Former President George W. Bush will deliver the keynote address at the annual September 11 Observance at Flight 93 National Memorial near Shanksville to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of 9/11. Here is the Playbook.
Biden and Harris To Visit Flight 93 Memorial on 9/11: Vice President Kamala Harris will attend the annual observance ceremony, while President Joe Biden will visit the site later in the day.
‘Republicans start election ‘investigation’ in Pennsylvania’: The Associated Press reports that “Republicans in Pennsylvania’s state Senate held their first hearing Thursday in what they call a “forensic investigation” into last year’s presidential election, an underwhelming affair that Democrats nevertheless say is an extension of a national campaign to attack voting rights following former President Donald Trump’s loss.”
‘‘It’s a Rubik’s Cube’: Pa. grapples with competing redistricting priorities’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “some advocates organized a coalition of dozens of academic and civic groups known as Draw the Lines PA, which is led by the Committee of Seventy, a Philadelphia-based good government organization, have already released their own map as a starting point.”
‘Pa. school mask lawsuit backed by group that challenged 2020 election results’: Spotlight PA reports that Jake Corman “helped file a lawsuit backed by a conservative, nonprofit law firm with ties to former President Donald Trump that has led litigation to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election, including in Pennsylvania.”
‘Top Pa. Senate Republican calls for subpoenas for Dept. of State in election probe’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “as expected, Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman has called for subpoenas for the Department of State after the agency skipped the first of a series of taxpayer-funded hearings on alleged irregularities in the 2020 and 2021 elections.”
‘Loophole allows some Pennsylvania students to avoid masking’: The Associated Press reports that “an apparent loophole in Pennsylvania’s mask mandate for schools is making it easier for some students to go to class without having to cover their faces, even as state education regulators sought to make an example of one openly defiant school board.”
‘Capital-Star Q+A: Longtime GOP activist Charlie Gerow thinks he’s the man to beat in 2022’: Charlie Gerow, who is running for the GOP nomination for Governor, talked with the Pennsylvania Capital-Star for a Q&A about his campaign.
‘Pennsylvania state Sen. Pat Browne injured in motorcycle crash’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “Pennsylvania state Sen. Pat Browne is expected to recover after being injured in a motorcycle crash in Colorado on Aug. 31.”
‘John Fetterman wants Democrats to stop wasting time and eliminate the filibuster’: CNN reports that “John Fetterman thinks Senate Democrats are making a big mistake. The party has a rare opportunity with a majority in Congress and control of the White House. But Fetterman, Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor who is running for Senate, fears Democrats are wasting that opportunity by not eliminating the filibuster and failing to enact key priorities.”
‘Proposed Citizens Map Preserves Local Congressional Districts, Including Competitive Race To Succeed Conor Lamb’: KDKA reports that “a citizens group with input from thousands has come up with its own recommended map, and it’s good news for this region.”
‘Former Pa. Gov. Tom Ridge makes first appearance since stroke, reflects on 9/11 attacks’: PennLive reports that “former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge made his first public appearance since he suffered a stroke earlier this year, speaking about the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.”
Schweiker Talks to Pennsylvania Kitchen Table Politics Podcast: The Pennsylvania Kitchen Table Politics Podcast talks with former Gov. Mark Schweiker “twenty years after the darkest day in American history,” as “he reflects on the historic transition from Lt. Governor to Governor just three weeks after the attacks. He elaborates on the unprecedented collaboration Harrisburg had with Washington. We end with a discussion of the importance of bipartisanship.”
‘Pa. GOP’s push to include signature matching in election reforms would require money, training to implement’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “matching the signatures of voters between their signed ballots and versions archived on other forms of ID is one of the centerpieces of Republicans’ efforts to enforce stricter voting measures in Pennsylvania and across the country.”
‘Ed Rendell is targeting the ‘Treason Caucus’ in Congress — including Scott Perry and Jeff Van Drew’: Philly Clout reports that former Gov. Ed Rendell “is now chair of an advisory committee for Never Again, a super PAC that bills itself as “dedicated to holding the most dangerous Republicans in Congress accountable.””
‘House committee investigating U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly for possible ethics infraction’: The Erie Times-News reports that “the House Committee on Ethics has extended an investigation into U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly for another 45 days, it announced Tuesday.”
