Here are a few fact checks from the evil New York Times, which is hated by most Trumpers and will likely be deported.
He claims more people are working now than ever before. But the most recent jobs report shows that the unemployment rate is at its highest level since the end of his first term. Oops.
He claims he has cut drug prices by 400, 500 and 600%. A 100% cut would mean you are paying zero.
He said gas prices are $1.99 in many states. AAA states no states have gas prices that low. The national average is $2.90.
He's now giving a "warrior dividend" of $1,776 to every soldier from tariff revenue. He's also promised all of us tariff dividends of $2,000. He's also promised me $20,000 for my health care and a $5,000 DOGE check. I 'll keep looking in my mailbox because he wouldn't lie to me, would he?
He claims manufacturing is coming back "at levels we haven/t seen," but the truth is that factory construction has fallen this year.
If his goal was to reassure the American people, he failed. What he did instead was prove Abraham Lincoln's adage that "You can fool all the people some of the time and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.”
Trump is a confidence man who probably still is fooling some of the people all of the time, but he's no longer folling most of us.
As reported in The Hill, Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R.-Pa.07) is one of four Republicans who have teamed up with Democrats to force a House vote on a three-year extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies. Without them, premiums will soar an average of 114%.
Mackenzie explained his vote in a news release.
“My position has been clear throughout this process — we need both short-term relief to bring down prices and longer-term reforms to make healthcare in America more affordable for everyone. In order to achieve these goals, I have opted for the only remaining option in the House — a three-year extension of the enhanced credits, because this will keep the conversation alive.”
Mackenzie, as most of you know, represents the Lehigh Valley and part of Carbon County. He insists that "the Affordable Care Act remains broken," and that he supports bipartisan legislation (Commonground 2025) that would both extend subsidies while enacting measures designed to stop fraud.
It's nice to see a member of Congress who is willing to think independently and is evidence that the stranglehold that Trump has held on Republicans is loosening.
Politico has reported that Governor Josh Shapiro has endorsed former firefighter Robert Brooks in the crowded Dem Congressional primary race for Pa.-7. It makes sense that, as a potential Presidential contender, he'd want as many Democrats in the House as Pennsylvania can elect. But it makes little sense for him to inject himself into a Democratic primary that already has five candidates. His endorsement is far more likely to net him enemies than friends.
His selection of Brooks is particularly puzzling.
Not that long ago, Brooks was portraying himself as a Clint Eastwood who would make any Trumper proud. It's not every day that a Democratic congressional candidate posts a meme that also includes a skull with a Roman numeral III. This signifies the three percenters, a militia movement that advocates resistance to perceived government abuses.
Strange as it may seem, Brooks originally supported Congressional candidate Lamont McClure and even sent out text messages calling McClure a "strong Democrat with a proven track record of putting out fires and a long history of standing up to corruption."
Then there's the matter of him screwing his in-laws. In 2008, his in-laws transferred a residential property to him and his then wife and even fronted the cost of subdividing the property to the tune of $55,000. Brooks promised to pay the money back but never did. He was sued, and a $130,000 award was entered against him in 2020. In an effort to string things along, he appealed but lost in a unanimous Pennsylvania Superior Court ruling. In 2022, judgment was entered against him for $130,000.
That judgment remains open of record.
After screwing over his in-laws, he and his wife eventually parted ways, with a divorce being granted in 2018. He finally quitclaimed his interest in the property to his ex-wife in 2022, although he still may live there. Before that happened, two foreclosure actions were filed against him. And he was sued by two credit card companies. He currently owns no real estate.
He's a "man" who screwed over his own family and who dropped a candidate he said he supported. And although he pretended to be a Clint Eastwood type of guy, he's now pretending to be a Bernie Sanders type of guy.
Did Shapiro even vet this guy?
10:15 AM Update: According to Rich Wilkins, the Shapiro endorsement is all about the firefighters' union and their money. "[T]he IAFF is really damn good at politics. When the IAFF backs a candidate for President, that candidate usually wins the Democratic nomination, at a minimum. The Governor wants the IAFF to support him in future campaigns, such as for Governor in 2026 and for President in 2028, and let’s be honest, one is more critical right now than the other. It’s very clear this is why this endorsement is happening, and anyone saying otherwise is a liar."
