This week’s biggest Winners & Losers

Who says bipartisanship is dead? Democrats and Republicans alike got a win this week when lawmakers sent a bill to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk that would fully repeal the state’s ban on Sunday hunting, which comes as part of an effort to increase access to hunting and prevent crop damage in the state. The bill, sponsored by Democratic state Rep. Mandy Steele in the House and GOP state Sen. Dan Laughlin in the Senate, now awaits the governor’s signature.

They say slow and steady wins the race, but Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chair and state Sen. Sharif Street has set himself up as an early frontrunner in the race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans after quickly jumping into the race this week. Others rumored to be interested in the seat include Democratic state Reps. Morgan Cephas and Chris Rabb. Two first-time candidates – Robin Toldens and David Oxman – have already filed paperwork to run, per The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Philadelphia’s WNBA wishes have been answered. The league announced that Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia will be part of the next round of expansion, with the team taking the court in 2030. The biggest remaining question is: what should be the team name?

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman was a “hell no” vote this week on the budget reconciliation bill that threatens to eliminate health coverage for between 300,000 and 500,000 Pennsylvanians, but the commonwealth’s senior senator made headlines for another reason: complaining about being in Washington for the vote. In now-viral comments, the senator – who asked Pennsylvania voters to send him to Washington, D.C. in 2022 – noted that he missed his family beach trip because of the vote, adding: “I just want to go home.” That drew a retort from U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle, who, while acknowledging the sacrifices lawmakers make, said in an interview: “If you don’t want to be here, leave.”

Philadelphia’s municipal workers union’s walkout following failed contract negotiations with Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration has put the city in a pileup. With sanitation workers now striking, trash collection is one of several city services being impacted, leaving residents with the odiferous option of bringing their trash to temporary drop-off locations across the city. The smelly sidewalks near parks and neighborhoods is just one side effect of the strike – and the city’s subsequent response.

A man awaiting trial at the Allegheny County Jail alleges that he sustained long-term injuries after being stunned repeatedly with a Taser. Kush Wilkerson’s case is one of at least six other federal lawsuits to be filed against the sergeant in recent years. And according to the latest lawsuit, in 2023, the jail’s use of stun devices on those incarcerated there – 183 times that year – equaled approximately 43% of the statewide total.