😎 Weekend.
Headlines. Deadline to reform state murder statute missed. Administrator Shapiro consulted with Amazon and data centers about the security of his tent. Podcast: Election Integrity. The smoothest cheeses for a weekend burger.
🎶 Your morning, pick me up. Saturday night is alright (to fight). Elton John
Weather in Pennsylvania
☀️ Presque Island | Sunny, 80
🌤️Raystown | Rising clouds, 82
☀️ Pocono Mountain | Sunny, 77
Sports PA
⚾ Phillies (56-47, 4.5GB, +2GB WC) | Free vs. NY Yankees
⚾ Pirates (53-50, 11.5 GB, 1 GB WC) | Friday vs. Chicago Cubs
⚽ Union (2W, 3D, 11L) | Saturday vs. Seattle
What we hear. “Senate Republicans take public safety and securing our communities seriously, which is why we have acted decisively and in a bipartisan manner. Since the day the House announced their return to session this week, we have not been contacted by the Governor or Democratic leaders in the House. The lack of commitment on such an important issue is seriously troubling and represents a complete failure of leadership.”
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. Under pressure from a deadline, the AP House passes a bill reforming the murder sentencing statute
“On the eve of a court-mandated Friday deadline for the Legislature to reform the state’s murder law, the House narrowly passed a bill updating the controversial law.
But because the bill differs significantly from the bill passed by the Republican-controlled Senate in June, the Legislature still misses the deadline set by the state Supreme Court.
The changes in the law could impact the approximately 1,100 people in prisons across the state who have been convicted of second-degree murder, as well as every person convicted of this crime in the future.’ | Grandstand overview
Elsewhere
Shapiro joins lawsuit challenging immigration elections and conditions on federal grants. “In response to the Trump administration’s latest efforts to impose conditions on federal grants owed to the Commonwealth, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has joined more than two dozen other state leaders in the lawsuit.” | Penn Capital Star
House votes to end Iran war, but Senate Republicans vote to let Trump continue waging war. “The House approved a Democrat-led proposal to end the war in Iran by ordering President Donald Trump to withdraw military forces from hostilities. However, the resolution is not binding. The House voted 214 to 208, with four Republicans including Representative Brian Fitzpatrickjoining with all Democrats who will cast the deciding votes for this measure. The Senate voted 47 to 49 to reject a “joint resolution” to end the war with Iran, which would have had the force of law but would have been subject to a presidential veto. Senator John Fetterman I voted against the resolution.” | NBC News
100 Days Away: House GOP in danger zone. “Sunday is 100 days before the midterm elections. The House is out for five weeks. And things look bleak for most Republicans in the House.” | Punchbowl News
The US Senate has confirmed a up-to-date federal judge in Philadelphia. “Antonio Pozos will become the first new district court judge in the region appointed by President Donald Trump during his second term.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
Country
2. Administrator Shapiro consulted with Amazon and data centers about the security of his tent, the Records Show
“Governor Josh Shapiro spent months preparing a set of standards that he promised would “hold data center developers accountable.”
But behind the scenes, Shapiro’s top administration advisers were drafting the structure with input from Amazon and the powerful data center lobby, then sharing early drafts with company officials before making them public, records show.’ | Questioner from Philadelphia
Elsewhere
DCCC is targeting Republican-held seats with digital advertising to mark 100 days until the midterm elections. “The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee marks 100 days until the midterm elections with a new digital ad. Among the 25 targeted districts are Pennsylvania’s 1st, 7th, 8th and 10th districts. ” | Roll call
Perry, Stelson 10th Congressional District Race Most Expensive in Pennsylvania. “With more than $11.5 million raised so far this cycle and $4.3 million already spent this election cycle, the congressional race in Pennsylvania’s 10th District is the most expensive in the state.” | WITF
PA-09: Wallace confident in the fight for Meuser’s congressional seat. “Rachel Wallace faces several challenges in Pennsylvania’s heavily conservative 9th Congressional District, but in remarks at a fundraising event, she expressed confidence in unseating Rep. Dan Meuser after his four terms, calling him a “hilariously underrated villain who deserves to be fired.”” | NorthCentralPA.com
PA Health Insurers Want a Major Obamacare Rate Increase for 2027. “Pennsylvanians who insure themselves under the state’s Affordable Care Act (ACA) will face double-digit percentage increases next year, another shock to a market already reeling from the expiration of additional federal subsidies.” | PennLive
Around the Republic of Poland
3. Voices of reason: election integrity
In this episode of Voices of Reason, PoliticsPA’s Steve Ulrich and his guests discuss election integrity. 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 Senior Advisor to the Committee of Seventy for Election Administration Benyo Team will share their thoughts on absentee ballots, the SAVE Act, and more. | PoliticsPA
Elsewhere
We asked, you answered: How confident are you that the PA election process is fair and secure? “With Pennsylvania’s elections approaching and the president once again attempting to cast doubt on the integrity of the election, we asked Keystone newsletter readers whether they believe Pennsylvania’s elections are fair and secure.” | (*24*)Key
Former DuBois City Manager Suplizio pleads guilty in federal corruption case. “The long-running public corruption case in DuBois appears to be coming to an end. Former DuBois City Manager John “Herm” Suplizio pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to two felony charges stemming from the theft and misuse of city funds. | PoliticsPA
The elephant in the room: Views from the top of the defense, the Philadelphia election ruling and praise for Boyle and Fitzpatrick. “Pennsylvania companies large and small, along with universities, stood proud during the recent two-day Defense Summit at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, hosted by Senator Dave McCormick.” | Wide + Freedom
Trump administration withdraws demands for list of UPenn Jewish employees. “Court documents filed Thursday show that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the university have reached an agreement in which the agency will not enforce its subpoena for information on university employees. Penn will instead file a stipulation of dismissal.” | Policy
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
1 item
5. The tastiest burger cheeses, tested and rated
“A great burger will be even better with a layer of melted cheese. Whether you’re grilling thick pub-style burgers over hot coals or pressing thin burgers in a blazing hot cast iron skillet, great cheese really makes a difference.”
This got me thinking: what cheese melts best on burgers? I’m not talking about the tastiest cheese, just the meltiest. While I had a clear favorite in the melting department, all of the cheeses I tested melted well and would be a worthy addition to any burger. | Food and wine
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Enjoy your weekend. See you on Monday.
