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👂 What We’re Hearing. New preliminary data from major U.S. cities shows a sharp drop in violent crime in the first half of the year, including Philadelphia with a 42% decrease in 2024.

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Top Story

1. NYT/Siena Poll: Harris Now Ahead of Trump in PA, Two Other Battlegrounds

“In the waning days of an extraordinary political summer, Vice President Kamala Harris is ahead of former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania and two other critical battleground states that previously seemed to be slipping out of reach for Democrats, according to new surveys of likely voters by the New York Times and Siena College.

The findings suggest that the presidential race remains tight, and also that the dynamics of a contest many voters saw as stale and lifeless have been fundamentally altered with less than 100 days to go.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Related

Trump Says First Debate With Harris Will Take Place in Harrisburg. “Former president Donald Trump has announced on his social media platform TruthSocial that the first debate with Kamala Harris will take place in Harrisburg on Fox News. Others, he said, would occur in Philadelphia on Sept. 10 (ABC) and in Michigan on Sept. 25 (NBC).” (PennLive)

Lawsuit Filed to Try to Keep RFK Jr. Off the Ballot in Pennsylvania. “The petition argues the nominating papers filed by Kennedy and his running mate “demonstrate, at best, a fundamental disregard” of state law and the process by which signatures are gathered.” (AP)

Elon Musk’s Super PAC Under Investigation in Several Swing States. “Voters looking to register through America PAC’s website can no longer do so. The Elon Musk-backed political action committee is under investigation in North Carolina and Michigan. The Pennsylvania Department of State is aware of America PAC and encourages voters to seek information from other sources.” (WITF)

PA GOP Senate Candidate McCormick Endorses Increasing Military Spending to Cold War Era Levels. “Republican Senate candidate Dave McCormick said the country needs to radically change its approach to the military by increasing its size and adapting to the needs of modern warfare.” (WESA)

Trump Shooting Hasn’t Spurred Calls For New Gun Restrictions. Here’s Why. “Mass shootings often bring calls to tighten America’s gun laws. That hasn’t happened in response to the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

State

2. The Harris-Shapiro Mirage Has Faded. Why PA Democrats Are Still Optimistic

“The last time Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro headlined a ballot, he and many of his fellow Democrats had a post-election celebration.

Shapiro’s 2022 gubernatorial run culminated with his comfortable victory and ascent from attorney general’s office to the governor’s mansion. His political party, meanwhile, flipped a U.S. Senate seat and reclaimed control of the state House of Representatives for the first time in more than a decade.

“The Democrats are hoping to win enough seats to take over a state Senate majority in November,” Penn State Behrend associate professor Robert Speel said. “Shapiro probably would have given Democrats in the southeast part of the state a little bit of a boost if he was on the ticket.”” (Erie Times-News)

Related

Major Suggests Another Reason Why Shapiro Wasn’t Chosen For Vice President. ““I don’t post much on Facebook about the work I’ve been doing for the last year and a half with regards to sexual harassment because it’s very ‘inside baseball’ type stuff, but it does concern you ultimately,” Rep. Abby Major posted.” (Kittanning Leader Times)

Complaint: Union Dues Illegally Funded Shapiro Campaign in 2022. “The Pennsylvania State Education Association funneled nearly $1.5 million in membership dues into Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2022 campaign, according to a recent complaint filed with the state’s Office of Attorney General.” (The Center Square)

New Pennsylvania Law Will Return Some Unclaimed Money Without a Claim. “The change marks a significant election year victory for state Treasurer Stacy Garrity, a Republican who proposed the legislation last year and will face Democrat Erin McClelland in November.” (CNHI News)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Pennsylvania’s I’m-Not-Weird Voters

“Pennsylvania is the most important battleground in this year’s election. A former manufacturing powerhouse that has played a pivotal part in the development of American democracy since the colonial era, the Keystone State is today a laboratory for the biggest trends redefining politics: above all, working- and lower-middle-class voters’ shift from the Democratic Party of their forebears to the GOP. Not to the generic Republican Party—to Donald Trump’s party.

I’m-not-weird voters dominate that last camp. Needless to say, high turnout among this group is critical for Trump’s campaign, while Kamala Harris must hope that they stay home or uphold their ancient Democratic loyalties. What motivates them? How did they go from hating George W. Bush and Mitt Romney and voting for Obama to now backing Trump?” (Compact)

Related

A Top Philly Election Official Quit With Four Months Until Election Day. Then the Mayor Got Involved. “A top Philadelphia election official resigned last month to take a job in Montgomery County, but she abruptly reneged after Mayor Cherelle L. Parker intervened as November’s critically important election approaches, according to two sources familiar with the situation.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Montco Man Charged With Voting in Three Counties in Rare Voter Fraud Case. “A Montgomery County man is accused of voting in the suburban county, Philadelphia and Florida. The case is uncommon, and officials say the charges are evidence that the system works.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

In Bucks County, A Razor-Thin Margin and Voter Apathy Ahead of 2024 Presidential Election. “Frustration with national politics is more evident here than enthusiasm.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

PA Voters Along Lincoln Highway See Little Impact of Reshaped Presidential Race. “Pennsylvania, with its 19 electoral votes, is seen by the campaigns and political experts as a key battleground. Voters in communities along the state’s historic 200-mile stretch of the Lincoln Highway that traverses southern rural communities could be a deciding factor.” (Tribune-Review)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• The Victory of Gov. Shapiro in the Face of Antisemitism. (Moshe Hauer)
• Either Shapiro or Buttigieg Would Have Made History. (David Shribman)
• The Naked Ambition of Josh Shapiro. (Adriana E. Ramírez)
• Josh Shapiro Can Now Focus on Leading Pennsylvania. (Charles Mitchell)
• Will Shapiro Step Up After Being Turned Down? (Beth Ann Rosica)
• Why Walz Helps Harris Win PA — And Beyond. (John Hinshaw)
• The Best Reason to Legalize Recreational Marijuana in Pennsylvania is to Regulate It and Save Lives. (PennLive)
• Democracy is Dying in the Media’s Darkness. (Guy Ciarrocchi)
• How Does PA Ensure Free, Fair Elections? Lawmakers, Red and Blue, Count the Ways. (Ed Rendell, Melissa Hart, Jim Gerlach and Keith McCall)
• Paid Family Leave is the Right Answer For PA Families – and the Commonwealth Itself. (Vicki Shabo and Nikki Lee)

1 Directional Thing

5. Farmers Honor ‘Peanuts’ Creator With Corn Mazes Across U.S. and Canada

“Visitors to corn mazes across the country are finding a familiar and joyous figure in the winding labyrinth of tall stalks. Snoopy.

More than 80 farms in the U.S. and Canada have teamed up with Peanuts Worldwide to create “Peanuts”-themed mazes to celebrate the beloved strip’s 75th birthday this summer and fall.

“All of these events helps keep my dad’s legacy alive,” says Jill Schulz, an actor and daughter of “Peanuts” creator Charles M. Schulz.” (AP)

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