😞 Monday. This is the 133rd day of the state budget impasse and the 41st day of the longest federal government shutdown in history.
🗞️ In today’s PoliticsPA Guide. Fetterman: ‘I should have left’ Could climate deal break PA budget deal? Does Lanco Dems’ electoral success herald 2026? Lake Effect Snow.
🎶 Your morning pick-me-up. Rock and Roll, part 2. Gary Glitter
Weather in Pennsylvania
🌨️Meadville | Mostly shadowy, PM Snow, 34
🌂Bloomsburg | Cloudy, slight chance of showers, 45
🌤️Wayne | Partly sunlit, 49
Sports PA
🏈 Steelers (5-4) | LA 10-25 loaders | Sun vs. Cincinnati
🏈 Eagles (6-2) | Monday in Green Bay
🏈 Pitt (7-2) | Saturday versus Our Lady
🏈 Temple (5-5) | Army 13-14 | November 22 vs. Tulane
🏈 Penn State (3-6) | Indiana 24-27 | I was based in Michigan
🏀 Sixes (6-4) | Toronto 130-120 | Detroit 108-111 | Tuesday vs. Boston
🏒 Flyers (8-5-2) | Ottawa 2-3 (OT) | Wednesday vs. Edmonton
🏒 Penguins (9-5-3) | New Jersey 1-2 (YES) | Los Angeles 2-3 | Friday in Nashville
🔊 What we hear. ESPN announced Sunday afternoon that its iconic college football pregame show, College GameDaybuilt by The Home Depot, will air broadcast live from Pittsburgh’s North Shore on Saturday, November 15, from 9 a.m. to noon, prior to the No. 24 Pitt Panthers’ Week 12 game against No. 10 Notre Dame at Acrisure Stadium.
📰 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 crucial story
1. John Fetterman: “I Should Have Walked Away”
“Senator John Fetterman he is known for many things – his unconventional wardrobe, his impressive 188 cm figure and his cheeky, uncompromising personality. He has recently received attention for breaking with the Democratic Party on several major issues: support for Israel, calling for tighter controls on the southern border and showing a willingness to meet and even cooperate with President Donald Trump.
But most of all, Fetterman made headlines for a much more personal reason – a stroke he suffered in 2022 while running for a seat in the Pennsylvania Senate. He then won the race, but not before facing intense public criticism regarding his health and fitness for duty.
In his recent memoirs entitled Not self-consciousFetterman pulls back the curtain on this experience. Today we’re featuring an exclusive excerpt from the book, in which Fetterman describes his stroke, the deep depression that followed, and the moment he realized, “In hindsight, I should have quit.”Free press)
Elsewhere
Chief Justice Roberts faces a career-defining decision in the Trump case. “As he begins his third decade as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John Roberts faces a defining challenge: how far to allow President Donald Trump to redefine the limits of executive power.” (Wall Street Journal)
Fetterman Casts Key Vote on Shutdown Deal Other Democrats Call ‘Surrender’. “After six weeks of being one of the few Democrats to side with Republicans to end the government shutdown, U.S. Senator John Fetterman saw seven of his colleagues switch to his side on Sunday evening in a vote that continued to deeply divide his party but made the end of the shutdown closer than ever.” (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
Trump pardons Giuliani and 76 others accused of trying to overturn the 2020 election.. “President Trump has pardoned Rudy Giuliani and 76 other allies accused of trying to interfere with the results of the 2020 presidential election, U.S. clemency lawyer Ed Martin said late on Sunday.” (Axles)
What you need to know about Trump’s $2,000 tariff check proposal. dollars. “President Trump announced Sunday that most Americans will receive “at least” $2,000 in tariff revenue collected by the Trump administration.”(Hill)
Country
2. With the PA budget impasse now in its fifth month, could the climate deal break the deal?
“Democrats in the state legislature are openly warning their own party leadership against breaking a budget deal with Republicans that would prevent Pennsylvania from joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) as the state’s budget stalemate continues into its fifth month.
