News & Brews July 31, 2026
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Shapiro more focused on LeBron than helping kids
Today’s POLITICO Playbook shows that Gov. Josh Shapiro spent more time and energy the past few weeks recruiting LeBron James to the 76ers than he has in the past 3.5 years working to free Pennsylvania kids from crummy public schools. In fact, Playbook says Shapiro “was relentless” in recruiting LeBron. But in 2023 when House Democrat Leader Matt Bradford refused to support Lifeline Scholarships—which Shapiro campaigned on—Shapiro simply claimed he couldn’t do anything and didn’t lift a finger to help Pennsylvania kids. And he’s done nothing since either.
Schumer asks Fetterman not to leave Senate Dems
The Hill reports that Senate Democrat Leader Chuck Schumer is urging Sen. Fetterman “to stay in the Senate Democratic Conference and praised him as a ‘very good member of Congress,’ despite growing tensions between Fetterman and the progressive Democratic base.” Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Republicans would “welcome” Fetterman. For his part, Fetterman has said he is not switching parties but that he would leave the Democrat party if it officially became the anti-Israel party. (It’s pretty darn close.)
Garrity outlines veterans’ plan
The Center Square reports that state Treasurer and GOP gubernatorial nominee Stacy Garrity headed to Bucks County this week “to promote six proposals aimed at helping veterans and their families.” For example, “In detailing how her administration would prioritize hiring veterans, she said businesses in the state would receive a $3,000 tax credit for full-time veteran hires and a $1,500 tax credit for part-time hires. This would be claimable after one year and renewable for as long as the veteran stays on.”
Assault at Pa. public school reveals district inaction
The Cheltenham School District in Montgomery County is facing charges that it dramatically mishandled alleged assaults of a student athlete, And a grand jury found the district’s “level of incompetence didn’t just fail one child — it put every young man on the football team at risk.” And “In addition to issuing findings supporting criminal charges, the grand jury released a separate report focused on the school district that included recommendations for new legal requirements for schools to report hazing allegations to law enforcement.”
Judge again denies Johnny Doc release request
The Inquirer reports that former Philadelphia union leader John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty “will remain in prison after a federal judge again denied Dougherty’s request to be released on house arrest to provide care for his gravely ill wife.” The judge wrote that Johnny Doc “failed to demonstrate that he was the only person who could provide adequate care.” Johnny Doc has been trying to get out of prison for months. But as has been noted, choosing to break the law has consequences—even for family members. Johnny Doc is currently serving a six-year sentence.
