Harris Visiting Pittsburgh. Oz Continues Statewide Events. 2026 World Cup Coming to Philly. Lining Up to Become Mayor. Here is the Playbook.
PA Weather
Johnstown | Sunny, 80
State College | Sunny, 83
West Chester | Decreasing Clouds, 91
PIAA Sports
Today’s Softball Championship Games
2A: Conwell-Egan vs. Neshannock, 11:00
4A: Tunkhannock vs. Clearfield, 1:30
6A: Spring-Ford vs. Seneca Valley, 4:00
Congrats to the state champions from Montgomery, Avonworth and Pittston Area
Baseball Championship Games
1A: Halifax vs. Dubois Central Catholic, 10:30
3A: Lancaster Catholic vs. Central, 1:30
5A: Selinsgrove vs. Bethel Park, 4:30
Congrats to the state champions from Everett, Montour and Warwick
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News
Oz and the Great Campaign Filing Typo: A misspelling catches the author’s eye and ends up going viral.
Zrinski Concedes to Miller in Dems 14th District Primary: Tara Zrinski conceded to Nick Miller on Wednesday in a race that had a 42-vote difference.
PA Senate Race: ‘Oz attends Exeter event, says inflation top concern with voters he’s met’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “Dr. Mehmet Oz, the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, attended a private fundraising event in Exeter Thursday evening at the American Grill, 1320 Wyoming Ave.”
- Citizens Voice: Oz stops by Exeter fundraiser for selfies and barbecue, reveals text messages with Fetterman
- City & State PA: Dr. Oz draws a contrast with John Fetterman as he pivots to the general election
- Business Insider: Dr. Oz and his sisters are embroiled in a multi-million-dollar inheritance battle in the US and Turkey
- Altoona Mirror: Oz visits Tom and Joe’s Diner
- Centre Daily Times: Centre County Dems rally to support Fetterman over ‘carpetbagging millionaire’ Dr. Oz
- Fox News: Senate balance of power could come down to Pennsylvania
‘Why Vice President Kamala Harris is visiting Pittsburgh on Friday’: WTAE reports that “Vice President Kamala Harris is coming to Pittsburgh on Friday to talk about how the Biden administration’s investments in infrastructure will remove lead water pipes across the United States. The administration calls the investments historic.”
‘Pa. Democratic Party faces civil war for leadership as it meets in Gettysburg this weekend’: Philly Clout reports that “Pennsylvania’s Democratic Party faces a fractious battle over who will be the next chairperson Saturday — with claims of self-dealing and counterclaims of Black voters being taken for granted — and looming midterm elections for governor and the U.S. Senate on November’s ballot.”
‘Pa. House eyes expanding who can bring sexual misconduct complaints against lawmakers’: Spotlight PA reports that “Pennsylvania House leaders are quietly negotiating a deal to close a loophole in the chamber’s rules that protects lawmakers accused of sexual misconduct from facing institutional sanctions.”
‘Report dings unfunded pension liabilities in Pennsylvania’: The Center Square reports that “a new report on state pension liabilities and their funding levels spotlight a lingering problem for Pennsylvania finances, but many critics argue that its modeling assumptions exaggerate the financial problems.”
‘The bipartisan push to cut corporate taxes in Pennsylvania, explained’: Spotlight PA explains “Pennsylvania’s corporate net income tax and breaks down the arguments for and against lowering it.”
‘Pennsylvania mental health advocates hopeful for funding increase’: WITF reports that “Gov. Tom Wolf’s state budget proposal includes a $37 million increase to counties for programs that help people living with addiction, mental health issues and intellectual disabilities. That’s a more than 4% increase to last year’s $833 million allocation.”
City & State PA’s Biggest Winners & Losers This Week: City & State PA highlights the three winners and losers in Pennsylvania politics this week.
‘Casey, Toomey split on ‘historic’ VA expansion for military burn pit illnesses’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “Pennsylvania’s U.S. senators split on a “once in a generation” Veteran’s Administration spending bill aimed at armed services members who have developed various diseases after exposure to hazardous conditions, including toxic fumes from open burn pits in Afghanistan and Iraq and radiation in the Pacific.”
‘Casey, Houlahan call on Congress to address rising health care costs’: City & State PA reports that “U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan joined health care advocates in a virtual roundtable Thursday as they called on Congress to help Pennsylvanians by investing more in home care and prescription affordability.”
‘’In a whirlwind of trouble’: PA poll reveals top concerns (spoiler: It’s the economy…)’: The Beaver County Times reports that “Pennsylvania voters say even the red-hot topics of gun control and abortion rights are taking a backseat to recent impacts on their purses and wallets.”
‘Flynn to introduce legislation to temporarily suspend state gasoline tax’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “the senator announced he will introduce legislation to suspend the commonwealth’s gasoline tax — currently almost 58 cents per gallon — to help people struggling to keep up with skyrocketing fuel costs.”
‘Pennsylvania mulls the end of medical non-compete agreements’: The Center Square reports that “non-compete agreements are common in health care to limit competition. A bill slowly working its way through the General Assembly would ban those agreements, however, making Pennsylvania one of a handful of states abolishing them.”
