilty Wednesday to his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and faces up to six months in a federal prison, though his lawyer, attorney Ernie Preate Jr., plans to argue against jailing Scavo.”

‘Ditka makes endorsement for PA governor’: The Beaver County Times reports that “Mike Ditka, a Pro Football Hall of Fame coach and player for the Chicago Bears and Aliquippa graduate, said he believes Pittsburgh attorney Jason Richey would be a tough leader who would bring change and solutions to Pennsylvania and steel towns like their shared hometown.”

‘Pittsburgh Public Schools, Teachers Union Finalize Employee COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement’: KDKA reports that “a new agreement for Pittsburgh Public Schools and the teachers union is now signed and sealed.”

‘Most York County school districts comply with mask order, but some hope it is overturned’: The York Daily Record reports that “most school districts in York County say they will comply with the state’s school mask order, but some have publicly voiced their opposition to it.”

‘Pandemonium at York County school board meeting as parents refuse masks: Video’: The York Dispatch reports that “chaos erupted in the South Western High School auditorium Wednesday night when the school board canceled its emergency board meeting because attendees refused to wear masks.”

‘Lorgus runs for West Chester mayor’: The Daily Local News reports that “businessman Eric Lorgus seeks to become the borough’s next mayor.”

‘Amtrak sets meeting to discuss proposed routes in Pa.’: WFMZ reports that “ Amtrak is planning to bring a host of local leaders together to discuss its plan to expand passenger train service in Pennsylvania, including Berks County and the Lehigh Valley.”

‘Midstate Congressman Scott Perry among 11 Republicans asking for phone records to remain hidden in Jan 6 investigation’: ABC27 reports that “Midstate Congressman Scott Perry does not want his phone records from January 6 revealed to those investigating the insurrection. Perry and 10 other Republicans sent a letter to multiple communications companies telling them not to reveal their phone records or online posts from that day.”

‘Voices of Westmoreland, volunteers encourage Reschenthaler to support ‘Build Back Better’ agenda’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that “soaring income inequality. A lack of home care workers statewide. Green-industry jobs that can keep young families in the area. Those were just a few of the reasons a group of about a dozen people, including representatives from nonprofit Voice of Westmoreland, held a protest outside U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler’s Greensburg office Wednesday afternoon.”

‘Lancaster County to ask Lancaster Township for zoning change to accommodate new prison site’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “Lancaster County officials are preparing to take the next step toward finalizing its $3 million purchase of more than 75 acres of farmland south of Lancaster city for the construction of a new prison.” 

‘Scranton City Council introduces 2022 capital budget, which includes potential flood control project funding’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “at its first meeting after the August recess, city council introduced legislation Tuesday approving and accepting the capital spending plan, which includes cost projections through 2026.”

‘Wilson board hears arguments to ban critical race theory’: WFMZ reports that “the Wilson School Board on Tuesday night heard from several community members who asked for a resolution to be adopted to eliminate critical race theory from the curriculum and from a proposed equity policy.”

‘Protests continue in Westmoreland County over state’s mask mandate in schools’: WTAE reports that “protests continued at multiple school districts in Westmoreland County Wednesday as dozens of students and parents voiced their frustrations over the state’s mask mandate in schools.”

‘Charles Roca confirmed as new Allentown police chief in unanimous City Council vote, is 1st Latino to lead department’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “Charles Roca became Allentown’s first Latino permanent police chief Wednesday. City Council voted 7-0 to confirm Roca, who has been interim chief since June 16, city spokesperson Mike Moore said.”

‘Bethlehem creates Lehigh Valley’s 1st tax incentive to boost affordable housing’: Lehigh Valley Live reports that “Bethlehem City Council enacted the new Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance, or LERTA, in two 4-3 votes Tuesday night…” 

‘Commissioners approve modifications to Greene County budget’: The Observer-Reporter reports that “Greene County commissioners approved various modifications to the current county budget during their Sept. 2 meeting.”

Barletta Announces Co-Chairs for Public Safety Advisory Board: Former Congressman Lou Barletta, who is seeking the GOP nomination for Governor, announced the co-chairs for his campaign’s “Public Safety Advisory Board.” According to a press release, the advisory board will be co-chaired by IAFF 22 President Mike Bresnan, Dauphin County Sheriff Nicholas Chimienti, Jr., former City of Hazleton Chief of Police Frank DeAndrea, Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association President John Eckenrode, Public Safety Subject Matter Expert Ben Mannes, and Butler County Sheriff Michael Slupe.

