Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro sued President Donald Trump's administration on Thursday to unfreeze federal funds. Pennsylvania is now one of at least 24 states and the District of Columbia with lawsuits challenging Trump's allegedly "unconstitutional" federal funding freeze. 

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directed agencies to halt federal funding on January 27. Pennsylvania state agencies have been unable to access $1.2 billion in federal funds with an additional $900 million requiring federal review, according to the lawsuit. Shapiro is seeking to unfreeze those funds. 

The lawsuit names Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and OMB Director Russell Vought in their respective capacities. 

"The federal government has entered into a contract with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, promising to provide billions of dollars in Congressionally approved funding that we have committed to serious needs – like protecting public health, cutting energy costs, providing safe, clean drinking water, and creating jobs in rural communities. With this funding freeze, the Trump Administration is breaking that contract – and it’s my job as Governor to protect Pennsylvania’s interests," Shapiro said.  

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION APPEALS FEDERAL JUDGE'S ORDER TO UNFREEZE FEDERAL FUNDS

The Trump administration has called the legal challenges to Trump’s executive orders "an attempt to undermine the will of the American people." The White House on Thursday dismissed Shapiro’s lawsuit as an extension of the "Left’s resistance." 

"Radical Leftists can either choose to swim against the tide and reject the overwhelming will of the people, or they can get on board and work with President Trump to advance his wildly popular agenda. These lawsuits are nothing more than an extension of the Left’s resistance — and the Trump Administration is ready to face them in court," White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Harrison Fields said. 

WHITE HOUSE STILL COMMITTED TO FREEZING ‘WOKE’ FUNDS DESPITE RESCINDING OMB MEMO

Shapiro said federal funding could jeopardize Pennsylvania projects, including "reclaiming abandoned mine land, capping and plugging orphan wells, and lowering consumer costs." Meanwhile, the Commonwealth is incurring debt on federally approved projects. 

Pennsylvania has joined at least 23 states and Washington, D.C., who have sued the Trump administration to unfreeze federal funds. Federal judges have issued a temporary restraining order to block the funding freeze in states with litigation against the Trump administration. Because Pennsylvania did not sue the Trump administration to unfreeze funds, they were not impacted by the order releasing funds. 

"While multiple federal judges have ordered the Trump Administration to unfreeze this funding, access has not been restored, leaving my Administration with no choice but to pursue legal action to protect the interests of the Commonwealth and its residents," Shapiro said. 

Shapiro is suing the Trump administration to reap the benefit of the federal judge’s order. 

Democratic groups quickly came out in support of Shapiro's lawsuit. 

"We strongly support Governor Shapiro’s action to protect Pennsylvanians, support communities and cut costs by challenging this funding freeze. Blocking these critical funds is an unacceptable attack on Pennsylvania families, communities and economic stability. These funds were legally approved by Congress and are crucial to supporting working families, rural communities and public safety initiatives across the commonwealth," the Pennsylvania House Democrats said in a statement. 

Evergreen Action, a progressive climate action organization, applauded Shapiro for standing up for Pennsylvanians. 

"Pennsylvania and its communities, businesses, and local governments must regain access to their funds immediately and be freed from this chaos and uncertainty. We are grateful for the governor’s leadership and hope these critical funds are soon able to reach the people who need them most," Evergreen Action Deputy State Policy Director, Julia Kortrey, said. 

Sens. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., and John Fetterman, D-Pa., put party politics aside to support the Philadelphia Eagles at SuperBowl LIX, trading in their partisan feud for a friendly wager with Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan. 

The Pennsylvania senators are both Pittsburgh Steelers fans who were "all in for the birds" at the big game. Before the birds could fly Sunday night, Marshall, who is a Kansas City Chiefs fan, announced the senators' friendly bet. With the Eagles' win, Marshall will have to wear Eagles gear and owes McCormick and Fetterman Kansas City barbecue.

"@RogerMarshallMD, you're on. May the best team win. Looking forward to eating some KC BBQ and seeing you sport some @Eagles gear," McCormick replied to Marshall. 

"Gotta stop by @SenMcCormickPA's office to get some of that barbecue since we're winning this wager," Fetterman added. 

TRUMP RECEIVES RAUCOUS RECEPTION AS HE SALUTES DURING SUPER BOWL LIX NATIONAL ANTHEM

While McCormick joined forces with his Democratic counterpart to support the Eagles, the Republican senator caught a ride to the game on Air Force One with President Donald Trump, Marshall and other senate colleagues. 

TRUMP SIGNS PROCLAMATION DECLARING FEBRUARY 9 'GULF OF AMERICA DAY' AHEAD OF SUPER BOWL: ‘ANOTHER BIG WIN’

President Trump signed an executive order declaring Feb. 9 as "Gulf of America Day" as Air Force One flew over the newly renamed body of water on the way to Super Bowl LIX. After the game, McCormick said he spoke to the president about keeping his campaign promises for Pennsylvania. 

