AGP Executive Report

Erie Shooting: The death toll rose to 10, including two children, an eight-months-pregnant woman and her unborn child, after a shooting that also killed the suspected gunman. Police are investigating the motive. Public Safety: A Philadelphia police officer was killed and another wounded in an ambush; a suspect faces murder and attempted-murder charges. Energy and Jobs: Amazon plans a 36-building data center campus in Indiana County, backed mainly by natural gas and expected to create 1,500–2,000 jobs. Skill Games: Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court rejected a bid to delay enforcement, clearing the way for police to begin seizing unregistered machines Oct. 14. Transportation: Amtrak will add a second daily Pittsburgh–New York round trip Nov. 18, making same-day return trips possible for the first time in decades. Health: Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak has topped 1,100 cases across 41 counties, as New York declared an emergency over rising infections.

Erie Shooting: A mass shooting on Perry Street left nine people reportedly dead, including two children; the suspected gunman was also found dead. Police have not confirmed the final toll and are investigating. 2026 Election: Candidates in Pennsylvania’s 9th Congressional and 8th state House districts are making their cases ahead of Nov. 3, with affordability among voters’ key concerns. Measles Outbreak: Pennsylvania reported 1,136 cases and five associated deaths by Friday, including 415 cases in Lancaster County, as U.S. cases topped 4,000. Skill Games: The state Supreme Court rejected a request to extend the removal deadline. State police enforcement is set to begin Oct. 14, putting thousands of machines at businesses across the state in jeopardy. Outdoor Access: Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is inviting applications for grants of up to $5,000 to improve canoe and kayak access to local waterways.

Skill Games: Pennsylvania police are set to begin seizing unremoved machines and pursuing criminal penalties Oct. 14, after lawmakers failed to pass regulations and the state Supreme Court rejected a bid to extend the deadline. Public Health: Measles cases have reached 1,078 across 41 counties, with 207 hospitalizations and five deaths; Chester County schools have closed after reported exposures. 2026 Elections: Barack Obama endorsed Gov. Josh Shapiro’s reelection bid as he faces Republican Stacy Garrity, following a debate focused on affordability and data centers. Dauphin County Development: Swatara Township is weighing a proposed $120.3 million community benefits agreement tied to two data center projects, while residents question whether they had enough opportunity to review it. Jobs and Investment: GSK plans to invest more than $800 million in its Montgomery County facilities, creating over 300 jobs and retaining about 4,500 Pennsylvania positions.

Governor’s Race: Barack Obama endorsed Josh Shapiro’s reelection bid, praising his leadership as Pennsylvania’s November contest draws national attention. Measles Outbreak: Pennsylvania reports 1,078 cases and five deaths across 41 counties; a Lancaster County school is closing after a confirmed case. Skill Games: Lawmakers left Harrisburg without a deal, leaving machines facing removal after the Oct. 14 deadline. Industry filings ask the state Supreme Court to delay enforcement. Voting: A printer supply problem delayed the first batch of Berks County mail ballots; officials say voters can contact the county if they need a ballot sooner. Vape Rules: Starting Oct. 19, Pennsylvania will ban sales of vape products not on its approved directory, a change expected to affect thousands of businesses.

Skill Games: Pennsylvania lawmakers left Harrisburg without a bill to regulate skill-game machines. Police say enforcement can begin Oct. 14, while lawmakers and industry groups are asking the state Supreme Court to delay seizures until February. Measles: The state outbreak has topped 1,000 cases and claimed five lives. Elizabethtown Area School District confirmed a Bainbridge student tested positive, but says there’s no basis yet to conclude the infection came from school. Governor’s Race: Josh Shapiro and Stacy Garrity clashed in their only debate over data centers, state spending and other issues. Data center rules are also advancing in Luzerne County, where a proposed zoning ordinance would impose new conditions in 19 municipalities. Vaping Rules: Pennsylvania will begin enforcing a law Oct. 19 that bars most e-cigarette products, allowing sales only of products on the state’s approved list.

Missing-Person Search: First responders are searching in Bedford County for Ellen Nestor, 83, who has Alzheimer’s and dementia. She was last seen walking east on Blue Grass Road toward Artemas. Skill Games: Pennsylvania lawmakers adjourned without a deal, leaving businesses facing an Oct. 13 deadline to remove the machines. State police say unlicensed machines are illegal and could lead to criminal charges. Measles Outbreak: Cases have reached 1,078 across 41 counties, with more than 200 hospitalizations and five deaths, state officials say. They urge unvaccinated residents to get protected. Governor’s Race: Josh Shapiro and Stacy Garrity faced off in their only scheduled debate, clashing over affordability, data centers and skill games as Election Day nears. Parks and Trails: The state announced $81 million for 306 recreation and conservation projects, including trail, park and creek restoration work.

