The LuLac Edition #5, 651, May 9th, 2026

 

 

JOHN SULLIVAN

SON OF SETTLERS

Major General John Sullivan  was a Continental Army officer, politician and judge who served in the American Revolutionary War and participated in several key events of the conflict, most notably George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River.  He was also a delegate to the Continental Congress, where Sullivan signed the Continental Association. After the war, he served as the third governor of New Hampshire and was appointed as a United States district judge of the District Court for the District of New Hampshire.

Sullivan, the third son of American settlers, led the Sullivan Expedition in 1779, a scorched earth campaign by the Continental Army which destroyed 40 Iroquois villages, killed 200 Iroquois and forcibly displaced 5,000 Iroquois as refugees to British-controlled Fort Niagara. There is a historiographical debate over whether or not the actions of Sullivan and his troops during the expedition constitute genocide. As a member of Congress, Sullivan worked closely with the French ambassador to the United States, the Chevalier de la Luzerne.

Sullivan rejoined Washington and was placed in command of the troops on Long Island to defend against British General Howe's forces about to envelop New York City. But then, on August 23, Washington split the command between Sullivan and General Israel Putnam, with Putnam being the senior general.[41] Confusion about the distribution of command contributed to the American defeat at the Battle of Long Island four days later. Sullivan's personal bravery was unquestioned, as he engaged the Hessian attackers at Battle Pass with a pistol in each hand; however, he was captured. General Howe and his brother, Admiral Richard Howe, managed to convince Sullivan that a conference with members of the Continental Congress might lead to peace, and released him on parole to deliver a message to the Congress in Philadelphia, proposing an informal meeting to discuss ending the armed conflict between Britain and its rebellious colonies.[citation needed] After Sullivan's speech to Congress, John Adams cynically commented on this diplomatic attempt, calling Sullivan a "decoy-duck" and accusing the British of sending Sullivan "to seduce us into a renunciation of our independence"; others noted that it appeared to be an attempt to blame Congress for prolonging the war. Congress did agree to a peace conference with the British, which led to no new General Sullivan was released in a prisoner exchange (for captured British officer Richard Prescott)[46] in time to rejoin Washington before the Battle of Trenton. There his division secured the important bridge over the Assunpink Creek to the south of the town.[47] This prevented escape and ensured the high number of Hessian prisoners captured. n January 1777, Sullivan also performed well in the Battle of Princeton.

In August, he spoke out against the neutrality of Quakers in the American Revolution and led a raid on Staten Island. Again Congress found fault, but he was exonerated by the court of inquiry.[citation needed] This was followed by American losses at Brandywine and Germantown. During the Battle of Brandywine in September 1777, he and his troops were bivouacked at Brinton's Ford adjacent to Brinton's Mill.[50] Sullivan's men were attacked and sent into retreat by a surprise flanking attack at Brandywine but were eventually able to leave the field in good order when they were reinforced by troops under the command of General Nathanael Greene.  In the initial attack at Germantown, Sullivan's men routed British light infantry. Heavy fog caused wrong turns and delayed troop movements ruined Washington's plan, and Sullivan's troops took on friendly fire.

At home Sullivan was seen as a hero.The New Hampshire legislature selected him as a delegate to the Continental Congress for one year to start in November 1780, against his wishes. Although most of the delegates to Congress were new, Sullivan still had opponents there. Nonetheless, he accepted the position in order that New Hampshire be represented in the controversy concerning claims to Vermont under the New Hampshire Grants.  In the absence of other delegates from New Hampshire except the soon to depart Nathaniel Folsom, Sullivan was seated early, on September 11, 1780. Immediately, Sullivan and Folsom had to deal with the question of whether Vermont would be part of New York or New Hampshire or would be independent. Ultimately, since possible negotiation of Vermont with the British to become a part of Canada was threatened, on August 3, 1781, Sullivan seconded appointment of a committee to negotiate with Vermont on becoming a separate state.

