☝️ Thursday. One day away
Headlines. Millions attend three races in Pennsylvania. ‘No solution’ before murder sentencing deadline. ICE formally withdraws plans to build two AP detention centers. The 10 best ice cream flavors in America
🎶 Your morning, pick me up. Passenger. Iggy Pop
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Sports PA
⚾ Phillies (56-47, 4GB, +2.5GB WC) | Los Angeles Dodgers 5-9 | Free vs. NY Yankees
⚾ Pirates (53-50, 11.5 GB, 0.5 GB WC) | The NY Yankees’ record is 5-3., 0-2 | Friday vs. Chicago Cubs
⚽ Union (2W, 3D, 11L) | Red Bulls 3-1 | Saturday vs. Seattle
What we hear. A fresh Emerson College Polling survey of likely 2026 voters shows Democrats have an 11-point lead over Republicans on overall congressional ballots, leading 53% to 42%.
Voices of reason. In the latest episode of Voices of Reason, PoliticsPA’s Steve Ulrich and his guests discuss the integrity of the elections. What does election integrity mean to you? Is an ID document required to vote? Does he make sure non-citizens don’t vote? Do you want the government to have Pennsylvania voter rolls? Mercer County Elections Director Thad Hall and the Committee of 70 Senior Advisors on Electoral Administration Benyo Team will share their thoughts on absentee ballots, the SAVE Act, and more.
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. Key battles: Millions of people weigh in on three Pennsylvania races that could decide control of the chamber
“Millions of dollars have been poured into three Pennsylvania House races that could determine which party controls the chamber in November.
According to the Cook Political Report’s House Race Ratings, which assesses the competitiveness of all 435 chamber elections, 18 contests were rated as toss-ups. Pennsylvania hosts three such races, the most of any state. All three districts are currently represented by Republicans and have played key roles in Democrats’ path to regaining the majority in the House of Representatives, making Pennsylvania’s races some of the most closely watched.” | Open secrets
Elsewhere
Josh Shapiro may be the biggest fundraising juggernaut in Pennsylvania history. “A governor seeking re-election with an eye on a presidential run is raising more money than any other Pennsylvania chief executive since at least 2010.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
House lawmakers passed a bill restricting trading in congressional stock. “The House passed a bill on Wednesday that would prevent members of Congress, their spouses and children from buying individual stocks. But the bill is unlikely to advance to the Senate, where Republican leaders have shown little interest in the issue. ” | known
The family of US Representative Dan Meuser bought shares of Musk’s SpaceX. “Four members of Congress, incl Representative Dan Meuser (R-09), who sit on committees that directly regulate Elon Musk’s SpaceX, now have a family stake in the company’s stock. All four serve on powerful House committees that could influence SpaceX’s business activities – two on the House Armed Services Committee, which is tasked with drafting the annual defense authorization bill and overseeing SpaceX, a major defense contractor. | known
‘No amnesty!’: Migrant farmer bill causes major split in GOP. “Conservatives are brutally destroying the Republican-led legislation as a ‘betrayal’ of the party’s immigration agenda and mobilizing President Donald Trump’s base to halt years of efforts to help farmers. A bill introduced by veteran House Agriculture Chairman GT Thompson proposes the possibility of gaining temporary legal status for some farm workers who entered the country illegally – language that has gained support from industry groups and dozens of House co-sponsors.’ | Policy
Self-proclaimed Everyman of the Republican Party caught with luxurious habits. “The Republican lawmaker who was exposed for secretly possessing a helicopter also spent thousands of dollars renting a private jet — all while campaigning as an ordinary Pennsylvanian. Rep. Rob Bresnahan, 36, spent more than $23,000 on a private charter flight in May, documents show. ” | Everyday Beast
Country
2. AP House Democrats Expect ‘No Resolution’ Before Crime and Murder Sentencing Deadline
“While top prosecutors are pushing for the state House to approve a Republican-sponsored murder regret measure, a spokesman for House Democratic leaders says no deal has still been reached despite a last-minute voting session scheduled for Thursday.
