News & Brews June 12, 2025
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Philly Public Schools: ‘Reading, Writing, & Racism’
The Free Press reports that recommended curriculum within the Philadelphia public school system shows the district is “fixated on teaching history through an ‘oppressed versus oppressor’ framework.” The district’s social studies curriculum director has even suggested that the classroom should inspire “revolution.” And he “has also posted an image of the American flag being thrown in the trash and compared the U.S. to the Soviet Union and North Korea.”
‘Dems blame grid operator for crisis of their own making’
The Daily Signal reports that several Democrat governors, including Gov. Shapiro, “have criticized PJM Interconnection in recent statements and interviews to blame the operator for high electricity costs.” Yet, these very Democrat governors have “championed zero-emissions policies that have led to coal plant closures that threaten grid stability and raise utility costs for consumers.” According to Amy Cooke, the director of the Energy and Environmental Policy Center, “These governors passed unrealistic goals of these net-zero clean grids, and now they don’t want to own their bad policy. … Their fantasy is meeting reality.”
Kenyatta removed from DNC vice-chair post
The Democratic National Committee yesterday voted to void the elections of its vice-chairs. Technically, the move was based on a complaint that the elections didn’t follow the DNC’s diversity requirements. But really, it was because the DNC was mad at David Hogg, one of the vice-chairs, for saying he would back primary challenges to incumbent Democrats. A political casualty of the feud was Pa. State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, who was also booted from his vice-chair role.Now, a re-do election will be held. Kenyatta will run again, but Hogg will not.
Funding for Pitt, Temple, & PSU could be tied to performance
Imagine a scenario in which lawmakers don’t simply throw more money at state-related universities but instead tie funding increases to performance metrics. It could happen, as lawmakers may soon vote on such a change. The Inquirer reports, “The new performance measures … include graduation rates, affordability, and enrollment of low-income students and those pursuing degrees in wide-ranging occupations deemed critical for the state.” Now, imagine if lawmakers also voted to tie funding increases for traditional K-12 public schools to whether kids are actually learning.
Poll: Optimism and concern in Philly
A new poll from the Pew Charitable Trusts shows 59% of Philadelphians think the city is heading in the right direction, up from 36% in 2022. Meanwhile, 63% approve of Mayor Cherelle Parker’s job performance. Still, “Sixty-one percent of respondents listed ‘crime, drugs, and public safety’ as the most pressing issue facing the city. That was down from 70% in 2022, but still far and away Philadelphians’ top concern,” the Inquirer reports.