NEW: Pittsburgh Public Schools, Indiana Area, Leechburg & Ligonier Valley school districts have sued the state education department and Pennsylvania's largest cyber school. ✍🏼 by Jillian Forstadt and me @wesa.fm: www.wesa.fm/education/20...

New from the Pa. Supreme Court: In a 4-3 decision, the court ruled Monday that local agencies do not need to give 24-hour notice when making changes to public meeting agendas — as long as a majority of the body votes to do so. www.wesa.fm/politics-gov...

The heart health condition officials say caused Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman’s fall Thursday could have been deadly if it wasn’t immediately treated, according to cardiologists. And the first-term Democrat’s life was likely saved by an implant given to him after a stroke more than 3 years ago.

Follow along for budget impacts as House and Senate vote to pass a $50.1B state spending plan, nearly 4.5 months late:

“I’m not gonna sugar coat it. It’s bullshit.” - Butler County commissioner Kevin Boozel on the nearly 4 month state budget impasse. Read more from folks who know this process well ⬇️ www.wesa.fm/politics-gov...

Ever wonder what would happen (or might not happen) if one or more of the SCOPA justices aren’t retained in two weeks? www.wesa.fm/politics-gov...

SCOTUS is expected this month to decide if it will hear a case that formally asks to overturn the landmark same-sex marriage ruling. Pennsylvania activists and legal experts explain what would happen if the court takes that step www.wesa.fm/politics-gov...

As Pennsylvania's state budget impasse blew past 100 days, state legislators argued whether a loan program offered by Republican state Treasurer Stacy Garrity was a lifeline for groups who rely on state funding, or a political stunt that could further delay a final deal.

Despite Gov. Josh Shapiro’s insistence this week that Pennsylvania state budget negotiations are “incredibly close” to ending an impasse entering its fourth month, county leaders and service agencies in SW Pennsylvania say they’re preparing to scale down operations without dedicated state funding.

Here to catch you up on the food-stamp data dispute between USDA and Pennsylvania. Court docs filed Sunday and Monday give the latest picture @wesa.fm www.wesa.fm/politics-gov...

Three Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justices have raised more than $2.8 million to make the case that voters should keep them on the state’s top court this fall. But newly filed campaign finance reports suggest those efforts may be overshadowed by outside interest groups on both sides of the debate.

According a new filing PA has now been added to the lawsuit against the USDA over a demand for personal info on SNAP enrollees. Attys argued a penalty that could cost the state close to half a billion $ yearly could collapse the food-stamp program. www.wesa.fm/politics-gov...

The 24-year-old was inside his ex’s home, when he opened fire on police with a semi-automatic rifle. 3 regional police officers killed, 1 wounded w/ a sheriff deputy. Suspect also killed his ex’s dog. All due to the “hateful scourge of domestic violence,” county DA said.

Now picked up nationally— many states could be affected

ICYMI: Shapiro admin. has until tomorrow to decide if it will share the personal data of food-stamp recipients, or start losing $115.3M quarterly from the feds.

A man was allegedly lying in wait in a cornfield wearing camouflage and opened fire. Police were investigating him over stalking and harassment of an ex-girlfriend, according to cnn.

The USDA has given Pennsylvania until Friday to provide personal data about those who receive food assistance. And if it doesn’t get the data, it has threatened to withhold more than 10 cents of every dollar in food aid the state currently receives — nearly half a billion dollars each year.

Documents obtained thru FOIA show the Trump administration gave PA (and likely other noncompliant states) until Friday to turn over SNAP user data -- SSNs, addresses and names -- or lose out on millions $ immediately... and again every three months. 👀 www.wesa.fm/politics-gov...

The GOP hopes voters remember how 3 justices voted on a congressional map 7 years ago that leveled the playing field for Democrats. But the leader of the state Dems says his party’s losses last year prove just how neutral those maps are: @wesa.fm www.wesa.fm/politics-gov...

For southwest PA folks that may be following — Pittsburgh Regional Transit shared a statement Monday saying it’s considering the same move as SEPTA but didn’t sound thrilled about it

A messy fight over public transit could be coming to an end with only a temporary solution. The state Senate returns this afternoon, but a full budget deal is still elusive. Plus, a western PA rape crisis center has to cut hours due to the impasse @wesa.fm www.wesa.fm/politics-gov...

Asked if she’d welcome the Guard in Philly, the campaign of Stacy Garrity didn’t respond directly, but said she supports Trump’s law and order policies. @wesa.fm www.wesa.fm/politics-gov...

Talked to a number of people about the narrowing gap voter registrations here in PA. But maybe what’s just as notable as the GOP gaining on Dems is the consistent rise of independents — www.wesa.fm/politics-gov...

