Top 10 Stories: Harrisburg/PA Politics Reported By Local News Media Last Week

Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else--

-- PennLive - John Baer: What Do We Have To Do To Get Some Governing Around Here?  [State & Federal]

-- Politics PA/Axios: President Charts Path To Total Control Amid Government Shutdown   [PDF of Article]

-- AP: ‘No Kings’ Protests Against President Bring Millions Out In Towns, Cities Nationwide With A Street Party Vibe

-- TribLive: US Treasury Defends Putting Raised-Fist President On $1 Coin For 250th Anniversary Of US 

-- Altoona Mirror Editorial: Local Media Binds Our Community

-- Gov. Shapiro

-- DCED: Shapiro Administration Delivering More Than $25 Billion In Private Investment, Thousands Of Jobs, Largest Private Investment In PA History 

-- PennLive: Report: PA Is The Only Northeast State With A Growing Economy

-- Inquirer: Shapiro Pledged His Support For Canada, PA’s Top Export Market While In Quebec For His First International Trip As Governor 

-- PennLive - John Baer: What Do We Have To Do To Get Some Governing Around Here?  [State & Federal]

-- The Center Square: Republican Sen. Kim Ward Says ‘We Are The Stopgap’ After Republican Candidate for NJ Governor Praises Shapiro 

-- Post-Gazette: Gov. Shapiro Weighs In On PA Supreme Court Retention Races 

-- Post-Gazette: Will Pennsylvania’s 3 Month State Budget Stalemate Affect Gov. Shapiro’s Long-Term Ambitions?

-- WITF: Gov. Shapiro Backs Congressional Democrats’ Budget Fight Over Health Insurance Subsidies

-- PA Capital-Star: PA Joins Multi-State Lawsuit Over President’s Deploying National Guard In Cities

-- LancasterOnline: Here Are All Of Gov. Shapiro’s Lawsuits Against The President’s Administration This Year

-- Inquirer: 2 Top Tech Executives In Shapiro Administration Are Out As Tech Troubles Pile Up

-- WITF/AP: Man Pleads Guilty In Arson Attack At Governor’s Residence While Shapiro Family Slept

-- Race For Governor

-- Inquirer: Gov. Shapiro Still Unusually Popular In PA Heading Into 2026 Reelection Campaign

-- Budget 2025 (Almost 2026)

-- PennLive - John Baer: What Do We Have To Do To Get Some Governing Around Here?  [State & Federal]

-- TribLive: Financial Strain On State’s Public Schools Worsens As State Budget Impasse Continues

-- Scranton Times: Scranton School District Facing Cash Flow Crisis Amid State Budget Impasse

-- Altoona Mirror: Altoona School District Risks Running Out Of Money If State Budget Impasse Continues

-- Spotlight PA: Thousands Of PA College Students Wait For Key Financial Aid Due To State Budget Impasse

-- Spotlight PA: Financial Pain For Many PA Service Providers Will Continue After State Budget Impasse Ends

-- Republican Herald: Schuylkill Nonprofits Scrambling As State And Federal Funding Stalemates Drag On

-- State Treasurer Garrity Announces First 3 Organizations To Receive Bridge Loans To Continue Services During State Budget Impasse

-- Post-Gazette: State Budget Impasse Triggers 125 Furloughs In Westmoreland County And Questions About State Treasurer Stacy Garrity’s Loan Program To Organizations Impacted By State Budget Crisis

-- PennLive: Online Casinos Led PA’s $6 Billion+ In Gambling Revenues For 2024-25

-- PA Gaming Control Board Reports September Revenue Increased 6% Over Last September

-- PA House/Senate

-- PennLive - John Baer: What Do We Have To Do To Get Some Governing Around Here?  [State & Federal]

-- The Center Square: Republican Sen. Kim Ward Says ‘We Are The Stopgap’ After Republican Candidate for NJ Governor Praises Shapiro 

-- Republican Sen. Mastriano: PA Senate Passes Bill To Ensure US, Pennsylvania Flags Made In America

-- PennLive: Big Decisions, Little Access: Behind The Doors Of The PA Capitol’s Mysterious Senate ‘Rules’ Committee Room

