🎉 Friday. This is the 130th day of the state budget impasse and the 38th day of the longest federal government shutdown in history.
🗞️ In today’s PoliticsPA Guide. How the Supreme Court judges won. Demand for the PA Food Bank is growing. ‘Blue wave’ sweeps once conservative school board. “Honestly” is what we say all the time.
🎶 Your morning pick-me-up. Jealous again. Black Crows
Weather in Pennsylvania
🌧️Waterford | Rain, 55
🌥️ Mechanicsburg | Rising Clouds, 60
🌤️ Pottstown | Partly sunlit, 62
Sports PA
🏈 Steelers (5-3) | Sun in the Los Angeles Chargers
🏈 Eagles (6-2) | Sun in Green Bay
🏈 Pitt (7-2) | November 15 vs. Notre Dame
🏈 Temple (5-4) | I was in the army
🏈 Penn State (3-5) | Saturday vs. Indiana
🏀 Sixes (5-3) | Saturday vs. Toronto
🏒 Flyers (8-5-1) | Nashville 3-1 | Saturday vs. Ottawa
🏒 Penguins (9-4-2) | Washington 5-3 | I was based in New Jersey
👀 What we see. The Federal Aviation Administration forces airlines to do this cut 10% of flights at the 40 busiest airports across the country, including at Philadelphia International Airport, to relieve pressure on air traffic controllers during the ongoing government shutdown and ensure flight safety.
🔊 What we hear. Bob Brooks – the Democratic candidate for Congress in the 7th Congressional District – has received forceful local support from Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk, State Representative Pete Schweyer and State Representative Mike Schlossberg.
📰 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. How 3 AP Supreme Court judges were kept in custody – and why the trial may never be the same
“Pennsylvania Democrats’ biggest victory in Tuesday’s election was the resounding victory of three liberal state Supreme Court justices.
Each of the judges – Christina Donohue, Kevin Dougherty AND David Wecht — will remain on the ballot, with 62% of voters supporting keeping them in a closely watched and historically pricey race. Pennsylvania had a statewide turnout of 40% on Tuesday, higher than in most off-year elections.
But a modern partisan bias has emerged over traditionally routine and sleepy judicial retention elections that could have a ripple effect on the state’s highest court in years to come, legal experts, party leaders and academics say.Questioner from Philadelphia)
Elsewhere
Shapiro is glad he went the extra mile and turned Pennsylvania bluer. “Republicans like Vice President J.D. Vance dismissed Tuesday’s Democratic victories as ‘a few blue-state elections’ with no real political risk for the GOP. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is starting to have a different opinion.” (Traffic lights)
‘Democratic energy’ and anger at Trump fueled AP vote wins, observers say. “Pennsylvania Democrats are celebrating statewide court victories this week — a balm after a disastrous presidential election year and a reason the party is hoping for better results in midterm gubernatorial and congressional races in 2026.” (WESA)
‘I am part of the American people!’: Pennsylvania Democrat interrupts Republican press conference. “U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan interrupted a press conference hosted by House Speaker Mike Johnson to urge him to press for a bipartisan agreement on reopening the government.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Shapiro fears Trump will try to interfere in the 2026 midterm elections. “Gov. Josh Shapiro said Thursday he fears President Trump will try to interfere in the 2026 midterm elections. “Make no mistake, Donald Trump will try to undermine our election,” Shapiro said during an interview on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” (PennLive)
Country
2. Demand for AP Food Bank surges as Shapiro accuses Trump administration of Stonewalling SNAP
“Demand continued to surge Thursday at Pennsylvania food banks – including one of these Governor Josh Shapiro condemned the federal government’s role in the surge – it was described as “unprecedented,” “four times the norm” and “the highest on record.”
Food banks in Allegheny County, Westmoreland County and elsewhere are being swamped by a double wave of demand that has its roots in partisan political conflict in Washington but has also attracted attention in Harrisburg.” (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
Elsewhere
Judge orders White House to pay full SNAP benefits by Friday. “A federal judge rebuked the Trump administration on Thursday afternoon, ordering it to pay out full SNAP benefits by Friday, according to multiple reports.” (Axles)
After Tuesday’s substantial victories, Democrats think they can take down Brian Fitzpatrick. But Bucks, a Republican, is resilient. “Should last week’s election results upset Brian Fitzpatrick? Bucks County Democrats think so.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Rep. Smucker hears voter backlash in tele-town hall over business closure. “Congressman Lloyd Smucker hasn’t said much about the federal government shutdown, which he didn’t already say during a tele-town hall with constituents on Wednesday night.” (WITF)
Mamdani contacted Shapiro. They have a “healthy dialogue” about Israel, the PA governor said. “Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro shared his concerns with Zohran Mamdani about the New York mayor-elect’s comments about Israel, the governor revealed after Mamdani’s victory in Tuesday’s election.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Around the Republic of Poland
3. In Pennsylvania, a “blue wave” is sweeping a once-conservative school board
“The Central Bucks School District was for a time a nationally known example of a blackboard repurposed as a cultural-conservative war image. Tuesday’s blue wave washed away the last traces of that image.
Analyzes show that it was not so much a victory in the culture wars, but rather a rejection of them. Candidates called the culture war a “distraction,” and even GOP candidates who would lose said voters were more concerned about tuition and school taxes. (Forbes)
Elsewhere
Pittsburgh Mayor-elect Corey O’Connor announces the first leadership elections for his administration. “Dan Gilman has been named the next chief of staff and Sheldon Williams has been named the city’s next director of public safety.” (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
Officials say higher-than-expected voter turnout is due to judicial races. “Turnout in Westmoreland County, which has had several competitive local elections, reached 42%. County election officials initially projected turnout to be around 30%. In neighboring Allegheny County, where Pittsburgh’s mayoral election won the vote, turnout was nearly 45% in an off-year election in which fewer voters traditionally voted.” (Trib LIVE)
State and national controversy is hurting GOP efforts to rebuild Allegheny County, politicians say. “Allegheny County Republicans hoped to attack local governments in the last off-year election. Instead, they found themselves at a dead end.” (WESA)
Victories in rural areas raise hope that Democrats will be able to reclaim their former strongholds. “Democrats hope strong results in rural southwestern Pennsylvania on Tuesday will signal that the party’s fortunes are beginning to turn.” (Axios Pittsburgh)
Cross-filing has backfired for some Allegheny County judicial candidates. “Call it the curse of cross-filing. Although all 13 candidates for judge of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas were Democrats, those who were cross-filed – listed on the ballot as both Democrats and Republicans to appeal to voters of both parties – received fewer votes than those who ran solely as Democrats.” (Trib LIVE)
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
1 item
5. If we are truthful, people say “honest” all the time.
“Honestly, people say ‘fair’ all the time.
According to the Corpus of Historical American English, a database that measures word usage over time, the utilize of the word “fair” has increased dramatically over the past 25 years.
Not just in casual conversation: it’s a sign of authenticity on the Internet.” (NPR)
Thank you for starting your weekend with us.
Enjoy responsibly. See you on Monday.
