A bit of music talk to begin Friday’s newsletter…

Berks County native/global pop superstar Taylor Swift has racked up some monumental achievements in recent years. She’s been the most-streamed artist in the world, the focus of a Penn State course, Time Magazine’s Person of the Year, and her record-breaking “Eras” tour powered local economies across the globe.

And on Thursday, Swift became the youngest woman ever inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame at age 36.

Read the story about Swift’s latest honor here.

Swift won’t be playing Pennsylvania this summer, but many other artists will be, some of whom you can see for free. In this story, we’ve got details on 20 places to catch concerts for free this summer across the commonwealth, from events showcasing local artists to shows from well-known acts like Christina Aguilera, the Avett Brothers, and Lady A, to classical performances from the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, and the Erie Philharmonic.

Forward Christian Pulisic of the United States men’s national soccer team is presented during the announcement of the team roster on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in New York City, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)

Hershey native Christian Pulisic is the most accomplished and most famous player on his national team at the exact time when his nation is hosting a World Cup.

Pulisic’s US teammates recognize the extraordinary burden he is carrying while the Americans prepare for their World Cup opener Friday night against Paraguay. 

The 27-year-old does not shy from the spotlight that will glare more brightly than ever in the next few weeks. In fact, he repeated Thursday that this challenge is “what I’ve always wanted.”

“I don’t feel a difference in weight,” Pulisic said. “I’m not sure. Maybe less. I just feel like there’s so many good players around me. I genuinely don’t feel like I have to do anything on my own. I’m going to give it the best I can. I want to help the team, and they expect a lot out of me, but with the guys I have around me, it makes it a lot easier for me.”

Read more about how Pulisic is ready to shoulder the burden of US hopes in World Cup play in this story.

• State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, the Republican nominee for governor, said she would order an end to a state ban on new fracking sites “on day one” of her administration as part of her plan to “unleash Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry.” Find out more here.

• Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2026-27 budget proposal includes a roughly $116 million funding increase for the Pennsylvania State Police—around 9% more than the state’s general fund spent on its police force last year. Get the details on how that money would be allocated in this story.

• Democratic lawmakers in the Pennsylvania Senate have introduced legislation prohibiting ICE officials from being within 100 feet of polling locations and ballot return sites come November. Get the story here.

• The African American Museum of Bucks County is putting the finishing touches on its new permanent location, opening to the public June 20. Get a preview of what’s in store at the new location right here.

As part of the America250 celebration, the Big Boy No. 4014 steam locomotive stops in Erie County on June 9, 2026. (USA Today via Reuters Connect)

The world’s largest steam locomotive made its first stop in Pennsylvania Wednesday at North East’s Lake Shore Railway Museum in Erie County. 

The Union Pacific train, known as Big Boy No. 4014, will be making 11 more stops across Pennsylvania between June 9 and July 11 in honor of America’s 250th birthday celebration. Find out where you can see it next in this story.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Patrick Berkery with stories from Kalena Thomhave, Sean Kitchen, Isabel Soisson, The Associated Press, USA Today via Reuters Connect, and Peter Hall of the Pennsylvania Capital-Star. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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