Northampton County Council may have thought that it conducted its last meeting of the year on December 11, but it looks like it will be meeting again on Thursday night. A special meeting has been called for the express purpose of overriding McClure's veto of an ordinance adopted on December 4 that appears to have been adopted unlawfully.
When NorCo Council met on December 4, it had a packed agenda. This included a vote on budget amendments, the budget itself, the millage rate and several related resolutions. Though that should be more than enough business for one meeting, Council President Lori Vargo Heffner wanted to reconsider a proposed ordinance that was previously tabled by Council by a 9-0 vote on August 7, nearly four months before.
When this proposed ordinance was tabled, it was tabled indefinitely, not to a specific date. Under Robert's Rules, when an item is tabled indefinitely, it dies. If Vargo-Heffner wanted to consider it again, she would need to re-introduce as a new ordinance, and a public hearing would be needed.
This procedural rule prevents some Council members from blindsiding others, including the public, concerning a matter that everyone thought had been put to bed. It's a matter of basic fairness.
I suspect that Vargo-Heffner wanted to get this ordinance adopted now because the incoming County Council would hesitate before hamstringing incoming Executive Zrinski.
In addition to violating Robert's Rules. the resurrection of this dead ordinance also violates the Sunshine Act. Northampton County Council must publish an agenda for an upcoming meeting 24 hours in advance. This item was missing from the published agenda. It could be added, but Council is required at the onset of the meeting to vote and approve changing the agenda. That never happened.
In a veto message dated December 11, McClure points out yet another potential Sunshine Act violation. The ordinance requires that the Council President can appoint as many members as she wishes to a committee that evaluates bids. This is an invitation to back-room meetings instead of conducting business in a public spotlight.
McClure also called the ordinance, which injects County Council into procurement, an impermissible encroachment into the Executive's power to administer county government as set forth in Article IX of the Home Rule Charter. While I strongly support a tight rein on the executive branch, packing evaluation committees behind closed doors with part-time Council members will make county government more unwieldy and present more opportunities for mischief. This goes far beyond legislation and oversight and makes Council members mini-Executives.
Council member Ken Kraft argued that the now nontabled ordinance, which was "wordsmithed" to include far more Council involvement in the procurement process than in the original proposal, should be advertised before a vote is taken. He also said Council is "overreaching" and that Vargo Heffner is micro-managing. "You're getting in the way," he said. "You're tripping over nickels to save pennies."
Council member Kelly Keegan said she should have had 24 hours' notice and is right because that's what the Sunshine Act requires.
In the end, Count Council voted for the change in procurement with only Keegan voting No. I have problems with it substantively but am more troubled that it was adopted both in violation of the Sunshine Act and Robert's Rules.
When Charlie Kirk, a conservative influencer with some relatively extreme views was assassinated, it was a cause for celebration among many of those who detested his politics. Among them was NorCo Council member Kelly Keegan, who is also a school nurse. Many people on both sides of the political divide were outraged at her utter insensitivity to the murder of another human being and were right to be appalled. Rob Reiner was a hardcore liberal, even by Hollywood standards, but the producer of "The Princess Bride" refused to follow the lead of those who danced on Kirk's grave. He instead reacted with empathy and compassion. He told Piers Morgan that his reaction was one of "absolute horror. It's beyond belief what happened to him. That should never happen to anybody. I don't care what your political beliefs are. That's not acceptable."
Reiner himself, along with his wife, were murdered on Sunday. One of their sons, who suffered from substance abuse, has been arrested. Here's how President Donald Trump responded.
In Trump's twisted and narcissistic mind, the murder was apparently justified because Reiner was critical of him. Just as I consider Kelly Keegan an ugly person for her total lack of empathy, the same has to be said of Trump. But while Keegan is just one of none members of a county governing body, Trump is the supposed to be our President. I am ashamed of and disgusted by him.
Here's the latest from Allentown Communications Director Genesis Ortega concerning this past weekend's vandalism at "Lights in the Parkway."
