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📰 Headlines. Dems lead by six points in battleground districts. State Senate passes bill to protect fairness in women’s sports. A power struggle is rattling Democratic leaders in Dauphin County ahead of the primary election. Pittsburgh, you’re in the know.
🎶 Your morning, pick me up. Dear rollercoaster. Ohio players
Weather in Pennsylvania
☀️ Pittsburg | Mostly clear, 78
☀️ State Higher School | Sunny, 76
☀️ Scranton | Sunny, 70
Sports PA
⚾ Phillies (8-16) | Young 2-7 | Wednesday at the Chicago Cubs
⚾ Pirates (14-10) | Texas 8-4 | Wednesday in Texas
🏀 Sixes (1-1) | Friday vs. Boston
🏒 Leaflets (3-0) | Pittsburgh 5-2 | Saturday vs. Pittsburgh
🏒 Penguins (0-3) | Philadelphia 2-5 | I was based in Philadelphia
⚽ Union (1-1-7) | Toronto 3-3 | Sat versus Columbus
🔈 What we hear. The House Majority PAC, the Democrats’ super PAC, is committing $272 million to initial TV and digital programming bookings, including $20 million for Pennsylvania bookings. The Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC affiliated with Speaker Mike Johnson, has set aside more than $153 million in the first wave of fall ad buys. For example, in PA-10, HMP will contribute $3.474 million, while CLF will contribute $2.9 million.
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📕 PoliticsPA Guide was developed by Steve Ulrich. To read in your browser click here.
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The most essential story
1. Democrats lead by six points in battleground districts in up-to-date CPR poll
“For Republican candidates running in competitive House districts, the Cook Political Report’s Battleground District project is a flashing red warning delicate for the fall.
In an exclusive survey of districts rated Toss Up, Lean Republican or Lean Democrat by The Cook Political Report – districts that President Donald Trump won by an average of two points in 2024 — Democrats have a six-point advantage in overall congressional votes, 50% to 44%.
If this advantage continued in November, any district where Trump had an advantage of 10 points or less could be in significant danger of falling to Democrats.’ | Cook Political Report
Elsewhere
What is Trump’s latest approval rating? Here’s what the polls say about the U.S. and Pennsylvania. “What do Americans think of President Donald Trump’s performance today? Do Pennsylvanians agree with Trump’s national job approval rating? Trump’s overall presidential approval rating has been declining since the first historic government shutdown in October. It has now dropped to its lowest level this term since the start of the Iran war. ” | USA Today Network
Future of voter ID bill unclear in Senate. “Five weeks ago, Senate Republicans said they were preparing for a longer fight by opening debate on their marquee overhaul bill. Now they have quietly set aside the so-called SAVE America Act.” | Roll call
PA-7 Democratic Candidates Discuss DOGE Cuts and Divisions in Congress. “Lehigh Valley Public Media asked former federal prosecutor Ryan Crosswell, former Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure and energy engineer Carol Obando-Derstine about governing in an era of division and their thoughts on the shrinking federal government workforce.” | LehighValley News
Trump, Shapiro and McCormick applaud decision to keep PA’s two coal plants operating. “The Keystone and Conemaugh plants were previously scheduled to cease operations on December 31, 2028. However, the consent decree allowed the plants to continue operating through 2032 with upgraded wastewater treatment equipment at both plants.” | Central Square
Country
2. The state Senate passes a bill to protect fairness in women’s sports
“By a 30-17 vote, the Pennsylvania Senate passed SB 1293, which provides for the express designation of athletic activities at public institutions of higher education and public schools as male, female, or coeducational and the creation of a cause of action for damages incurred as a result of the designation.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Judy Wardwould require public schools and colleges to designate sports teams as male, female or coeducational. Regulations state that only biological women can join women’s teams. The bill would also enable students to take legal action if they suffer harm as a result of violating this rule.” | PolitykaPA
Elsewhere
Pennsylvania unions know that money talks. “The Commonwealth Foundation released a study of the union and government PAC money that flowed to politicians in Pennsylvania in 2025. As you might guess: it’s a lot.” | Wide + Freedom
Your complete guide for lieutenant governor candidates. “In this year’s lieutenant governor primary, incumbent Democrat Austin Davis is running unopposed, while party-endorsed Republican, attorney Jason Richey, faces a far-sighted challenger in former UPS executive John Ventre.” | PA reflector
Shapiro joins Patriots owner Kraft to call for a common fight against bigotry. “It was undoubtedly a bold choice: to host an event in Pittsburgh dedicated to overcoming painful differences, and then to organize owner of the New England Patriots team participate. But if you succeed, can world peace be left far behind?” | WESA
Around the Republic of Poland
3. Power struggles shake Dauphin County Democratic leaders ahead of primary election
“Dauphin County Democrats are winning the battle to turn the county blue and end decades of Republican dominance.
But will they be able to survive fighting each other?” | PennLive
Elsewhere
Can Allegheny County Ban ICE from Wearing Masks? It’s complicated. “The action failed on Wednesday when a California appeals court judge ruled that forcing federal agents to reveal themselves was probably unconstitutional.” | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
Two Pennsylvania lawmakers are defying political norms by building friendship, faith and bipartisan results. “State Reps. Jared Solomon, a Democrat from Philadelphia, and Jesse Topper, a Republican from Bedford and Fulton counties, share how they have built true friendship across political, geographic and cultural boundaries while ensuring bipartisan progress in Harrisburg.” | PR message
Do juvenile people follow politics closely? “New research from the University of Pennsylvania shows that “less than a quarter of Americans under 30 say they follow U.S. politics closely.” | Erie News Now
Cognetti offers a positive outlook in his 2026 State of the City address. “Mayor Paige Cognetti, during her annual State of the City address, described a Scranton that is less analog and safer in part because of technology and citizen reassurances.” | WVIA
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
1 item
5.Pittsburgh. You’re on the clock
“It’s been a long, long pre-game, but we’re getting closer to the start of the NFL draft.
Thousands of people will roar, sigh or groan at the stadium and at events throughout the region. We’ve got a list of them, ranging from high-priced VIPs with former and current Steelers to more low-key and budget-friendly options.
For those coming to town, we have guides to bars, breweries, restaurants and attractions near the stadium, as well as other fun things like special concerts at two up-to-date plazas in Pittsburgh. | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
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