Returning home to New Hampshire, Sullivan was named the state's attorney general in 1782 and served until 1786.During this same time he was elected to the state assembly and served as speaker of the House. He led the drive in New Hampshire that led to ratification of the United States Constitution on June 21, 1788. He was elected president of New Hampshire (now governor) in 1786, 1787 and 1789. During his first term as governor, he put down the Exeter Rebellion. He was also a candidate for the United States House of Representatives in 1788.

Sullivan was nominated by President Washington on September 24, 1789, to the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire, and  was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 26, 1789, and received his commission the same day. His ill health delayed his assumption of the post until after 1792. Sullivan died in his home in Durham on January 23, 1795.

 

 

 

 

The LuLac Edition #5, 650, May 7th, 2026

 

THE POPE BEATING TRUMP 

Polls show that Pope Leo  is creaming the President in common sense and job approval. Why the pig President is picking a fight with a Ope is stupid.

Donald Trump has issued another verbal attack against Pope Leo, accusing the pontiff of “endangering a lot of Catholics” because “he thinks it’s fine for Iran to have a nuclear weapon”.

The remarks come two days before Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, meets Leo at the Vatican in an effort to ease the tensions sparked by Trump’s previous broadside against the Chicago-born pontiff over his condemnation of the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Speaking to Hugh Hewitt, a prominent conservative radio talkshow host on the US-based Salem News network, Trump said the pope “would rather talk about the fact that it’s OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon, and I don’t think that’s very good”.

“I think he’s endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people,” the president added. “  The only person endangering Catholics is the POS leader of whatvwill soon cease to be the free world. 

For the record, the Pope NEVER said that. 

 

MOST U.S. ADULTS SAY THE UNITED STATES IS NO LONGER A GREAT PLACE FOR IMMIGRANTS, ACCORDING TO A NEW AP-NORC POLL, AS ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF AMERICANS REPORT KNOWING SOMEONE IMPACTED BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S AGGRESSIVE IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.

 

A new survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research of more than 2,500 U.S. adults finds about 6 in 10 say the country used to be a great place for immigrants but is not anymore. About one-third of U.S. adults — and more than half of Hispanic adults — say that over the last year they, or someone they know, have started carrying proof of their immigration status or U.S. citizenship, been detained or deported, changed travel plans, or significantly changed routines, such as avoiding work, school or leaving the house, because of their immigration status.

Missouri retiree Reid Gibson, an independent, is furious about the Trump administration’s treatment of immigrants. He hopes America eventually becomes more welcoming to immigrants again, but he worries “it may take many years to reverse the damage that the Trump administration has inflicted” with its policies. Roughly 3 in 10 U.S. adults say the U.S. is a great place for immigrants, according to the poll, while about 1 in 10 say it never was. The belief that America is no longer great for immigrants is more common among Democrats and independents, as well as among those born outside the U.S.

About two-thirds of U.S. adults in the poll say automatic citizenship should be granted to all children born in the country, a view that most Democrats and independents back. Republicans are more doubtful: just 44% support birthright citizenship. The poll also shows that some people are conflicted, saying in general that they support birthright citizenship but also that they oppose it in some specific circumstances.

When asked about some specific circumstances, about 6 in 10 U.S. adults say they support birthright citizenship for children born to parents on legal U.S. tourist visas, while only about half support it for those born to parents who are in the country illegally. An even higher share, 75%, support automatic citizenship for children born in the U.S. to parents who are in the country legally on work visas, with much of that increased support coming from Republicans saying this was an acceptable situation.

 

McCLAY EVENT ON MONDAY

 State committee candidate Thom Shubilla hosted an event for 121^st District candidate Jessica McClay  this past Monday. She is running to succeed Eddie Day Pashinski. Here we are with the party host , Mayor Brown and the candidate. Her event coincided with the arrival of mail in ballots sent to a substantial part of the voting population in the 121^st district. 

