The state receives $75 million in federal aid to combat the opioid crisis. Here is the Playbook. 

September 6th Ups & Downs: The Mayor of Philadelphia unfairly picks a fight with Philadelphia Magazine, statewide elected officials Twitter accounts receives some recognition, and the PAGOP makes two new hires to their staff. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

AFL-CIO Digital Ad Runs in PA: According to Politico, AFL-CIO launched a two-week digital ad campaign in five states, including Pennsylvania, encouraging workers to unionize. The ads began on Labor Day and will run on Youtube, and it’s audio will stream on Spotify and Pandora. 

Legislative Elections Update
HD-20: Emily Kinkead, a lawyer from Brighton Heights, has announced a primary bid for the state’s 20th House District against incumbent state Rep. Adam Ravenstahl (D-Allegheny), according to WESA. Kinkead is the second Democrat who has announced a primary challenge to Ravenstahl, joining Bellevue Mayor Emily Marburger. 

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Governor to take Tree of Life mezuzah to Holocaust memorials
AP: Pennsylvania gets $75M more in federal aid for opioid fight
Post-Gazette: Vice President Mike Pence to speak at Flight 93 Memorial on 9/11 
KDKA: Vice President Mike Pence To Speak At 9/11 Anniversary Ceremony In Somerset Co. 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pennsylvania’s property tax, explained: A moral wrong, or the building block of government finance?
Inquirer: Charter school advocates fume as Pa. says it will charge fees to consider payment disputes 
Inquirer: Trump bashes Comcast and then joins with the media giant to limit civil rights suits, law professors say
Inquirer: 35 years after her parents’ murders, city and state prosecutors fight over death-row inmate’s appeal
PLSReporter: Colleagues remember late Rep. Rick Geist as an instrumental figure in transportation policy
PLSReporter: Lawmakers eye firework reform following summer recess
PLSReporter: Did You Get The Memo? Gender-neutral driver’s licenses, PFAS restrictions and sex reassignment surgeries
KYW Newsradio: Pa Turnpike tests smartphone app to pay tolls
Fox News: OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma expected to file for bankruptcy after stalled settlement talks  
Patriot News: This Pa. county is one of 10 nationwide that could decide 2020 election: Report
Patriot News: Vice president’s address to highlight 9/11 observance at Flight 93 National Memorial
Patriot News: Pa. auditor general offers employee buyouts in wake of budget cut, warns layoffs may follow 
Patriot News: Indictment of former Pa. priest signals aggressive new reach by federal prosecutors in clergy sex abuse investigation

Philadelphia 
Inquirer: 2 ex-homicide prosecutors sue Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner, city, alleging age discrimination 
Inquirer: Charter school advocates fume as Pa. says it will charge fees to consider payment disputes 
Inquirer: Why is gun violence in Philly ‘exploding’ when solutions exist?
Inquirer: Do conservative students face bias in the college classroom? Penn State prof and lifelong Republican says very little, if any
Inquirer: Hahnemann becomes the 20th Philadelphia hospital to close its doors since 1977   
Inquirer: Need a cheap Lyft to the supermarket? For some PHA residents, this pilot program is the wheel deal
Inquirer: Driven by death threats from El Salvador, a family finds safety at a West Philly synagogue 
Inquirer: Trump bashes Comcast and then joins with the media giant to limit civil rights suits, law professors say
WHYY Newsworks: Philly creates new loading zones to ease traffic in Center City
Philadelphia Magazine: What If There Was a City Official Whose Only Job Was to Make Philly Better for Kids?
Philadelphia Magazine: Money, Time, and Happiness: We Polled Philly Teachers About How Much They Like Their Jobs
KYW Newsradio: Abu-Jamal defense files new appeal in Pa. Superior Court, accusing prosecution of misconduct