Move It Monday will proceed tonight as planned, featuring a Hanukkah Night theme in partnership with the Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley, from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Police will be present throughout the event to help ensure a safe and welcoming experience for all attendees.
At this time, there is no public criminal update related to the vandalism investigation. We continue to assess the full scope of damage. While the final valuation is still being tallied, the City is currently projecting a minimum loss of $100,000, which includes staffing costs, damaged and destroyed displays, and lost revenue.
Several signature displays have been confirmed as total losses and are not salvageable, including Old Man Winter, Penguin with the Top Hat, and Fishing Penguins, with a combined estimated value of $60,000.
Despite the damage, the City is grateful to share that Holiday Outdoor Decor reached out immediately after learning about the incident and visited the site this morning. In a remarkable show of support, the company has loaned 22 display pieces to help replace those that were damaged. City crews are actively removing vandalized displays, and thanks to this generosity, the attraction will be restored and ready to reopen to vehicle traffic tomorrow night, provided there are no additional setbacks.
Lights in the Parkway is a fundraiser benefiting local nonprofit organizations. Due to last night’s closure, the featured nonprofit, Allen High School, lost a day of donations. The City will still provide the organization’s stipend for the impacted day, and additional donations are encouraged.
Those interested in supporting the program and helping replace damaged displays can contribute through The Parknership at: https://givebutter.com/25lights. Donations will be used directly to replace destroyed light displays.
We also extend our sincere thanks to the sponsors who support Lights in the Parkway year after year, as well as the many community members who have expressed encouragement and support.
The City will continue to provide updates as the damage assessment and investigation progress.
Northampton County Council member Ron Heckman was at his last meeting as a member of the governing body on December 11. He was first elected to County Council in 1990 and served until 1998, when he was appointed by Executive Glenn Reibman as Human Services Director. He stayed in that job until January 2016. From there he went to work for Lehigh County but returned to NorCo Council in 2018. He twice served as Council President and three times as VP. He did not use his position in county government to further a political career in the state house or elsewhere. He was, in the best sense of the word, a servant to the public good. He could be remembered for many things. But if one thing stands out, he was an ardent advocate of the power of county council and its duty to provide oversight. This sometimes resulted in friction, but it stops the executive branch from growing too powerful. This unfortunately, has been a problem on all levels of government. Though I am critical of President Donald Trump, the road to autocracy began long before he was President.
We need more Ron Heckmans in government.
Plus, he has great hair.
Here's what he said on his way out the door.
It's been my honor.
It was an honor to have been elected to county council three times, and it's been a privilege to serve.
And also, as the Director of Human Services, I want to thank the voters of the County for putting their trust in me all these times.
And I would especially thank my family, especially my wife, Margaret, sitting there with the camera for the work they've done on my behalf.
I've often told her, She doesn't believe it, but it's true.
If it hadn't been for her, I doubt if I would ever get elected. She's been with me through my ups and downs, and I can't say enough about that.
I thank the people I served with, past and present, for your support and comradeship.
I've always considered myself a lifelong learner, and I continue to learn new things.
In 1989, when I was one of the 10 Democrats in our primary, imy biggest fear was that I'd come at last. I worked hard in that race. Somehow, I didn't come in last.
36 years later, between Northampton and Lehigh counties, I believe it's time to move on, get fresh blood, and I just want to say to all, thank you, and I wish everyone the best going forward.
Diane Figueroa is a U.S. citizen from Illinois who was on her way to work after dropping her 5 year-old son off at school. She stopped for a cup of coffee on the way but as she got closer to her destination, "I approached what seemed to be chaos." While driving she was sideswiped by a silver SUV with double-tinted windows. Before she knew what was happening, masked passengers jumped out of the SUV with guns drawn and proceeded to yank this young woman out of her car. (You can see that video below). After being rammed off the road and dragged from her car at gunpoint, she was thrown into a van without explanation or rights read. While in custody, she was denied medical care despite recent kidney surgeries, mocked when she begged for help, and left in degrading conditions. She emphasizes the racial profiling, abuse of authority, and trauma she endured, noting that she was never formally arrested or charged. Her assailants were ICE agents. I'd call them Nazis. I believe the more reasonable among you, including those of you who voted for President Donald Trump, would agree. Close the borders? Sure. Deport illegals who commit crimes? Yes. Yanking a defenseless American woman from her car after you sideswiped her? Nazi.