 

BOILERMAKERS LOCAL 13 ENDORSES RACHEL WALLACE FOR CONGRESS

 

Boilermakers Local Lodge No. 13 today endorsed Rachel Wallace for U.S. Congress in Pennsylvania’s 9th Congressional District.

“Rachel has proven time and again that she is a steadfast champion for working people,” said Brad Mickatavage, the business manager of the Boilermakers Local Lodge No. 13. “She understands that the strength of our economy depends on the strength of our workforce. We stand with Rachel Wallace because she stands with us. We are excited to support her campaign, and we look forward to working together in Congress to deliver real results for working families in Pennsylvania and beyond.”

“I am honored to have the support of the members of Boilermakers Local 13, whose skill and hard work help keep our energy infrastructure running,”,” Wallace said. “I come from a union family. My dad was  a union member and my grandfather was the president of his local union, so I know firsthand what good union jobs mean to families in our part of Pennsylvania. In Congress, I will always stand shoulder to shoulder with labor to make sure working people have a real voice in Washington.”

First organized in 1880, the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers is a diverse union representing over 50,000 workers throughout the United States and Canada in construction, repair, maintenance, manufacturing, professional emergency medical services, and related industries.

The endorsement adds to growing support for Wallace’s campaign. She has also received campaign endorsements from Tim Holden, who represented parts of PA-09 for twenty years in Congress, and from the United Mine Workers of America. 

About Rachel Wallace: Rachel Wallace was born and raised in Pennsylvania, growing up in Pottsville and now living in southern Schuylkill County. She is the daughter of a pastor and a nurse, and has spent her career in public service, having worked in the U.S. Senate, the State Department, and the White House Office of Management and Budget, where she served as chief of staff. She is running for Congress to lower the cost of living, fix health care, and bring a focus back to the working families of Pennsylvania’s 9th District.

For more information, please visit wallaceforcongress.com.

 

BRESNAHAN’S LOCAL FARMERS FEEDING OUR COMMUNITY ACT PASSES IN HOUSE FARM BILL

Last week, U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08) and the House of Representatives passed the Farm Bill by a bipartisan vote of 224-200. The package included Rep. Bresnahan’s bipartisan legislation, the Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act, which will help build stronger connections between local producers and community food programs, expanding markets and improving access to healthy food for those in need.

“We owe it to our farmers to make sure federal policy works as hard as they do,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “I’m proud this final bill includes my bipartisan legislation to connect families in need with fresh food grown right here in our communities. This Farm Bill delivers real support for farmers here in Northeastern Pennsylvania and across the country by addressing the challenges they’re facing and advancing practical, bipartisan solutions for our rural communities.”

Rep. Bresnahan receives a tour from Logan Brace of Brace’s Orchard in August 2025.

Rep. Bresnahan first introduced the Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act on July 30, 2025. In August, he held a roundtable with local farmers, food banks, and community food advocates to share firsthand accounts on the importance of supporting local agriculture and food access. His legislation was included in the Farm Bill, which passed out of the House Committee on Agriculture on March 5, 2026.

 

DELIVERING FOR PA FAMILIES: SHAPIRO ADMINISTRATION INVESTS MORE THAN $12 MILLION INTO MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH INITIATIVES OVER PAST THREE YEARS

 

Allentown, PA. Dr. Debra Bogen, Secretary, PA Dept. of Health, speaks during Thursdays press conference. Leadership from the Shapiro Administration spotlight the $12.3 million invested over three years to support and improve maternal and child health initiatives in Pennsylvania during a visit to the Maternal and Family Health Services WIC Center in Allentown. Earlier this year, the Administration released Pennsylvania's first comprehensive "Healthy Moms, Vibrant Futures" strategic action plan, which covers strategic goals, data and research, and recommendations to combat maternal health disparities that shape quality of life for both mothers and their children. April 30, 2026.

