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Dems appear to flip state House seat in Cranberry

The apparent victory adds to a string of Democratic overperformances in special elections.

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With all precincts reported but still some ballots left to count, Democrats appear to have flipped a conservative state House district north of Pittsburgh.The latest: Democrat <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Brandon Dukes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dukesforpa.com/" data-vars-content-id="9c203bde-c1ce-402b-8120-7da7912a1ce2" data-vars-headline="Dems appear to flip state House seat in Cranberry" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dukesforpa.com/" target="_blank">Brandon Dukes</a> led by 88 votes against Republican Scott Timko on Tuesday night with over 99% of the votes counted, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Associated Press" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/08/18/us/elections/results-pennsylvania-state-house-district-12-special.html" data-vars-content-id="9c203bde-c1ce-402b-8120-7da7912a1ce2" data-vars-headline="Dems appear to flip state House seat in Cranberry" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/08/18/us/elections/results-pennsylvania-state-house-district-12-special.html" target="_blank">Associated Press</a>.

Shapiro puts new guardrails on Pa. data centers

New projects face tougher rules on power, permits and local approval.

Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order Tuesday tightening the rules for data center development in Pennsylvania, a move he said imposes the “strictest guardrails in the nation.”Why it matters: The first-term Democratic governor and potential 2028 presidential contender once <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="courted" data-vars-click-url="https://www.alleghenyfront.org/josh-shapiro-amazon-data-centers-pennsylvania/" data-vars-content-id="0abcd902-84c4-464b-8b16-4ba40ee29a98" data-vars-headline="Shapiro puts new guardrails on Pa. data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.alleghenyfront.org/josh-shapiro-amazon-data-centers-pennsylvania/" target="_blank">courted</a> data center investment in Pennsylvania, but growing public <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="opposition" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/poll-majority-voters-say-risks-ai-outweigh-benefits-rcna262196" data-vars-content-id="0abcd902-84c4-464b-8b16-4ba40ee29a98" data-vars-headline="Shapiro puts new guardrails on Pa. data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/poll-majority-voters-say-risks-ai-outweigh-benefits-rcna262196" target="_blank">opposition</a> to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="energy demands" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/14/data-center-backlash-fossil-fuel-protests" data-vars-content-id="0abcd902-84c4-464b-8b16-4ba40ee29a98" data-vars-headline="Shapiro puts new guardrails on Pa. data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/14/data-center-backlash-fossil-fuel-protests" target="_self">energy demands</a> and concerns about local control have led politicians <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nationwide" data-vars-click-url="https://fox40.com/news/national/ap-us-news/ap-governors-races-are-being-increasingly-buffeted-by-the-toxic-politics-of-data-centers/" data-vars-content-id="0abcd902-84c4-464b-8b16-4ba40ee29a98" data-vars-headline="Shapiro puts new guardrails on Pa. data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fox40.com/news/national/ap-us-news/ap-governors-races-are-being-increasingly-buffeted-by-the-toxic-politics-of-data-centers/" target="_blank">nationwide</a> to recalibrate that approach.

The growing fight over Flock cameras

License plate readers are drawing scrutiny over how police access and store data.

Mounting privacy concerns are fueling bipartisan opposition to license plate readers made by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Flock Safety and similar companies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/08/04/flock-ceo-douglas-county-sheriff-regret-axon-data" data-vars-content-id="ef991656-2957-4f87-a902-de5dfaaa7fcb" data-vars-headline="The growing fight over Flock cameras" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/08/04/flock-ceo-douglas-county-sheriff-regret-axon-data" target="_self">Flock Safety and similar companies</a>.The big picture: Automated license plate readers (ALPRs) from several vendors have operated across Southwestern Pennsylvania, including Allegheny County, for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="over a decade" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wesanews.org/2012-08-02/da-zappala-calls-automatic-license-plate-readers-public-safety-tools" data-vars-content-id="ef991656-2957-4f87-a902-de5dfaaa7fcb" data-vars-headline="The growing fight over Flock cameras" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wesanews.org/2012-08-02/da-zappala-calls-automatic-license-plate-readers-public-safety-tools" target="_blank">over a decade</a>.

