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A daily newsletter by  |
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| Today: Shapiro in Chicago, rural strategy, citizenship checks, party's over, demographic sway, big energy deal, and alligator tracks. |
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Gov. Josh Shapiro, a veepstakes finalist, delivered a prime-time speech at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday, laying out what "real freedom" looks like to him and his party.
"... It's not freedom to tell our children what books they’re allowed to read. It’s not freedom to tell women what they can do with their bodies," the first-term governor said, per The Inquirer (paywall). "And it sure as hell isn’t freedom to say you can go vote, but he gets to pick the winner.”
Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris vetted Shapiro to be her running mate but ultimately went with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
The Washington Post (gift link) reports that Shapiro has been an active advocate for the Harris-Walz ticket — "as well as for himself" — while in Chicago.
See Shapiro's full speech here. |
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NOTABLE / QUOTABLE
“I have no idea. You’ve got to ask Fetterman. Or I would say you should ask his spokesperson, but I think they're not on the same page either.”
—Gov. Josh Shapiro on his reported beef with fellow Democrat, U.S. Sen. John Fetterman; the rivalry may date back to the Wolf administration |
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| 📱CHECK OUT OUR NEW MOBILE APP |
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We’re excited to debut the Spotlight PA mobile app, now available to download for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play.
The app streamlines the reader experience by sharing our latest stories in an accessible, easy-to-read format. You’ll also get the latest on events, product offerings, and more within the app.
Please check it out and let us know what you think!
Download for Apple/iOS
Download for Google/Android |
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| An insect gathering, via Thomas D. Send us your Pennsylvania photos by email, use #PAGems on Instagram, or tag us @spotlightpennsylvania. |
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PEOPLE POWER: Join us TODAY from 6-7 p.m. for a free panel on why local government struggles to attract and retain talent. Register here and submit questions to events@spotlightpa.org.
BERKS BUREAU: Join us on Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 6 p.m. for a session on our plans for a Berks County reporting bureau. Register here. |
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 VOTE VETTERS: A proposed Allegheny County ordinance would direct election officials in Pennsylvania's second-largest county to share voter rolls with the federal government for citizenship checks. The leader of the push, Republican Allegheny County Councilor Sam DeMarco, acknowledged noncitizen voting is extremely rare. One watchdog called the bill "a solution in search of a problem," per WESA.
 YOUTH VOTE: Pennsylvania had one of the highest rates of youth voter turnout in 2022, with nearly 32% of young voters casting a ballot, 100 Days in Appalachia reports. Meanwhile, other Appalachian states, including one neighbor, had among the lowest rates. In 2024 races for Congress, 100 Days reports young voters have the highest potential to influence the race for Democratic U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio's seat. BIG ENERGY: A merger deal between Consol Energy and Arch Resources will create a $5 billion U.S. coal titan headquartered in Pennsylvania. Reuters reports the new company will be called Core Natural Resources. It will be based in Canonsburg, Washington County, Consol's existing home base. The deal is set to close in 2025. |
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HIGH SECURITY: A fatal shooting involving recessed participants of an attempted murder trial in Northumberland County has prompted the district attorney to call for armed courthouse security guards and other heightened security measures, The Daily Item reports.
WALZ TOWING: Harrisburg reporter Sean Kitchen notes Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz and staffers once aided GOP Pennsylvania state Sen. Camera Bartolotta's daughter whose car had gotten stuck in a snowy Minnesota ditch while she was working as a reporter.
DNC STUDIES: A three-credit course at Pennsylvania Western University lets students attend and experience Democratic and Republican conventions to better understand their role in American politics, TribLIVE reports.
'FLAVORED BY PHILLY': It's not "potato pierogi" or "cheese ravioli." The winner of Herr’s "Flavored by Philly" potato chip contest this year is Romano's Special Hot Stromboli, Billy Penn reports. Here's the inspiration.
WORLD SERIES: Pennsylvania's team is out of the Little League World Series in South Williamsport after a tough loss to Hawaii. The tournament continues. A winner-takes-all championship game happens on Sunday. |
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Unscramble and send your answer to scrambler@spotlightpa.org. We'll shout out winners here, and one each week will get some Spotlight PA swag. Answers submitted by 5:30 p.m. on issue date will be counted. Please include your first name and last initial. E T I S I N G A E R T D
Yesterday's answer: Infantilize
Congrats to our daily winners: Lissa C., Eric F., Stacy S., Jane R., Don H., Maureen G., Mike B., Barbara F., Jon W., Rosemary C., Pam K., Stanley J., Elaine C., Barb K., Susan N.-Z., James B., Sharon L., Richard A., Beth H., Judith D., Beth T., Jill C., Lynne E., Kathy M., Perry H., William Z., Jeff F., David W., Johnny C., Annette I., Dennis M., Grayson S., Sue L., Tom M., Wendy A., Craig E., John P., and David T. |
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