News & Brews April 30, 2025
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Jewish educator sues Philly school district over antisemitism
Philadelphia Magazine reports that a Jewish educator who has been working for the Philadelphia School District since 2017 has filed a lawsuit against the district, alleging that she “has been forced to endure conditions that, by any objective measure, are grossly offensive, severe, and pervasive, including, among many other things, being forced to look at images that advocate for the violent destruction of the Jewish people and the State of Israel.” The images “have been hanging in central locations at school district headquarters.” The educator, Heather Mizrachi, says “that she has been formally complaining to the district since December 2023, but that the district has done nothing to resolve the problem.” As JNS reminds us, the district was previously under investigation “over allegations of antisemitic harassment after October 7, [2023].”
Pa. Dem rep. tries to block additional Pentagon funding
Democrat U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (Chester) attempted to block an additional $150 billion in Pentagon funding with the condition that she would approve it only if Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is removed from office and is “no longer part of the government.” In offering an amendment to block the funding, Houlahan acknowledged the money was “for the right purposes” and something “we may actually likely need,” Houlahan’s amendment failed.
McCormick: ‘Road to energy dominance runs through Pa.’
U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick writes in the Washington Times, “When I think of American energy, I envision a future of energy domination and innovation that will expand economic opportunity, create new well-paying jobs, and bolster our national security, all while being good stewards of the environment. That future runs right through Pennsylvania.” He continues, “The Keystone State is the second-largest energy producer in the nation, has the fourth-largest natural gas reserves in the world, and is a leader in nuclear energy. We are ready to power the AI revolution, to export gas domestically and around the world, and to lead the way in energy innovation.”
Commonwealth U. president loses vote of confidence, will resign, gets another state job
After losing a faculty vote of confidence in February “after a federal judge upheld a $3.9 million verdict in a workplace retaliation case against him,” Commonwealth University President Bashar Hanna will step down from his post, effective July 31, PennLive reports. But he’s not going far. “On Aug. 1, he will start as vice chancellor for strategic initiatives at PASSHE, the state’s 14-campus public university system.” Of the legal woes, “PASSHE sought to have the award stricken and the case re-tried; the university’s own investigation found the claims against Hanna were mischaracterizations, although it acknowledged that his behavior … was inappropriate.”
Nothing quiet about this Allegheny election
Allegheny County Republicans are going to court arguing that an interim at-large council member, chosen to fill a vacant seat, should be able to serve the full remaining term (until 2027) before running for election, rather than facing election this fall. WESA explains, “In the past, when a county council seat has gone vacant, a placeholder was chosen by a caucus of the former councilor’s party. The interim councilor held the seat until the next municipal election, whose winner would fill out the remainder of the term.” But the current situation appears to be the first time that the vacancy is an at-large seat. The council has two such seats, which have typically been split between a Democrat and a Republican. Now, a Democrat plans to run as an independent against the Republican interim member.