News & Brews April 9, 2026
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Shapiro, Pa. senators ask DHS to upgrade NFL draft security
The Center Square reports that Gov. Josh Shapiro along with U.S. Sens. John Fetterman and Dave McCormick are asking the Department of Homeland Security to upgrade the security rating for the upcoming 2026 NFL draft in Pittsburgh “from a Level 3 Special Event Assessment Rating, or SEAR, to Level 2. It’s a designation that fewer than two dozen events scheduled for 2026 have received, aside from the pre-adjudicated FIFA World Cup matches.” The trio “believes the draft exceeds that [Level 3] threshold.”
Does a ‘conversation’ = running for president?
Everyone knows Gov. Josh Shapiro wants to run for president. Yet, the media considers it news if he ‘hints’ at the obvious. The Hill reports that while speaking at the National Action Network’s annual convention yesterday in New York City, Shapiro “hinted” at a 2028 presidential run. saying of the Democrat Party’s future, “We have an opportunity to have a real debate within our party about what we stand for, about what our affirmative vision is…. And what I can tell you for sure is that I want to be a part of that debate …. I’ll be a part of that conversation.” I mean, sure, if traveling the country, seeking the national media spotlight, fundraising across the country, and hiring a massive PR team weren’t already hints enough of Shapiro’s presidential aspirations, then I guess this one could be news.
Pa. Supreme Court: Penn State must hand over documents
Spotlight PA reports that the state Supreme Court “has denied Penn State’s request to overturn a ruling that will give Spotlight PA and the public access to long-sought trustee documents.” In October, the Commonwealth Court sided with the media outlet “and ordered the university to turn over documents related to a private trustees retreat and a nonpublic board committee meeting, which both happened in 2022.” The Supreme Court’s ruling upholds the Commonwealth Court’s order.
Gubernatorial race profiles: Shapiro & Garrity
Spotlight PA has profiles of both Gov. Josh Shapiro and Republican challenger Stacy Garrity, looking at their records as well as their positions on education, energy, taxes, economic development, justice, and more. See the profile on Shapiro here and on Garrity here.
Pa. special election set for August 18
An August 18 special election has been scheduled to fill the Pa. House seat left vacant by the resignation of GOP state Rep. Stephenie Scialabba (Butler County). WESA reports that this date, “would leave the district, which has long been represented by a Republican, without an additional vote in the state Capitol until at least late September — well after the July 1 deadline by which the House and Senate are supposed to have a budget in place.” And not everyone is happy. “Butler County commissioner Leslie Osche … said she’s upset that the district’s constituents …. will be without representation in Harrisburg for the next several months. And she’s not happy about the resources required to fill a seat for just two months before the legislature adjourns in December.”