🐪 Happy Garba Day.
Headlines. Trump endorses Mackenzie, skips Garrity at Macungie Stop. A novel tactic for changing electoral rules. AP’s network of fraudulent Facebook pages spreads democratic messages. The Underground Donut Tour is coming to Pittsburgh
🎶 Your morning, pick me up. Allentown. Billy Joel
Weather in Pennsylvania
☀️ Irwin | Sunny, 78
☀️ Williamsport | Sunny, 82
☀️ Scranton | Sunny, 80
Sports PA
⚾ Phillies (43-36) | Washington 14-9 | Wednesday in Washington
⚾ Pirates (39-40) | Seattle 2-3 | Wednesday vs. Seattle
⚽ USMNT (2-0) | Thu vs. Türkiye
What’s happening today. Both the State House and Senate meet at 11 a.m.
What we hear. This is the result of the Impact Research (D) PA-08 survey Paige Cognetti AND Rob Bresnahan in a virtual survey tie worth LV 500. Cognetti has a 46-45% lead over Trump in the district in 2024 +9.
What we also hear. Originally from Chambersburg General Chris Donahuewho for the past 18 months has commanded the US Army in Europe and Africa – the command responsible for army operations on both continents – suddenly leaves the service and becomes was to announce his retirement today– says an American official.
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 crucial story
1. Trump endorses Mackenzie, skips Garrity at Macungie Stop
“President Donald Trump on Tuesday, stopped in the Lehigh Valley at the Mack Truck plant in Macungie.
While the president talked about many things and introduced many people, one major figure from the state of Pennsylvania was left out. The one he supported.
State Treasurer Stacy Garrity” | PoliticsPA
Elsewhere
Trump punches Mackenzie during the president’s visit to Mack Trucks. “President Donald Trump returned to the Lehigh Valley on Tuesday for the first time since reclaiming the Oval Office, calling on Congress to pass the SAVE America Act and criticizing “stupid ocrats” in an 83-minute speech.” | LehighValley News
Pennsylvania is key to the battle for the house. “In a democracy, every vote counts. But a vote in Pennsylvania tends to carry a little more weight. Once again, the nation’s signature swing state will be key to the fall election cycle, and the results of the November midterm elections will provide an early answer to several important questions looming in 2028.” | TIME
Trump will headline McCormick’s July defense and innovation summit. “Sen. Dave McCormick has once again leveraged his support of President Donald Trump to Pennsylvania’s advantage. A year after the president headlined McCormick’s 2025 Energy and Innovation Summit in Pittsburgh, Axios reports that Trump will headline the senator’s Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit on July 15 at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle. | PoliticsPA
Fetterman casts only Democratic “no” vote as Senate passes measure blocking U.S. action against Iran. “On Tuesday, the Senate voted to block U.S. military action in Iran for the first time as the war approaches its fourth month. The war powers resolution passed with a 50-48 vote. Senator John Fetterman was again the only Democrat to vote negatively.” | PennLive
Teamsters back Bresnahan after members backed Cognetti. “Less than two months after endorsing Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti in her race against U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan at the Pennsylvania Teamsters Conference, the union now supports Bresnahan’s re-election campaign.” | Key
(*24*)Country
2. Trump is trying a novel tactic to change election rules
“The Trump administration is trying to employ federal funds to assert control over how elections are conducted at the state level, a novel tactic that comes after a series of courtroom defeats and the apparent defeat of the Election Security Act in Congress.
The Department of Homeland Security said officials are considering using grant funds awarded to states – along with the threat of withholding them – to “address core national security priorities,” which includes changes to U.S. election security and infrastructure. ” | known
Elsewhere
Josh Shapiro is the most popular politician among Philadelphians – by far. “In a new Suffolk University/Philadelphia Inquirer poll, 62% of Philadelphians have a favorable view of Shapiro, a double-digit increase compared to any other political figure included in the poll.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
Garrity calls for seven debates against Shapiro. “If two is company and three is a crowd, what is seven? That is the number of gubernatorial debates that Republican State Treasurer Stacy Garrity wants to hold against incumbent Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro during the 2026 general election campaign. ” | PoliticsPA
Voices of reason: a look at the F&M survey. “In this episode of Voices of Reason, host Steve Ulrich talks to pollster Berwood Yost, F&M Poll Director, about a range of topics related to the survey and how people in the Commonwealth are pessimistic about where we are and where we are going.” | PoliticsPA
Perry proposes cutting funding for the Peace Corps and other foreign aid programs. “Pennsylvania Rep. Scott Perry (R-10) has proposed amendments to the U.S. House Appropriations Act that would reduce funding for the Peace Corps and other foreign aid programs in fiscal year 2027.” | Penn Capital Star
Around the Republic of Poland
3. A network of fraudulent Facebook pages in Pennsylvania promotes a democratic message and is financed by a four-layer shadowy chain
“When a Pennsylvanian scrolls past “Pennsylvania Moms” or “Black PA” on Facebook or Instagram, they see what looks like a community — neighbors sharing frustrations with rising prices, celebrating black culture, asking questions about maternity leave. They don’t see the scheme and the political money they have absorbed.” | Wide + Freedom
Elsewhere
Kosierowski revealed that she had breast cancer. “State Rep. Bridget Malloy Kosierowski revealed Tuesday that she has breast cancer. The Waverly Twp. Democrat said she was recently diagnosed in a short video posted to social media. Kosierowski, who represents the state’s 114th House District, said her cancer was detected during screening and urged others to get tested. | Scranton Times Tribune
Rural emergency care is struggling to keep up with demand for people in ICE custody. “Last Saturday morning, emergency responders drove out of a Pennsylvania immigration detention center with sirens wailing, past more than 20 protesters demanding the detention center be closed. It was the second trip that day for a Moshannon Valley EMS crew to the Geo Group facility. The number of immigrant detainees the crew serves has increased by 44% since President Donald Trump returned to office.” | known
The county council is laying the groundwork for increased spending despite warnings of budget constraints. “The Allegheny County Council approved two resolutions Tuesday that could result in major changes to the 15-member legislative body — one that would remove the spending cap and another that would allow council members to use county funds to hire their own staff and rent district offices.” | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
Poll: Philadelphians feel unthreatening and see a cleaner city under Mayor Parker – but schools remain a major problem. “The vast majority of Philadelphians feel safe in their neighborhoods and more than 40% believe the city has become cleaner under Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s leadership, according to a new poll that suggests city residents see significant progress on the mayor’s key campaign promises.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
1 item
5. Underground Donut Tour expands to Pennsylvania with the launch of the New Pittsburgh Tour
“The Underground Donut Tour, the world’s top-rated donut tour, is excited to announce the launch of its newest experience, the Pittsburgh Sweet Treats, Coffee & City History Walking Tour. The new tour marks the company’s second location in Pennsylvania, following the successful launch of its Philadelphia tour in 2019.”
The New Pittsburgh Experience showcases the city’s unique neighborhoods, affluent industrial heritage, impressive architecture and blossoming culinary scene. While exploring some of Pittsburgh’s most iconic locations, guests will be able to enjoy a curated selection of donuts and sweet treats. | EIN crimping wire
Thank you for starting Wednesday with us.
Have a nice day. See you tomorrow.
