The LuLac Edition #5, 420, August 21st, 2025

 

STATE TREASURER

TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR

 

Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity kick started her gubernatorial campaign Monday with an attack ad against Gov. Josh Shapiro, the Democratic incumbent who may have presidential aspirations in 2028.

Garrity, a Republican in her second term as treasurer, is a retired U.S. Army Reserve colonel and corporate executive who has vowed to bring affordability and fiscal responsibility to the state. In the Republican primary, she could compete against state Sen. Doug Mastriano, who is weighing another run for governor after he was trounced by Shapiro in 2022.

Garrity has pledged to "fix the problems" of the Shapiro administration, singling out the state's overdue budget and rising costs for utilities and groceries. She endorsed President Donald Trump in last year's presidential election and included a photo taken with him at a rally in her new campaign ad. Trump previously had been expected to endorse a gubernatorial campaign run by state Rep. Dan Meuser, who withdrew from consideration in July.

I met Garrity a few years ago at a parade in Kingston along with her dad. She was personable and her resume was impressive. However, a few things to keep in mind.

1.  Pennsylvania is still a sexist state. We have never elected a female Senator or Governor. Ever. Barbara Hafer against incumbent Governor Bob Casey and lost by 36% of the vote. It is hard to imagine that this state will abandon a successful Governor despite her claim that things are a mess.

2.  She might not be MAGA enough. State Senator Doug Mastriano who got clobbered by Shapiro is making noises that the party need not crown her as the nominee just a year short of the election. Mastriano might have gotten his head handed to him by Shapiro but he ran a credible campaign for Governor in the primary.

3.  She does have a record though with MAGAs and that will come back to haunt her. Take her association with Teddy Daniels  for instance. Remember Teddy Daniels? The guy who ran against Matt Cartwright, got fired as a cop, and managed to swindle the military out of a home meant for someone deserving? He then sold that home for a nice profit and moved to Lake Ariel just to run against Cartwright. After his inevitable loss, he became Doug Mastriano’s pick for Lt. Governor (they bonded at the Jan 6th insurrection). But in true soap opera fashion, Daniels’ wife filed a PFA against him, and Mastriano dropped him faster than you can say "bad press," without even a whisper of explanation.

Now, let’s talk about Stacy Garrity's impeccable judgment. She thinks this bigoted, hateful, election-denying con man is just what the state needs. With such stellar decision-making skills, one can only imagine her plans as governor! Oh, was it mentioned Teddy is also a spousal abuser and deadbeat dad? Most of this charming information was public when Garrity made her endorsement.

So there is great potential that in this instance, the MAGAs and the endorsers might not be totally in line even if she is endorsed.

The fact that Gerrity opened up with an attack ad about Shapiro and the need to clean up Harrisburg doesn’t ring true either. Shapiro has great skills as a campaigner and can point to his budget stalemates at Senator Ward, a MAGA right winger who has singlehandedly hel;d up the budget.

 

SETTING THE STAGE?

 

Is President Trump setting the stage to abolish the 2026 mid terms? Looks like he’s making a try. The other day Trump said that mail in voting was the most corrupt way to steal an election. He cried about losing in 2020 and is now sowing seeds of doubt about the integrity of elections. Yet in Luzerne County fraud was done by Republicans.

Trump returned to social media Monday with another barrage of unsubstantiated statements about the integrity of elections, following a meeting in which Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly claimed that U.S. elections were “rigged” because of mail‑in voting.

Seizing on that assertion — despite there being no credible evidence to support it — Trump promised on Truth Social to “lead a movement” to phase out mail‑in ballots and voting machines and promote “watermark paper.” He suggested he would implement these changes with an executive order ahead of the 2026 midterms.

The post contains many other false, misleading or unsubstantiated statements about the use of mail ballots, including claims Trump and his allies have made before — even as more Republican officials have tried to encourage voting by mail.

His claims notwithstanding, courts have repeatedly rejected allegations of widespread fraud tied to mail ballots, and many democracies around the world use them. And under the Constitution, he has no explicit authority over the “time, place and manner” of elections. Experts say that an executive order like the one Trump describes in his post would be immediately challenged in court and unlikely to take effect.

Beyond that, any major change to voting by mail before the 2026 midterms would be a logistical nightmare for election administrators, and it would disproportionately affect voters who rely on it most, including overseas service members, veterans and people with disabilities.

