The Pennsylvania Democratic Party has hired a Communications Advisor who will be focused on the 2022 gubernatorial race. Here is the Playbook.
PA Dems Hire Comms Advisor: Marisa Nahem, who most recently served as Press Secretary for Nina Turner’s 2021 OH-11 congressional special election campaign, will be focused on the 2022 gubernatorial race in Pennsylvania in her new role.
‘Pa. Senate GOP moves to collect private voter information in controversial review of 2020 election’: Spotlight PA reports that “Pennsylvania Senate Republicans undertaking a controversial review of last year’s presidential election on Wednesday authorized collecting personal information on every registered voter in the state, despite objections by Democrats who decried it as invasive and unwarranted.”
‘Brendan Boyle and fellow progressives push hard for a wealth tax’: City & State PA reports that “U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle joined forces with U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren this week to push for the inclusion of a wealth tax in Democrats’ $3.5 trillion spending plan.”
‘Plan for more staffing in Pa. nursing homes draws industry criticism in Harrisburg’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “Pennsylvania nursing home leaders told a Senate panel Wednesday that it would be impossible to meet the increased staffing levels proposed for the state’s nearly 700 nursing homes and that more discussion was needed to solve the state’s nursing-home staffing woes.”
‘McSwain visits NEPA as bid for governor begins’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that Bill McSwain, former U.S. Attorney for Pennsylvania’s Eastern District during the Trump administration who is seeking the GOP nomination for Governor, campaigned in Pittston on Wednesday.
‘GOP candidate for governor McSwain campaigns in Cambria County’: The Johnstown Tribune-Democrat reports that Bill McSwain, former U.S. Attorney for Pennsylvania’s Eastern District during the Trump administration who is seeking the GOP nomination for Governor, campaigned in Johnstown on Wednesday.
Brooks Endorses Kenyatta: Philadelphia City Councilmember Kendra Brooks has endorsed state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D-Philadelphia) for U.S. Senate.
‘Rep. Susan Wild faced trauma. It transformed her priorities in Congress.’: Rep. Susan Wild (D-Lehigh) talked to The 19th News about how the trauma she faced has “transformed her priorities in Congress.”
‘Rep. McCarthy brings critique of Democrats’ economic policies to Carnegie business roundtable’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “in a visit to a Carnegie-based steel service center on Wednesday, the leading Republican in the U.S. House decried the Biden administration’s economic policies and COVID-19 mitigation measures, saying they’ve harmed businesses and led to worker shortages across the country.”
‘Congressman Guy Reschenthaler Says Election Subpoenas Is A ‘State Issue’’: KDKA reports that “Republican Congressman Guy Reschenthaler previously joined a lawsuit against Pennsylvania’s mail-in voting laws but on Wednesday when asked if he supports the Pennsylvania GOP’s subpoena of voting records – he deferred.”
‘Eric Papenfuse launches revived Harrisburg mayoral campaign with attacks on his main rival’s competency, ethics’: PennLive reports that “the gloves came off Wednesday as Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse formally launched his 11th-hour, write-in bid to keep his seat for a third term.”
‘Local environmental leaders call for bigger climate change investments’: WFMZ reports that “environmental leaders and advocates in the Lehigh Valley are calling for swift action to address climate change.”
‘Lawmakers unveil child welfare reform legislation in memory of teen murdered in Bucks County’: The Bucks Local News reports that “Reps. Craig Staats (R-Bucks) and Chris Quinn (R-Delaware) have introduced a legislative package to better protect children in the Pennsylvania child welfare system. The bills are crafted in honor of Grace Packer, a 14-year-old girl who was murdered in Bucks County by her adoptive mother and her adoptive mother’s boyfriend in 2016.”
‘New affordable housing, cleanups, and more: Here’s Philly’s $400 million plan for neighborhoods’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “City Council President Darrell L. Clarke announced new details Wednesday of his $400 million plan for Philadelphia to borrow money to increase funding for a variety of existing programs aimed at improving housing stability and reviving commercial corridors.”
‘Council President Darrell Clarke to introduce overhaul of Philly Zoning Board’: WHYY reports that “Philadelphia City Council President Darrell Clarke wants to radically restructure the city’s zoning board over what he described as a series of decisions favoring developers and plans to introduce legislation to do so.”
‘SEPTA spent $7 million on McKinsey consulting contract amid COVID fiscal crisis’: WHYY reports that “Philadelphia transit agency SEPTA issued a $7 million consulting contract to global management firm McKinsey & Company during the height of the 2020 fiscal crisis ushered in by the pandemic.”