-- Politics PA: Rep. Mary Jo Daley (D) Not Seeking Reelection

-- Statewide Offices

-- State Treasurer Garrity Announces First 3 Organizations To Receive Bridge Loans To Continue Services During State Budget Impasse

-- Post-Gazette: State Budget Impasse Triggers 125 Furloughs In Westmoreland County And Questions About State Treasurer Stacy Garrity’s Loan Program To Organizations Impacted By State Budget Crisis

-- WITF: Attorney General Sunday Launches Expanded Mental Health Diversion Program 

-- 2020 Election

-- Wall Street Journal: President’s White House Hires ‘Stop The Steal’ Lawyer To Investigate 2020 Election Claims

-- 2025 Elections

-- Inquirer: How November’s Pivotal PA Supreme Court Retention Race Could Shape Voting Rights In PA

-- Post-Gazette: Gov. Shapiro Weighs In On PA Supreme Court Retention Races 

-- PennLive: Stockard Channing Voices Democratic Ad In PA Supreme Court Election 

-- Post-Gazette: Many PA Voters Still Undecided On PA Supreme Court Retention Elections, Poll Shows

-- WESA: National Democratic Chair Ken Martin: Big Stakes For Party, PA In PA Supreme Court Retention Race

-- PennLive: ‘We’ve Got To Go Back To Being a Big Tent Party’: DePasquale Outlines Plan For PA Democrats 

-- PennLive Editorial: Mission Possible? DePasquale Has A Plan To Revive PA Democrats

-- Spotlight PA: President Wants To Get Rid Of Mail-In Voting; PA Republicans Are Urging Voters To Use It

-- WITF: Mail-In Voters In Central PA Find Out Heavier Ballot Means More Postage 

-- TribLive: Westmoreland County Approvals Mail-In Ballot Curing Process For November Election

-- PA Capital-Star: Duplicate Mail Ballots Are Issued To Dozens Of PA Voters, But Errors Would Not Result In Anyone Voting Twice

-- Inquirer: PA College Students Are Very Down On Democracy, New Survey Shows;  Could It Provide A Playbook For Democrats On How To Reach Gen Z

-- WITF: Democratic Party’s Momentum Builds In Ephrata, Lancaster County With First Full Slate Of Candidates Since 2001 

-- Elections

-- The Center Square: PA House Republicans Pressure PA State Election Officials To Give Personal Voter Information To President’s Justice Department

-- Spotlight PA: Fulton County Tried To Aid President In 2020 Election Is Now Stuck With $1 Million Penalty For Illegal Actions Related To Voting Machine Access

-- Protesting The President

-- LancasterOnline: Thousands Fill Streets Of Downtown Lancaster For 2nd ‘No Kings’ Rally

-- Reading Eagle: Thousands Gather In Wyomissing For ‘No Kings’ Protest

-- Citizens Voice: President’s Supporter Arrested For Flashing Gun To Crowd At Wilkes-Barre ‘No Kings’ Protest  

-- Republican Herald: Demonstrators Clash In No Kings Rally In Pottsville

-- TribLive: No Kings Protests In Pittsburgh, Greensburg Bring Out Thousands With Varying Concerns

-- Post-Gazette: Protesters Thronged Downtown Pittsburgh For No Kings Rally, One Of Several In Region

-- Morning Call: Anti-President Protests Stretch Thru Lehigh Valley Streets; ‘No Thrones, No Crowns, No Kings’

-- Scranton Times: Raising Voices In Scranton: Local Event Part Of ‘No Kings’ National Movement

-- Wilkes-Barre Times Leader: 2nd No Kings Demonstration Held In Wilkes-Barre: ‘I’m Looking For A Change’

-- WNEP: ‘No Kings’ Protests Continue, this Time In Monroe County

-- PennLive: No Kings Protest Arrives At PA Capitol, Among Thousands Nationwide

-- Find A ‘No Kings’ Protest Near You

-- WFMZ: ‘No Kings’ Protests To Be Held In Northwest PA

-- Altoona Mirror: Blair County ‘No Kings’ Rally Set For Saturday In Downtown Altoona

