April 25, 2025
Pope Francis passed away this week, leaving a billion Catholics worldwide without a spiritual leader. The unceasingly humble Pope Francis became one of the strongest voices in world for the poor, which somehow rankled a few feathers in the Unites States Congress because, well, we don’t really know. We assumed everyone was cool with advocating for the poor, like the whole “worldly possessions, eye of a needle, camel” thing. We read that somewhere.
The man who firebombed the Pennsylvania Governor’s Mansion was in court this week, where we learned that his legal team will, indeed, use a mental illness defense at his trial. This, of course, is known as due process, something seems to be in the news a LOT these days for some reason. Anyway, we certainly aren’t criminal defense experts, but even we saw this one coming a mile away. In any case, seeing the details of that terrible night makes one shudder as to how bad it could have been.
Pennsylvania’s senior Sen. John Fetterman weighed in on President Trump’s diplomatic overtures to Iran this week with a very Fetterman-esque suggestion: maybe just dispense with the chit-chat and bomb Iran. We have learned that Senator Fetterman speaks more bluntly than anyone in the federal city.
Pennsylvania is staring down the barrel of a $500 million cut in funds used to prevent disease outbreaks, including loot for vaccine distribution and education. Add this to the other bajillion dollars that are currently at risk or already gone since President Trump was sworn in and whoa, Nellie, are the states gonna have themselves some fun times over the next three years, looking under the cushions of the couch for funds!
Recently, the construction of data centers began dominating the news, especially after the announcement came that fabled Three Mile Island would re-start in order to power one of them. When it comes to data, the inhabitants of this planet have become very hungry, hungry hippos, but the downside is that data centers use a metric crap ton of electricity every minute of every day.
More on the energy front, perhaps you remember the mad frenzy that occurred when states were given the chance to compete for federal dollars to construct hydrogen hubs. If you do, give yourself a gold star. Well, those dollars, like many earmarked during the Biden presidency, are likely gone with the wind, as the Trump administration has signaled it does not want to play the hydrogen game. Somewhere, former U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (who wheeled and dealt his way into landing one of those hubs for West-by-God Virginia) is weeping. Probably on his yacht.
SEPTA is touting a new study, showing the economic impact that system has on the Pennsylvania economy and on property values. Said impact is enormous, and if lawmakers cannot figure out a way to fund mass transit, then wake the kids and call the neighbors, we have ourselves an economic gut punch waiting in the wings.
Soon, the calendar will turn to May and all eyes (ok, a few scattered eyes) will turn to the primary election. Here is your semi-annual reminder that registered independents, despite being the fastest growing voting cohort in the state, still won’t be able to vote that day because, you know, reasons.
Despite a clear majority of Pennsylvanians favoring the legalization of recreational marijuana, it looks like this budget cycle may come and go with no progress toward freeing the weed. We are continually mystified by this phenomenon. So, if you want to continue enjoying the benefits of cannabis, we suggest you simply stroll down the street of any major city in the evening and get a free contact high. And if you think we are kidding, Second Street smells like Willie Nelson’s tour bus at certain moments each day.
Crozer Health and its two hospitals are officially vacating Delco this week, much to the consternation of pretty much every elected official in the southeast. If you believe these closures were an isolated incident, buckle up, Buttercup. If federal Medicaid dollars see a cut down in D.C., rural hospitals better start having yard sales and selling homemade baked goods.
On the socials this week, please meet our newest Triad rock star, Emily Walker! Welcome, Emily. Now get to work.
Then check out our own Mike Manzo, who spent some time on PCN telling you everything you never wanted to know about the state budget. He’s only been around for 30 of them.
And a big Shameless Client Plug goes out to our friends at Pocono Raceway, and their newest corporate partner, Members 1st Federal Credit Union!
In our We Can’t Make This Up segment, we head on down to SEPTA-land, where we encourage you to check out the story of a Japanese man who has the hottest cheesesteak joint in all the land! This guy is an underdog story that is truly worthy of Philly! According to the story, he has damned near perfected the art of the cheesesteak, which is no small task when there is a purveyor of cheese/meat on a roll every 10 or so feet in that city, all proclaiming to be “Philly’s Best!”
That’s what passes for news around here, as we sail off into the weekend after another hard-fought week toiling in the mines of state government. Come back next week and we will spin ya a few more yarns! From all of us at Team Triad, have a great weekend!