🗳️ Roll reversal on voter trends | Morning Newsletter

Hi, Philly. After our sunny Sunday, the rest of this week is expected to be cloudier and chillier.

Republicans were on track to lead Pennsylvania voter registrations for the first time in 30 years. Democrats think they’ve stopped the trend.

And Penn Medicine launched its Lynch syndrome center as cases of the cancer-risk condition have nearly tripled in recent years.

Plus, sneakerheads lined up for Nike’s new Lower Merion-inspired Kobe Bryant shoes, and more news of the day.

— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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With less than eight months until the midterm elections, national eyes are turning once again to purple Pennsylvania, where Democrats last year slowed and eventually began to narrowly reverse Republican voter registration gains.

By the numbers: As of March, Democrats hold a 2% voter advantage over Republicans in Pennsylvania, with 177,000 more voters, according to Department of State data. That’s up from their 1.9% lead in November, but still down significantly from a 10.5% lead in 2016.

Shifting strategy: The change comes as Eugene DePasquale, the new chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, has invested in party-led voter registration efforts. But it follows years of voter-registration deprioritization within the state party, while Republicans doubled down on it in communities seen as friendly to President Donald Trump.

State of the union: Democrats are expected to perform well in the midterms by riding a wave of anger at Trump. It’s too early to tell whether the party’s improvements will continue in the long run.

Reporters Katie Bernard, Gillian McGoldrick, and Joe Yerardi dig into the data.

In other political news: Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s $7 billion budget plan, which aims to boost revenue by hiking Philadelphia’s hotel tax and expanding its sales tax, relies in part on authorization from Harrisburg — and help from GOP allies.

A diagnosis linked to higher risks of several cancers is getting more attention at Penn Medicine through the launch of a comprehensive center dedicated to advancing research, education, and patient care for the genetic condition.

Experts at the King Center for Lynch Syndrome, which opened late last year, help patients manage their cancer risks with recommendations for screenings, risk-reducing surgeries, or medications. An estimated 95% of those who have the condition are undiagnosed.

Case study: A West Chester man found out he had Lynch syndrome after getting a call from Penn’s BioBank. Soon after, at 42, he got a colonoscopy — and learned he had stage 3 colorectal cancer. The quick diagnosis led to surgery, then chemotherapy, which he has since completed.

Health reporter Kayla Yup has the story.

Collector Malcolm France was among the first few sneakerheads in the country to get a pair of shoes from Nike’s homage to basketball superstar Kobe Bryant’s local roots, complete with Lower Merion High School’s maroon and white jersey colors. Lapstone & Hammer in Center City released select models early, first-come, first-served on Saturday.

Which Philadelphia bridge will close to car traffic in July for its 100th anniversary celebration?

A) Walt Whitman Bridge

B) Falls Bridge

C) Strawberry Mansion Bridge

D) Ben Franklin Bridge

Think you know? Check your answer.

🎨 Eager to see: Noah Davis’ retrospective at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

⚽ Learning: What to expect at Philly’s World Cup fan festival in Fairmount Park.

🤤 Anticipating: The opening of cult Japanese cream puff brand Beard Papa’s store in Chinatown.

🍳 Noting: Where to find an early breakfast in Center City and the best breakfast sandwiches in all of Philadelphia.

📣 Meeting: The HIV positive influencer whose activism starts at the corner store.

Hint: Healthcare institution in Delaware County

MISANTHROPY BRAWL

Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.

Cheers to Liz Greco-Rocks, who solved Sunday’s anagram: KYW Newsradio. CBS News Radio is shutting down, but the impact to this AM station owned by Center City-headquartered Audacy is limited.

Think back to the night that changed your life that could only happen in Philly, a true example of the Philly spirit, the time you finally felt like you belonged in Philly if you’re not a lifer, something that made you fall in love with Philly all over again — or proud to be from here if you are. Then email it to us for a chance to be featured in the Monday edition of this newsletter.

This “only in Philly” story comes from reader Ken Derow, who shares his affinity for the local palate:

I am not a Philly lifer, but rather a transplant from metro-Washington D.C. But I’ve come to love Philly. One reason: Where else in the country or the world can such delightful foods as water ice, soft pretzels, and hoagies be consumed guilt-free and considered part of a well-rounded diet? The answer is nowhere!

You deserve a treat today. ‘Tis the season for water ice, after all. See you tomorrow.

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