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????️ Headlines. Fetterman Says Democrats Lack Leader. AI Political Ads Are Here. AI Boom Has Plunged A Small Pennsylvania Town Into Chaos. Scranton Women Look To End NYU’s 91-Game Win Streak.

???? Your Morning Pick Me Up. CBS Basketball Theme. Barry Morganstein

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????️  Ligonier | Mostly Cloudy, 52
☀️  Three Springs | Cloudy, 52
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PA Sports 
????  Sixers (37-32) | Thu at Sacramento
????  Flyers (32-23-12) | Anaheim 3-2 (OT) | Thu at Los Angeles
????  Penguins (34-18-16) | Carolina 5-6 (OT) | Sat vs. Winnipeg
⚽  Union (0-0-4) | Club América 1-1 | Sat at Chicago
????  U. of Scranton (31-0) | Thu vs. NYU (NCAA DIII Women’s Semifinal)

???? What We’re Hearing. The Working Families Party and a coalition of allied political groups will announce Thursday that they are endorsing Philadelphia State Rep. Chris Rabb for PA-03.

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Top Story

1.   Fetterman Says Democrats Lack Leader, Claims Party Driven By Trump Derangement Syndrome

“Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania said during an appearance on the “All-In Podcast” that the Democratic Party does not have a leader, but then opined that “TDS” controls the party.

The senator suggested that Trump “could come out for ice cream and lazy Sundays and now, suddenly, Democrats would hate it. We would wanna vote it down.”” | Fox News

Elsewhere

Fetterman’s Support For Trump’s War On Iran Has Fired Up Critics Like Never Before. “Sen. John Fetterman has frustrated fellow Democrats for a while, but his support for President Donald Trump’s war with Iran has spurred his detractors like never before.” | PennLive

Following Trump, Republicans in Congress Propose to Ban Most Voting by Mail. “Conservatives are pressing to end the practice outright, taking aim at an option that is widely used by voters.” | New York Times

Court to Hear Argument In Case That Could Have Significant Impact on 2026 Elections. “The Supreme Court will kick off its March argument session by hearing a case that could have major implications for the 2026 elections and beyond. In Watson v. Republican National Committee, the justices will decide whether federal law requires not only that voters cast their ballots by Election Day, but also that election officials receive the ballots by then.” | SCOTUSBlog

State

2.   AI Political Ads Are Here, and a Pennsylvania Lawmaker Wants to Make Sure Voters Know

“Campaigns frequently exaggerate political ads, but as Pennsylvania heads into election season, voters might not even know if what they’re watching even happened at all.

In artificial intelligence’s quest to touch all aspects of society, it hasn’t left politics alone. In fact, a recent survey from the American Association of Political Consultants found that more than 80% of its members who responded said they’ve used AI in their work. One third said they use it daily.” | abc27

Elsewhere

PA-03: Oxman Suspends Campaign; Endorses Stanford For Nomination. “Dr. Dave Oxman announced Wednesday that he is suspending his campaign for the Democratic nomination in the 3rd Congressional District and throwing his support behind fellow physician Ala Stanford.” | PoliticsPA

Lanco Commissioner Josh Parsons Named Most Dangerous Election Denier in Pennsylvania. “Ahead of the midterm elections, All Voting is Local released “America’s Top 10 Most Dangerous Election Deniers,” including Lancaster County Commissioner Josh Parsons who was called “the most dangerous election denier in Pennsylvania.”” | PoliticsPA

PUC Seeks $2.57M From Utility Following Deadly 2023 Chocolate Factory Explosion In Berks County. “The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission filed a formal complaint alleging UGI violated multiple state and federal regulations related to pipeline safety and is seeking $2.57 million in civil penalties — the maximum allowed by federal law — for the deadly accident at the R.M. Palmer Company factory in West Reading.” | Penn Capital-Star

Around The Commonwealth

3.   The AI Boom Has Plunged A Small Pennsylvania Town Into Chaos

“Data centers will swallow 14 percent of Archbald, evict a trailer park, and border many residential properties. Who’s to blame is a matter of fierce debate.

Pennsylvania has become an epicenter of the data center boom in the United States, with over 50 campuses in development. Eleven of them are slated for Lackawanna County alone. Archbald, with six campuses composed of 51 massive buildings, has the most of any municipality in Pennsylvania.” | Grist

Elsewhere

Voters In A Key Pennsylvania Swing District Weigh In On Trump, Gas Prices and Iran War. “NBC News spoke to voters at a gas station in the 10th District, the type of area that will be key for Republicans to win in the midterms if they hope to retain control of the House majority.” | NBC News

Habeas Filings Soar In Western PA Amid Immigration Detention Surge. “Wrongful arrest claims by immigrants mark 2,200% increase since January 2025.” | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Gettysburg Ex-Mayor’s Arrest In Child Sex Case Hinders Organizations He Founded. “As a key leadership figure in Gettysburg faces charges of child sex crimes, organizations connected to him are left to manage the effects — and to rebuild trust with the community they serve. Chad-Alan Carr, 48, mayor of Gettysburg, announced his resignation on March 5, barely two months into the job.” | PennLive

Editorial

4.  What Do You Think?

• Sen. Fetterman’s Support Of Iran War Is A Betrayal Of Our Votes For Him | Mindy Isser and Robert Zayd KiaNouri-Zigmund
• The Surge of Anti-Muslim Hate Demands Repudiation | New York Times
• D.C.’s Decency Deficit Is Costing Americans More Than Money | John Baer 
• AI’s White-Collar Economic Pandemic | Kelly McKinney
• Maximizing Impact of Rural Healthcare Funding Opportunities — Pennsylvania Communities Deserve It | Terry Gililand
• Addressing Pennsylvania’s Housing Affordability Crisis | Emily Brey
• Shapiro’s DOA Tax & Spend Budget | Colin McNickle
• PA’s Pharmacy Deserts Are Growing. Harrisburg Must Act | Victoria Elliott

1 Thing

5.   Final Four Family: Close-Knit U. of Scranton Women’s Basketball Team Hopes For National Title This Weekend

“Beyond skill, tenacity and speed, members of the undefeated University of Scranton women’s basketball team say something sets them apart.

“We’re so close,” said Kaeli Romanowski, a senior guard from Wayne County. “It’s like you’re playing with your families, your sisters. So we’re just having fun doing it.”

On Thursday, that “family” plays two-time defending national champions New York University in the Division III Final Four in Salem, Virginia. The winner of the game will play for the national championship on Saturday.” | WVIA

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