🏀 Good morning on Thursday morning. Did you lose sleep last night during the so-called greatest comeback in NBA playoff history?
Headlines. Top K Street companies and corporate giants sponsor the Congressional Baseball Game. Shapiro sharply criticizes Trump’s Canadian comments. Data centers are on the ballot. Harley-Davidson brings some production back to PA
🎶 Your morning, pick me up. Lawyers, guns and money. Warren Zevon
Weather in Pennsylvania
🌤️ Stoneboro | AM Showers, partly bright, 86
🌂 Philipsburg | Partly bright, a few showers in the afternoon, 88
🌩️ Phoenixville | Prime Minister Burze, 94
Sports PA
⚾ Phillies (37-31) | Toronto 7-4 | Friday in Milwaukee
⚾ Pirates (35-33) | Los Angeles Dodgers 9-8 | Thu vs. LA Dodgers
⚾ Congressional baseball game | Republicans 11-2
⚽ USMNT | Friday – Paraguay
What we hear. Results from Emerson College Polling’s fresh national survey President Donald Trump has a 39% job approval rating and 55% disapprove of the job the president is doing. In the overall vote in the 2026 midterm elections, the Democratic candidate has a 10-point lead over the Republican candidate, 50% to 40%.
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. Big Money at the Stadium: Top K Street Companies, Corporate Giants Sponsor Congressional Baseball Game
“The sponsors of the annual Congressional Baseball Game include the second and third largest lobbying firms by revenue, three of the four firms that spend the most on lobbying, and two firms that have recently attracted unwanted attention from members of Congress.
The contest pits Republicans against Democrats, with proceeds going to charity, but the winners also include crucial Washington lobbying firms, trade associations and corporations that have spent between $1,000 and $100,000 to get their names in front of lawmakers and staffers who cover their issues, and even more to host receptions at Nationals Park. | PoliticsPA
Elsewhere
PA-08: National Democratic Super PAC directs money to northeastern Pennsylvania as battle for Congress heats up. “The race for a key swing district in northeastern Pennsylvania has attracted the attention of a major Democratic super PAC that plans to spend about $50 million on ads targeting Republican tickets, according to the New York Times. | Questioner from Philadelphia
The moderate GOP group is supporting Democrat Stelson over incumbent Perry in PA-10. “Living up to its name, the moderate GOP group ‘Republicans Against Perry’ opposes Republican Scott Perry and supports Democratic challenger Janelle Stelson in the race for the 10th Congressional District seat.” | PoliticsPA
Republicans’ chances of losing control of the House: 3 election predictions. “As Republicans and Democrats choose candidates for the midterm elections, updated House ratings from three leading election forecasters indicate Democrats may be able to flip control of the chamber.” | Newsweek
Trump’s Philadelphia judicial nominee was sharply criticized by a Senate panel for hesitating to “tell the truth.”. “Antonio Pozos, a Philadelphia lawyer nominated by President Donald Trump to be a federal judge in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, told a Senate panel on Wednesday that former President Joe Biden won the most Electoral College votes in 2020, although he would not say whether Biden won the popular vote or if the Capitol was ‘attacked’ two months later.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
Country
2. ‘Inconsiderate and disrespectful’: Shapiro slams Trump’s Canadian comments as he signs trade pact with Ontario
“Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro he sharply criticized the avalanche of “disrespectful” comments he said the US made President Donald Trump he lobbied for Canada during meetings with Ontario Premier Doug Ford Wednesday and signed a trade partnership agreement.
“Hear me: I respect Canadian sovereignty. Beyond reckless rhetoric, the Trump administration’s tariffs pose a real threat to both of our economies. ” | CTV News
Elsewhere
Postal Service not delivering absentee ballots to states that do not submit voter rolls, under Trump’s directive plan. “State election officials may soon face a difficult choice: turn over voter rolls to the Trump administration or risk the Postal Service losing its supply of mail-in ballots.” | CNN
Pennsylvania Democrats Force Vote on Minimum Wage Hike. “Senate Democrats filed a discharge petition on Wednesday that would force Republicans to vote on a bill to raise the minimum wage in Pennsylvania.” | abc27
Marijuana Law Restructuring Bill Failed by Senate in Rare Vote Failure. “What entity do you want to oversee your medical marijuana, and perhaps one day, your recreational offerings? It appears the Pennsylvania Senate thought it knew the answer — until suddenly it did.” | PennLive
At least six states said “no” to Trump’s state fairs. “President Donald Trump’s Big Birthday Party in America Faces More Hurdles as At Least Six States Plan to Not Participate in the Great American State Fair. At Least Three Other States, Including Pennsylvania, Remain Uncommitted” | known
Around the Republic of Poland
3. Data centers are in the spotlight – A Pennsylvania candidate won the presidential election by keeping it in the spotlight
“As proposals for energy-hungry data centers that could power the artificial intelligence boom emerge across the country, communities are protesting against them.
It’s no different in Dallas, a Pennsylvania town of just 2,500 people west of Scranton. A lifelong resident of the region there Fern has learnedA Democrat in a swing county with a affluent coal-producing legacy President Donald Trump won 60% of the vote in 2024, is running her third campaign in five years for the House of Representatives on a platform where she outlines her opposition to data centers.’ | Capitol and Main
Elsewhere
‘We don’t need them here’: Senator Coleman urges residents to ‘keep order’ against data centers. “Public outrage can be a powerful tool in residents’ fight against data centers in the Lehigh Valley, state Sen. Jarrett Coleman told residents Wednesday during a virtual town hall.” | LehighValley News
Meet the women at the forefront of the people-driven campaign against data centers. “Technology is more than just screens and machines. The reality, Maia Woluchem said, is that technology is in neighborhoods and backyards. For the past two years, her team has been studying how investments in artificial intelligence are changing the Pennsylvania landscape.” | 19
The proposal to resign before running for another public office has no support in Lehigh County. “Supporters say this measure will help prevent elected officials from using the benefits of office to seek higher office while also attending to their official duties.” | Tioga Publishing House
As measles resurfaces, Pennsylvania leaders say vaccine declines at thousands of schools will be made public. “As measles cases in Pennsylvania skyrocket to levels not seen in decades, state officials say they will release vaccination rates in schools statewide, enabling parents to track the safety of their children’s schools.” | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
- The Case for Civic Realism in Philadelphia | Terry Tracy
- Why is Trump fueling up in MAGA country? These Dems found the right answer | Greg Sargent
- As the Trump era moves from assets to liabilities, will this be a turning point in his second term?| John Baer
- Gerrymandering will only get worse | Grace Segers
- Democrats Ignore Candidates Who Could Win in 2028 | Dace Potassium
- Democrats and the Platner standard | Wall Street Journal
- Doctor Chatbot see you now | Grandstand overview
- When politics intersects with professional sports | David Marshall
- Here’s a policy consultation memo under the Protect College Sports Act that no one commissioned | Kyle Saunders
1 item
5. Harley-Davidson brings some motorcycle production back to Pennsylvania
“Harley-Davidson is bringing some motorcycle production back to Pennsylvania.
In a statement Tuesday, the company said it plans to move production of the Revolution Max motorcycles back to the United States and move that production to Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. This applies to Harley’s Pan America, Sportster S and Nightster models.
According to the company, Harley plans to produce more than 100,000 motorcycles in 2027 at its factory in York, Pennsylvania. | Wisconsin Public Radio
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The World Cup starts today. I’ll see you tomorrow.