‘Five years after Grace Packer murder, Pennsylvania lawmakers seek stronger child protection system’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “more than five years after the horrific rape and murder of 14-year-old foster child Grace Packer, two state lawmakers have introduced a package of bills in her name intended to plug holes in the child protection system.”
‘Toomey visits Bear Creek Community Charter’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey talks to kindergarten students at Bear Creek Community Charter School Wednesday. Toomey came to the area to discuss school choice.”
‘Sen. Casey calls for billions in childcare investments’: The Williamsport Sun-Gazette reports that on Wednesday, Sen. Bob Casey “stopped at Pennsylvania College of Technology to push his Five Freedoms for America’s Children plan for improving the lives of kids.”
City & State PA’s Biggest Winners & Losers This Week: City & State PA highlights the three winners and losers in Pennsylvania politics this week.
‘University of Pittsburgh hires law firm to review its fetal tissue research’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “deeming it a “proactive step” in once again proving that its practices are lawful, the University of Pittsburgh says it’s asked a Washington law firm to review its fetal tissue research practices.”
‘Lawsuit over Harrisburg’s $360M debt debacle can proceed but Pa. court removes Gov. Tom Wolf, others as participants’: PennLive reports that “a Commonwealth Court panel refused Thursday to kill a lawsuit over the $360 million incinerator debt debacle that plunged Harrisburg into state receivership, but it did reduce the number of players involved in that fight.”
‘Berks County officials want guidance from Legislature on ballot drop boxes’: The Reading Eagle reports that “the Berks County Board of Elections decided at a meeting Thursday that the county won’t explore what it would take to expand the number of ballot drop boxes because state lawmakers have failed to address the shortcomings of Pennsylvania’s election law.”
‘Spotlight PA named a finalist for national investigative journalism award’: Spotlight PA reports that “The Online News Association has recognized two recent investigations by Spotlight PA — an independent, nonpartisan newsroom dedicated to covering the state government and urgent statewide issues — as finalists for a national award honoring innovation and excellence in online investigative journalism.”
‘Court finds Cumberland County judge’s temper warrants discipline’: PennLive reports that “the Pennsylvania Court of Judicial Discipline said a former Cumberland County judge’s conduct could be disciplined, according to an opinion filed Wednesday.”
‘Lancaster County DA won’t prosecute schools that violate state mask order’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “Lancaster County District Attorney Heather Adams will not prosecute summary violations related to the Pennsylvania Department of Health order requiring masks in schools, she announced Wednesday.”
‘Report Finds ‘Staggering’ Imbalance In Lending To Pittsburgh’s Minority Residents’: WESA reports that “banks made nearly $12 billion in home loans to Pittsburghers between 2007 and 2019, but only 6.8 percent of those loan dollars went to the city’s minority residents, according to a new report from Parents Against Violence and the Lower Marshall-Shadeland Development Initiative, or LMSDI. Of that amount, African-American residents received just 3.5 percent, despite comprising more than one-fifth of Pittsburgh’s population.”
‘Harrisburg judge joins the Army Reserve’: PennLive reports that “Magisterial District Judge Hanif Johnson, an All-American Division I athlete and the youngest magisterial district judge in Pennsylvania, added another accomplishment Thursday. Johnson, 31, is now a corporal in the U.S. Army Reserve.”
‘Mary Anater, lawyer and Lancaster County employee, wins Republican nomination for clerk of courts’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “Mary Anater, a lawyer and county employee from Lancaster city, secured the Republican Committee of Lancaster County’s nomination for Lancaster County Clerk of Courts.”
‘State denies Griffith’s request for ballot-dumper’s name’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “Pennsylvania’s Office of Open Records has concluded Luzerne County does not have to provide county Councilman Walter Griffith with the name of the seasonal election worker who discarded nine overseas military ballots in the November 2020 general election.”
‘Westmoreland officials seek public input for spending $105 million in covid relief funds’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that “Westmoreland County spent just more than 1% of the $105 million it expects to receive in relief funds from the American Rescue Plan and wants the public’s ideas for how the bulk of the remaining cash should be used.”
