⚡ Good morning. It could be an lively day in the Commonwealth.
Headlines. Boyle gives a history lesson at the PA Press Club. McCormick argues that the costs of the Iran war will not be reflected in investments in defense technologies. More broadband money will flow to PA. Animal House at 46
🎶 Your morning, pick me up. Louie, Louie. King
Weather in Pennsylvania
🌂 Duquesne | Showers, 83
🌧️Burnham | Showers, 81
☔ Emmaus | Showers, 78
Sports PA
⚾ Phillies (57-50, 5.5GB, +2.0GB WC) | Miami 7-8 | Tuesday in Miami
⚾ Pirates (55-52, 11.5 GB, – GB WC) | Arizona 3-2 | Tuesday vs. Arizona
What we hear. The National Republican Congressional Committee today launched a paid digital advertising campaign targeting Democrats Bob Brooks, Paige Cognetti AND Janelle Stelson for opposing tariffs that would hold communist China accountable instead of protecting American workers.
What we also hear. Democrat Paige Cognetti in his Republican Party freshman challenge, he attacks artificial intelligence data centers Representative Rob Bresnahansaying “we are not for sale” in a fresh TV ad in Pennsylvania’s swing congressional district, where communities are fighting data center projects.
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 critical story
1. Boyle gives history lessons, advice for other Democrats and insight into the political future
“Left alone, Rep. Brendan Boyle I’d rather talk about sports.
But the six-term congressman from Philadelphia felt it would be more appropriate to give a brief history lesson and answer questions about politics and his political future during a luncheon Monday at the Pennsylvania Press Club in Harrisburg. | PoliticsPA
Elsewhere
Trump violated ethical standards. Will voters trust Democrats to fix them? “Democrats like Republican Jamie Raskin are convincing voters across the country that now is the time to pursue anti-corruption reforms — not just to check Trump, but to overhaul the entire political system that voter polls show has been co-opted against their interests.” | NPR
The Trump administration is calling on the Supreme Court to allow mail-in voting before intermediate deadlines. “The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court on Monday to allow President Donald Trump to issue an executive order that could dramatically change mail-in voting ahead of the November midterm elections.” | AP
Democratic power rankings for 2028, now. “What Axios’ Alex Thompson hears from Democratic insiders about the most likely Democratic candidates in 2028.” | Axles
Polling expert warns Trump could crush Democrats in 2026. Here are the reasons for the ‘red flags’. “CNN data chief Harry Enten said that while Democrats are favored in the 2026 midterm elections, the GOP still has many advantages heading into the November elections. He stressed that Republicans have significantly more cash on hand than Democrats.” | PennLive
Country
2. McCormick says the costs of the Iran war will not reduce U.S. investment in fresh defense technology
“Six months after the start of the US-Iran conflict, Senator Dave McCormick said he was not interested in balancing the costs of war with investments in fresh defense technologies, although he said he supported efforts to further boost the country’s defense budget.
McCormick traveled to Lititz on Monday to visit a local defense company, saying the United States is financially prepared to continue the war while making fresh investments in national security.” | LNP
Elsewhere
Deluzio introduces the Build America plan to reindustrialize America. “Rep. Chris Deluzio says Democrats must offer more than just opposition to Trump’s industrial policy tariffs — and he’s introducing a three-bill package aimed at rebuilding American manufacturing and strengthening the nation’s industrial base.” | Policy
Shapiro, Democrats sharply criticized Trump’s “conspiracy theories.” That message has not changed following the release of noncitizen voting information in New Jersey. “New Jersey’s disclosure has fueled the message of Trump allies who are calling for more federal power in elections. Shapiro and other 2028 Democratic candidates are not flinching.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
Lawmakers and workers plan to continue pushing for Pennsylvania to raise its minimum wage. “State Sen. Christine Tartaglione rises at the end of each legislative session with one message for lawmakers. ‘It’s been 7,309 days since Pennsylvania last raised its minimum wage,’ she said at the end of the session on July 12, right after the Legislature passed this year’s budget without a wage increase.” Penn Capital Star
Around the Republic of Poland
3. More broadband money will flow to PA when the Trump administration agrees to restore the subsidy program
“The broadband subsidy program that the Trump administration abruptly canceled last year can be restored without language that allowed race to be a factor in awarding funds, a federal judge has ruled.
Pennsylvania was supposed to receive more than $35 million before the grants were canceled.” | PA reflector
Elsewhere
Measles cases are rising in Pennsylvania. “Measles cases are rising rapidly in Pennsylvania and across the United States to levels not seen in years. As of yesterday, Pennsylvania had reported 142 cases of measles — well above last year’s total (16). This is the highest annual total in the state in at least 25 years.” | Axios Philadelphia
Internal email shows that Delaware County hid the true size of its budget deficit from taxpayers. “An internal email obtained by Broad + Liberty shows that Delaware County officials knew – and concealed – that the 24% property tax increase passed in December 2024 covered only about half of the county’s actual $75 million structural deficit.” | (*28*)Wide + Freedom
Candidates are lining up to fill the vacant Lehigh County commissioner position. Here is the list of those interested. “The 14 candidates hope to join the nine-member board that creates local regulations, approves funding for county programs and sets tax rates and the county budget.” | Morning talk in Allentown
Criminal fines and fees in Philadelphia fall most in the poorest neighborhoods. “When people think about the punishment of the criminal justice system, they may imagine a prison cell or a crew picking up roadside trash to complete community service hours. But for millions of Americans, for years after serving their sentence, another punishment quietly follows: debt. | Conversation
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
1 item
5. “Fat, drunk and stupid is not the way to go in life, son”
“On July 28, 1978, in National Lampoon’s Animal House, a parody of the 1960s college frat movie starring John Belushi, opened in US theaters. Produced on an estimated budget of $3 million, Animal House became a massive, multimillion-dollar box office hit, spawning a slew of theatrical imitations and has become part of pop culture history with such memorable lines as “You can’t get through life fat, drunk and stupid, son.” | History.com
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