But with the chaos that would ensue by these obstructions, I can see Trump calling for a National Emergency and canceling the 2026 elections. Remember this is the guy who said last year, “Vote for me this year and you’ll never have to vote again!”

HE TOLD US BACK THEN ALL THE THINGS HE WOULD DO. THIS WAS ONE IOF THEM!

TRUMP AND NEW CITIZENS

Trump wants to add a new caveat to American citizenship. He now wants a new character clause in the application to be considered a moral citizen.

This from a guy who was as found liable of sexual abuse and defamation. The president falsified business records. The president was impeached twice. The president is a prolific prevaricator. Loyalty to Trump — and a commitment to parroting the lies that Trump tells — has become a prerequisite for some federal positions. Surely, no one with Trump’s track record could pass any legitimate test of moral character, but we’re supposed to accept his administration as the arbiter of who’s good enough to become a citizen?

Really? The guy continues to go deeper and deeper into the shithole of bad intentions.

 

ZELENSKYY’S SAFETY

With all this talk about having Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Putin having a one on one meeting………..let’s consider this. Putin has to be considered a threat with the two of them in the room. Putin has killed so many people I wouldn’t put it past him to do it to his nemesis. With the slip shod way the Trump administration stages events, and ye utter incompetence of the FBI and DOJ, I’d hire an outside contractor to take care of the Ukraine leader’s security.

 

DEEP IN THE HEART OF

TEX ASS

So the flunky Trump owned legislators with the shit for brains Governor has passed a bill that would give Texas 5 addition House seats. Trump’s request was met on bended knee buy these spineless cowards who can’t stand on their own two feet.

In the meantime, flood victims in the hill country get no relief. Governor Abbott doesn’t give a shit about the men, women and children who are unhoused, unfunded and died. The priority was not the people but King Shit sitting in gilded Oval Office in D.C.

 

BRESNAHAN INTRODUCES RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING 90 YEARS OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Congressman Rob Bresnehan  (Photo: LuLac archives)

U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr.  announced the introduction of a resolution to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Social Security. The resolution recognizes the significant impact Social Security has had on ensuring dignity and financial stability for older Americans and reaffirms the House of Representatives’ commitment to preserving the program.

“For generations across Northeastern Pennsylvania and beyond, Social Security has been more than a program, it has been a lifeline,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “Social Security continues to support tens of millions of Americans annually, reflecting decades of hard-earned contributions. As we mark 90 years since the Social Security Act was signed into law, we honor the promise to ensure this and other vital programs remain intact, not just for today’s seniors, but for our children and grandchildren who will one day rely on them.”

Rep. Bresnahan was joined by Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Zach Nunn (IA-03), and Claudia Tenney (NY-22) in introducing the resolution.

 

The Social Security Act was signed into law on August 14, 1935, to provide economic security for elderly Americans. The legislation created a social insurance program designed to pay retired workers age 65 or older a continuing income after retirement.  

Let’s hope that when the Republicans come after Social Security like they did for Medicaid. SNAP and Public Broadcasting, he remembers these words.

 

THAT STATED

IKE & JACK

SPEEDING UP GOVERNMENT: GOVERNOR SHAPIRO AND L&I SECRETARY WALKER HIGHLIGHT MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS TO PENNSYLVANIA'S UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION SYSTEM, LOWEST CALL WAIT TIMES IN OVER SIX YEARS

Governor Josh Shapiro  (Photo: LuLac archives)

 

Governor Josh Shapiro joined Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Nancy A. Walker, labor leaders, worker advocates, and frontline staff at L&I to highlight the significant improvements the Shapiro Administration has made to Pennsylvania's Unemployment Compensation (UC) system - making it faster, more reliable, and easier for workers to access.

From day one, Governor Shapiro has been laser-focused on delivering results for Pennsylvanians and speeding up government - and fixing an unemployment system that failed too many workers during the pandemic was a top priority. Under his leadership, the Commonwealth has built a "no wrong door" approach to UC services, ensuring Pennsylvanians can get help by phone, email, online chat, or in-person at CareerLink centers.

A major milestone: the average call wait time at the UC Service Center has dropped to just nine minutes, the fastest recorded since March 2019 - and more than one full hour shorter than when the Governor took office.

