By Tim Lambert | Editor-in-chief
“The days of Meta ignoring the damage its platforms cause kids are over — this is a landmark settlement that brings transformative changes to these hugely-popular social media spaces. These settlement terms will implement effective age restrictions, put a stop to endless scrolling, and limit body-altering filters that skew students’ feelings of self-worth.” — Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, after Meta agreed to pay the commonwealth at least $516 million over several years in a landmark child safety settlement.
A good Thursday morning to you. I hope all is well.
There are a couple of big matchups on the schedule at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport this morning, ahead of championship weekend. Two semifinal contests will determine who meets up in Saturday’s International and U.S. title games.
Thanks for starting your day with us. As always, we deeply appreciate you reading, sharing and supporting our work. -- Tim
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Florida U.S. Republican Sen. Ashley Moody at Tampa Bay Boulevard School in Tampa on Aug.26, 2026. (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix)
By Mitch Perry of Florida Phoenix
U.S. Health & Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended the Trump administration’s stances on childhood vaccinations Wednesday, questioning the accuracy of a report that that two unvaccinated Pennsylvania residents have died amid a global measles outbreak.
Before his media availability with reporters in Tampa, Florida, an aide told reporters to ask only about the initiative being introduced. The Florida Phoenix instead asked about the reported measles deaths in Pennsylvania, which led Gov. Josh Shapiro to say Tuesday that Kennedy’s history of casting doubt on the effectiveness of vaccines “is having a negative impact on communities across America.”
Kennedy responded by questioning whether those two deaths were connected to the measles.
A voter deposits a mail-in ballot at the drop box outside the Chester County, Pennsylvania, Government Center on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (Photo by Pennsylvania Capital-Star/Peter Hall)
By Ian Karbal
Chris Gambino, an independent candidate who is running in the 143rd state House District in Bucks County, will be allowed to stay on the ballot after a challenge to his nomination papers.
“The judge’s ruling was welcomed news. It confirmed what we knew to be true, real people signed to get an independent on the ballot,” Gambino said. “Now, we can get back to what matters most, spreading the word. People in this district need to know they have a real option this November.”
The challenge was brought by two local voters who were represented by Adam Bonin, a prominent attorney who primarily works with Democrats on election-related issues. Their objection took issue with the signatures Gambino collected, and with the name of the political body Gambino affiliated himself with when filing to run.
Contractors install solar panels on the roof of a house in Oregon. (Photo courtesy of Oregon Department of Energy)
By Jon Hurdle of Inside of Climate News
Pennsylvania was a pioneer on renewable energy before the fracking boom upended that trajectory, and environmental advocates think it’s past time for state leaders to once again prioritize clean forms of power.
The nonprofit PennFuture outlined ways for Pennsylvania to do so in a new report, accusing the state’s legislature of “policy inertia” for failing to pass bills that would increase adoption and reduce the cost of energy for consumers.
The advocacy group said a majority of state lawmakers favor a policy of “more gas now” rather than enabling the development of increasingly cheap renewable energy and battery storage that would cut climate pollution. Among the measures that PennFuture suggested legislators support: allowing community solar, a way for renters and others who can’t install their own panels to tap into local solar arrays.
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Police Chief Derek Dayoub of Springdale Borough sits at the monthly council meeting on Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, at the Springdale Borough Building. (Photo by Stephanie Strasburg/Pittsburgh’s Public Source)
By Charlie Wolfson of Pittsburgh’s Public Source
Springdale Borough Police Chief Derek Dayoub said he would not resign during a Monday borough council meeting, dismissed community members who have criticized him as a “small group of naysayers” and criticized Public Source’s reporting on allegations of misconduct against him over almost two decades.
“In recent weeks, I’ve been subjected to public criticism, public attacks and an anonymous online petition which means absolutely nothing,” Dayoub said, referring to a petition that has gained more than 440 signatures seeking his removal.
He said he has received “overwhelming support” from community members in recent weeks.
Four residents spoke at Monday’s meeting to criticize the borough police and Dayoub; none spoke in support.
TODAY IN THE CAPITAL-STATE
Meta to pay Pa. and 46 other states up to $17.1B in landmark settlement: The owner of Facebook and Instagram agreed to pay 47 states, the District of Columbia, and a handful of U.S. territories, up to $17.1 billion in penalties over claims that its social media platforms are addictive and a danger to children. Pennsylvania is expected to receive $516 million over a period of years.
New challenges to Trump mail-in voting order arrive: Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro joined Democrat-led states and voting rights groups who re-filed lawsuits to block the Trump administration from executing a new regulation to restrict mail-in voting, while a federal judge lifted a nationwide pause on the policy in line with this week’s U.S. Supreme Court decision.
As states tighten oversight, private equity’s healthcare deals decline: New state oversight laws are pumping the brakes on private equity’s push into healthcare, according to new data. The number of private equity-involved healthcare deals has declined since last year.
Some states raise pay for home caregivers as shortage looms: A 2002 National Institutes of Health forecast warned that it was “becoming increasingly difficult for home care agencies and other providers to find and retain qualified caregivers,” and that the problem would only get worse as the U.S population aged. A big factor then was the poor pay for home care workers. The future has arrived.
ICYMI
Pa. reports nation’s first confirmed measles-related deaths in 2026: The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed two measles-related deaths in Lancaster County. Both people, who lived in the county, were unvaccinated. No other personal details were provided in order to protect their families’ privacy. They are the first confirmed measles-related deaths in the nation this year.
Pa. AG Dave Sunday is suing another social media platform: Announcing a lawsuit alleging Snapchat’s 13+ age rating misleads parents and that the platform is designed to be addictive, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday called on the social media company to take steps to protect young users.
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