Governor Shapiro Approves 2023-24 Fiscal Year Budget, Vetoes PASS Scholarship Program Funding

On Thursday, Governor Josh Shapiro approved the budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

However, as part of the budget-signing process, Shapiro excised the entire $100 million allocation for the PASS scholarship program using his line-item veto power, according to a press release from the governor's office.

The governor noted that the budget allows for a rise in education funding, promotes investment in local communities and economic development, expands the availability of apprenticeships, vocational and technical education, and supports public health and wellness initiatives.

Giant Company Marks Centennial with $100,000 Donation to Helping Harvest Food Bank's Weekender Meal Program

The Giant Company, in celebration of its 100th anniversary, donated $100,000 to Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank in Berks County. The funds are to be used for the summer Weekender Meal Program that aims to provide meals for nearly 9,000 children in Berks and Schuylkill counties.

Helping Harvest also facilitates the distribution of around 5,000 food bags weekly via more than 100 Weekender Program sites across the two counties. The donation will allow the distribution of an additional 9,000 food bags to preschool and elementary children, supplementing meals they would normally receive at school.

You’re Invited To Join the Pottstown Local Scoop - Official Community Discussion Group on Facebook

We’re so glad you’ve joined the Pottstown Local Scoop - Official Community Discussion Group! This group was created as a place for residents to come together and discuss everything happening in our great town.

Whether you’ve lived here your whole life or just moved to Pottstown, we’re excited to have you as part of this community forum. Here are a few things we hope you’ll use this group for:

• Share local news and events - help your neighbors stay in the know!

• Recommend your favorite local businesses - help support our local economy

• Ask questions and get advice about the area

• Join or organize community groups and meetings

• Stay up to date on town issues and developments

• Connect with fellow residents who share your interests

• And more! Everything Pottstown-related is welcome.

This group is for residents to discuss news, events, businesses, issues, and anything else related to our town. Let’s keep the conversations friendly, relevant, and productive.

We can’t wait to see members sharing local insights, tips, and perspectives.

Introduce yourself in the comments!

• What brought you to Pottstown?

• What do you love about the town?

• What would you like to see happen here in the future?

Thanks for being part of this community forum. We’re looking forward to the great discussions ahead!

Berks County Teen Sentenced to 5½ to 14 Years for Fatal Crash While Fleeing Police

A teenager from Berks County faces over a decade in prison for causing a fatal car crash that resulted in the deaths of two people.

Jashwa Colon, 19, received a sentence of 5½ to 14 years in a state prison on Wednesday. In June, he pleaded guilty to two charges of vehicular homicide, evading or trying to escape from a police officer, driving under the influence of a controlled substance, and other related offenses.

The incident occurred on June 17, 2021, when Colon was driving on County Welfare Road in Bern Township. When police tried to pull him over, he sped off and ended up crashing the vehicle. The accident resulted in the deaths of two passengers, Michael Brooks and a minor girl.

Investigations revealed that Colon was driving under the influence of marijuana and did not possess a valid driver's license. Despite being a minor at the time of the incident, Colon was charged as an adult.

The two victims of the crash were later identified by the Berks County coroner after their vehicle, attempting to escape from police, hit a tree.

Anheuser-Busch Inbev's U.S. Revenue Declines as Bud Light Sales Plunge Amid Backlash Over Transgender Influencer Campaign

Anheuser-Busch Inbev, the world's largest brewery, experienced a decline in U.S. revenue in Q2 due to falling Bud Light sales, which the company attributes to a backlash against a campaign featuring transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.

The brewery reported on Thursday a 10.5% decrease in revenue in the United States during the April-June quarter compared to the same period the previous year. This was primarily due to the slump in Bud Light sales.

Bud Light lost its long-standing position as America's top-selling beer, dropping to second place in June, outperformed by Modelo Especial. Both brands are owned by Belgium-based AB InBev.

Controversy arose after Anheuser-Busch Inbev sent a limited-edition Bud Light can to Mulvaney, who shared it with her extensive social media following. The promotion drew criticism from conservative figures who urged a boycott of Bud Light. At the same time, Mulvaney's advocates reproached the beer brand for its lack of support towards Mulvaney amidst the backlash. Mulvaney, has pointed out the absence of outreach from the company as Mulvaney faced alleged bullying and transphobia due to their partnership.

Despite the downturn in Bud Light sales, Anheuser-Busch Inbev saw overall revenue growth of 7.2% in Q2, reaching $15.1 billion. This growth was buoyed by the performance of global brands such as Stella Artois and Corona.

The brewery also reported a 5% increase in normalized earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, which rose to $4.9 billion.

