☔ Wednesday. A bit of a mess across the state today.
🗞️ In today’s PoliticsPA Guide. Trump spends little time on economics and more time attacking during his speech. Republicans subpoenaed Shapiro over flights, security upgrades at private home. America’s war on data centers is coming. Underwater chess.
🎶 Your morning pick-me-up. Mr. Brightside. Assassins. Sing boldly.
Weather in Pennsylvania
☔ Waynesburg | Rain, 44
🌧️ Emporium | Rain and snow, 41
🌧️ East St. Petersburg | Rain and snow, 41
Sports PA
🏒 Flyers (16-9-3) | San Jose 4-1 | Thu vs. Las Vegas
🏒 Penguins (14-7-7) | Anaheim 3-4 (YES) | Thu vs. Montreal
🏀 Sixes (13-10) | Friday vs. Indiana
🔉 What we hear. Vice President J.D. Vance he is expected to travel to Allentown next week to deliver remarks on the economy and cost of living, continuing the administration’s newfound effort to convince voters that the White House is focused on affordability issues.
📑 What do we see?. AND New dlcc strategy note claims that the party is expanding its map and announcing a $50 million investment for 2026, which includes the swap of AP Senate seats.
🥂 Society of Pennsylvania. The calendar of events for December 11-13 can be found here.
📰 PoliticsPA Guide was developed by Steve Ulrich. To read in your browser click here. Has this email been forwarded to you? Subscribe for free.
The most vital story
1. Trump spends little time on economics and more time on attack during his Mount Pocono speech
“At an address that was, honestly, everywhere, President Donald Trump returned to his favorite format, gathering the faithful on Tuesday evening at the Mount Airy Resort casino in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania.
After a successful 2024 rally format, Trump made one of his first business trips outside Washington since January’s inauguration to the Pennsylvania region, which may prove key to Republicans maintaining their majority in the House of Representatives. | PolitykaPA | gallery
Elsewhere
Shapiro destroys Trump’s economy: ‘does not reflect reality on the ground’. “Ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit to Monroe County and the Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro rejected Trump’s comments that his economy deserved an ‘A-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus’ rating.” | PoliticsPA
Trump came to a Pennsylvania casino to promise prosperity. Players here had mixed views on the economy. “It’s hard for anyone who’s just trying to make a living,” said one gambler at a casino where Donald Trump was scheduled to speak. “One day you feel supported, the next you don’t.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
Shapiro and Cox warn of rising political violence. “Governors Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Spencer Cox of Utah condemned the state of political discourse in the country and spoke about supporting each other following high-profile incidents of political violence in a wide-ranging interview Tuesday with “Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie on Tuesday.” | NBC News
Supreme Court questions political party spending limits in federal elections while hearing GOP appeal. “Conservative Supreme Court justices appeared Tuesday to support a Republican-led, backed by President Donald Trump administration push to overturn a quarter-century-old decision and end restrictions on political party spending in coordination with congressional and presidential candidates.” | AP
Country
2. ‘I’m not playing games anymore’: Republicans call for subpoena of Shapiro over flights, improved security at private homes
“Three public and private entities will receive subpoenas from a state Senate committee in the coming days after Republicans voted Tuesday to authorize an investigation into taxpayer-funded safety improvements at the street. Governor Josh Shapiro private residence in Montgomery County and administrative travel on charter flights.
Democrats on the Intergovernmental Operations Committee called the move a “witch hunt” and “disingenuous,” saying the body had no authority to issue subpoenas and questioning its “legislative purpose.”
Elsewhere
Fitzpatrick is offering to extend the health care tax credit as the deadline approaches. “Eight bipartisan members of Congress, including Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, have introduced a bill to extend health care tax credits. These credits will expire at the end of 2025, which could impact hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians if passed. ” | Bucks County Courier Times
Officials say about 2.7 million letters from state agencies were not sent to Pennsylvanians last month. “Approximately 2.7 million pieces of state agency mail failed to reach Pennsylvanians last month after a state-contracted delivery service failed to send them, impacting outgoing mail from the state Department of Human Services and Department of Transportation.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
The Senate confirms Dr. Carrie Rowe as Secretary of Education. “The Pennsylvania State Senate overwhelmingly confirmed Governor Josh Shapiro’s nomination of Dr. Carrie Rowe as the Commonwealth’s new Secretary of Education in a bipartisan vote.” | PoliticsPA
Around the Republic of Poland
3. America’s war on data centers is coming
“For more than a century, the Conshohocken Steel Mill in suburban Philadelphia employed thousands of people and was the backbone of a booming industrial economy. But the original owner went bankrupt in the 1970s, and then the plant went out of business with recent owners. It was closed indefinitely last summer and put up for sale.
It’s a familiar story of decline. The Trump administration has talked a large game about reviving American manufacturing; efforts so far have been unsuccessful. But at least in Conshohocken, the remnants of America’s industrial era fit neatly into what’s driving the economy today: artificial intelligence. A local developer quickly decided to transform the aged steelworks into a recent, huge data center Vox
Elsewhere
Philadelphia is now the No. 1 market for online gambling companies — and addiction hotlines are ringing non-stop. “Advertisers spent $37 million in the Philadelphia market in 2025. Online gambling assistance calls and texts in Pennsylvania and New Jersey have more than doubled since 2021.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
Pennsylvania AG announces $1.55 million settlement with dollar general for allegedly overcharging customers. “The investigation revealed ‘numerous incidents’ where consumers were charged higher prices at checkouts than what appeared on the shelves.” | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
Expiring Obamacare subsidies are prompting thousands to cancel Pennie health insurance. “For every new enrollment, two Pennsylvanians drop out of Obamacare coverage as heavy government subsidies expire at the end of the year.” | Trib LIVE
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
1 item
5. Underwater mat
“Ahead of this week’s Grand Slam freestyle chess finals, grandmasters competed in underwater competitionswhere American Hans Niemann he emerged victorious.
Underwater chess: The competition took place in the swimming pool on the roof of the Silo Hotel, where a chess set was placed at a depth of 1.5 meters. Each time a player surfaced after making a move, their opponent had to immediately dive in to make their own move.
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