News & Brews June 13, 2024
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Billboards expose antisemitism in Pa. K-12 schools
Accuracy in Media (AIM) has launched mobile billboards in two Pa. school districts exposing anti-Israel, pro-terrorist activity by some teachers. The billboards specifically highlight Philly’s social studies curriculum director, who has defended Hamas and says educators should use their roles to advance their political agenda, and a Central Bucks Spanish teacher who praised Hamas just days after the October 7 terror attacks on Israel. AIM’s president said, “No student should be geographically assigned to a school with antisemitic educators. The only solution is school choice.” Indeed, forcing Pa. children to be taught by antisemitic teachers who promote terrorism should raise bipartisan alarm.
Bye-bye turnpike toll booths (tolls will stay, of course)
The Pennsylvania Turnpike plans to remove all toll booths in a switch to open-road tolling, which uses overhead gantries. The Tribune-Review reports, “The Turnpike Commission last week approved $50 million in contracts to construct a portion of the overhead gantries needed to complete a transition,” which will “electronically charge drivers at interchanges without the need to stop or slow down.” The story continues, “The agency has already finished construction of some gantries in the eastern part of the state. Those are set to go online in 2025. Gantries in Western Pennsylvania will be active by 2027. Toll booths will no longer be in service.”
Pa. treasurer candidates diverge on supporting Israel
The Jewish Exponent reports on the opposing views of the two candidates for state treasurer—incumbent Republican Treasurer Stacy Garrity and Democrat challenger Erin McClelland—regarding investing in Israel bonds. Not only does Garrity stand with Israel in opposing terrorism, but she also says Israel bonds are good fiscal investments. “We’ve been invested in these bonds since the ’90s,” she said. “They pay above-market returns and they’ve never defaulted.” McClelland, meanwhile, dodged the question of whether she supports the anti-Israel BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) movement and opposes investing in Israel.
Police: Fetterman ‘at fault’ for car crash
Early Sunday Morning, U.S. Sen. John Fetterman and his wife, Gisele, were involved in a car crash in Maryland. The Inquirer reports that per the Maryland State Police, Fetterman was “at fault” and was driving “well over” the speed limit before rear-ending the other vehicle. The senator and his wife were both evaluated at a hospital and released (with Fetterman being treated for a bruised shoulder). It’s unclear if Gisele was treated for any injuries. The driver of the other car reportedly suffered a “suspected minor injury.”
Dem. state senator arrested for blocking traffic as part of protest
Democrat state Sen. Nikil Saval (Philadelphia) was one of several dozen people arrested yesterday in Philly “after sitting down on Market Street and closing it during rush hour,” PennLive reports. The illegal traffic-blocking was part of a protest against Aramark over wages and benefits. It’s worth noting that the right to peaceably assemble is enshrined in our Constitution. The right to illegally shut down roadways and block traffic is not.