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

Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else--

-- Gov. Shapiro

-- KYW: Delaware County Man Arrested For Threatening To Burn Down PA Governor’s Residence In Harrisburg

-- PennLive: Federal Judge Lets Shapiro Neighbor’s Lawsuit Proceed Against Governor Personally, Not In His Official Capacity

-- The Center Square: Officials Condemn Arson Attack At Philadelphia Mosque

-- Race For Governor

-- Spotlight PA: Where Shapiro, Garrity Stand On A.I. Data Centers

-- Erie Times: Stacy Garrity, From PA State Treasurer To Republican Nominee For Governor 

-- Budget 2026

-- Spotlight PA: PA Lawmakers Advance $50.8 Billion Budget That Sends More Money To Poorest Schools, Skips Difficult Policy Questions

-- Budget First Look: At Best A Cost To Carry Environmental Budget, Supports Oil & Gas Program Operations, Several Data Center Provisions But Not A Moratorium Or Pause  [PaEN] 

-- PennLive: PA Lawmaker’s Budget Deal Hinges On Accounting Trick To Please All Sides - Delaying Medicaid Payments

-- PA Capital-Star: PA Lawmakers Hold Weekend Session To Advance $50.8 Bill Spending Plan

-- Spotlight PA: Lawmakers Aim To Finish PA’s Late State Budget This Weekend

-- The Center Square: Could A State Budget Deal Be Close In Harrisburg?  Shapiro Thinks So

-- Tribune-Democrat: PA Lawmakers Return To Capitol For Rare Weekend Session, Potential Budget Resolution

-- PennLive: PA Lawmakers Launch Weekend Of Work On Emerging State Budget Deal

-- PA Capital-Star: More Than A Week After The Deadline, State Budget Negotiations Appear To Be Taking Place

-- Erie Times/USA Today: PA House/Senate Will Reconvene As Budget Talks Continue

-- The Center Square: State Budget Impasse ‘Super Stressful’ On Those Waiting For State Money

-- TribLive: PA Turnpike Announces Smallest Rate Hike In Over A Decade To Fund Highway Projects Across The State

-- PA House/Senate

-- PA Capital-Star: ‘Skill’ Gambling Game Decision In PA Could Ban Arcade Games Without Legislative Regulation

-- Post-Gazette: PA Businesses Brace For Upheaval Ahead Of Crucial ‘Skill’ Gambling Games Deadline

-- The Center Square: Officials Condemn Arson Attack At Philadelphia Mosque

-- PennLive: PA House Committee Met To Talk About Aliens From Outer Space, State Needs A System For Collecting Reports Of UFOs

-- City & State PA: The Fight To Open Up The PA Senate Rules Meeting Room To Video Coverage 

-- KYW: PA Leaders Remember Former State Sen. Shirley Kitchen Who Represented North Philly For Decades

-- US Senate/House

-- Time Magazine Guest Essay: We’re Conservative Republicans, The SAVE Voting Act In Congress Is A Mistake - By Former PA Gov. Tom Corbett & Reid Ribbe, Former Wisconsin Republican Congressman

-- 2026 Elections

-- Spotlight PA: PA Elections Could Look Different If Democrats Win Full Control Of State Government In 2026

-- Time Magazine Guest Essay: We’re Conservative Republicans, The SAVE Voting Act In Congress Is A Mistake - By Former PA Gov. Tom Corbett & Reid Ribbe, Former Wisconsin Republican Congressman

-- Inquirer/NYT: President’s Justice Department Threatens Top State Election Officials Over Noncitizen Voting

-- Elections

-- Time Magazine Guest Essay: We’re Conservative Republicans, The SAVE Voting Act In Congress Is A Mistake - By Former PA Gov. Tom Corbett & Reid Ribbe, Former Wisconsin Republican Congressman

-- National Elections

-- The Texas Tribune/Propublica: Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Used Address Where He Did Not Live To Vote In 6 Elections In Past 2 Years Including The Primary That Made Him Republican Nominee For US Senate

-- President’s War On Iran

-- July 12: PA Average AAA Gasoline Price Down 1 Penny Since Yesterday, Now $3.97/Gallon - $.86/Gallon Higher Than On Feb. 27 [Beaver County Average Price Still Highest at $4.32]

-- July 12: Average AAA Gasoline Prices: National- $3.87  Ohio- $3.83  PA- $3.97

-- Feb. 27: Average AAA Gasoline Prices: National- $2.98  Ohio- $2.79  PA- $3.11

-- WPSU/WITF: ‘Freedom Fuel’ Gasoline Stations In PA/NJ Backed By President Raise Prices 10 Cents To $3.57, Keep Ownership A Secret

-- PennLive: ‘Freedom Fuel’ Gasoline Stations Promoted By White House To Sell Cheaper Gas In PA

-- Inquirer: ‘Freedom Fuel’ Gasoline Stations Branded By President Opening Around Philadelphia Offering Cheaper Fuel Prices - $3.47/Gallon

-- Bloomberg: Oil Price Surges After President Says US Ceasefire With Iran Is Over

-- Reuters: What Are The Risks Of An LNG Natural Gas Tanker Explosion As A Result Of Military Action?

