radioNOVO News for Lewistown: May 19, 2026

RNN LEWISTOWN 05/19/26          POLLS ARE OPEN FROM 7AM UNTIL 8 P.M. ACROSS PENNSYLVANIA FOR TODAY'S PRIMARY ELECTION, WITH REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT VOTERS ALLOWED TO CAST BALLOTS, BUT NOT INDEPENDENTS.  WHILE THE GUBERNATORIAL RACES ARE UNCONTESTED AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET, REPUBLICAN VOTERS WILL DECIDE A COMPETITIVE PRIMARY FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BETWEEN JASON RICHEY AND JOHN VENTRE.          A MASSIVE PUBLIC TURNOUT FORCED THE MIFFLIN COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD TO MOVE ITS MEETING TO THE HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM MONDAY, WHERE DIRECTORS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO SCRAP A CONTROVERSIAL LIST OF PROPOSED BUDGET CUTS. THE AXED PLAN INCLUDED ELIMINATING OUTDOOR SCHOOL, CUTTING FIELD TRIPS, AND ENFORCING A 150-DOLLAR PAY-TO-PLAY FEE. DESPITE THE RELIEF FOR FAMILIES, THE DISTRICT STILL FACES A BALLOONING 6.4-MILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT FUELED BY A SHARP SPIKE IN HEALTHCARE COSTS.           ADMINISTRATORS MUST NOW DECIDE WHETHER TO TAP INTO THE DISTRICT'S RESERVE FUNDS OR IMPLEMENT A PROPERTY TAX HIKE BEFORE THURSDAY'S FINAL BUDGET VOTE.