Politics
1968 Wharton graduate Donald Trump visits Philadelphia, announces new sneaker brand
“We’re going to turn this country around fast,” Trump said. “And we’re going to remember the young people, and we’re going to remember Sneaker Con.”
Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro releases budget proposal focused on legal marijuana, education, transit
The DP looked closely at four aspects of Shapiro's proposal with potential significant impacts on the Penn community — education, public transportation, marijuana legalization, and human services.
Penn Leads the Vote hosts Valentine’s Day event to boost voter registration before primary election
The "Love Your Vote" event on Feb. 14, which offered La Colombe coffee and treats along with election resources, was facilitated by several PLTV members who aided students in completing voter registration forms.
Egyptian writer Abdelrahman ElGendy speaks at Penn about political activism, imprisonment
At the event, ElGendy discussed his political activism and participation in the Arab Spring, which led to his subsequent arrest and incarceration in Egypt.
Democrats prevail in Bucks County Pa. House special election, winning majority in chamber
Prokopiak won the special election in Bucks County with 67.7% of the vote on Feb. 13, giving Democrats a 102-100 majority in the state House.
Former Polish president Lech Wałęsa speaks about the future of democracy at Perry World House
Wałęsa discussed how prospects for democracy have changed globally, given threats posed by Russia to Ukraine and the rest of the Western world, and shared his hopes for the future.
Pennsylvania, Phila. Democrats endorse Rep. Andy Kim in New Jersey Senate election
Kim, who has held his seat in the House of Representatives since 2019, has largely been viewed as an underdog in the race.
Penn Political Union hosts panel discussing free speech, guest speaker regulation in university setting
Penn Political Union president and College sophomore Mia Antonacci moderated the event, focusing on the question of whether it is “appropriate to prohibit individuals from speaking at a university based on the falsehood of their statements.”
DOJ declines to prosecute President Joe Biden over classified documents found at Penn Biden Center
The investigation yielded evidence that classified materials were “willfully retained” after his vice presidency ended in 2017.
Supreme Court poised to allow 1968 Wharton graduate Donald Trump access to state primary ballots
The court heard oral arguments about Trump's eligibility to hold presidential office, with many justices appearing skeptical of multiple aspects of Colorado’s decision.
Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro allocates Penn Vet funding for 2024-25 after Dec. withholding over antisemitism
The budget proposal included the same amount of funding for Penn Vet as the 2022-23 budget.
Penn begins submitting documents to House education committee for antisemitism investigation
A University spokesperson said that the process would last multiple weeks, with not all documents transferred by the Feb. 7 deadline.
Officials call for more SEPTA funding amid budget gap, planned fare increases and service cuts
Pa. Governor Josh Shapiro’s January proposal is the latest effort to fund SEPTA after a $190 million budget increase initiative fell through.
Penn alum, Pa. state Rep. Tarik Khan proposes legislation to expand abortion access
The bill seeks to overturn a law alleged to limit abortion access in Pennsylvania.
Penn Dems, local officials criticize new Pa. law removing power from Phila. DA Larry Krasner
Various city officials have claimed that Act 40 is trying to undercut the voices of Philadelphia voters who elected Krasner.
Pa. Gov. Shapiro announces plan to allocate $282.8 million towards SEPTA, other public transit
The proposal, which would provide nearly $1.5 billion in state funding over a period of five years, comes as SEPTA prepares for service cuts and a fare increase.
Penn Faculty for Justice in Palestine hosts College Hall protest, blocks main entrance
Participants simulated being dead to represent the victims of the Israel-Hamas conflict and protest ongoing violence in Gaza.
Pa. Sen. Bob Casey hosts campaign event with Mayor Cherelle Parker, discusses support for labor
The event focused on the concerns of laborers in Philadelphia.
Three Penn affiliates join Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker's administration
At least three members of Philadelphia Mayor and 2016 Fels Institute of Government graduate Cherelle Parker’s administration have relationships with the University’s graduate programs.