First Read – Jan. 12, 2024

WEATHER: Philadelphia: sunny, chance of rain, high of 45; Harrisburg: sunny, chance of rain, high of 44; Pittsburgh: partly sunny, then rain, high of 46. 

FROM CITY & STATE:

* In the next chapter of the saga between Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and Harrisburg Republicans, Krasner filed suit yesterday against a state law that would require a special prosecutor be appointed to oversee crimes taking place near SEPTA property. 

* The commonwealth’s Basic Education Funding Commission met yesterday and approved a report outlining a series of recommended fixes to the state’s public school funding system – a system that was ruled unconstitutional by the state’s Commonwealth Court last year. 

* In this week’s Winners & Losers, William Penn stays put, U.S. Senate hopeful Dave McCormick brings in the millions – and more.

NEW THIS MORNING:

* U.S. Sen. John Fetterman’s denunciation of the progressive label and ardent defense of Israel in its war against Hamas has some conservatives commending him and progressives who helped him get elected feeling deserted, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. 

* Philly Mayor Cherelle L. Parker announced yesterday that a new deputy commissioner’s sole job will be to head the department’s strategy in Kensington, home to a sprawling open-air drug market that Parker has vowed to shut down, the Inquirer reports.

* A 68-year-old, publicly-funded nonprofit, Community Council Health Systems, anchored West Philadelphia’s Mill Creek neighborhood for decades – but behind the scenes, the nonprofit was plundered by its top executives for years, to the tune of $5 million, the Inquirer reports.

* One day after state Sen. Jim Brewster announced plans to retire from the 45th District at the end of this year, state Rep. Nick Pisciottano is entering the race as the choice of Brewster and other leaders to replace him, WESA reports.

* Over his 16 years as Lansdowne’s borough manager, Craig Totaro was a well-liked, successful steward of the Delaware County community – but two days after the borough’s incoming council began its 2024 session, leaders abruptly ended his contract, the Inquirer reports.

* U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Sec. Tom Vilsack announced Wednesday that the USDA is investing $26 million in commonwealth agriculture under the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program, Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports. 

* State Rep. Dawn Keefer, head of the State Freedom Caucus, has announced she is running for the Republican nomination in the race for the 31st District, currently held by state Sen. Mike Regan, Pittsburgh-Tribune Review reports. 

* While many state and national democratic parties seem to be in disarray, some democrats in the Mon Valley, at least, seem very much in array this week – so much so that critics are grousing about that instead, WESA reports. 

* “Hip, hip hooray” was the comment of a chamber of commerce executive after reviewing Pennsylvania Department of Transportation traffic data related to the northern section of the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway, PennLive reports.

EDITORIAL PAGES:

* The Tribune-Review writes that post-­secondary schools in Pennsylvania and nationwide are dealing with the challenges of falling enrollment, as institutions compete with each other for students and as those students struggle with the burden of tuition and debt. 

* The Inquirer writes that the Park Service revoked its invitation after its proposal – which suggested removal of a small William Penn statue and adding an “expanded interpretation of the Native American history of Philadelphia” – set off a national barrage of commentary.

NATIONAL POLITICS:

* Donald Trump delivered remarks yesterday in his own defense on the final day of his civil fraud trial in Manhattan, attacking the New York attorney general, insulting the judge to his face and declaring himself “an innocent man,” The New York Times reports.

* Washington’s relationship with Beijing will face its biggest test since the leaders of the two countries met in November, as the United States seeks to keep the Taiwan Straits calm after Taiwanese voters select a new president this weekend, the Associated Press reports. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: To Thaddeus Kirkland, former Mayor of Chester … to Monica Taylor, chair of the Delaware County Council … to Mark Segal, publisher of Philadelphia Gay News … on Sunday: to state Rep. Kerry Benninghoff … and on Monday: to Jim Davis, lobbyist with Cozen O'Connor … and to Sam Woods Thomas, director of Business Attraction & Expansion with the Phil. Dept. of Commerce … Want to wish someone a happy birthday in our newsletter? Email their name, job title and upcoming birthday to editor@cityandstatepa.com.

TODAY’S SKED:

No events scheduled at this time.

KICKER: 

“When I made the unexpected decision to run for DA in 2017, I thought that meant District Attorney. I didn't know that DA actually stood for ‘democracy advocate.’” – Larry Krasner, via City & State.