‘What 4 of Philly Council’s fiercest housing advocates plan to fight for this fall’: WHYY provides a “preview of the policies some of Council’s fiercest housing advocates will be focusing on this session.”
‘Vaccinations mandated for Montgomery County government workers by Oct. 18’: Montgomery Media reports that “as Montgomery County recorded nearly 300 new cases of the coronavirus and four more deaths during the most recent two-day period, officials announced Wednesday that all county and court employees will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 18 or undergo weekly testing.”
‘Allegheny County executive warns unvaccinated will be ‘isolated from society,’ considers employee requirement’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald on Wednesday supported employers who mandate employees to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus and said the county is now considering vaccine requirements for its 6,000-plus employees — not just new hires as it previously announced.”
‘Pittsburgh City Council Gives Preliminary Approval To Scooter Regulations’: WESA reports that “Pittsburgh City Council preliminarily passed legislation Wednesday morning that would require electric scooter riders to be 18 years old, travel no more than 15 miles per hour, and use roads with a speed limit of 25 miles per hour or less.”
‘York has $35 million in Covid recovery funds to give out : Here’s how you can apply’: The York Daily Record reports that “York has more than $35 million in Covid relief funds to dole out over the next four years and on Wednesday, Mayor Michael Helfrich spelled out how residents, organizations and businesses can apply for a share of that.”
‘York County Election Director Steve Ulrich has been demoted, Democratic Party says’: The York Daily Record reports that “an official with the Democratic Party of York County issued a statement Tuesday, criticizing county commissioners for not informing the public about plans to reorganize the elections office, demote its director, Steve Ulrich, and hire a new leader.”
‘Lancaster GOP committee members shrug off congressman, commissioners in selecting a Clerk of Courts nominee’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “when 264 members of the Republican Committee of Lancaster County gathered last week to pick a candidate for an upcoming special election, they likely had no idea they were about to expose a rift in the party.”
‘Philly schools consider bringing in National Guard to help with bus driver shortage’: WHYY reports that “the School District of Philadelphia is exploring ways to make up for a bus driver shortage that’s disrupted the first two weeks of classes. One potential remedy being considered is bringing in National Guard troops.”
‘Bike lanes, new housing, parking and more: Lancaster city takes input on key 20-year plan’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “at the end of this month meetings will begin to capture a broad set of resident voices as Lancaster officials seek input in creating a new 20-year comprehensive plan that will shape, perhaps more than any other document, the city’s future.”
‘Reading mayor calls for the community’s help in the wake of gun violence’: The Reading Eagle reports that “after an increase in shootings, Reading’s mayor called for the community to step up and help prevent violence in the city.”
‘Lancaster County Sheriff won’t enforce school masking, though his authority is unclear’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “Lancaster County Sheriff Chris Leppler said in a statement last week that his office would not enforce Gov. Tom Wolf’s August order requiring students and teachers to wear masks in schools — a policy the sheriff’s office has no direct role in enforcing.”
‘Pa. Farm Show returns to in-person event in 2022’: PennLive reports that “The Pennsylvania Farm Show will be held in person in 2022, according to the event website.”
‘Luzerne County’s new manager search committee holds first meeting’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “at its first meeting Wednesday, Luzerne County’s Manager Search Committee set a Feb. 1 target date to seek, screen and recommend qualified manager applicants to county council for its consideration.”
‘Sappey to host economic recovery forum Sept. 23’: The Daily Local News reports that “state Rep. Christina Sappey, D-158th, of West Bradford, will host a virtual Economic Recovery Forum at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23.”
‘PIAA recommends COVID-19 vaccine for all student-athletes, to require vaccine for all officials working interdistrict postseason contests’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “the PIAA board of directors formally approved a statement on Wednesday, developed in August by its Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, recommending that all eligible student-athletes, coaches, athletic personnel and officials receive the COVID-19 vaccine.”
Richey To Campaign in Butler County: According to a press release, Jason Richey, a partner at Pittsburgh’s K&L Gates law firm who is seeking the Republican Party nomination for Governor in 2022, will attend a public event at Deep Well Services in Zelienople and will be meeting with voters and business leaders on Thursday afternoon.
Harrisburg & DC
AP: GOP lawmakers vote for subpoena seeking voter information
Spotlight PA: Pa. Senate GOP moves to collect private voter information in controversial review of 2020 election
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: To kick off election investigation, Pa. Senate GOP subpoenas voters’ social security numbers
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Report finds 2M Pennsylvanians struggled with food insecurity during the pandemic
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. adds more than 4,800 new COVID-19 cases; more than 2,300 hospitalized
City & State PA: Brendan Boyle and fellow progressives push hard for a wealth tax
City & State PA: Senate GOP subpoenas voter records, drawing legal challenge from Dems
Inquirer: Plan for more staffing in Pa. nursing homes draws industry criticism in Harrisburg
The 19th News: Rep. Susan Wild faced trauma. It transformed her priorities in Congress.
