AGP Executive Report

State Budget Stalemate: Pennsylvania lawmakers missed the June 30 budget deadline for a fifth straight year, forcing counties to cover state-funded programs with loans and delaying reimbursements, including a Carbon County move to borrow $370,000 for Children and Youth Services. Energy & Grid: House Republicans unveiled an 11-bill energy package aimed at expanding production and lowering electricity costs, while residents in Luzerne County pushed back on transmission upgrades tied to data centers. Data Centers vs. Climate: A new report warns Pennsylvania data-center power plans could drive major new natural-gas emissions, with critics saying the growth will worsen pollution. Public Safety—Heat: An extreme heat warning and heat advisory remain in effect for central Pennsylvania, with officials urging precautions and noting power demand strain. Local Recreation: DCNR is opening 20 miles of single-track dirt bike riding at Catawissa Recreation Area in the Weiser State Forest starting July 6. Courts & Justice: A Pennsylvania trooper was killed during an Interstate 81 commercial vehicle inspection in Schuylkill County; a driver faces charges.

SNAP Cost-Sharing: Pennsylvania’s SNAP payment error rate hit 9.21% in 2025, and state officials warn it could mean higher state costs starting in October 2027 unless errors drop below 6%. State Budget: Harrisburg missed the June 30 deadline for a state budget for the fifth straight year, with negotiations still unresolved as lawmakers head into the July 4 holiday. Minimum Wage: Pennsylvania Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic push to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, marking 20 years since the last increase. Public Safety: The state Fire Commissioner is urging safer fireworks practices this Fourth of July weekend, warning injuries and fires are largely preventable. Local Community: Renovo Community Trade Association is reimbursing small businesses up to $1,000 for storefront improvements, including ADA upgrades and signage. Sports & Community: The Williamsport Crosscutters beat West Virginia in sudden death, and the Kinzua Youth Development Center is partnering with Warren General Hospital to provide youth sports physicals vouchers. Invasive Species: Anglers are warned that northern snakeheads (“Frankenfish”) can survive up to four days out of water and should not be released or left on shore.

Grocery Shakeup: Kroger has agreed to buy Giant Eagle for $1.65 billion, keeping Giant Eagle/Market District brands and the MyPerks loyalty program for now; the deal is expected to close in 2027 pending regulators, with some store divestitures possible. Public Safety: A Pennsylvania State Police trooper, Michael Pahira, was killed during a commercial vehicle inspection on I-81 in Schuylkill County; the interstate was closed as investigators worked. Road Work Enforcement: PennDOT and State Police ran Operation Yellow Jacket in I-81 work zones, issuing 40 speeding/other citations and making drug arrests. Local Government & Taxes: County commissioners are pushing for standardized property assessment schedules, pointing to Lancaster County’s reassessment history as a model. Health & Weather: With a heat dome expected to scorch the U.S. through the July 4 weekend, Penn State Health emergency officials urged hydration, staying indoors during peak heat, and watching vulnerable people. Lottery: A $1 million scratch-off prize was sold in Allegheny County. Arts Leadership: Black Mountain Center for the Arts named Evan Goetz its new executive director.

US Supreme Court: The court upheld birthright citizenship and rejected Trump’s proposed limits, a ruling that drew immediate reactions across Pennsylvania. America 250 in PA: Pennsylvania’s long-running America250 push is in full swing, from state planning and funding to local celebrations and July 4th event guides. Extreme heat: Heat advisories and an extreme heat warning are in effect across parts of the state, with cooling centers and local efforts urging residents to stay hydrated and safe. Egg price-fixing: DOJ and state attorneys general secured a $3.3M settlement with major egg producers over alleged collusion, including millions of donated eggs. Public safety & health: Gov. Josh Shapiro signed bills including new fentanyl safety standards for police K-9 units and a statewide Seal of Biliteracy for schools. Local government: Pennsylvania lawmakers missed the budget deadline again as Senate Republicans recessed, leaving negotiations for after the holiday. Community notes: Central Pennsylvania groups are stepping up with heat relief supplies and America250 tributes, including star lightings and July 4 ceremonies.