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Toomey talks tariffs and recession skepticism at Quakertown meeting
Bucks County Courier Times: Charter school reform high among governor’s priorities 
Bucks County Courier Times: New PFAS investigation: Five things you need to know 
Bucks County Courier Times: Human Services secretary volunteers at Fresh Connect in Bristol Township
Delco Daily Times: The Delco 2019 Election: GOP, Dems, already battling hard for 3 seats on County Council, D.A. post 
Delco Daily Times: Voting machine eyed by Delco sparks concern; Pa., company say it’s fine
Delco Daily Times: Fire company fires back at Haverford’s decision to shut it down 
Delco Daily Times: Scanlon pays visit to Chester Housing sites 
Delco Daily Times: Sheriff deputies clear room after Election Board member falls ill at meeting.
Daily Local News: Killion praises Supreme Court direction on protecting survivors of domestic violence
Daily Local News: GOP D.A. hopeful in Chesco sees opportunity to ‘do the right thing’
Daily Local News: Chesco Dems: Pipeline ‘dust-up’ a threat to unity
Daily Local News: SMALL TALK: State capitols in the United States something to behold
Daily Local News: Chester County getting $61 million to fund bridge repairs
Daily Local News: Rep. Williams hosting Senior Fair Sept. 19 in Coatesville
Inquirer: Here’s how a Montco school district created a tax relief program that others want to copy
Pottstown Mercury: Meeting on race set in West Chester for Monday
Pottstown Mercury: Pottstown gets no help with $1M storm damage bill

Pittsburgh  
WESA: Candidates Line Up To Challenge Ravenstahl — And More Primary Fights Likely Next Year
Tribune Review: Employers rethink coverage choices as employees lament getting shut out of UPMC-Highmark deal
Tribune Review: Former Obama advisor to participate in women’s health care symposium in Pittsburgh
KDKA: Vice President Mike Pence To Speak At 9/11 Anniversary Ceremony In Somerset Co. 
KDKA: Bethel Park Physician And Councilman Helping Areas Impacted By Hurricane Dorian
City Paper: Stay woke: A round-up of educational and social justice events this week in Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Gov. Wolf says he hopes overseas gestures bring ‘some solace’ to Tree of Life survivors
Post-Gazette: County schedules mock elections with vendors, cancels Sept. 9 Board of Elections meeting
Post-Gazette: Bike riders pedal for change in state law 
Post-Gazette: Pa. Turnpike installing fiber optic system, to lease extra capacity 
Post-Gazette: McKeesport City Council approves plans for intermodal operation at RIDC Park 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Here’s how local colleges fared in this year’s WSJ/Times Higher Education ranking
Pittsburgh Business Times: PPG announces partnership with U.S. Department of Energy
Pittsburgh Business Times: UPMC identifies health care needs for Allegheny County
PLSReporter: Audit of Pittsburgh Police Confiscated Narcotics Proceeds Trust Fund and Imprest Fund finds poor bookkeeping, but no major impropriety

SWPA
Observer-Reporter: Senate hearing on high-speed broadband internet access highlights infrastructural challenges ahead
Observer-Reporter: Monessen council renews efforts to oust Shorraw and Coles from office
Observer-Reporter: Census training people for ‘Complete Count,’ also hiring census takers
Observer-Reporter: Staniszewski’s lawyer sends response letter to governor
Observer-Reporter: Ortitay to hold Senior Health Expo
Beaver County Times: Local taxpayers foot the bill for Trump visit
Beaver County Times: Public can review DEP record on chemical fire
Beaver County Times: Shell grant to extend Beaver County recycling program
Beaver County Times: Wolf to honor Tree of Life victims, visit Guard members on trip to Lithuania, Poland
Altoona Mirror: Bedford to host 9/11 event
Altoona Mirror: Coal cleanup could generate revenue
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Effort to help adult survivors of sex abuse to get aired at Capitol
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Flight 93 National Memorial: Park service ready for anniversary of Sept. 11
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Prison staffing woes: Union argues more officers are needed at state facilities
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Prison staffing woes: Union argues more officers are needed at state facilities
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Declining inmate numbers, budget crunch spurs prison closing

