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Northeast

D-Day in key battleground: Special election to determine if Democrats or Republicans control State House

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D-Day in key battleground: Special election to determine if Democrats or Republicans control State House

It’s Election Day in a western Pennsylvania legislative district in a race that will determine whether the Democrats regain control of the battleground state’s lower chamber or if Republicans win back the State House majority.

The Pennsylvania State House is currently deadlocked, with Democrats and Republicans each controlling 101 seats.

Democrats lost their razor-thin majority in January after the death of state Rep. Matt Gergerly. 

Voters in District 35, located southeast of Pittsburgh, on Tuesday are choosing between Democratic candidate Dan Goughnour, a police officer, Republican Chuck Davis, a fire chief, and libertarian Adam Kitta.

DEMOCRATS FAR FROM THRILLED ON POSSIBLE BIDEN POLITICAL REEMERGENCE

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The Pennsylvania State Capitol (AP Photo/Matt Rourke/File)

If Democrats end up winning the election – the district leans blue – it will be the fifth time this year they’ve come out on top in a special legislative election with a state majority up for grabs.

It comes as the Democratic Party tries to emerge from the political wilderness after November’s stinging election setbacks, when the party lost control of the White House and U.S. Senate and fell short in its attempt to win back the U.S. House majority from the GOP.

POLL POSITION: DEMOCRATIC PARTY’S NUMBERS PLUNGE TO ALL-TIME LOWS

And recent polling indicates the Democratic Party brand is in need of repair. 

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The party’s favorable rating sank to all-time lows in separate national polls conducted this month by CNN and NBC News. Those numbers followed a record low for Democrats in a Quinnipiac University survey in the field in February. 

Additionally, the latest Fox News National poll, which was released last week, indicated congressional Democrats’ approval rating at 30%, near an all-time low. And Democrat activists are irate over their party’s inability to blunt President Donald Trump’s agenda.

“State Democrats have been overperforming in specials this year because voters trust them to put working families’ needs above the chaos and dysfunction fueled by Trump and Republicans in Washington,” said Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams in a statement.

In a sign of the local election’s importance, Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin stopped by the district last month.

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“Sending Dan to Harrisburg isn’t just about what it means for this community,” Martin said in a statement to Fox News. “It sends a signal to Pennsylvanians. It sends a signal to Democrats around the country that we’re willing to fight for our values at every single level.”

Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin speaks with Fox News Digital on Dec. 12, 2024, in Washington. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)

While Democrats are favored in the special election, Republicans have also put resources into the race.

“No matter who looks good on paper, you’ve got to have the election,” Pennsylvania House Rep. Jamie Barton, who leads the state House GOP’s campaign arm, told the AP. “We’re not taking anything for granted.”

On the side of Pennsylvania, voters will be heading to the polls to fill a vacant state Senate seat.

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GOP state Sen. Ryan Aument stepped down in December to work as state director for newly elected U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, a fellow Republican.

Republican Josh Parsons, a Lancaster County commissioner, Democrat James Andrew Malone, the mayor of East Petersburg, and libertarian Zachary Moore are running to succeed Aument in state Senate District 36, a red-leaning seat in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Regardless of the election results, the GOP will continue to control the state Senate, where they currently hold a 27-22 majority.

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Northeast

Rioters arrested after attacking ICE vehicles in New York City; officials say group organized on social media

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Rioters arrested after attacking ICE vehicles in New York City; officials say group organized on social media

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Police confirmed multiple arrests Saturday after hundreds of anti-ICE agitators were caught on video throwing trash cans and debris at officers near a government building in New York City.

The incident happened during an ongoing crackdown on illegal immigrants in Chinatown, which has spurred protests in the area for more than a month.

Officers responded to Centre and Howard streets, near the U.S. General Service Administration building in Lower Manhattan, just before noon on a report of disorderly protesters, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) told Fox News Digital.

Protesters in New York City battle NYPD officers with a barricade on Saturday. (Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)

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ARRESTS MADE AS ANTI-ICE AGITATORS CAUGHT ON CAMERA CLASHING WITH FEDERAL OFFICERS OUTSIDE PORTLAND FACILITY

When police arrived, they found people blocking the street and exits at different locations, the NYPD said.

Video footage showed rioters pushing large potted plants in front of ICE vehicles, throwing trash at officers and screaming obscenities.

They were also spotted hurling trash cans and recycling bins and pushing barricades against officers.

Immigration activists block ICE vans during a protest against a purported ICE raid on Canal Street, Saturday, in New York City.  (Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)

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Police said the protesters were told multiple times to disperse but did not comply.

Multiple people were taken into custody, according to the NYPD. The total number of arrests has not yet been released.

PORTLAND ANTI-ICE DEMONSTRATORS CONFUSED WHEN PERSON IN FULL-SIZE ELMO COSTUME SHOWS UP

ICE Public Affairs Assistant Director Emily Covington told Fox News that the protest was coordinated on social media, and organizers called agitators to ICE’s location in New York City.

“Individuals dressed in black clothing with backpacks, face masks, and goggles showed up and began to obstruct federal law enforcement officers including by blocking the parking garage,” Covington wrote in a statement. “When individuals broadcast the location of ICE, they are putting a target on the backs of officers.”

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An NYPD officer kicks trash out of the way during an anti-ICE riot in New York City. (Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)

She added ICE officers are facing a 1,150% increase in assaults against them and an 8,000% increase in death threats as they make lawful arrests of criminal illegal immigrants.

