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

Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else--

-- Gov. Shapiro

-- Washington Post - Salena Zito: Pennsylvania Democrats Know The Truth About Demonizing President; Gov. Shapiro, State’s Top Democratic Party Leader Focused On Winning Back Lost Voters [PDF of Article]  

-- Post-Gazette: Gov. Shapiro Remaining Outspoken About Political Violence, Faith Months After Arson Attack

-- Post-Gazette: 7 Years After Deadly Synagogue Attack, A Community Still Shattered Comes Together To Remember And Heal

-- TribLive Guest Essay: What Can We Do In The Face Of Hate? Look To Roosevelt - By Joseph Sabino Mistick

-- WITF: Mechanicsburg Leaders, Residents Rally For Inclusion After Hate Group Spreads Flyers In Cumberland County 

-- PennLive: Harrisburg Catholic Diocese Apologized For St. Joseph School Halloween Float In Hanover, York County Including A Holocaust ‘Work Makes You Free’ Concentration Camp Phrase 

-- Gov. Shapiro Signs Disaster Declaration To Make $5 Million Available To Food Banks During Federal Food Stamp Uncertainty

-- Gov. Shapiro Takes Legal Action To Demand USDA Use Available Contingency Funds To Pay Nov. Food Stamp Benefits To Ensure Nearly 2 Million Pennsylvanians Are Fed

-- Inquirer: Gov. Shapiro Joins Children's Hospital Of Philadelphia In Federal Court Fight To Stop President’s Justice Dept. From Obtaining Medical Records Of Transgender Youth

-- Inside Climate News: Gov. Shapiro Joins 3 Other Governors In A Proposal To Give Priority To A.I. Data Centers That Bring Their Own Electric Generation To The Grid  [PaEN] 

-- Gov. Shapiro, Oklahoma Gov. Stitt Lead Bipartisan National Governors Assn. Group Recommending Energy Facility Permitting Reform To Address Nation’s Energy Crisis [PaEN]  

-- Budget 2025 (Almost 2026)

-- Spotlight PA - Stephen Caruso: All Major Players In PA’s Budget Impasse Met In Person This Week, Will A Deal Follow?  [RGGI, Permit, Regulatory Changes In Play]

-- TribLive Editorial: Two Government Crises Face Pennsylvanians 

-- TribLive: Consequences Mount As Federal Shutdown, State Budget Impasse Drag On

-- ABC27: PA Lawmakers Agree On Most State Budget Items Despite Delay

-- Williamsport Sun Editorial: State Needs Responsible Budget

-- Post-Gazette: Officials In York County Say If State Won’t Send Payments To Them, They Will Withhold Payments To State During State Budget Impasse

-- Spotlight PA: School Districts Forced To Cut Programs, Take Out Loans As PA Budget Impasse Continues

-- Republican Herald: Shenandoah Valley School District, Schuylkill County Considers Loan Due To State Budget Delay

-- Inquirer: Delaware County School District Says It Will Run Out Of Cash By January Without State Budget 

-- TribLive: Indiana University Of PA To Borrow $2 Million, Layoffs Coming If There Is No State Budget By New Year

-- TribLive: Westmoreland Commissioners Vow To Keep County Running As State Funds Dry Up

-- Post-Gazette: Local, State Health Entities Face Challenges With Shutdown, State Budget Impasse

-- Inquirer: 2 Homeless Shelters To Close In Delaware County Amid State Budget Impasse

-- State Treasurer Garrity Announces 24 Organizations Receive Budget Impasse Bridge Loans Totaling $8.7 Million  [$21 Million Loaned To 48 Groups So Far]

-- PA Capital-Star: PA Democrats Propose Compromise On Private Cyber Charter Taxpayer Funding Amid PA Budget Impasse

-- PA House/Senate

-- PA Capital-Star: PA Senate Democrats Pitch $62 Million Grant Program To Offset Federal Food Stamp Cuts

-- Wilkes-Barre Times Leader: PA Senators Look To Regulate ‘Skill’ Gambling Games, Crack Down On Illegal Games, Nuisance Locations

-- KDKA: Rep. Anita Kulik (D) Not Running For Reelection

-- US Senate/House

-- WITF: PA US Sen. McCormick Silent On Extending Health Insurance Tax Credits, Preventing Surge In Premiums 

-- WESA/PA Capital-Star: Sen. Fetterman’s Fundraising Woes Continue

-- PA Capital-Star: Nearly All Republican Congressional Members Outraised Democrats Last Quarter; Republican Con. Scott Perry’s The Exception

