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Your Morning Pick-Me-Up. “I Wish.” Some Stevie Wonder to kick off your day.

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What We’re Hearing. “As elected leaders, we have an additional responsibility to speak and act with moral clarity. To not just call out what’s right and what’s wrong but also to do the hard work of bringing people together to find common ground in a world that’s constantly trying to divide us.” – Gov. Josh Shapiro

Top Story

1. College Presidents Condemn ‘Unprecedented Government Overreach’ by Trump Administration

“In a statement released by the American Association of Colleges and Universities, more than 180 leaders of colleges and universities have condemned the “unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education.”

The message – published as “A Call for Constructive Engagement” – marks the first time higher ed leaders have spoken out en masse about the political moment.

“We are open to constructive reform and do not oppose legitimate government oversight,” the letter said. “However, we must oppose undue government intrusion in the lives of those who learn, live, and work on our campuses.”” (PoliticsPA)

Elsewhere

Kelly Voices Support of SAVE Act. What Does It Entail? “A federal bill requiring people to show documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when they register to vote has received broad support from U.S. House Republicans, including Rep. Mike Kelly.” (Erie Times-News)

Could My Wages Be Garnished to Repay Student Loans? What’s Changing For Loans in Default. “Millions of student loan borrowers in default could see their wages garnished soon after the U.S. Department of Education announced it would resume involuntary collections for the first time since March 2020.” (Bucks County Courier Times)

U.S. Rep. Deluzio: Ending Farm-to-School Program Will Hurt Kids, Agriculture Industry. “Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture ended the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program, which helped schools buy foods from local farmers.” (WESA)

State

2. PA Primary Election 2025: A Complete Guide to Candidates For Commonwealth and Superior Courts

“On May 20, Democrats and Republicans will choose their parties’ candidates for a vacancy on Commonwealth Court and on Superior Court. The winners will compete in the November general election.

Pennsylvania’s two intermediate appellate courts have the power to affirm or reverse decisions made in lower courts. Their rulings can be appealed to the state Supreme Court, Pennsylvania’s court of last resort.” (Spotlight PA)

Elsewhere

Shapiro Says Trump Called Him About Arson Attack: ‘Very Gracious’ “Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, said Tuesday that President Donald Trump called him over the weekend to discuss the arson attack on the governor’s mansion a week before.” (Fox News)

ADL Audit Finds PA Home to Fourth-Most Antisemitic Incidents in U.S. “Pennsylvania followed in fourth with 456 incidents. According to ADL, harassment constituted 72% of the reports, while 25% were acts of vandalism. The rest were physical assaults, the report states. Approximately 45% of the incidents in Pennsylvania occurred either on college campuses or at Jewish institutions, the report states.” (New Castle News)

Mihalek Compiles Legislative Package to Say ‘No’ to Processed Foods, Additives. “Rep. Natalie Mihalek, of Upper St. Clair, has assembled a package of seven bills she’s calling “Healthy PA.” They include a bill to require companies to disclose the additives they put in processed foods, while other measures aim to ban the use of certain artificial dyes in school lunches as well as the use of a controversial pesticide, Paraquat.” (WESA)

With Loved Ones in Crisis, Families Struggle to Get Help in PA’s Mental Health System. “Amy Graf’s experience and that of Christie Balmer, who in a lengthy interview with PennLive outlined her failed attempts to secure treatment for her son, underscore the challenges of Pennsylvania’s mental health law governing the involuntary commitment of an individual in order to provide them with treatment, therapy and medication.” (PennLive)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Justice Department Withdraws Voting Rights Lawsuit Against City of Hazleton

“The U.S. Justice Department has withdrawn a lawsuit accusing Hazleton and its leaders of violating federal law by thwarting the election of Hispanic City Council candidates.

Court documents show the Justice Department’s voluntary dismissal was filed Monday and approved Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Karoline Mehalchick.

It alleged that Hazleton’s at-large method of electing city council members “results in Hispanic citizens having less opportunity than other members of the electorate to participate in the political process and to elect candidates of choice,” effectively violating Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.” (WVIA)

Elsewhere

Gainey, O’Connor Spar Over Affordable Housing, Public Safety During Debate. “The Democratic candidates for Pittsburgh mayor were more subdued during Tuesday night’s compared to last week, but still traded barbs over issues such as affordable housing, public safety and nonprofit payments once again during their second debate.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

After Krasner’s Debate Dodging, Dugan Pulls Plug on Public Radio Faceoff. “When progressive District Attorney Larry Krasner refused to participate in any debates outside the friendly confines of public radio, his opponent in the Democratic primary pulled the plug. As a result, with less than a month to go until the May 20 election, there are no debates scheduled in the race for Philly D.A.” (DV Journal)

Bankruptcy Judge Approves the Closure of Delaware County’s Crozer Hospitals. “The layoff of 2,651 employees is expected to start Friday, as Delaware County’s largest health system closes quickly amid the bankruptcy of its owner, Prospect Medical Holdings.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Harrisburg Mayor Candidates Clash in Combative Debate: 6 Sharpest Exchanges. “Tuesday’s first formal debate among the five Democrats running for Harrisburg mayor didn’t enlighten the issues as much as it raised the invective.” (PennLive)

Scranton Mayoral Debates Split Hopefuls, Discussion, By Party. “Two Republican mayor candidates argued Scranton’s government needs to operate better than it does during their debate Tuesday. In a separate Democratic debate, one mayor candidate, Bob Sheridan, agreed with the Republicans, but the other, Mayor Paige Cognetti, said she’s doing a good job running the city and made her case for four more years.” (WVIA)

Editorial

4. Speak Your Mind

• Finding Moral Clarity After An Arsonist’s Attack. (Gov. Josh Shapiro)
• What the Shapiro Attack Tells Us About America in 2025. (Jonathan S. Tobin)
• Confronting Antisemitism in Pennsylvania Amid Easter and Passover. (Bryan Jarrell)
• Trump Tariffs Could Bring a Decade of Growth at the Port of Philadelphia to a Screeching Halt. (Richard M. Sanders) 
• Trump’s Tariffying Policies Hurting Pennsylvania, Nation. (York Dispatch)
• First Responders Are Sounding the Alarm on Opioids. (Scott L. Bohn)
• One Way to Keep Medicare Working in Pennsylvania. (Joseph R. Mason)
• Should Harvard Be Tax Exempt? (Wall Street Journal)
• Delay in Announcing Penn State Campus Closures Will Impact Student Choices. (Greensburg Tribune-Review)
• Time for Universities to Put Americans First. (Casey Ryan)

1 Thing

5. Move to Mercer?

“Several small towns in western Pennsylvania are offering a cash incentive to try and get people to move into the area and call Mercer County home.

Hermitage, Greenville, and Sharon are all offering several thousands of dollars in cash to make moving there easy, affordable, and rewarding — and there also could be additional incentives.” (CBS Pittsburgh)

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