☁️ It’s a smoky Thursday.
Headlines. Trump turns to campaign themes, referring to the collection of defense technologies. Poll: Shapiro leads Garrity, 53-40%. The House Judiciary Committee subpoenas Krasner. Code Red Air Quality Alert.
🎶 Your morning, pick me up. Smoke on the water. Deep purple
Weather in Pennsylvania
🌤️ Meadowville | Mostly sunlit, widespread smoke, 86
🌤️Selinsgrove | Mostly sunlit, mostly smoky, 95
🌤️Collegeville | Mostly sunlit, mostly smoky, 95
Sports PA
⚾ Phillies (54-43, 2GB) | Thu vs. NY Mets
⚾ Pirates (50-47, 9.5 GB, 2 GB WC) | Friday in Cleveland
What’s happening today. President Donald Trump will deliver a national address at 9 p.m.
What we hear. “I’m telling you, this guy [Josh] Shapiro is completely overrated.” President Donald Trump he said. “I saw him give a speech the other night and he didn’t have what it takes. Maybe he’ll win, and he’s expected to win, but I’ve heard things about Stacy (Garrity) and some of the polls are very good, but Shapiro is, he doesn’t have what it takes.”
Voices of reason. Voices of Reason will host this episode Steve Ulrich and his guests discuss democratic socialism. Who are democratic socialists? What does this term mean? What does this mean for the Democratic Party establishment? How does this impact the 2026 elections? Pennsylvania State Representative Chris Rabbself-described democratic socialist and candidate for the 3rd Congressional District and associate professor of political science at Dickinson College, Sarah Niebler answer these and other questions.
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 significant story
1. Trump turns to campaign themes, referring to the accumulation of defense technologies
“President Donald Trump spoke Wednesday at a defense summit at the U.S. Army War College, but spent little time discussing battlefield issues – even as the war in Iran has circumscribed U.S. supplies of critical missile and interceptor systems.
But his long speech devoted more time to themes that Trump repeats at his political rallies, bragging about – and sometimes exaggerating – his administration’s achievements.’ | AP
Elsewhere
Finally, the event: Trump praised record security spending at the defense summit. “President Donald J. Trump didn’t actually deliver a military policy message with his appearance at Wednesday’s Pennsylvania Summit on Defense and Innovation at Carlisle Barracks. However, he basked in the adulation of defense contractors and senior administration officials.” | PennLive
Shapiro, McCormick emphasize Pennsylvania’s importance and future for the defense industrial base. “Pennsylvania has always been at the center of our national defense. So in this moment of change, Pennsylvania can lead the way for America.” With these words, Senator Dave McCormick explained his rationale for establishing the Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle. | PoliticsPA
McCormick announces recent investment of nearly $10 billion at the PA Defense and Innovation Summit. “The two-day summit advanced President Trump’s vision of peace through strength and catalyzed nearly $10 billion in investment, supporting more than 4,000 jobs across the Commonwealth.” | PoliticsPA
The House of Representatives vote exposes Democrats’ deepening division on Israel. “A striking number of House Democrats — 103, including six of seven in Pennsylvania — voted on Wednesday to cut military aid to Israel for the next fiscal year, a sign of a growing disconnect between Democratic leaders’ long-standing support for the Jewish state and the left of the party.” | Washington Post Office
Trump made billions last year. Some Swing voters in Pennsylvania say they don’t care. “President Trump’s recent financial disclosures reveal that his fortune has skyrocketed since taking office again. His family businesses reported $2.2 billion in revenue last year – mostly cryptocurrency profits. But key voters in Pennsylvania have mixed views on whether this is a big deal or not, highlighting the level of cynicism among many in the political class. | NPR
Country
2. Quinnipiac Poll: Shapiro Leads Garrity, 53-40%; Pennsylvanians are expressing concerns about their finances
“Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro still has a double-digit advantage over them State Treasurer Stacy Garrityalthough the difference was closed in a Quinnipiac University poll of 895 self-identified registered voters in the Keystone State.
