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Who’s running to be PA’s next attorney general?

Plus, Biden expected to block US Steel deal.

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A daily newsletter by The logo of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom producing investigative journalism for Pennsylvania.
Your Postmaster: Colin Deppen



Thursday, September 5, 2024
Today: Top cop, undecided voters, US Steel warning, caregiving data, money-back, and when to expect fall foliage. Thanks for checking in.
AG EXPLAINER

The race to become Pennsylvania’s next attorney general will be one of the more closely watched contests this fall, as six candidates jockey for a chance to occupy the post, one of the most powerful in Pennsylvania.

The office has a $144 million budget and a staff of 1,060. It represents Pennsylvania’s vast government and defends its laws in court. 

In recent years, the attorney general has defended the results of the 2020 presidential election, investigated the Catholic Church for child sex abuse, and sought millions in settlement money from opioid manufacturers. 

The post is often seen as a springboard to higher office. For example, Democrat Josh Shapiro held the role before being elected governor.

Read Spotlight PA's full report: Election 2024: A complete guide to the candidates for Pennsylvania attorney general.

NOTABLE / QUOTABLE

“When you lose an election and you try to overturn the results so that you can stay in power, you lose me. You lose me at that point.” 

—Former U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, a Republican, on why he won't be voting for the party's presidential nominee, Donald Trump, again this year
📍 LANDMARKS ART
An illustration of Pennsylvania with iconic landmarks throughout.
Our exclusive PA Landmarks Artwork features landmarks and favorites from across Pennsylvania. And now — for the first time ever — it can be yours for your home, office, or as the perfect gift for the coming holiday season.

Four years ago, we commissioned Pennsylvania artist Brandt Imhoff to dream up an exclusive, hand-drawn design showcasing the pride and joy of the commonwealth. That design became the showcase of our popular tote bag.

Framed prints now available in 11x17, 14x20 and 18x24. Gets yours now »
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📅 UPCOMING EVENTS
On Thursday, Sep. 19 from 6-7 p.m. ET,  join Spotlight PA’s Ed Mahon on Zoom for a live panel on Pennsylvania’s child care staffing shortage, and the solutions proposed by lawmakers and advocates. RSVP HERE.
📷 POST IT
Morning on Lake Sheridan, via Gary D. Send us your photos by email, use #PAGems on Instagram, or tag us @spotlightpennsylvania.
Sunrise reflecting on a lake.
DAILY RUNDOWN
Today's top news story in Pennsylvania.
THE UNDECIDED: The roughly 3% of registered Pennsylvania voters who identify as undecided in the presidential race tend to be younger and "skew slightly" toward having supported Trump in 2020, The Inquirer (paywall) reports. Pollster Spencer Kimball told the paper: "We’ll see if he can get them back.” The group is big enough to be influential and could be even larger than expected, per new CNN polling.

• The "Spring of the Double Hater" voter, via @lara_putnam.
 
Today's second top news story in Pennsylvania.
CEO CONCERN: U.S. Steel's CEO says the company would close mills and likely leave Pittsburgh if a heavily scrutinized sale collapses, the Wall Street Journal (paywall) reports. CEO David Burritt said without the investments promised by Japan's Nippon Steel as part of its planned — and contested — takeover, U.S. Steel can't compete. The steelworkers union called the CEO's statement "reckless."

• Biden expected to block U.S. Steel deal, via WaPo (gift link).
 
Today's third top news story in Pennsylvania.COUNTING CARE: Data pulled by Spotlight PA's How We Care newsletter (sign up here) show the pay, gender, and health inequities around caregiving services received by millions in Pennsylvania. Example: The annual cost of a home health aide is $69,784, but the average mean wage earned by those workers is less than half that, should they or someone they love ever need the service.
 
Today's fourth top news story in Pennsylvania.'MO MONEY: Thirty states, led by Pennsylvania, sued Delaware over its collection of unclaimed MoneyGram funds and checks that originated elsewhere. (MoneyGram was incorporated in Delaware.) A $102 million legal settlement has been reached, but while Pennsylvania is set to receive a $20 million share, the Center Square reports "getting that money back to the rightful owners won’t be simple or seamless."

Today's fifth top news story in Pennsylvania.POWER BRIEFS: Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker has suspended her campaign spokesperson over domestic violence allegations he disputes, The Inquirer (paywall) reports; Westmoreland County's register of wills is out, capping a tumultuous tenure, per TribLIVE; and Whitehall's tax collector and treasurer says she's facing "unprecedented obstruction" and a "rebellion," via Lehigh Valley News.
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IN OTHER NEWS
'MAJOR FLAW': A Philadelphia Navy vet was on probation and testing positive for alcohol despite insisting he hadn't had a drink in years. A doctor determined something called urinary auto-brewery syndrome was the culprit, exposing a major flaw in the system, per The Inquirer (paywall).

CHAPTER 12: Pennsylvania-based Rite Aid has emerged from bankruptcy after 780 store closures. WHTM reports there were relatively few store closures here. Almost every Rite Aid in Michigan and Ohio is gone. 

THREE MILE ISLAND: Legislators are set to begin discussing a partial reopening of Three Mile Island — site of 1979's infamous partial meltdown — this fall, PennLive reports. Data-driven power needs are a factor.

TAXIDERMY TEST: Centre County taxidermist Cameron Ream is a world championship silver medalist, having driven the 15 hours to compete against peers from 16 countries and 45 states in Iowa, The Express reports.

PEEPING PLAN: Fall will be falling soon. Here's when to expect peak fall foliage in your neck of the woods, via the Washington Post (gift link).
SCRAMBLER
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 countedPlease include your first name and last initial.
 
I S A N S A H F T O I
 
Yesterday's answer: Fortitude

Congrats to our daily winners: Ted W., Eric F., Lissa C., Barbara F., Marty M., Tracy S., Jon W., Marianne C., Jack R., Richard A., Daniel M., Don H., Barb K., Wendy A., Bob C., Gail Z., Johnny C., Timothy A., Stacy S., Perry H., Dennis M., Beth H., Tish M., Annette I., Diane B., Tom M., Elaine C., Jeffrey F., Joel S., Jill C., Jeff F., Agnes A., Starr B., and Dave K.
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