LV Congressional Candidate Bob Brooks Smears Biggest Political Supporter, Gov. Josh Shapiro

Bob Brooks has mailers and even TV ads bragging that he is Governor Josh Shapiro's pick in the four-way race for the Democratic nomination in the Pa. 07 Congressional District. But Shapiro is no doubt scratching his head about that ill-considered endorsement. As the campaign has progressed, news that Brooks has refused to pay a $130,000 judgment against him for the land and home in which he lives, has surfaced. He's been accused, in court of fraudulently conveying that property so he could duck his legal obligation. He even refused to list this matter in his congressional disclosure, which has sparked an ethics complaint. In top of this, some of his since-scrubbed Facebook posts claim that former President Obama "sucks" and embrace far-right positions associated with the three-percenter movement. I've told you he's shady, but he also appears to be a bit dumb. In a recent meeting with Lehigh University students, he actually torpedoed Shapiro, his biggest supporter.  

According to an Axios report, Brooks recently told Lehigh students that Shapiro, who would like to be President, secretly helped GOP State Treasurer Stacy Garrity's 2024 re-election race in a vindictive act against Democratic candidate Erin McClelland, who had criticized Shapiro's office over sexual harassment.  

At that time, Brooks was president of the state firefighter unions. He was asked why that union endorsed Garrity over McClelland. Brooks told students, and his exact words are recorded here, "That was a request, ironically, from Governor Josh Shapiro. ... And he said, 'I would like you guys to endorse Stacy Garrity.'"

Obviously, news like this hardly helps Shapiro's Presidential ambitions. And since Garrity is now running against him, it even hurts his bid for re-election as Governor. 

In a January interview, Katie Couric questioned  Shapiro over his loyalty to political allies. "I guess some of your fellow Democrats in the state have not been that flattering when they talk about you. One state official said, 'you don't want to turn your back on him. Loyalty is not his strong suit.' Now I need to add to that, this individual still insisted that you'd be a great president. But I wanted to give you a chance to respond. Why do you think some of your fellow Democrats apparently have some ambivalence about you? Do you think at times your ambition gets the better of you? Because that has been suggested."  

Shapiro had no real answer because he does have a tendency to stab political allies in the back. 

But then again, so does Brooks, who supported McClure and even appeared at his announcement before deciding to run against him. 

Brooks later told Axios that he misspoke, but his exact words are what they are. 

In an earlier Axios story, an unnamed Democratic lawmaker is quoted as saying, "Josh would knife his own lifelong best friend in the back if it got him one extra polling point. That is a widely held view in political circles in Pennsylvania."

It seems to me that Shapiro and Brooks were made for each other. 

Lehigh Valley's DSA Opposes Tax Break For Luxury Apartments

Lehigh Valley's Democratic Socialists of America oppose this handout because they think they can squeeze more money out of an unproven and nonlocal developer. I oppose it under any circumstances. A real estate tax benefit totaling about $26 million (not just $20 million) is in addition to other tax breaks.

Skyline has already been awarded $1,000,000 from an RACP application in 2024 and this year. It has received $163,257 from a DCED Multimodal Transportation Funding Grant and a $175,000 Greenways, Trails and Recreational Program grant. It is seeking even more grant money from PennDOT, DCED Mixed Use Housing Development, another DCED Greenways grant, another DCED multimodal transportation grant, and Pa Historic tax credits. 

It also wants $28.5 million in federal tax equity credits.

Moreover, this will actually make it more difficult to find affordable housing, especially when other landlords start increasing their rents. 

At a time when it's all but certain that a tax hike is looming, this handout sends the wrong message.

"Ballot-on-Demand" Voting Has Started in NorCo

[From Northampton County Elections, PA] –The Northampton County Elections Office announces that Ballot-on-Demand voting for the Tuesday, May 19 Primary Election started on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at the Northampton County Elections Office (Government Center, 669 Washington Street, Lower Level, Easton, PA 18042).

