AGP Executive Report

Skill Games Deadline: Pennsylvania State Police reminded businesses that Oct. 13 is the compliance cutoff after the Supreme Court ruled “skill games” are slot machines, with enforcement that can include seizure and criminal charges. Measles Crisis: Pennsylvania reported a fifth measles-associated death as the outbreak nears 1,000 cases, underscoring vaccine skepticism and public health strain. Statehouse Fallout: Calls are growing for Rep. Aaron Bernstine to resign after PennLive reported alleged racist and homophobic slurs toward Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta; Bernstine denies the allegations. Election 2026 (Bucks & Beyond): Gov. Josh Shapiro is campaigning in Bucks County as Democrats target competitive races, including the 1st Congressional District contest. Energy & Defense: The U.S. Army awarded long-term land leases for resilient power projects at six installations, including Letterkenny Army Depot in Pennsylvania. Public Safety/Justice: Newly unsealed body-cam footage shows Luigi Mangione’s arrest in Altoona, adding fresh detail to the case tied to the CEO killing. Local Governance: Cranberry Township struck down a conditional use request to operate skill games ahead of the statewide enforcement date.

Border & Homeland Security: U.S. Customs and Border Protection is taking public input on a 62-mile border barrier plan for the Tohono O’odham Nation, swapping vehicle barriers for 30-foot pedestrian fencing and adding possible surveillance and infrastructure, with comments due Oct. 29. Courts & Civil Rights: The Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld a $250,000 damages cap for suits against state agencies, while a federal judge dismissed a Christian worker’s claim against Hershey’s resort after finding no proof the company knew her religious objections before the request. Elections & Voting Integrity: A former Philadelphia woman was sentenced to three years’ probation for voting twice in the 2024 presidential election. State Politics & Culture Wars: A GOP state lawmaker faced backlash after alleged homophobic slurs about Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta. Public Health: Pennsylvania reported a fifth measles-associated death as cases surge, fueling debate over vaccine trust. Gaming Policy: Lawmakers have less than two weeks as a 120-day stay on “skill games” nears its end, with taxation and regulation still unresolved. SNAP: New SNAP rules take effect Oct. 1, tightening work requirements and reporting tied to utility and housing costs. Energy & Environment: States and cities, including Pennsylvania’s governor, sued over EPA repeal of power-plant greenhouse gas limits. Data Centers: CoreWeave CEO pushed back on claims the AI data-center boom will slow, despite power and permitting hurdles.

Economy & Midterms: A new AP-NORC poll finds only 17% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of the cost of living, with 65% blaming his policies for stubborn high prices—setting a tough backdrop for the November fight. Early Voting Watch: Early voting data shows Democrats gaining momentum in ballot requests, including in Pennsylvania (66% of requests, up from 62% in 2024), a sign of stronger turnout energy. State Senate Power Shift: Pennsylvania’s suburbs are the battleground for control of the state Senate, with Democrats targeting GOP-held seats in Bucks, Lehigh, and Montgomery/ Berks as part of a possible majority push. Elder Abuse Policy: “Alice’s Law” advanced in a Senate committee to create a statewide registry aimed at preventing repeat elder-abuse offenders from moving between caregiving jobs. Public Safety: Montgomery County prosecutors charged 46 businesses over alleged illegal THC gummy sales, including products topping 1,000 mg. Gun Violence: An 83-year-old woman was shot on a North Philly porch during a shootout, with police investigating stray-fire and a stolen car. Measles: Pennsylvania confirmed a fifth measles-associated death as the outbreak worsens nationwide.

AI & Data Policy: Pennsylvania lawmakers advanced an “AI transparency” push that would require AI-generated images to carry metadata so online tools can flag whether content was altered by AI. Courts & Criminal Justice: The Pennsylvania Supreme Court agreed to take up whether a ruling striking automatic life-without-parole for second-degree murder is retroactive, a question that could affect inmates’ sentencing. Public Health: Pennsylvania confirmed a fifth measles-associated death as cases near 1,000, with Lancaster County again at the center of the outbreak. Consumer/Business Enforcement: Pennsylvania AG Dave Sunday warned businesses to remove skill game machines by Oct. 14 after the state’s high court ruled they’re slot machines outside licensed locations. Energy & Government Costs: A Senate effort to keep data center electricity upgrade costs off ratepayers failed, with Democrats arguing it doesn’t go far enough. Local Governance: Montgomery County prosecutors charged 46 businesses in a crackdown on illegal THC products. Higher Ed & Philanthropy: Carnegie Mellon announced a $3 billion gift from Ken Griffin, including a new Miami campus and major funding for computer science.

