Pennsylvania State Senate

A bill dubbed 'Alicia's Law' has advanced in the Pennsylvania Senate. The internet safety legislation is named for a girl from the Pittsburgh area. Local outlet WPXI reported the bill's progress, with the story also picked up by Yahoo News, drawing attention to lawmakers' ongoing efforts to strengthen protections for children online.

Pennsylvania's Senate Majority Leader is speaking out on several pending issues in the state capital, including the upcoming midterm election, the regulation of skill games, and a proposed ban on gifts to lawmakers. The remarks touch on debates over gambling-style machines and ethics rules that have been circulating in the Pennsylvania legislature.

A bill to end Pennsylvania's closed primary elections has passed the state House, a step toward letting independent voters participate in party primaries. Currently, only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote in the state's nominating contests, leaving over a million unaffiliated voters on the sidelines. The measure now moves to the state Senate, where its fate remains uncertain.

The Pennsylvania state House has passed legislation that would allow independent voters to participate in primary elections. Currently, Pennsylvania closes its primaries to voters registered with a party, leaving more than a million independents unable to cast ballots in races that often decide the state's ultimate winners. The bill's passage is being highlighted by election watchers as a notable step, though it still faces an uncertain path in the state Senate.

Senators John Fetterman, a Democrat, and Dave McCormick, a Republican, both of Pennsylvania, voted to pass the Protect College Sports Act. The bipartisan pairing of the state's two senators on the college sports bill drew attention, as the legislation concerns rules governing college athletics. Details of the bill's provisions and the wider Senate vote were not included in the available coverage.

The Pennsylvania State House has passed a bill that would allow unaffiliated voters to cast ballots in primary elections. Currently, independent voters in the state are barred from participating in primaries, which often decide the winners of key races. The measure now moves to the State Senate, where its prospects remain uncertain.

Nathan Wood is seeking the Democratic nomination for a Pennsylvania State Senate seat in the 2026 primary election. He appears in a 2026 Pennsylvania primary election guide from Fox43, which is profiling candidates ahead of the vote. The race adds to growing attention on state legislative contests in Pennsylvania as the 2026 election cycle takes shape.