And while the state Senate proposal has passed twice with bipartisan support, House Democrats are not expected to approve the GOP-backed legislation. | THAT’S ALL
Elsewhere
The deadline for a decision on Pennsylvania’s “crime of murder” statute is approaching.. “Pennsylvania is less than 48 hours away from the state Supreme Court’s deadline to change its second-degree murder sentencing laws.” | PoliticsPA
McNeil leaves, Aguilera enters General Services. “Changes are coming in the Shapiro administration. Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Wednesday that Department of General Services Secretary Reggie McNeil “will terminate his term of service effective July 31, 2026.” “Deputy Executive Secretary Sandra Aguilera will take over McNeil’s role the following day.” | PoliticsPA
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved Mastriano’s nomination as ambassador. “After a heated hearing before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, State Senator Doug Mastriano is one step closer to being confirmed as U.S. Ambassador to Slovakia.” | PoliticsPA
‘Squad’ member Summer Lee confuses two Jewish Democrats – then Ilhan Omar tries to defend her and is reminded of her own voice. “What kind of name is that?” “Branch” Rep. Summer Lee confused two Jewish Democrats with the surname “Josh” on Tuesday in an attempt to impinge on Rep. Josh Gottheimer after he warned about the rise of socialism in the party. | New York Post Office
Around the Republic of Poland
3. ICE formally withdraws plans to build two detention centers in Pennsylvania
“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has formally changed its plans to create two ICE detention centers in Pennsylvania that would house up to 9,000 immigrants, Governor Josh Shapiro said Wednesday.
The decision, made amid opposition from the state and local communities, marks the end of efforts to convert warehouses in Berks and Schuylkill counties as the Trump administration works to vacate some facilities that were intended to support its mass deportation program.’ | Questioner from Philadelphia
Elsewhere
Muth criticizes budget gimmicks and failure to comply with data center regulations. “State Sen. Katie Muth took to town hall online Monday, focusing on the recently passed state budget she voted against and data centers. She pulled no punches.” | Pottstown Mercury
Lehigh Valley Town officials have signed confidentiality agreements with the company at the center of the data center dispute, Records Show. “The debate surrounding the Lower Mount Bethel Township data center proposal went beyond environmental and quality of life concerns and included sharp questions about the level of transparency elected officials owe voters.” | Morning talk in Allentown
FBI: More than 100 files of child pornography found in former Pittsburgh-area lawmaker’s home. “According to a complaint filed in federal court, former Democratic Rep. Jesse White told agents he collected more than 100 files while searching the dark web using encrypted accounts. After Tuesday’s search of White’s home in Upper Allen Township, he was arrested on two federal child pornography charges.” | PennLive
Lackawanna County commissioner’s top aide resigns after accusation of political ‘bulky arming’. “The manager of the Electric City Trolley Museum says a Lackawanna County employee told him his job could be in jeopardy if he did not support the employee’s candidacy for a Democratic Party county office last week.” | WVIA
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
- US Senator John Fetterman and the long game plan in the political arena | David Reel
- Fetterman, do what you can to stop corruption | Amy Kurland
- Why did Josh Shapiro appoint this anti-transgender Republican to the Pennsylvania Civil Rights Commission? | Christopher Wiggins
- Why aren’t more 18-year-olds registering to vote in Pennsylvania? | Grandstand overview
- Election security, declassified documents and local response | Felicia Good
- Krasner’s office is accused of lying and cutting corners to get an acquittal – and the wrongly convicted may pay the ultimate price | Questioner from Philadelphia
- Why is Pennsylvania fighting to keep the list of deceased voters secret? | Beth Ann Rosica
1 item
5. Here are the 10 most popular ice cream flavors in America
“There’s no shortage of kid-friendly delight in the ice cream aisle. From better-for-you pints to maximalism and vegan options, there’s never been more variety. But according to new data, nothing beats the classics.”
Vanilla continues to top shopping charts as America’s favorite ice cream flavor, according to a fresh report from delivery platform Instacart. About 21% of all ice cream orders in 2025 contained vanilla, making it the most frequently purchased purchase in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
“It’s easy to dismiss this option as the default, but vanilla is a great social equalizer in the freezer aisle” – Instacart Trend Analyst Alex Orellana explains.” | Food and wine
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We turn around and head towards the weekend. See you on Friday.