Skill Games Crackdown: Pennsylvania businesses are being told to remove “skill game” machines by Oct. 14 after the state Supreme Court ruled they’re slot machines under the Gaming Act, with PSP enforcement that could include seizures and charges. Gaming & Courts: A separate legal fight is underway as a judge hears arguments in a lawsuit over Whitehall-Coplay ending bus service for charter students, with an emergency injunction sought. Energy Costs Debate: A new dispute in Harrisburg centers on who pays for utility customer assistance programs as costs rise—right now residential customers carry the burden while businesses and factories are exempt. Immigration Enforcement Impact: DOJ announced a Social Security fraud crackdown totaling more than $1.3M in alleged intended loss, while a separate editorial warns ICE arrests of poultry workers in Lancaster could hurt the economy and values. Health Policy: UPMC will end pediatric gender-affirming care after a DOJ agreement, raising alarm among advocates. Data & Privacy: A federal fraud sweep targeted SSA benefits, and a separate report highlights how a jury-duty website leak exposed sensitive personal records in North Carolina. Local Politics: Lewisburg doubles down on its “Coffee Capital” branding, while Steubenville officials weigh budget priorities amid projected shortfalls and major capital needs.

Harrisburg Legislative Push: The Pennsylvania House advanced a semi-open primary plan that would let about 1.2 million registered independents participate in annual primaries, a major shift in how state elections are run. Election Law & Integrity: The U.S. Justice Department announced charges tied to illegal voting and fraudulent voter registration, including a Nigerian national accused of falsely claiming citizenship and voting in federal elections. Criminal Justice: The Pennsylvania Supreme Court agreed to decide whether its ruling against mandatory life-without-parole for second-degree murder applies retroactively, potentially affecting about 1,100 inmates statewide. Gaming Oversight: Pa. AG Dave Sunday warned businesses to remove “skill games” by Oct. 14 or face enforcement after the state Supreme Court’s June decision. Local Government & Surveillance: Columbia Borough expanded its wireless community video network, while a separate surveillance audit in Seattle faced a timeline snag over a delivery “miscommunication.” Public Health: The state paused a major disease-control overhaul amid backlash as Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak tops 900 cases. Economy & Jobs: Shapiro’s administration highlighted construction progress on DrinkPAK’s $195M Philadelphia expansion, targeting at least 174 jobs.

Skill Games Deadline: Pennsylvania AG Dave Sunday says businesses must remove “skill games” terminals by Oct. 14 or face seizure, forfeiture, and possible criminal charges after the state Supreme Court ruled they’re slot machines under the Gaming Act. Public Safety & Courts: A Troy Hill man faces charges after police say he pepper-sprayed a Pittsburgh water crew worker, threatened another with a gun, and then ran over a worker. Harrisburg Development: Gov. Josh Shapiro and local leaders unveiled a $64M downtown revitalization plan for Harrisburg, including street and storefront upgrades plus expanded arts, recreation, and riverfront activity. Workforce Shock: More than 100 employees are set to be laid off after a Pennsylvania company acquisition, with WARN notices tied to restructuring and growing AI use in employment decisions. Election Security: CISA launched a free 2026 election infrastructure security plan offering scanning, risk reviews, and tabletop exercises for key jurisdictions ahead of the midterms. Immigration at Healthcare Sites: ICE arrests near Geisinger Medical Center in Danville sparked fears that visible enforcement could deter immigrants from seeking care. Data Center Politics: A new AI/union-backed push aims to head off state data center moratoriums, with Pennsylvania included in the campaign.

Title IX Rollback: The U.S. Department of Education formally rescinded Biden-era Title IX changes and reinstated the Trump 2020 framework, narrowing protections to biological sex and undoing pronoun-related OCR agreements tied to schools and colleges. Harrisburg Ethics Fight: Republican House members tried to force a vote on a “gift ban” bill using a discharge resolution, aiming to curb cash and high-value gifts to lawmakers despite leadership resistance over donor/lobbyist influence. AG Consumer-Fraud Push: Pennsylvania Attorney General Tim Griffin kicked off his Fraud and Consumer Protection Summit with 800+ registrants, spotlighting scams, price gouging, robocalls, Medicaid fraud, and AI deepfakes. Data Center Backlash vs. Growth: A new coalition of AI firms, private equity, and unions is pushing data-center standards in multiple states including Pennsylvania, as local opposition continues to disrupt projects. Online Adult Content Age Checks: A Pennsylvania bill advanced in committee would require age verification for sites with at least one-third adult material, drawing First Amendment and privacy concerns. Local Governance & Permitting: Archbald scheduled back-to-back hearings on a natural gas power plant and multiple data center proposals, with residents pressing for more detailed plans. Sports & Rights Clash: The NFL asked DHS to remove a Brian Dawkins video from DHS’s X account, citing rights and lack of consent.

