John Cole

Imagining they are one of only a few unions endorsing candidates from both parties on the ballot next week.

Philadelphia FOP Lodge 5 announced their 2025 endorsements earlier today and are backing Kevin Dougherty, a Democrat’s, bid for retention on the State Supreme Court, while also supporting GOP district attorney candidates Pat Dugan in Philly and Jen Schorn in Bucks County.

Imagining they are one of only a few unions endorsing candidates from both parties on the ballot next week.

The amount of fentanyl seized in Pennsylvania this year set to surpass last year’s figures • Pennsylvania Capital-Star Fentanyl has replaced heroin as the opioid most commonly found in Pennsylvania, state Attorney General Dave Sunday said.

The amount of fentanyl seized in Pennsylvania this year set to surpass last year’s figures. penncapital-star.com/criminal-jus...

The amount of fentanyl seized in Pennsylvania this year set to surpass last year’s figures • Pennsylvania Capital-Star Fentanyl has replaced heroin as the opioid most commonly found in Pennsylvania, state Attorney General Dave Sunday said.

Standing alongside various law enforcement officials, Pa. Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that as of the beginning of September, the state had seized over 50 million doses of fentanyl.

For perspective, Pennsylvania seized 50 million doses during all of 2024.

From @johnlcole.bsky.social

First dinner hosted in Governor's Residence since firebombing honors over a dozen of Pennsylvanians • Pennsylvania Capital-Star Security updates include a dedicated unit patrolling the grounds, as well as a 10-foot brick wall.

Last night, I was at the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg for a state dinner recognizing the contributions of over a dozen Pennsylvanians to their respective communities. Gov. Josh Shapiro also talked with me about the security updates made there. penncapital-star.com/government-p...

First dinner hosted in Governor's Residence since firebombing honors over a dozen of Pennsylvanians • Pennsylvania Capital-Star Security updates include a dedicated unit patrolling the grounds, as well as a 10-foot brick wall.

“After the attack, the First Lady and I really wanted to get this building repaired as quickly as possible, so that we could open it back up to be a place that all Pennsylvanians could come,” Gov. Shapiro said. “We want this place to be warm and welcoming for all.”

From our @johnlcole.bsky.social

McCormick talks government shutdown, SNAP, and health insurance subsidies in visit to Harrisburg • Pennsylvania Capital-Star U.S. Senator Dave McCormick not in favor of abandoning the filibuster to end the shutdown.

As the federal government shutdown reached its 27th day, U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) re-upped his calls for the passage of a continuing resolution (CR) and pointed at Democrats for the ongoing stalemate.

From @johnlcole.bsky.social

US Sen. John Fetterman's fundraising woes continue • Pennsylvania Capital-Star The Democrat posts lowest quarter since declaring bid for U.S. Senate in 2021

ICYMI: U.S. Sen. John Fetterman's campaign raised just under $330,000 during Q3, which is the lowest fundraising total over a three-month stretch since he announced his candidacy for the office in 2021. His campaign has spent more than it's raised in 2025. penncapital-star.com/campaigns-el...

Nearly all Pa. GOP US House members outraised Democrats in Q3 -- Scott Perry's the exception • Pennsylvania Capital-Star The former television anchor in central Pennsylvania, raised $1.24 million over three months.

For the first time in the 2026 cycle, a Democratic challenger in Pennsylvania has outraised an incumbent in what is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched U.S. House races in the country.

From @johnlcole.bsky.social

As Democrats aim to take the U.S. House in 2026, Republican incumbents raise significant funds in Q1 • Pennsylvania Capital-Star U.S. Sen. John Fetterman also posted his lowest haul for a three-month stretch since declaring for the seat in Feb. 2021.

Q1: penncapital-star.com/campaigns-el...

Republicans outraise Democrats with Pa. likely at the center of determining control of U.S. House • Pennsylvania Capital-Star Gov. Josh Shapiro’s expected bid for a second term could play a role in determining some competitive congressional races.

Q2: penncapital-star.com/campaigns-el...

ICYMI: I also wrote similar stories from the two previous fundraising reports this year. ⬇️

Nearly all Pa. GOP US House members outraised Democrats in Q3 -- Scott Perry's the exception • Pennsylvania Capital-Star The former television anchor in central Pennsylvania, raised $1.24 million over three months.

This story breaks down the fundraising races for what is expected to be the closest 2026 U.S. House races in Pennsylvania, while also highlighting the crowded race to replace U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Philadelphia) in the 3rd District. penncapital-star.com/campaigns-el...

Nearly all Pa. GOP US House members outraised Democrats in Q3 -- Scott Perry's the exception • Pennsylvania Capital-Star The former television anchor in central Pennsylvania, raised $1.24 million over three months.

For the first time in the 2026 cycle, a challenger in Pennsylvania has outraised an incumbent in what is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched U.S. House races in the country. Janelle Stelson’s $1.24 million haul in Q3 led all candidates in PA. penncapital-star.com/campaigns-el...

