News & Brews June 16, 2025
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Who will challenge Shapiro in 2026?
The Associated Press has a story on how the Republican nominee for Pennsylvania governor in 2026 will not only challenge incumbent Gov. Josh Shapiro but may also help set the stage for what could be some extremely competitive U.S. House races. “Democrats are targeting four GOP-held congressional seats in Pennsylvania alone — more than in any other state — and they need to flip only three seats nationwide to retake the majority they lost in 2022. Having a valuable standard-bearer is important, analysts say. That is the candidate who often sets the tone for the party in the state, delivers the party’s message and drives the enthusiasm of the party’s faithful to go out and vote.”
Protests come to Pa.
Protestors gathered in Pa. and across the country on Saturday in opposition to President Trump. It appears, however, some people had no idea why they were protesting and simply wanted to rage against something. Spotlight PA gives a rundown of the protests in Pa. and around the country, noting one New York attendee said, “We’re here because we’re worried about the existential crisis of this country and the planet and our species.” Yep, let’s just lump it all in there.
Teachers’ union head resigns from DNC
Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) who this past weekend spoke (hollered?) at the anti-Trump rally in Philadelphia, has resigned from the Democratic National Committee. In her resignation letter to the DNC chair, Weingarten wrote, “I appear to be out of step with the leadership you are forging, and I do not want to be the one who keeps questioning why we are not enlarging our tent and actively trying to engage more of our communities.” Weingarten had sided with recently ousted DNC Vice Chair David Hogg, who wanted to challenge incumbent Democrats who aren’t radically progressive enough. She’s not the only union head leaving the DNC. The Washington Post reports that Lee Saunders, the president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, is also exiting.
Pennsylvania celebrates U.S. Army’s 250th birthday
As some media outlets seemed too fixated on the anti-Trump protests to headline this, Pennsylvania held its own birthday celebration for the U.S. Army over the weekend. WHYY reports, “The three-day-long celebration kicked off Friday in Valley Forge, Montgomery County, and on Saturday, a range of free, family-friendly activities and ceremonies took place at Independence Mall. During Saturday’s celebrations, 250 recruits from the region were sworn in, representing the years of the Army’s history.”
Students’ stories tell the value of cyber charter schools
As Gov. Shapiro and Democrat lawmakers seek to slash funding for cyber charter school students, PennLive reports on the real-life stories that underscore the value of cyber charters. For example, Isabella McClain transferred to Commonwealth Charter Academy (CCA) late in her junior year after being bullied, facing physical challenges, and experiencing a traditional public school district that promised to help her but then didn’t come through. At CCA, Isabella found a place where she felt accepted and could pursue what she loves. These are the students Shapiro and Democrats want to relegate back to failing traditional public schools.
Skill games at center of Pa. budget debate?
As the traditional June 30 state budget deadline nears, PennLive reports that “the potential revenue stream from taxing skill games plays a pivotal role in Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget.” Shapiro wants to impose a 52% tax rate on skill games. Some lawmakers, however, want a much lower 35% rate. The story gives a summary of the proposals currently under consideration, and it looks at the various stakeholders and the legal issues surrounding the debate.