Toomey Names New Deputy Comms Director: POLITICO reports that “Amy Hasenberg is now deputy comms director for Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.). She previously was deputy comms director for the House Oversight GOP.”

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: US Senate race in Pennsylvania takes personal turn
AP: Biden asked to declare disaster in Pennsylvania due to storm
AP: Publisher to reissue Pa. senator’s WWI book with corrections 
USA Today: SCOTUS decision on Texas abortion law emboldens Pa. GOP, energizes Dems running for office
Inquirer: Gov. Tom Wolf and teachers say kids are cool with masks: ‘It feels like an adult problem’
Inquirer: After Ida destroyed hundreds of Pa. homes and caused more than $100 million in damage, residents await disaster relief 
Inquirer: Food insecurity rose ‘significantly’ in households with children and among people of color, report finds
Inquirer: Pa. and N.J. jobless workers just lost their unemployment benefits as federal aid expired
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Democrats, GOP lawmakers in Pa., elsewhere push back against partisan election reviews
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. adds more COVID hospitalizations, more than 500 in intensive care units
Patriot News: National ban on evictions has ended, but there are still billions in stimulus money for struggling renters waiting for use 
Patriot News: UPMC cites ‘truly alarming’ number of young, healthy – often unvaccinated – people stricken with COVID-19 
Patriot News: Black business professionals talk about lack of diversity: ‘We need to be people of action, not tokens’
Patriot News: COVID-19 hospitalizations continue upward trend in Pa.
Roll Call: Ethics panel announces four investigations
Morning Call: Pennsylvania takes no action on rule-breaking treatment centers as drug crisis heads toward ‘record-breaking’ year
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: Vaccinations flat over 30 days as hospitalizations double, deaths quadruple
City & State PA: Lou Barletta’s seeking a political comeback as Pennsylvania governor 
City & State PA: Jake Corman joins parents suing over state’s school mask mandate
City Paper: Majority of voters want fracking in Pennsylvania to end, says poll
Pittsburgh Business Times: Wolf, Ortega defend school masking policy
KYW Newsradio: Wolf requests federal major disaster declaration; severe weather, more floods possible in Pa., NJ
KDKA: Questions Surround Exemptions To Pennsylvania’s Mask Mandate In Schools 
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pennsylvania: State Reports 4,391 New Cases, 38 Additional Deaths And Over 2,000 Current Hospitalizations
The Hill: Fetterman campaign touts more than 300,000 individual contributions in Senate bid
The Hill: Senate candidate reveals Trump-endorsed primary rival’s wife sought protective order
6ABC: Gov. Wolf requests President Biden declare major disaster in Pennsylvania after storms
WESA: Former State Police Commissioner Colonel Paul Evanko On Responding To The Events Of September 11
Post-Gazette: Pa. Department of Health says mu variant not yet found in state
CNN: Man who organized buses for 200 people to travel to DC pleads guilty in US Capitol riot probe
Huffington Post: Trumper Who Chartered Buses To Jan. 6 Rally Pleads Guilty In Capitol Breach Case  

Philadelphia 
KYW Newsradio: Philly Council, under threat of COVID-19, decides to continue meeting remotely
WHYY Newsworks: Why did new buildings flood in Philly? Outdated FEMA maps and building code
WHYY Newsworks: Philadelphia Parking Authority holding town hall to keep people out of trouble 
Inquirer: Pa. prisons pledge reform and agree to pay $8.5 million after Philly man died from pepper spray
Inquirer: Philly-area COVID-19 cases are leveling off, but health community is ‘bracing for an uptick’ heading into fall

SEPA
Montgomery Media: Gov. Wolf makes case for mask mandate in visit to Norristown
Daily Local News: Lorgus runs for West Chester mayor
Daily Local News: Coatesville City manager urges residents to seek support as community recovery from Ida remains ‘fluid’ 
Daily Local News: Many victims of Ida in Chester County take advantage of multi-agency assistance 
Delco Daily Times: Delaware County Sheriff’s office earns law enforcement accreditation 
Delco Daily Times: Delaware County marks 20th anniversary of 9/11
Bucks County Courier Times: Wolf calls for disaster declaration as Bucks, Montco scramble to help
Bucks County Courier Times: What you need to know about Wolf’s request for Ida relief aid from FEMA
WHYY Newsworks: Wolf stumps for school mask mandate in Norristown visit, downplays critics
WHYY Newsworks: ‘We lost everything’: Montco residents flock to resource center for help recovering from Ida  
WHYY Newsworks: Bucks County lost 18 on Sept. 11. Two decades later, a memorial in their honor offers solace
Delaware Valley Journal: Enjoy Community and Fun at the Chester County Balloon Festival
KYW Newsradio: Lines wrap around county help centers set up for residents displaced by Ida
Morning Call: Gov. Tom Wolf wants a federal disaster declaration for Bucks, Montgomery, other counties to help pay for $117 million in damage caused by Tropical Depression Ida
WFMZ: Gov. Wolf requests disaster declarations for Bucks, Montgomery, other counties affected by flooding
WFMZ: Gov. Wolf surveys storm damage in Montco