‘Comitta, WCU to hold roundtable on hunger on college campuses Monday’: The Daily Local News reports that “state lawmakers, officials, student advocates, and representatives from anti-hunger organizations will gather at West Chester University (WCU) on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, at 10 a.m. for a roundtable discussion on food insecurity on college campuses.”
Harrisburg & DC
AP: Republicans start election ‘investigation’ in Pennsylvania
AP: Loophole allows some Pennsylvania students to avoid masking
AP: State Senate appropriations chair injured in Colorado wreck
Spotlight PA: Pa. school mask lawsuit backed by group that challenged 2020 election results
Spotlight PA: Spotlight PA named a finalist for national investigative journalism award
Patriot News: Pa. senator recovering from fractured neck, other injuries from motorcycle crash in Colorado
Patriot News: Former Pa. Gov. Tom Ridge makes first appearance since stroke, reflects on 9/11 attacks
Patriot News: New study showing strength of natural immunity from COVID-19 doesn’t change UPMC recommendations on vaccination
Patriot News: Pa. sees bump in COVID-19 deaths
Patriot News: These are the ZIP codes where Pennsylvania’s coronavirus cases are spiking
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘It’s a Rubik’s Cube’: Pa. grapples with competing redistricting priorities
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Top Pa. Senate Republican calls for subpoenas for Dept. of State in election probe
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Capital-Star Q+A: Longtime GOP activist Charlie Gerow thinks he’s the man to beat in 2022
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. Senate committee launches election investigation, beginning with 2020 guidance
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. Sen. Pat Browne recovering following motorcycle accident
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Redistricting hearings moved as Pa. House plans early return to Capitol
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. reports more than 4K new COVID-19 cases; thousands still hospitalized
USA Today: Pa. lawmakers plan early return to Capitol to fight against school mask mandate
USA Today: Pa. school districts, companies struggle to recruit bus drivers. Why’s there a shortage?
Inquirer: Pa. Republicans started their ‘forensic investigation’ of the 2020 election. It’s still unclear what that means.
Inquirer: At Flight 93 memorial near Shanksville, visitors reflect on 20 years
LNP | LancasterOnline: Pa. GOP’s push to include signature matching in election reforms would require money, training to implement
Post-Gazette: Presidential visits will mark 20th anniversary Saturday at Flight 93 Memorial
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania Department of Health lawyers ask court to uphold mask mandate challenged by GOP, parents
Capitolwire: Allegheny County tourism leaders support tourism improvement district bill
WITF: For Muslim And Arab Immigrants In Pennsylvania, September 11, 2001, Forever Changed Their Lives
WITF: With COVID-19 Delta Variant Raging, UPMC Seeks People In Pennsylvania For Monoclonal Antibody Study
City & State PA: This week’s biggest Winners & Losers
City & State PA: GOP audit hearing ignites partisan battle over election policy
City & State PA: Somerset County officials remember Flight 93 like it was yesterday
City & State PA: Parnell, Bartos trade barbs over protection from abuse orders
Morning Call: Five years after Grace Packer murder, Pennsylvania lawmakers seek stronger child protection system
KDKA: ‘The Brutal Sound Of Silence’: Former Gov. Tom Ridge Recalls 9/11 And The Heartbreak Of No Survivors On Flight 93
KDKA: PA Cyber Seeing ‘Significant’ Boost After Gov. Wolf Announced Mask Mandate In Schools
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pennsylvania: State Reports 4,197 New Coronavirus Cases
Fox News: Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge reflects on 9/11, recalls how America ‘pulled together’
Fox News: More than a thousand 9/11 memorials across the country honor victims, first responders
WESA: Pennsylvania’s GOP-Controlled Legislature To Mount Challenges To Wolf Admin’s School Mask Mandate
WESA: Flight 93 Passengers, Crew Honored With Chalk Art At Memorial
CNN: John Fetterman wants Democrats to stop wasting time and eliminate the filibuster
CNN: Republican state senator kicks off audit push in Pennsylvania
CNN: McConnell carefully choosing battles in Trump proxy war for the midterms
Philadelphia
Philly Clout: Ed Rendell is targeting the ‘Treason Caucus’ in Congress — including Scott Perry and Jeff Van Drew
WHYY Newsworks: ‘They don’t care enough about my kid’: Philly parents disgusted by rampant schoolyard trash
WHYY Newsworks: Philly sees ‘heartening’ downturn in new COVID cases, but is still planning for another potential surge
KYW Newsradio: Dozens of Philly community groups receiving millions in anti-violence funding
KYW Newsradio: Hopeful COVID-19 case & vaccine rates in Philly, but city targets 2 lagging groups
KYW Newsradio: How lessons from 9/11 response led to new Philadelphia police unit
KYW Newsradio: World Heritage City Celebration honors NBC News’ Andrea Mitchell in Philadelphia
Philadelphia Citizen: Game Changer?
