News & Brews March 17, 2026
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Special elections happening today
Voters in two state House districts will head to the polls today for special elections. In the 79th House District in Blair County, Democrat Caleb McCoy faces Republican Andrea Verobish to fill the seat vacated by former Republican state Rep. Lou Schmitt, who now serves as a judge on the county court of common pleas. And in the 193rd House District in Cumberland and Adams counties, Democrat Todd Crawley faces Republican Catherine Wallen, who formerly served as district director to former Republican state Rep. (and current Adams County Judge) Torren Ecker, whose seat the two are vying to fill.
A plan for higher ed in Pa.?
WESA reports that for “the first time in decades the state has created a guiding document for post-secondary education.” The plan, released by the state board of higher education, “aims to get colleges and universities working in harmony to boost the state’s economic development goals.” And it includes six goals of its own: “increase postsecondary credential attainment, ensure affordable pathways to postsecondary credentials, support the economic development needs of the Commonwealth, support the workforce development needs of the Commonwealth, ensure accountability and efficient use of state funds, and strengthen the fiscal health and stability of the higher education sector.”
GOP candidate faces legal challenge to run
WESA reports that Ehab Akkary, a Republican challenging Democrat state Rep. Arvind Venkat in Pittsburgh, is facing a lawsuit claiming he “cannot run for the seat because he has not been a resident of Pennsylvania for the four years required under state law.” The suit was filed by a Republican, but only “because only a registered Republican can challenge the eligibility of a candidate in the Republican primary.” It’s actually backed by Venkat and handled by longtime Democrat lawyer Adam Bonin.
Stop reading News & Brews
Ok, not really. But if you’re like me and are prone to over-consuming news, then you may also appreciate this new piece by Arthur Brooks, which encourages all of us to take a step back from our frenzied political consumption. “If politics is for you a hobby, and less an active and local duty,” he writes, “you are probably trapped in an abusive parasocial relationship with politicians and political media. You are being psychologically manipulated with emotional ups and downs in a way that makes you easier to control, for partisan or economic reasons. And this is probably also harming your mental health.” His recommendation? “Voluntarily withdraw.” Not completely (so you can still read News & Brews) but intentionally.
Hearing today on strengthening industrial competitiveness
This morning at 10:00 a.m., the state House Republican Policy Committee will hold a public hearing in Shady Grove (Franklin County) on strengthening industrial competitiveness in the commonwealth. Among those scheduled to testify are Mike Reed, vice president and general manager – North America operations for Manitowoc Cranes – Shady Grove; Gustavo Casagrandi, general manager for Volvo Construction Equipment, and Mike Ross, president of the Franklin County Area Development Corporation. The hearing will be live streamed here.