List of Speakers:
Nancy A. Walker, Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary
Governor Josh Shapiro
Mitchell Smith, UC Claims Intake Interviewer, PA Office of Unemployment Compensation
Barney Oursler, Co-Chair of the Mon Valley Unemployed Committee
Nina Coffey, Secretary Treasurer of SEIU Local 668

 

MEDIA MATTERS

 

Julie Sidoni WVIA News chief 

 

TV STATION NEWS

 

Once upon a time there was a guy named Perry who obtained the old WDAU and turned it into WYOU, a CBS affiliate. I was fortunate enough to be a commentator on the Interactive News back then. The station was reinvigorated and Perry Sook started to get a reputation as a media mover and shaker. Like many executives who come in and make a splash, Perry went off to higher ground. Lo and behold years later he became a major player with Nexstar Broadcasting. No longer was he a big fish in the NEPA media pond, now he was a virtual whale in American broadcasting.

 Nexstar Media Group announced Tuesday that it will acquire TEGNA Inc. in an all-cash transaction valued at $6.2 billion, including the refinancing of TEGNA’s outstanding debt. The purchase, priced at $22.00 per share—a 31% premium over TEGNA’s 30 day average stock price—is expected to close in the second half of 2026, pending approval from regulators and shareholders.

The Times Leader reported that  Nexstar Media Group, Inc., and TEGNA Inc. on Tuesday announced that they entered into a definitive agreement whereby, subject to regulatory approvals, Nexstar will acquire all outstanding shares of TEGNA for $22 per share in a cash transaction valued at $6.2 billion — inclusive of TEGNA’s net debt and estimated transaction fees and expenses.

According to a news release posted on Nexstar’s website, the purchase price represents a 31% premium to TEGNA’s average 30-day average stock price ending Aug. 8, 2025 — the last closing stock price prior to media reports of a potential transaction.

Locally, Nexstar owns NBC affiliate WBRE, and it also operates WYOU, the local CBS affiliate through a shared services agreement with Mission Broadcasting of Texas. TEGNA owns WNEP, the region’s ABC affiliate.

The news release states that the new company will be better able to serve communities by ensuring the long-term vitality of local news and programming from trusted local sources and preserving the diversity of local voice and opinion.

Nexstar said it will also be able to provide advertisers with an even greater variety of competitive local and national broadcast and digital advertising solutions to serve brands and consumers more effectively.

“The initiatives being pursued by the Trump administration offer local broadcasters the opportunity to expand reach, level the playing field, and compete more effectively with the Big Tech and legacy Big Media companies that have unchecked reach and vast financial resources,” said Perry A. Sook, Nexstar’s chairman and chief executive officer. “We believe TEGNA represents the best option for Nexstar to act on this opportunity.”

Sook said TEGNA is a premier operator with high quality local television stations primarily in the top 75 DMAs.

“We and TEGNA are similarly dedicated to providing communities of all sizes with the best programming and fact-based local journalism along with innovative digital products and marketing solutions for local viewers and advertisers,” Sook said. “The transaction will increase Nexstar’s reach through the expansion of our presence in important DMAs such as Atlanta, Phoenix, Seattle, and Minneapolis, as well as enhance our local presence, enabling us to continue to provide the core local news and programming that is in the public’s interest.”

Sook went on to say that Nexstar has a stellar long-term record of growth through its deals, having completed many well-received transactions since 2011, including the 2019 acquisition of Tribune Media.

“The playbook we followed to make those transactions successful — improving and increasing local content, executing on identified synergies, and quickly de-leveraging our balance sheet with free cash flow post close — are the same opportunities and strategies we will use in connection with this transaction,” Sook said. “With committed financing and a plan for significant synergy realization, we believe the combined entity will be poised for growth, leverage reduction, and the enhancement of shareholder value.

Okay, that’s all well and good but think about this. You have three affiliates owned or operated by the same company. People will say there is a difference between owning and operating but that just isn’t true. If you’re an operator, you Isten to the owner. Will this improve the quality of news in NEPA and LuLac land? Or will it dimmish it.

I’ve been through broadcast mergers and two things happen:

a.   Out of town jaspers usually come in and make changes just for the sake of making them.

b.   Tyey usually inflict the out of town methods and standards to NEPA and fail miserably. One of the best bosses I ever had, the late Tim Durkin said, “There’s no place like NEPA and they don’t realize that”.

c.   Higher paid veterans are usually jettisoned because their salaries are higher and any up and comers will gladly take the top jobs for less. This is a started market to begin with too so that should be kept in mind.

d.   Programming. When newscasts expanded from one local newscast at 6 and 1 at 11 when I was a kid to multi casts, the time increased in terms of numbers but the news was still the same. Will there be the same newscasts with the same staff? I would think so because when you have a monopoly, you can do pretty much anything you want, especially downsizing.

e.   Nexstar like others before them will make a splash in the community but keep a careful eye on those stockholders that enabled the money to make this merger happened.

