🇺🇲 Good morning. It’s the unofficial start of summer. I will take next week off to regain my strength, but the Guide will be in the capable hands of Taylor Tappen.
PA Policy Manual Headings. Fitzpatrick is leading a bipartisan effort to “kill” Trump’s $1.8 billion anti-gun fund. The numbers behind the Brooks PA-07 victory. Krasner Calls on Brady to Resign as Philly Dems Chair. Hershey introduces Christian Pulisic bars.
🎶 Your morning, pick me up. It’s the end of the world as we know it (and it feels good). REM
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Sports PA
⚾ Phillies (25-25) | Friday-Sunday vs. Cleveland
⚾ Pirates (26-24) | Saint Louis 6-2 | Friday-Sunday in Toronto
⚽ Union (1-3-10) | Columbus 1-1 | Sun vs. Inter Miami
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The most crucial story
1. Fitzpatrick Leads Bipartisan Effort to ‘Kill’ Trump’s $1.8 Billion Anti-Gun Fund
“The day after I was called by President Donald Trump for voting against him, Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-01) responded by leading a bipartisan movement to destroy Trump’s $1.8 billion anti-gun fund.
Fitzpatrick called Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to provide immediate transparency about the fund. He expressed stern concerns that the fund appears to have been established without congressional authorization or clear oversight mechanisms.” | PolitykaPA
Elsewhere
Fetterman loses third chief of staff starting in 2023. “Cabelle St. John, who served as Sen. John Fetterman’s chief of staff since June 2025, resigned from her position on Wednesday. She will become the third chief of staff under Fetterman to leave office.” | PoliticsPA
The Man Who Explains Israel to John Fetterman. “How a Little-Known Writer Became One of the Senator’s Closest Confidants.” | New York Magazine
Chris Rabb’s path to victory in the U.S. House race ran through Northwest Philadelphia and the progressive left. “Rabb’s geographic strengths, combined with a well-known online campaign and good field work, made him extremely popular by the end of the race.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
A crisis is brewing over Martin’s leadership at the DNC. “Hours after Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin released an incomplete post-mortem on the 2024 election on Thursday, DNC members distributed talking points to state party chairs, urging them to express their confidence in him. “I am completely confident in his leadership,” the releases read. This does not accurately reflect the reality inside the DNC known
Country
2. Here are the numbers behind Brooks’ victory in PA-07
“Political novice Bob Brooks won a decisive victory Tuesday and won the Democratic nomination in the state’s 7th Congressional District.
Brooks’ victory is not a surprise to those following the campaign, but his dominance over his opponents is Carol Obando-Derstine, Lamont G. McClure AND Ryan Crosswell could have been. This is where the candidates’ votes came from and where they didn’t.” | Morning talk in Allentown
Elsewhere
Favorite MAGA demo’s vulgar lyrics revealed in bombshell leak. “John Fetterman’s leaked texts reveal what reportedly worries many of the Pennsylvania senator’s staff: He is increasingly behaving like a Republican.” | Everyday Beast
PA zoning, permitting process deemed a barrier to home construction. “More than 2,600 municipalities in the state have different zoning rules and permit requirements.” | Penn Capital Star
PA may continue broadband expansion after feds back down on wage dispute. “This reversal removes what could have been a major obstacle to connecting the approximately 130,000 Pennsylvania homes and businesses that still cannot access broadband.” | PA reflector
Pennsylvania launches higher education dashboards to track job market trends. “The newly formed Pennsylvania Board of Higher Education launched its first public higher education data dashboards on Wednesday, giving students, families and policymakers insight into college affordability, graduation rates, enrollment trends and employee tenure at the state’s colleges and universities.” | State jump
Around the Republic of Poland
3. Krasner calls on Brady to resign as chairman of the Philadelphia Democratic Party
“In a social media post on Thursday, the Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner called Bob Bradychairman of the Philadelphia Democratic Party, to resign from office.
Krasner, an established progressive, said the party must make changes to make November what he called a “beautiful month.” | PoliticsPA
Elsewhere
Three winners of the primary classes on May 19. “Let’s face it: It’s tough to talk about concepts like ‘voter enthusiasm’ after a primary election in which less than 23% of Allegheny County residents voted. After years of voters watching primary races for U.S. Senate and governor, the only statewide fight in the May 19 primary was… which Republican would be nominated for lieutenant governor. However, the lack of popular enthusiasm does not mean that people have nothing to feel content.” | THAT’S ALL
The Senate confirms Brian D. Miller as United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. “Miller was originally appointed by United States Attorney General Pamela Bondi on October 27, 2025, for a 120-day term. On February 24, the district court appointed Miller to serve as United States Attorney until the president filled the vacancy.” | Leader of the Wilkes-Barre Times
Billionaire Republican megadonor provides scholarships for students closing schools in Philadelphia. “The organization, funded by Pennsylvania billionaire and Republican megadonor Jeffrey Yass, offers scholarships to Philadelphia students who have been displaced by school closures so they can enroll in private schools.” | Chalkbeat
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
1 item
5. Hershey Launches Christian Pulisic Bars with Gifts and Philadelphia Pop-Up
“Hershey celebrates its shared roots with the soccer star Christian Pulisic before the World Cup.
Why it matters: A fresh ad pairs one of Pennsylvania’s most recognizable brands with one of America’s biggest soccer stars, whom Time magazine has dubbed “Captain America.”
Breaking the news: The campaign features limited-edition Pulisic bars and packaging, highlighting his journey from the Pennsylvania football pitches to international stardom with AC Milan.’ | Axios Philadelphia
Thank you for starting your holiday weekend with us.
I wish you a safe and sound, content and fit Memorial Day holiday.
