Battleground Politics With Lauren Mayk

The Lehigh Valley will play a critical role in the upcoming Pennsylvania elections. In the latest episode of Battleground Politics, NBC10’s Lauren Mayk speaks with Latino voters in Allentown about the issues they’re most concerned about ahead of the midterms.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker reflected on 1,000 days in office by talking about what her administration has done so far and what could be ahead in city hall and beyond. In a one-on-one with NBC10 political reporter Lauren Mayk, Mayor Parker, who is up for re-election next year, talks about the battle over the ride-share tax, cleaning up Kensington, the larger political environment and more.

Here’s a full breakdown of the episode:

:00 – Intro

:23 – Accomplishments of 1,000 days

1:17 – The biggest challenges facing Philadelphia

3:34 – A holistic approach to tackling violence

5:53 – Cleaning up Kensington

10:44 –Affordability in Philly

14:19 – The rideshare tax

16:23 – Soda tax effects on residents

18:02 – The waste contract and environmental concerns

21:26 – City money handled by the Sheriff’s Office

23:49 – How Sheriff’s Office is operating

25:40 – Reacting to the primary election

28:36 – Trends of progressive Democrats

31:19 – Reelection campaign and the competition

33:47 – America 250 celebrations

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the latest episode of Battleground Politics, Senator Joe Pittman, a Republican and the majority leader of the Pennsylvania Senate, speaks with NBC10’s Lauren Mayk about the return to session, skill games and more.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On Sept. 9, 2026, members of the Pennsylvania House met at Congress Hall in Philadelphia’s Old City to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the adoption of the Pennsylvania constitution. Before the historic session, House Speaker Joanna McClinton spoke with NBC10’s Lauren Mayk about the upcoming Pennsylvania election, the future of data centers, transit funding and skill games in the latest episode of Battleground Politics.

Here’s a full breakdown of the episode:

:00 – Intro

:51 – A historic session in Philly

2:36 – Childhood dreams and career goals

3:18 – Making history as the first Black female Pa. house speaker

5:21 – The current state of the country

7:00 – Voters who are concerned over Pa. being pushed more to the left

10:07 – AI and data centers

12:12 – Tax breaks and data center developers

13:36 – Unions, data centers and communities

15:00 – Transit funding

16:15 – Skill games

18:40 – Functionality and division in Harrisburg

20:12 – McClinton’s approach as Pa. House Speaker

21:10 – Future plans

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The attorney for John Dougherty, also known as "Johnny Doc," confirmed with NBC10 that the former IBEW Local 98 business manager has been released from prison. The update comes one day after attorney George Bochetto told NBC10's Lauren Mayk that President Donald Trump shortened Dougherty's sentence by signing a commutation on Thursday, Sept. 3. Bochetto sat down with Lauren in the latest episode of Battleground Politics.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.