-- Statewide Offices

-- State Treasurer Garrity Announces 24 Organizations Receive Budget Impasse Bridge Loans Totaling $8.7 Million  [$21 Million Loaned To 48 Groups So Far]

-- Post-Gazette: State Treasurer Garrity Proposes Loan To DHS To Cover Federal Food Stamp Costs; Shapiro Says Plan Is Unworkable Because Feds Will Not Reimburse For Any Funds Spent Covering Benefits

-- Attorney General Sunday: Record 50 Million Doses Of Fentanyl Seized In PA So Far In 2025

-- WHYY: Nearly 27 Million Doses Of Fentanyl Seized In Philly Area So Far This Year

-- Attorney General Sunday: Criminal Charges Filed Against Seneca Resources For 64 Counts Of Illegal Dumping Of Shale Gas Waste In Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Tioga Counties  [PaEN] 

-- 2025 Elections

-- AP: What To Expect For Nov. 4 Election In Pennsylvania

-- Spotlight PA: PA Republican Voters Drive Increase In Mail-In Ballot Requests

-- WITF: Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin Campaigns For PA Supreme Court Justices

-- Post-Gazette: With 3 PA Supreme Court Justices Up For Retention, Here Are Key Rulings In Recent Years

-- Spotlight PA: Why Tracking Spending In This Year’s PA Supreme Court Retention Races Is So Difficult

-- WHYY - Susan Phillips: How PA Supreme Court Retention Race Could Impact Environmental Protection 

-- Elections

-- Washington Post - Salena Zito: Pennsylvania Democrats Know The Truth About Demonizing President; Gov. Shapiro, State’s Top Democratic Party Leader Focused On Winning Back Lost Voters [PDF of Article]  

-- Spotlight PA: PA Criminal Case Highlights Problems With 3rd-Party Voter Registration Drives

-- Citizens Voice: Republican Voter Registration Lead In Luzerne County Up To 6,978, 3.4%

-- PA Impacts Of President’s Tariffs

-- AP: Vermont Cycling Apparel, PA Fishing Tackle Company FishUSA In Erie Trying To Survive President’s Tariffs; Will US Supreme Court Help? 

-- Republican Herald Editorial: President Should Put Pettiness Aside And Negotiate Trade Deal With Canada 

-- Wall Street Journal Editorial: Reagan Was A Free Trader, No Matter What The Current President Says

-- PA Impacts Of President’s Policies

-- Spotlight PA: Millions At Risk Of Power Shut Off Because Of Federal LIHEAP Funding Delays During Federal Shutdown [PA Included]

-- TribLive/AP: Two Federal Judges Order President’s Administration To Use Contingency Funds For Food Stamp Payments During Shutdown; Rulings Are Likely To Face Appeals [May Take Time To Restart Benefits]

-- Gov. Shapiro Signs Disaster Declaration To Make $5 Million Available To Food Banks During Federal Food Stamp Uncertainty

-- Springhill Township Becomes 2nd Township To Declare Disaster Emergency After Residents Were Impacted By A Shale Gas Related Water Contamination Event In Greene County [PaEN]

-- Post-Gazette: Gov. Shapiro Signs Disaster Declaration To Help Food Banks Amid Federal Food Stamp Uncertainty

-- WNEP: Pittsburgh Native Mark Cuban Donates To PA Fund Helping Food Stamp Recipients During Federal Shutdown

-- Gov. Shapiro Takes Legal Action To Demand USDA Use Available Contingency Funds To Pay Nov. Food Stamp Benefits To Ensure Nearly 2 Million Pennsylvanians Are Fed

-- Post-Gazette: State Treasurer Garrity Proposes Loan To DHS To Cover Federal Food Stamp Costs; Shapiro Says Plan Is Unworkable Because Feds Will Not Reimburse For Any Funds Spent Covering Benefits

-- Beaver Times: Food Stamp Benefits Due To Lapse Nov. 1; What Are PA Leaders Doing About It

-- PA Capital-Star: PA Senate Democrats Pitch $62 Million Grant Program To Offset Federal Food Stamp Cuts

-- AP: What To Expect If Federal Food Stamps, WIC Infant/Children’s And Head Start Preschool Nutrition Assistance Ends 

-- PA Capital-Star Guest Essay: Food Stamp Payment Delays Will Starve PA’s Food Economy - By Alex Baloga, PA Food Merchants Assn.

