Saturday, September 5, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1774, delegates from 12 colonies gathered at Carpenters’ Hall in Philadelphia to open the First Continental Congress, the first joint response to Britain’s crackdown on Boston.

Matt Campbell coaches his first game for Penn State this afternoon, and Pitt opens its season too. We’ve got both in Top Stories. And since fair season is in full swing, we want to know what you can’t leave a Pennsylvania fair without eating. Cast your vote in today’s Poll below.

Alzheimer’s disease can now be detected with a simple blood test, and for the first time, two new drugs can actually slow its progression. On The Flyover Podcast, Amy counts down the five numbers behind the biggest shift in Alzheimer’s care in a generation, including one that could catch the disease before symptoms even start. Tune in here!

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.

Storms Batter Western Pennsylvania

Thursday’s storms toppled trees onto homes across Allegheny and Westmoreland counties and set a one-day rainfall record in Pittsburgh.

Oakmont declared a state of emergency after a tree on Maryland Avenue was ripped out by its roots and crashed into a house. No injuries were reported, but blocked roads and dead traffic signals kept schools closed Friday.

As many as 80,000 customers were without power Friday morning, and the Westmoreland County courthouse closed early after losing electricity. Crews also carried out water rescues during flash flooding in Westmoreland.

Drier air arrives Saturday afternoon, and forecasters expect sunshine and highs near 80 through Labor Day.

Record Gas Prices for Labor Day

Pennsylvania drivers are paying the highest Labor Day gas prices on record, with regular averaging about $4.29 a gallon.

That’s roughly 30% higher than last year, and diesel has climbed to $6.04. In the five-county Philadelphia area, AAA puts regular at $4.31, more than a dollar above this time last year.

Prices have stayed elevated since the war in Iran disrupted oil markets, and the pain varies widely by county.

AAA says the cost isn’t keeping people home. “Higher gas prices really aren’t making people change their mind about traveling,” said Doni Lee Fox of AAA of Central Pennsylvania, adding that travelers are taking shorter trips instead.

Penn State, Pitt Kick Off 2026 Season

Pennsylvania’s two biggest college football programs kick off their 2026 seasons today, with Penn State facing Marshall and Pitt hosting Miami University.

No. 18 Penn State begins a new era under coach Matt Campbell, who brought veteran quarterback Rocco Becht and several former Iowa State players with him to State College. This afternoon’s opener airs on FS1.

Pitt enters the season picked ninth in the ACC after winning at least seven games in four of the past five years. The Panthers’ game against Miami University airs on The CW.

Flying together with our sponsor

Your Insurance Rate Might Be Higher Than It Should Be

A lot can change in a year. Insurance companies constantly adjust their pricing, and the company that offered you the best rate last time may no longer be the most competitive. In fact, Insurify projects rates will change in 35 states this year, making it worthwhile to shop around even if you’ve been with the same insurer for years.

Instead of calling multiple companies or filling out the same information over and over, Insurify lets you compare personalized quotes from more than 120 insurance providers in one place. The process is free, takes just a few minutes, and could help you find the same coverage for less.

Many drivers simply renew their policy every six months without checking what else is available. A quick comparison could be one of the easiest ways to lower a monthly bill.

Compare your rates with Insurify today and see if you could save.

➤ Statewide: U.S. Sen. John Fetterman skipped a funeral for slain York County officers and rejected meetings with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia leaders, drawing criticism from Democrat Reps. Brendan Boyle and Chris Deluzio. (See Details)

➤ Philadelphia: Former IBEW Local 98 boss John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty was expected to leave federal prison Friday after President Donald Trump commuted his six-year sentence for bribery and union embezzlement. (See Details)

➤ Lower Burrell: A Goodwill thrift store will open in the former Aldi building at the Leechburg Road location, signing a five-year lease with an option to renew. (More)

➤ Washington Boro: The Raven Ridge Wildlife Center took in an injured bald eagle with green tail feathers after a volunteer, alerted by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, captured the bird. (See Photos)

➤ Dauphin County: Swatara Township commissioners unanimously approved final land development plans for a new Wawa at their Sept. 2 meeting, clearing the way for construction. (More)

➤ Seven of the Phillies’ next 10 games are against first-place Atlanta, starting with this weekend’s four-game series at Citizens Bank Park, giving them a direct shot at erasing their NL East deficit. (More)

➤ The Steelers are turning their Sept. 13 season opener against the Falcons into a weeklong celebration, with festivities planned throughout the week before kickoff. (See Details)

➤ High School football Week 2 kicked off Friday night with 231 games across the state. (See Scores)

➤ Yesterday’s results: US Open | MLB | NCAAF | Soccer

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ “Impossible” Bone Density Improvements Linked to Overlooked Protein. Doctors are doing double-takes at recent DEXA scans showing unprecedented bone density improvements in women over 60 after adding this protein in their diet. The stunning results have doctors questioning if their equipment is malfunctioning. (Learn More)

Flying together with our sponsor

Five Minutes Could Save You Hundreds

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.

If it’s been more than a year since you last shopped for insurance, now is a smart time to check.

See how much you could save with Insurify today.

➤ The Great Allentown Fair, ranked among the nation’s top 50 fairs every year, is back with livestock shows, agricultural exhibits, and a full entertainment slate. (Read Story)

➤ A 10-year-old Harrisburg boy is in the running to become the 76ers’ junior reporter this season, a job that would put him face-to-face with LeBron James. (Read Story)

➤ A black snake climbed a utility pole in southern Lancaster County and touched a live wire, sending sparks flying. The Rawlinsville Volunteer Fire Company says the snake didn’t survive. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Peptides are the newest breakthrough in anti-aging, longevity, weight loss, and muscle growth. But not every peptide works the same way for every person. Your DNA never changes, so you only have to test it once. The Pep Report analyzes more than 710,000 genetic markers against published research to show which peptides your biology actually supports—before you spend a dollar guessing. Flyover readers get 10% off automatically, no code needed. See Which Peptides Match Your DNA

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

➤ A simple blood test is rewriting how early Alzheimer’s can be caught and treated. (Listen Now)

➤ Social Security overpaid a retiree $35,000 and gave her just 30 days to pay it back. (Hear Details)

➤ AAA predicts drivers will face the highest Labor Day gas prices on record this holiday weekend. (Podcast Available)