By Tim Lambert | Editor-in-chief
“We want to count every vote, every provisional, every overseas voter, but based on these results, I have nothing but gratitude for the support of my friends, family, staff and volunteers who have supported me through this entire journey. We can now do so much more in the State House to deliver real wins for working families.” — Brandon Dukes, a Democrat, after declaring victory in a special election for a state House seat in western Pennsylvania. The results are unofficial, at this point.
A good Thursday morning to you. I’m breaking out the raincoat, just in case the forecast in the Harrisburg area is right. It looks like rain for much of the morning and afternoon. That could keep temps down below 80 degrees today. Fair tradeoff?
Let’s hope the rain doesn’t impact the Little League World Series schedule in South Williamsport. Pennsylvania’s own — East Side Little League from West Chester — is representing the Mid-Atlantic Region and is set to take the field for the first time on Friday evening.
Thanks for starting your day with us. As always, we deeply appreciate you reading, sharing and supporting our work. -- Tim
Inside the Pennsylvania Capitol building in downtown Harrisburg on October 14, 2025. (Photo by Jessica Kourkounis for the Pennsylvania Capital-Star)
By Ian Karbal
Democrat Brandon Dukes has declared victory after a special election in Butler County’s 12th state House district. Unofficial results have him leading by 97 votes, as of 3:00 p.m on Wednesday
The Associated Press has yet to call the race. As of Wednesday afternoon, the county elections bureau said they completed their first official signing, and that a five-day period allowing challenges to the results has begun.
No challenge has been filed yet, and if none is, the election will be certified on August 26.
The district, which was previously represented by Stephenie Scialabba before she resigned in March, has not elected a Democrat to the Pennsylvania House in more than 20 years. And voters there elected President Donald Trump by an 18% margin in 2024.
Though nearly 20% of the state’s population is rural, only 10% of the state’s physicians and hospital beds are in rural counties. (Photo by Thomas Barwick/Getty Images)
By Whitney Downard
Pennsylvania is projected to be short 2,500 physicians by the year 2038, but Jose Serrano is already seeing the impact in his Hanover emergency department. He reported that it took 62 days to get a primary care appointment in Adams or York counties, even as his patient volume grew by nearly 30% over the last four years.
“People are using emergency services as a surrogate for their healthcare and it is the most expensive way to deliver care,” said Serrano, an emergency physician with UPMC.
But there are limited numbers of domestically trained physicians and college enrollment is declining. Instead, some groups are asking Pennsylvania to look abroad, at students who were educated outside of the country, to supplement the state’s healthcare workforce.
Conservative activist Scott Presler speaks during a campaign event for Circuit Court Judge Brad Schimel, candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, at the American Serb Hall on March 29, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
By Carter Walker of Votebeat
A watchdog group has filed a complaint alleging conservative activist Scott Presler and his political action committee may have violated state campaign finance law in Pennsylvania.
Presler is based in Pennsylvania and has gained a national profile for voter registration work and ongoing searches for noncitizen voters.
The complaint alleges that despite his extensive campaigning in the state in 2025 urging voters not to retain three state Supreme Court judges, Presler and his organization, Early Vote Action, did not disclose sources of revenue or detailed expenditures as required.
While Early Vote Action is registered with the Federal Election Commission, a search of the state’s campaign finance database shows that the organization has never registered as a political action committee or submitted reports in Pennsylvania.
Independent reporting on Pennsylvania's state government that impacts communities statewide — free to read and republish.
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Students walking in front of a Philadelphia school building. (Photo by Hannah Yoon for Chalkbeat)
By Carly Sitrin of Chalkbeat
Typically, Philadelphia teachers and principals use state test scores from the prior school year to assess student learning, roster kids into the proper classes, and prepare for the year to come.
Not this year.
Several teachers told Chalkbeat this week they haven’t seen results from the 2025-26 PSSA or Keystone exams and aren’t sure why. In the past, these scores have been shared with educators and school leaders around June. Teachers returned to classrooms this week for professional development, and students will return on Aug. 24.
School district officials said the holdup is with the state.
TODAY IN THE CAPITAL-STAR
Court upholds ban on immigration enforcement at some churches: A federal appeals court upheld an injunction that bars the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from conducting immigration enforcement “at or near” more than 1,400 houses of worship sprawling across Pennsylvania, 32 other states and the District of Columbia.
Judge halts proposed changes to teen pregnancy prevention program: A federal judge issued an order blocking U.S. Health and Human Services from implementing sweeping changes to grants under the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program while a lawsuit proceeds. But, dozens of existing grants that were cancelled this summer — including one to AccessMatters in Philadelphia —will remain so for now, unless the administration chooses to reinstate the funds.
ICYMI
Critics say Shapiro’s data center executive order falls short: Using fiery language and describing the companies “recklessly” pushing data centers as “greedy” and “predatory,” Gov. Josh Shapiro distanced himself from project developers after months of mounting pressure to take action.
Independent candidate fights to stay on the ballot in a state House race: In a Bucks County state House race, independent Chris Gambino is fending off a challenge to boot him from the ballot. While Democratic and Republican candidates vie for places on the ballot through state-funded primary elections, independent and small party candidates must collect signatures and submit nomination papers.
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