News & Brews November 25, 2025
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Philly SD under investigation for antisemitism
U. S. House Education and Workforce Committee Chair Tim Walberg yesterday announced an investigation into three school districts, Philadelphia among them, “after receiving disturbing reports of Jewish students being harassed and subjected to open antisemitism in their classrooms and hallways.” In a letter to the school district, Walberg outlined several complaints against the district and requested a response by December 8. Complaints of antisemitism at the school district have been multiple.
FBI concludes Crooks acted alone
The FBI has concluded that would-be Trump assassin Thomas Crooks acted alone in his attempt to assassinate President Trump in Butler last year. FBI Director Kash Patel said, “We fully briefed the president, as a victim of this case, at the White House, providing him with all of the details of our investigation, and the president was satisfied with the results and where we left it.” The Tribune-Review reports that per an “unnamed senior official … the FBI conducted more than 1,000 interviews, executed over 10 search warrants, issued more than 100 subpoenas, analyzed 35 accounts and 14 electronic devices linked to Crooks, and reviewed more than 500,000 electronic files during its investigation. Nearly 500 FBI employees were involved in the probe.”
IFO: Pa. facing budget crisis
Well, it turns out spending beyond one’s means isn’t a great idea after all. (Ahem. Maybe we said that before, about 4,702 times, give or take). Anyway, per a new report from the state’s Independent Fiscal Office, the fact that Gov. Shapiro and lawmakers took $670 million from special funds to pay for new recurring spending doesn’t bode well for next year. Per the IFO, “If projections hold, the General Fund surplus is depleted in FY 26-27 and the Rainy Day Fund is depleted in FY 27-28.”
Taxpayers to bail out SEPTA after all?
The Center Square reports that SEPTA “just got another infusion of cash to address emergency repairs demanded by the federal government in October. Gov. Josh Shapiro announced the release of $219.9 million in capital funds … to help SEPTA cover the fixes.” The story notes, “After a series of electrical fires, risks in SEPTA’s fleet of 223 Silverliner railcars prompted the [feds] to issue the order. Of the funds released, $95 million will go toward repairs and upgrades to the Regional Rail fleet. An additional $17 million will pay the lease on 10 railcars from the Maryland Transit Administration and to purchase additional railcars, likely from Montreal.” Now, it’s worth remember that time not too long ago when SEPTA canceled a $185M contract for Chinese rail cars after spending $50 million in exchange for pretty much squat.
Striking Post-Gazette workers return to work
Following the longest ongoing strike in the country—at more than three years—striking workers from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette returned to work this week.(It’s unclear how many folks even realized there was a strike.) It was humorous watching Lefty groups fall all over themselves if they accidentally gave any props to the P-G. For example, one Lefty group cited a P-G story in an email several weeks ago. They quickly sent out an apology email making sure everyone knows they don’t support crossing picket lines. Turns out the paper not only functioned without the striking workers, but also put out stuff the Left read and liked.