-- Reuters: Qatari LNG Tanker Awaits Salvage Off Oman After Missile Strike

-- Bloomberg: Qatari LNG Natural Gas Ship Struck By Missile In Strait Of Hormuz, Testing US Talks

-- Protesting The President

-- Republican Herald Editorial: On Birthright Citizenship, The US Constitution Is Clear

-- PA Impacts Of President’s Tariffs/Trade

-- Reuters: President Orders Halt To US Trade With Spain Over NATO Spending, Iran  [Pennsylvania Has About $606.1 Million  In Trade With Spain]

-- Reversing Course

-- PA Capital-Star: Future Uncertain For PA Warehouses After Federal ICE Pivot Away From Detention Centers

-- PA Impacts Of President’s Policies

-- Morning Call: Lehigh Valley School Districts Expand Summer Meals Programs Amid Federal Cuts To Food Aid

-- PA Capital-Star: 98,000 Fewer Pennsylvanians On Food Stamps One Year After Congressional Republican Changes

-- City & State PA: One Year Later, PA’s Congressional Delegation Still Split On Impacts Of Congressional Republican Medical Insurance, Food Stamp Other Changes

-- TribLive: Health Insurance Premiums May Be Headed For Another Spike In PA Because Congress Failed To Act 

-- PennLive Editorial: The Bhutanese Fled Persecution Once, They Shouldn’t Face It Again Here In US

-- Bloomberg: Oil Price Surges After President Says US Ceasefire With Iran Is Over

-- PennLive: Cost Increase Due To Failure Of Congress To Act Drive 160,000 Pennsylvanians To Drop Health Insurance Coverage, Eroding Insurance Gains 

-- Reuters Column: Killing Wind And Solar Energy Subsidies Will Make US Electricity More Expensive - By Gavin Maguire 

-- New Federal Administration

-- Wall Street Journal Editorial: World Cup Had World Thinking Well Of The US, Then The President Called About A Red Card

-- A.I. /Data Centers

-- In Case You Missed It: A.I./Data Center Articles - NewClips From Last Week - July 13  [PaEN]

-- Reuters: A.I. Data Centers Driving Up Power Bills At America’s Rust Belt Factories [PA Included] 

-- Penn State Extension: How A.I. Data Centers Are Driving Up Residential Electricity Bills 

-- The Center Square: In The Lehigh Valley, Data Center-Driven Power Bill Increases Are On The Ballot 

-- Pittsburgh Business Times Guest Essay: Allegheny Business Conference, Pittsburgh Regional Building Trades Unions Call For Continuing Taxpayer Funded $500+ Million/Year State Sales Tax Exemption For A.I. Data Centers Flooding PA 

-- PA Environmental Council In Case You Missed It In June Now Available - A.I. Data Center Guardrails  [PaEN]

-- Scranton Times - Chris Kelly Opinion: Humans Who Passively Ignore Incremental Threats Like A.I. Data Centers Have A Lot In Common With Boiled Frogs

-- Spotlight PA: Where Shapiro, Garrity Stand On A.I. Data Centers

-- PA House Republican Proposes Bill To Strip Citizens Of The Right To Request A Suspension Of A DEP Permit To Prevent Irreparable Harm From Occurring While An Appeal Is Heard Before The Environmental Hearing Board  [PaEN] 

-- Spotlight PA: Republican State Senator, Chair Of PA Republicans Profited From $30 Million Property Sale For A Massive Cumberland County A.I. Data Center Development

-- AP: As Natural Gas-Fired Power Plants Rise To Power A.I. Data Centers, Renewable Energy Allies Are Fighting For Cleaner Alternatives  [PA Included]

-- International/National Impacts On PA Natural Gas

-- July 12: PA Average AAA Gasoline Price Down 1 Penny Since Yesterday, Now $3.97/Gallon - $.86/Gallon Higher Than On Feb. 27 [Beaver County Average Price Still Highest at $4.32]

-- July 12: Average AAA Gasoline Prices: National- $3.87  Ohio- $3.83  PA- $3.97

-- Feb. 27: Average AAA Gasoline Prices: National- $2.98  Ohio- $2.79  PA- $3.11

-- WPSU/WITF: ‘Freedom Fuel’ Gasoline Stations In PA/NJ Backed By President Raise Prices 10 Cents To $3.57, Keep Ownership A Secret

-- PennLive: ‘Freedom Fuel’ Gasoline Stations Promoted By White House To Sell Cheaper Gas In PA

-- Inquirer: ‘Freedom Fuel’ Gasoline Stations Branded By President Opening Around Philadelphia Offering Cheaper Fuel Prices - $3.47/Gallon

-- Baker Hughes: PA Natural Gas Drilling Rigs-- 17-- Same For Last 9 Weeks

-- Bloomberg: Oil Price Surges After President Says US Ceasefire With Iran Is Over

-- Utility Dive Guest Essay: The PJM Market Is Working - Don’t Mistake Progress For Failure - By Todd Snitchler, Electric Power Supply Assn. (competitive electric generators believe high prices are working) 

-- Utility Dive: States Taking Action On Energy Affordability As Issue Grows; Report On 350 Affordability Actions Taken This Year 

-- Inside Climate News: President Wants To Fast Track A.I., Plans For More Than 70 Gas-Fired Power Plants To Serve Data Centers

-- Reuters: What Are The Risks Of An LNG Natural Gas Tanker Explosion As A Result Of Military Action?

