AGP Executive Report

Primaries on the clock: Pennsylvania voters head to the polls Tuesday as Democrats try to lock in a congressional slate and Republicans brace for another Trump loyalty test, with the biggest national pressure points tied to Kentucky’s Thomas Massie fight and Pennsylvania’s own competitive House dynamics. Trump’s grip: Across several states, the AP reports Trump’s endorsement is being treated like a must-win signal for GOP voters—especially where incumbents have broken with him. Pennsylvania focus: The day includes governor-level stakes for Democrats’ momentum, plus downballot contests that could shape who shows up in November. Data center backlash: In the background, New Jersey groups are urging a moratorium on new data centers, arguing power demand and costs are already hitting families. Local business beat: Academy Sports is opening a new Altoona store, with grand-opening weekend donations to local youth groups.

Mangione Trial Update: A judge ruled Monday that prosecutors can show jurors a gun and notebook they say tie Luigi Mangione to the UnitedHealthcare CEO killing, but tossed out key items found in an earlier search of his backpack—setting up a sharper fight over what jurors will actually see. Political Violence: Pennsylvania State Police announced a new unit to investigate threats against elected officials after a notification breakdown, aiming to stop ideologically driven intimidation from escalating. Primary Day Focus: With Pennsylvania’s May 19 primaries underway, Democrats are trying to flip Republican-held swing seats while Republicans test how much Trump’s endorsement still controls outcomes. Local Budgets & Roads: Franklin Area schools approved a tentative budget with the maximum allowed tax hike, while PennDOT is holding public displays for a Main Road bridge replacement in Hunlock Township. Health & Safety: A federal lawsuit claims Blair County Prison was overcrowded and unsanitary, and PSP’s new threat unit comes as election-season concerns keep rising.

Penn Primary Fallout: Republican gubernatorial hopeful Stacy Garrity is demanding her GOP lieutenant governor rival John Ventre take down a “misleading” Facebook graphic implying the two are already a ticket after the May 19 primary. Energy & AI Power Grab: NextEra is moving to buy Dominion Energy in a roughly $67B deal, aiming to build the biggest regulated utility as data centers and AI drive electricity demand. Grid Planning: FERC approved PJM transmission cost updates for 2026, setting who pays for hundreds of new projects. Health Watch: Ohio’s Lyme season is heating up, with 253 cases reported so far in 2026 and tick testing showing about half carry the bacteria. Local Business/Transit: SEPTA released its FIFA World Cup service plan for Philly, adding extra rail service and free rides tied to game times. Courts: A judge ruled police unlawfully searched Luigi Mangione’s backpack, suppressing some items while allowing other evidence from a later search.

PGA Championship Shockwave: Aaron Rai followed Tiger Woods’ footsteps and won the PGA Championship at Aronimink, becoming the first Englishman to take the title in more than a century, with a three-shot margin after a standout back nine. Philadelphia Sports: The Phillies kept rolling—Zack Wheeler went seven strong and Bryce Harper homered off Paul Skenes as Philly swept Pittsburgh. School Life, Local: Warren County’s school board is set to discuss a new Beaty-Warren Middle School running club for 7th and 8th graders. Politics & Primaries: In Pennsylvania, election officials are pushing reminders on how to spot and report voter intimidation ahead of Tuesday’s primary, while outside money and pressure politics are already drawing fire in key races. Health & Safety: A federal fight over a Pennsylvania child’s transplant ranking is in the spotlight, and separate coverage highlights a hospital storing a teen’s brain in a jar without telling parents. Cost of Living: Across states including Pennsylvania, officials are challenging utility rate hikes tied to the AI-driven power boom.

Utility Profit Fight: Pennsylvania is among states pushing back on electric rate hikes tied to the AI-driven surge in power demand, with officials arguing residents are paying while utilities protect profits. Voting Rights Watch: The U.S. Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act ruling is expected to make it harder to challenge maps as racially discriminatory, but Pennsylvania’s constitution may still offer stronger guardrails. Primary Politics: A reform coalition is targeting Philadelphia committee seats in Tuesday’s primary, aiming to shake up ward-level power—while incumbents face pushback and outside money accusations. Health Alert: Pennsylvania is tracking a tick-bite red-meat allergy (alpha-gal syndrome) after hundreds of suspected cases, warning more could surface as testing expands. Travel Shock: Spirit’s collapse left Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Latrobe with zero scheduled flights, effectively cutting it out of the commercial route map. Community & Safety: A woman died after a crash in Westmoreland County, and Redbank approved personnel changes and a preliminary budget.

