U.S.-Iran Escalation: The U.S. intensified strikes on Iran early Thursday, hitting targets further north and firing into a ship it said tried to break the naval blockade; Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait and warned escalation could follow, with the Strait of Hormuz again looming as a flashpoint. Pennsylvania Elections & DOJ Pressure: Pennsylvania’s top election official, Sec. of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt, replied to a DOJ warning that state election leaders could face criminal charges over noncitizen voting, saying Pennsylvania will rely on local officials to maintain voter rolls and offering no sign of major 2026 changes. Defense & Jobs in PA: President Trump used the Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit to push a $1.5T military spending plan and urged faster weapons production, while JPMorgan announced $24M to strengthen Philadelphia’s shipbuilding and defense supply chain. Data Centers vs. Local Control: A Sussex County, NJ township data-center ban is headed to court after a developer sued, underscoring how local zoning fights are spreading across the region. Arts Funding Boost: Pennsylvania’s new budget includes a $1M increase in state arts funding for the first time since 2010, aimed at underserved communities. Food Safety: Pennsylvania restaurant inspections flagged multiple compliance issues at a West Chester-area cafe, including temperature control and food storage violations.