This week's Bulletin tracks a health department quietly rewriting a rule the courts already struck down, a governor's widening lead, and a sharp debate over whether voters or legislators should have the final say.
INVESTIGATIVE
Ada Nestor traces how the Pennsylvania Health Department is refiling the same broad disease-control authority the state Supreme Court rejected in Corman v. Acting Secretary — this time also requiring schools to give the Department private, unobstructed access to students for contact tracing, with no parental notice built in.
POLITICS
A new F&M poll has Gov. Shapiro up 25 points on Stacy Garrity, 50-25%, even as nearly half of PA voters say they're worse off financially than a year ago. Meanwhile, Bradley Vasoli looks at how state Sen. Steve Santarsiero flipped a long-red Bucks County Senate seat blue — and whether Republican challenger Bankos can flip it back.
SPORTS
Gov. Shapiro says the Eagles' future home will stay in Philadelphia even as owner Jeffrey Lurie weighs a new (possibly domed) stadium. Elsewhere, the Birds are getting a 2027 "Rivalries" alternate uniform, with hints of a return to their vintage white helmet.
FROM THE EDITORS
Two editors square off on direct democracy: John Cole warns that citizen ballot initiatives invite California-style fiscal chaos, while Daniel Trippie counters that when the PA House won't even hold a vote — like on the Save Women's Sports Act — voters deserve a way around the gridlock.
OPINION & ANALYSIS
Thom Nickels argues Gov. Shapiro's careful straddling on Israel-Palestine reflects Pennsylvania's growing Muslim population, and makes the case that Philadelphia is on track to become the East Coast's next Dearborn.
