News & Brews July 18, 2024
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‘Of all the places’: Butler grapples with assassination attempt
The AP spoke with residents of “rural,” “neighborly” Butler, Pa. as they try to come to grips with the reality that their town and county was the site of Saturday’s assassination attempt against former President Trump. “In a place where people know each other,” the story reads, “it’s common to consider the impact of such a cataclysmic event on individual people, especially those with a direct connection to what happened. It’s one more reason why the shock will linger for years.”
Trump family member to attend funeral of slain rally attendee
A member of former President Trump’s family will reportedly attend one of the services for Corey Comperatore, the husband, father, friend, firefighter, neighbor, and former Army reservist killed during the assassination attempt against Trump at the Butler County rally on Saturday. The Post-Gazette reports, “Buffalo Township Supervisor Michael Oehling on Wednesday said Eric Trump confirmed to township officials that a member of the family will be in attendance at either viewing services Thursday or the funeral on Friday for Corey Comperatore. Mr. Oehling said it hasn’t been confirmed who will represent the family. A public viewing will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at Laube Hall in Freeport. Funeral services … Friday are private.”
McCormick/Casey have spent $50M in Senate race
The Post-Gazette reports that per new campaign finance information filed with the Federal Elections Commission, GOP U.S. Senate nominee Dave McCormick and his affiliated super PAC spent more than $26.1 million through June 30, while incumbent Democrat U.S. Sen. Bob Casey spent $23.9 million. While Casey has out-raised McCormick $31.8 million to $14 million, “McCormick more than made up the gap by lending himself $4.1 million, $2 million of that in the last three months, and with the help of $16.3 million in expenditures from the super PAC.”
Penn State trustee sues the university
Spotlight PA reports, “A Penn State trustee is suing the board for allegedly withholding information about how the university manages its $4.6 billion endowment, which provides financial stability for the institution and includes donations intended to benefit Penn State and its students.” The story continues, “Barry Fenchak, an alumni-elected trustee, said that university leaders and fellow trustees have blocked him for years from reviewing data he requested, including details about what assets Penn State has and administrative fees charged to those holdings.”
Wall Street Journal takes note of Kensington
The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board praises Philly Mayor Cherelle Parker and Police Commissioner Keven Bethel for finally doing something about the rampant crime and drug use in Kensington. “After taking office this year, Ms. Parker issued an executive order ‘to permanently shut down all pervasive open-air drug markets’ in Kensington. The Philadelphia Police Department began with a ‘warning and opportunity’ window offering vagrants and drug users shelter and treatment. On June 18 the police shifted to enforcing the law.” This is a sharp shift from District Attorney Larry Krasner’s “leniency for lawbreakers.” The Ed Board writes, “The mayor and police department can’t fix Kensington alone, but enforcing the law is the right first step to make a community safe for law-abiding residents.”