It is unclear whether any major changes to climate or energy policy will be part of a final budget agreement, but the recent enhance in concerns illustrates the pitfall of breaking an agreement.PennLive)
Elsewhere
AP begins distributing SNAP benefits as Shapiro admonishes Vance and tells Trump administration to ‘stop’ fighting. “It is unclear whether the Trump administration will effectively block the remaining $266 million Pa. owed in November for SNAP benefits. It provided temporary relief from the Supreme Court late Friday.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Uncertainty over SNAP benefits hits Pennsylvania’s coal region. “More than 18,000 people are using the program in Northumberland County – that’s 20 percent of the county and one of the highest rates in the state.” (Penn Capital Star)
The most crucial cases awaiting decisions of the PA supreme courts. “The Pennsylvania Supreme Court hears appeals from the state’s two lower appellate courts – Commonwealth and Superior – and has discretion over the cases it hears.” (PA reflector)
Bethlehem Project: Immigration raid divides community. “Over the next few years, the Financial Times will take an in-depth look at some of the United States’ biggest economic and political issues, all through the lens of one city: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.”(Financial Times.)
Around the Republic of Poland
3. Democrats in this central Pennsylvania county had a good year. Does this mean the blue wave will arrive in 2026?
“Tuesday was a massive day for Democrats as the party took control of school boards and municipal boards in Manheim and East Hempfield townships, two of the most populous municipalities in Lancaster County.
But among those who follow county politics, the true impact of Tuesday’s Democratic election remains up for debate.” (LNP)
Elsewhere
Corey O’Connor’s early administration choices reflect an emphasis on experience. “Is he making wise choices based on the experience of government in Pittsburgh that will give the new administration a strong foundation? Or is he trying to recreate the kind of moderate administration that voters rejected in 2021.” (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
Maps tell the story of the 2025 elections in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. “These four maps help explain what happened at the ballot box in southwestern Pennsylvania this week.” (Public source)
Councilwoman announces that she will vote against a tax enhance that could destroy the mayor of Allentown’s budget. “Councilwoman Cynthia Mota secured a historic fourth term last week — she will soon become the city’s longest-serving councilor. But she used much of her Tuesday speech to signal how she plans to end her third term.” (LehighValley News)
The election shows the Democratic label still matters in the county. “Democrats of different views and styles dominated here, benefiting from significant Democratic advantages in voter registration and other factors.” (Scranton Times Tribune)
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
- Mamdani is not the future of Democrats. This guy is | Benjamin Applebaum
- Candidate Trump increases turnout among Republicans. President Trump increases turnout among Democrats | Harold Meyerson
- The ideal behind the Declaration of Independence | Walter Isaacson
- America has a responsibility to take care of its veterans | Charles D. Allen
- The GOP is becoming the party of white Christian nationalism | Nick Fish
- Trump’s tariffs face a skeptical Supreme Court, but only Congress can end the chaos | Questioner from Philadelphia
- City of Opportunities: A New Vision for Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
- Voters express robust rebuke of GOP across the country and in Pennsylvania | PennLive
- Pittsburgh’s recent mayor must be the bridge to what’s next | Trib LIVE
1 item
5. Lake Effect: The Real Reason There’s So Much Snow in Erie
“Erie, Pennsylvania, is one of the snowiest cities in the country. Erie received almost a foot of snow last winter, second only to Syracuse, New York, which received 115. However, the city is not among the coldest places in the U.S., with that distinction ahead of cities in Alaska and the Midwest, where temperatures rarely stay above freezing for many months.”
So if it’s not constantly and bitterly frigid, why does Erie get so much snow? The answer lies in the lake effect. Erie lies on the southern shore of Lake Erie, of the same name.
Residents of western Pennsylvania often invoke the lake effect when trying to beat a snowstorm. But what does it actually mean for a location to experience “lake effect snow”? ”(Key)
Thank you for starting your week with us.
Man, it’s getting windy. See you tomorrow.
