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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>.

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>.

Shapiro: Mail voting unchanged for 2026 after SCOTUS ruling

Pennsylvania voters can still cast mail ballots as usual this November.

A U.S. Supreme Court <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ruling favoring President Trump&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/24/supreme-court-mail-in-ballot-rules" data-vars-content-id="951a2366-0689-4996-9d1d-fd450e14c7d9" data-vars-headline="Shapiro: Mail voting unchanged for 2026 after SCOTUS ruling" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/24/supreme-court-mail-in-ballot-rules" target="_self">ruling favoring President Trump&#x27;s</a> push to restrict mail-in voting won&#x27;t impact the upcoming midterm elections, Gov. Josh Shapiro said Tuesday. Why it matters: On Monday, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="SCOTUS cleared" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/24/trump-usps-federal-power-state-elections-mail-voting" data-vars-content-id="951a2366-0689-4996-9d1d-fd450e14c7d9" data-vars-headline="Shapiro: Mail voting unchanged for 2026 after SCOTUS ruling" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/24/trump-usps-federal-power-state-elections-mail-voting" target="_self">SCOTUS cleared</a> one roadblock for Trump&#x27;s push to restrict mail-in ballots via the U.S. Postal Service, sowing uncertainty about how states will carry out their elections.

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.

Pa. eyes ways to cut grocery costs

Lawmakers heard proposals to ease food costs, though relief won't come quickly.

Pennsylvania is trying to figure out the best way to lower grocery prices.Why it matters: As grocery costs continue to soar, Americans are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="putting less in their carts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/16/groceries-volumes-decline-prices-bain" data-vars-content-id="81082c32-61c3-42dc-b9f7-267c5c142591" data-vars-headline="Pa. eyes ways to cut grocery costs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/16/groceries-volumes-decline-prices-bain" target="_self">putting less in their carts</a>, disrupting the grocery industry and increasing food insecurity.

Why Pittsburgh rarely merges municipalities

Experts say politics and local identity outweigh potential cost savings.

To merge or not to merge? That is the question facing Southwestern Pennsylvania municipalities.The big picture: More and more municipalities in the region are facing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="financial struggles" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/12/pittsburgh-budget-deficit-30-million" data-vars-content-id="ea9fe8be-95f8-434b-9e74-bded066214fc" data-vars-headline="Why Pittsburgh rarely merges municipalities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/12/pittsburgh-budget-deficit-30-million" target="_self">financial struggles</a>, and consolidating can help provide <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cheaper and more efficient services" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nlc.org/resource/cities-101-consolidations/" data-vars-content-id="ea9fe8be-95f8-434b-9e74-bded066214fc" data-vars-headline="Why Pittsburgh rarely merges municipalities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nlc.org/resource/cities-101-consolidations/" target="_blank">cheaper and more efficient services</a>, Duquesne University political science professor Lew Irwin tells Axios.

Pennsylvania moves to regulate skill games

Lawmakers must regulate thousands of gaming machines in Pennsylvania

You might see fewer skill games in Pennsylvania&#x27;s convenience stores, gas stations, bars and restaurants soon.Why it matters: Unregulated skill games — machines where users can win cash prizes by besting puzzles and other video games — have spread throughout the state, coinciding with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rising rates of gambling addiction" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/12/17/pennsylvania-problem-gambling-hotline-calls-soar-in-2025" data-vars-content-id="78ffeb93-e0f8-44b4-b1a3-fb48acbd6218" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania moves to regulate skill games" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/12/17/pennsylvania-problem-gambling-hotline-calls-soar-in-2025" target="_self">rising rates of gambling addiction</a>.

Pittsburgh Pride adapts as corporate sponsors shrink

A six-figure sponsorship gap prompted budget cuts, but events remain on track.

