Good Afternoon everyone,

I just want to take a quick break from our regularly scheduled programming and let you know that this newsletter ain’t for bootlickers. 

We are seeing the rise of a dangerous cancel culture movement that may end in mass censorship in the wake of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk’s death. It’s costing people their jobs, whether they are ordinary workers, journalists for the Washington Post, or famous late-night television hosts. 

This is dangerous for our democracy, and it is meant to silence those with opposing viewpoints. 

The one thing I will promise is that I will not back down in reporting or writing this newsletter when it comes to holding those in power accountable. 

(Photo: Sean Kitchen)

We have some exclusive news I’m thrilled to share with everyone today. 

US Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Allegheny) released his endorsements in four key congressional races that could flip the US House in next year’s midterm elections. 

Every year we hear about the significance Pennsylvania will play as one of the top “battleground” or “swing states,” and next year will be no different as Republicans turn to gerrymandering to cling to power. 

(Photo: Chris Deluzio for Congress)

The four Democrats that Deluzio endorsed are Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie, Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association President Bob Brooks, former WGAL anchor Janelle Stelson and Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti. 

“I know that we can win these districts with good candidates, and I'm going to do everything I can to do that because a Democratic majority will put real guardrails on the worst abuses of Donald Trump in his administration,” Deluzio told The Keystone in an interview.

“What these Republican congressmen are doing and voting to do really hurts my constituents and my people in Western Pennsylvania, and I've had about enough of it.”

(Photo: Sean Kitchen)

Hundreds of nurses and home healthcare workers descended upon the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg on Thursday to protest Jeffrey Yass, Pennsylvania’s biggest billionaire, and the Commonwealth Foundation, a right-wing, anti-union think tank. 

They directed their ire at Yass’ political contributions and how his money influences Pennsylvania congressional republicans and their support for President Donald Trump’s billionaire tax cuts. 

“The billionaires, they just gotta go,” Julia Tilley, a Harrisburg home care worker, told The Keystone in an interview.

“They're not paying their fair share. They're like Robinhood in reverse. They're robbing from us that are in either poverty or low income just so that they can make more money. We are the wealthiest country in the world and we should be able to afford housing, food, and really good healthcare. We should not have people in poverty scraping by.”

These home care and health care workers are looking to hold Pennsylvania’s eight congressional Republicans accountable for supporting Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act next year. 

(Photo: Sean Kitchen)

The Philadelphia Inquirer Editorial Board is urging Pennsylvania voters to reject the right-wing push to upend the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and back the three Democratic justices who are up for retention this fall.   

“This board has, at times, urged voters to reject extending a judge’s term, especially when they are reprimanded by higher courts or consistently make harsh or unjustifiable rulings. But none of the three justices running for retention has been accused of improper decision-making or brought scandal to the court,” the Philadelphia Inquirer Editorial Board wrote. 

As always, feel free to email me at seankitchen@couriernewsroom.com if you have any tips or events that you may have interest in covering.