As the 2026-2027 school year began in the School District of Philadelphia, NBC10 Political Reporter Lauren Mayk sat down with the man in charge of Philadelphia schools, Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington. They talked about what Watlington hopes to see this year, how long it’s going to take to deal with an asbestos issue at Kensington High School and the district’s Facilities Plan.

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In the latest episode of Battleground Politics, NBC10’s Lauren Mayk speaks with Philadelphia’s new managing director Carlton Williams. Williams has held multiple jobs in Philadelphia under multiple administrations, including L&I and the Office of Clean and Green. He speaks with Lauren about his new role, how he handled another big job in the spotlight and what’s currently on his plate.

Here's a full breakdown of the episode:

:00 - Intro

1:02 – Williams’ approach to his new role

2:48 – How Williams will differ from previous managing director Adam Thiel

5:09 – Adjusting to a new role

7:33 – Williams reflects on his time leading L&I

10:58 – Aftermath of deadly Grays Ferry garage collapse

12:21 – Changes to L&I

12:53 – Philly streets and potholes

15:46 – Next steps for Kensington

19:00 – Sanitation contract negotiations

23:19 – ICE Out Philly

24:55 – Finding new leader of Office of Clean and Green

26:28 – What Williams will oversee

27:10 -- Whether Williams would ever run for office

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Governor Josh Shapiro recently signed an executive order placing what he described as the most stringent requirements on data center development in the country. But how will the new guidelines work? In the latest episode of Battleground Politics, NBC10’s Lauren Mayk discussed the order and its expected impact on data centers with Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Jessica Shirley

Here’s a full breakdown of the episode:

:00 – Gov. Josh Shapiro on data centers

1:54 – Response to Gov. Shapiro’s executive order

3:08 – How new permit process will impact the pace of data center development

4:06 – How order requirements impact data centers that already have environmental permits

6:27 – Backing local decisions on data centers

7:58 – Whether or not Gov. Shapiro has a final say on data center projects

8:50 – Speculative data center projects

10:35 – Environmental requirements for Pennsylvania data centers

12:21 – Protecting consumers from higher costs

13:19 – NDAs and data centers

14:23 – Data centers and state tax incentives

15:19 – Data Center Coalition’s response to executive order

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Interior Secretary Doug Burgum visited the Energy Transfer Marcus Hook Terminal on Aug. 7, 2026. In the latest episode of Battleground Politics, NBC10’s Lauren Mayk spoke with Interior Secretary Burgum about energy, gas prices as well as the Trump administration’s approach to data centers, changes to the President's House slavery exhibit, and the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

0:00 – Intro

1:00 -- Energy and gas prices in the U.S.

3:52 -- Trump administration and data centers

7:09 -- Reasoning for changes to the President's House slavery exhibit

11:00 -- Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool modifications and charges

12:53 -- Relationship with U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro

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The City of Philadelphia is in negotiations with waste management company Reworld, which operates an incinerator in Chester. Philadelphia's waste disposal process has been a source of debate, and City Council is expected to vote on the contract when it returns in September. Philadelphia's Sanitation Commissioner Crystal Jacobs Shipman and Councilmember Jamie Gauthier discuss the implications of the waste incineration contract, and what’s next.

Here's a full breakdown of the episode:

0:08 – Trash incinerator in Chester

0:58 -- Philadelphia Sanitation Commissioner Crystal Jacobs Shipman on Philadelphia waste contract

2:09 – Waste management contract with Reworld

4:37 – Contract timing

5:34 -- Environmental considerations in Philadelphia's bid process

6:30 -- Travel considerations in Philadelphia's waste management strategies

7:06 -- Response to criticisms of environmental impact of incineration

9:00 -- If incinerator were located in Philadelphia County rather than Chester County

