👋 Happy Thursday!

🌧️ Today's weather: Chance of light rain, with a high of 74 and a low of 62.

📍Situational awareness: The Eagles are shaking things up, turning to Joe Milton as their new starting quarterback ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Giants.

Today’s newsletter is 1,094 words — a 4-minute read.

Democrats in Pennsylvania will fully control state government — governor's office and both state Legislature chambers — starting in January.

Why it matters: For the first time in more than 30 years, Dems can push through their long wish list of priorities, including raising the minimum wage and protecting abortion rights, without Republican interference, said Gov. Josh Shapiro and state Democratic leaders on Wednesday.

Catch up quick: Pennsylvania Dems secured a big House majority with at least 111 of 203 seats and flipped Senate control (26-24), per the Associated Press' projections.

🗓️ First 100 days: During a news conference in Harrisburg yesterday, Shapiro and Dems laid out their agenda for the start of 2027:

• 🚇 Increasing funding for mass transit
• 💵 Raising the minimum wage
• 🩺 Protecting abortion rights
• ⚖️ Creating a retroactive civil window under the statute of limitations for abuse survivors
• 🏗️ Building more housing

🤷 TBD: Shapiro was noncommittal on several other issues when asked by reporters, including:

• 🏳️‍🌈 Expanding LGBTQ+ rights
• 🌿 Legalizing recreational cannabis, anti-gun bills, clean energy policies and criminal justice reform.

Friction point: The Dems take over with high-priced plans as Pennsylvania barrels toward a massive budget deficit in future years.

• Yes, but: The state's need for new revenue could open the door for (relatively) quick deals on legalizing recreational weed and skill games.

Between the lines: The Dems' center of gravity for political power rests in the Philly region — which could bring big benefits to Southeastern Pennsylvania.

• In the House, Rep. Joanna McClinton (Philly and Delaware Counties) is the current speaker.
• Her leadership includes Reps. Jordan Harris in Philly and Tina Davis in Bucks County.
• Plus: Shapiro lives in Montgomery County.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, Jay Costa from Allegheny County leads Dems.

• But the Philly region is well represented in the upper chamber's leadership, which includes Sens. Christine Tartaglione from Philly and Maria Collett from Montgomery County.

👀 1 early stress test: Whether Dems maintain current leadership — or a battle for top roles breaks out.

• In their newfound political power, unification could help get things done.

The other side: "We have work to do, and we will take the time to analyze these results, strengthen our organization, and ensure we are prepared for the challenges ahead," Sen. Greg Rothman, head of the state's Republican Party, said in a statement following the party's losses.

What's next: Dems take over when they're sworn in on Jan. 5.

While congressional and presidential elections may hog the spotlight, Pennsylvania's state government often has a much more profound and immediate effect on our lives.

• Think: Regulating data centers , taxation, thwarting utility rate hikes, setting K-12 curriculum, and allowing open primaries.

📣 Weigh in: With Democrats set to take full control of Harrisburg, what should they focus on first?

• Take our survey and let us know.

🗳️ Philadelphia voters approved ballot measures changing how city contracts are awarded and enshrining the municipal arts office as a permanent part of city government.

• The contract change gives bidding advantages to small and local businesses. (Inquirer)

🔵 In a shocker, Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick lost his reelection bid to Democrat Bob Harvie in the 1st Congressional District in Bucks County and Montco, the AP projects.

• Fitzpatrick was a five-term incumbent and — until now — always managed to eke out a win. His loss signals the GOP's receding power in the Philly burbs.

✋ Drexel University has paused student organization events involving alcohol or the induction of new members.

• The move comes after the university suspended two fraternities over allegations of hazing and sexual misconduct. (CBS News)

🗣️ Quote du Jour:

"I know people from out of town who even come in with the explicit purpose of filling up their passport and kind of seeing Philadelphia through the eyes of not only my art but like the different locations that I have them in."

The CDC estimates there were nearly 68,000 U.S. overdose deaths in the year that ended March 2026 — about 9,500 fewer than the prior year, according to an Axios analysis of provisional data.

Why it matters: The national decline masks a rise in reported deaths in some counties, underscoring the crisis' uneven trajectory.

By the numbers: Of the counties where year-over-year changes could be determined, overdose deaths:

• Declined in 842.
• Increased in 430.
• Remained unchanged in 352.

The fine print: Trends couldn't be determined in nearly half of counties because the CDC withholds the actual number of deaths in counties with 1-9 deaths.

Zoom in: Philadelphia's overdose deaths dropped 16%, from 916 to 795 over the same time period — another indication of the city's rebound from the pandemic when overdoses spiked.

Keep reading

Some Eagles fans aren't ready to vote head coach Nick Sirianni off the island over his team's two-win start.

Why it matters: This is by far the most challenging year of Sirianni's Eagles tenure — a time when he can't just roll the ball out and let his players play, but must find a way to inspire them to roll with the punches.

Yes, but: It's also an opportunity for Sirianni to cement his identity as a true motivator rather than just the "vibes" guy some fans see him as — or the crazed coach running around the sidelines taunting opponents after barely squeaking out a win.

• The Eagles will have to dig deep — and Sirianni better have an arsenal of shovels — to turn a season in tatters into a respectable ending.

What they're saying: Axios reader Jeff S. says the head coach's performance must be graded on a curve.

• "I'm incredibly disappointed in the Eagles season this year, but I think we've got to give Nick a little bit of grace. The injuries to this team are ridiculous."
• Ann G. agrees: "This isn't a coaching issue!"

Arlene C. says the "media trashing" and "fan hate" are likely "doing a number on [Sirianni's] head."

• "I truly hope he's getting some therapy to deal with all those emotions and to bolster his confidence to get the job done."

The bottom line: Whoever said Philadelphians are unreasonable about their Birds didn't talk to these fair-minded fans.

Have a good day!

Today's newsletter was edited by Jen Burkett.