Fox News: Man behind Pennsylvania billboard of Joe Biden revealed: ‘Making the Taliban Great Again’
Fox News: Pittsburgh CBP officers seize fake COVID vaccine cards shipped from China
Broad + Liberty: Republican Bill McSwain announces candidacy for governor
USA Today: Senate Republicans move to collect personal info on every Pa. voter at taxpayers’ expense
Post-Gazette: Pa. GOP lawmakers seek access to 7 million voters’ personal information
Post-Gazette: PIAA recommends COVID-19 vaccine for all student-athletes, to require vaccine for all officials working interdistrict postseason contests
Patriot News: Pa. Farm Show returns to in-person event in 2022
Patriot News: COVID-19 hospitalizations rise again in Pa. as state also logs nearly 5,000 more infections
WFMZ: Pa. Senate Democrats to fight back in court, after Senate Republicans subpoena personal information of all Pa. voters
KYW Newsradio: Pa. Senate GOP advances subpoenas to acquire sensitive voter information
Delaware Valley Journal: EU Energy Crisis Could Be PA’s Future, Critics Say
Delaware Valley Journal: Wolf, GOP Use Appointment Battle to Continue Fight Over 2020 Election
CNN: Pennsylvania Republicans approve subpoena for partisan investigation into recent elections
CNN: Students fight back against a book ban that has a Pennsylvania community divided
KDKA: Senate Democrats Vow To Block GOP Subpoena Of 7 Million Pennsylvanians’ Detailed Voter Information
KDKA: Josh Shapiro Among Attorneys General Joining Justice Department’s Lawsuit Against Texas Abortion Law
KDKA: PIAA To Require Officials Get COVID-19 Vaccine To Work State Playoffs
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pennsylvania: State Reports 4,812 New Cases, 45 Additional Deaths
Philadelphia
Inquirer: New affordable housing, cleanups, and more: Here’s Philly’s $400 million plan for neighborhoods
Inquirer: Philly blocks besieged by shootings have long endured poverty, blight, and systemic racism
Inquirer: A man said he was too drunk to be responsible for his racist threats to Danielle Outlaw. A jury didn’t agree.
Inquirer: How are schools deciding to close due to COVID-19 cases? It all depends.
Inquirer: Nearly all COVID-19 hospitalizations, deaths in Philly were unvaccinated people, city says; four city schools forced to close
Billy Penn: Philly releases breakthrough data: Vaccines reduced COVID deaths, ‘vast majority’ of cases and hospitalizations are unvaccinated
WHYY Newsworks: What 4 of Philly Council’s fiercest housing advocates plan to fight for this fall
WHYY Newsworks: Council President Darrell Clarke to introduce overhaul of Philly Zoning Board
WHYY Newsworks: SEPTA spent $7 million on McKinsey consulting contract amid COVID fiscal crisis
WHYY Newsworks: Some long-awaited relief: Philadelphia’s gun violence epidemic, still at historic levels, eases up a bit
WHYY Newsworks: ‘Mad or nah?’: Philly residents react to the expiration of pandemic-related benefits
WHYY Newsworks: Philly schools consider bringing in National Guard to help with bus driver shortage
WHYY Newsworks: Massachusetts man convicted of sending threatening emails to Police Commissioner Outlaw
Philadelphia Gay News: Half of LGBTQ workers have faced job discrimination, new report finds
Philadelphia Citizen: The Mission Is Preventing Violence
KYW Newsradio: New Philadelphia plan to invest $400M in neighborhood preservation
KYW Newsradio: Bus driver shortage could mean Philly schools use National Guard to transport students
KYW Newsradio: Man convicted for sending ‘racist, threatening’ emails to Philadelphia police commissioner
Philly Voice: City Council outlines funding breakdown for $400 million Neighborhood Preservation Initiative
Philadelphia Business Journal: Philadelphia leaders detail plans for $400M Neighborhood Preservation Initiative
Philadelphia Business Journal: More than 30 Greater Philadelphia theaters adopt new Covid-19 vaccine, test policy
Philadelphia Business Journal: Latest hotel performance data keeps Philadelphia tourism industry hopeful for recovery
SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: DA, lawmakers unveil legislation in memory of Grace Packer
Bucks County Courier Times: Extremism report finds militia roots in Bucks group active in CB debate
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County estimates $12.5M in infrastructure damages from Ida
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks lawmakers secure more than $1.5 million to help July flood victims
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County school districts seeing spike in COVID cases
Bucks Local News: Lawmakers unveil child welfare reform legislation in memory of teen murdered in Bucks County
Bucks Local News: New COVID case totals, hospitalizations remain steady in Bucks County
Delco Daily Times: County council to hold solid waste educational session Sept. 30
Delco Daily Times: County concerned about COVID increases in children
Daily Local News: Sappey to host economic recovery forum Sept. 23
