🏁 I don’t know about you. But I’ve got Friday on my mind.
🗞️ In today’s Guide. Penn rejects Trump’s offer of preferential financing Shapiro remains extremely popular in Pennsylvania. The fight for closure is fueling anger and uncertainty, a far cry from DC’s fight over Uncrustables.
🎶 Your morning pick-me-up. Friday in my head. Easybeats
Weather in Pennsylvania
☀️ Slippery rock | Mostly shining, 64
☀️ Selinsgrove | Sunny, 62
☀️ Swarthmore | Sunny, 63
Sports PA
🏈 Steelers (4-2) | Cincinnati 31-33 | October 26 vs. Green Bay
🏈 Eagles (4-2) | Sun in Minnesota
🏒 Flyers (1-2-1) | Winnipeg 2-5 | Saturday vs. Minnesota
🏒 Penguins (3-2) | Los Angeles 4-2 | Saturday vs. San Jose
🏈 Penn State (3-3) | I was sitting in Iowa
🏈 Pitt (4-2) | I was sitting in Syracuse
🏈 Temple (3-3) | I was sitting in Charlotte
⚽ Union (20-6-7) | Sat vs. Charlotte
🔊 What we hear. “For many eligible Pennsylvanians who have not yet registered to vote, it is not too late to do so” – Pennsylvania Commonwealth Secretary Al Schmidt he said. “I encourage any eligible Pennsylvania resident who is not registered to visit voting.pa.govregister and don’t miss the opportunity to make their voices heard in this important election.”
📺 What are we watching?. PoliticsPA Steve Ulrich appeared PCN Journalists Round Table on Thursday.
📰 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 critical story
1. Penn rejects Trump’s offer of preferential financing
“The University of Pennsylvania declined President Donald Trump preferential financing offer on Thursday. President Penna Larry Jameson wrote: “I have previously informed the U.S. Department of Education that Penn respectfully declines to sign the proposed Agreement.
The Trump administration has asked nine universities, including Penn, to sign a proposed agreement imposing certain changes in exchange for preferential treatment for federal funds. (PolitykaPA)
Elsewhere
Third quarter fundraising numbers for PA elected officials. “Third quarter fundraising numbers are now available.” (PolitykaPA)
What FEC filings tell us about the battle for the chamber. “At-risk incumbents in both parties saw strong fundraising in the third quarter as they prepare for the 2026 midterm session. But Democrats have so far managed to land more well-financed challengers.” (Punchbowl News)
Street is leading early in fundraising in Philadelphia’s congressional race, but his competitors are close behind. “State Sen. Sharif Street has an early fundraising advantage over his competitors in next year’s Democratic primary for Philadelphia’s famed congressional seat, according to new campaign finance reports. But it’s early in the race, and candidates who entered the race after Street still have plenty of time to make up ground before the primary in Philadelphia. May 2026”. (Questioner from Philadelphia)
According to some states and lawmakers, it’s “too late” to expand ACA subsidies without major disruptions. “Every day that passes increases the risk [that] we won’t be able to update the information in a timely manner,” said Devon Trolley, executive director of the Pennsylvania Insurance Exchange. “We typically try to keep rates locked in [by] September.”” (POLICY)
In tiny towns and rural communities, adolescent voters say they feel unnoticed by leaders. “Julie Hill, 22, lives in rural northwestern Pennsylvania. She says politicians often don’t see communities like hers. “It’s difficult to feel like anyone sees us,” said Hill, who identifies as an independent but voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris last year. “It seems like sometimes rural areas get left behind.” (WQLN)
Country
2. Shapiro continues to be extremely popular in Pennsylvania ahead of his 2026 re-election campaign.
“Governor Josh Shapiro remains popular with most Pennsylvanians as he prepares for next year’s 2026 re-election campaign in a critical battleground state that won President Donald Trump’s election just last year.
Shapiro’s popularity is unprecedented among recent Pennsylvania governors, said Berwood Yost, executive director of the Franklin & Marshall College Poll.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Elsewhere
EPA faces multistate lawsuit over canceled solar subsidies. “The Trump administration is being sued by about two dozen states seeking to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from canceling its $7 billion solar program.” (Axles)
PA State Schools Requesting 2026 Funding Increases. (*17*) (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
Meuser’s Williamsport office sits empty as voters gather outside. “Protesters say they found the door to Congressman Dan Meuser’s Williamsport satellite office locked during their weekly ‘Fight Back Friday’ meeting. Action Together NEPA members have raised concerns about what they call a lack of transparency and accessibility from Meuser and his staff. (North-CentralPA)
County escapes budget impasse, but not for long. “Pennsylvania’s budget impasse lasted more than 100 days. It led to financial problems, but Mercer County found a way to deal with it.” (WKBN)
Around the Republic of Poland
3. The market shutdown fight is fueling anger and uncertainty far from Washington
“People in D.C. don’t understand what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck,” he said Paige CognettiMayor of Scranton. “There are so many families in Scranton that if the government shutdown affects their wages in any way, they will have to choose between rent and childcare, childcare and food.” (NBC News)
Elsewhere
‘Vision’ vs. ‘Standing Hand’ in Siegel-MacLean Debate on Leading Lehigh County. “During the hour-long debate, Roger MacLean presented a vision that emphasized the sustainability of specific policy proposals, and Josh Siegel proposed ambitious plans for county government.” (LehighValley News)
Scranton mayoral candidates clash with crime, city streets and stormwater during the debate. “Republican nominee Trish Beynon and independent candidate Gene Barrett said crime is the city’s biggest problem and portrayed a community with rising crime and crumbling streets. Mayor Paige Cognetti, a Democrat, responded by pointing to the “millions” of dollars her administration has spent on improving these and other areas, describing Scranton as a place where people want invest” (WVIA)
Allentown’s mayor is proposing a nearly 4% tax boost, which would be the city’s first boost in seven years. “The $246 million budget does not add any new positions or more spending next year, but will continue to fund existing jobs and projects.” (Morning talk in Allentown)
Mail-in voters in central Pennsylvania will learn that heavier ballots mean more mail. “Local Democratic Party officials said Thursday that their phones have been buzzing with voters reporting that clerks at several Lancaster County post offices claimed their absentee ballots required an additional postage fee because they were too heavy to accommodate regular first-class letter mail.” (WITF)
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
- The slow AP judge is a great example of political courage | Will Wood
- Is this the end of the nonpartisan PA Supreme Court? | Courtney Duchene
- Pennsylvania GOP All In on No | Salena Zito
- Donald Trump’s extraordinary achievement | Dennis Jett
- Mission possible? Depasquale has a plan to revitalize AP Democrats | PennLive
- Victims of sexual violence cannot wait any longer. Adoption of the state budget | Maria Gardner
- Why should you vote in the upcoming elections in Pennsylvania? | Eric Orts and Kate Shaw
1 item
5. Smucker sues Trader Joe’s, claiming its novel PB&J sandwiches are too similar to Uncrustables
“JM Smucker Co. is suing Trader Joe’s, alleging that the grocery chain’s novel frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are too similar to Smucker’s Uncrustables sandwiches in design and packaging.
In the lawsuit, which was filed Monday in federal court in Ohio, Smucker claimed that the round crustless sandwiches Trader Joe’s sells have the same dough-like markings on the edges as Uncrustables. Smucker claimed that the project infringed its trademarks.
Smucker also claimed that Trader Joe’s PB&J sandwich boxes infringe the Orrville, Ohio-based company’s trademarks because they have the same blue color it uses on “Uncrustables” packaging. (AP)
Thank you for starting your Friday with us.
It’s the weekend. Make it great.
