☕ Happy Wednesday. Make it a great day.

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✅ Did You Know? Only nine percent of Pennsylvanians surveyed reported being “excited” about Artificial Intelligence. Nearly a third of those surveyed ​​reported being “concerned” about A.I., coming in at 29%.

“Obviously there are set survey questions that people are answering but also there’s conversations that go on [while being surveyed] and what they were saying was that there’s a sort of ‘Rise of the Machines’ concern out there,” said Westcott. (Learn More)

Top Story

1. Kamala Harris Appears for First Time with Running Mate Walz

“Vice President Kamala Harris held a rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday night in her first official appearance with her new running mate, Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Harris said that she has found in Walz a ‘fighter” and a “patriot.’

‘Pennsylvania, I’m here today because I found such a leader,’ she said. ‘Governor Tim Walz of the great state of Minnesota.’

Harris announced Walz as her pick for vice president on the Democratic ticket just hours before the rally.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro was also considered for the role, but that didn’t stop him from making an appearance on stage to stump for Harris and Walz…” (The Center Square)

State

2. Harris’ Gamble: Win Pennsylvania Without Shapiro

“… Until Harris’ one-on-one interviews this weekend, Shapiro was widely considered to be the leading VP contender because of his unique crossover appeal in Pennsylvania, the most important swing state on the map.

Without Pennsylvania’s 19 electoral votes, Harris could need a clean sweep of swing states Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada, Arizona and Georgia to win the election.

In bypassing Shapiro, Harris is signaling that she and her team believe they can win Pennsylvania without him on the ticket — and that party unity, governing experience and personal rapport ultimately were her priorities over raw political math.” (Axios)

campaigns

3. Pennsylvania Voters Weigh In As Governor Josh Shapiro is Passed Up for VP Pick

“It would’ve been nice- it would’ve been a good pick, but it is what it is,” said Juan Guzman of Scranton.

“It’s kind of disappointing because he was a good governor,” said Shawn Merritt of the Poconos.

Some voters think Shapiro’s name on the ticket would’ve helped in the battleground state of Pennsylvania.

“Having 65% approval rating, I think he could’ve helped her carry the state. But unfortunately, it’s not going to be,” said Mark Scott of Scranton… (WNEP)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• What Pennsylvania’s $47.6B budget does for the state’s rural communities. (Marley Parish)
• Pa. lawmakers moonlight as lawyers, landlords, and even as a pilot. Advocates say it’s a conflict of interest. (Sarah Nicell)
• Get out of ‘news bubbles’ to combat bias, says group. (Lauren Jessop)
• New state budget advances pro-growth policies. (Sen. Scott Martin)

1 Vacation Thing

5. Lawmakers Push to Make Happy Hour Longer in Pennsylvania

“State lawmakers are working to amend Pennsylvania’s liquor code, which would allow bars to offer expanded happy hour service throughout the Commonwealth.

House Bill 829 would increase happy hour by 10 hours per week if passed into law.

The bill was efforted by the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association.” (FOX43)

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