????  I Don’t Know About You. But I’ve got Friday on my mind.

????️  In Today’s Playbook. Penn Rejects Trump’s Offer of Preferential Funding. Shapiro Is Still Unusually Popular in PA. Shutdown Fight Fuels Anger and Uncertainty Far From D.C. Fight Over Uncrustables.

????  Your Morning Pick-Me-Up. Friday On My Mind. The Easybeats

PA Weather
☀️  Slippery Rock | Mostly Sunny, 64
☀️  Selinsgrove | Sunny, 62
☀️  Swarthmore | Sunny, 63

PA Sports
????  Steelers (4-2) | Cincinnati 31-33 | Oct. 26 vs. Green Bay
????  Eagles (4-2) | Sun at Minnesota
????  Flyers (1-2-1) | Winnipeg 2-5 | Sat vs. Minnesota
????  Penguins (3-2) | Los Angeles 4-2 | Sat vs. San Jose
????  Penn State (3-3) | Sat at Iowa
????  Pitt (4-2) | Sat at Syracuse
????  Temple (3-3) | Sat at Charlotte
⚽  Union (20-6-7) | Sat vs. Charlotte

????  What We’re Hearing. “For the many eligible Pennsylvanians who have yet to register to vote, it’s not too late to do so,” Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt said. “I encourage any eligible Pennsylvanian who is not registered to visit vote.pa.gov, register, and avoid missing out on the opportunity to have their voices heard in this important election.”

????  What We’re Watching. PoliticsPA’s Steve Ulrich appeared on PCN’s Journalists Roundtable on Thursday. 

????  The PoliticsPA Playbook is compiled by Steve Ulrich. To read in your browser, click here. Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe for free.

Top Story

1.   Penn Rejects Trump’s Offer of Preferential Funding

“The University of Pennsylvania rejected President Donald Trump’s offer of preferential funding on Thursday. Penn President Larry Jameson wrote “Earlier today, I informed the U.S. Department of Education that Penn respectfully declines to sign the proposed Compact.

The Trump administration had asked nine universities, including Penn, to sign on to a proposed compact, mandating certain changes in exchange for preferential treatment on federal funding.” (PoliticsPA)

Elsewhere

Q3 Fundraising Numbers For PA Elected Officials. “The Q3 fundraising numbers are in.” (PoliticsPA)

What the FEC Filings Tell Us About the Battle For the House. “Endangered incumbents in both parties posted strong third quarter fundraising as they gear up for the 2026 midterms. But Democrats have so far landed more well-funded challengers.” (Punchbowl News)

Street Has Early Fundraising Lead in Philly Congressional Race, But His Competitors Are Close Behind. “State Sen. Sharif Street has an early fundraising lead over his competitors in next year’s Democratic primary for a storied Philadelphia congressional seat, according to new campaign finance reports. But the race is in its early stages, and candidates who entered the race after Street still have plenty of time to catch up before the May 2026 primary.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

It’s ‘Too Late’ to Extend ACA Subsidies Without Major Disruptions, Some States and Lawmakers Say. ““Every single day that passes, the risk is higher [that] we will not be able to update the information in time,” said Devon Trolley, executive director of Pennsylvania’s insurance exchange. “Typically, we try to have the rates locked in [by] September.”” (POLITICO)

In Small Towns and Rural Communities, Young Voters Say They Feel Unseen By Leaders. “Julie Hill, 22, lives in rural northwest Pennsylvania. She says politicians often overlook communities like hers. “It can be hard to kind of feel like we’re being seen,” said Hill, who identifies as an independent but voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris last year. “It seems like rural areas get left behind sometimes.”” (WQLN)

State

2.  Shapiro Is Still Unusually Popular in Pennsylvania Heading Into His 2026 Reelection Campaign

“Gov. Josh Shapiro remains popular among a majority of Pennsylvanians as he gears up for his 2026 reelection campaign next year in the critical battleground state that swung for President Donald Trump just last year.

