Shortly after two federal judges ruled Friday that President Donald Trump’s administration must use some emergency funds to cover Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for 42 million Americans—including 2 million Pennsylvanians—ahead of a midnight deadline, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an emergency declaration to direct $5 million to the state’s 13 food banks to help feed Pennsylvanians affected by the government shutdown.

Shapiro also announced that $1 million in private donations had been raised for the food banks, with more donations expected.

Those donations will be crucial in providing assistance to SNAP recipients in Pennsylvania. The Trump administration informed a federal judge Monday afternoon that it will send only partial payments this month to SNAP recipients, using emergency funds to cover “50% of eligible households’ current allotments.”

SNAP isn’t the only program impacted by the government shutdown. Nearly 500,000 Pennsylvanians who purchase health insurance through Pennie, the state’s official state-based health insurance marketplace, could see their premiums rise significantly if Congress allows the Affordable Care Act’s Enhanced Premium Tax Credits to expire at the end of the year. The expiration of these subsidies is at the center of the ongoing federal government shutdown. 

During a “60 Minutes” interview that aired on Sunday, Trump said he would only negotiate on extending the Affordable Care Act subsidies once the government is reopened. 

The 2026 open enrollment period for Pennie began on Saturday, and Pennsylvanians are already experiencing sticker shock. Without the tax credits, one couple from Lehigh Valley told us that they were notified their monthly premium would rise from $228 to $2,450. 

According to Pennie, rural Pennsylvanians will be disproportionately affected. Residents living in and around the Appalachian ridge and Piedmont regions in central and south-central Pa. are expected to see the largest premium increases, ranging from a 169% increase in York County to a 485% increase in Juniata County.

Our Sean Kitchen breaks down how the failure to extend those health care subsidies could impact Pennsylvanians who purchase their health insurance through Pennie.

Our PA Supreme Court is a protective barrier for our rights, having made recent rulings that expanded abortion access and workers’ overtime and sick leave pay. Make your voice heard—vote yes or no by Nov. 4 to decide if we keep our justices. Learn more.

One thing I did not expect when I began editing this newsletter two-and-a-half years ago was how many former Pennsylvanians would become regular readers. Not a week goes by that I don’t hear from someone who is now living out of state answering our QOTW, or reaching out to tell me how much this newsletter helps them maintain a connection to the commonwealth. 

With that in mind, this week’s QOTW is for the expats:

What’s the thing you miss most about living in Pennsylvania?

Reply with your answer, and please let us know where you’re living now, and where you used to live in Pa. We look forward to hearing from you!

A polling place sign at Gratz College on Election Day in Elkins Park, Montgomery County, Nov. 3, 2020. (Shutterstock)

Election Day is Tuesday. Are you ready, Pennsylvania?

Though 2025 is an off-year election, with no major federal races, there are still important state races, like the mayoral race between Democratic Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor and Republican Tony Moreno in Pittsburgh to replace outgoing Democratic incumbent Ed Gainey, and the race for district attorney in Philadelphia, where Democrat Larry Krasner seeks a third term against former Philadelphia Municipal Court Judge Pat Dugan. 

Statewide, the big race involves Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court, where three Democratic justices are up for retention elections, which means voters will get to decide whether each justice should be retained for another 10-year term. The outcome could impact the court’s 5-2 Democratic majority. Our Ashley Adams highlights what’s at stake in the Supreme Court race in this story. 

If you’re looking for information on municipal races in your area, Ballotpedia is a great resource.

Other stuff you should know ahead of Election Day:

☑️ Polls in Pennsylvania are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. As long as you are in line by 8 p.m., you’ll be able to vote.

☑️ Not sure where to vote? Find your polling place here.

☑️ Need to know where you can drop off your mail ballot in person? Find that information here.

☑️ Check your voter registration status here and make sure all your information is accurate.

• Republican Pennsylvania US Rep. Rob Bresnahan is part of a bipartisan group of lawmakers in Washington who are trying to revive a canceled program that could grant millions of dollars to Pennsylvania farmers who provide products to food banks. Get the details here.

• Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that 14 people from Somerset and Cambria counties have been charged with offenses, including drug trafficking and illegal firearms possession. Get the story here.

• A Bucks County resident is calling for the removal of a potent opioid product that is commonly sold in Pennsylvania gas stations and vape shops. Find out more here.

(Shutterstock)

High school basketball coaches in Pennsylvania may soon have to factor a 35-second shot clock into their game plans.

During a recent meeting of the Pennsylvania Athletic Oversight Committee, Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Executive Director Bob Lombardi called the proposal surrounding the implementation of a shot clock an “interesting discussion.”

He said after the steering committee turned down the plan by one vote months ago, the board of directors at its July meeting discussed any concerns about using it and approved it for the first time.

“What came out of that were, the issues were cost, timing of implementation, training of officials, and training of staff to run them,” Lombardi said.

Reach 230,000+ Pennsylvanians who care about their communities! Sponsor The Keystone’s Dec. 6 Special Edition, “How to Get Involved and Give Back this Holiday Season.” Book by Nov. 21, 2025, and save 20% off your placement.

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Patrick Berkery with stories from USA Today via Reuters Connect, Sean Kitchen, and Pennsylvania Capital-Star. It was edited by Paula Solis. The Keystone is free for everyone. Your support makes our work possible.