Below is the statement she gave at a Congressional hearing last week.
Thank you for giving me the space to speak today.
My name is Dayanne Figueroa. I am a proud first-generation Mexican American, a Criminal
Justice major, a single mother, and a future law student. What happened to me almost exactly
two months ago, on October 10, 2025, was not law enforcement. It was violence, blatant racial
profiling, and a shocking abuse of federal authority.
That morning, I kissed my son goodbye and watched him walk into school, never imagining that
it would be what felt like days, before I felt safe again. On my regular commute into Chicago, I
approached what looked like chaos - cars stopped in the middle of the street, people running,
yelling, and recording on their phones.
Moments later, my life changed forever.
A silver SUV with double-tinted windows suddenly swerved into my lane and struck my car. The
driver’s face was almost entirely concealed - hat, dark tinted glasses, a face mask. He made no
gesture. No signal. And he did nothing to identify himself.
Before I could even process what was happening, his passengers - other masked men -jumped
out with guns drawn and aimed directly at me. They ripped my door open. One of them
screamed in my face, demanding that I get out, yet never identified himself, never asked for my
ID, and never told me whether I was being detained or why. They never read me my rights.
Instead - I was violated - these tough guys violently dragged me from my car, yanked me by my
feet, ripped my phone from my hand.
Beaten, bleeding, and barefoot, I was thrown into a red van. I begged them to tell me who they
were and where they were taking me. No one answered. I was shoved onto the edge of a
third-row seat - no seatbelt, suffocating heat, no air conditioning. I was wedged between two
terrified Latino men who did not speak English. We were all handcuffed. Unsecured. Helpless.
I went into a full panic attack.
While I was shaking, crying, gasping for air, and banging my head against the window,
screaming for help - hoping someone from the outside could hear me - they raised their phones
and began photographing me openly. Two more masked men in full black tactical gear, carrying
professional cameras, had been circling me from the beginning - documenting my terror, where
those images ended up? Only God knows. I was not treated like a human being, and certainly not
like a U.S. citizen, but preyed upon - they were proud to have captured me.
I was first violated at the Broadview Immigration Detention Center and eventually while in FBI
custody in Lombard. Everything moved quickly and without explanation. I was fingerprinted,
photographed, swabbed for DNA, and fully processed and identified. All the while, my physical
condition was rapidly worsening. I repeatedly told them I was recovering from two recent kidney
surgeries. No one took it seriously - until I began to pee blood.
I begged for help. For a phone call, a lawyer, for water, and bandages. For anything to ease the
pain. Instead, I was laughed at and thrown into a filthy jail cell. The only toilet available for me
was under direct surveillance. With no privacy, no dignity, and unbearable pain, I had no choice
but to use it. When visible blood appeared, their soulless demeanor finally vanished - not out of
care, but because they did not want me to die in their custody.
While I was being kidnapped, my family and friends were desperately trying to find me.
Contacting members of our inner circles, elected officials, civil rights organizations, and legal
advocates. They didn’t know whether I had been killed, kidnapped, or trafficked.
Hours later, when I was finally allowed access to my phone again by the heroic paramedics, my
cut and trembling hands could barely type - but I managed to send a message at 2:07 p.m.: “in an
ambulance.” Within seconds, my boyfriend replied with something that stunned me - a photo of
the very Village of Lombard ambulance I was inside of. Their determination, their love, and their
refusal to stop searching are the only reasons I was not lost entirely, like the thousands of people - including children - who have been reported missing from the ICE locator system since these
domestic terrorizations began in our country, or worse, killed - like my neighbor and father of
two, Silverio Villegas Gonzalez of Franklin Park, Illinois…….A father of two minors…….my
neighbor….. died in the course of an ICE Operation….