Cancer Costs: Even after remission, many survivors are still paying—one survey found about 47% of cancer patients and survivors carried medical debt, with nearly half owing more than $5,000, and some are delaying follow-up care to afford it. Energy Bills vs. Utility Profits: Across several states, officials are pushing back on utility rate hikes tied to surging electricity demand from AI data centers, with Arizona’s attorney general challenging proposed increases and Pennsylvania among states drawing scrutiny. PGA Championship Buzz (PA): At Aronimink, Alex Smalley grabbed the 54-hole lead, while Xander Schauffele surged into contention—setting up a tight final round in the Keystone State. Primary Election Watch (PA): Tuesday’s Pennsylvania primaries are set to decide key races in the 20th and 22nd Senate districts, with affordability and energy costs front and center. Memorial Day Planning: South Hills communities are lining up Memorial Day commemorations as the nation marks its 250th anniversary. Local Health Oversight: The FDA reported “no action indicated” results for a handful of Allegheny and Adams County companies inspected in April.

Political Violence Watch: Pennsylvania State Police leadership says it’s tightening threat notifications and creating a new political violence threat unit after online “hit list” allegations targeting lawmakers, following a breakdown in how warnings were shared. Primary Push: In Philly-area politics, AOC is rallying support for state Rep. Chris Rabb as the 3rd Congressional District race heads into Tuesday’s vote. Healthcare Costs: Medicaid billing continues to climb in multiple localities, including sharp increases tied to ambulance/transport and professional services claims. Data Center Backlash: A statewide town hall laid bare community anger over the data center boom, with residents accusing officials of moving too fast and too quietly. Local Life & Food: Mamie’s Cafe and Bakery is expanding via its first franchise in Bedford, while Alameda Park in Butler County moves to remove invasive plants. Science & Environment: New research suggests fog droplets can host active bacteria that help break down air pollutants.

Food Safety: Straus Family Creamery is recalling select Organic Super Premium ice cream pints and quarts in 17 states, including Pennsylvania, after the company flagged a possible presence of metal fragments in certain production runs. Public Safety: A Wrightsville man, Troy Rishell, was sentenced to one year and a day in federal prison for leaving threatening voicemails for a member of Congress. Schools & Health: Whole milk is back in Pennsylvania school lunches—and now breakfast too—after a clarification tied to the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act. Local Sports: Mifflin County’s boys and girls wrapped up District 6 Track & Field action with multiple athletes qualifying for the state meet, including a district-record 4x800 relay. Community & Culture: Altoona Area and Hollidaysburg Area school districts earned NAMM Foundation recognition for music education, while the Erie Art Museum moved its “Eternal Vigilance” sculpture to complete ADA-focused stair upgrades.

School Choice Fight: A Pennsylvania billionaire-linked group is funding $8,000-a-year private school scholarships for 500 Philly students displaced by planned school closures, with the Yass Prize pitching “stability” before buildings shut down. Opioid Fallout: Delaware’s AG says the Purdue Pharma/Sackler settlement is now legally effective, locking in $7.4B and permanently barring the Sacklers from selling opioids in the U.S. FDA Leadership Shakeup: Reuters reports CDER chief Tracy Beth Høeg may be headed out at the FDA after Richard Pazdur’s earlier departure, setting up another top-agency shuffle. Climate Court Showdown: Exxon and Suncor are urging the U.S. Supreme Court to stop a Colorado climate lawsuit, arguing states can’t use tort law to police emissions. Local Spotlight: Steelers honored community partners at their annual breakfast, touting meals, youth served, and $595,000 in Social Justice Fund donations.

Disaster Relief Deadline: The SBA is reminding Pennsylvania small businesses and private nonprofits that they have until June 1 to apply for low-interest disaster loans tied to a drought declared Sept. 23, 2025—covering Fayette, Greene, and Washington counties (and parts of West Virginia). Local Budgets: Greater Nanticoke Area approved a $49.6M balanced school budget with no tax increase for the fourth straight year, leaning on state support. Roads and Downtowns: Falls Creek won a $520K PennDOT grant for a downtown streetscape overhaul, while Central Cambria landed $716K for student and community pedestrian/bike paths. Public Safety: Pennsylvania State Police are creating a new unit to improve communication and response to threats against elected officials after a notification breakdown. Politics Ahead of May 19: With the primary Tuesday, May 19, Pennsylvania voters are reminded it’s a closed primary—only registered party voters can cast ballots.

Patient Safety Under Strain: Spotlight PA’s look at Penn State Health’s sterile processing crisis at Hershey Medical Center spotlights contaminated trays, sterilization backlogs, staffing pressure, and communication breakdowns—issues infection-control experts say echo nationwide. War Powers Clash: Senate Republicans blocked Democrats’ push to halt Trump’s Iran war, but GOP opposition grew as Lisa Murkowski voted “no” for the first time; the vote failed 49-50 with Pennsylvania’s John Fetterman the lone Democrat opposing. Threats to Lawmakers: Pennsylvania State Police charged a Lebanon man, Adam Berryhill, over alleged “hit list” posts targeting 20 Democratic lawmakers, including Philadelphia-area figures; he appeared briefly in court. Local Economy & Cleanup: Clarion County unveiled a brownfields plan aimed at clearing uncertainty around downtown sites, boosting river access, and expanding housing and events. Health Access: Bradford Regional Medical Center in McKean County plans to close its emergency department Sunday, raising fears about longer drives for urgent care.