-- TribLive: Expected Lapse In Federal Food Stamp Benefits Puts Food Banks In Crisis 

-- PA Capital-Star: Ambridge, Beaver County Prepares To Feed Hungry If Federal Food Stamps Program Goes Dark 

-- WITF: Across 19 Central PA Counties 300,000+ People Receive Help From Federal Food Stamps

-- WITF: ‘Now I Have Nothing;’ Pennsylvanians Expect Hardship Without Federal Food Stamps Nov. 1 

-- TribLive: Western PA Schools Working To Keep Children Fed Ahead Of Food Stamp Benefits Shutdown Nov. 1

-- Republican Herald: 26,000 In Schuylkill County Face Food Stamp Loss Due To Federal Shutdown

-- WESA: 160,000 Allegheny County Residents, Including 50,000 Kids Face Loss Of Federal Food Stamps Nov. 1

-- TribLive: USDA Memo Says It Will Not Use Emergency Funds For November Food Benefits

-- Inquirer Editorial: Americans May Go Hungry; But President’s $350 Million Ballroom Proceeds Apace

-- WITF: PA US Sen. McCormick Silent On Extending Health Insurance Tax Credits, Preventing Surge In Premiums 

-- TribLive: Skyrocketing Health Insurance Costs Drive PA Businesses To Cheaper Alternatives

-- Inquirer: Gov. Shapiro Joins Children's Hospital Of Philadelphia In Federal Court Fight To Stop President’s Justice Dept. From Obtaining Medical Records Of Transgender Youth

-- Altoona Mirror Editorial: Social Security Cost Of Living Hike Isn’t Enough; Medicare Health Insurance Going Up $21.50/Month

-- Inquirer: PECO, Philadelphia Gas Works Promise Not To Turn Off Power For Low-Income Households Amid Federal Shutdown

-- TribLive: Western PA-Based Giant Eagle Food Stores Needs Pennies, Offers Double Their Value In Gift Cards [President Ending Minting Of Pennies]

-- TribLive: Giant Eagle Issues Over $2 Million In Gift Cards Through Penny Shortage Exchange [President Eliminating Pennies]

-- WTAE: Giant Eagle Penny Exchange Draws More Than 100 Million Pennies

-- TribLive: Nationwide Penny Shortage Leaves Businesses In The Dark

-- WESA: University Of Pittsburgh Professors Push Back Against President’s ‘Compact’ For Higher Education

-- Inquirer Guest Essay: It’s Important That Law Schools Resist President’s Overreach More Than Other Parts Of Higher Ed

-- WESA: Pittsburgh Refugee Resettlement Group Expands Legal Services For Immigrants

-- Financial Times: Bethlehem, PA: Anxious And Disillusioned: Being Young In US President’s America  

-- PennLive: PA Construction Industry Facing A Slowdown: Tariffs, Workforce Shortages, Economic Uncertainty, Inflation: ‘Not Like Anything I’ve Experienced’

-- TribLive:  Charleroi, Washington County Sees Drop In Haitians; Deportation Fears, Job Loss

-- New Federal Administration

-- Williamsport Sun Editorial: State Redistricting Fights To Benefit One Party Or Another Hollow Out Middle Of Voters; Gerrymandering Is Wrong

-- PennLive - John Baer: How Far Will President Go To Leave His Glitzy Brand On Washington?

-- TribLive Guest Essay: What Can We Do In The Face Of Hate? Look To Roosevelt - By Joseph Sabino Mistick

-- WITF: Mechanicsburg Leaders, Residents Rally For Inclusion After Hate Group Spreads Flyers In Cumberland County 

-- PennLive: Harrisburg Catholic Diocese Apologized For St. Joseph School Halloween Float In Hanover, York County Including A Holocaust ‘Work Makes You Free’ Concentration Camp Phrase 

-- AP: Young Adults Turn To Quakers’ Silent Worship To Offset And Cope With A Noisy World [Pennsylvania]

-- Post-Gazette: How Federal Shutdown Impacts 19,000 Federal Workers In Pittsburgh Area

-- AP: Man Who Spent 43 Years In A PA Prison Before His Conviction Was Overturned Now Faces Deportation After He Legally Came To The US When He Was 9 Months Old

-- Miscellaneous State/Harrisburg Politics

-- Williamsport Sun Editorial: State Redistricting Fights To Benefit One Party Or Another Hollow Out Middle Of Voters; Gerrymandering Is Wrong