An important thing to remember in all of this is the sentence, Nexstar Media Group announced Tuesday that it will acquire TEGNA Inc. in an all-cash transaction valued at $6.2 billion.

 

CABLE NETWORKS IF YOU LIE…. YOU’LL PAY

NewsMax announced that the Company has reached a settlement agreement with Dominion Voting Systems, concluding a defamation lawsuit that Dominion filed in Delaware Superior Court in 2021.

In a filing submitted Monday with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Newsmax disclosed that the parties have mutually agreed to resolve the litigation for a total payment of $67 million. The settlement amount will be paid out in installments over three fiscal years which the Company expects to fund through revenues.

Dominion Voting Systems originally filed its lawsuit against Newsmax in 2021, seeking $1.6 billion in damages. Dominion alleged that certain statements made in Newsmax’s coverage of the 2020 presidential election were defamatory.

From the outset, Newsmax has always maintained that its reporting was not defamatory and that its coverage was consistent with accepted journalistic standards.

Judge Davis also presided over the case of Dominion vs. Fox News where he was harshly criticized by then Fox’s chief legal officer for his actions and rulings.

“From the very beginning, Judge Davis ruled in ways that strongly favored the plaintiffs and limited Newsmax’s ability to defend itself,” Ne The pattern of judicial rulings that consistently denied Newsmax due process left the Company to believe it would not receive a fair trial. Faced with these rulings and other constraints, Newsmax chose to settle the case. Newwsmax stated.

Wah Wah, wah. They were caught dead to rights but couldn’t take the chance they’d lose on a larger scale in court.

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

August 1995

THE MICK PASSES AWAY

Early in 1995, doctors discovered that Mantle's liver had been severely damaged by both alcohol-induced cirrhosis and hepatitis C, and that he had an inoperable liver cancer known as undifferentiated hepatocellular carcinoma, necessitating a liver transplant. He received the transplant at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas on June 8, 1995. Mantle's popularity led to controversy over this transplant. Some felt that his fame had permitted him to receive a donor liver in just one day, bypassing patients who had been waiting much longer. His doctors insisted that the transplant was based solely on medical criteria, but acknowledged that the very short wait created the appearance of favoritism.

In July, Mantle had recovered enough to deliver a press conference at Baylor, and addressed fans that had looked to him as a role model: "This is a role model: Don't be like me."He also established the Mickey Mantle Foundation to raise awareness for organ donations. He returned to the hospital in late July, and the cancer was found to have spread throughout his body. Doctors observed that it was among the most aggressive cancers that they had ever treated, and felt that the immunosuppressive drugs administered to Mantle for his liver transplant had helped the cancer spread so quickly.

Mantle died at 2:10 a.m. on August 13, 1995, at Baylor University Medical Center with his wife Merlyn and son David at his side, five months after his mother had died at age 91. He was 63 years old.[ The Yankees played the Indians that day and honored him with a tribute. The team played the rest of the season with black mourning bands topped by a number 7 on their left sleeves.

Mantle's funeral was held in Lovers Lane United Methodist Church in Dallas, with around 1,500 people attending. Bobby Richardson led the funeral service while six other former teammates served as honorary pallbearers: Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Bill Skowron, Hank Bauer, Johnny Blanchard and Bobby Murcer.

Eddie Layton played "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" on the Hammond organ because Mickey had once told him that it was his favorite song. Roy Clark sang and played "Yesterday, When I Was Young".  

 Bob Costas eulogized Mantle, describing him as "a fragile hero to whom we had an emotional attachment so strong and lasting that it defied logic". He continued:

In the last year of his life, Mickey Mantle, always so hard on himself, finally came to accept and appreciate the distinction between a role model and a hero. The first, he often was not. The second, he always will be. And, in the end, people got it.

At Mantle's request made prior to his death, Richardson read the same poem he recited at Roger Maris's funeral – "God's Hall of Fame" (written by a baseball fan). He later described it as one of the most difficult things he had ever done.

Mantle was interred in his family mausoleum, in the St. Matthew section of the Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Dallas. As per his wishes, the phrase "A Great Teammate" was carved on the plaque marking his resting place and this week in 1995 the number one song in LuLac land and America was “Kiss From A Rose” by Seal.