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“We are grateful for the NYPD officers that responded to these violent agitators and stopped the lawlessness that ensued,” Covington wrote. “We will never apologize for enforcing the law and removing criminal illegal aliens including murderers, pedophiles, rapists, gang members, and terrorists from our communities. We won’t let violent rioters slow us down and anyone who assaults law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

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Boston, MA

Proposed “perfect” Red Sox trade sees Boston deal Jarren Duran, prospects for $15.5 million two-time All-Star ace

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Proposed “perfect” Red Sox trade sees Boston deal Jarren Duran, prospects for .5 million two-time All-Star ace


The Boston Red Sox found their ace in Garrett Crochet this year, after trading for him around this time last year. Now, they’ve made some moves to finally get him some support in the rotation, but none of those moves are truly a No. 2 to back him up.

Fansided’s Cody Williams believes he has the perfect trade for a name that’s been floated around as an option: Milwaukee Brewers All-Star Freddy Peralta. 

“While Boston has long looked like an obvious suitor for Peralta, the trade assets haven’t necessarily lined up perfectly for both them and Milwaukee…Now, the Brewers still aren’t in need of outfield help, so to speak, but there is certainly room to upgrade over the likes of Jake Bauers, Garrett Mitchell or Blake Perkins, which Duran or Abreu would allow them to do. Furthermore, in typical fashion for Milwaukee, they could flip an asset they’re unlikely to be able to pay in Peralta for immediate major-league upgrades with plenty of club control at low cost and prospects that could help keep the ball rolling under Pat Murphy,” Williams wrote. 

MORE: Cubs predicted to trade for $3.75 million 150 SO ace to create 1-2 punch with Shota Imanaga

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The trade would look like this: 

Red Sox get: RHP Freddy Peralta

Brewers get: OF Jarren Duran, SS Franklin Arias (No. 1 Prospect), RHP Juan Valera (No. 12 Prospect) 

MORE: Mariners predicted to trade for $5.75 million All-Star, Gold Glove as amazing replacement for Jorge Polanco

Peralta posted a 17-6 record, a 2.70 ERA, 204 Ks, and a WHIP of 1.075 over 176 innings pitched last season. Combine him with Crochet, and the Sox have a World Series-contending-level rotation. 

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The only problem with this is it’s basically a one-year rental. Peralta’s contract is up after this year, and he’s projected to get a five-year, $152 million deal. 

The Sox have shown they don’t believe in giving long-term contracts out to players over 30, and Peralta will be 30 in the upcoming season. Hopefully, the Sox make an exception, get uncomfortable like they said they would, and pursue this trade.

MORE MLB NEWS

Braves predicted to be top trade candidate for $325 million two-time World Series MVP, five-time All-Star as massive upgrade over Mauricio Dubon

Red Sox predicted to be top landing spot for $116.5 million three-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger, would be massive upgrade from David Hamilton

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Phillies predicted to be top trade candidate for $7.7 million All-Star MVP, would replace Nick Castellanos



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Pittsburg, PA

Report: Pirates Among Teams Interested in Luis Robert Jr.

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Report: Pirates Among Teams Interested in Luis Robert Jr.


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Chicago White Sox’s Luis Robert Jr. jogs the bases after hitting a home run during a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

The Pittsburgh Pirates are one of the teams expressing interest in Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr., according to Francys Romero on Twitter/X. Romero notes that the New York Mets and San Diego Padres are also interested.

After being named an American League All-Star for the first time in 2023, Robert had his second straight subpar season for the White Sox in 2025. The 28-year-old slashed just .223/.297/.364 with 12 doubles, 14 home runs and 53 RBI in 100 games. He did, however, finished fifth in the American League with 33 stolen bases and was in the 93rd-percentile with seven outs above average in center field.

Though he’s struggled at the plate over the last two seasons, Robert looked to be emerging as one of the game’s top young players after a breakout campaign in 2023. Robert has battled injuries in his career but played in a career-high 145 games that season. He finished 12th in the American League MVP race and won a Silver Slugger after batting .264 with an .857 OPS, 36 doubles, one triple, 38 home runs, 80 RBI and 20 stolen bases.

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Strikeouts have been an issue for Robert and are a big reason for his struggles in recent seasons. Over the past two years, he’s struck out in nearly 30% of his plate appearances. Even in his breakout season in 2023, he struck out 172 times in 595 plate appearances.

Robert is owed $20 million this coming seasons and has a club option valued at $20 million again for 2027 with a $2 million buyout.

The Pirates have been looking to make lineup upgrades all offseason. They’ve been aggressive on the free agent market — including empty pursuits of Kyle Schwarber and Jorge Polanco — but have yet to add a bat via free agency. The only free agent agreement the Pirates have made so far is with left-handed reliever Gregory Soto for one year and $7.75 million.

As for the offense, the Pirates acquired Jhostynxon García from the Boston Red Sox but have come up short in adding established help to their lowly offense.

Given that the Pirates have already been outbid on multiple players this offseason, general manager Ben Cherington could choose to focus his attention on the trade market to land an impact bat.

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In addition to Robert, the St. Louis Cardinals’ Brendan Donovan and the New York Mets’ Jeff McNeil are among the players the Pirates have reportedly expressed interest in.

Mentioned in this article: Pittsburgh Pirates

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