😎 Good morning! Let’s say it’s Friday.
📰 Headlines. The situation for Republicans is not even better. How a man broke into the governor’s mansion, set a fire and escaped unmolested Pennsylvania’s highest-paid employees. Volunteers turn fan videos from 10,000 concerts into an online treasure trove
🎶 Your morning, pick me up. My best friend’s girlfriend. Nirvana (Live)
Weather in Pennsylvania
🌤️ Evans City | Rising Clouds, 74
☀️ Thompsontown | Sunny, 74
🌤️ Buckingham | Becoming solar, 70
Sports PA
⚾ Phillies (6-6) | Friday-Sunday vs. Arizona
⚾ Pirates (7-5) | Friday-Sunday at Chicago Cubs
🏀 Sixes (43-37) | Houston 102-113 | Friday in Indiana | Sun vs. Milwaukee
🏒 Leaflets (40-27-12) | Detroit 3-6 | I was based in Winnipeg
🏒 Penguins (41-22-16) | New Jersey 5-2 | Saturday-Sunday H/A vs. Washington
⚽ Union (0-0-6) | Saturday vs. Montreal
💬 Tips. PoliticsPA is Pennsylvania’s leading source of unbiased political news and analysis. Tips and press releases can be submitted [email protected].
📕 PoliticsPA Guide was developed by Steve Ulrich. To read in your browser click here.
The most crucial story
1. Things aren’t getting any better for Republicans yet
“Just a few months ago, Republican strategists expressed some optimism about their party’s mid-term fortunes. Gas prices were falling, the stock market was rising, and tax refunds were imminent.
However, President Donald Trump’s war with Iran has at least slowed down this vigorous, and there is a risk that he will be an anvil on the necks of the Republican Party candidates during the fall term.
Historical mid-term trends work to the detriment of the party with a majority in the House of Representatives, especially if it has an unpopular president in the White House. While Republicans had faith in the direction of the economy and felt they had time to turn things around before November, neither of these factors are now working in their favor. | Roll call
Elsewhere
Perry and other elected AP House Republicans intend to seek support from Speaker Mike Johnson. “U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson will spend time in Pennsylvania this week in an effort to boost the campaign funds of four GOP members and improve their chances of retaining their leadership role.” | PennLive
PA-10: Republicans focus on tax cuts as gas prices take center stage. “Democrats and Republicans in tight races delivered very different messages to voters during the April recess as they laid out their mid-term strategy for 2026.” | known
Democrats in the US House of Representatives, including Republican Madeline Dean, are calling on Congress to return to session to discuss the Iran war debate. “House Democrats on Capitol Hill on Thursday sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s rhetoric on Iran as ‘unacceptable’ and called on House Speaker Mike Johnson to reconvene Congress and limit the president’s war powers.” | Penn Capital Star
DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, Bet365 Sport Hazard Fund Super PAC. “Several major sportsbooks have donated tens of millions of dollars to a new super PAC to support sports betting across the country. The organization expects to partner with as many as 15 more states between now and November, including Pennsylvania and New York. ” | Axles
Country
2. This is how a man broke into the governor’s mansion, set it on fire and escaped unmolested
“A year ago, an unlucky mechanic struggling with solemn mental illness set off a stunning arson attack on the Pennsylvania Governor’s Mansion.
Since then, many citizens – from retired cops to Capitol workers to residents of Uptown Harrisburg – have wondered how this happened. Cody Balmer do this?
PennLive has learned one key reason.” | PennLive
Elsewhere
Million-dollar war chests raise questions about relaxed campaign finance laws in Pennsylvania. “Thousands of donors to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s (D) re-election campaign amount to thousands of pages of disclosure forms. The one that caught our eye – $1 million from San Francisco tech magnate Christian Larsen. Voters can see who he is and how much he gave, which means the system is working. But it doesn’t always work that way.” | abc27
High Court rejects Penn State’s proposal to keep trustees’ records hidden from public view. “The state’s highest court denied Penn State’s request to vacate a ruling that would give Spotlight PA and the public access to the trustee’s long-sought documents.” | PA reflector
Pennsylvania’s minimum wage details are still relevant. “Pennsylvania lawmakers appear to agree that the state’s $7.25 minimum wage is outdated, but the details of how far and how quickly to raise it are up for debate as the House-passed bill heads to the Senate. Democrats say it’s time to do the right thing, while Republicans say the bill doesn’t protect the wages of tipped workers, so they suggest finding a middle ground.” | Central Square
Interview with Jason Richey, part 1. “A year ago, I interviewed Jason Richey after he became Allegheny County GOP chairman. He continued his career in the Pennsylvania Republican Party after gaining the party’s endorsement for lieutenant governor. Since then, he has campaigned alongside State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who won the party’s endorsement for governor.” | Wide + Freedom
Around the Republic of Poland
3. Pennsylvania’s highest-paid workers: See the 25 highest salaries
“Higher education administrators, pension fund managers and state agency heads lead the list of the highest-paid state government employees in Pennsylvania.
According to PennWATCH, a state-run portal of state finance and workforce data, many of the 25 highest salaries go to college chancellors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, as well as top PSSHE leaders. Six of the 25 highest salaries go to employees of the Pennsylvania Public School Employees’ Retirement System.
People you won’t see on the list: crucial government employees.” | Erie Times-News
Elsewhere
PA-01: Meet Bob Harvie and Lucia Simonelli, Democrats Fighting to Remove Brian Fitzpatrick from Congress. “Democrats are seeking to take back the 1st Congressional District seat from Bucks County to help take control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Here’s what you need to know.” | WHY
DEP orders to fight ICE at two Pennsylvania detention facilities. “The state orders have effectively blocked water and wastewater use until the federal agency comes up with detailed plans.” | Penn Capital Star
Uber has launched an all-out pressure campaign to oppose Mayor Parker’s $1 per ride tax. “Mayor Cherelle L. Parker believes she has public opinion on her side. A recent poll shows that a majority of Philadelphia’s Democratic primary voters support the tax. ” | Questioner from Philadelphia
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
- Scott Perry didn’t respond — so the newsroom heard from Democrats who want his seat | PennLive
- Why Republicans won’t run away from Trump | Liam Donovan and John Guida
- Pennsylvania Leadership Conference Scores Again | Jeffrey Lord
- In this year of milestones for Pennsylvania, let’s create another one first: a statewide law promoting a local news resurgence | Jim Peaceful
1 item
5. Saving your recording collection
A group of volunteers from around the world is digitizing and uploading the Chicago native’s lifelong collection of more than 10,000 concert recordings.
🎤 The Adam Jacobs Collection (yes, two high fives!) is an online treasure trove for music lovers, featuring early performances from REM, The Cure, the Pixies and more.
📼 Jacobs says most artists are elated to keep their work, and he has only received a few removal requests.
“I think the general consensus is that it’s easier to say ‘I’m sorry’ than to ask for permission.” | AP
Thank you for starting your weekend with us.
Spend some time outdoors. See you on Monday.
