Good Monday Morning. What a weekend.

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Your Morning Pick-Me-Up. Shake, Rattle and Roll. Big Joe Turner. An oldie, but a goodie to start your week.

PA Weather
Brookville | Mostly Cloudy, 66
Wertzville | Mostly Cloudy, 63
Plumsteadville | Partly Sunny, 63

PA Sports
Phillies (9-5) | St. Louis 0-7 | Mon-Thu vs. San Francisco
Pirates (5-11) | Cincinnati 0-4 | Mon-Thu vs. Washington
Flyers (33-37-10) | NY Islanders 4-3 (SO) | Ottawa 3-4 (OT) | Tue vs. Columbus
Penguins (33-36-12) | New Jersey 4-2 | Boston 1-4 | Thu vs. Washington
Sixers (24-58) | Atlanta 110-124 | Chicago 102-122 | season (mercifully) over
Union (4-1-3) | NY City 0-1 | Sat vs. Atlanta United

PA Money | Futures (as of 7:45 a.m.)
Dow 🔼 +445.00 | NASDAQ 🔼 +339.00 | S&P 🔼 +82.75

Top Story

1. Dauphin County Man Used Homemade Devices to Start Fire at Governor’s Mansion: Police

“A Penbrook man used homemade combustible devices to set the Governor’s Mansion on fire early Sunday, police said in newly filed court documents.

Cory Balmer, who court records list as a Boas Street resident, was arrested and charged on Sunday with attempted murder, hours after the arson.

An affidavit of probable cause said Balmer was seen on surveillance cameras climbing over an exterior perimeter fence along Geiger Street, which borders the mansion’s 2035 Front St. address.” (PennLive)

Elsewhere

More on the Fire at the Governor’s Residence

• What We Know So Far About the Arson at the Governor’s Residence and How It Unfolded. (PennLive)
• What to Know About Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and the Alleged Arson at His Official Residence. (AP)
• PA Man Charged with Attempting to Kill Gov. Josh Shapiro Told Police He Hated Him and Would Have Beaten Him. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Shock, Sadness and Resolve in the Wake of Arson Attack on Governor’s Residence. (Penn Capital-Star)
• Here’s a Look at the Damage Left by Arson at the Governor’s Residence: Photos. (PennLive)

State

2. Fitzpatrick Says He Doesn’t Want to Cut Medicaid, Votes to Advance Bill That Threatens It

“Medicaid could see significant cuts in the federal budget as the House of Representatives narrowly advanced a Senate spending plan Thursday with instructions for the lower chamber to find $1.5 trillion in spending cuts.

The bill, which would add $3.8-trillion to the national deficit over the next 10 years, passed in a 216-214 vote mostly along party lines. U.S. Reps. Victoria Spartz (R-Indiana) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) were the only Republicans who didn’t vote for it.” (Bucks County Courier Times)

Elsewhere

100 Days In, Mackenzie Proclaims MAGA Bona Fides While Signaling Some Breaks From Trump. “100 days into U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie’s congressional career, the freshman Republican said he’s planning for the long-term even during one of the more tumultuous stretches in an era of political shakeups.” (LehighValleyNews)

As Trade War Ebbs and Flows, Pittsburgh-Area Farmers Split On Whether Trump’s Tariffs Will Benefit Their Operations. “Many have criticized the president as costs rise for certain goods; supporters believe it will improve markets long-term.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

‘No Cuts, No Way’ for SEPTA, Lawmakers Say. “Mass transit riders in the Philadelphia region must brace for service cuts and fare increases this summer as the battle for more state funding gears up.” (The Center Square)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Last-Resort Ballots Are Increasingly Being Rejected For Technical Errors in Pennsylvania. Why?

“Provisional ballots are meant to be a fail-safe for voters, to be used when there are questions about eligibility or whether someone has already voted. They give election officials a chance to verify the ballot should be counted before they’re added to the tally.

But in Pennsylvania, that fail-safe is failing more often.” (Votebeat Pennsylvania)

Elsewhere

With Weeks Until Election Day, Philly DA Larry Krasner Projects a Landslide as Patrick Dugan Tries to Crack His Coalition. “The contest to be Philadelphia’s top prosecutor had the potential to be defined by wild cards as a half-dozen people considered challenging the controversial incumbent and rumors swirled of potential interference from out-of-town billionaires.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

PA Library Leaders Press For New Funding Options as Trump Cuts Are Set to Hit Libraries, Museums. “During National Library Week, administrators say federal overhauls could undermine programs for students and workers.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Pennsylvania School Shooting Was Planned For Columbine Anniversary. “Police allege Braeden Phillips, 20, had planned to commit a mass shooting at State College High School in Central Pennsylvania on April 21, one day after the 26th anniversary of the deadly Columbine High School shooting, according to a criminal complaint.” (AP)

Editorial

4. Speak Your Mind

• Without a Robust Public Transit System, Philadelphia Just Doesn’t Work. (Prema Katari Gupta)  
• Pittsburgh Has All The Advantages to Lead the Nation in Commercializing AI. (Joanna Doven and Dan Adamski)
• Medicaid Cuts Could Have Dire Effects on Those in the PA Ag Industry. (Matthew Espenshade)
• Even With the ‘Pause’ on Tariffs, the Damage Is Already Done. (Mark S. Singel)
• Pittsburgh Mayor’s Race is About Change. (Joseph Sabino Mistick)
• Primaries Matter For Education in Pennsylvania. (Christopher Fee)

1 Thing

5. “Hershey” to Film in Pittsburgh

“A movie about Pennsylvania’s iconic chocolate company is set to shoot in the Pittsburgh area.

Zoom in: “Hershey,” a film about the chocolate empire’s founder, Milton Hershey, will start filming in the Pittsburgh region in May.

It stars Finn Wittrock as Milton Hershey and Alexandra Daddario as his wife, Kitty. The story follows Hershey’s journey from failed ventures to chocolate mogul, focusing largely on his relationship with his wife and their philanthropic work.” (Axios Pittsburgh)

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