Daily Local News: Chester County officials honor those who died in line of duty; new hero plaque added
WFMZ: Bills created in memory of Grace Packer aim to better protect children in Pa. child welfare system, lawmakers say
Montgomery Media: Limerick residents oppose 90% sewer rate hike by Aqua PA
Montgomery Media: Vaccinations mandated for Montgomery County government workers by Oct. 18
Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Rep. McCarthy brings critique of Democrats’ economic policies to Carnegie business roundtable
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County executive warns unvaccinated will be ‘isolated from society,’ considers employee requirement
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh City Council one step closer to traffic regulations for scooters
Post-Gazette: UPMC makes changes at the top with two new presidents
WESA: With Top GOP Leader, Reschenthaler Highlights Pandemic Challenges, But Stays Mum On GOP Election ‘Audit’
WESA: Pittsburgh City Council Gives Preliminary Approval To Scooter Regulations
WESA: Allegheny County Council Approves Sick Leave Ordinance
WESA: Community Groups Demand An End To Controversial Training Contract At Allegheny County Jail
KDKA: Congressman Guy Reschenthaler Says Election Subpoenas Is A ‘State Issue’
KDKA: Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto Proposes Reducing Number Of Off-Street Parking Spots For Restaurants
KDKA: Allegheny County Officials Point To CDC Guidelines For Mask-Wearing As Cases Continue To Climb
KDKA: Visit Pittsburgh Proposes Extra 2% Fee For Hotel Rentals In The City
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny County Reports Over 400 New Cases, 15 Additional Deaths
City Paper: Advocates call for no contract; say proposed jail contractor “compared Black people to dogs”
Pittsburgh Business Times: County mulls whether to require its governmental employees to be vaccinated
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh Board of Public Education formally accepts Superintendent Anthony Hamlet’s resignation
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh council approves spending $95 million in American Rescue Plan funds
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh schools superintendent Hamlet’s resignation is official with $400K payout
Tribune Review: Breakthrough covid cases jump in Allegheny County
SWPA
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: GOP candidate for governor McSwain campaigns in Cambria County
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Four counties add deaths; antibody therapy available for qualified COVID-positive Conemaugh patients
Tribune Review: Delmont councilman plans to resign after accepting active-duty assignment
Observer-Reporter: Greene getting $300K more to assist small businesses
Observer-Reporter: Meeting time changes for Washington County commissioners
NEPA
Times-Tribune: McSwain visits NEPA as bid for governor begins
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County, Scranton officials cautiously optimistic delinquent-tax-collection deal will be saved
Times-Tribune: Other business from Lackawanna County commissioners’ Sept. 15 meeting
Times-Tribune: Dunmore moves to mandate vaccines for staff
Times-Tribune: Abington Heights meeting suspended after dispute over masks
Times-Tribune: Deaths climb sharply as COVID-19 resurgence takes hold
Citizens Voice: County manager search committee hopes to finish work by Feb. 1
Citizens Voice: McSwain visits Pittston Twp. as bid for governor begins
Citizens Voice: Hanover Area to start weekly COVID-19 testing of unvaccinated employees
Citizens Voice: Dunmore moves to mandate vaccines for staff
Citizens Voice: 139 new COVID-19 cases reported in county
The Times Leader: Luzerne County’s new manager search committee holds first meeting
The Times Leader: Luzerne County releases COVID-19 death statistics
The Times Leader: 139 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County Wednesday; 4,812 statewide
South Central
York Daily Record: Biden ‘Making the Taliban Great Again’? Scott Wagner thinks so and put it on billboards
York Daily Record: York has $35 million in Covid recovery funds to give out : Here’s how you can apply
York Daily Record: York County Election Director Steve Ulrich has been demoted, Democratic Party says
Patriot News: Eric Papenfuse launches revived Harrisburg mayoral campaign with attacks on his main rival’s competency, ethics
Patriot News: Rite Aid’s central Pa. headquarters ‘helped define the region’s identity’ for decades. Now it’s moving to Philly
Patriot News: Pa. Farm Show returns to in-person event in 2022
Patriot News: Central Pa. men charged in U.S. Capitol riot posted videos on Facebook, urged civil war: feds
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster GOP committee members shrug off congressman, commissioners in selecting a Clerk of Courts nominee
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County Sheriff won’t enforce school masking, though his authority is unclear