Lebron James with 12 PJ Washington with 11

V.J. Edgecombe's 14 points in the first quarter is the most points in the first quarter of a player's debut from at least 1996 on (as far back as our quarter scoring goes).

Lebron James was the previous most with 12.

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman's fundraising woes continue • Pennsylvania Capital-Star The Democrat posts lowest quarter since declaring bid for U.S. Senate in 2021

"It’s the third consecutive quarter where Fetterman’s campaign spent more than it raised. His campaign used $1.54 million, while gaining $1.23 million so far this year" penncapital-star.com/campaigns-el...

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman's fundraising woes continue • Pennsylvania Capital-Star The Democrat posts lowest quarter since declaring bid for U.S. Senate in 2021

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman’s fundraising woes continue penncapital-star.com/campaigns-el...

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman's fundraising woes continue • Pennsylvania Capital-Star The Democrat posts lowest quarter since declaring bid for U.S. Senate in 2021

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman’s third quarter haul is his lowest fundraising total over a three-month stretch since he announced his candidacy for the office in February 2021. Here’s my story breaking down Fetterman’s Q3 finance report. penncapital-star.com/campaigns-el...

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman's fundraising woes continue • Pennsylvania Capital-Star The Democrat posts lowest quarter since declaring bid for U.S. Senate in 2021

Democratic U.S. Sen. John Fetterman’s third quarter haul is his lowest fundraising total over a three-month stretch since he announced his candidacy for the office in February 2021.

From @johnlcole.bsky.social

Pennsylvanians have until Monday to register to vote • Pennsylvania Capital-Star Statewide judicial races will be at the top of the ballot for Pennsylvanians this election.

The deadline to vote in next months election, where three state Supreme Court justices are on the ballot, is Monday. penncapital-star.com/voting/penns...

Voting rights group calls on conservative PAC to renounce misleading Supreme Court mailers • Pennsylvania Capital-Star The mailers target three justices seeking retention, calling on voters to "Term limit the liberal Supreme Court."

A voting rights watchdog group called on a conservative PAC backed by Republican financier Jeffrey Yass to rescind and apologize for a campaign mailer falsely pinning blame on the state Supreme Court for a gerrymandered congressional district map.

penncapital-star.com/government-p...

Penn State trustees approve sale of WPSU assets to Philadelphia public media group WHYY • Pennsylvania Capital-Star The agreement eliminates a major cost to the university, ensures the stations will keep broadcasting and avoids layoffs.

The vote Monday follows the board’s unanimous objection last month of a different proposal. Members cited concern about the cost to the university without a guarantee WHYY would continue to operate the stations or retain employees.

penncapital-star.com/media/penn-s...

Shapiro told me yesterday that his office could take “many additional actions” over this matter in the future.

Pennsylvania joins multi-state lawsuit over Trump deploying National Guard in cities • Pennsylvania Capital-Star Gov. Shapiro described Trump’s decision to deploy the guard as a “dangerous overreach of power.”

Gov. Josh Shapiro joined a coalition of 24 attorney generals and governors in an amicus brief supporting Oregon’s court challenge to Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops in their state. penncapital-star.com/criminal-jus...

Head of Pa. Gaming Control Board warns against impacts of sports prediction markets • Pennsylvania Capital-Star Kevin F. O’Toole argues sports prediction markets are a significant threat to the state’s framework for gaming.

On Wednesday, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) Executive Director Kevin F. O’Toole said he’s concerned about the growing presence of sports prediction markets and the “significant threat” it poses on the state’s regulatory framework for gaming. penncapital-star.com/government-p...

Philly’s congressional delegation, union workers, call on Trump, GOP to end the government shutdown • Pennsylvania Capital-Star Union leaders are unhappy with Democratic U.S. Sen. John Fetterman’s support of GOP spending plans to reopen the government.

On Tuesday, I attended a press conference at Independence Mall led by Philadelphia's congressional delegation about the ongoing government shutdown. Union leaders I spoke with also discussed their disagreement with U.S. Sen. John Fetterman's votes on it. penncapital-star.com/government-p...

ICYMI: Here are the stories I covered for the Pennsylvania Capital-Star this week. ⬇️

Pennsylvania joins multi-state lawsuit over Trump deploying National Guard in cities • Pennsylvania Capital-Star Gov. Shapiro described Trump’s decision to deploy the guard as a “dangerous overreach of power.”

Pennsylvania joins multi-state lawsuit over Trump deploying National Guard in cities. penncapital-star.com/criminal-jus...

Pennsylvania joins multi-state lawsuit over Trump deploying National Guard in cities • Pennsylvania Capital-Star Gov. Shapiro described Trump’s decision to deploy the guard as a “dangerous overreach of power.”

Pennsylvania has joined several states taking legal action against President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops in U.S. cities, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced on Wednesday night.

From @johnlcole.bsky.social