-- WITF: Longtime Republican Consultants Launch Ads Attacking Endorsed Republican For School Board In Lancaster County As ‘Too Radical,’ ‘Too Extreme’

-- Inquirer: Democrats In Delaware County Accuse Republican Council Candidate, Former Police Officer Of Racist Posts

-- A.I. /Data Centers

-- Inside Climate News: Gov. Shapiro Joins 3 Other Governors In A Proposal To Give Priority To A.I. Data Centers That Bring Their Own Electric Generation To The Grid  [PaEN] 

-- Gov. Shapiro, Oklahoma Gov. Stitt Lead Bipartisan National Governors Assn. Group Recommending Energy Facility Permitting Reform To Address Nation’s Energy Crisis [PaEN]  

-- KDKA: PUC Chair DeFrank: Concerns About Rising Electric Bills From A.I. Data Centers Are Legitimate; Development Of Centers Must Be ‘Well Planned, Well Thought’ Out

-- ABC27: PA Republican Lawmakers Understand Residents’ Fear Of A.I. Data Centers, But Say They Are Coming No Matter What 

-- House Democrats Move 2 More Parts Of Governor’s Lightning Energy Plan In Position For Vote To Address Unprecedented Energy Challenges  [PaEN] 

-- In Case You Missed It: A.I./Data Center Articles - NewClips From Last Week - November 3  [PaEN]

-- International/National Impacts On PA Natural Gas

-- Attorney General Sunday: Criminal Charges Filed Against Seneca Resources For 64 Counts Of Illegal Dumping Of Shale Gas Waste In Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Tioga Counties  [PaEN] 

-- Capital & Main: Pennsylvania Gas Producer [CNX Resources] Sues Capital & Main Over Its Reporting On Health Risks [Trying To Silence Its Reporting]  [PaEN]  

-- House Environmental Committee To Hold Nov. 5 Hearing On Impacts Of Proposed LNG Natural Gas Export Terminal In Southeast PA  [PaEN] 

-- 500 Feet Isn't Enough: Environmental Groups Urge Environmental Quality Board To Accept Rulemaking Petition For Study Increasing Setbacks From Shale Gas Wells  [PaEN]

-- AAA Gasoline Average Prices: National- $3.03  Ohio- $2.92  PA- $3.21

-- Baker Hughes: PA Natural Gas Drilling Rigs - 17 - Same As Last 5 Weeks

-- National Fuel Gas Reduces Natural Gas Charges Due To Lower Gas Cost; Federal Shutdown Delays LIHEAP Opening, Customer Assistance Available

-- In Case You Missed It: A.I./Data Center Articles - NewClips From Last Week - November 3  [PaEN]

-- Inside Climate News: Gov. Shapiro Joins 3 Other Governors In A Proposal To Give Priority To A.I. Data Centers That Bring Their Own Electric Generation To The Grid  [PaEN] 

-- Gov. Shapiro, Oklahoma Gov. Stitt Lead Bipartisan National Governors Assn. Group Recommending Energy Facility Permitting Reform To Address Nation’s Energy Crisis [PaEN]  

-- Utility Dive: US EIA: Natural Gas Prices Up 47.5%, Electricity Up 6% In August [ Growing Cause For Concern As Costs Rise]  

-- Reuters: Expand Energy Expects To Produce More US Natural Gas At Lower Cost

-- Bloomberg: New Fortress Energy Mulls UK Restructuring Instead Of Chapter 11 Bankruptcy  [Company Proposed A.I. Data Center, LNG Projects In PA, Just Issued Permit For 248 MW Gas Power Plant]

-- Reuters: President Says China To Begin Purchasing American LNG Gas To Support Their Economy  

-- Bloomberg: How US President ‘Bullied,’ ‘Intimidates’ The World Into Burning More Oil And Gas Using Tariff Threats, Verbal Dressing-Downs

-- The Guardian: All Operational US LNG Gas Export Terminals Have Violated Pollution Limits, Report Says

-- Flooding

-- AP: Bill Gates Calls For Climate Fight To Shift Focus From Curbing Emissions To Reducing Human Suffering

-- Clairton Coke [Coal] Works Explosion

-- ProPublica.org: Air Pollution Emissions At US Steel Clairton Coke [Coal] Works Much Higher Than Reported

-- Education

-- Inquirer: Delaware County School District Says It Will Run Out Of Cash By January Without State Budget 