Potential iPhone 15 Launch Slated for September 13, Say Insiders

Insiders indicate that mobile carriers are informing staff to forego any time off on September 13 due to an anticipated significant smartphone release. This aligns with Apple's well-known tradition of hosting its iPhone events in September, raising the likelihood of the iPhone 15 making its debut then.

Apple made a departure from its usual Tuesday events last year by hosting it on a Wednesday, September 7. Given this, the upcoming September 13, also a Wednesday, is considered a probable date for this year's special event.

If Apple does proceed to announce the new iPhones on September 13, it's predicted that pre-orders will kick-off from Friday, September 15, followed by the official release a week later on September 22.

However, as seen with the delayed sales of iPhone 14 Plus last year due to supply chain issues, there may be exceptions to this schedule. It's been forecasted that at least one of the iPhone 15 models may see a delayed release, while others are optimistic that all new models will be launched in September despite the potential for "severe shortages."

Anticipated Features of the New iPhone

As per rumors, the iPhone 15 is set for a design revamp featuring slightly curved edges and slimmer bezels around the display. All four new models are expected to offer Dynamic Island and switch to USB-C from the customary Lightning port. In a significant change, the Pro models might see their stainless-steel frame substituted with a titanium one.

While the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are set to be powered by the same A16 Bionic chip seen in the iPhone 14 Pro, the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max are expected to run on a new A17 chip. A noteworthy addition to the larger Pro model will be a new periscope lens offering enhanced optical zoom.

Reports suggest that the price of the new iPhones may witness an increase of up to $200 compared to the current generation models.

U.S. Gas Prices on the Rise Amid Reduced Refinery Production and OPEC+ Supply Cuts

Gas prices in the U.S. are escalating, causing added strain for drivers nationwide. The average gas price was approximately $3.82 a gallon on Thursday, a 29-cent increase from last month, as per AAA. This leap is seen as uncommon, particularly given that fewer people are using their cars this summer relative to previous years, according to Andrew Gross from AAA.

Gasoline prices are closely tied to crude oil prices, which have also been on the rise recently. West Texas Intermediate crude, the U.S. benchmark, was trading over $81 a barrel on Thursday afternoon, indicating a $12 increase since July 3. Several factors are driving up oil prices, including the extreme summer heat affecting refineries and global supply production cuts.

The heat has forced refineries, which typically function between 32 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit, to reduce production for safety reasons, constricting supply. The heatwave has led refineries, especially those in the Gulf Coast, to operate below their regular capacity, resulting in a significant daily barrel loss. However, those refineries still operating are making substantial profits.

Another contributing factor is the reduction of crude supply from major OPEC+ alliance countries. For instance, both Russia and Saudi Arabia have been exporting less. In July, Saudi Arabia started cutting its oil supply to the global market by 1 million barrels per day, a reduction that will extend through the end of September. These cuts are adding pressure to oil prices worldwide as the economy starts to recover.

Different regions in the U.S. are experiencing varying gas prices due to factors such as regional refineries' routine maintenance and limited supplies in certain states. California had the highest gas prices in the nation at an average of $5.03 a gallon, with Washington and Oregon following closely. In contrast, Mississippi had the lowest average at about $3.33 per gallon.

Forecasting future gas prices remains uncertain, as possible relief from the heat might be offset by potential hurricanes, leading refineries to shut down.

To help save on fuel costs, motorists are advised to check their tire pressure regularly, use cruise control when possible, not overfill their tanks, and remove unneeded items from their trunks to reduce weight.

SoulJoel Presents: Tara Cannistraci debuts at SoulJoel's Comedy Dome

Friday August 4th @ 8pm (Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 8pm)

General admission only $20 | VIP tickets only $30

50 Sunnybrook Road Pottstown, PA 19464

Get tickets here: https://www.souljoels.com/shop/tickets/taracannistraci/

About Tara:

Tara Cannistraci is an Italian-American comedian, actress & writer who was born and raised in the Bronx, New York

She is quickly becoming one of the most sought after stand-up comics in the country. Tara has taken her talents to the stage, television, film, and even centerfield as the scoreboard host for the New York Yankees.

She was also a regular on SNY's Emmy award winning television show ‘Oh Yeah’.

Tara Co-Hosts the popular podcast Neighborhood Logic with film icon and legend Chazz Palminteri. Tara joined Joey Diaz for his NY Residency at Sony Hall and her star continues to rise as she is asked to tour constantly with some of the biggest names in stand up. Tara’s compilation album, Greetings From Uncle Vinnie’s is streaming everywhere and her first solo album, I'm Talkin' Here, will was released this Spring.

Tara is currently headlining throughout the United States and Canada.

