News & Brews July 6, 2026
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Pennsylvania celebrates America’s 250th birthday
Across Pennsylvania and across the country, America celebrated her 250th birthday over the weekend! It’s impossible to find just one story that encapsulates it all, so here are several. The New York Times has some beautiful photos of how Americans celebrated across the country, while Axios looks at Philly specifically and recounts how Philadelphia “threw America a 250th birthday party to remember.” Meanwhile, for the sports fans, NBC Sports credits Philadelphia for delivering an “incredible World Cup party to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.”
Op-Ed: Pa. has powered America for 250 years
Writing in Broad + Liberty, Marcellus Shale Coalition President Jim Welty gives a historical perspective on Pennsylvania’s role in American energy. “Pennsylvania coal fueled the Industrial Revolution. Pennsylvania oil fields launched the modern petroleum industry. Pennsylvania steel built the bridges, railroads, and skylines that transformed the country. And our abundant resources helped America’s courageous military win two world wars.” But it doesn’t end there. “Today, Pennsylvania’s ample natural gas is strengthening America’s energy security, supporting tens of thousands of family-sustaining jobs, including our skilled building trades. It has bolstered manufacturing and positioned our country to lead in the digital revolution — all while advancing environmental and conservation progress.” And looking to the future, “Pennsylvania’s role has never been more important.”
‘A 911 call for the Democrat party’
Writing in the Wall Street Journal Democrat pollster and advisor Mark Penn and former Democrat NYC Council President Andrew Stein warn that the socialist threat to the Democrat party is real. “Last month’s election results in New York, Colorado, Pennsylvania and elsewhere are a 911 call for the Democratic Party and America,” they write. “This ‘revolution’ is driven not by the working class but by the urban professional class that is willing to support candidates who celebrate 9/11, cheer at the massacre of 1,000 Israeli and American kids, would defund the police, abolish prisons, end private property and open the borders.” And they argue that moderates alone will not be able to defeat this dangerous movement.
Shapiro reveals his (longstanding] progressivism
Jonathan Turley, who is the Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington University (no apparent relation), argues in a Fox News column that Gov. Josh Shapiro “could have been a contender” but instead he has “abandoned all principle and decided to join other Democratic establishment leaders in offering up the Supreme Court to the radical left.” Specifically, he has embraced court packing. “Shapiro could have been different.” Turley writes. “He could have offered the country moderation and pushed back on the radical elements of his party.” Of course, those of us who have been on the ground watching Shapiro for well over a decade are well aware that his veneer of political moderation has long been only that.
‘Dark money’ group paid Stelson for podcast
NOTUS reports that Democrat Janelle Stelson, who is again trying to unseat Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, was paid $45,000 by a so-called “‘dark money’ group to produce a podcast that no longer exists online, federal records show.” The podcasts “featured interviews by Stelson with people with connections to Pennsylvania who were tackling issues such as Medicaid cuts and job losses among union workers.” Per one observer, “the circumstances behind the podcast and payment seem murky.” Of course, the left pretends to be concerned about so-called dark money. But yeah, they’re actually not.