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What We’re Hearing. “Part of the tragedy here is that this is a man who could be leading Democrats out of the wilderness,” Adam Jentleson said. “But I also think he’s struggling in a way that shouldn’t be hidden from the public.”

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Top Story

1. All By Himself

“When John Fetterman was released from Walter Reed hospital in March 2023, Adam Jentleson, then his chief of staff, was proud of his boss for seeking help for what the senator’s office and his doctor had said was a case of clinical depression. But a year after his release from the hospital, Fetterman’s behavior had so alarmed Jentleson that he resigned his position.

Fetterman was, according to Jentleson, avoiding the regular checkups advised by his doctors. He was preoccupied with the social-media platform X, which he’d previously admitted had been a major “accelerant” of his depression. He drove his car so “recklessly,” Jentleson said, that staff refused to ride with him. He had also bought a gun.

Another red flag, Jentleson added: “Every person who was supposed to help him stay on his recovery plan has been pushed out.” Fetterman was isolated, had “damaged personal relationships,” and was shedding staff. His circle of trust has shrunk, and people I spoke with made it clear that they expect more staffers to depart.” (NYMag)

Elsewhere

Trump Signs Order to Ax Federal Funding For NPR and PBS. “The order that calls the two biggest public broadcasters in the U.S. “biased” and directs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to “cease direct funding” for them comes amid a broader push to target traditional media companies that Republicans see as biased against them.” (Axios)

Bipartisan Push to Ban Lawmakers From Trading Stocks Gets Boost From Trump. “President Trump and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., don’t agree on much. But their public support of legislation to ban members of Congress from trading individual stocks could revive prospects for a bipartisan effort that’s stalled on Capitol Hill for years.” (NPR)

Trump Tariff Rollout Flummoxes Congressional Democrats. “Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA) declared himself a “proud son of the Rust Belt” in a video message that the House Democrats circulated. In the video, the congressman from Western Pennsylvania said Trump’s “trade strategy has been chaotic, inconsistent. We should not treat our economic allies, like Canada, the same as trade cheats, like communist China.” (Washington Examiner)

State

2. 15 Years After Citizens United, Big Money Dominates Politics in PA and Beyond

“This year marks the 15th anniversary of a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling that fundamentally reshaped the world of campaign finance.

For good-government supporters, it’s a somber milestone.

The 2010 decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, they say, vastly expanded the role of big money in politics and ushered in an era of unprecedented — and in some cases, untraceable — spending on elections by ultra-wealthy special interests.” (Spotlight PA)

Elsewhere

Shapiro Launches Consumer Finance Hotline As Trump Aims to End Federal Equivalent. “Gov. Josh Shapiro is rolling out a new hotline and reporting system for consumer financial problems, which the administration says will help backfill some of the functions abandoned by the federal government as President Donald Trump seeks to shutter the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.” (PennLive)

Cyber Charter School Reform Tops Legislative Agenda as Fair Education Funding Effort Continues. “Educators say they’ve seen measurable improvements in student achievement and well-being in the school districts where Pennsylvania targeted a half billion dollars to reduce educational disparities, according to a new report.” (Penn Capital-Star)

​​Bernie Sanders Calls on Pennsylvania Lawmakers to Oppose Cuts to Medicaid at Philly May Day Rally. “The former presidential candidate’s Thursday appearance “For the Workers, Not the Billionaires May Day Rally” was the first of a three-day swing through Pennsylvania as he tours the country on his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Trump Administration Cuts $600K From PA Innocence Project. “The Trump administration has terminated a three-year, $600,000 grant to the Pennsylvania Innocence Project, which has helped exonerate around 35 people in the state incarcerated for crimes they didn’t commit.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Obando-Derstine Announces Candidacy for PA-07

“It is game-on in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District.

Carol Obando-Derstine, a community leader whose family emigrated from Colombia at the age of three, has announced her candidacy for the Lehigh Valley congressional seat presently held by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie.” (PoliticsPA)

Elsewhere

PG Politics: Outside Influences in the Race For Pittsburgh Mayor. “Running a successful campaign for office often requires the use of a dirty word in politics: coordination.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

House Committee Votes Down Amendments That Could Have Aided Scranton-to-NYC Passenger Train. “The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which has a five-member Republican majority, voted down three amendments proposed by Democrats to assure continued development of the Scranton train and other projects.” (WVIA)

Editorial

4. Speak Your Mind

• Delco Hospital Closures Won’t Be the Last If For-Profit Firms Are Allowed to Strip-Mine Healthcare With Impunity. (Philadelphia Inquirer) 
• Newspapers, In Print and Online, Are the Right Place For Public Notices. (Bill Cotter)
• We Don’t Need Another Glided Age. (John Sigle)
• The Supreme Court Could Unleash Chaos on the Economy. (Ankush Khardori)
• The GOP’s Path to a Pennsylvania Majority. (Guy Ciarrocchi)
• Is Criticism of Saquon Barkley’s Meeting With Trump Warranted? (O.J. Spivey)
• We Have to Stop Gambling With the Care Pennsylvania’s Older Population Deserves. (Garry Pezzano)

1 Thing

5. Mifflin County’s Crosson Named National Teacher of the Year

“Ashlie Crosson has spent the past five years as an English teacher at Mifflin County High School, creating lifelong learning experiences that prepare her students to navigate the complexities of a global society.

On Tuesday morning, Crosson was announced as the recipient of an extraordinary honor as the 2025 National Teacher of the Year, recognizing her excellence in education on a national level.

“She always goes above and beyond for her students. She doesn’t just invest in their education; she invests in their successes far beyond the classroom. She is an inspiration, and I was incredibly lucky to have her not only as an educator but a role model,” said Rainie Miner, a 2023 Mifflin County High School graduate.” (Lewistown Sentinel)

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