Education Funding: Pennsylvania budget talks are pointing toward a possible education boost, with lawmakers debating how much to close an “adequacy gap” while Republicans push back on parts of the tax-credit scholarship system. Local Party Control: The Pennsylvania Democratic Party stepped in to take temporary control of Lackawanna County’s Democratic officer election process after complaints, moving to reset leadership selection. Homelessness Funding Fight: A coalition led by Pennsylvania AG Josh Shapiro’s office joined other states in winning a court fight against unlawful Trump-era conditions tied to billions in housing and homelessness funding. Sports & Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld state bans on transgender girls and women competing on teams matching their gender identity, and Pennsylvania advocates say it doesn’t directly change PA rules. Public Safety: Lititz police investigated a Warwick therapy dog death after it was left in a hot car, but prosecutors said the case didn’t meet Pennsylvania’s criminal threshold. Health & Community: United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania rolled out $21 million in multi-year grants across five counties, plus a new endowment push. Environment & Tourism: Fort Indiantown Gap will offer tours to spot the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly. Business & Courts: Susquehanna Investment Group sued to identify alleged insider traders tied to a Chinese crackdown, seeking to recover more than $70 million.

Elections & Courts: A federal judge dismissed the Justice Department’s push for Pennsylvania voters’ private information, and the fight over mail-ballot rules is headed toward the Supreme Court. State Government: Pennsylvania still has no state budget deal on the eve of deadlines, while lawmakers move on tax and utility-profit changes. Public Health: Pennsylvania is ramping up its measles response as cases rise, with health officials urging early vaccination. Local Law Enforcement: Bernville Borough voted to disband its police department, saying costs and staffing issues made it unsustainable, while residents raised safety concerns. Public Safety Weather: A heat advisory kicks in for the Pittsburgh area, with high humidity and dangerous heat indexes expected through the week. Community & Events: Faith Chapel’s “Bargains and Blessings” closet and Fun Fair are set for July 18, and Erie Zoo’s Glow Wild lantern festival runs through the end of the week. Sports & Culture: Team Pennsylvania wrestlers competed at national duals, and local art news includes overlapping solo shows at the Erie Art Museum.

America 250 Kickoff in PA: Montgomery County launched a semiquincentennial and Valley Forge 50th celebration with food trucks, music, and local history pride outside the courthouse in Norristown. Patriotic Events: Van Kirk Homestead Museum in Sparta is hosting a free outdoor patriotic jazz concert July 12, with a singalong and a rain date set for July 19. Lottery: Powerball jackpot is $360 million for the June 29 drawing (cash option about $163.8 million). Public Services Tech: A new report highlights how Pennsylvania agencies are using cloud tools and AI with incremental modernization—citing PennDOT and Allegheny County as examples. Health & Science: Lung-on-a-chip research suggests asthma attacks can permanently remodel airways through mechanical stress, not just inflammation. Schools & Homelessness: State Rep. Izzy Smith-Wade-El is proposing a $10 million statewide grant program to help homeless students, letting districts decide how to use funds. Local Infrastructure: UGI natural gas line work will close Market Square in Manheim Borough overnight through Thursday, with traffic shutoffs from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Courts: Luigi Mangione’s federal trial in the UnitedHealthcare CEO killing was pushed to January, after a judge delayed it to avoid overlap with his state case.

Local Business & Community: Centre County has opened nominations for the 2026 Centre County Business Awards, with categories ranging from nonprofit and small business to business leader and business of the year. Public Safety: A Southampton Township woman is facing aggravated assault charges after police say she held a victim at knife point, causing multiple lacerations, and allegedly shattered a bottle during the attack. Courts & Taxes: A Loganton operator of two temporary employment businesses was charged with failing to remit $1.13 million in withheld Social Security, income and Medicare taxes. Health Watch: Pennsylvania health officials say measles cases are rising, with the Lancaster-Lebanon region hit hardest, and urge vaccination. Outdoor & Recreation: DCNR is accepting nominations for Pennsylvania’s 2027 Trail of the Year, with a July 31 deadline and a statewide grant and trailhead marker for the winner. Sports: The Pirates beat the Reds 9-4 to avoid a sweep, with Ryan O’Hearn driving in four runs. Nationwide Events: The America 250 Relay for America is expected to pass through Wheeling this week as it heads to Washington, D.C. for July 4.

