Since I began writing this newsletter three-and-a-half years ago, I’ve heard from Pennsylvanians about a wide range of issues, like the high gas tax motorists pay, the security of our elections, marijuana legalization, the commonwealth’s $7.25-an-hour minimum wage, and, more recently, data center expansion.

No issue has triggered more audience feedback than Pennsylvania’s property taxes, which are currently the 12th highest in the nation according to the nonprofit Tax Foundation. In particular, I’ve heard from many older residents wondering why they’re still forced to pay taxes to fund the state’s public schools when they no longer have children enrolled in them and the state is pulling down more school tax revenue than it has in years. 

The notion of reforming property taxes in Pennsylvania has been kicked around both sides of the aisle in Harrisburg for decades with nothing but a graveyard of legislative efforts to show for it. The latest pitch is from York County Republican state Sen. Dawn Keefer, who is proposing to eliminate school property taxes altogether and cover the shortfall by hiking sales taxes.

In Pennsylvania’s gubernatorial race, Republican challenger and State Treasurer Stacy Garrity claims she could abolish school and municipal property taxes without raising existing taxes or creating new ones by using $11 billion in special funds she said are sitting off the books.

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s campaign has yet to push anything major surrounding property tax reform, and has instead focused on his administration’s efforts to ease the tax bill burden for eligible seniors by enhancing the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program.

We’ve got more on where the gubernatorial candidates—including Libertarian candidate Ken Krawchuk—are saying about property tax reform in this story.

Morning fog in the valley of Pine Creek in Colton Point State Park, Tioga County. The deepest point of the canyon is 1,450 feet and is known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania. (Creative Commons)

Pennsylvania is so full of natural wonders that you even find them in the middle of a Pittsburgh neighborhood. Canton Avenue in the city’s Beechview section recently made National Geographic’s Wonders of America list. Nat Geo cited the incredibly steep street, which has a maximum grade of 37%, noting, “You don’t simply stroll up the single-block street, you have to conquer it.”

Taking nothing away from Canton Avenue, once you venture outside Pennsylvania’s more densely populated areas, you’ll see some truly breathtaking natural wonders, from the Coudersport Ice Mine in Potter County to the massive pothole found in Lackawanna County’s aptly named Archbald Pothole State Park.

If you’re looking to squeeze in another trip or two before summer ends, check out this story from our Ashley Adams on the seven natural wonders in Pennsylvania you have to put on your bucket list.

• Bucks County Democratic congressional candidate Bob Harvie is suing a Republican Super PAC and its founder, alleging they continue to publish false information in an attempt to discredit him in his race against incumbent Republican US Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick. Get the details on the case here.

• As municipalities across Pennsylvania shutter their local police departments, requiring the state police to expand coverage, state lawmakers are concerned that recruitment and funding for new state police officers won’t keep pace with the demand. Find out more in this story.

• Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday and a group of 34 bipartisan attorneys general signed a letter to Congress asking them to preserve a ban on intoxicating hemp products commonly sold in gas stations and head shops. Learn more about it here.

Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride (21) shoots the ball against the Phoenix Mercury in the first half at Target Center on July 13, 2026. (USA Today Network via Reuters Connect)

Some sports news to wrap up today’s newsletter…

Congratulations to Erie native Kayla McBride, who scored a career-high 43 points for the Minnesota Lynx and shattered the WNBA record for 3-pointers in a game with 10 on Sunday, as Minnesota beat Dallas 103-90.

Read about McBride’s historic game here.

And in the Little League World Series Mid-Atlantic Region tournament, the East Side team from West Chester defeated Delaware 8-1 on Sunday and will play the Washington, DC, team Tuesday at 11 a.m. You can stream the game here.

The eventual Mid-Atlantic champion earns a berth in the Little League Baseball World Series 2026, which begins Aug. 19 in Williamsport.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Patrick Berkery with stories from Ashley Adams, USA Today via Reuters Connect, and Ian Karbal and Emily Skolnick of the Pennsylvania Capital-Star. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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