‘Pennsylvania bill could reel in fireworks use after increased concern’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “new restrictions on personal use of fireworks are advancing in the state Legislature after a series of incidents strained firefighters, caused personal injuries and damaged property across the state.”
‘Pennsylvania lawmakers want baseline for school safety standards’: ABC27 reports that “school shootings in Columbine, Newtown, and Sandy Hook didn’t push the meter for school safety, but after Parkland lawmakers in Pennsylvania created a multi-million dollar school safety grant program. The program has devoted $300 million to school safety, but lawmakers want to make sure schools are spending the money appropriately.”
‘Pa. hospital workers face increasing abuse, violence from patients and visitors’: PennLive reports that “nurses and health care workers all over Pennsylvania and the US say aggressive behaviors and violence became more common about five years ago and accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
‘Who’s running for Philly mayor in 2023? Candidates are getting ready to declare’: Billy Penn reports that “at least seven city officials and one grocery store magnate are making plans to run. Announcements could start in the coming weeks.”
‘Jim Kenney opens up about his proudest moments in office – and his biggest mistakes’: City & State PA reports that “in an exclusive interview, Philly’s mayor talks soda tax, gun violence, COVID-19 and his plans for the future.”
‘Cutting business taxes and addressing crime in Pennsylvania’: City & State PA provides “a roundup of the week’s political news.”
‘Pennsylvania’s controversial marijuana vape recall is overturned by appeals court judge’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “the ruling is a blow to the Pa. Department of Health, which in February mandated a massive recall and ban of cannabis concentrates for vaping. The agency is appealing to the Pa. Supreme Court.”
‘Pennsylvania awarded $3 million grant to assist families in navigating unemployment compensation system’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry announced Thursday that the state has been awarded a $3 million unemployment compensation “navigator” grant from the federal government.”
‘’Huge for the region’: FIFA 2026 World Cup bid win expected to be boon for business, tourism’: The Philadelphia Business Journal reports that “Philadelphia’s selection as a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup represents a “stamp of approval” from the world as well as a push forward for the local tourism industry after the toll Covid-19 took over the last couple years, Mayor Jim Kenney said on Thursday night at a City Hall press conference following the host city selection watch party at Love Park.”
‘’Political’ defense not admissible in Thomas case; examples of prior ‘acts’ also overruled’: The Johnstown Tribune-Democrat reports that “suspended Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas’ claim he is being prosecuted as political payback by a former opponent cannot be part of his defense in his sexual assault trial, a judge has ruled.”
‘Pa. adds 32 farms in 18 counties to lengthy protection list’: PennLive reports that “the state continues to lead the nation in the number of preserved farms through the protection program, investing more than $1.6 billion since 1988.”
Regional Spotlight: North by Northwest
PennLive: Royalty payments, drilling activity on the rise in Marcellus Shale region of Pa.
Centre Daily Times: State College Borough Council fills vacant seat with new appointment. Here’s what to know
Erie Times-News: Erie City Council: 9 new cops hired but $14.5M policing plan in doubt
Erie Times-News: Pending police hires spark Erie City Council debate
Erie Times-News: In close vote, Erie School Board approves 4.45% tax hike
Erie Times-News: County planning: Horan-Kunco, former Erie councilwoman, named director
Erie Times-News: 100 march in Erie to end gun violence epidemic with safer policies
Centre Daily Times: County commissioners approve $40 million in bonds for Centre Crest building renovations
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Williamsport city council to review next year’s department budget needs this summer
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Williamsport City Hall appraisal delayed due to firm backing out
Opinion
John Baer: Could a possible congressional deal on guns be a sign the partisan divide is closing?
Marc Stier and Erica Freeman: This budget we have the chance to move Pa. forward. We can’t miss it
Ernest Owens: If Philly Democrats Actually Care About Democracy, They’ll Make This One Simple Change
Cindy O’Brien: Preparing for a post-Roe Pennsylvania
Paul Muschick: Recent Allentown development news encouraging. Let’s hope the Allentown State Hospital is next
Matilda Issata Sawie: Why Pennsylvania should extend Medicaid to immigrant women
John L. Micek: From dump trucks to de-icers, Pa. is auctioning off heavy equipment | Thursday Morning Coffee
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Republicans playing losing game with our money and our highways
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Golf stars sell morality to the highest bidder
Leslie S. Richards and Daniel Trubman: Should SEPTA build the King of Prussia line? | Pro/Con
Terry O’Reilly: Pittsburgh’s not yet a news desert, but it could become one
John Porter: Change the heart, not the law, on abortion
The Rev. Dr. Thomas E. Herrold: Here’s a modest proposal to end gun violence
Helen Ubiñas: Everyday gun violence goes unchecked, even as high-profile massacres capture the nation’s attention
Trudy Rubin: We’ve betrayed tens of thousands of Afghans who helped us and are under Taliban threat
Will Bunch: GOP’s violent, expanding war on LBGTQ kids should make you think about 1930s Germany
One Response
Oz needs to go back to Turkey where a dictator already lives.