Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1752, the bell we now call the Liberty Bell arrived in Philadelphia from a London foundry. In a rough start for an icon, it cracked on its very first test ring, forcing two local workers to melt it down and recast it, twice.

Welcome to the inaugural edition of The Pennsylvania Flyover! From Lancaster’s horses and buggies to Philly cheesesteaks, the Pittsburgh Strip District, Sheetz runs, and Hersheypark, we cover it all.

We’d love to hear from you. Please hit reply and tell us a little about yourself and what you’d like to see us cover in The Pennsylvania Flyover. Any feedback is welcome, even if you just want to say “Hi!”

Your morning routine has a bigger impact on your day than most people realize. We looked at 10 common morning habits and ranked them based on research findings. Cold showers and workouts didn’t land where you’d expect, and the habit that took the top spot takes less than five minutes. Today on The Flyover Podcast, Ayla counts down all 10 and reveals which one is worth adding to your morning. Tune in here!

Car insurance is one of those bills that’s easy to keep paying without checking whether you could do better. Later today, our partner Insurify will show you how to compare quotes from 100+ insurers in about two minutes, with users saving up to $1,100 a year when they compare.

When it comes to peptides, there are more options than ever, and figuring out what actually makes sense for you can feel like guesswork. Today’s sponsor, The Pep Report, takes a different approach: start with your DNA and use your genetics to help narrow down the options.

Coroner Disputes State’s Measles Death Count

Lancaster County Coroner Dr. Stephen Diamantoni is disputing the state’s characterization of an infant’s death as one of Pennsylvania’s two “measles-associated” deaths announced last week.

Diamantoni says the newborn, who did test positive for measles, died from a lacerated spleen. He added that his forensic pathologist found the spleen neither enlarged nor inflamed, ruling measles out as a factor in the death.

The state Health Department says it applies “measles-associated” when lab or epidemiologic evidence of measles is present, even while the official cause is still under investigation.

The coroner says he has no information on the second reported death, as the statewide outbreak reaches 497 cases, 227 of them in Lancaster County.

Heat Dome Brings Scorching Temps, Storms

A heat dome is settling over Pennsylvania this week, pushing temperatures near 90 and feels-like readings past 100 with the start of September.

Severe storms are expected today through Thursday. The Storm Prediction Center says that much of the region will be at risk all three days for damaging wind, hail, and heavy downpours.

Forecasters warn that clusters of storms, and possibly isolated supercells, could rotate through the state each afternoon and evening.

The oppressive heat and humidity are expected to linger into the end of the workweek before a slight break arrives next weekend, allowing the early-fall celebrators to enjoy their pumpkins in peace.

‘Miracle’ Horse Survives Lightning Strike

A 30-year-old rodeo horse named Rodeo Bo is recovering after surviving a lightning strike that killed another horse inside a Perry County shed.

Bo and a second horse, Tango, were sheltering in the shed near Shermans Dale on Thursday night when lightning struck them both. Tango was killed instantly, but Bo survived the incident.

Bo was temporarily blinded and suffered significant muscle damage, but his eyesight is returning, and his heart has held strong despite initial concerns.

Owner Rachel Mullen called Bo’s survival a “miracle,” noting that lightning strikes are almost always fatal to horses. See an interview with Rachel and Bo here.

Flying together with our sponsor

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The Flyover readers automatically get 10% off, no code needed. See which peptides match your DNA.

➤ Statewide: Pennsylvania firefighters are heading to Washington state to help battle the Sinlahekin fire, one of several blazes that have burned hundreds of thousands of acres. (More)

➤ Harrisburg: State Sen. Nikil Saval is preparing to introduce a bill creating a single-payer universal healthcare system for all Pennsylvania residents, funded by a payroll tax with no copays, deductibles, or caps. (See Details)

➤ Greene County: Three people remain missing after a small private boat collided with a towboat on the Monongahela River. Two others were rescued and airlifted to hospitals, where one later died, and the other remains in critical condition. (More)

➤ Middlesex Township: A vote on the controversial PAX-1 data center was postponed a second time after a medical emergency during the meeting. Supervisors will reconsider six of 16 proposed buildings tomorrow. (More)

➤ Luzerne County: The cigar collection of the late state Trooper Michael Pahira has been auctioned off. Proceeds will benefit a scholarship and savings fund in his honor. (More)

➤ York County: Wallace-Cross Mill, the last operable mill in the county, celebrated two centuries of operation with a Sunday open house. (More)

➤ Zack Wheeler pitched six strong innings, and Edmundo Sosa homered, as the Phillies swept the Angels 5-2, notching their 20th win in August. The game marked Wheeler’s first victory since July 12. (More)

➤ The Steelers shed veteran linebackers Elandon Roberts and Malik Harrison as they finalized their roster ahead of the season. (More)

➤ Eight former Penn State players made 53-man NFL rosters as rookies, including Drew Allar, who went to the Steelers, and Nick Singleton, chosen by the Titans. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: U.S. Open | MLB | Soccer

➤ JPMorgan Chase is in talks to sublease a 63,000-square-foot floor in Philadelphia, consolidating its Center City operations as it grows its Philly branch count past 100. (More)

➤ Weiss Furniture, a 107-year-old family-owned store in Latrobe, is closing as owner Dalia Dunhoff retires. The store’s going-out-of-business sale starts Thursday. (More)

➤ Hershey expanded its Hersheyween lineup with new salty, gummy, and fruity varieties, part of its largest-ever seasonal portfolio. (See Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

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➤ Pennsylvania announced a memorial at the state Capitol honoring the passengers and crew of Flight 93, nearly 25 years after the 9/11 attacks. (More)

➤ Heinz launched a $57 limited-edition silk “bib” to help brides avoid ketchup stains on their wedding dresses, tapping the trend of late-night reception burgers and fries. (More)

➤ A 9-year-old Philadelphia chess champion with back-to-back tournament titles is recruiting more girls to the game by teaching students at her former preschool. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ The Real Reason Skin Starts To Thin After 50 (It’s Not What You Think) Remember when bruises faded fast and skin bounced back? New research shows a particular deficiency impacts strength and dark spots too—and you don’t have to accept paper-thin, discolored skin as the “new normal.” Unfortunately, most people don’t know that thinning, aging skin is often caused by this. Learn More

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes.

➤ How do you start your morning? Research shows how 10 popular habits stack up, and which one is the best. (See Ranking)

➤ Regulators say Amazon secretly inflated ad prices for years, with the added costs quietly reaching everyday shoppers. (Hear Details)

➤ Prediction market Kalshi has permanently banned George Santos after accusing the former congressman of suspicious State of the Union trades. (Listen Now)