PA data-center boom outpaces towns' power to say no

Dozens of large-scale data centers are advancing across Pennsylvania, but Lehigh Valley officials say municipalities lack the legal authority to reject projects residents oppose, even as the projects' electricity demand strains local grids.

U.S. forces struck 80 targets in Iran overnight after Iran hit Strait of Hormuz shipping, and Iran retaliated against U.S. sites in Bahrain and Kuwait; Trump, at the NATO summit in Turkey, called the month-old cease-fire likely dead, pushing oil higher (WTI +5%).

The Maine Democratic Party publicly urged Senate nominee Graham Platner to quit after multiple sexual-assault allegations — and accused his team of trying to shape his own replacement — as a succession fight opens ahead of Monday's 5 p.m. withdrawal deadline in the race against Sen. Susan Collins.

Trump administration presses states on paper ballots, citizenship checks

The administration is demanding states move to paper ballots and verify voters' citizenship or risk losing tens of millions in federal anti-terrorism funds, while DOJ's Harmeet Dhillon warned election officials nationwide of possible prosecution if noncitizens vote.

PA budget impasse squeezes libraries, schools a week past deadline

One week past the June 30 deadline, Pennsylvania's overdue budget is leaving public libraries, schools and rape-crisis centers bracing for delayed state money as Gov. Shapiro and Senate Republicans remain apart, echoing last year's 135-day standoff.

Federal SNAP changes could shift $400M onto PA taxpayers

New federal rules tying states to their food-stamp error rates could put Pennsylvania on the hook for more than $400 million in additional annual SNAP costs, even after the state lowered its payment-error rate over the past year.

PA Turnpike approves 3.5% toll hike for January

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission approved a 3.5% toll increase effective Jan. 3 — its smallest since 2014 — raising the E-ZPass passenger rate from 7.3 to 7.5 cents per mile.

House · Bill On Concurrence (keywords: data center, data centers)

Senate · Third Consideration (watchlist)

Ryan O'Hearn homered three times and drove in a franchise-record 10 runs — starting with a first-inning grand slam — as the Pirates routed Atlanta 12-4 on Tuesday; Paul Skenes (7-8) allowed two earned runs over six innings for the win.

Penguins' clean cap sheet floated as fit for Canucks' Pettersson

With Pittsburgh carrying almost no long-term salary-cap commitments, NHL insiders floated the Penguins as a possible landing spot for Vancouver center Elias Pettersson — offseason trade speculation, not a deal — as the club weighs how to use its flexibility.