Ukraine Defense & Industry: Ukraine’s railways are still under relentless Russian attack, with officials saying hundreds of locomotives have been destroyed since 2022 and repairs are keeping freight and troop movement moving. Philadelphia Arena Planning: The 76ers and Flyers released initial renderings for a new South Philadelphia arena expected to open in 2030, with urban planners calling it a major improvement over the abandoned Center City plan. Immigration Enforcement in Pa.: A Chester County newlywed was detained by ICE a week after his wedding and then unexpectedly released after months in an ICE facility, highlighting ongoing asylum-related custody concerns. Public Safety & Courts: Upper Gwynedd Township teacher Jason Theodore Held remains held without bail in a child sex abuse case; in Pittsburgh, an attorney tied to an alleged Penn State fraternity cocaine trafficking ring spoke out after indictment. Elections & Voting Rules: Pennsylvania mail voting remains unchanged after the U.S. Supreme Court blocked USPS tightening, as legal fights continue over envelope date issues. State Government & Economy: Gov. Josh Shapiro announced $109.3M in RACP investments to revitalize downtown Harrisburg and fund dozens of projects statewide. Gaming Oversight: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board fined MGM Resorts and CountR for licensing breaches and added more people to exclusion lists. Health Watch: Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak climbed to nearly 900 cases, with hundreds hospitalized and multiple deaths reported.

Measles Surge in Pennsylvania: CDC data show the U.S. is in its worst domestic measles year since 1991, with Pennsylvania hitting 890 cases and reporting 55 new cases since Wednesday—public health officials are pushing re-education and on-site MMR shots, including targeted outreach in Amish communities. ACA Crackdown: The Trump administration says it canceled coverage for 760,000 people on ACA Marketplace plans, citing fraud and “do not exist” claims, while also freezing new agent/broker registrations for 2027 open enrollment. Data Centers vs. Power Reliability: Pennsylvania utility regulators warn AI-driven data center growth could strain the Philadelphia-area grid, raising the risk of outages and blackouts by 2030. Victims Compensation Funding: Lt. Gov. Austin Davis marked 50 years of Pennsylvania’s Victims Compensation Assistance Program, highlighting $19.5M in new state investment and $51M paid since 2023. Gun Politics on the Move: The NRA’s bus tour is stopping in Pennsylvania ahead of midterms, aiming to mobilize gun owners in tight races. Local Governance Spotlight: Newport Township residents packed a meeting to question proposed data centers and gas generation facilities. Courtroom Watch: Wyoming County’s second murder trial for Phillip Walters is entering its second week after a Supreme Court-ordered retrial.

Midterm Politics: Sen. John Fetterman says it’s “entirely possible” Democrats could take back the U.S. Senate, urging voters to “revisit after the midterm” on his own future. Statehouse & Elections: A new poll finds Pennsylvania voters split on whether Gov. Josh Shapiro should run for president in 2028, with Democrats largely supportive and Republicans showing notable openness. Healthcare Workforce: Delaware County launched a doula directory and trained 30 doulas through the Delco Doula Collaborative, aiming to expand maternity support after the closure of Crozer Health’s birth center. Local Law Enforcement: Oxford Borough officers resigned ahead of a move into a regional police department, citing uncertainty about job guarantees and transparency. Public Safety: A Berks County jury awarded $4.35 million against a gastroenterologist after a missed bleeding ulcer contributed to a patient’s death. Immigration Enforcement: Commentary highlights Pennsylvania’s role in ICE’s crackdown, pointing to local participation in federal detention efforts. Weather Disruption: A deadly nor’easter battered the Northeast, knocking out power for tens of thousands and canceling hundreds of flights, including in Pennsylvania.

PennDOT Infrastructure Push: Gov. Josh Shapiro and PennDOT announced $250 million for 79 Rapid Deployment Projects across 44 counties, aiming to speed road repairs over the next 18 months using Motor License Fund dollars. AI, Data Centers, and Foreign Influence: Sen. Dave McCormick said China and Russia are shaping U.S. public opinion against AI and data centers, arguing tech missteps helped fuel polarization and calling for a FINRA-like oversight model. War Powers Vote: John Fetterman again broke with his party, voting against a resolution limiting Trump’s Iran war powers, while McCormick backed the administration. Election Security & Voting Rights: Federal charges added to Pennsylvania’s noncitizen voting crackdown, as election officials prepare for possible federal intervention ahead of the midterms. Public Health Watch: Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak continues to expand, with reporting highlighting CDC counting disputes and new case updates. Storm Disruptions: A nor’easter battered the East Coast, knocking out power for tens of thousands in Pennsylvania and canceling hundreds of flights. Local Government Notes: Liberty Township’s police chief was absent from a supervisors meeting amid questions about his status, while Carroll Valley advanced several borough projects including an ADA restroom and pickleball plans.