-- PennLive: More ‘No Kings,’ Pro-Democracy Protests Planned In Central PA

-- Morning Call: ‘No Kings’ Protests Scheduled For This Weekend In Lehigh Valley

-- WHYY: What To Know About Philly’s ‘No Kings’ Protest On Saturday

-- Erie Times: New ‘No Kings’ Rally Planned Oct. 18 As Protest Against President’s ‘Power Grabs’ 

-- Post-Gazette: Thousands Expected At ‘No Kings’ Protests In Downtown Pittsburgh

-- Scranton Times: Dozens Gather For Vigil In Wilkes-Barre For Thousands Who Could Lose Health Care Coverage Without Action By Congressional Republicans

-- The Guardian: Congressional Republicans Post Fake Images Of Oregon Protest Using Photos Of South America 

-- New York Times: National Guard Troops Head To Chicago, Portland As President Weighs Use Of Insurrection Act

-- Brennan Center For Justice: The Insurrection Act: A Presidential Power That Threatens Democracy

-- PA Impacts Of President’s Tariffs

-- Wilkes-Barre Times Leader Guest Essay: Punishing Tariffs Have Created What Some Are Calling ‘Farmaggedon’ For US Agriculture

-- Inquirer: China Cuts Off Philly Shipyard Supplies To Punish Korean Firm For Partnership With US Amid Trade Fight

-- WITF: Voters’ Outlook On President’s Economic Policy May Be Slipping In PA, F& M Poll Finds

-- PA Impacts Of President’s Policies

-- TribLive: As Grocery Prices Continue To Climb, Shoppers Redefine Their Staples  [Western PA]

-- The Guardian: 75% Of Americans Report Soaring Prices As President Claims Inflation ‘Over’

-- TribLive Editorial: Increasing Grocery Prices Hurt Everyone

-- Inquirer: Workers Are Feeling Squeeze From Higher Prices, Insurance, Energy Costs, Says Philly’s Top Banker 

-- TribLive Guest Essay: Small Businesses Need Support During Federal Government Shutdown - By Dan DeBone, Westmoreland Chamber Of Commerce 

-- Wilkes-Barre Times Leader Editorial: $100,000 H-1B Visa Fees Are A Distraction From Real Reform

-- Inquirer: US Chamber Of Commerce Sues President To Block $100,000 Fee For H-1B Visas

-- PA Capital-Star: PA Officials Have Few Options As WIC Funding Runs Low To Feed Mothers, Infants Amid Federal Shutdown

-- WITF: Food Stamp Benefits For 2 Million People In PA On Hold During Federal Government Shutdown

-- Spotlight PA: 1,000s In Berks County Face Food Aid Loss Under New Republican Food Stamp Rules; Here’s What You Need To Know

-- Dept. Of Insurance: Without Federal Action, PA Married Seniors Could See Health Insurance Costs Skyrocket From $7,032 To $35,712 A Year In 2026

-- Post-Gazette: PA Issues Health Insurance Rate Hikes: ‘Shocking’ Due To Congressional Inaction On Extending Tax Credits

-- TribLive: Sticker Shock: PA Health Insurance Costs Soar Even More Than First Feared Without Congressional Action To Extend Tax Credits

-- TribLive Editorial: Congressional Health Insurance Subsidy Discussions Cannot Wait

-- AP: As Federal Shutdown Drags On, These People Will Lose If Health Care Subsidies Expire [PA Included] 

-- Post-Gazette: Federal Shutdown, PA State Budget Impasse Could Trigger Surge At Food Pantries

-- Post-Gazette - Adriana E. Ramirez: President’s Administration Is Loving  Coal, But Killing The Miners [Coal Miners Stage Protests]

-- NYTimes: Coal Miners With Black Lung Say They Are ‘Cast Aside To Die’ Under President’s Policies

-- Inside Climate News: Coal Miners, Advocates Plead With President To Enforce Black Lung Rule

-- Reuters: States Sue To Stop President’s Cancellation Of $7 Billion Solar For All Clean Energy Funding [PA Joined Lawsuit] 

-- Dept. Of Insurance: Federal Shutdown Suspends Federal Flood Insurance Program, Here Are Some Options To Help Homeowners

-- TribLive: Federal Shutdown Could Affect Deadline For Jeannette Flood Mitigation Project In Westmoreland

