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🗞️ Headlines. Democrats say they do not oppose voter ID but say the GOP voting bill is too stringent. Can Democrats finally defeat Scott Perry in 2026? The Continuing Evolution of the Right to Know Law in Pennsylvania. Everyone watches women’s sports.
🎶 Your morning, pick me up. The coach stays (from Hoosiers). Jerry Goldsmith
Weather in Pennsylvania
🌧️ Shaler Twp. | Showers, 61
☂️ State Higher School | Afternoon rain, 59
☔ Scranton | Afternoon rain, 59
Sports PA
🏀 Sixes (38-32) | Sacramento 139-118 | I was sitting in Utah
🏒 Leaflets (33-23-12) | Los Angeles 4-3 (YES) | I was based in San Jose
🏒 Penguins (34-18-16) | Saturday vs. Winnipeg
⚽ Union (0-0-4) | I was based in Chicago
🏀 U. of Scranton (32-0) | New York University 60-52 | Sat vs. Denison (NCAA DIII women’s final)
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The most crucial story
1. Democrats say they don’t oppose voter ID, but say the GOP voting bill is too stringent
“Republicans who are pushing strict ID laws have tried to frame the debate in basic terms – if you have to show a photo ID to get on a plane or check out a book at the library, shouldn’t you have one to vote?
Democrats, who are expected to block the bill, have expressed greater concerns about recent voter registration requirements included in the legislation, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, also known as the SAVE America Act or the SAVE Act.
Because most photo IDs do not indicate citizenship, voters wishing to register would have to appear in person at an election office with a passport, birth certificate or other approved document.’ | AP
Elsewhere
Fetterman breaks with Democrats (again), promotes Mullin to DHS. “Another day, another disappointment for Democrats in Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. The Keystone State’s senior senator broke ranks with his Democratic colleagues and voted to support President Donald Trump’s selection for Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Senator Markwayne Mullin” | PoliticsPA
White House unveils its first national artificial intelligence framework and urges Congress to take action ‘this year’. “White House sources told Fox News Digital that the framework was designed to reduce regulatory uncertainty, maintain U.S. dominance in the artificial intelligence space, prevent censorship and protect free speech. “We need a single national policy, not a patchwork of regulations spanning 50 states,” said White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios. “This legislative proposal ensures that.” | Fox News
Most Americans don’t believe the Trump administration is “putting America first,” a recent poll finds. “A national Emerson College survey of 1,000 likely voters found that 53% of voters do not believe the administration is “putting America first” compared to 42% who say they do. The percentage of voters who do not believe America is a priority has increased from 41% in March 2025.” | abc27
Country
2. Democrats think they can finally beat Scott Perry in 2026
“Democrats are positive about their chances of displacing Pennsylvania Rep. Scott Perry in a dispute that may ultimately determine the balance of power in the House of Representatives.
Democratic strategists say 2026 could be a prime opportunity to unseat Perry, who has held the position since 2013. The former House Freedom Caucus chairman is running in a redrawn, more competitive district. Democrats plan to nominate Janelle Stelson, a former local news anchor who ran against Perry in 2024.’ | known
Elsewhere
Shapiro Takes Legal Action to Undo 2009 Repeal of Greenhouse Gas Threat Finding. “Another day, another lawsuit filed by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. On Thursday, the governor joined a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s repeal of a greenhouse gas finding. ” | PoliticsPA
Fighting over public records is more common in Pennsylvania and is sometimes aided by artificial intelligence. “More people than ever are fighting against public records denials from their counties, school boards and other public agencies in Pennsylvania. Many appellants are turning to AI to help with their efforts. ” | WITF
PA’s $15 minimum wage will be less than a ‘living wage’. “A new report finds that even a $15 hourly wage may still be insufficient for Pennsylvania workers struggling with the rising cost of living. Laura Nevitt, executive director of the Keystone Progress Education Fund, said the cost of living has significantly outpaced wages since 2009.” | Keystone State News
Their children became victims of false AI tricks. They told Josh Shapiro they wanted state action. “Speaking at a roundtable with parents of two Radnor High School students who fell victim to false AI misinformation, Gov. Josh Shapiro said Thursday that he will ask the Pennsylvania Department of Education to explore options for creating standards for how schools respond to similar crimes.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
Around the Republic of Poland
3. The continuing evolution of the right to know law in Pennsylvania
“In the commonwealth, anyone has the right to request public records from government agencies, except for documents such as investigative files and personnel records, which are codified under state right-to-know laws.
No entity tracks the thousands of applications filed through municipalities, municipalities, counties and state agencies, but all appeals are routed through the Office of Open Records, which had a record year in 2025.
The 3,970 appeals filed last year were a 23% raise over the previous record in 2024. Nearly two-thirds came from citizens, while companies and private organizations, the next largest segment, accounted for 17%. | Penn Capital Star
Elsewhere
What a day at a Pennsylvania gas station revealing midterms. “Millersburg, one of a string of battleground MAGA enclaves in Pennsylvania’s ultra-competitive 10th District, seemed like the perfect place to find out how Trump voters evaluate his performance and think about the November election.” | NBC News
Trump administration announces $17 billion power plant will produce more electricity in southwestern Pennsylvania. “A $17 billion natural gas-fueled investment to boost energy production is coming to southwestern Pennsylvania, the White House announced Thursday. Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
Contest Questions The residence of the Republican State Senate candidate. “The residency of GOP state Senate candidate Al Buchtan is being questioned in an effort to remove him from the May 19 primary election in what he says is a “false” stunt to remove Sen. Camera Bartolotta from the state. Three registered Republicans living in the state’s 46th Senate District filed papers Tuesday challenging Buchtan’s candidacy, alleging that he still maintains a residence near Carmichaels even though he moved to Canonsburg last year.’ | Observer-Reporter from Washington
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
- It’s time to pass legislation in PA to allow independents to vote in primary elections | Josh Maxwell
- A Smarter Staff: The Path to Stronger Schools Across Pennsylvania | Dr. Aimee Seitz-Geedey
- Pennsylvania is losing businesses and workers | Megan Martin
1 item
5. 1 On the road: everyone watches women’s sports
“Over the last six years, U.S. women’s sports viewership has nearly tripled.
The bank’s research arm expects revenues in women’s sports to grow 250% by 2030, reaching $2.5 billion.
The Bank of America Institute said in its analysis: “The women’s sports industry is moving into the mainstream, with pay, sponsorship and media attention following suit.” | Axles
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