Pittsburgh 
WESA: Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Resigns Amid Ethics Controversy, Transportation Fallout  
WESA: Allegheny County Sick Leave Bill Sails Through Committee, Final Vote Expected Next Week 
WESA: Pittsburgh City Council Has First Vote On Guaranteed Income, Bereavement Leave 
WESA: Pittsburgh Events Commemorate 9/11, Two Decades Later 
WESA: Allegheny County Health Officials See A Dramatic Increase In COVID-19 Cases Among Kids
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh City Council in support of $500 monthly payments to low-income residents 
Post-Gazette: ‘Unfortunate but necessary’: Anthony Hamlet to resign as Pittsburgh Public Schools superintendent 
Post-Gazette: Dormont ordinance would prohibit discrimination 
Post-Gazette: UPMC sees modest increase in COVID-19 cases among children, warns risk is higher than ‘any other time’
Post-Gazette: Allegheny, state COVID-19 cases continue to rise; some schools see outbreaks
KDKA: Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers Surprised By Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Anthony Hamlet’s Resignation
KDKA: Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot Gets Pittsburgh City Council’s Initial Approval
KDKA: Pittsburgh Public Schools, Teachers Union Finalize Employee COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement    
KDKA: UPMC Says An Alarming Number Of COVID Patients Are In Their 20s And 30s 
KDKA: COVID-19 Cases Sharply Rise In Allegheny County Kids Too Young To Be Vaccinated
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny County Reports 450 New Cases, 19 Additional Deaths 
WTAE: Pittsburgh Public Schools Supt. Hamlet’s resignation: Fallout and reaction continues 
WTAE: Pittsburgh city council considering traffic regulations for e-scooter company
Pittsburgh Business Times: Report looks at how Pittsburgh could become major player in global autonomy development, but more work is needed 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Anthony Hamlet to resign 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Bogen says it’ll be a few weeks before masking mandate cuts down on Covid cases
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Anthony Hamlet resigns
Tribune Review: Health director: Children 12 and under made up 12% of Allegheny County’s covid cases last month 
City Paper: Pittsburgh Public Schools superintendent Anthony Hamlet resigns 

SWPA 
Beaver County Times: Ditka makes endorsement for PA governor
Tribune Review: Voices of Westmoreland, volunteers encourage Reschenthaler to support ‘Build Back Better’ agenda  
Tribune Review: Former Shanksville-area students recall 9/11 terrorist attacks 20 years later
Tribune Review: Franklin Regional parents protest mask mandate
Tribune Review: Beaver County man pleads to misdemeanor count in Capitol riot case
Observer-Reporter: Commissioners approve modifications to Greene County budget
WTAE: Protests continue in Westmoreland County over state’s mask mandate in schools
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: More than 200 COVID-19 cases found in area school-aged children in one week
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Schools reinstate mask mandate as GOP lawmakers plan response
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Coordinator quits; another setback for Somerset County’s efforts to revive recycling program
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Greater Johnstown’s Arcurio: Mask mandate has ‘gone really well’
KDKA: Beaver County Man Who ‘Sat In Pelosi’s Chair’ During Jan. 6 Capitol Riots Enters Guilty Plea
KDKA: Some Franklin Regional Parents Protest Statewide School Mask Mandate
KDKA: Canon-McMillan School Board Meeting Adjourned After Some People Refused To Wear Masks
Altoona Mirror: Supervisors invite rezoning debate
Altoona Mirror: PennDOT requests input on proposal

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Scavo pleads guilty to Capitol riot role, faces six months in prison 
Times-Tribune: Scranton City Council introduces 2022 capital budget, which includes potential flood control project funding 
Times-Tribune: Statewide mask mandate begins for Pennsylvania schools, Tamaqua Area defies of state order 
Times-Tribune: Federal agents track down fourth NEPA suspect in Jan. 6 Capitol riot 
Times-Tribune: New COVID-19 cases, deaths way up in last two weeks 
The Times Leader: Scavo pleads guilty to misdemeanor
The Times Leader: Luzerne County election consultant meets virtually with staff 
The Times Leader: 92 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County on Wednesday; 2 deaths
Citizens Voice: State treasurer visits LCCC to promote college savings accounts
Citizens Voice: Almost 100 new COVID-19 cases reported in county