Upcoming Local Events

• Tara Cannistraci debuts at SoulJoel's Comedy Dome - FRIDAY, AUGUST 4th · 8:00 PM EDT

• Craig Shoemaker at SoulJoel's Comedy Dome - SATURDAY, AUGUST 5th · 7:00 PM EDT

• Island Pizza presents Kricket Comedy - SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 2023 AT 7:30 PM

• 1st Sunday Swing Dance Party w/ The Sounds of SunnyBrook

  SoulJoel's at SunnyBrook - SUNDAY, AUGUST 6, 2023 AT 4 PM

• 4th Annual Southeastern Pennsylvania Halloween Flea Market at Leesport Farmers Market - SUNDAY, AUGUST 6, 2023 AT 7 AM

• Doc's 2nd Annual Jeep Jam at Doc's Irish Pub - SUNDAY, AUGUST 6, 3 PM – 8 PM

Got an upcoming event you want us to share?

Click Here to Let us Know About Your Upcoming Event

PHILLIES

Michael Lorenzen Shines in Phillies Debut, Leads Team to 4-2 Victory Over Marlins

In his first game for the Philadelphia Phillies, Michael Lorenzen demonstrated his prowess by pitching eight innings, only allowing two runs, and helping the team secure a 4-2 victory over the Miami Marlins on Thursday. Lorenzen, formerly of the Detroit Tigers, also recorded six hits and five strikeouts.

J.T. Realmuto, the Phillies' acclaimed catcher, returned to the field after missing two games due to a bruised hand. He celebrated his comeback with a home run and a single, contributing significantly to the Phillies' triumph. Bryce Harper, another star player, added two hits to the team's tally, helping them secure three out of four wins in the series against the Marlins.

The Phillies' manager, Rob Thomson, appreciated Lorenzen's outstanding performance, acknowledging the boost it gave to the team after the previous night's loss. Meanwhile, Realmuto's early home run in the second inning helped set the pace for the Phillies.

Luis Arraez of the Marlins managed a single hit in his four times at-bat, and his impressive batting average decreased slightly to .377. Despite a late home run from the Marlins' Bryan De La Cruz, the Phillies held their lead, further extended by Brandon Marsh's two-run single in the seventh inning.

Johnny Cueto, the Marlins' starter, struggled in his third game after a three-month absence due to a tight right bicep. He was pulled after the sixth inning, having allowed four runs and five hits.

UNION

Philadelphia Union Clinch Victory in Penalty Shootout Against D.C. United to Progress to Leagues Cup Round of 16

In a thrilling penalty shootout, Philadelphia Union demonstrated their resolve by overcoming D.C. United and progressing to the Round of 16 in the Leagues Cup.

The match remained goalless after regular time, with the Union overcoming a setback when their initial penalty kick was deflected by their Eastern Conference opponents.

The momentum shifted once more after a missed shot in the fourth round was confidently converted by Jack McGlynn, the local talent. The tiebreaker went into the sixth round, with Olivier Mbaizo clinching victory for the Union, driving the spectators at Subaru Park into wild celebration following D.C. United's missed shot.

The triumph prepares the Union for another intense contest in the Round of 16, where they will host the New York Red Bulls in Chester, Pennsylvania, on Monday, August 7th.

Game Highlights

On a rainy evening at Subaru Park, the Union began aggressively, setting up an offensive in just four minutes. After a pass from center back Jack Elliott, Jose Martinez initiated an attack which, though it did not result in a goal, tested the reflexes of D.C. United's goalkeeper, Alex Bono.

As the drizzle subsided, D.C. United made their first assault on the goal of Andre Blake, three-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. The ensuing half saw some tension between Julian Carranza and Donovan Pines, evoking reactions from the Union's fanbase.

The Union continued to put pressure on the visitors, with Daniel Gazdag making an exquisite chipped pass to the left flank for Wagner. Despite the Union's efforts, D.C. United held a tight defensive line, forcing the Union to try their luck with counter-attacks.

As the halftime whistle loomed, D.C. United launched a couple of unfruitful long shots and narrowly missed a goal when Yamil Asad sent a through ball into the box for Benteke, which was deflected by Blake.

In the second half, both sides attempted five shots each, with D.C. United earning the first corner of the half in the 51st minute. The Union thought they had the lead in the 65th minute, but the goal was disallowed due to a tangle between Carranza and Pines.

With a quarter of an hour remaining, Jim Curtin, Head Coach of the Union, introduced fresh legs into the lineup. As the Union committed fully to a regulation time victory, D.C. United intensified their defensive pressure and relied on counter-attacks.

After an intense regulation time, the match moved to a penalty shootout.

The Union found themselves trailing initially but managed to stay in the game through successful conversions by Carranza and Elliott. A missed attempt by D.C. United in the fourth round and successful conversion by McGlynn, kept the Union in the game. In the sixth round, following a missed shot from Pedro Santos of D.C. United, Mbaizo seized the opportunity to ensure Union's progress to the next round.

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