Pa. Republicans don’t want to talk about Trump | Morning Newsletter
And there was another I-95 crash eight years ago
The Morning Newsletter
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The rain looks like it’ll return today, but it will still be pretty warm with a high of 77.
The big national news yesterday was former President Donald Trump’s arraignment in Miami. He pleaded not guilty to federal charges connected to his handling of classified national security documents.
It marks the first time a former president has been charged by the Department of Justice, but many Pennsylvania Republicans had nothing to say about it. Our lead story explores why they’re silent. 🔑
Today’s newsletter also features updates on the I-95 closure and how a local couple fell in love at Howl at the Moon.
If you see this 🔑 in today’s newsletter, that means we’re highlighting our exclusive journalism. You need to be a subscriber to read these stories.
— Taylor Allen (@TayImanAllen, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
As the 2024 front-runner, former President Donald Trump is the de facto leader of the Republican Party. His arraignment is huge news.
But in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania House lawmakers were focused on finishing the state budget, due by June 30. They didn’t want to talk about Trump, the man who once pressured some state lawmakers to help him overturn Pennsylvania’s election results.
Many Republicans in Pennsylvania politics have spent the past few years distancing themselves from Trump.
Notable quote: “Most Republicans, and in the general public, there is a ‘we love him, we hate him’ element about the former president,” Rep. Russ Diamond (R., Lebanon) said, explaining why his colleagues are quiet on the topic. “Whenever you have anything like that, some people are hesitant to go one way or the other. It’s always tough with a person who the sentiment for is so strong either way.”
Continue reading to learn what Trump’s federal case means for Republican elected officials going into 2024. 🔑
A New Jersey tanker truck company linked to the crash that destroyed a section of I-95 this week was involved in a similar 2015 incident.
Reminder: Tanker trucker Nathan Moody is presumed to have lost control while exiting an off-ramp near the Cottman exit on I-95. It triggered a crash, ignited about 8,500 gallons of gasoline, and destroyed a section of the highway. Relatives of Moody said he worked for TK Transport, Inc, a gas-supply company based in Pennsauken, N.J.
Eight years ago, another driver working for TK Transport lost control of his truck while coming off a ramp near the Betsy Ross Bridge. The truck burst into flames, causing nearly $1 million in damages and closing the busy highway ramp.
During the 2015 crash, federal records showed the company was “not authorized” to haul hazardous materials across state lines. As of this week, an online company profile maintained by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration says that TK Transport was still “not authorized” to operate in an interstate capacity.
Continue reading to learn why Moody’s family could potentially sue.
What you should know today
State and federal officials warned that the collapse of a portion of I-95 in Northeast Philadelphia could cause supply chain headaches across the East Coast.
It’s been a good week for the Tanner House in North Philadelphia. Just days after City Council gave an initial approval of $150,000 for preservation efforts, a national historic preservation organization announced it will give grants to both the Tanner House and Zion Baptist Church.
All five of the Philadelphia Zoo’s meerkats died from a mystery toxin. 🔑
After falling in love at Howl at the Moon, this couple started their own traveling dueling piano business.
Drexel and Salus Universities will proceed with the decision to merge.
The boil-water advisory in West Philly lifted Tuesday.
The lunch business in Center City isn’t back to what it was compared to pre-pandemic years with the rise of remote work. 🔑
Tan Hoang swears comedy didn’t come naturally to her as a kid.
Fast forward to today, she’s a standup comedian and hosts the monthly comedy showcase, Tattooed Momedy at the Tattooed Mom bar on South Street. Hoang spoke to The Inquirer about her career, why her identity is an integral part of her comedy, and how a good show makes her want to party.
You talk often about being trans in your sets, and you list your identity on your website and social media. That wouldn’t be an obvious choice for everyone in your position, especially given the transphobia in comedy in recent years. What motivates you to be so upfront about your identity?
I remember a time when I thought, I’m not gonna address it. I just wanna be me. But one time after doing a show, the owner of the club came up to me and said, ‘You’re so funny. Do you have any transgender jokes?’ And I told them, I’m trying to do this thing. I don’t want to mention it.
And the owner said, in a respectful way, ‘I think that’s really dumb because the moment you get on stage, everybody wants to hear about it. In fact, this is probably the only time ever that people are open to it. So if anybody make these jokes, it should be you.’
Keep reading for the full Q&A.
🧠 Trivia time 🧠
Philly’s Fat Ham did not win at the 2023 Tony Awards but it still made history.
How many nominations did it get?
A) 5
B) 6
C) 3
D) 2
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re...
👀 Watching: Fox News sent a Tucker Carlson a “cease-and-desist” letter over his new Twitter series.
💰Budgeting: Jersey Shore trips. It’s not cheap anymore, but we have a guide to get more bang for your buck.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram 🧩
Hint: Cups of frozen treats since 1945
ARTIE CHEWS’ JON
We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Send us your own original anagram to unscramble if you’d like. Cheers to Allison O’Callaghan, who correctly guessed Tuesday’s answer: Herron. Email us if you know the answer.
Photo of the day
We’re halfway through the week. Make the day count. I’ll be in your inbox tomorrow. ☀️