-- Reuters: Qatari LNG Tanker Awaits Salvage Off Oman After Missile Strike

-- Bloomberg: Qatari LNG Natural Gas Ship Struck By Missile In Strait Of Hormuz, Testing US Talks

-- Flooding

-- PA Emergency Management Agency To Open Multi-Agency Resource Center July 14 To Assist Victims Of Flooding In Blair County  [PaEN] 

-- US Army Corps Of Engineers, Partners To Host 3 Open House Meetings On Chartiers Creek Flood Risk Study In Washington County  [PaEN]

-- The Allegheny Front: With Obsolete Dams Gone, Bedford Sees Less Flooding, Improved Habitat 

-- TribLive: Failed Stormwater Infrastructure Owned By UPMC Caused Sinkhole In McCandless, Allegheny County, Town Manager Says

-- Altoona Mirror: Blair County Issues Disaster Declaration For Tyrone Borough, Snyder Township After Flooding

-- WHYY: Levee Plan Not Viable For Philly’s Flood-Prone Eastwick Neighborhood, Says US Army Corps

-- Gas Explosions

-- WHYY - Zoe Read: Nicetown Residents In Philly Want Answers After PUC Finds Philadelphia Gas Works Not Responsible For Deadly Natural Gas Explosion

-- Tribune-Democrat: Officials: Ruptured Natural Gas Line Inside House Caused Upper Yoder Twp. Home Explosion, One Person Injured

-- Storms/Power Outages

-- The Center Square: Severe Storms Impact 64 Out Of 67 PA Counties Over Holiday Weekend

-- Pennsylvania Power Outages: 105,571 Households Without Power - July 6 - 6:00 a.m. 

-- Pennsylvania Power Outages: 1,139 Households Without Power - July 9 - 7:00 a.m.

-- PPL Electric Power Outages: 75,046 Customers Without Power - July 6 - 6:00 a.m.  

-- PPL Electric Power Outages: 425 Customers Without Power - July 9 - 7:00 a.m.

-- FirstEnergy Electric Power Outages: 28,709 Customers Without Power - July 6 - 6:00 a.m.

-- FirstEnergy Electric Power Outages: 678 Customers Without Power - July 9 - 7:00 a.m.

-- PECO Electric Power Outages: 3,359 Customers Without Power - July 6 - 6:00 a.m.

-- PECO Electric Power Outages: 32 Customers Without Power - July 9 - 7:00 a.m. 

-- Inquirer: PECO, Worker Union Reach A Deal, Ending Strike 

-- Education

-- Morning Call: Lehigh Valley School Districts Expand Summer Meals Programs Amid Federal Cuts To Food Aid

-- Post-Gazette: PA State-Owned Universities Are Set To Increase Tuition Again, Pending State Budget Deal

-- TribLive: University of Pittsburgh Hikes Tuition For 2026-27 Academic Year

-- WVIA: Former Bucknell Coach Charged With Felony Hazing In Football Player’s Death

-- Health Care

-- PennLive: Cost Increase Due To Failure Of Congress To Act Drive 160,000 Pennsylvanians To Drop Health Insurance Coverage, Eroding Insurance Gains 

-- TribLive: Health Insurance Premiums May Be Headed For Another Spike In PA Because Congress Failed To Act 

-- Law Enforcement

-- PA Capital-Star: ‘Skill’ Gambling Game Decision In PA Could Ban Arcade Games Without Legislative Regulation

-- Post-Gazette: PA Businesses Brace For Upheaval Ahead Of Crucial ‘Skill’ Gambling Games Deadline

-- Spotlight PA: PA Mom’s Fight Reveals The Messy Reality Of Treating Overdoses Like Homicides

-- WVIA: Truck Crash That Killed PA State Trooper Underscores Concerns About Granting CDLs To Noncitizens

-- Republican Herald: State Police Association Calls For Answers About Driver Who Struck, Killed State Trooper In Schuylkill County

-- TribLive: Allegheny County DA’s Office Accuses Public Defender Of Threatening Alleged Victim’s Immigration Status 

-- PennLive Editorial: The Bhutanese Fled Persecution Once, They Shouldn’t Face It Again Here In US

-- PA Capital-Star: Future Uncertain For PA Warehouses After Federal ICE Pivot Away From Detention Centers

-- The Economy

-- City & State PA: Pennsylvania’s Tourism Lead Says 2026 Events Have Been An Astounding Success

-- KDKA: Allegheny County DA Investigating 35 Cases Of Deed Fraud, Deeds Transferred To An LLC Without Homeowners’ Knowledge [Also Happens With Oil & Gas Property Rights] 

-- Reading Eagle: Berks County Native, NFL Star Married In Elaborate Madison Square Garden Ceremony

[Posted: July 12, 2026]