-- Republican Herald: Shenandoah Valley School District, Schuylkill County Considers Loan Due To State Budget Delay

-- PA Capital-Star: PA Democrats Propose Compromise On Private Cyber Charter Taxpayer Funding Amid PA Budget Impasse

-- TribLive: Westmoreland Intermediate Unit To Borrow $2 Million, Layoffs Coming If There Is No State Budget By New Year

-- WITF: Longtime Republican Consultants Launch Ads Attacking Endorsed Republican For School Board In Lancaster County As ‘Too Radical,’ ‘Too Extreme’

-- Morning Call: Another Bomb Threat Prompts Allentown H.S. Evacuation

-- AP: Young Adults Turn To Quakers’ Silent Worship To Offset And Cope With A Noisy World [Pennsylvania]

-- TribLive: Western PA Schools Working To Keep Children Fed Ahead Of Food Stamp Benefits Shutdown Nov. 1

-- TribLive: USDA Memo Says It Will Not Use Emergency Funds For November Food Benefits

-- Erie Times: Dozens Of PA School Board Ban Books Or Target LGBTQ+ Students

-- WESA: University Of Pittsburgh Professors Push Back Against President’s ‘Compact’ For Higher Education

-- Inquirer Guest Essay: It’s Important That Law Schools Resist President’s Overreach More Than Other Parts Of Higher Ed

-- PennLive: Harrisburg Area Community College Faculty To Strike Starting Monday 

-- Post-Gazette: Penn State Reports Declines In Branch Campuses Enrollments

-- TribLive: PennWest State University Review Aims To Make Programs Stronger; Some Could ‘Sunset’

-- PennLive: Dickinson College To Build Jim Thorpe Center Near Infamous Carlisle Indian School With $20 Million Gift

-- Financial Times: Bethlehem, PA: Anxious And Disillusioned: Being Young In US President’s America  

-- Health Care

-- Post-Gazette: Local, State Health Entities Face Challenges With Shutdown, State Budget Impasse

-- WITF: PA US Sen. McCormick Silent On Extending Health Insurance Tax Credits, Preventing Surge In Premiums 

-- TribLive: Skyrocketing Health Insurance Costs Drive PA Businesses To Cheaper Alternatives

-- TribLive: Class Action Lawsuit Seeks To Uphold In-Network Drug Benefits For Ligonier Pharmacy Customers In Westmoreland County

-- AP: Young Adults Turn To Quakers’ Silent Worship To Offset And Cope With A Noisy World [Pennsylvania]

-- Altoona Mirror Editorial: Social Security Cost Of Living Hike Isn’t Enough; Medicare Health Insurance Going Up $21.50/Month

-- Law Enforcement

-- Post-Gazette: Gov. Shapiro Remaining Outspoken About Political Violence, Faith Months After Arson Attack

-- Post-Gazette: 7 Years After Deadly Synagogue Attack, A Community Still Shattered Comes Together To Remember And Heal

-- WESA: Pittsburgh Refugee Resettlement Group Expands Legal Services For Immigrants

-- AP: Man Who Spent 43 Years In A PA Prison Before His Conviction Was Overturned Now Faces Deportation After He Legally Came To The US When He Was 9 Months Old

-- TribLive Editorial: Courtrooms Aren’t Ready For A.I.

-- The Economy

-- PennLive: PA Construction Industry Facing A Slowdown: Tariffs, Workforce Shortages, Economic Uncertainty, Inflation: ‘Not Like Anything I’ve Experienced’

-- TribLive: Western PA-Based Giant Eagle Food Stores Needs Pennies, Offers Double Their Value In Gift Cards [President Ending Minting Of Pennies]

-- TribLive: Giant Eagle Issues Over $2 Million In Gift Cards Through Penny Shortage Exchange [President Eliminating Pennies]

-- WTAE: Giant Eagle Penny Exchange Draws More Than 100 Million Pennies

-- TribLive: Nationwide Penny Shortage Leaves Businesses In The Dark

-- TribLive:  Charleroi, Washington County Sees Drop In Haitians; Deportation Fears, Job Loss

-- AP: Amazon Cuts 14,000 Corporate Jobs As Spending On A.I. Accelerates

-- Wall Street Journal: UPS Reduced Management Workforce By 14,000 Positions, Operational Workforce By 34,000 Positions So Far In 2025 

[Posted: November 2, 2025]