What happened to me that day was not an arrest. It was an assault and the kidnapping of a U.S.
citizen.
I was never arrested.
Never charged.
Never given an explanation.
And never given an apology.
But the damage is done and continues.
I suffered severe bruising, nerve damage, a broken tooth, and aggravated injuries to my leg and
wrists. My surgically repaired kidney became swollen and inflamed. And emotionally, I
developed PTSD, panic attacks, and severe anxiety. I swear - I’ve been kidnapped in my
nightmares every single night since.
Weeks later, a disturbing pattern emerged - reports of nearly identical incidents. This time, a man
with schizophrenia was kidnapped and later released in a completely different town by the same
masked agents, using the same reckless tactics and the same red van they used to attack me.
It is important for me to say this clearly: the individuals who did this do not represent the
honorable men and women who serve in our military, our local police departments, or our federal
agencies with integrity and accountability. Those people protect us. What I encountered operated
in the shadows - masked, unnamed, and unaccountable.
Yet even in this darkness, I have witnessed the best of humanity - strangers reaching out from
across this country and beyond, reminding me that most Americans still believe in compassion,
fairness, and accountability.
I am pursuing justice - not just for myself, but for every person who has been or could be
unlawfully targeted. My message is simple: keep recording. Keep documenting. Keep
advocating. Transparency and accountability protect us all.
Despite everything, I am here.
I am standing.
I am speaking.
Because I refuse to let ICE rewrite my story.
I refuse to let fear silence me.
And I refuse to let my son grow up in a country where masked federal agents can assault women
in broad daylight without consequence.
This was not just an “incident.”
It was a violation of my physical being, my rights, my dignity, and my humanity.
And I will not rest until there is accountability, transparency, and change.
When I skimmed a notice from Allentown Communications Director Genesis Ortega on Sunday about the "Lights in the Parkway" being closed, I assumed it was due to the weekend's snowstorm. It's sad to see that the reason is because the displays have been vandalized. Here's the release:
December 14, 2025 – Lights in the Parkway is closed tonight following a significant act of vandalism that caused extensive damage to holiday light displays, including restrooms at Lehigh Parkway. The vandalism has resulted in port-a-potties being pushed into the river, bent light poles and posts, and crushed light bulbs.
We are actively assessing the full extent of the damage and determining the broader impact on the remainder of the Lights in the Parkway season. Preliminary assessments indicate that restoring the damaged displays will be difficult and costly during the current season.
As a result, we have not yet made a determination on whether Move It Monday, scheduled for tomorrow, will proceed. An update will be provided as soon as more information becomes available.
Residents and visitors who purchased tickets for tonight’s Lights in the Parkway event should contact the Parks Office for assistance with rebooking or refunds at (610) 437-7757 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.) or by email at events@allentownpa.gov.
The City has deployed its full complement of Parks crews, who are simultaneously addressing last night’s snowstorm, assisting Public Works crews, and responding to the vandalism while securing and evaluating the site.
City officials condemn all acts of vandalism, and stress that last night’s incident impacts not only a beloved holiday tradition, but also the staff, volunteers, and families who look forward to this event each year.
While we continue to evaluate repair options, please know that every effort will be made to keep the Lights in the Parkway tradition going with the resources currently available.
This incident is being investigated by the Allentown Police Department. Anyone with information can contact the department at (610) 437-7753. Tipsters are also encouraged to provide information related to the incident through the TIP411 application on www.allentownpa.gov/police.
The City of Allentown will release additional information once the damage assessment is complete and next steps are determined.
I question whether this could have occurred but for Saturday night's storm. Emergency responders and public works were no doubt prioritized city streets and local accidents and medical emergencies over the parkway, But given the time that it must have taken to commit these numerous acts of malicious mischief, I suspect that the numerous cameras deployed in Allentown might help solve this insult to family fun. I believe that unless this kind of behavior is addressed and the perpetrators are nabbed, it becomes an invitation for similar acts throughout the city.
NorCo Exec Lamont McClure is stepping down at the end of the year. At last night's meeting of County Council, he delivered a final report that details the county's financial position and employee compensation.