SEPA
Daily Local News: Comitta, WCU to hold roundtable on hunger on college campuses Monday
Daily Local News: Chester County Commissioners approve local Declaration of Disaster Emergency due to Hurricane Ida
LNP | LancasterOnline: Chester County approves declaration of disaster emergency
Pottstown Mercury: Montgomery County formalizes emergency disaster declaration following Ida
Bucks Local News: Hundreds report damage in Bucks County due to remnants of Ida, infrastructure impact tops $9M
Bucks Local News: Bucks County COVID cases, vaccination numbers dip during stormy week
Pittsburgh
KDKA: Proposed Citizens Map Preserves Local Congressional Districts, Including Competitive Race To Succeed Conor Lamb
KDKA: University Of Pittsburgh Hires Law Firm To Review Its Fetal Tissue Research Practices
KDKA: 20 Years After 9/11: Commemorations, Ceremonies And Memorials Planned Across Western Pa.
KDKA: Parents Planning To Take Legal Action Against Governor Tom Wolf Over School Mask Mandate
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny County Reports 334 New Cases, 6 Additional Deaths
WESA: ‘Time To Move On’: Pittsburgh School Board President On Superintendent’s Departure
WESA: Report Finds ‘Staggering’ Imbalance In Lending To Pittsburgh’s Minority Residents
WESA: Port Authority Needs More Than 100 Drivers And 60 Maintenance Workers
WESA: ‘Complete Strangers’: Reflecting On The Sept. 11 Attacks, 20 Years Later
Post-Gazette: University of Pittsburgh hires law firm to review its fetal tissue research
Post-Gazette: North Side group, Pittsburgh councilmen: Lack of private lending a problem for affordable housing
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh council supports $500 monthly payments to 200 residents
Tribune Review: Aspinwall Councilman David Brown draws fire from council colleagues for claims made on his election website
WTAE: Pittsburgh schools superintendent sends letter to staff following announcement of resignation
WTAE: Union leader responds to federal vaccine requirement expansion, says collective bargaining rights apply
SWPA
Tribune Review: Westmoreland officials seek public input for spending $105 million in covid relief funds
KDKA: Field Where Flight 93 Crashed In Somerset County Has Become A Place Of Reverence
KDKA: Avella School Board Votes On Showing Opposition To Statewide School Mask Mandate
Beaver County Times: Health Department offers free KI tablets to residents near nuclear plants
Beaver County Times: Beaver County man pleads guilty to charges related to storming Capitol Building in January
Beaver County Times: Beaver County COVID-19 vaccine tracker: 44% of people fully vaccinated
Beaver County Times: Allegheny County COVID-19 vaccine tracker: 57% of people fully vaccinated
Altoona Mirror: Board denies vets center
NEPA
Citizens Voice: Scavo pleads guilty to Capitol riot role, faces six months in prison
Citizens Voice: Election consultant vows hands-off approach
Citizens Voice: More than 100 new COVID-19 cases reported in county
Times-Tribune: Scranton rabbi to sign climate change declaration at Vatican
Times-Tribune: Local COVID-19 daily spike largest since April
The Times Leader: Toomey visits Bear Creek Community Charter
The Times Leader: Luzerne County’s four new ballot drop boxes set to arrive this month
The Times Leader: State denies Griffith’s request for ballot-dumper’s name
The Times Leader: Brick thrown through window at Luzerne County Children & Youth office
The Times Leader: Several 9/11 ceremonies set for Friday
The Times Leader: 114 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County on Thursday; 1 death
South Central
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County DA won’t prosecute schools that violate state mask order
LNP | LancasterOnline: Two Lancaster County school districts add grace periods for students attending without masks
LNP | LancasterOnline: 7 events in Lancaster County to commemorate 9/11 victims, first responders this weekend
LNP | LancasterOnline: Mary Anater, lawyer and Lancaster County employee, wins Republican nomination for clerk of courts
LNP | LancasterOnline: After parents fume over school mask requirement, Donegal extends grace period for medical exemptions
