Biden's Keystone Tour on April 18,

Roundin’ The Bend and Headin’ For Home Thursday. Ever closer to the weekend.

PA Weather


Ford City | Decreasing Clouds, 69


Mansfield | Mostly Cloudy, 63


King of Prussia | Cloudy, 55

PA Sports


Sixers (47-35) | Miami 105-104 | Sat vs. New York


Penguins (38-32-12) | NY Islanders 4-5 (season finale)


Pirates (11-8) | NY Mets 1-9 | Fri-Sun vs. Boston


Phillies (11-8) | Colorado 7-6 | Fri-Sun vs. Chicago White Sox

What We’re Hearing. End Citizens United//Let America Vote today endorsed Rep. Summer Lee in PA-12 and Rep. Matt Cartwright in PA-08 for reelection.

Today’s Springsteen Lyrics. “I ain’t lookin’ for just excitement, Baby that’s just a fact, If you want to get to her heart, You better let her know just where you’re at” – Give The Girl A Kiss

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Top Story

1. Biden Pledges To Keep U.S. Steel in American Hands In Pittsburgh Speech

“President Joe Biden promised to keep U.S. Steel in American hands and crack down on unfair Chinese trade practices as he used a Pittsburgh speech to tout his record of creating jobs and expanding manufacturing in the U.S.

The address at United Steelworkers headquarters, Downtown, was the president’s second speech in two days on the economy, which polls show is a weak spot as he runs for a second term in the White House.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Related

Biden To Win Kennedy Family Endorsement in Philadelphia. “More than 15 members of the storied Kennedy political family will endorse U.S. President Joe Biden at a Philadelphia campaign event on Thursday in a rebuke of Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s independent bid for office.” (Reuters)

Young Voters Helped Decide The 2020 Election In PA Will They Turn Out For A Biden-Trump Rematch? “High school and college-age voters in Allegheny County say they are frustrated, unenthused and even scared of the political situation in the country as the primary election looms.” (Public Source)

Thanks to a SuperPAC, McCormick Leads Casey In Fundraising. For Now. “Republican Senate candidate Dave McCormick’s billionaire-backed super PAC keeps banking money at a speedy clip. But incumbent Democratic Sen. Bob Casey’s campaign is raising steadily and will likely see more outside help as the race heats up.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Where Do Summer Lee And Bhavini Patel Stand On Policy? “With less than a week before the Democratic primary, U.S. Rep. Summer Lee and her opponent, Bhavini Patel, an Edgewood Council member, are on a last-minute push for votes. The primary election is Tuesday. Here’s where the two disagree on major issues.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Late Money: Who’s Getting It? And From Whom? “As we close in on Primary Election Day 2024 in the Keystone State, candidates for federal office face another campaign reporting requirement.” (PoliticsPA)

Primary Preview: 7th Congressional Primary. “The Lehigh Valley is seen not just as a statewide but a national indicator of where voters in a mix of suburban and rural communities are shifting. And with a bellwether district comes a consistent stream of challengers from the opposition.” (City & State)

State

2. PA-01: Houck’s Tales Draw Scrutiny As Primary Approaches

“He describes himself as an All-American college football player. He says he was a teacher and a high school football coach. He claims to have endorsements from the NRA and prominent Republicans such as Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), and Reps. Scott Perry (R-10), Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), and Chip Roy (R-Texas).