Since taking office in January 2023, the Shapiro Administration has invested$12.3 million in maternal and child health initiatives - delivering real results like increased use of postpartum depression screenings, improved access to care for women with hypertension, and new grants specifically designed to improve the health of Pennsylvania mothers and babies.

Today, leadership from the Pennsylvania Departments of Health, Human Services, and Drug and Alcohol Programs visited the Maternal and Family Health Services WIC Center in Allentown to see some of those results in action, as well as to discuss the Shapiro Administration's plan to improve maternal health outcomes.

"Improving health outcomes for mothers and babies is a top priority of the Shapiro Administration," said Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. "Our investments are successfully expanding access to quality care. With an additional $7.5 million proposed for the 2026-27 budget, Governor Shapiro is ensuring we can continue this critical work-making every stage of pregnancy and postpartum safer for the mothers and infants in Pennsylvania."

 

MEDIA MATTERS

WVIA NEWS

VISIONARY TED

TURNER PASSES AWAY

One of the boldest, take your prisoners of TV news broadcasting died yesterday at the age of 87. The Ohio-born Atlanta businessman, nicknamed “The Mouth of the South” for his outspoken nature, built a media empire that encompassed cable’s first superstation and popular channels for movies and cartoons, plus professional sports teams like the Atlanta Braves.

Turner was also an internationally known yachtsman; a philanthropist who founded the United Nations Foundation; an activist who sought the worldwide elimination of nuclear weapons; and a conservationist who became one of the foremost landowners in the United States. He played a crucial role in reintroducing bison to the American west. He even created the Captain Planet cartoon to educate kids about the environment.

But it was his audacious vision to deliver news from around the world in real time, at all hours, that really made him famous – once his idea finally took off.

In 1991, Turner was named Time magazine’s Man of the Year for “influencing the dynamic of events and turning viewers in 150 countries into instant witnesses of history.”

On June 1, 1980, Turner launched CNN, the first 24-hour, all-news cable network. That essentially changed the news business. No one had ever tried a 24/7 news channel but when Turner accomplished it, the world was changed in such a way that news coverage was immediate and in depth.  All of a sudden he world  events came right into the living rooms of America. His legacy is going to be that he took the audacious risk to inform the world in any tie zone.

 

WALN

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

You'll hear the program Sunday at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on 1400 am The Mothership and 7:30 am on 105 The River.

 

THE LAURIE CADDEN SHOW

Tune in every Saturday morning at 9am for The Laurie Cadden Show on WILK FM 103.1 and AM 980 and 910. Laurie’s program has been a northeastern Pennsylvania mainstay every Saturday. Tune in to hear her insights and take on local issues as well as entertaining and informative interviews.

 

BOBBY V’S DOO WOP SUNDAY NIGHT SOCK HOP

 

BEATLE EDD’S FAB FOUR MUSIC HOUR

Tune in every week to the Home of Rock and Roll for a jam packed, unpredictable hour starting at 9am Sundays. Host Edd Raineri gives you facts and great music from the immortal Fab Four on ROCK 107.

 

THE LULAC TIME MACHINE

CANDIDATE DIES IN PLANE CRASH

WALTER ALESSANDRONI 

Governor Bill Scranton and Craig Truax at the funeral 
 

May 1966

Walter Edwin Alessandroni  was an American attorney who was United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania from 1959 to 1961 and Pennsylvania Attorney General from 1963 until his death in a plane crash in 1966. He posthumously won the Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania in 1966. Tomorrow will mark 60 years to the day that he was killed.

Alessandroni was born in Philadelphia on December 27, 1913 to Joseph and Sally (Asprino) Alessandroni. His father was a lawyer and his uncle, Eugene V. Alessandroni, was a judge of the court of common pleas in Philadelphia. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Villanova University and his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1938. He was admitted to the bar in 1938.

From 1938 to 1943, Alessandroni was a member of the faculty at Villanova. He was active in Republican politics, serving as secretary of a citizens committee on arrangements for the 1940 Republican National Convention and secretary to Philadelphia mayor Robert Eneas Lamberton.