Shapiro said Trump can’t alter PA’s vote-by-mail process even if he signs an executive order, as promised by a Monday social media post. @wesa.fm www.wesa.fm/politics-gov...

Pa. state Dems say Senate bills passed late Tuesday walk back promises of equity-gap payments to poorest school districts. My latest w/ education reporter Jillian Forstadt for @wesa.fm www.wesa.fm/politics-gov...

Investigators are beginning to piece together what led to a deadly explosion Monday at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works, which killed two workers and injured 10 others — including one person who was pulled from the rubble after the blast.

After a vote this morning, it’s the 5th time the House has sent a public transit proposal to the Senate. More here ⬇️ www.wesa.fm/politics-gov...

State Democratic lawmakers are urging their Republican colleagues to return to the Capitol to vote on a budget package, as Pittsburgh’s transit system has six months — and Philadelphia's system has one week — before service cuts go into effect.

This morning Shapiro called on US leaders to “flood the zone with aid” in Gaza www.wesa.fm/politics-gov...

A subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives has approved a motion by Rep. Summer Lee of Pittsburgh to issue a subpoena for files related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Does the public (or even most state lawmakers) have a say in what goes into the state budget? It’s 18 days late and details are sparse. Here’s why advocates say the process needs to change www.wesa.fm/politics-gov...

Pa. senate announces a return to Harrisburg tomorrow afternoon and Thursday morning, after the state House passes a version of the budget yesterday. Nothing yet agreed to though.. www.wesa.fm/politics-gov...

How Pittsburgh Rep. Dan Frankel became the lawmaker to decide the fate of a bill on transgender girls in girls’ sports, and why a vocal conservative activist and former college swimmer is sharing clips of state House debate with 1.5M followers… www.wesa.fm/politics-gov...

Is this the part where I go "folks..."?

Meuser says he won’t run against Shapiro next year, as Doug Mastriano earlier this week posted a few photos seeming to say he would get into the race. Stacy Garrity, who received the most statewide votes out of any candidate remains a top (possible) challenger. www.wvia.org/news/local/2...

Previously scheduled Pennsylvania state House and Senate session days for Friday, Saturday and Sunday have been canceled. If ya haven’t heard, the budget is due Monday, June 30, but leaders expect mid-July or even later. Lawmakers used to not get paid if no budget was passed, but that changed in ‘09

I’m told by a House spox it’ll get a floor vote today.

With 2 weeks until the state budget deadline, the Pa. state House agreed to commit nearly $300M of tax money to public transportation agencies. It’s a key part of Gov. Shapiro’s budget proposal, and was recently amended to include half a billion $$ for infrastructure upgrades sought by Republicans.

With Harrisburg legislative leaders still negotiating around the state budget due at the end of June, bills backed by Pittsburgh-area legislators took big steps forward this week. Learn about 7 of them ⬇️ www.wesa.fm/politics-gov...

Latest politics newsletter @wesa.fm : Fetterman says he’ll never switch parties because he supports LGBTQ and reproductive rights. But some Pa.-based activists who are actively involved in those causes sound less sure about their support for him. www.wesa.fm/politics-gov...

State Capitol after hours

More on the 28,300 GOP write-in votes for Common Pleas Court candidates from @juliazenkevich.bsky.social

ICYMI: There were more than 28k write-ins for GOP common pleas court candidates in Allegheny county. According to a Republican source, the surge reflects a conservative grassroots effort to displace some of the more liberal cross-filed Democrats www.wesa.fm/politics-gov...

When a storm ravaged a 10-county area in Pa. late last month, 100s of thousands of customers lost power. On Wed. night, Allegheny County state House members questioned two major utility companies on why it took so long to have their service restored. www.wesa.fm/politics-gov...

The legalization of recreational marijuana use took a big step forward in Pennsylvania this week, as the state House passed a 173-page bill to permit use of the drug. But as the question shifts from whether, to how legalization will happen, the reform could still end up getting burnt.

VA Sec. Collins called a leaked memo to cut 80k jobs “a goal,” or moveable target, not an all-out plan. Democrats weren’t satisfied with the answer. www.wesa.fm/politics-gov...

**UPDATE** Collins is now speaking TODAY starting in a minute: www.veterans.senate.gov/2025/5/veter...

Many veteran advocates and state lawmakers/officials (who are also former service members) will be paying attention Wednesday when VA Sec. Collins speaks about the agency. He’s expected to address the US Senate cmte on Veterans’ Affairs at 11:30

Sanders gave WESA an interview after his Harrisburg speech www.wesa.fm/politics-gov...

State lawmakers in Harrisburg rebuked U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Wednesday, denouncing disparaging comments he made recently about autism.