Following a disastrous midterm election for the GOP, insiders say Pennsylvania Republicans are unlikely to soften their legislative agenda — and that has some worried about the party's future prospects.

After losing marquee races for governor and U.S. Senate, as well as control of the state House — though that remains contested — the more conservative members of the state House have drawn different lessons from the electoral outcomes: namely that they have not been aggressive enough.

Insiders, however, worry that a hardline approach could cost the party support in vote-rich areas of the state and, in turn, more elections. 

Read Spotlight PA's full report: Despite midterm losses, Pa. Republicans appear unlikely to abandon combative agenda.

THE CONTEXT: Since the midterms, Republicans in Harrisburg, particularly in the state House, have showed little appetite for moderation. 

They've formed a state House chapter of the ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus, advanced a contested impeachment effort involving Philly's progressive DA, and re-floated stringent abortion restrictions. 

"I don't think it’s a good sign for us," said one Republican Party insider who spoke on condition of anonymity.

But state Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R., Lawrence), a member of the new Freedom Caucus chapter, said voters are "tired of the status quo" and that the caucus needs to do a better job of putting words into action.

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An abandoned pool on the grounds of the Hunting Hill Mansion at Ridley Creek State Park in Delaware County, via Don N. Send us your photos by email, use #PAGems on Instagram, or tag us @spotlightpennsylvania. 

UNBOXED: The box has come off Philadelphia's contested Marconi Plaza Christopher Columbus statue following a court ruling, via Axios. Plaintiffs say the ruling could impact a similar case in Pittsburgh.

GAS BREAKS: Spotlight PA's Stephen Caruso talked with The Allegheny Front about a multibillion, fossil fuel-focused tax package — signed into law by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf — and who likes it, who doesn't, and why.

HALF STAFF: Gov. Tom Wolf has ordered commonwealth flags flown at half staff to honor three firefighters — Kurt Keilhofer, Marvin Gruber, and Zachary Paris — who died in the line of duty last week.

LAST CALL: The Village nightclub — a staple of Lancaster nightlife for nearly 70 years — closed for good on Saturday, via LNP. A hotbed of celebrity sightings in the '80s, the club was sold but plans are unclear.

PLOWFACE: PennDOT's Paint the Plow program is cool and all, but Ohio has a "name the plow" contest that drew entries like "Ctrl-Salt-Delete," "The Big Leplowski," "Plow Chicka Plow Wow," and more.