Michaelle Bond is a Philadelphia Inquirer staff writer covering local governance in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

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The Philadelphia suburbs turned blue in a big way. What do Democrats plan to do with their new power?

The Philadelphia suburbs turned blue in a big way. What do Democrats plan to do with their new power?

November 6
Democrats will have the lead role in shaping policy in all of Philadelphia’s collar counties — home to 20 percent of the state’s population — for the first time in history.
In Upper Darby, Democratic council member unseats longtime Republican mayor

Delco's other election upset: Upper Darby's mayor defeated

November 6
The council race wasn’t the only upset in Delaware County on Tuesday. Mayor Tom Micozzie lost his seat by 919 votes.
Democrats win across the Philadelphia region as Republicans are fading even on friendly turf

Democrats win across the Philadelphia region as Republicans are fading even on friendly turf

November 6
The shift in the once-legendary GOP stronghold of Delaware County appeared late Tuesday to be part of a Republican wipeout across the region and in other elections around the country.
Pennsylvania authorizes $4 million in funding for the 2020 Census

Pennsylvania authorizes $4 million in funding for the 2020 Census

November 1
It’s late and a just quarter of what a state commission recommended, but Pennsylvania is devoting $4 million to try to get residents to participate in the 2020 Census.
Races to watch in Delaware, Montgomery, Chester, and Bucks Counties in the 2019 election

The top races to watch in the Philadelphia suburbs in the 2019 election

November 1
Delaware County Democrats could make history in the race for County Council. Bucks County’s Board of Commissioners could change hands. Chester County is getting a new sheriff and district attorney. And the race is on for the Republican commissioner seat in Montgomery County.
‘MAGA’ and warnings of ‘radical extremists’: Trump-era political acrimony makes its way to Philly-area races

‘MAGA’ and warnings of ‘radical extremists’: Trump-era political acrimony makes its way to Philly-area races

October 26
Heated rhetoric ahead of elections in Montgomery County and Delaware County shows that the nationalization of local politics, once confined to congressional races, is making its way down the ballot.
The Census Bureau is ramping up recruiting for 2020 jobs

The Census Bureau is ramping up recruiting for 2020 jobs

October 22
U.S. Census Bureau needs to recruit 2.7 million applicants for temporary jobs counting Americans next year; more than half a million will be hired.
Participate in the 2020 Census? In a survey, most adults say they will, but some aren’t convinced

Participate in the 2020 Census? In a survey, most adults say they will, but some aren’t convinced

October 18
Young people, black and Hispanic adults, and people with family incomes under $30,000 are least likely to consider the census important and to say they plan to participate next year.
Here’s why N.J. won’t blow Thursday’s REAL ID deadline, even though most residents can’t get the cards

Here’s why N.J. won’t blow Thursday’s REAL ID deadline, even though most residents can’t get the cards

October 9
The more secure New Jersey identification cards are still not widely available, as the 2020 deadline for "REAL ID" approaches.
Philly becoming a national model for how to make serving the community more common

Philly becoming a national model for how to make serving the community more common

September 30
A national nonprofit is looking to cities such as Philadelphia as it pursues its goal of getting 1 in 4 young Americans to serve their communities for a year in programs like AmeriCorps.