<figure><img alt="Pittsburgh Pride 2025." height="450" id="4e164506-0a18-42f4-bc19-62f62aed2e72" src="https://images.axios.com/5gp_neZqsDmQN4ZK-RbhtobK_Ns=/2026/06/02/1780408442714.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>The Pittsburgh Pride Parade in 2025. GIF: Chrissy Suttles/Axios</figcaption></figure><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pittsburgh Pride" data-vars-click-url="https://pittsburghpride.com/" data-vars-content-id="2731302b-0879-46a0-bddc-2430e7254c62" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh Pride adapts as corporate sponsors shrink" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pittsburghpride.com/" target="_blank">Pittsburgh Pride</a> returns this weekend as organizers weather a funding crunch fueled by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="corporate pullbacks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/08/pride-month-sponsorship-decline-2025" data-vars-content-id="2731302b-0879-46a0-bddc-2430e7254c62" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh Pride adapts as corporate sponsors shrink" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/08/pride-month-sponsorship-decline-2025" target="_self">corporate pullbacks</a> and competition for sponsorship dollars linked to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="NFL draft" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/05/22/nfl-draft-pittsburgh-numbers-records-impact" data-vars-content-id="2731302b-0879-46a0-bddc-2430e7254c62" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh Pride adapts as corporate sponsors shrink" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/05/22/nfl-draft-pittsburgh-numbers-records-impact" target="_self">NFL draft</a>.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Corporate support" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/06/26/key-sponsors-retreat-from-pittsburgh-pride" data-vars-content-id="2731302b-0879-46a0-bddc-2430e7254c62" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh Pride adapts as corporate sponsors shrink" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/06/26/key-sponsors-retreat-from-pittsburgh-pride" target="_self">Corporate support</a> for Pride events, which attract more than a quarter-million people in Pittsburgh each year, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="has waned here" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/05/30/pittsburgh-pride-sponsor-pullback" data-vars-content-id="2731302b-0879-46a0-bddc-2430e7254c62" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh Pride adapts as corporate sponsors shrink" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/05/30/pittsburgh-pride-sponsor-pullback" target="_self">has waned here</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nationwide" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/06/02/phoenix-pride-bankruptcy-national-trend-corporate-sponsorships" data-vars-content-id="2731302b-0879-46a0-bddc-2430e7254c62" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh Pride adapts as corporate sponsors shrink" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/06/02/phoenix-pride-bankruptcy-national-trend-corporate-sponsorships" target="_self">nationwide</a> in recent years.

Pa. lawmakers push gambling addiction fixes

Calls to a state helpline hit a record last year as online betting continued to grow.

Pennsylvania lawmakers say the explosion in smartphone gambling has fueled addiction problems they never anticipated when the state legalized online betting several years ago.Why it matters: Calls to Pennsylvania&#x27;s gambling addiction hotline <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hit a record high last year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/12/17/pennsylvania-problem-gambling-hotline-calls-soar-in-2025" data-vars-content-id="ab084a14-cabb-4ece-816a-bf5225f0b780" data-vars-headline="Pa. lawmakers push gambling addiction fixes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/12/17/pennsylvania-problem-gambling-hotline-calls-soar-in-2025" target="_self">hit a record high last year</a> as online betting revenues continued to surge.

Trump backs renewed push for railway safety bill

The proposal could be added to a major transit funding package this week.

President Trump is throwing his support behind an effort to improve railway safety that was written in the aftermath of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="East Palestine train derailment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/02/13/what-we-know-about-ohio-train-derailment" data-vars-content-id="fe53f2b4-c808-40a5-b6e1-9dfdbe7265e3" data-vars-headline="Trump backs renewed push for railway safety bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/02/13/what-we-know-about-ohio-train-derailment" target="_self">East Palestine train derailment</a>.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Railway Safety Act" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/01/rail-safety-bill-senate-ohio-train-derailment" data-vars-content-id="fe53f2b4-c808-40a5-b6e1-9dfdbe7265e3" data-vars-headline="Trump backs renewed push for railway safety bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/01/rail-safety-bill-senate-ohio-train-derailment" target="_self">Railway Safety Act</a> has lingered in Congress for over three years after the 2023 derailment, even with bipartisan support from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rep. Chris Deluzio" data-vars-click-url="https://archive.triblive.com/local/regional/deluzio-fetterman-renew-calls-for-action-on-railway-safety-act/" data-vars-content-id="fe53f2b4-c808-40a5-b6e1-9dfdbe7265e3" data-vars-headline="Trump backs renewed push for railway safety bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://archive.triblive.com/local/regional/deluzio-fetterman-renew-calls-for-action-on-railway-safety-act/" target="_blank">Rep. Chris Deluzio</a> (D-Aspinwall), Democratic Sen. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="John Fetterman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/01/27/fetterman-noem-dhs-shooting" data-vars-content-id="fe53f2b4-c808-40a5-b6e1-9dfdbe7265e3" data-vars-headline="Trump backs renewed push for railway safety bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/01/27/fetterman-noem-dhs-shooting" target="_self">John Fetterman</a> and Vice President JD Vance.

Your guide to Pittsburgh's 2026 primary

A quick look at races, voting rules and what's at stake Tuesday.

Primary Election Day is nearly here.Why it matters: There aren&#x27;t any marquee races this spring, but the decisions Tuesday could shape what is set to be an important midterm election in the fall.

Politics 🇺🇸

Shapiro: Mail voting unchanged for 2026 after SCOTUS ruling

Independent bets on data center issue in Senate race

Dems appear to flip state House seat in Cranberry

Trump boosts Garrity bid in White House vid

Pa. eyes ways to cut grocery costs