South Central 
Patriot News: After losing primary, Harrisburg mayor poised to announce write-in campaign decision 
ABC27: Midstate Congressman Scott Perry among 11 Republicans asking for phone records to remain hidden in Jan 6 investigation
York Daily Record: Most York County school districts comply with mask order, but some hope it is overturned 
York Daily Record: Crowded emergency rooms: York County hospitals are seeing the effects of a fall COVID surge
York Dispatch: Pandemonium at York County school board meeting as parents refuse masks: Video 
York Dispatch: York County school board meeting cut short amid masking controversy 
York Dispatch: ‘A slap in the face’: Central York students protest ban on diversity resources 
York Dispatch: COVID-19 hospitalizations on rise in York County, 175 new cases Wednesday
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 81 new COVID-19 cases reported for Cumberland County Wednesday
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County to ask Lancaster Township for zoning change to accommodate new prison site
LNP | LancasterOnline: COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths rise in Lancaster County, but pace of new cases shows some signs of leveling off

Lehigh Valley      
WFMZ: Amtrak sets meeting to discuss proposed routes in Pa. 
WFMZ: Hamburg, Tulpehocken vote to follow Pa. mask mandate 
WFMZ: South Side Bethlehem LERTA district could boost affordable housing 
WFMZ: Wilson board hears arguments to ban critical race theory 
Morning Call: Charles Roca confirmed as new Allentown police chief in unanimous City Council vote, is 1st Latino to lead department 
Morning Call: Lehigh Valley hospitals once again filling up with COVID patients
Express Times: Bethlehem creates Lehigh Valley’s 1st tax incentive to boost affordable housing 
Express Times: Bethlehem weighs COVID vaccine mandate for public employees. All options on the table. 
Reading Eagle: Hamburg School Board votes to follow Pa. mask mandate 
Reading Eagle: Tulpehocken School Board agrees to follow Pa. school mask mandate
Reading Eagle: Executive director of authority overseeing BARTA retires
Reading Eagle: Berks adds 118 new COVID cases

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Erie County’s COVID-19 hospitalizations decline, but new cases continue to rise
Inquirer: Penn State is again recognized for being LGBTQ-friendly
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County commissioners, controller at odds over hiring
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Community Development Block Grant funding approved for projects throughout Lycoming County
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Public safety director discussion given no recommendation by Williamsport City Council’s finance committee
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Williamsport City Hall workers have until Sept. 20 to exit condemned building
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Williamsport City Council’s finance committee hears from accessibility specialists

Opinion  
Mike Regan: Fighting for Children and Parents
David La Torre: Memories of 9/11: What it was like to meet the devastated families of Flight 93 heroes
John L. Micek: Here’s what Pa. lawmakers aren’t coming back early to fix | Thursday Morning Coffee
Joyce M. Davis: U.S. troops may have left Afghanistan, but many Pa. families fear for people left behind | Social Views
Ernest Owens: Philly’s Budget Treats Gun Violence Like It’s a Tomorrow Problem
York Dispatch Editorial Board: Both sides must give a little to pass desperately needed infrastructure legislation
Inquirer Editorial Board: How Philadelphia adapts to our growing pains will be the story of the next decade 
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Marking the 20th anniversary of 9/11 is painful, but forgetting would be worse 
Patriot News: Helping undocumented migrant children in Pennsylvania is the topic of PennLive’s Editorial Board meeting today on Facebook Live
Mike Danay: Pa. casino worker: Stop making me breathe in secondhand smoke 
Daniel Vinsand: I was an officer in Afghanistan. Here’s what I want Americans to know as we welcome refugees. 
Randy Padfield: Memories of 9/11: Vivid images of NYC without the Twin Towers and a horizon filled with dust, smoke
Chad Dion Lassiter: We need to learn from history now more than ever 
Michael Coard: For Black businesses to succeed, we need to ‘Do for Self’ first 
Lawrence Eighmy: How Lehigh Valley-based Mountain Bike Afghanistan is shifting gears
Ray E. Landis: Saving Social Security and Medicare means we need a fairer, more robust payroll tax 
Christine Flowers: Rats vs. rats: Lest ye be judged
Frank Suran: Our democracy is a work in progress 
Buzz Lattuca: You can get a free shot or pay for a hospital stay from COVID-19