Two historic moments happened in the Pennsylvania legislature Thursday.

Kim Ward, a Republican from Westmoreland County, won the election within her caucus to become the first woman to serve as majority leader in the state Senate. The change happens as Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R., Centre) was tapped to become president pro tempore next session.

And in the other chamber, state Rep. Joanna McClinton (D., Philadelphia) won the election in her caucus to become the first Black woman to serve as Democratic leader. (The Inquirer spoke to McClinton in 2018 after she became the first woman of color to become chairperson of the House Democratic Caucus.)

Ward didn't dwell much on the historic moment at a Capitol news conference Thursday. But in an interview with TribLIVE, Ward said women and men can achieve what they want if they're willing to fight for it.

“We have to fight a little harder here on this side of the gender horizon," she said. "Just fight, stay focused on your goals, don’t take your eye off it and go and you’ll get there."

THE CONTEXT: Despite President Donald Trump's loss in Pennsylvania, state Republicans scored big victories in down-ballot races. They flipped two row office positions and kept their majorities in both chambers.

Democrats are doing some soul searching into what wrong. In Allegheny County, moderates and progressives are fighting about the role calls to "defund the police" and ban natural gas drilling played in the election.

On the other side of the state, many voters in the Philly suburbs split their ticket, voting against Trump but in favor of Republican lawmakers like Rep. Todd Stephens in Montgomery County, WHYY reports.

For now, divided government will remain in Harrisburg, just as it has for Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's entire time in office. While lawmakers are already preparing for the new session that begins in January, they still need to pass a budget before the end of the month.

"We have not seen anything other than some questions about process that have been exaggerated into allegations of misconduct."

— Republican Gary Eichelberger, chair of the Cumberland County commissioners, on how members of his own party are nurturing false information about voter fraud

SPECIAL SUNDAYS: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has this delightful lede about a recent change in state law: "Hunting on Sundays has been illegal in Pennsylvania since British rule of Penn’s Woods colony. After decades of debate in the state legislature, that ends Sunday." Sunday hunting will take place Nov. 15, 22, and 29 this year.

LIGHT OVER DARKNESS: Diwali, a five-day festival of lights observed by millions of Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains, will look different this year. But Pooja Makhijani writes that the symbolism of Diwali seems more important than ever.

SWEET TREAT: If you love the Farm Show milkshakes, get ready for this: "Cowabunga," a new ice cream that is basically a "Farm Show milkshake by the scoop." Here's where you can find one.

RECYCLED SIGNS: The Philadelphia Inquirer has this super detailed explainer about what you can do with campaign signs. The story even breaks down the differences between ones made with cardboard, paper, corrugated plastic, and more. A West Philly nonprofit has found creative uses for those signs, turning them into lamps and other items.

SCRAPPLE 2.0: When I lived closer to Philly, I almost always chose scrapple as my side dish at diners. But now, as an eight-year resident of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, I am tempted to try cornmeal scrapple — maybe as a Thanksgiving side dish?