📣 Let’s start, Monday, let’s start. May it be a great week.
Pennsylvania Weather
☁️ Baldwin | Mostly shadowy, 67
🌧️ Williamsport | Showers, 73
🌂 Fort Washington | PM Shower, 83
Sports PA
⚾ Phillies (73-51) | Washington 4-6 | Tuesday-Thursday vs. Atlanta
⚾ Pirates (58-65) | Seattle 3-10 | Mon-Wed vs. Texas
⚽ Union (League Cup quarter-finals) | Mazatlán 1-1 (PK: 4-3) | Wed vs. Columbus
👂 What do we hear. Governor Josh Shapiro will be speech to delegates at the Democratic National Convention (DNC)one sec Lt. Governor Austin Davis He is also expected to speak.
🎂 Happy birthday. Cake and candles for Representative Joanna McClinton AND Senator Scott Hutchinson.
🗞️ Pennsylvania Headlines >> Your Inbox. Where can you find the latest news on what’s happening in Keystone State politics? Sign up for the PoliticsPA Playbook. We’ll deliver all the latest headlines in an easy-to-read format every weekday at 8 a.m., and it’s free. Add your name to the list and sign up now.
The most vital story
1. Harris calls for unity ahead of convention on bus tour of western Pennsylvania
“Vice President Kamala Harris I spent the last day before the Democratic National Convention began in Chicago traveling by bus across western Pennsylvania, joined campaign workers in Rochester and called potential voters, delivered Prantla baked goods to firefighters in Aliquippa, stopped by a local football practice, and searched for refreshments at Sheetz and Primanti’s.” (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
- Kamala Harris and Tim Walz rally supporters in series of visits to Allegheny and Beaver counties. (Greensburg Tribune-Review)
- Harris’ momentum is growing. Our polling expert explains whether it will last. (POLITICIAN)
Related
Donald Trump to visit York factory today to deliver economic speech“Trump is expected to deliver a speech on the economy, which was also a theme of his Saturday rally, though he strayed into digressions, including the claim that Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro was passed over as Kamala Harris’ vice presidential running mate because he is Jewish.” (PennLive)
- Donald Trump visits York City Business on Monday to talk about the economy. (York Dispatch)
- Live Coverage: Donald Trump Campaigns at Precision Custom Components in York. (York Daily Record)
Trump slams Harris, calling her too radical, mocks her appearance and laughs at Luzerne County rally. “Former President Donald Trump took the stage to chants of “USA! USA! USA!” and then called Vice President Kamala Harris a “radical left-wing nutcase” during a rally Saturday in Wilkes-Barre Township.” (WVIA)
- Trump receives an enthusiastic welcome from a gigantic crowd during his fifth visit to Mohegan Arena. (Scranton Times Tribune)
- Valley residents and representative want Trump to focus on economy at Pennsylvania rally. (CNHI News)
- Trump maintains a narrow lead in the Emerson College poll. (DV Journal)
Country
2. How Harrisburg Works: What Happens If Pennsylvania’s Governor Resigns
“Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro remains in place.
But his recent considerations for vice president have raised the possibility that the Democrat, whose popularity has been steadily rising nationally, will not serve out his full four-year term. (Because he was passed over in Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (As for the vice president, Shapiro has repeatedly said he is happy with his current job.)
If Shapiro were to move to higher office, the process for replacing him would be consistent with the rules set forth in the Pennsylvania Constitution.” (PA reflector)
Related
Meet Austin Davis, who was willing to become governor of Pennsylvania if Josh Shapiro becomes vice president. “Austin Davis knows Pennsylvanians don’t think much of their lieutenant governor. But that hasn’t stopped him from trying to make the unfamiliar office more useful.” (“Philadelphia Inquirer”)
Project 2025 wants to prosecute swing state election chief over 2020 vote“The 2025 Project, a conservative agenda designed for a possible second Trump administration, calls on the Justice Department to ‘investigate and prosecute’ Pennsylvania’s top election official in connection with the 2020 election as part of a drastic overhaul of federal law enforcement.” (USA today)
The fight to keep RFK Jr. off the ballot in Pennsylvania heads to Commonwealth Court in Harrisburg on Tuesday“Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy’s hopes of getting on the Pennsylvania ballot in November hang on what happens this week in a Harrisburg courthouse.” (PennLive)
Five ‘fake electors’ from Pennsylvania from 2020 return to Trump’s 2024 ticket“Republicans cast their votes and signed an ‘alternate’ certificate for Trump as if he had won the popular vote. Would they do it again?” (Vote)
Around the Commonwealth of Nations
3. PA Budgets $600 Million in Tax Credits to Aid Private Schools, State Law Prevents Oversight
“The debate over Pennsylvania private school vouchers heated up in Harrisburg under the leadership of Governor Josh ShapiroA Democrat willing to part ways with many in his party over support for school choice.
Amid the turmoil, some policymakers and education advocates point out that the Keystone State is already running what could be considered a dress rehearsal of a time-honored voucher system.
For those wondering what these programs might say about the rollout of a broader voucher initiative in the commonwealth, there’s a problem: State law prohibits officials from collecting the information needed to determine whether the grants are effective.” (Beaver County Times)
Related
Philadelphia to Host First Kamala Harris, Donald Trump Debate. “The first of two announced presidential debates between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will take place at the National Constitution Center on September 10, ABC News announced Friday.” (PennLive)
DNC Invites Influential Pennsylvanians, Some Say Trip Is Too Expensive“Getting invited to the Democratic National Convention as part of the first-ever influencer group is one thing, but actually going is another thing entirely.” (“Philadelphia Inquirer”)
Editorial
4. What do you mean
- How Democrats Flipped the Republican Party Script. (Jonathan Martin)
- The Philadelphia debate gives Harris a chance to tell Trump straight: “Tell it to my face.”Chris Matthews)
- How substantial of a popularity boost will Democrats see during the convention? (David Shribman)
- Fear of fentanyl during election season does nothing to solve the crisis in America. (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
- The Republican Party can become the conservative party America needs—if Democrats force it to. (Jamelle Bouie)
- 10 Ways Trump Is Wasting the Election. (Keith Naughton)
- To accuse Vance of stealing his valor dishonors him and all veterans. (Ken Stringer)
1 thing
5. Major League Players Share Tips with Little League Stars
“Let’s Go Tigers” and “Bienvenidos” were just some of the banners that players from teams in the Southwest and Cuba brought to greet Detroit Tigers players as they arrived at Williamsport Regional Airport Sunday morning ahead of the Little League Classic game.
For Spencer TorkelsonFor the Tigers first baseman, playing in the Little League World Series meant fulfilling a lifelong dream.
“I played Little League,” Torkelson said. “My team didn’t make it. Another team in my hometown made it, and I was so jealous.” (Williamsport Sun-Gazette)
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