Measles Outbreak: Pennsylvania reports 1,078 cases across 41 counties, 207 hospitalizations and five deaths. Health officials say 74 cases were added in the latest update, including some reported late. Skill Games: Lawmakers left Harrisburg without a deal, as the Oct. 13 deadline for enforcement against machines outside licensed venues approaches. Governor’s Race: Josh Shapiro and Stacy Garrity are set to debate in Harrisburg tonight; eligible residents have until Oct. 19 to register to vote. PFAS Restrictions: The Senate passed a bill 48-1 to ban most firefighting foam containing PFAS, with limited exceptions. It now goes to the House. Road Safety: One person died in a four-vehicle crash on Route 322 in Clarion County after drivers encountered backed-up traffic near a construction zone.

Measles Surge in Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania has now topped 1,000 measles cases (1,004 as of Monday), with an unusually high share among adults, about 20% hospitalized, and five measles-associated deaths—prompting renewed warnings as the outbreak spreads. State Politics & Elections: Democrats are doubling down on election protection in Pennsylvania amid threats from the Trump administration, while voters are being urged to use drop boxes instead of mailboxes. Gaming Law in Harrisburg: The Pa. Senate approved bills to raise profit limits for small games of chance, setting up the next phase of the state’s skill-games fight. Local Government & Schools: Mars Area completed financing for elementary school renovations after approving a new round of bond funding. Energy & Data Centers: Google and Constellation announced a major nuclear-backed power deal aimed at supplying electricity for data centers on the PJM grid, including upgrades tied to Pennsylvania. Public Health Beyond Measles: New York declared a disaster emergency over measles as cases rise, underscoring the regional spillover risk.

Measles Surge: Pennsylvania’s outbreak keeps climbing, topping 1,000 cases and drawing national alarm as New York declares a disaster emergency and doctors warn the worst may be ahead. Capitol & Data Centers: Protesters packed the state Capitol urging a moratorium and “guardrails” on data centers, arguing they’ll drive up costs and strain local control. PFAS Firefighting Foam: The Pennsylvania Senate advanced a bill to phase out PFAS-containing firefighting foam, with restrictions starting to roll in during 2027. Skill Games Deadline: With the Oct. 13 enforcement deadline looming, supporters rallied at the Capitol to push lawmakers to regulate skill games instead of shutting them down. Workforce & Local Growth: Reading leaders highlighted crime and investment gains at Harrisburg, while a new Pennsylvania CareerLink–West Philadelphia Center opened to bring job services closer to residents. Public Health & Safety: Students in Hollidaysburg helped stop a drifting school bus after the driver suffered a medical emergency.

Measles Surge: Pennsylvania has now topped 1,000 measles cases this year, with health officials reporting five measles-associated deaths and hundreds of hospitalizations, as the outbreak spreads beyond earlier hotspots and keeps pressure on local clinics and vaccination drives. Neighboring Response: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a statewide disaster emergency over measles, expanding who can give MMR shots and who can order testing as cases rise in rural counties. Election Tech & Misinformation: With Election Day less than a month away, voters are increasingly using AI chatbots like ChatGPT to research down-ballot candidates and issues—raising new questions about how people verify what they’re being told. Energy & Power Deals: Google is nearing a major long-term power agreement with Constellation Energy, tapping nuclear supply to feed data-center demand across the PJM region. Food Safety: PepsiCo is recalling more than 122,000 cases of Gatorade in 37 states, including Pennsylvania, after undeclared artificial yellow dyes were found on labels. Local Voting Access: Northampton County says ballot-on-demand is available in most of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, letting voters apply, fill out, and return ballots in one visit.

Measles Surge: Pennsylvania topped 1,000 confirmed measles cases, with 198 hospitalizations and five measles-associated deaths, as health officials push MMR shots and expand vaccine access while neighboring New York declares a disaster emergency. Medicaid Access: Philadelphia warned that Medicaid coverage changes can trip people up through missed mail, outdated addresses, or paperwork delays, and launched “One Philly Medicaid Access” to help residents respond and stay covered. Energy & Grid Policy: The Pennsylvania House advanced a bill requiring electric utilities to add large-scale battery storage for peak-demand reliability, while a separate Senate measure would ban PFAS firefighting foam with limited exceptions. Hemp Regulation: A new GOP senator is stepping in with comprehensive hemp legislation aimed at restricting sales to minors and tightening safety testing. Kratom Crackdown: The House unanimously passed a bill to regulate kratom products, targeting the most dangerous forms and limiting child access. Local Business & Health: Penn State broke ground on a $65M animal diagnostic lab expansion, and Pennsylvania lawmakers also heard updates on nursing home sale questions. Public Safety: Police seized 70+ illegal slot machines in a New Jersey gambling bust tied to dozens of businesses, and Pennsylvania State Police continued enforcement as skill-game deadlines near.