Pa. kindergarten vaccine exemption rate tops national rate

Measles is surging in Pennsylvania as kindergarten vaccination rates remain below key targets.

Pennsylvania’s kindergarten vaccine exemption rate held steady at 6% in the 2025-26 school year, but remains above the national rate, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CDC data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/schoolvaxview/data/index.html" data-vars-content-id="268f6062-b33e-4f7b-adfa-129599445935" data-vars-headline="Pa. kindergarten vaccine exemption rate tops national rate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/schoolvaxview/data/index.html" target="_blank">CDC data</a>.Why it matters: Pennsylvania’s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="307 measles" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pa.gov/agencies/health/diseases-conditions/infectious-disease/measles" data-vars-content-id="268f6062-b33e-4f7b-adfa-129599445935" data-vars-headline="Pa. kindergarten vaccine exemption rate tops national rate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pa.gov/agencies/health/diseases-conditions/infectious-disease/measles" target="_blank">307 measles</a> cases this year, nearly 20 times last year’s total and the most in at least three decades, underscore how falling U.S. immunization rates are reviving a disease <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="eliminated" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/history.html" data-vars-content-id="268f6062-b33e-4f7b-adfa-129599445935" data-vars-headline="Pa. kindergarten vaccine exemption rate tops national rate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/history.html" target="_blank">eliminated</a> in 2000.

Independent bets on data center issue in Senate race

Jodi Borello says opposition to data centers can reshape a deep-red district

A local candidate is hoping her <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="anti-data center stance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/18/shapiro-data-center-rules-executive-order" data-vars-content-id="c5d2521c-664f-4694-af59-2f8a4fa69318" data-vars-headline="Independent bets on data center issue in Senate race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/18/shapiro-data-center-rules-executive-order" target="_self">anti-data center stance</a> can flip a conservative state Senate district south of Pittsburgh.Why it matters: Republicans hold a four-seat majority in the state Senate and are facing strong challengers who could take away control of the chamber they’ve had for over 33 years.

Zara to open first Pittsburgh-area store

The new store will anchor a broader redevelopment at the North Hills shopping center.

Global fashion brand Zara is coming to Ross Park Mall.The big picture: The Spanish retailer — known for its fast-fashion, accessories and beauty products — is bringing its first store to the Pittsburgh area as part of a broader expansion throughout the U.S.

Cranberry special election could set midterm tone

Tuesday's House race will be watched for clues about voter sentiment before November.

A special election north of Pittsburgh on Tuesday could be a barometer for a potential <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="blue wave" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/06/congressional-map-redistricting-vote-share-2026" data-vars-content-id="9aa00a57-c324-451b-b6ae-19276ffa02c0" data-vars-headline="Cranberry special election could set midterm tone" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/06/congressional-map-redistricting-vote-share-2026" target="_self">blue wave</a>.The big picture: Democrats have been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="overperforming in special elections " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/19/republican-angst-voter-turnout?link_id=1&amp;can_id=ef167c924a5d440a35fec3a8c23a3885&amp;source=email-breaking-oklahoma-democrat-overperforms-by-double-digits-in-trump-58-district-3&amp;email_referrer=email_3107106&amp;email_subject=axios-special-elections-provide-template-for-how-to-win-in-pro-trump-areas-amid-gops-massive-downballot-losses&amp;&amp;" data-vars-content-id="9aa00a57-c324-451b-b6ae-19276ffa02c0" data-vars-headline="Cranberry special election could set midterm tone" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/19/republican-angst-voter-turnout?link_id=1&amp;can_id=ef167c924a5d440a35fec3a8c23a3885&amp;source=email-breaking-oklahoma-democrat-overperforms-by-double-digits-in-trump-58-district-3&amp;email_referrer=email_3107106&amp;email_subject=axios-special-elections-provide-template-for-how-to-win-in-pro-trump-areas-amid-gops-massive-downballot-losses&amp;&amp;" target="_self">overperforming in special elections </a>under Trump 2.0, and local results to fill a vacancy in Pennsylvania’s state House District 12 could indicate how well they will perform in the upcoming midterms.

