This week’s biggest Winners & Losers

This week brought big fundraising news for two Democrats looking to become colleagues in Washington, D.C. this November. U.S. Rep. Susan Wild and 10th Congressional District candidate Janelle Stelson both announced large fundraising hauls in the second quarter of 2024. Wild reported raising $1,202,600 in net contributions in Q2, compared to Mackenzie’s $239,153, according to Federal Election Commission records. Stelson, who is running against incumbent U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, brought in $1,312,195 in net contributions during the quarter, compared to Perry’s $572,735.

Republican state Sen. Mike Regan’s legislation that allows canned cocktails – also known as ready-to-drink cocktails – to be sold by locations that hold restaurant and hotel liquor licenses has been signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro, meaning you will now be able to buy your Statesides and Surfsides at your local grocery store or gas station. In a statement, Regan called the new law monumental. “For the first time in 91 years, Pennsylvania consumers will be able to buy liquor-based alcohol to go at their local grocery store, convenience store, beer distributor or restaurant,” he said.

The only thing keeping cool this summer is tuition news. The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s board of governors voted this week to freeze tuition rates at the commonwealth’s 10 state universities for the seventh consecutive year. The vote comes after the recently-passed state budget allocated a 6% increase in state funding – $35.1 million in new money for the schools.

This gamble didn’t pay off: Rahim Islam, the former CEO at Philadelphia music icon Kenny Gamble’s nonprofit, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for embezzlement and bribery. Islam was convicted earlier this year for looting the Universal Companies nonprofit to pay for luxuries including meals, gym memberships and travel. We’re guessing he did it for the love of money. 

Several Pennsylvania public officials have found themselves out of a job, and another is facing pressure to resign, after reportedly making light of the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump on social media. Pennsylvania House Democratic staffer and Upper Darby Councilperson Jess Branas made a Twitter post Saturday night saying “A for Effort” about an hour after Trump was struck by a bullet, causing her to lose her job as district director for state Rep. Heather Boyd. Branas maintains she was referring to overcooked steaks she made that night. Separately, Jim Simmonds, a fire marshal in Delaware County, resigned after writing in a Facebook post: “A little to the right next time please.” Meanwhile, Bernville Mayor Shawn Raup-Konsavage is facing calls to resign after making a Facebook post saying: “Try harder” following the shooting.

Pittsburgh may have a problem. NASA announced this week that it’s canceling its water-seeking moon rover mission, citing cost overruns and launch delays. The news is particularly unfortunate for Astrobotic Technology, a Pittsburgh-based, who was set to provide the rover aiming to explore the moon’s south pole. Astrobotic still plans to fly its Griffin moon lander by the end of the year – just with no rover to come over.