Patriot News: Lawsuit over Harrisburg’s $360M debt debacle can proceed but Pa. court removes Gov. Tom Wolf, others as participants
Patriot News: Court finds Cumberland County judge’s temper warrants discipline
Patriot News: Harrisburg judge joins the Army Reserve
York Daily Record: As York County damage mounts from Ida, Gov. Wolf requests disaster declaration
York Daily Record: Dallastown Area school board meeting canceled after protesters refuse to wear masks
York Daily Record: Remembering 9/11, 20 years later, in the York area
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 97 new COVID-19 cases reported for Cumberland County Thursday
Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Pennsylvania state Sen. Pat Browne injured in motorcycle crash
Reading Eagle: Berks County officials want guidance from Legislature on ballot drop boxes
Reading Eagle: Berks County man pleads not guilty to U.S. Capitol riot charges
Reading Eagle: Berks adds 125 new COVID cases
WFMZ: Pa. Sen. Pat Browne recovering after motorcycle crash
WFMZ: Labor attorney weighs in on Biden’s announcement on employer vaccine requirements
WFMZ: Leinbach calls for return to selflessness as 9/11 nears
Express Times: Lehigh Valley state senator suffers concussion, broken bones in motorcycle crash
Express Times: Lehigh Valley to mark 20th anniversary of 9/11 with tributes, ceremonies, and services
Express Times: Lehigh Valley has some ZIP codes where Pennsylvania’s coronavirus cases are spiking
North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Flu-shot clinic to be held Friday at Bizzarro’s office
Erie Times-News: House committee investigating U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly for possible ethics infraction
Erie Times-News: Erie County reports 9 COVID-19 deaths in past two days
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Sen. Casey calls for billions in childcare investments
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: UPMC: COVID in kids rising
Opinion
John Baer: Imagine what we’ll hear when regular folks tell the Pa. Senate their stories of voter fraud
Salena Zito: Pennsylvania Senate candidate’s decision to go low faces backlash from fellow Republicans
Salena Zito: Flight 93 crash in Shanksville on 9/11: ‘The first Americans to fight back against terrorists happened here’
Victor Martinez: Allentown next year will have its first Latino mayor
John L. Micek: My 9/11 prayer: The lessons we can learn from the great silence | Friday Morning Coffee
Inquirer Editorial Board: Too early to declare Chester’s gun-violence program a success, but there may already be lessons for Philly
Inquirer: Do crime-tracking apps help or harm communities? | Pro/Con
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Settling with the Sacklers
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: At 55, ‘Star Trek’ continues to look to humanity’s future with optimism
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Staffing shortage in Clerk of Courts Office spells trouble for Lancaster County courts and must be remedied
Paul Murdoch: Memories of 9/11: Envisioned as a place of healing, the Flight 93 memorial has succeeded in its mission
Keith D. Mitchell: Memories of 9/11: Unforgettable scenes of Washington D.C. in an uproar
Stephen Libhart: Memories of 9/11: An immense satisfaction in delivering ‘aid, comfort and defense’ to NYC
Tony Norman: Looking back in anger and in sorrow…
James Daniels: Remember Those Left Behind
Justin Sitron and Amanda Bule: Why does Pennsylvania still lack comprehensive sex ed?
Mathy Stanislaus: ‘Waste-to-energy’ is a bad deal for Chester and other polluted communities
Will Bunch: 10 years ago, a ragtag army called Occupy Wall Street changed America, for good
Vaughn Cooper and Lee Harrison: Massive COVID-19 infections, not the vaccine, are responsible for new variants | Analysis
Earl Henry: Rev. Salsgiver is right to ask Sen. Regan to help protect children in the classroom
George Magakis, Jr.: Climate change deniers are really talking about socialism, not science
Alison McCook: The summer of COVID denial is over