Pennsylvania Voting Rights: A federal judge dismissed the DOJ’s bid to force Pennsylvania to hand over its entire unredacted voter-registration database, saying the request lacked legal authority and that officials’ public statements point to a nationwide voter-database. Local Land Use: East Rockhill supervisors authorized a revised data center ordinance after residents raised concerns about noise, groundwater depletion, and other impacts. Public Health: Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak has topped 70 cases, with health leaders urging residents to help stop spread. State Courts & Elections: The ruling adds to a string of court defeats for Trump administration election-related lawsuits, including other challenges to voter data access. Safety & Crime: Police are investigating a string of vehicle thefts in Castle Shannon. Sports: Eden Christian Academy’s Brady Hull earned top WPIAL Class A honors and is preparing for his next step after a standout season.

Great American State Fair Shake-Up: U.S. Sens. Dave McCormick and John Fetterman say Pennsylvania will have a state showcase at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall after Gov. Josh Shapiro said no sponsor could be found—promising private funding and no taxpayer money. Public Safety & Courts: The Pennsylvania Senate advanced a bill to change sentencing for second-degree murder, allowing life in prison for certain offenders and adding aggravating factors like killing a law enforcement officer, a child under 13, committing rape, prior violent convictions, or seriously injuring/killing another victim. Local Government: Logan Township supervisors gave a Sandy Run Road homeowner until the end of October to clean up a blighted property, with progress reports required and further prosecution possible. Water Update: Wellston’s N. Pennsylvania Avenue waterline break is repaired, but a citywide boil water advisory remains in effect. Energy & Policy: A new pushback against renewables is highlighted in coverage of Trump-era energy moves, with judges blocking some offshore wind bans. Community Spotlight: Nexstar’s “30 Days of Giving” includes $5,000 grants to Pennsylvania-area nonprofits, including the Spencer Davis Foundation.

Public Lands Push: A new poll finds 94% of Pennsylvanians back funding for state parks and forests, with 86% saying it should be a priority as budget talks near a June 30 deadline. Wildlife Education: Pennsylvania Game Wardens brought kids to a Junior Game Warden camp in Butler County for hands-on tracking, wildlife capture demos, and a look at conservation careers. Health Care Under Fire: A lawsuit alleges a new federal “alignment review” for Title X family planning grants could delay or deny funding to Pennsylvania providers based on politics. Courts & Gambling: The Pennsylvania Supreme Court backed the idea that “games of skill” are slot machines under state law, setting up major changes for the industry. Community Safety: Neighbors helped rescue a family from a burning Allentown row home; the fire marshal is investigating the cause. Local Infrastructure: Wellston reported another water leak after a prior break, keeping a boil-water advisory in place. America 250: Philadelphia’s First Bank of the U.S. building is set to reopen as a museum July 1 after a $26 million restoration.

Local Sports: Ashe County High School senior Bryce Peters signed to play basketball at Ursinus College after a standout career that included Mountain Valley Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors and 1,000-point milestone status. Fireworks & Safety: York County Regional Police and other departments are reminding Pennsylvanians of July Fourth fireworks rules, including limits on where fireworks can be used and a ban on firing while under the influence. State Budget & Families: Pennsylvania is touting a $25 million child-care investment to help recruit and retain child-care workers, with more funding proposed for 2026-27. Education & Community Support: Lock Haven University Foundation launched the Tenacity Grant for Emerging Scholars, offering $5,000 annually for Commonwealth University-Lock Haven students who balance work and life demands. Outdoors & Travel: The Knox & Kane Rail Trail connection is complete, linking the Forest County line to Kinzua Bridge State Park for hikers and cyclists. Local Crime: Warren police say a man faces felony drug charges after alleged meth sales to undercover informants. Penn State Sports: Penn State women’s hockey released its 2026-27 schedule, and swimming hired Mike Smiechowski as associate head coach.