Shapiro’s popularity is unprecedented among recent Pennsylvania governors, said Berwood Yost, the executive director of the Franklin & Marshall College Poll.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Elsewhere

EPA Faces Multi-State Lawsuit Over Canceled Grants For Solar Power. “The Trump administration was sued by some two dozen states that are seeking to block the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from cancelling a $7 billion solar energy program.” (Axios)

PA State Schools Request 2026 Funding Bump. “Pennsylvania’s 10 state-owned universities have requested a 5% increase in their 2026 state appropriation as they still wait on lawmakers to approve their 2025 funds.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Meuser’s Williamsport Office Sits Empty As Constituents Rally Outside. “Protesters say they found the doors locked at Congressman Dan Meuser’s Williamsport satellite office during their weekly “Fight Back Friday” gathering. Action Together NEPA members have voiced concerns about what they call a lack of transparency and accessibility from Meuser and his staff.” (NorthCentralPA)

County Circumvents State Budget Impasse, But Not For Long. “The Pennsylvania state budget impasse has stretched over 100 days. It’s led to financial pain, but Mercer County has found a way to handle it.” (WKBN)

Around The Commonwealth

3.  Shutdown Fight Fuels Anger and Uncertainty Far From Washington, D.C.

““What folks in D.C. don’t understand is what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck,” said Paige Cognetti, the mayor of Scranton. “There are so many families here in Scranton that if their paycheck is in any way impacted by this federal shutdown, they are going to have to choose between rent and child care, child care and food.”” (NBC News)

Elsewhere

In Siegel-MacLean Debate to Lead Lehigh County, ‘Vision’ vs. A ‘Steady Hand’. “Over the course of the one-hour debate, Roger MacLean laid out a vision emphasizing stability light on specific policy proposals, while Josh Siegel proposed ambitious plans for county government.” (LehighValleyNews)

Scranton Mayoral Candidates Face Off on Crime, City Streets and Stormwater During Debate. “Republican nominee Trish Beynon and Independent candidate Gene Barrett said crime is the city’s biggest issue and depicted a community with rising crime and crumbling streets. Mayor Paige Cognetti, a Democrat, replied by pointing to the “millions” of dollars her administration has spent improving those and other areas, describing Scranton as a place where people want to invest.” (WVIA)

Allentown Mayor Proposes Nearly 4% Tax Increase, Would Be City’s First in 7 Years. “The $246 million budget adds no new positions or major expenditures next year, but will continue to fund existing jobs and projects.” (Allentown Morning Call)

Mail-in Voters in Central PA Find Out Heavier Ballot Means More Postage. “Local Democratic officials Thursday said their phones were lighting up from voters reporting that clerks at several Lancaster County post offices were saying their mail-in ballots needed additional postage because they were too heavy for basic first-class letter postage.” (WITF)

Editorial

4.  What Do You Think?

• Late PA Judge a Great Example of Political Courage | Will Wood 
• Is This the End of PA’s Nonpartisan Supreme Court? | Courtney Duchene
• Pennsylvania GOP All In on No | Salena Zito
• Donald Trump’s Remarkable Achievement | Dennis Jett
• Mission Possible? Depasquale Has a Plan to Revive PA Democrats | PennLive
• Survivors of Sexual Violence Can’t Wait Any Longer. Pass the State Budget | Maria Gardner
• Why Vote in the Upcoming Pennsylvania Election? | Eric Orts and Kate Shaw

1 Thing

5.  Smucker Sues Trader Joe’s, Saying Its New PB&J Sandwiches Are Too Similar to Uncrustables

“The J.M. Smucker Co. is suing Trader Joe’s, alleging the grocery chain’s new frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are too similar to Smucker’s Uncrustables in their design and packaging.

In the lawsuit, which was filed Monday in federal court in Ohio, Smucker said the round, crustless sandwiches Trader Joe’s sells have the same pie-like crimp markings on their edges that Uncrustables do. Smucker said the design violates its trademarks.

Smucker also asserted that the boxes Trader Joe’s PB&J sandwiches come in violate the Orrville, Ohio-based company’s trademarks because they are the same blue color it uses for the lettering on “Uncrustables” packages.” (AP)

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