News & Brews August 6, 2026
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Harvie sues GOP PAC, alleging defamation.
Democrat Bob Harvie, who is challenging incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, has filed a federal lawsuit against a PAC supporting Fitzpatrick, alleging the PAC “sustained a ‘campaign to defame Harvie by repeatedly and recklessly publishing false and defamatory statements imputing criminal conduct that go beyond the bounds even of a highly contested political campaign.’” The PAC has said Harvie was under FBI investigation. Harvie says he was not. There’s likely more to come in this one.
The real unaffordability crisis
Amid all the talk of affordability (and unaffordability), here’s something that’s been missing. Americans spend more on taxes than on food, clothing, and shelter combined. And the last time taxes were lower than these other costs was back in 2009-2011, Yep, we’re forking over more money to run a bloated government than we spend on the basic necessities of life.
God’s mysterious ways
In 1773, poet and hymn writer William Cowper penned a poem that began, “God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform.” Well, Reverend Joshua C. Robertson of Black Pastors United for Education wrote about one of those mysterious ways in a Wall Street Journal op-ed. Specifically, how Anthony Fauci’s push to close schools was the impetus for Robertson to launch a learning center in his church “where families could send their kids to study during the school day… None of this would have happened if public schools hadn’t shut down during the pandemic. The leaders who made that call … unintentionally helped pastors like me find our calling—a ray of educational light from the darkness of school closures.”
Dem enters 48th district Senate race
PennLive reports that at more than $1 million spent, the GOP primary race for the 48th Senate district “took Lebanon, Lancaster, and Berks counties by storm.” Incumbent Chris Gebhard emerged the winner, and at the time no Democrat was running. But that’s changed as Democrat Wayne Moyer waged a successful write-in campaign and will appear on the November ballot. Still, the district is heavily Republican and Gebhard won his last election in 2022 with nearly 70% of the vote.
Philly School District to face performance audit
Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson has ordered “a sweeping performance audit of the school system’s management and operations,” the Inquirer reports. The move comes amid “heightened tensions between Council and the district, spurred by members’ frustration over the school board’s move to close 17 schools and a separate $300 million structural deficit that took Council by surprise.” Unlike regular audits of the district, which “examine the accuracy of financial reporting and compliance with applicable accounting standards, this request seeks a performance audit focused on evaluating the efficiency, effectiveness, and management of financial and operational practices.”