Fed Shake-Up: The U.S. Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve chair in a tight 54–45 vote, replacing Jerome Powell as inflation pressure and political fights over rate cuts intensify. Appalachia Health Gap: A new study says “deaths of despair” are falling overall, but Appalachia still lags behind the rest of the country. School Tech Backlash: Parents in Pennsylvania and beyond are pushing districts to cut back on classroom screens, arguing kids lose focus and districts aren’t making opt-outs practical. Pennsylvania Housing Crunch: The state’s housing plan leans on “affordable” new builds, but families still struggle with costs and a predicted shortage looms. Local Safety & Climate: Northwest Philly volunteers are targeting “tree equity” to cool hotter neighborhoods, while cycling advocates point to rising cyclist deaths and demand safer streets. Crime Watch: State police arrested a Lebanon County man accused of posting a “hit list” of lawmakers online.

War Powers Showdown: The Senate blocked Democrats’ seventh bid to force Congress into Trump’s Iran war decision, 50-49, but GOP resistance is visibly cracking—Sen. Lisa Murkowski flipped to back the motion, while Sen. John Fetterman (Pa.) again voted against the war. Southeast PA Growth Push: A Brookings-backed plan is rallying Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia around coordinated job growth, targeting enterprise digital solutions, precision manufacturing and biomedical work. Housing Cost Fixes: More cities are rolling out preapproved building plans to speed approvals and cut upfront costs. ICE Detainer Pressure: Berks residents urged county officials to end its policy of holding people for ICE detainers longer than release. Local Lilly Tax Deal: Parkland School District tabled “LERTA” terms tied to Eli Lilly’s proposed $3.5B plant. Health & Safety: Overdose deaths fell again in 2025, while HHS leadership turmoil widened after FDA chief Marty Makary resigned.

School Budgets & Taxes: Tyrone Area School District approved its 2026-27 budget with a 4.9% tax millage increase, using reserves to cover a $740,646 deficit. Prison Construction: Blair County Prison Board signed off on designs for a new 150,000-square-foot, 454-bed facility in Duncansville, with space for medical and mental health services. Road Rage Pushback: PennDOT is urging safer driving in work zones after crashes that put lives at risk, as frustration on the road keeps spilling into violence. Data Center Fight: A Lebanon County data center plan was withdrawn after township opposition over water, power, and noise concerns—while elsewhere, Pennsylvania lawmakers are still pushing for clearer rules. AI & Health: Pennsylvania sued Character.AI over claims its chatbot posed as a licensed medical professional, as regulators tighten scrutiny of AI advice. PGA Championship Week: The major tees off Thursday at Aronimink, with Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy leading the spotlight.

Fed Watch: The U.S. Senate cleared Kevin Warsh’s nomination to the Federal Reserve Board in a 51-45 vote, setting up a chair vote as Jerome Powell’s term ends Friday—one Pennsylvania Democrat, John Fetterman, crossed over. PGA Week in Pa.: The 2026 PGA Championship tees off at Aronimink in Newtown Square after 60-plus years away, with about 200,000 expected attendees, 66% coming from outside the area, and a projected $125M regional economic impact. Local Budgets: East Penn School District trimmed its proposed tax increase to 3.9% (from 4.1%), aiming to protect services while streamlining spending. Health & Consumer Watch: A bill to end Pennsylvania’s vehicle emissions testing program passed the Senate, promising savings but raising air-quality concerns. Politics & Identity: Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice David Wecht left the Democratic Party, citing rising antisemitism. Grants & Small Teams: In Butler County, small organizations are still hustling for tourism grants—often writing proposals after hours.

Election Transparency Win: Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court sided with taxpayers, clearing the way for public requests of election integrity records like Cast Vote Record files—ending a five-year fight that kept the data out of reach. School Budget Pressure: Spring Cove and Altoona Area school boards are weighing tax hikes to plug budget gaps tied to rising costs, with Altoona moving toward a 3% increase. Fraud Fallout: A 25-year-old man from India pleaded guilty in federal court in a $5 million scam targeting older adults, including a Salem victim who lost at least $61,000. Energy at the Pump: Trump says he’ll push to suspend the federal gas tax to blunt price spikes, but Congress would have to approve. Retail Investing Push: Vanguard plans to expand Europe’s ETF lineup and target roughly $1 trillion in assets by 2030. Local Watch: FDA inspection results continue to trickle out by county, including Luzerne County’s recent food-and-cosmetics checks.