 

Registered Democratic and Republican Party voters in Northampton County can vote in person on the following dates:

 

o  Wednesday, April 29 – Friday, May 1 (8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.)

o  Saturday, May 2 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

o  Monday, May 4 – Friday, May 8 (8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.)

o  Saturday, May 9 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

o  Monday, May 11 (8:30 a.m.– 6:00 p.m.)

o  The LAST day for Ballot-on-Demand will be Tuesday, May 12 (8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)

 

During this time, Northampton County residents who are eligible to vote can come to the Elections Office, register if they still need to, fill out a ballot application, which will be processed immediately, and be handed a ballot over the counter. Voters may fill out the ballot in the office and return it the same day, OR they may take it home and mail it back via USPS (postage prepaid), utilize one of the seven secure ballot drop boxes throughout the County, or utilize the drop box at Voter Services Pop-ups.  

 

You must bring a valid ID with you to the Elections Office to receive a ballot. The County’s seven secure ballot drop-off boxes were installed on April 28, 2026.

 

Registered voters who have already applied for a mail-in ballot ARE NOT ELIGIBLE for Ballot-on-Demand and must wait to receive their ballot in the mail.

 

To ensure that your mail-in ballot is accepted:

• Your ballot MUST BE enclosed in the YELLOW secrecy envelope and sealed;
• Do NOT write anywhere on the YELLOW envelope. There can be NO identifying marks or symbols;
•  The  PURPLE return envelope must be signed, dated on the back in the appropriate YELLOW boxes, and sealed;
• The ballot must be returned to the Elections Office or to a County Drop Box NO LATER THAN 8:00 pm on Election night, Tuesday, May 19.  USPS postmarks do NOT count if your ballot is received after this deadline.

Zrinski Adding New Benefits For NorCo Employees, Including Cupcakes

At Northampton County Council's April 16 meeting, she informed Council that she is proposing new policies that will certainly benefit some if not all county employees. I'm a little unclear on whether this proposal applies only to three unions whose contracts are expiring or the entire workforce. At the time I write this, it's a bit too late to hop on the phone, but I will find out for sure either tomorrow, or more likely, Friday. 

First, she desires to increase the number of paid holidays by adding five more holidays, including Indigenous People's Day and a "Spring Break" over the Easter weekend. 

Second, "Starting January 1, 2027, everybody gets their birthday off," she said with a smile.  "When you can't pay people, you gotta' give them days off. That is how we increase morale. That, and cupcakes. I find cupcakes work really well. The pizza thing? Overdone."

I like both of these ideas, but I have to stay away from both cupcakes and pizza.

FBI's Former Director Indicted ... Again

In the latest bizarre twist of President Donald Trump's use of the Department of "Justice" to go after his perceived enemies, his henchmen have brought yet another indictment (a first one was dismissed) against former FBI Director James Comey for threatening the life of the President and using Instagram to convey his threat. The evidence? An Instagram post featuring seashells arranged so they read "8647."

86 is American slang for getting rid of something. Trump is the 47th President.  

According to The Popehat Report, this is what the government must prove: ". To prove a threat against the President in violation of Section 871, the prosecution must offer “(1) the proof of "a true threat" and (2) that the threat is made "knowingly and willfully."“ United States v. Lockhart, 382 F.3d 447, 449-450 (4th Cir. 2004). To prove a threat in interstate commerce in violation of Section 875(c), the government must prove that “(1) that the defendant knowingly transmitted a communication in interstate or foreign commerce; (2) that the defendant subjectively intended the communication as a threat; and (3) that the content of the communication contained a "true threat" to kidnap or injure.” United States v. White, 810 F.3d 212, 220-21 (4th Cir. 2016). For purposes of both statutes, a “true threat” is a statement which an “ordinary, reasonable recipient who is familiar with the context in which the statement is made would interpret it as a serious expression of an intent to do harm.” White, 810 F.3d at 221." There is no way that any reasonable person could conclude that Comey's vulgar post, one he deleted himself, poses a threat. On its face, this indictment is invalid. 