Shapiro received 53% support among those polled, while Garrity received 40% support. For comparison, in February the incumbent governor led by 18 points, at 55-37%. Interestingly, among men Garrity leads 48-46%, while among women Shapiro leads 60-33%. | PoliticsPA
Elsewhere
Fetterman warns he will leave the Democratic Party if it turns its back on Israel. “Senator Maverick John Fetterman said he has ‘no plans’ to leave the Democratic Party, but on Wednesday he warned that if Democrats completely turn away from US support for Israel, it would cross a red line that could push him out of the party.” | Hill
Fiscal agency finds Pennsylvania still facing $5 billion deficit despite budget relief. “Governor Josh Shapiro and lawmakers have crafted a 2026-27 spending plan that does not require dipping into state reserves to balance the budget, even though it does not authorize any additional revenue sources. Has the perennial dragon that is the Commonwealth’s budget deficit been slain? Not quite, according to some post-budget calculations from the state’s Independent Fiscal Office.” | PennLive
Feds halt PA on counterterrorism efforts and cybersecurity grants amid election security demands. “Pennsylvania officials say President Donald Trump’s administration is withholding nearly half of the state’s homeland security funding last year. And the grants for the coming year come with new voting requirements at a time when the president is expected to continue questioning state election security.” | WESA
PA attorney general defends state’s ban on abortion under Medicaid in court. Is this required? “Dave Sunday said he took the case because of a state statute that requires the attorney general to be responsible for upholding and defending the constitutionality of state law “in the absence of a review decision by a court of competent jurisdiction.” | PA reflector
Report: PA faces a choice: quickly reduce gambling addiction or preserve revenues. “A report to lawmakers shows Pennsylvania’s nation-leading online gambling industry rakes in billions but also contributes to a growing addiction problem. Should the state collect data or take immediate action that could reduce revenue?” | Public source
Around the Republic of Poland
3. House Judiciary Committee Subpoenas Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and Demands Immigration Documents
“The House Judiciary Committee subpoenaed Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner on Wednesday, ordering him to turn over documents related to his office’s handling of immigration cases and criticizing what it called the prosecutor’s “pro-illegal alien policies.”
The Commission in a letter signed by Representative Jim Jordanits chairman, accused Krasner of refusing to prosecute aliens or not prosecuting them sufficiently so that they could avoid consequences related to their immigration status. Commission said it was asserting its authority by trying to end sanctuary city policies in cities including Philadelphia.’ | Questioner from Philadelphia
Elsewhere
Slavery exhibits in the president’s home were replaced with the version released by the Trump administration. “President Donald Trump’s administration has installed its own version of history on the grounds of the President’s House, replacing panels depicting the brutality of slavery there with displays that experts say exonerate George Washington’s role as an enslaver.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
PA Chamber and Keystone Space Collaboration Announce Strategic Alignment to Advance the Space Economy. “The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry (PA Chamber) and the Keystone Space Collaborative announced today that they are forming a strategic alliance to advance Pennsylvania’s leadership in the growing space economy.” | PoliticsPA
Widow claims Trump’s assassination attempt at Butler rally was an ‘inside job’. “‘I believe it was an inside job – somewhere in the government,’” Helen Comperatore told News Nation, also saying she believed it was political. “I was told all sorts of things… then you start putting the pieces together, it just made sense.” | Grandstand overview
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
- Pennsylvania lawmakers passed the budget and avoided any tough questions | Questioner from Philadelphia
- It’s time for Pennsylvania voters to demand accountability from their lawmakers who spend free money | PennLive
- Whitening is a lesson | Jonathan Zimmerman
- A fair legal system is not afraid to deal with wrongful convictions. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court just made it harder | Zane David Memeger
- The steam engine succeeded where politicians failed: Big Boy United America | David M. Smith
- The hidden cost of saving the economy | Frank Ryan
- The press must rise above tribalism | Wide + Freedom
1 item
5. DEP issues a statewide red air quality alert for Thursday
“The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has announced a statewide Code Red Air Quality Day of Action for particulate matter (PM2.5) on Thursday, July 16, 2026.”
Wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota will pour into Pennsylvania’s northernmost counties and move into southern counties Wednesday afternoon through Thursday, creating PM2.5 concentrations in Code Red.” | Department of Environmental Protection
Thank you for starting your Thursday with us.
Have a nice day. See you tomorrow.
