AGP Executive Report

Measles Clash in Lancaster County: Pennsylvania’s reported measles-related deaths have turned into a political fight, with Gov. Josh Shapiro and U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. trading accusations as experts warn the focus is drifting from vaccination and public health. Rail Expansion: Amtrak will add a second daily Pittsburgh-to-New York train via Harrisburg and Philadelphia starting mid-November, with ticket sales expected in October. Data Centers vs. Privacy: A data privacy advocate warns that tighter U.S. limits on AI data centers could push companies to process sensitive information overseas. Local Budget Pressure: Allentown officials face uncertainty over a possible double-digit 2027 tax increase tied to capital projects and stormwater fees after a court ruling affecting nonprofit exemptions. Community & Culture: Chester’s mayor says he’ll push counties and the Chester Water Authority to settle their long-running dispute. Sports & Local Life: Italian Days returned to Butler, and DuBois will induct its 12th Sports Hall of Fame class Sept. 5.

Measles Fallout in PA: Gov. Josh Shapiro faced mounting backlash after Pennsylvania confirmed two “measles-associated” deaths in Lancaster County, with details sparking a fight over what was disclosed and whether measles was truly the cause—while Robert F. Kennedy Jr. amplified doubts online. Rural Health Watch: A new Center for Rural Pennsylvania report finds rural hospital mergers don’t reliably improve outcomes, urging communities to ask sharper questions and focus on local needs. Local Legal Battle: Bentleyville’s police chief and former treasurer filed a civil suit against the borough and six officials, alleging defamatory statements tied to alleged misuse of public funds. Cyber Safety: Pennsylvania’s AG warned of MyChart phishing scams offering fake rewards to steal patient info. Community & Economy: Pennsylvania American Water led tours of dam and stream restoration projects in Scranton/Dunmore, highlighting infrastructure work and local environmental fixes. Sports & Culture: Shady Maple Smorgasbord was named the state’s most “iconic” breakfast spot, and the Little League World Series is projected to pump about $40M into Williamsport’s economy.

Pennsylvania Politics & Courts: A federal judge temporarily blocked parts of Trump’s mail-in voting changes, setting up another legal fight as states brace for new federal rules ahead of November. Public Health: The measles debate is boiling over in Pennsylvania after two unvaccinated Lancaster County residents died; Health Secretary RFK Jr. and Gov. Josh Shapiro traded accusations of fearmongering and political theater. Elections & Governance: Pennsylvania’s voter registration data is getting more accessible through a new state dashboard, even as mail-ballot rules face fresh challenges. Economy & Cost of Living: Central Pennsylvania food banks report demand surging as SNAP eligibility rules tighten, with SNAP enrollment down 11% over the past year. Energy & Industry: Data centers remain a flashpoint, with local officials in Delaware County moving to tighten zoning as residents worry about power, water, and costs. Business & Community: ATAS International, a Lehigh Valley metal products maker, mourns the death of co-founder Nel Bus, 95.

Measles Fight: Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak hit a political breaking point after Gov. Josh Shapiro announced two “measles-associated” deaths in Lancaster County, then officials and critics traded accusations over whether the deaths were truly caused by measles—fueling misinformation and a public health credibility clash. Reproductive Health Lawsuit: Shapiro joined a multistate challenge to new federal Title X family-planning grant conditions, arguing they make “lifesaving reproductive care” harder to access. Data Centers Backlash: A new wave of scrutiny around data centers is showing up in elections and local politics, as communities weigh jobs and growth against power costs and strain on local services. Meta Settlement Impact: Pennsylvania is set to receive up to about $516 million from Meta’s youth-safety settlement, aimed at child mental health and digital literacy programs. Local Business & Growth: Cambria County Farm Bureau leaders pushed lawmakers to back agriculture during a legislative tour, while new investments and openings—from a cruise terminal milestone to regional business expansions—keep showing up across the state.