-- Williamsport Sun: Faith Leaders Implore Region To Reflect On Immigrants’ Humanity

-- Spotlight PA: Clearfield County Will Make $1 Million In 5-Year Contracts As Federal ICE Moshannon Immigrant Detention Center Operator 

-- Post-Gazette: PA Communities Torn Over Federal ICE Crackdown On Immigrants Using Local Officers

-- The Economist: Criminals Make Up A Shrinking Share Of Federal ICE Arrests Showing Why America’s Deportation Drive Is Becoming Increasingly Unpopular [PDF of Article] 

-- PA Capital-Star: PA Joins Multi-State Lawsuit Over President’s Deploying National Guard In Cities

-- Inquirer: University Of Pennsylvania ‘Seeks No Special Consideration,’ President Jameson Says In Response To President’s Proposal To Have 9 Colleges Sign On To His Political Agenda 

-- WHYY: University Of Pennsylvania Declines To Sign President’s Higher Education ‘Compact’ To Support His Political Agenda To Get Federal Funding 

-- Inquirer Editorial: Federal Funding Not Worth University Of Pennsylvania’s Independence

-- Wilkes-Barre Times Leader/AP: At America’s National Parks The Arc Of History Bens Toward President’s Revisionism

-- PennLive Letter: President’s Attempt To Erase Slavery From National Parks Reveals His True Colors - By Don Spangler, Mechanicsburg 

-- New Federal Administration

-- Warren Times: Poll: Majority Disagree With Country’s Direction

-- TribLive/USA Today: President Says Some Federal Workers Furloughed Due To Federal Budget Impasse In Congress ‘Don’t Deserve’ Back Pay 

-- WESA: Hundreds Of Western PA IRS Workers Furloughed Due To Federal Shutdown

-- Morning Call Editorial Cartoon: We’re The Hottest Country Right Now

-- AP: Social Security Cost-Of-Living Increase Announcement Delayed By Federal Shutdown

-- TribLive: Pittsburgh Airport Joins Others In Not Playing President’s Homeland Security Video Blaming Democrats For Federal Shutdown

-- Inquirer: Philly Airport Refusing To Play President’s Homeland Security Video Blaming Democrats For Federal Shutdown

-- Miscellaneous State/Harrisburg Politics

-- PennLive: ‘We’ve Got To Go Back To Being a Big Tent Party’: DePasquale Outlines Plan For PA Democrats 

-- PennLive Editorial: Mission Possible? DePasquale Has A Plan To Revive PA Democrats

-- WITF: Democratic Party’s Momentum Builds In Ephrata, Lancaster County With First Full Slate Of Candidates Since 2001 

-- Warren Times: Poll: Majority Disagree With Country’s Direction

-- A.I. /Data Centers

-- Inquirer Editorial: The Language Of ‘Opportunity’ Surrounding Shale Gas Fracking And A.I. Data Centers Sounds Distressingly Familiar As PA Joins Rush To Latest Promised Economic Boom  [PaEN]

-- In Case You Missed It: A.I./Data Center Articles - NewClips From Last Week - October 20  [PaEN]

-- International/National Impacts On PA Natural Gas

-- AAA Gasoline Prices: National- $3.04  Ohio- $2.82  PA- $3.21 [10.18.25]

-- AAA Gasoline Prices:  National - $3.08  Ohio- $2.77   PA- $3.26  [10.11.25]

-- Baker Hughes: PA Natural Gas Drilling Rigs - 17 - Same For 3 Weeks  [10.18.25]

-- Baker Hughes: PA Natural Gas Drilling Rigs - 17 - Same As Last Week [10.11.25]

-- Inquirer Editorial: The Language Of ‘Opportunity’ Surrounding Shale Gas Fracking And A.I. Data Centers Sounds Distressingly Familiar As PA Joins Rush To Latest Promised Economic Boom  [PaEN] 

-- PennLive Letter: Some PA Lawmakers Are Trying To Silence Local Voices On Shale Gas Development - By Dr. Barbara Brandom, Concerned Health Professionals Of PA

-- 17 PA Republican Senators Urge PJM To Reject Prioritizing Ready To Deploy Wind, Solar Energy Projects When Demand For Power Is Surging;  Fail To Address Locking Up Existing Generation For Exclusive Data Center Use  [PaEN] 