Data Center Fight: Palmerton-area officials are weighing a proposed data center in Lower Towamensing Township, with Palmerton Council members split over “due diligence” and potential water-supply impacts as a curative amendment hearing is set for Oct. 27 and a volunteer organizing meeting is planned Oct. 1. Local Governance: Slatington Borough Council approved budget work, a $13,842.07 change order for street work, and a plan to explore adding an election drop box, while residents raised concerns about vegetation and visibility. Elections & Administration: Elk County Elections Director Kimberly Frey received a statewide “Mad Dog Award,” praised for impartial, accurate election administration. Public Safety: A Pittsburgh pediatrician, Dr. Idris Evans, was fatally stabbed and his wife critically injured in their home; police arrested suspect Elijah Hemingway and are investigating motive. State Politics: Pennsylvania lawmakers return to Harrisburg with less than 14 days before Thanksgiving to pass major priorities, including overdue second-degree murder sentencing changes. Energy & Weather: A nor’easter is driving power outages across the Northeast, including thousands in Pennsylvania.

Election Integrity Crackdown: The U.S. Justice Department charged four noncitizens with election fraud in Pennsylvania, including an alleged repeat fraudulent voter registration and alleged illegal voting in 2022 and 2024. State Government & Health Policy: Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration will rescind proposed disease-tracking and vaccination regulations after thousands of public comments reignited COVID-era backlash. Courts & Legal Fees: A federal judge cut attorneys’ fees in the wrongful conviction case of Termaine Hicks, calling the original fee request “unreasonable.” Local Government & Accountability: Cambria County Rep. Frank Burns asked a judge to recuse herself in his defamation suit over a 2022 campaign ad. Public Safety & Fraud: Pennsylvania State Police said scammers impersonating federal law enforcement collected $6.5 million nationwide in a gold bar/coin scheme. Workforce & Business: Pep Boys plans to eliminate about 169 jobs at its Bala Cynwyd corporate offices as part of a merger reorganization. Democrats’ Midterm Push: Shapiro and Whitmer rallied volunteers in Pennsylvania and Michigan, focusing on flipping the state Senate and key U.S. House races. Tech & Data Centers: A fact-check report pushes back on claims that data center opposition is driven by “China PR,” saying the backlash is more complex and local.

Butler Shooting Aftermath: James Copenhaver, one of the men wounded in the 2024 Trump rally attack, has died from complications, renewing scrutiny of security failures and the ongoing legal fight. Election Integrity: DOJ charged four noncitizens in Pennsylvania with election-related crimes, including fraudulent voter registration, as federal and state officials brace for more scrutiny ahead of November. Measles & Public Health: A new poll finds most likely Pennsylvania voters hold an unfavorable view of RFK Jr. amid the Shapiro-RFK vaccine guidance fight while the outbreak response continues. War Powers in Washington: The U.S. Senate narrowly rejected efforts to curb Trump’s Iran war powers, with Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman voting against the resolution. Skill Games Crackdown: Pennsylvania’s skill games fight is hitting a deadline, with lawmakers facing a narrow window to set rules for machines that drive revenue for small businesses. Gaming Enforcement: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board fined MGM Resorts and CountR GmbH for licensing and control breaches. Local Government & Schools: Elizabethtown Area School Board set timelines for major middle/high school construction. Public Safety: Fayette County seized meth/cocaine, cash, and 20 guns in a major drug bust. Politics & Polling: A Franklin & Marshall poll shows Janelle Stelson leading Scott Perry in PA’s 10th District. Transit Watch: SEPTA’s “Accelerate” plan lays out major upgrades—new trains, more frequent service, and accessibility improvements—if Harrisburg funding lands.

Butler Rally Aftermath: James “Jim” Copenhaver, one of the two men critically wounded in the 2024 Trump assassination attempt, has died at 76, with his family saying he passed Wednesday “surrounded by loved ones.” Elections & Voting Integrity: The Justice Department charged four noncitizens, including two illegal aliens, with election-related crimes in Pennsylvania, adding to a broader wave of federal election-fraud cases. U.S. Senate War Powers: The Senate narrowly rejected a Democratic-led resolution to curb Trump’s Iran war powers, with only a handful of GOP senators breaking ranks. Elder Care Oversight: A state audit found major weaknesses in the Department of Aging’s oversight of elder-abuse investigations, raising risk for vulnerable older Pennsylvanians. Pennsylvania Campaign Logistics: Luzerne County will mail about 25,525 Nov. 3 general election ballots next week, with drop-box hours posted. Public Health: Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak coverage continues as federal and state counts diverge, including reporting around deaths and undercount concerns. Data Centers & Local Impact: Residents in Scrubgrass Township are questioning coal-ash cleanup compliance as a data center plan moves forward. Education: Philadelphia’s PSSA score delays are disrupting student high-school selection, with the district pushing the process back. Higher Ed Finance: Penn’s endowment jumped 27.4% (about $6.3B) in FY26, its biggest one-year dollar gain.