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Experts predict more PA election lawsuits in 2024

Plus, 'serious problems' at a big labor union.

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A daily newsletter by The logo of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom producing investigative journalism for Pennsylvania.
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Monday, March 4, 2024
Today: Election litigation, Gaza actions, train derailment, labor takeover, milk saga, and judging the effectiveness of your local government.
2020 REDUX

A Biden-Trump rematch is taking shape, and experts are predicting another wave of high-stakes, election-related court battles in Pennsylvania.

New challenges are expected to target everything from the legality of drop boxes to what constitutes a valid mail ballot. 

Observers say state lawmakers could have easily prevented this scenario by clarifying portions of Act 77 — the state law that established no-excuse mail voting here while also creating new code conflicts and questions.

Read the full report: Pennsylvania was deluged by election lawsuits in 2020. Experts say 2024 will be even more intense.

NOTABLE / QUOTABLE

"I know a lot of young people who are quite incompetent."

—Pat Levin, one of several older Pennsylvania voters asked by CNN about aging, competency, and its role in this year's presidential election
 
 SPECIAL PRE-SALE 

'All Sun, No Shade' Beach Towel

Get our limited edition towel in celebration of Sunshine Week, coming up March 10-16.

Promote government transparency & tan lines, all in support of Spotlight PA's vital journalism. SHOP THE PRE-SALE NOW >
📅 UPCOMING EVENTS

BLACK WALL STREET: Join us Thursday, March 7 from 6-7 p.m. ET on Zoom for a free panel on the history of Harrisburg’s Black Wall Street and the people working to preserve its legacy and ensure a future for Black-owned businesses. Register here and submit questions to events@spotlightpa.org.

📷 POST IT

Swampy scenes at Exton Park in Chester County, via Elliott C. Send us photos by email, use #PAGems on IG, or tag us @spotlightpennsylvania.

Swampy terrain in daylight.
DAILY RUNDOWN
Today's top news story in Pennsylvania.IDF PROTEST: Seven protesters were arrested late last week during a demonstration outside a Berks County manufacturing plant linked to a weapons supplier for Israel, WFMZ reports. Elsewhere: U.S. Rep. Susan Wild (D., Pa.) praised the weekend start of Biden administration aid drops into Gaza, where famine is growing.

Today's second top news story in Pennsylvania.TRAIN CRASH: No injuries or evacuations followed a "collision and derailment" involving three Norfolk Southern trains in Northampton County on Saturday. At least one car landed in the Lehigh River. Plastic pellets and diesel fuel were spilled, officials said. An East Palestine-inspired rail safety bill has stalled in the state Senate
 
Today's third top news story in Pennsylvania.UNION TAKEOVER: "Serious financial problems" are behind an administrative takeover of the Harrisburg-based council of the AFSCME union, which represents about 65,000 public sector workers statewide, PennLive (paywall) reports. Union officials say there was no financial impropriety. It's unclear how long the takeover will last.
 
Today's fourth top news story in Pennsylvania.
CAUSE CÉLÈBRE: An Amish farmer remains blocked from selling raw milk following a court hearing last week that drew throngs of people to Lancaster County's courthouse— the latest chapter in a long-running saga at the crossroads of anti-government and raw food movements. The farmer's raw milk was blamed for at least two illnesses.
 
Today's fifth top news story in Pennsylvania.WHOLE HOMES: What's next for Pennsylvania's popular Whole-Home Repairs Program? Here are five takeaways from Spotlight PA's recent virtual event on the in-demand grant program's first year and the prospects of more funding after last year's 11th-hour budget snub. Advocates say the need for the program is as great as ever.
🗞️ ARE YOU NEWSY? Let's find out with the latest edition of The Great PA News Quiz: Vetting 2024’s voting machines, Harrisburg haggling, and the Beyoncé effect.
IN OTHER NEWS
CHARGES FILED: Pennsylvania State Police have charged 52-year-old Shawn Cranston of Corry with homicide and burglary in the death of a 23-year-old pregnant Amish woman in Crawford County last week.

'VERY CONCERNING': A top official with Philly's Office of LGBT Affairs was arrested by a state trooper she says punched her during a Saturday stop. The city's mayor called video of the encounter "very concerning."

GOOD GOV'T? No uniform rule outlines what needs Pennsylvania municipalities must meet, and that can make judging the effectiveness of local governments more difficult here, Spotlight PA reports. 

TIKI HEROES: Two tiki boat captains who pulled a woman and child from Pittsburgh rivers in separate incidents last year were honored by the U.S. Coast Guard Friday for their heroics, WTAE reports.

TAKE FIVE: How many Pennsylvania towns can you name off the top of your head? This quiz lets you name them all. Just pick "Pennsylvania" in the drop-down menu and start typing names in the field to the left.
SCRAMBLER
Unscramble and send your answer to scrambler@spotlightpa.org. We'll shout out winners here, and one each week will get some Spotlight PA swag. Answers submitted by 5:30 p.m. on issue date will be counted.
 
E T L C A E R B N

Friday's answer: Caramelize

Congrats to our weekly winner: Malachy M.

Congrats to our daily winners: Jody A., Vicki U., Barbara F., Becky C., Beth T., Stacy S., Don H., Jane R., Ada M., Tracy S., Elaine C., Jon W., Daniel M., Johnny C., Richard A., Judith D., Jackie H., Bob C., Stanley J., Susan N.-Z., Mike H., Daniel S., Alan B., William Z., Craig E., Kimberly D., Marie B., Lynne E., Rena Z., Amelia M., Dan A., Wendy A., Tish M., Jeff F., Tom M., and John P.
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