Problem for Mark Houck is that few of these claims appear to be accurate.” (PoliticsPA)

Related

Voices of Reason, S1 E3. “Delve into the science of political polling – learn why the PA political map bleeds red while the vote leans blue. Join us for this installment of Voices of Reason, hosted by PoliticsPA and presented by L2 Data Inc. in partnership with Broad + Liberty. ” (PoliticsPA)

Down to the Wire: Democratic Candidates For PA Attorney General Court Voters In Radio Debate. “The five candidates in the Democratic primary for attorney general debated Wednesday morning on KYW Newsradio, giving listeners a chance to hear from the quintet on issues ranging from cash bail, addressing overdoses, and leadership philosophies.” (Philadelphia Tribune)

Two Democratic Attorney General Candidates Apologize For Breaking Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Strike. “Jack Stollsteimer and Keir Bradford-Grey apologized for crossing the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette strike.” (WESA)

Dave Sunday, Craig Williams Square Off In PA’s Republican Primary For Attorney General. “The York County district attorney and the two-term state representative compete for a chance to be in the general election.” (Philly Voice)

PA Primary Preview: State Treasurer. “A pair of candidates are vying for the Democratic nomination for State Treasurer. The winner of the primary will face incumbent Republican Stacy Garrity in November.” (PoliticsPA)

Mail-In Ballots: Democrats Maintain Massive Advantage In PA and the Lehigh Valley. “More than 72% of those are going to registered Democrats while about 26% are going to registered Republicans. The remainder are going to third-party or non-affiliated voters who may be eligible to vote on local referendum questions.” (LehighValleyNews.com)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Effort Launched To Have Lawmakers Say No To Money From PA’s Richest Man

“A newly formed coalition is hoping to quell the influence Pennsylvania’s richest man has on state politics by urging lawmakers to pledge not to accept money from him.

The so-called “Pledge for a Healthy Democracy” asks its signatories to commit to reject money from billionaire Jeffrey Yass and his affiliated political action committees and to resist his “privatizing and profiteering agenda” including school vouchers among others.” (PennLive)

Related

State Rep. Kevin Boyle Evades Arrest; Brendan Boyle Says His Brother Has ‘Serious Mental Health Condition’. “State Rep. Kevin Boyle had not yet turned himself in to Philadelphia police as of Wednesday evening, a day after a warrant was issued for his arrest on charges related to violating a protection from abuse order.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Philly Is Seeing Positive Trends On Income And Jobs, But Intractable Problems Remain, ‘State of the City’ Report Says. “So is this report a win for the self-described “Philly boosters” or do the city’s public health and safety concerns wipe out any gains?” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

‘We Need To Act’: Innamorato Unveils Results Of Resident Survey, Action Plan To Improve Allegheny County Government. “Administration will offer discounts on transit fares for low-income riders, along with plans to address homelessness, climate, mental health, and other areas.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

SD-32: Pennsylvania Rep. Joe McAndrew Challenged In Democratic Primary By Penn Hills Mayor Pauline Calabrese. “While 19 local state representatives are unopposed at all this year, five local representatives are being challenged in their own party primary next Tuesday. One of those races is in the 32nd District.” (CBS Pittsburgh)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• How Joe Biden Can Win Pennsylvania, His Rosebud. (Michelle Cottle)
• Which PA Democrat Is Likely To Face Scott Perry, The TV Anchor Or The Military Pilot? (John Baer)
• Endorsement | Dave Sunday in the Republican Primary For Attorney General. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Shapiro Energy Plan Keeps PA Interests Front And Center. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Abortion Is Remaking Our Political Landscape. Why Aren’t Guns? (Gail Collins)
• Is Reproductive Healthcare Just a Women’s Issue? (Lynn Strauss)
• He’s Dropping Little Clues: The Troubling Message We Are Missing From Trump’s MAGA Rallies. (Chauncey DeVega)

1 Thing

5. Ballerinas Break World Record on Pointe

“Hundreds of young dancers in white tutus and tightly coiffed hair gathered in New York’s Plaza Hotel on Wednesday to break the world record for dancing on pointe in one place.

The spectacle was organized by Youth America Grand Prix, a ballet scholarship program that is celebrating its 25th anniversary with three nights of performances at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

The dancers included students aged 9 to 19 who are competing for scholarships as well as professional dancers who are alums of the program.

Tchaikovsky music played as the ballerinas stood on tiptoes and switched their weight rapidly from one foot to the other — a step called bourrée — for a full minute.” (AP)

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