Friday, September 18, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1777, fearing the British army would seize and melt the Liberty Bell for ammunition, 200 cavalrymen transported it from the Philadelphia State House to the basement of the Zion Reformed Church in Allentown, where it stayed until the British left in June 1778.

Why are Gen Z transplants choosing Philadelphia over New York? Find out in today’s Top Stories.

If you haven’t compared your car insurance in a while, there’s a good chance you’re paying more than you need to. Even if you checked rates a year ago, the market has changed. That’s why today’s sponsor, Insurify, makes it easy to compare quotes from more than 120 insurers in just a few minutes.

PA Demands CDC Recognize Measles Deaths

Pennsylvania is asking the CDC for emergency measles help, on one condition: the agency must recognize the deaths of four residents in the state’s outbreak.

State Health Secretary Debra Bogen made the request in a letter on Wednesday, writing, “The CDC’s choice not to publicly recognize the deaths undermines our response.”

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. instructed the CDC not to count the fatalities, and Gov. Josh Shapiro says he won’t accept federal aid until they’re acknowledged.

Kennedy denies suppressing the deaths and accuses Shapiro of politicizing the outbreak, which has topped 700 cases across 37 counties.

Shapiro Demands Federal AI Regulation

Gov. Josh Shapiro used a Pittsburgh keynote on Thursday to demand federal regulation of AI “just like they do for nearly every other industry.”

Speaking at the AI Horizons 2026 Summit, Shapiro faulted Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and Congress for being “content to do nothing” and called for U.S. pressure on China to adopt practical AI guardrails.

President Trump dismissed efforts to limit the technology on Monday, saying his presence in office is guardrail enough. Johnson has floated guardrail legislation, but the House isn’t expected back in Washington until after the midterms.

Philly Draws Gen Z

Gen Zers are leaving the New York metro faster than any other in the nation, and Philadelphia is their top landing spot, according to a new Redfin analysis of census data.

Some 9,284 Gen Z movers traded New York for Philly in 2024, the country’s second-most common route for the generation. The typical New York metro home sells for about $832,000, versus $309,000 in Philadelphia.

Economists say young movers are chasing jobs and affordability without leaving their networks, and a Bank of America report this spring also ranked Philly among Gen Z’s favorite destinations.

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Your Insurance Rate Might Be Higher Than It Should Be

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➤ Statewide: The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board awarded $3.6 million in two-year grants to 90 organizations across 46 counties for programs targeting underage and dangerous drinking. (More)

➤ Philadelphia: City Hall was evacuated Thursday after an unattended backpack near Council chambers triggered two K-9 alerts, but police found no device, and the building reopened by early afternoon. (See Details)

➤ Erie County: Nine people were hospitalized Thursday after a Greyhound bus carrying 36 passengers collided with a tractor-trailer on Interstate 90 in North East Township. (More)

➤ Lebanon County: The county remains under a drought warning, prompting officials to ask residents to conserve water even as conditions improve across several neighboring central Pennsylvania counties. (See Details)

➤ Harrisburg: The Pennsylvania Department of Education awarded $25.4 million in facility grants to 14 community colleges, including $1.1 million to Harrisburg Area Community College for cooling-system upgrades at two campuses. (More)

➤ Pittsburgh: Allegheny County’s revised paid parental leave proposal would cut benefits from 18 weeks to 12, exempt businesses with fewer than 15 employees, and extend the eligibility waiting period from 30 to 180 days. (More)

➤ Pitt improved to 3-0 with a 27-13 win over rival Syracuse, powered by three Panthers who combined for more than 200 rushing yards and one touchdown apiece. (More)

➤ T.J. Watt earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week after recording two sacks and a pick-6. The honor was the Steelers linebacker’s ninth, tying an NFL record. (More)

➤ Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan, 16, reportedly earned his first USMNT call-up after contributing to goals in seven straight MLS games, potentially making him the national team’s second-youngest player behind Freddy Adu. (More)

➤ The Philadelphia Flyers unveiled a 60th-anniversary promotional schedule featuring 10 Independence Edition games, a Peanuts Halloween event, a Marvel Super Hero Game, and a Holiday Spectacular. (See Schedule)

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➤ UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia joined U.S. News & World Report’s 11-hospital national honor roll and tied for the Mid-Atlantic’s top ranking based on performance across 11 specialties. (See Details)

➤ Pennsylvania lawmakers requested a six-month extension to an Oct. 13 skill games deadline as businesses and nonprofits urged legislation regulating the machines, imposing a $500 monthly terminal fee, and preserving local revenue. (More)

➤ Luzerne County’s Redevelopment Authority voted to sell its rail line to current operator R.J. Corman for $8.2 million, rejecting Reading & Northern’s $10 million bid, though County Council can veto the decision on Sept. 22. (More)

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Insurify estimates drivers who switch through its marketplace can save up to $1,100 per year, simply by comparing offers from multiple insurers side by side. The service is free, there are no hidden fees, and you’ll see real quotes from trusted insurance companies based on your information.

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➤ A former Bridesburg chocolate factory that produced Raisinets, Goobers, and Sno-Caps reopened after a $14.3 million restoration as the Chocolate Factory Community Hub, housing nonprofits that provide health care, education, and social services. (Read Story)

➤ A restored historic fire tower now overlooks the Pennsylvania Lumber Heritage Region in Ulysses, Potter County, following a joint preservation project by the Lumber Heritage Region and Pennsylvania Lumber Museum Association. (See Details)

➤ Pennsylvania ranked 25th in a 2026 analysis comparing states across 30 measures of happiness, down seven places from last year, while New Jersey finished second behind Hawaii. (See Rankings)

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