NorCo's Seven Drop Box Locations and Hours

 

Secure Ballot Drop-off Boxes Installed on April 28, 2026 for the May 2026 Primary Election

[FROM Northampton County, PA] –The Northampton County Elections Office announced that ballot drop-off boxes were installed on April 28, 2026 at the following locations:   Washington Township Municipal Building (Interior Hallway): 1021 Washington Blvd., Bangor, PA 18013 Hours: Monday - Thursday 7:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.; Friday 7:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. Election Day: 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.   East Allen Township Municipal Building (Main Lobby): 5344 Nor Bath Blvd., Northampton, PA 18067 Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. Election Day: 8:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.   NCC Fowler Family Southside Center (Main Lobby): 511 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem, PA 18015 Hours: Monday-Thursday 7:00 a.m.- 9:00 p.m., Friday 7:00 a.m.- 8:30 p.m., Saturday 7:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Election Day: 7:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m.   Northampton County Courthouse (Rotunda): 669 Washington St., Easton, PA 18042 Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.- 6:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Election Day: 8:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m.   Northampton County Human Services Building (Main Entrance Vestibule): 2801 Emrick Blvd., Bethlehem, PA 18020 Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am - 7:00 p.m., Saturday 8:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Election Day: 8:30 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.   Northampton County 911 Center (Main Entrance Vestibule): 100 Gracedale Ave., Nazareth, PA 18064 Hours: 24 Hours/7 Days a week Election Day: Until 8:00 p.m.   Bethlehem City Hall (Main Lobby): 10 E. Church St., Bethlehem, PA 18018 Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Election Day: 7:00 a.m .- 8:00 p.m.   All seven drop boxes will be available for Northampton County voters. Accessing drop-off boxes does not require going through security at any location. Applications for mail-in and civilian absentee ballots are available in the Elections Office or at this link: www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/OnlineAbsenteeApplication/#/OnlineAbsenteeBegin   The last day to apply for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot is May 12 by 5:00 p.m., both online and in person.   Voters are also able to drop off ballots securely at the Northampton County Elections Office on the Lower Level of Northampton County Courthouse, 669 Washington St., Easton, PA 18042, during the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. from April 29- May 11, 2026. The Elections Office will also be open on Saturday, May 2 and Saturday, May 9 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

How Does Gracedale Stack Up Against Other County-Owned Nursing Homes in 2026?

Pa's Department of Health (DOH) maintains a nursing home facility locator. You can search for homes by county, zip code, city or do a radius search. You can search just county-owned homes, state-owned home, nonprofiit or for-profit homes. Once you find a home, you can click on patient care surveys and see them for yourself. But as NorCo Council member Dave Holland has observed, there is a 41-day lag between when a deficiency is observed and when it appears on the DOH website. 

During 2025, Gracedale was cited for eight deficiencies on 4/16 (bedsores), 6/25 (abuse), 8/11 (staffing), 9/19 (elopement), 9/23 (elopement), 10/2 (elopement), 10/17 (abuse) and 11/18 (staffing). (I have previously detailed these deficiencies both here and here.)  How is it doing this year, and how does that stack up against other the 14 county-owned nursing homes? Let's check. 

In 2026, Gracedale has been cited just once during 5 visits so far. The one citation is for poor staffing. 

Berks Heim (Berks County) has had no visits or citations this year. 

Cedarbrook (Lehigh County) was visited once, but no deficiency was substantiated. 

Indian Haven (Indiana County) was visited three times, but no deficiency was found. 

Fair Acres (Delaware County) was visited twice and cited once. ,

John J Kane (Glen Hazel - Allegheny County) was visited once, and there was no deficiency. 

According to the DOH nursing home facility locator, Gracedale remains the only county-owned nursing home with a provisional license. It still provides the lowest amount of nursing care to the residents. 

John J Kane (McKeesport - Allegheny County) was visited twice and cited once.

John J Kane (Ross Tp - Allegheny County) was visited three times and with no citations. 

John J Kane (Scott Tp - Allegheny County) was visited once and cited. 

Neshaminy Manor (Bucks County) was visited and cited once.  

Pleasant Ridge Manor-West (Erie County) was visited once with no deficiency found. 

Pocopson Nursing Home (Chester County) has received no visits. 

Rouse-Warren County Home (Warren County) was visited twice, with no deficiencies noted. 

Westmoreland Manor (Westmoreland County) was cited visited once and no deficiencies were found.