🇺🇲 Five years ago. This is the fifth anniversary of the attack on the US Capitol
📖 In today’s PoliticsPA Guide. The fifth anniversary on January 6 brings a fresh division to Capitol Hill. Shapiro enters his re-election year with $30 million in the bank. “Pittsburgh, it’s time to perk up.” In memory of: Steve Sheetz.
🎶 Your morning pick-me-up. Espresso. Sabrina Carpenter
Weather in Pennsylvania
🌧️ Beaver Waterfalls | Rain, 48
🌂 Say | Afternoon showers, 41
☁️ Norristown | Cloudy, 44
Sports PA
🏀 Sixes (19-15) | Denver 124-125 (OT) | Wednesday vs. Washington
🏒 Flyers (21-12-7) | Tuesday vs. Anaheim
🏒 Penguins (20/12/9) | Thu vs. New Jersey
🔈 What we hear. Representatives R. Lee James (R-64), Tomek Mehaffi (R-106) i Russ Diamond (R-102) announced plans to seek re-election to the AP House.
📕 PoliticsPA Guide was developed by Steve Ulrich. To read in your browser click here. Has this email been sent to you? Subscribe for free.
The most essential story
1. The fifth anniversary of January 6 brings fresh division on Capitol Hill
“Five years ago, I left the White House President Donald Trump told a crowd of his supporters to go to the Capitol — “and I’ll be there with you” — to protest Congress’ certification of Democrats’ 2020 election victory. Joe Biden.
Soon after, the world watched as the seat of American power fell into chaos, with democracy hanging in the balance.
On the fifth anniversary of January 6, 2021, there is no official event commemorating the events of that day, when a mob marched down Pennsylvania Avenue, fought a battle with police on the Capitol barricades and stormed inside as lawmakers fled. Political parties do not agree to a common history of events that was broadcast around the world. And an official plaque honoring the police defending the Capitol was never hung.” | AP
Elsewhere
Shapiro, McCormick Talk about Maduro, Venezuela and the US military. “Two different perspectives on the capture of Nicolas Maduro and the situation in Venezuela were presented this morning on Monday’s The Big K Morning Show on KDKA Radio.” | PoliticsPA
Court observers fear Emil Bove’s ‘level of loyalty’ to Trump. “In the past year, Emil Bove has risen from President Donald Trump’s personal criminal defense attorney to a top Justice Department official to a sitting federal judge. One thing, critics say, has not changed: his allegiance to his former client. Since taking the seat on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals (which includes Pennsylvania) in September, Bove has taken several actions that many legal experts say are unconventional — if not unethical — for a sitting judge. | POLICY
The Pentagon will begin assessing the “effectiveness” of women in combat positions. “The Pentagon is conducting a six-month review of women in ground combat positions to ensure what it calls the military ‘effectiveness’ of having several thousand female soldiers and Marines in infantry, armor and artillery, according to a memo obtained by NPR.” | NPR
Country
2. Shapiro enters his re-election year with $30 million in the bank
“Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announced Tuesday that his 2025 gubernatorial campaign has ended with more than $30 million at his disposal, as Shapiro, a potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidate, ramps up his re-election bid.
Shapiro’s campaign reported raising more than $10 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 and more than $23 million throughout last year.
His campaign said it is entering 2026 “with unprecedented strength,” noting that it is reporting the most money raised and the most cash on hand for an election year of any gubernatorial campaign in Pennsylvania history” | NBC News
Elsewhere
As energy prices rise in PA, he expresses skepticism that lawmakers will put aside partisan differences. “Democrats and Republicans who lead the Pennsylvania Legislature have made it a goal this year to increase energy production as electricity prices rise and demand grows. But environmental and labor advocates are skeptical that lawmakers can overcome partisanship in the state Capitol and take meaningful action. ” | PA reflector
The updated environmental policy is contrary to Trump’s agenda. “Even though this topic has been in the crosshairs of the Trump administration, Pennsylvania has doubled down on its environmental justice efforts with the final policy announced Saturday.” | Central Square
Around the Republic of Poland
3. “Pittsburgh, Time to Live Up”
“From the moment he walked into his inauguration at the Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland, Corey O’Connor presented the image of a leader who wants to unite the city’s past and future.
He walked in on a Monday afternoon with two miniature children behind him to the sound of bagpipes playing “Scotland the Brave,” the anthem of parades and other civic events, many of which have had nothing to do with Scotland for generations.
And as he did during his successful campaign for the city’s 62nd mayor, he said that “my family motivated me to start this campaign. … I want Pittsburgh to be every family’s first choice.” THAT’S ALL
Elsewhere
Party leaders in Allegheny County are wondering whether the “huge blue wave” will continue in the 2026 legislative elections.. “Allegheny County will have at least one hot spot in the 2026 legislative elections, but the balance of party power across the state will also be a focus of close attention as Democrats look to continue their wave of electoral victories in 2025.” | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
Attorney Larry Krasner is taking increasing shots at Trump as he is sworn in for a third term amid a pointed drop in crime. “When Larry Krasner took the oath of office for a second term as district attorney four years ago, Philadelphia was in the throes of a public safety crisis: murders and shootings were at an all-time high and the homicide clearance rate was at a historic low. On Monday, Krasner was inaugurated for a third, four-year term under stunningly different circumstances.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
Three key Harrisburg employees laid off over budget dispute and the finger-pointing begins. “Three key employees in Mayor Wanda Williams’ administration lost their jobs in the new year after council voted to withdraw them from the city’s 2026 budget.” | PennLive
Ferry and DiBello Vie for Montco GOP chairman. “Both Liz Ferry and Tom DiBello are running to be the new interim chair of the Montgomery County Republican Committee, replacing outgoing Christian Nascimento.” | Wide + Freedom
Meet the 23-year-old who will soon become the next mayor of Carnegie. “Bigham himself has had an interest in public service for as long as he can remember. But that’s not too far back.” | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
- The fate of the Venezuelan people is now the responsibility of Trump and America | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
- Five years later, a day that should have lived in infamy instead resulted in Trump’s grotesque comeback Questioner from Philadelphia
- For one reporter, January 6 brings back melancholy memories of a treasured place JessicaWehrman
- An independent path forward for Pennsylvania’s independent senator | Albert Eisenberg
- A massive election year begins in Pennsylvania | Daily item
- What role will Gen Z play in the 2026 PA elections? | Matt Zupon
- Pittsburgh is turning the page – there’s still work to be done | Trib LIVE
- Together we write the next chapter of Erie | Daria Devlin
1 item
5. Former Sheetz chairman and CEO Steve Sheetz dies at 77
“Former Chairman and CEO of Sheetz Steve Sheetz died at the age of 77, the Altoona-based company announced on Monday.
Steve Sheetz’s brother founded Sheetz Kwik Shopper in 1952, and Sheetz was only 12 years elderly when he started working there part-time.
While president and CEO, Sheetz introduced Made-to-Order, entered the fuel industry, and expanded the company to up-to-date states. Today, there are more than 800 stores employing 27,000 employees in several states, including Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and North Carolina.” | CBS News in Pittsburgh
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