10:09 -- Reworld procedural violations

12:21 -- Former Mayor Jim Kenney's zero waste by 2035 plan

14:05 -- Reducing reliance on waste energy and landfilling

16:43 -- Councilmember Jamie Gauthier on city contract for incinerating waste

18:22 -- Stop Trashing Our Air Act and garnering support to vote down incineration contract

20:43 -- Response to Commissioner Shipman's plan to reduce amount of waste incinerated over contract period

22:37 -- Meaning of asthma capital

24:40 -- Actions to reduce waste and improve recycling in Philadelphia

26:15 -- Mayor Parker re-election and policies on waste management

28:52 – Response from Reworld

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With the midterm elections less than 100 days away, both Democrats and Republicans are making their preparations. NBC10’s Lauren Mayk looks at the push from both parties in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District in the latest episode of Battleground Politics.

Here's a full breakdown of the episode:

0:25 -- House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Democrats' affordability pitch

1:57 -- Former U.S. Representative Susan Wild on running in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District

6:10 -- Former Rep. Susan Wild on Democratic House candidate Bob Brooks

7:37 -- U.S. House of Representatives candidate Bob Brooks on representing and supporting the working class

9:16 -- Q&A what would Democrats do to make things more affordable if voters elect them?

10:34 -- Governor Josh Shapiro on Bob Brooks voting to reverse Medicaid cuts

11:18 -- Representative Ryan Mackenzie on legislation passed during term

12:09 -- Rep. Ryan Mackenzie on bipartisan housing bill in Congress

13:23 -- Rep. Ryan Mackenzie responds to Democrats affordability pitch

14:22 -- Lehigh University Professor Christopher Borick on Hakeem Jeffries' appearance in the Lehigh Valley

15:44 -- Christopher Borick on the Democratic party's campaign branding

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Gov. Josh Shapiro signed Pennsylvania's 2026-2027 budget into law on Sunday, July 12 after both chambers of the legislature passed it. In the latest episode of Battleground Politics, NBC10’s Lauren Mayk speaks with Pa. Rep. Jordan Harris, the House appropriations chair, as well as Sen. Joe Picozzi about what this year’s budget includes and the work that went into passing it.

Here's a full breakdown:

0:44 -- Head of Philabundance Loree Jones-Brown and SNAP cards

2:30 -- Rep. Jordan Harris on passing budget

3:30 -- Negotiations for the budget

4:05 -- Education funding for Philadelphia

9:00 -- Difficulties faced in passing budget

10:30 -- SNAP benefits

11:49 -- Skill games regulations and taxes

14:55 -- Mass transit and SEPTA funding

17:32 -- Data centers and new requirements

19:22 -- Sen. Joe Picozzi and passing budget on time

21:08 -- Conversations on education funding

22:12 -- Transition to chip SNAP cards

23:58 -- Money towards retiree pensions

24:50 -- Understanding impacts of budget on Pennsylvanians

25:35 -- Debate over size of budget

26:46 -- Skill games not included in budget

29:10 -- Adult use of marijuana in Pennsylvania:

29:32 -- Data centers in Pennsylvania:

30:22 -- Long-term planning for transit and SEPTA

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Philadelphia Democrats recently met at their party headquarters for a meeting that occurs every four years. These meetings have a long-lasting impact on both a local and national level. This year’s meeting occurred amid talks of what the future of the Democratic party looks like as well as what roles progressives – who recently notched big wins in Philadelphia – will play. The ward leaders also re-elected longtime chairman Bob Brady for another four years. Recently, District Attorney Larry Krasner suggested Brady should step down after 40 years in the role. In the latest episode of Battleground Politics, NBC10’s Lauren Mayk spoke with Brady as well as Democratic ward leaders Will Gross and newly elected First Vice Chair Sharon Vaughn.

Here’s a breakdown of the episode:

:00-Intro

2:00 – Interview with Chairman Bob Brady

5:23 – Interview with 2nd Ward Leader Will Gross

8:00 – Interview with First Vice Chair Sharon Vaughn

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