During World War II, Alessandroni was a Captain in the United States Marine Corps. He served as an assistant chief of staff to a commanding general in the Pacific Theater.

In 1958, Alessandroni became chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association. He was the youngest chancellor in the organization's history.

On June 3, 1959, Alessandroni was appointed to succeed Harold Kenneth Wood as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. His appointment was delayed twice – first because the Senate did not promptly act on Wood's nomination to the Eastern Pennsylvania bench, then because Alessandroni needed more time to wrap up his duties at the housing authority.  He was sworn in on October 19, 1959. On March 15, 1961, Alessandroni secured the conviction of Abe Minker, who had been in control of the rackets in Reading, Pennsylvania for over twenty years. He resigned as U.S. attorney effective June 30, 1961.

Alessandroni was a candidate in the 1962 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election, but withdrew in favor of Hugh Scott. Scott later withdrew in favor of William Scranton. Alessandroni managed Scranton's successful campaign and on November 12, 1962, Scranton announced that Alessandroni would serve as Attorney General in his cabinet.  Alessandroni also managed Scranton's unsuccessful campaign for the Republican nomination in the 1964 United States presidential election.

In January 1966, Alessandroni announced his candidacy for lieutenant governor. He was on the statewide ticket recommended by the Republican State Executive committee and endorsed by Scranton and Scott.

On May 8, 1966, Alessandroni , his wife Ethel, Montgomery County Republican chairman James E. Staudinger, and pilot Melvin E. Ladin were flying from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to Connellsville, Pennsylvania for a political rally when their Piper PA-23 crashed and burned in the Allegheny Mountains near Somerset, Pennsylvania. As the crash occurred only nine days before the Republican primary, it was too late to remove Alessandroni from the ballot. and state GOP chairman Craig Truax urged voters to vote for Alessandroni over his opponent, Blair F. Gunther, as a show of confidence in the leadership–endorsed ticket and to "continue the traditions of public service he represented". Alessandroni won the primary and was replaced on the ticket by Raymond J. Broderick. The Civil Aeronautics Board ruled that the probable cause of the crash was "improper in-flight decision or planning" by the pilot and the number one song in LuLac land and America was “You’re My) Soul and  Inspiration”  by The Righteous Brothers.

 

 

The LuLac Edition #5, 649 May 6th, 2026

 

WRITE ON

WEDNESDAY

LULAC @ 20!!!

 

By David Yonki

On May 6^th, 2006, the first edition of the LuLac Political Letter was written. It started out when the deans of local newspaper’s political reporters were retiring or had passed away. There was a need to do a digital snapshot in time for this new century. The power of the Internet was such that one could be sure the words written and events documented would be there forever, save an atomic disaster.

When LuLac started, there were at least ten political blogs. Pioneers like Mark Cour, Joe Valenti and Ben Hoon provided guidance and in many ways inspiration. The format needed to be consistent, familiar and I got that lesson from working with George Graham at WVIA FM. LuLac needed to be there every day with a familiar road map of the day’s events.

When Facebook and Twitter and the other variations came, we were asked to transition. There were events, stories of politicos’ past, present and future that needed to be told. It was envisioned as a type of history for this region, state, and country. Our growth has been a surprise to me. We have an average of 1500 visitors a day and have reached 2.6 million visits in a 20-year frame. Now by some standards that might seem paltry when celebrities get a million hits when they sneeze. But that number is beyond anything I can ever imagine back in ’06.

This might not be the best source of information, we do not do investigative reporting, and I am the not the best writer in the world. But except for a few absences due to medical issues, we have been here for over 5, 648 editions of life in what I call LuLac land.

After twenty years, LuLac, like all of us, are a work in progress. As Aries Spears noted, “To sustain longevity, you have to evolve.”

Or as our friend the late Father Tom Carten once said about his groundbreaking Radio Hoe Visitor Program on WRKC FM, “We’ll keep doing this until we get it right.”