LNP | LancasterOnline: Bike lanes, new housing, parking and more: Lancaster city takes input on key 20-year plan
LNP | LancasterOnline: Pennsylvania releases first study of breakthrough COVID-19 cases
LNP | LancasterOnline: Number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients nearing 100 in Lancaster County
York Dispatch: York County prison’s healthcare contractor hits a snag: ICE detainees
York Dispatch: COVID death toll increases for second day in a row in York County
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 109 new cases of COVID-19, 2 additional deaths reported for Cumberland County Wednesday
Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: As officials sift through Tropical Depression Ida’s damage, Lehigh Valley officials urge action on climate change
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: Carbon County sees spike as state adds 4,812 cases, 45 deaths
Reading Eagle: Reading mayor calls for the community’s help in the wake of gun violence
Reading Eagle: A ‘bad batch’ of drugs has led to more than 100 overdoses in Berks County
Reading Eagle: Berks adds 109 COVID cases to a pandemic total over 52,000
WFMZ: Local environmental leaders call for bigger climate change investments
WFMZ: Bethlehem leaders sign agreement with hopes to get on UNESCO’s World Heritage List
WFMZ: Northampton County to review $1.87M in small-business grants
WFMZ: Reading police, leaders take action after recent shootings
North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Montoursville parents file in federal court over mask mandate
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Motion passes to allow mask-wearing exemption for South Side schools
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Muncy School Board: Masks optional
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Cappelli tells South Side boro the police won’t enforce masks
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Jersey Shore School Board supports mask injunction
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Commissioners OK housing funds
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Two city schools to go remote today
Erie Times-News: Dedication of end of trail linking Erie to Pittsburgh set for Sunday at Dobbins Landing
Erie Times-News: What we know about COVID-19’s mu variant in Erie County
Erie Times-News: 500 deaths: Erie County reaches unwelcome COVID-19 milestone
Centre Daily Times: Municipalities get on board with Centre County’s effort to bring new flights to State College
Opinion
Liz Hanbidge: If we fail to act on behalf of women’s reproductive rights, Pa. will become the next Texas
Paul Muschick: Biden should expand vaccine mandate to Medicare and food stamps recipients
Salena Zito: Americans mourn the dead in Afghanistan, even as the media move on
Bruce Ledewitz: Did Pa. Supreme Court Justice David Wecht herald the death of God?
John L. Micek: As Pa. churns, poll shows majority of Americans back mask, vax mandates | Thursday Morning Coffee
York Dispatch Editorial Board: How do we get kids to care about racism? Ask Central York’s school board
Inquirer Editorial Board: As City Council returns to lawmaking, big ambitions could lead to a better Philadelphia
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Imagine if we had come together to battle this pandemic like we came together after 9/11. Bush reminds us of the opportunity we missed.
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Remember when they were heroes?
Broad + Liberty: The Editors: Democrats’ panic over eviction moratoriums is partially of their own making
Beth Ann Rosica: Celebrating 150 years of learning at West Chester University
Linda McFarlane: Mail is a lifeline for incarcerated people. Why is Pennsylvania blocking it?
Solomon Jones: If Pennsylvania corrections officers don’t want the vaccine, they should look for new jobs
Mary Arthur: Congressional Democrats can do better than expand the child tax credit through 2025
Frank Pizzoli: This Pa. activist group is putting people first. Here’s how you can help
Michael W. Slack: We’re facing a crisis we haven’t seen in our nearly 140 years
The Rev. Sandra L. Strauss: We should fix the tax code to support work, not wealth
Helen Ubiñas: Pair a police misconduct payout with the new police contract, and you’ll see how little has changed
Abraham Gutman: Why I’m observing Yom Kippur this year as a workers’ rights holiday
Lindsay M. Chervinsky: Today’s Republicans can learn from how their brethren handled yellow fever
Allison M. Whelan: FDA can expand reproductive care through access to safe abortion medication
Christine Flowers: The war on poor white boys
Jessica Ives: Why we must talk – not whisper – about suicide
Joyce M. Davis: St. Stephen’s “De-Colonizing Christ” confronts racism among those who profess to be holy | Social Views
Tanya S. Wagner, M.Ed., R.N. (ret.): Self-inflicted mandate concerns
Eve Lukens-Day: When disaster strikes, electric buses could help turn the lights back on
The Angry Grammarian: The surprising way SEPTA’s rebrand is going to save you time