Measles Surge: Pennsylvania has hospitalized 195 measles patients—about 1 in 5 cases—as the outbreak nears 1,000 infections, with adults driving much of the hospitalization burden and Chester County emerging as a major hotspot. Medicaid Access: Philadelphia launched a “One Philly Medicaid Access” push to keep tens of thousands from losing coverage as new Medicaid eligibility rules take effect, with city officials warning people could “fall through the cracks.” Data Center Fight: A Pocono-area developer is offering Hazle Township households $10,000 each if an AI data center campus moves forward, but residents say the money doesn’t offset concerns over noise, light, property values, and heavy energy and water demands. Local Politics & Voting by Mail: Allegheny County has started mailing ballots for the Nov. 3 election, and Pennsylvania voters are getting reminders on how to request, fill out, and return mail ballots. Public Health & Recalls: PepsiCo recalled about 122,000 cases of 28-ounce Gatorade in multiple states because labels didn’t list certain yellow food dyes. Sports & Community: Butler football’s move away from WPIAL play is paying off, and a new “Muni Run Club” is turning public transit routes into a local running phenomenon.

Police & Courts: A Reading-area chase involving a stolen car ended with suspects missing after the vehicle crashed into woods; authorities say the occupants may be armed, and the investigation is ongoing. Justice System: Jury selection is complete for the Monday trial of Pennsylvania parole agent Kevin Seelinger, charged in the 2025 shooting death of Marchello Woodard; prosecutors seek first-degree murder. Broadband: Gov. Josh Shapiro announced $448M in BEAD grants to expand high-speed internet across 50 Pennsylvania counties, building on a reported drop in unserved households. Public Health: Pennsylvania health officials reported a fifth measles-associated death as cases near 1,000, with warnings to get vaccinated. Health Care Costs: Independence Blue Cross agreed to pay $22.5M over alleged Medicare Advantage overpayments tied to unsupported diagnosis codes. Elections & Policy: A legislative roundup highlighted major state action on affordable high-speed internet access ahead of the 2026 midterms. Community & Safety: Erie County Community College’s welding program is highlighted as local employers face a looming shortage of skilled welders.

Measles Watch: Pennsylvania health officials say the outbreak is poised to spread beyond its current epicenter, with the state reporting a fifth measles-associated death as cases near 1,000 and Lancaster County leading the tally. Election Law Fight: Courts are becoming a major front in the 2026 midterm battle, as parties and voting-rights groups litigate disputes over voter rolls, mail ballots, citizenship checks, and election administration ahead of Nov. 3. SNAP Pressure: New federal rules shift more SNAP administration costs onto states starting Oct. 1, raising concerns that paperwork burdens will keep cutting people off in Pennsylvania. Data Center Backlash: In Hazle Township, residents are pushing back against a proposed $165 million data center plan tied to $10,000 incentives, with questions swirling about who the project is really for. Consumer Safety: Consumer Reports dropped e-scooter recommendations over safety concerns, and frozen berries sold in Pennsylvania are under FDA recall for possible E. coli contamination. Local Transit: Amtrak says ticket sales are coming for a second daily Pittsburgh-to-New York trip on the Pennsylvanian route, starting mid-November.

Midterm Politics in Bucks County: Gov. Josh Shapiro rallied Democrats in Bucks, calling the county “power” in races that could shape control in Harrisburg and Washington, including the competitive 1st Congressional District contest. School Safety & Mental Health: New statewide survey data says youth mental health is improving and students report feeling safer in Pennsylvania schools, tied to state investments in mental health and security. Election Deadlines: Pennsylvania voters face key October cutoffs for registration and mail ballots, with the state deadline listed as Oct. 19. Public Safety: Abington police are investigating offensive anti-Black and antisemitic graffiti found at a playground in Glenside. Health Policy Fight: A federal judge temporarily blocked the Education Department from publishing identifying foreign donor and contract names tied to major universities, setting up a legal showdown. Community & Aging: A report highlights how disability and age affect transportation accessibility in parts of NEPA, underscoring built-environment gaps. Measles Update: Pennsylvania continues reporting measles cases near the 1,000 mark and a fifth measles-associated death.

State Politics & Elections: With a month to go before Pennsylvania’s Nov. 3 midterms, House Republicans are privately worrying they can’t hold their majority, while Democrats look for a wave that could reshape the last two years of President Trump’s term. Voting Reform: A bill to end Pennsylvania’s closed primary system passed the state House, moving toward a Senate vote and giving unaffiliated voters a path to participate. Public Health: Pennsylvania reported a fifth measles-associated death as cases near 1,000, with officials urging vaccinations amid a widening outbreak. Food Safety: USDA recalled more than 4,500 pounds of imported ready-to-eat chicken stew shipped to Pennsylvania after a missed reinspection. Local Government & Community: Elk County’s Hometown Heroes initiative is expanding to honor veterans and first responders, and Pennsylvania’s archery deer season opens statewide today with new Sunday-hunting rules. Workforce Development: Shapiro announced $500,000 for Philadelphia Youth Basketball’s $50 million “The Generator” workforce facility.