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Just two third-party candidates for Scranton mayor file papers so far
Times-Tribune: Regional GateHouse papers consolidating, Wayne Independent cutting back circulation
The Times Leader: Court order officially approves changes in election districting
The Times Leader: Luzerne County borrowing plan set for presentation Tuesday 
Citizens Voice: DePasquale aims to help firefighters’ associations 
Citizens Voice: POLITICAL SCENE 
Citizens Voice: Borrowing plan for 911 reaches county council this month 
Citizens Voice: County council to vote on tax break request 
Citizens Voice: Student’s plan for feminine products implemented

South Central  
Patriot News: Harrisburg mayor calls for resignation of county commissioner whose ex-wife said he once hit her 
Patriot News: Pa. auditor general offers employee buyouts in wake of budget cut, warns layoffs may follow 
Patriot News: Legislative committee schedules hearing on Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania 
Patriot News: Attorney Susan K. Pickford announces independent run for Cumberland County judge 
Patriot News: ‘Specific threat’ of violence on Facebook led to arrest of leader of Dauphin County Prison protesters, official says 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster city wants to repeal 2017 state fireworks law that loosened fireworks regulations 
Carlisle Sentinel: Reclaiming the Square: What impact do rallies have on policy?
Carlisle Sentinel: Reclaiming the Square: Protests, rallies increase on the Carlisle Square as political discord rises
York Dispatch: York County districts shoulder burden as security costs become ‘new normal’

Lehigh Valley     
Reading Eagle: The Rundown: GOP businessman challenging Houlahan 
Reading Eagle: Reading projects big and small stir optimism, but concerns remain 
Reading Eagle: Reading may owe ‘sizeable’ amount to Reading Parking Authority 
Morning Call: New Pennsylvania law allows ‘zombie’ liquor licenses to cross county lines. Up to 75 could go to this huge Poconos resort 
Morning Call: After Pennsylvania Open Records agency says LCB should release data, LCB takes lawmaker to court 
Morning Call: At Citizens’ Academy, find out everything you wanted to know about Lehigh County but were afraid to ask 
Morning Call: Morffi Marks sworn in as Lehigh County judge 

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Ex-Congressman finds a new job
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Muncy supervisors to meet with county officials over zoning
Erie Times-News: City of Erie in danger of losing $425,000 from Parking Authority
Erie Times-News: Green New Deal to be subject of Meadville town hall 

Opinion  
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Deep roots: We need to eradicate the culture of gun violence
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Resist the hype: There’s no recession, not today
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A new mission statement: Business Roundtable to focus less on shareholders
Post-Gazette Editorial Board:  Learning a lesson: Increase wages for crossing guards, cafeteria workers
Inquirer Editorial Board: Inquirer Editorial Board’s to-do list for City Council 
Inquirer Editorial Board: Philly City Council members share their priorities for the new session. We’ll be watching.
Inquirer Editorial Board: Shopping malls as residential centers? OK, if all levels of income are included.
York Dispatch Editorial Board: EDITORIAL: GOP targeting its own voters
Vincent Hughes: This new PHEAA loan program will help keep Pa’s students moving forward
Mike Folmer: What would you have done?  
John L. Micek: Pa. Dems blast Toomey’s ‘confidential’ talks on background checks bill | Friday Morning Coffee
Keith C. Burris: Pittsburgh needs to talk about this
Alexander J. Stewart and Joshua B. Plotkin: Here’s what happens when political bubbles collide
Tim Hartman: How (not) to take the politics out of redistricting | Editorial Cartoon
Karen Kane: Back to the drawing board for County Council
Keith Naughton: Where the presidential race stands: Biden’s strange advantage
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Our national lightbulb policy screwup
Trudy Rubin: Ending the Afghan ‘forever war’: Trump will fail by imitating Obama 
John L. Micek: Trump’s building a wall — and the military will pay for it in more ways than one 
Maria Panaritis: These alleged abuser priests were scot-free for decades – until they weren’t. 
David M. Shribman: Boston police strike of 1919 still raises fundamental questions
Will Bunch: Train wreck Britain still shows America a thing or 2 about political courage, cowardice 
Brian O’Neill: Pitt sends in the trademark police
Gene Collier: So you wanna be my school bus driver?
Michael Kim: An opioid success story: Efforts to minimize painkillers after surgery appear to be working | Analysis