Democrats Win Trifecta in Harrisburg

Democrats won control of the state Senate for the first time since 1993, flipping three Republican-held seats for a 26-24 majority, according to AP race calls.

Combined with their state House majority and Gov. Josh Shapiro’s reelection, Democrats now hold a trifecta in Harrisburg for the first time in 33 years.

Party leaders say their priorities moving forward will include raising the state’s $7.25 minimum wage and funding mass transit.

Senate Republicans had pitched themselves during the campaign as the “last line of defense” against Shapiro and House Democrats.

Rain Today, Then a Chilly Weekend

A cold front is bringing rain to much of Pennsylvania today, with about half an inch expected in the Midstate after a mild, breezy Wednesday.

Rain chances top 60% in Harrisburg, Allentown, and Scranton, while showers hold off in Philadelphia until Friday.

Behind the front, temperatures drop sharply into the weekend, with Saturday highs only in the mid-40s to mid-50s.

Pittsburgh and other stretches of western Pennsylvania may not reach 50 degrees on Saturday, more than 20 degrees cooler than today.

Philly Aims for Pickle Costume Record

Philadelphia will host what organizers call the world’s largest pickle party on Nov. 14 at Stateside Live!, with a parade aiming to set a record for the most people dressed as pickles.

The Big Dill’s eight-hour celebration on National Pickle Day will feature pickle-themed food and drinks, a pickle rave, and other activities.

It’s the final stop on The Big Dill’s 2026 tour, after Baltimore in September and Arlington, Texas, on Nov. 7.

The festival drew more than 7,500 guests when it debuted in Philadelphia in 2024, and the record attempt needs more than 1,000 pickle-clad participants.

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➤ Jefferson County: The state Health Department confirmed Pennsylvania’s sixth measles-associated death this year, an unvaccinated local resident, as statewide cases surpass 1,400. (More)

➤ Clearfield County: A multi-vehicle crash declared a “mass casualty incident” closed Route 53 near I-80 on Tuesday. Authorities noted that “mass casualty” conditions don’t necessitate fatalities. (More)

➤ Mt. Lebanon: A father and his two young children died from an apparent fall near the township’s municipal building parking garage Tuesday in what police are treating as a murder-suicide. (More)

➤ Middletown: The Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad’s holiday trains will still run after a fire at the town’s old train station Friday injured two residents and left a family homeless. (More)

➤ Pittsburgh: A car crashed into the new ice cream truck from Page’s Dairy Mart, the longtime South Side ice cream stand, damaging the vehicle. (More)

➤ Washington County: State police have identified a serial killer they say is responsible for two cold case murders in the county. (More)

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➤ Penn State coach Matt Campbell called leading receiver Chase Sowell “probable” for Saturday’s game at Washington after he missed last week’s win over Purdue with a leg injury. (More)

➤ The Philadelphia Flyers fell 4-2 to the Wild on Tuesday after a clearing attempt hit referee Kyle Rehman and set up Minnesota’s game-winning goal. Trevor Zegras drew a 10-minute misconduct for shouting at the official. (Watch Video)

➤ Major League Baseball proposed pushing its salary cap back to 2028, saying teams have too many 2027 commitments to cut spending quickly. Philadelphia would be projected to have to cut its payroll, while Pittsburgh would need to increase its spending to meet the proposed salary floor. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NCAAF | NHL | NBA | NCAAM | NCAAW | Soccer

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➤ Democrat party leaders say raising the state’s $7.25 minimum wage, unchanged since 2009, will be a top priority under their new trifecta. (More)

➤ Larrimors, a downtown Pittsburgh clothing store since 1939, began its going-out-of-business sale with 20% to 75% off and will close by the end of December. (More)

➤ Philadelphia voters approved ballot measures creating a permanent Creative Philadelphia arts office and giving small, local businesses priority on city contracts of $75,000 to $500,000. (More)

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➤ Wilkes-Barre rock band Breaking Benjamin will play Hershey’s Giant Center on March 5, 2027, with special guests Starset, P.O.D., and Filter. (See Details)

➤ Pittsburgh City Paper’s “Adopt a Box” program is turning old newspaper boxes into public art, with the first one installed at Forbes and Murray Avenues in Squirrel Hill. (More)

➤ Thomas Jefferson High senior Layla Clark went viral for leading her marching band through AC/DC’s Thunderstruck on keyboard percussion, with one post topping 5.3 million views. (Watch)

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

➤ Americans are fed up with tip screens, but what’s the real effect on workers’ paychecks? (Listen Now)

➤ Passengers who paid more than $300,000 for a lifetime at sea have been forced off their cruise ship in Cambodia. (Hear Why)

➤ The scientist who helped create Russia’s Novichok nerve agent, then accused Moscow of using it for state-level hits, has been found dead. (Hear Story)

Would you dress up as a pickle to help set a world record?

1. Yes, no questions asked
2. If I get free pickles
3. No way

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever run up the Rocky Steps?

1. I don’t care to: 41%
2. I’ve walked up them: 35%
3. No, but I want to: 13%
4. Yes, arms raised: 11%

How did Wilkes-Barre band Breaking Benjamin get its name?

Show me the answer