So what I wanted to do with my final report was frame for you where this administration ends financially, and we just did the budget, so we're not gonna relitigate that. We litigated it, and it concluded.
But I sort of, I do think I need to talk a little bit about what the financial picture, the county, is because there was a lot of talk about that vis a vis, the state's inability to timely pass the budget. So, we anticipate, and these aren't my estimates, these are Brandon Dunstain's [Budget Administrator] estimates.
When the books close in February, we will have 37 to $40 million in cash. So that was a concern that we would be out of cash. The new administration will be able to make payroll and tell the taxes roll in for the new year.
I wanted to also let counsel know and create the record that, as we walk out of here, Northampton County government will have $1.2 billion of borrowing capacity. Let me repeat that, Northampton County will be left by this administration and this council $1.2 billion of borrowing capacity. This comes despite the fact that we built a forensic center, and we've borrowed money to ameliorate a 50-year-old crumbling garage. So the $1.2 billion is more than adequate for future executives and councils to do whatever they need to do in terms of the public works of Northampton County. So I thought that was important to let everybody know.
And while we're talking about borrowing capacity, our bond rating, as I walk out this door, is double A1. Which is the second best bond rating you can have, and I believe, the finest bond rating of any municipality in the Lehigh Valley. So, not only will you be able to borrow $1.2 billion, if you have to, you can borrow it for less money because your bond rating is so solid.
We have also talked about pension, and OPEB [other post employment benefits]. So today, the pension fund sits at $566,642,484.Almost $600 million. There are people, not yet born, who will work for this county, that could be covered by this almost 600 million dollars. So it's very important for us to understand where we are today, and that is at almost 600 million. The OPEP Fund sits at $59,249,712. The total under management - I added it up - $625,892,196. That's what I am leaving as I walk out. The door.
One other thing that I want to talk about is the county's long-term indebtedness. 20 years ago, our long-term indebtedness was $128,743,766. By the time I took office in 2018, our long-term indebtedness was $110,881,061. We got it down, despite having borrowed, to build the state-of-the-art forensics center by 2024, we got it down to $69,861,859. It's gone up a little bit to $84,381,512, because we borrowed the money to fix the crumbling 50-year-old parking garage, but still below, when I took office and substantially below, where it was 20 years ago.
Now, this financial picture is sometimes connected to a fallacious argument, that fallacy, that this was done on the backs of our employees.And that is not, in fact, the case.
What do we know about employee compensation? One of the things we know about employee compensation is that the ever-increasing cost of healthcare diminishes whatever employees get in their raises, correct?
So for the last, and I'll provide, I'll provide your staff with this information so that you can all have it in front of you to digest and pass on to the new members of council, but for the last 8 years, our employees' healthcare costs to them have not risen. For eight years, our employees' healthcare costs, to them, have not risen. I don't know of another employer where that happened.If you find one, let me know. It is a unicorn.
Additionally, there's this notion that our employees - who are valuable to us - haven't received their fair compensation over these last eight years, and I'm including the eighth budget that just passed. And I want to just go over with you, as I promised, what the compounded totals of their raises have been over the last eight years. And we broke it down through each of the bargaining units.
So, to start with the nonunion career service, their compensation has risen 27.87% during my time as county executive, and during this council in the previous council's time governing.
The corrections officers, they have risen 27.78% plus 75 cents an hour in that first contract they got when we arrived.
AFSCME Gracedale, they have risen 27.27%. AFSCME residual unit, 26.61%. Their salaries have increased. And don't feel bad for AFSCME residual, because although it's 2% in 26, in 27 and 28, they get four and a half and four and a half. So they'll be tacking another 9% onto that.
Deputy sheriffs, they are 30.9%. Their compensation is raising over the last eight years.
The Detectives Association, Detectives, have gone up 36.2% over the last eight years.
The Human Services Workers, the folks at DHS, nice folks who come here, their compensation has risen 34.93%. And the steel workers, uh, at Gracedale, it's 33.53%.
So it is just not true that, you know, our excellent financial position is based on not having paid folks, especially in light of the fact that healthcare is not risen in the last eight years.