AI Infrastructure & Local Impact: TECfusions says its New Kensington, Pa. data center is now live, pitching GPU capacity and a “responsible” power plan tied to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s GRID requirements. Public Opinion on Tech: A Franklin & Marshall poll finds 79% of Pennsylvania voters oppose new data centers in their community, and most want tighter federal AI regulation. Measles & Politics: HHS Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. questioned a report of two measles-related deaths in Pennsylvania as Shapiro and RFK Jr. trade barbs over vaccine trust. Elections & Mail Voting: Jefferson County commissioners say mail-in voting will continue for November despite concerns about postal delivery, citing ongoing litigation. Local Government & Courts: Clarion County finalized a bond for its courthouse project and plans a re-dedication ceremony. Business & Energy: Shell’s chemical assets in Pennsylvania and elsewhere are drawing early suitors, while Enviri will join investor conferences and Cyclic Materials secured $75M to scale rare-earth recycling. Community & Health: Pennsylvania’s opioid settlement money drew grieving mothers to a listening session, and York County women describe struggles getting proper mental health diagnoses.

Social Media & Youth Safety: Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday says Meta’s $17.1 billion settlement will bring “a complete transformation” for teens on Facebook and Instagram, including a two-hour daily limit, school/night restrictions, age verification, and limits on likes/reactions and certain filters. Elections & Voting Rights: Gov. Josh Shapiro joined a multi-state push to block a Trump-backed USPS mail-voting rule, arguing states—not the federal government—should run election rules; the fight is tied to a recent Supreme Court procedural ruling. Public Health: Pennsylvania reported two measles-related deaths, including an infant, as Gov. Shapiro and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. trade accusations over vaccine messaging and state cooperation. Local Government Transparency: Erie County Council voted to allow residents to record public council meetings with phones under the Sunshine Act, ending a courthouse-wide lockbox ban for council sessions. Energy & Industry: Federal action is stepping in to support Lake Erie Concord grape growers after a major processor exit, while Pennsylvania researchers say fracking-linked salt can raise radium mobility—though samples stayed within federal drinking-water limits.

Measles Crisis in Pennsylvania: State health officials confirmed the first measles deaths in Pennsylvania in 35 years—two unvaccinated Lancaster County residents—pushing the outbreak to 393 cases across 28 counties and raising pressure on families to check immunization status before school. Data Center Backlash: A new poll finds 6 in 10 Pennsylvania voters oppose data center development, a major issue in the gubernatorial race; meanwhile the EPA is moving to reduce public input on air-permit reviews for data centers. State vs. Dam Safety: Pennsylvania’s DEP sued a Center Township residents association over the unsafe Hull Plan Lake Dam, alleging failures to inspect, repair, and file an emergency action plan. Education Funding Watch: Butler County districts are planning how to use this year’s adequacy and equity money after the July state budget, with adequacy funds intended to narrow long-running school funding disparities. Business & Energy: Shell is reportedly seeking buyers for its U.S. chemical assets, including the Monaca complex in Pennsylvania, with interest from ExxonMobil and LyondellBasell. Local Food Access: Central Susquehanna Opportunities is launching a mini mobile food pantry in Watsontown with a Sept. 14 event at Luzerne County Community College.

Cost of Living Crunch: SmartAsset says a single adult in Pennsylvania needs about $97,011 a year to live “comfortably,” while a family of four needs roughly $247,936—putting the state at 26th nationwide. Election-Year Flashpoint: Data centers are dominating Pennsylvania’s governor race, with both sides trading accusations of flip-flops as voters increasingly oppose new sites. Public Safety & Weather: The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado hit a Manor Township neighborhood, damaging homes and roofs. Child Safety in the Spotlight: Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday sued Snapchat, alleging addictive design and misleading age-related safeguards for teens. Health Alert: Pennsylvania confirmed two measles-related deaths in Lancaster County—both victims were unvaccinated—amid the nation’s biggest outbreak in decades. Community Support: Shapiro announced expansion of a free legal hotline for grandparents raising grandchildren. Local Infrastructure: Officials addressed delays on the Nanticoke bridge project after it was closed for deterioration. Fraud Watch: Police charged a Florida man in an EBT card-skimming scheme in Bristol, targeting vulnerable shoppers.