-- Tribune-Democrat: New US Policy Pulls Back From Renewable Energy Just As Demand Swells  [Part I]  [PDF of Article] 

-- PUC Approves 6.6% Philadelphia Gas Works Rate Increase, Keeps Weather Normalization Adjustment; PGW Required To Develop A 'Pathway' For Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions  [PaEN] 

-- US EIA: Winter Fuels Outlook: Electricity Costs In Mid-Atlantic Expected To Increase 6% Driven By Increases In Natural Gas Costs, Rapid Demand Growth [A.I. Data Centers]

-- US EIA Forecasts 36.6% Increase In Natural Gas Prices By January 2026 

-- Financial Times: Energy Companies To Spend $50 Billion On 8,800 Miles Of New Pipelines In US To Fulfill A.I. Data Center, LNG Gas Export Demands

-- Bloomberg: JP Morgan: US Can’t Generate The Power It Needs Without Wind, Solar

-- Bloomberg: IEA Raises Its Estimate For Record Oil, Natural Gas Liquids Oversupply In 2026

-- Flooding

-- Dept. Of Insurance: Federal Shutdown Suspends Federal Flood Insurance Program, Here Are Some Options To Help Homeowners

-- TribLive: Federal Shutdown Could Affect Deadline For Jeannette Flood Mitigation Project In Westmoreland

-- Inquirer Guest Essay: Toward Cleaner, Safer Philadelphia Waterways; Climate Change, Ancient Infrastructure Make Region Vulnerable To Catastrophic Flooding - By Nathan Boon, William Penn Foundation

-- Train Derailment

-- WESA - Rachel McDevitt: Dangerous Train Derailments More Likely In Disadvantaged Communities, Pitt Analysis Shows 

-- University Of Pittsburgh Awarded Federal Grant To Study Long-Term Health Impacts Of Norfolk Southern Train Derailment 

-- Clairton Coke [Coal] Works Explosion

-- TribLive: Preliminary Report Pinpoints Location Of Deadline US Steel Clairton Coke [Coal] Works Blast 

-- Post-Gazette: US Steel Makes Changes Following Deadly Clairton Coke [Coal] Works Explosion As Investigation Continues

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: US Steel Clairton Coke [Coal] Works Explosion Linked To High-Pressure Water Valve, Independent Report Finds ​​ [PDF of Article] 

-- Gas Explosions

-- WJAC: Natural Gas Leak Prompts Lengthy Repair, Evacuations In Downtown Ebensburg

-- Education

-- TribLive: Financial Strain On State’s Public Schools Worsens As State Budget Impasse Continues

-- Scranton Times: Scranton School District Facing Cash Flow Crisis Amid State Budget Impasse

-- Altoona Mirror: Altoona School District Risks Running Out Of Money If State Budget Impasse Continues

-- Spotlight PA: Thousands Of PA College Students Wait For Key Financial Aid Due To State Budget Impasse

-- PennLive: State’s Effort To Limit Enrollment Divides PA Private Cyber Charter Schools

-- Inquirer: PA College Students Are Very Down On Democracy, New Survey Shows;  Could It Provide A Playbook For Democrats On How To Reach Gen Z

-- Post-Gazette: PA State-Owned University System Sees First Enrollment Increase In More Than A Decade

-- Post-Gazette: Buying Out James Franklin’s Football Contract Will Cost Penn State $50 Million; Misplaced Priorities Amid Campus Shutdowns

-- Post-Gazette: Penn State’s Decision To Fire James Franklin Is ‘Way Out Of Character’ In University History

-- Post-Gazette: What James Franklin’s Firing And $50 Million Penn State Buyout Say About The Shifting College Football Landscape

-- TribLive: Plans For Future Of Penn State’s Closing Campus Properties To Be Set By 2027

-- TribLive Editorial: Penn State Cares More About Coaching Than Campuses

-- Altoona Mirror Editorial: Penn State Cares More About Coaching Than Campuses

-- Post-Gazette: Penn State’s WPSU Public Radio Station May Stay On Air After All In New Deal To Transfer Ownership To WHYY 