Measles Watch in PA: Pennsylvania health officials say they’re stepping up response as measles spreads in the Lancaster-Lebanon area, with 70 cases since late April and a push for early vaccination. Local Planning & Data Centers: The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission reviewed a revised “Project Atlas” data center plan in South Whitehall Township, including three buildings totaling 1.5 million square feet and new road and shared-use path proposals, while noting outstanding issues remain. School Policy: A Lehighton pastor urged the school board to strengthen its bullying and cyberbullying policy, pointing to a Pennsylvania House bill that would require parent notification within 24 hours. Budget Update: Pleasant Valley School District approved a final budget with a 1% tax increase. Congress & Cannabis Banking: Lawmakers refiled the SAFE Banking Act to help state-legal cannabis businesses access banking without federal penalties. Elections Fight: Wisconsin DOJ and a coalition won a court ruling blocking a Trump executive order aimed at interfering with state election administration. Community & Culture: Palmerton will put out bids for the first phase of renovations to its century-old public library. Sports & Community Color: The Union Pacific “Big Boy” steam locomotive is drawing rail fans as it makes its way through the region.

Data Center Policy Fight: Pennsylvania lawmakers are splitting over Gov. Josh Shapiro’s data center plan—one House bill would incentivize “responsible” development with conditions on a major sales tax break, while another would repeal the break entirely, a move supporters say could save the state billions. Local Governance: In Scrubgrass Township, a proposed data center drew an unusually large crowd and forced officials to hold the meeting outdoors as residents pressed for stronger oversight. Elections & Courts: A federal judge halted President Trump’s election executive order aimed at creating a federal voter list, adding to a growing court pushback on mail-ballot rules. Sports & Community: Pittsburgh native pro golfer Neal Shipley threw out the first pitch at PNC Park before the Pirates beat the Mariners 5-1. Housing & Grants: Clearfield County’s Mature Resources Foundation won a $250,000 PHARE grant to expand affordable housing at the Village of Hope in West Decatur. Public Safety: A “world’s largest swim lesson” event in New Jersey included Breakwater Beach in Seaside Heights, teaching kids water skills to prevent drownings.

Data Center Backlash in Harrisburg: Pennsylvania House lawmakers voted 197-5 to repeal sales tax incentives for data center owners and operators, a reversal of a program expected to cost the state hundreds of millions. Election Court Fight: A federal judge in Boston halted key parts of President Trump’s order to create a federal voter list and restrict mail voting, citing separation-of-powers problems. Gov Race Watch: Shapiro and Stacy Garrity both say they’re willing to debate in Pennsylvania’s governor’s race, though details like hosting and moderators are still unclear. Public Safety on the Roads: Pennsylvania State Police ran a statewide crackdown on handheld devices under Paul Miller’s Law, issuing hundreds of citations and warnings and making DUI arrests. AG Targets Snapchat: Attorney General Tim Griffin sued Snap, alleging deceptive practices that put minors at risk. Local Animal Incident: A Pittsburgh woman sued Lowe’s after a raccoon attack left her with Bell’s palsy, alleging store staff knew raccoons were in the lawn and garden area. International Partnership: The Pennsylvania National Guard formalized a state partnership with Côte d’Ivoire’s armed forces in Philadelphia.

Criminal Justice: Delaware County prosecutors charged Michelle Zajko, 33, tied to the “Zizians” group, with murdering her parents, Rita and Richard Zajko, in their Chester Heights home in December 2022; prosecutors say she arranged the killings and likely didn’t act alone, while she denies the charges. State Courts: Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office is seeking to intervene in a Philly murder case after the state Supreme Court expanded AG oversight when Philadelphia prosecutors try to overturn convictions. Budget Watch: With the June 30 deadline looming, lawmakers may lean on Pennsylvania’s “rainy day” reserve as the state faces a multibillion-dollar budget gap tied to rising obligations and revenue uncertainty. Local Government: Woodward Township supervisors in Lycoming County moved to start early defenses against possible data center development, using a curative amendment approach to protect local zoning while they act. Public Safety: AG Dave Sunday released a report on law enforcement recruitment and retention challenges, laying out recommendations aimed at keeping officers and staff. Community & Culture: Lock Haven’s Floating Stage summer concerts kick off June 28 with Astral Shakedown, and RibFest returns to Warren downtown this weekend.