Allegheny County ordered to reassess all properties

A court ruling requires the county to start a new property reassessment by 2027.

Allegheny County will finally reassess over 585,000 properties and will now do so on a regular basis.Why it matters: Pennsylvania’s second-largest county hasn’t completed a countywide reassessment since 2012, leading to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flurries of large properties losing value" data-vars-click-url="https://triblive.com/local/judge-orders-allegheny-county-to-begin-full-property-reassessment-by-2027/" data-vars-content-id="2b2f092d-7efe-449a-ae89-61f3a0c0100b" data-vars-headline="Allegheny County ordered to reassess all properties" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://triblive.com/local/judge-orders-allegheny-county-to-begin-full-property-reassessment-by-2027/" target="_blank">flurries of large properties losing value</a>, revenue for municipalities and school districts plummeting and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local taxes increasing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/01/16/allegheny-county-property-tax-increase" data-vars-content-id="2b2f092d-7efe-449a-ae89-61f3a0c0100b" data-vars-headline="Allegheny County ordered to reassess all properties" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/01/16/allegheny-county-property-tax-increase" target="_self">local taxes increasing</a>.

Stop dreaming about high-speed rail

High-speed rail sounds great, but the numbers don't work in Pennsylvania.

👋 Ryan here. I have to burst your bubble: Pittsburgh isn’t getting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high-speed rail" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/02/06/high-speed-rail-pittsburgh-possible" data-vars-content-id="fbdca05c-9dc7-42ce-b22b-9ab4960448e2" data-vars-headline="Stop dreaming about high-speed rail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/02/06/high-speed-rail-pittsburgh-possible" target="_self">high-speed rail</a> in our lifetime.The big picture: We got <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a lot of comments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/Dbnv4RSlVZf/" data-vars-content-id="fbdca05c-9dc7-42ce-b22b-9ab4960448e2" data-vars-headline="Stop dreaming about high-speed rail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Dbnv4RSlVZf/" target="_blank">a lot of comments</a> on our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="story about Pittsburgh getting more Amtrak service" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/04/amtrak-second-pittsburgh-nyc-train" data-vars-content-id="fbdca05c-9dc7-42ce-b22b-9ab4960448e2" data-vars-headline="Stop dreaming about high-speed rail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/04/amtrak-second-pittsburgh-nyc-train" target="_self">story about Pittsburgh getting more Amtrak service</a>, and many were focused on how the route is too slow, saying it should be high-speed rail instead.

Pirates serve up "Hoist The Cones" ice cream cones

Buy an ice cream cone at remaining Sunday home games to get the limited-edition holder.

Finally, you can hoist a cone into your mouth.The intrigue: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pirates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/07/21/pirates-playoff-hunt-2026" data-vars-content-id="5a70b7d2-1742-4544-bc3e-fe04e825912b" data-vars-headline="Pirates serve up &quot;Hoist The Cones&quot; ice cream cones" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/07/21/pirates-playoff-hunt-2026" target="_self">Pirates</a> have gone viral this season for their &quot;Hoist The Cone&quot; celebration. Fans can now receive a limited-edition, PNC-branded traffic cone holder free with their ice cream purchase at select PNC Park locations in for the last remaining Sunday games this season.

Axios Vitals

A line chart that shows kindergartner vaccine exemption rates and the U.S. average from 2011-12 to 2025-26. The local rate rose from 0.6% to 3%, with faster gains after 2020. It remained below the national average each year, which increased from 1.6% to 4.2%.

News 🗞

Independent bets on data center issue in Senate race

The growing fight over Flock cameras

Zara to open first Pittsburgh-area store

Pa. kindergarten vaccine exemption rate tops national rate

Dems appear to flip state House seat in Cranberry