-- Inquirer: University Of Pennsylvania ‘Seeks No Special Consideration,’ President Jameson Says In Response To President’s Proposal To Have 9 Colleges Sign On To His Political Agenda 

-- WHYY: University Of Pennsylvania Declines To Sign President’s Higher Education ‘Compact’ To Support His Political Agenda To Get Federal Funding 

-- Inquirer Editorial: Federal Funding Not Worth University Of Pennsylvania’s Independence

-- AP: Is College Worth The Cost? Universities Work To Show The Return On Investment Of A Degree [Pittsburgh Schools Included]

-- Health Care

-- Dept. Of Insurance: Without Federal Action, PA Married Seniors Could See Health Insurance Costs Skyrocket From $7,032 To $35,712 A Year In 2026

-- Post-Gazette: PA Issues Health Insurance Rate Hikes: ‘Shocking’ Due To Congressional Inaction On Extending Tax Credits

-- TribLive: Sticker Shock: PA Health Insurance Costs Soar Even More Than First Feared Without Congressional Action To Extend Tax Credits

-- AP: As Federal Shutdown Drags On, These People Will Lose If Health Care Subsidies Expire [PA Included] 

-- WITF: Gov. Shapiro Backs Congressional Democrats’ Budget Fight Over Health Insurance Subsidies

-- TribLive Editorial: Congressional Health Insurance Subsidy Discussions Cannot Wait

-- WESA: As Pennsylvania Limits HIV Support, Some Patients Face Soaring Medical Bills

-- Spotlight PA: Shapiro Administration Shields Key Data Used To Gauge Elder Abuse System Failures

-- Law Enforcement

-- WITF: Attorney General Sunday Launches Expanded Mental Health Diversion Program 

-- TribLive Editorial: Death Penalty Decisions Must Be Based On Evidence

-- Williamsport Sun: Faith Leaders Implore Region To Reflect On Immigrants’ Humanity

-- Spotlight PA: Clearfield County Will Make $1 Million In 5-Year Contracts As Federal ICE Moshannon Immigrant Detention Center Operator 

-- The Economist: Criminals Make Up A Shrinking Share Of Federal ICE Arrests Showing Why America’s Deportation Drive Is Becoming Increasingly Unpopular [PDF of Article] 

-- PA Capital-Star: PA Joins Multi-State Lawsuit Over President’s Deploying National Guard In Cities

-- The Guardian: Congressional Republicans Post Fake Images Of Oregon Protest Using Photos Of South America 

-- New York Times: National Guard Troops Head To Chicago, Portland As President Weighs Use Of Insurrection Act

-- Brennan Center For Justice: The Insurrection Act: A Presidential Power That Threatens Democracy

-- The Economy

-- PennLive: Report: PA Is The Only Northeast State With A Growing Economy

-- DCED: Shapiro Administration Delivering More Than $25 Billion In Private Investment, Thousands Of Jobs, Largest Private Investment In PA History 

-- TribLive: As Grocery Prices Continue To Climb, Shoppers Redefine Their Staples  [Western PA]

-- The Guardian: 75% Of Americans Report Soaring Prices As President Claims Inflation ‘Over’

-- TribLive Editorial: Increasing Grocery Prices Hurt Everyone

-- Inquirer: Workers Are Feeling Squeeze From Higher Prices, Insurance, Energy Costs, Says Philly’s Top Banker 

-- WESA: Hundreds Of Western PA IRS Workers Furloughed Due To Federal Shutdown

-- TribLive Guest Essay: Small Businesses Need Support During Federal Government Shutdown - By Dan DeBone, Westmoreland Chamber Of Commerce 

-- PennLive: Cleveland Cliffs Formally Closes Steelton Steel Plant Due To Weak Demand In Dauphin County

-- WITF: Voters’ Outlook On President’s Economic Policy May Be Slipping In PA, F& M Poll Finds

-- Wilkes-Barre Times Leader Editorial: $100,000 H-1B Visa Fees Are A Distraction From Real Reform

-- Inquirer: US Chamber Of Commerce Sues President To Block $100,000 Fee For H-1B Visas

Other

-- WESA: 3 Years After Post-Gazette Strike, Reporters Remain On Picket Line, In Court Limbo

[Posted: October 19, 2025]