Pennsylvania Politics: New polling shows Gov. Josh Shapiro leading Stacy Garrity by 16 points in the governor’s race, while Trump remains underwater with likely voters—setting up a high-stakes midterm environment for Democrats and Republicans alike. Elections & Messaging: Another poll finds many Pa. Democrats are uneasy with Sen. John Fetterman’s frequent alignment with Trump, a warning sign if he weighs a future run. Transit & Growth: PennDOT and Shapiro announced a second daily Amtrak “Pennsylvanian” train between Pittsburgh and New York, starting in mid-November with state support. Energy & Development: Shapiro’s administration is pushing new standards for data center projects as public backlash grows over electricity and water impacts, while clean-energy business programming heads to Northumberland and Union counties. Local Economy: Philadelphia’s bagel boom continues, with new openings and expansions raising the question of how much demand the region can sustain. Health & Community: A new Penn State Extension online forest course targets private woodland owners, aiming to close the knowledge gap in managing Pennsylvania forests. Courts & Accountability: Philadelphia’s sheriff Rochelle Bilal faces a judge over delays and deed processing after years of dysfunction in the office.

Data Centers Backlash: Voters’ anger at AI data centers is turning into an election-year fight, with new polling showing opposition to new sites and lawmakers echoing local concerns about power costs, water use, and environmental impacts. Pennsylvania Environment: A new report says E. coli levels are hitting potentially unsafe levels at many Pennsylvania river and stream sites, with the worst results flagged in parts of the Delaware River and other waterways. Election & Courts: Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson warned the Supreme Court’s move to revive parts of a Trump mail-ballot order could jeopardize a fair election cycle, as Pennsylvania is among states in the challenge. Public Safety & Law Enforcement Funding: Pennsylvania AG David Ford joined a multistate effort challenging illegal federal conditions tied to public safety grants. School Food & Health: USDA and HHS launched “Harvest to Hallways” to boost local food in schools and fund school kitchen upgrades. Road Safety: PennDOT and State Police kicked off a Labor Day impaired-driving crackdown. Sports: MLB labor talks continue, but commissioner Rob Manfred says owners and players are “planning on playing baseball next year.”

Data Center Backlash in Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is among leaders embracing new limits on data centers after a political backlash that’s now spreading beyond party lines, with critics warning the rush for AI power is colliding with local approval fights and election-year politics. Flock License-Plate Cameras: Franklin County law enforcement is defending Flock automated license plate readers as a public-safety tool, while residents push for privacy protections and lawmakers plan bipartisan legislation. Health Watch—Measles Returns to Pittsburgh: Allegheny County recorded its first measles case since 2019 after an unvaccinated patient was seen at UPMC Children’s emergency department twice, raising exposure concerns. Energy & Industry—Shell Chemicals Sale Talk: Shell’s U.S. chemicals business, including its Monaca, Pa. plant, is drawing interest and could fetch about $8 billion, with suitors reportedly including Exxon and LyondellBasell. Public Safety & Care: A new study finds many emergency patients accepted for inpatient beds still wait four hours or more before an inpatient team takes over.

Data Center Policy Clash: Pennsylvania is weighing new, stricter rules for data center projects after Gov. Josh Shapiro moved to slow the “fast lane,” citing impacts on communities, the environment, and utility bills. Agriculture Relief: USDA expanded disaster help for Pennsylvania fruit farms hit by the late-spring freeze, adding 58 counties so growers can access low-interest recovery loans and faster claims. Child Safety Oversight: A state report says Pennsylvania lacks consistent standards for detecting and investigating child abuse, with some counties using medical expertise while others don’t. Invasive Species Watch: Spotted lanternflies were confirmed in Swampscott, Massachusetts, widening the threat to trees, shrubs, and vineyards. Weather Update: The National Weather Service confirmed a 6th tornado from Thursday’s storms, including an EF-0 in the Hazlettville area. Elections & Claims: A new U.S. Census Bureau analysis promoted by Trump claims 24,000 noncitizens voted in 2020, but experts question its methods and note it wouldn’t change the result. Penn State Case: New details map out alleged roles in a fraternity-linked cocaine operation at Penn State, with 14 suspects described in court filings.

