A U.S. Senate hopeful raises nearly $4 million in his first quarter haul, a Bucks County Republican is announced as the new co-chair of a House Caucus, plus a University of Pitt alumna is elected president of Kosovo. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

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John Fetterman. This 2022 Senate hopeful said his campaign broke a first quarter record in the Keystone State. Lt. Gov John Fetterman’s campaign said that they raised $3.9 million in the first quarter, which is the most a candidate for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania has ever raised in their first quarter as a declared candidate for the office. 

PSERS. The Associated Press reports that the Public School Employees’ Retirement System, which is the state’s largest public pension system, announced that they have received subpoenas from federal investigators. 

Brian Fitzpatrick. A new leadership role for the Bucks County Republican. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick was elected to serve as the new Co-Chair of the House Problem Solvers Caucus. The Problem Solvers Caucus, created in 2017, is “committed to finding common ground on many of the key issues facing the nation” and has a total of 58 members – 29 Democrats and 29 Republicans. 

Charles and Patty McCullough. Charles, a former Allegheny County Council member who was convicted of theft and misappropriation of funds in 2015, started his prison sentence this week, according to the AP. He directed funds from a woman’s trust fund partly into a charity which which Patty was affiliate; testimony in the original case alleged that Patty attempted to keep the details secret. Per the AP, GOP state committee members brought up the case during the endorsement meeting earlier this year and it “weighed on their decision,” to formally back another candidate, Commonwealth Court Judge Kevin Brobson. 

Anita Prizio. The Allegheny County Councilwoman was appointed by council President Pat Catena to lead a new, seven-member committee on Allegheny County Council on sustainability and green initiatives, the Pittsburgh Tribune Review reports. 

Dan Williams. The Chester County Democrat serving in the state House was appointed to serve on the board of the Chester County Industrial Development Authority by the Chester County Commissioners, according to the Daily Local News. 

Matthew Dowling and Jeff Pyle. A pair of bills sponsored by these two Republicans passed the state House by a 201-0 vote. According to the Pittsburgh Business Times, House Bill 425, which was sponsored by state Rep. Matthew Dowling, would allow liquor licensee that has closed either permanently or for a long time to be able to sell its liquor license.  HB 427, which was sponsored by former state Rep. Jeff Pyle, would give licensed establishments a 15% discount of the purchase of liquor from the state stores for three years instead of the 10% they receive now. 

MLB 2021 All Star Game Dreams. A swing and a miss. Leaders in western PA wrote a letter to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred in an effort to convince them to host their All-Star game this summer in Pittsburgh, although Denver was ultimately selected to be the host. 

Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu. Kosovo’s new president has ties to the Keystone State. The AP/KDKA report that Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, the former parliament speaker who was voted as Kosovo’s new president is an alumna from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. 

TWEET OF THE WEEK

I HAVE HAD IT WITH THESE (EXPLETIVE) SNAKES ON THIS (EXPLETIVE) TERRAIN!

(This tweet composed according to public radio standards) https://t.co/ZaRZ9pDG3L

— Chris Potter (@CPotterPgh) April 8, 2021