Data Centers & Power: Equinor agreed to buy an 87.71% stake in Pennsylvania’s Lackawanna Energy Centre, a 1,483 MW gas plant, for $940 million—an expansion tied to growing PJM demand from electrification and data centers. AI Backlash in PA Politics: John Fetterman pushed back on “AI doomsdaying,” arguing China benefits when the U.S. overreacts, as Pennsylvania’s data-center debate keeps heating up ahead of elections. Local Tech-Policy Fight: Pennsylvania’s automated license plate reader rules are shifting, with Flock Safety saying default location-record retention would drop from 30 days to seven unless police choose otherwise, while lawmakers weigh tighter oversight. Skill Games Deadline: After the state Supreme Court’s June ruling, Pennsylvania’s 70,000 skill games face a looming Oct. 13 regulation deadline, with supporters pressing for a $500-per-machine fee plan. Road & Weather Watch: PennDOT warned of I-80 east/west 15-minute stoppages next week for blasting, and tornado shelter equity remains a concern for mobile-home residents.

Data Centers in the Spotlight: Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration is rolling out a new state website for Pennsylvanians to submit feedback on data center proposals, tied to an executive order setting tougher standards for energy affordability, community engagement, workforce and environmental protection. Campaign Trail: Shapiro hit Berks County to rally volunteers and Democrats ahead of the November midterms, arguing Trump-era “chaos, cruelty and corruption” is driving up costs and cutting coverage and food help—while his opponent, Treasurer Stacey Garrity, fired back with accusations of government opacity. Weather Watch: The National Weather Service confirmed five tornadoes across Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey after Thursday storms, with additional tornadoes confirmed near Marydel and in Estell Manor. Online Safety for Kids: A Pennsylvania Senate resolution marks Social Media Safety and Parental Awareness Week, warning families about grooming, sextortion, cyberbullying and AI-generated child sexual abuse material. Local Economy: Pennsylvania unemployment fell to 3.9% as the labor force hit a record high. Sports & Culture: Philadelphia’s independent bookstores hosted the fourth annual Bookstore Crawl, while severe storms and weekend events kept communities on alert.

Data Center Crackdown: Gov. Josh Shapiro signed new rules restricting Pennsylvania data center development, requiring local approval and removing projects from fast-track permitting, while also pushing developers to meet power, transparency, and water-conservation commitments. Local Watchdog on ICE: A Lancaster Watchdog report says Susquehanna Regional Police won’t share ICE records, as another investigation finds ICE has been steering local agencies on how to handle public records requests. Water Costs: Pennsylvania American Water’s new water and wastewater rates take effect this week, with the company citing major system upgrades, including lead line removal and PFAS work. Health Watch: Researchers report microplastics in insects from the Schuylkill River watershed, adding to growing concerns about contamination in Pennsylvania waterways. Politics & Campaigns: House GOP leaders Mike Johnson and Steve Scalise are barnstorming states, arguing Republicans can hold majorities despite midterm fears. Education: Alvernia University in Reading welcomed its largest first-year class in school history.

Data Centers in the Election Spotlight: Gov. Josh Shapiro launched a website for Pennsylvanians to flag concerns about AI data center projects, as his administration rolls out “nation’s strictest guardrails” and faces backlash from communities and political rivals. Campaign Finance Fight: Republican challenger Stacy Garrity renewed calls for Shapiro to return $5.7 million in data-center-linked donations, arguing the governor’s stance changed with polling and donor pressure. Local Impact, Real-Time: In North Pocono, Project Gold’s developer scaled back plans after community pushback, including cutting water use and reducing the number of data centers. Public Safety & Health: Sen. Lisa Baker urged tougher school-bus stop laws after thousands of school-zone violations; meanwhile, measles coverage remains a worry as some Northeast schools fall below the 95% MMR threshold. Justice & Courts: A King of Prussia-area home care owner was sentenced to prison in a $1.7 million Medicaid fraud case.