"[I] had the chance to talk to him and advocate for Pennsylvania to keep the promises we made to unleash energy dominance, prevent the threat of fentanyl from devastating our communities, and bring down the cost of living," McCormick said. 

Fetterman trolled McCormick online throughout his 2024 senatorial campaign, calling him "Connecticut Dave." But McCormick and Fetterman have found common ground for Pennsylvania since the election — on more than just football teams and friendly wagers.

McCormick and Fetterman agreed to "break bread" in January, meeting for dinner with their wives to discuss policy for Pennsylvania.

Fetterman has been one of few Democratic senators willing to work across the aisle under Trump's second term. He met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago and met with his cabinet nominees on Capitol Hill. 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Fox News Digital has reached out to McCormick and Fetterman about the bet. 

Artificial intelligence may be the new frontier for childhood schooling, but the idea of teacherless classrooms has received mixed reviews from state education officials.

Unbound Academy, a Texas-based institution billing itself as the nation’s first virtual, tuition-free charter school for grades 4 through 8, reportedly employs AI to teach students in a way that can be geared toward the individual student without "frustration[s]" sometimes present in traditional schooling.

While such schools have seen success in being approved to educate students in Arizona, Unbound was formally rejected by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in a letter obtained by Fox News Digital.

WY MAN SOUGHT BID TO ELECT FIRST AI BOT MAYOR

In a letter to an Unbound Academy official with a Lancaster office address, Secretary Angela Fitterer said her office has found "deficiencies" in all five criteria needed for approval to teach Keystone State students.

Pennsylvania’s Charter School law denotes a school must demonstrate sustainable support for the cyber charter school plan from teachers, parents and students. It must also exhibit the capacity to provide "comprehensive learning experiences," enable students to meet academic standards, and abide by Section 1747(a) of the law, which pertains to governance, policy, facility and assessment.

"Artificial intelligence tools present unique opportunities in the classroom that educators across Pennsylvania are already exploring how to effectively, ethically and safely implement," a spokeswoman for Fitterer told Fox News Digital.

"However, the AI instructional model being proposed by this school is untested and fails to delineate how artificial intelligence tools would be used to ensure that the education provided aligns with PA state standards," she said.

In its application, Unbound cited its work with "2HR Learning" an "innovated educational approach that combines AI technology, personalized learning paths, and a focus on life skills development to revolutionize the learning experience," according to the Scranton Times-Tribune.

However, Unbound saw success in Arizona, which approved an academy for the 2025-26 school year, while being rejected in three states besides Pennsylvania, according to the Arizona Republic.

Two hours are set aside for core instruction, and the rest of the day is geared toward students pursuing "personal interests" and life skills workshops.

Unbound Academy co-founder MacKenzie Price told the paper the Grand Canyon State was appealing because of its welcoming of school choice tenets.

Another state official on the frontier of educational evolution is Oklahoma Superintendent of Education Ryan Walters.

SCOTUS TO CONSIDER EFFORT TO ESTABLISH NATION'S FIRST PUBLICLY-FUNDED RELIGIOUS CHARTER SCHOOL

In recent months, Walters has spearheaded efforts to return the Bible to schools, root out foreign influence in curriculum, and AMIRA – a new literacy initiative, among other endeavors. His state is also set to appear before the Supreme Court this term in regard to interest in allowing a Catholic charter school to receive state funding.

Walters said he has not yet seen an application for Unbound or any other AI-powered charter school, but believes that if parents desire the option in the Sooner State, he will consider it.

"You have to show parental support that they're asking for it," he said.

"You also have to be very transparent. Where's the technology based out of? Who is developing it? We do not want any situation where you've got a CCP or [similar] country, involved there with the technology. . . . You need to be very upfront. Where is the technology developed? What is the curriculum look like?" 

With Oklahoma’s major agricultural sector, many schoolchildren work hours on their family farms when they’re not in class. Walters said virtual learning has helped Oklahoma families in the near-term, and suggested an AI school would have a similar setup.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

He said his state is always open to the next frontier of childhood education.

"Catholics have some of the most successful schools in our state in the country. They brought us a model that said we'd like to try out so many of the things that have worked for us in our private schools at a charter school. We can make it available for more kids," he said.

"We appreciate the Catholic Church for putting the application before us [and] the radical atheists and teachers union folks – they're dead wrong on this."

Walters said – just as Harrisburg deemed the AI-powered charter school did not meet its qualifications – Oklahoma believes the new Catholic charter school met its criteria.

"This is the next frontier of school choice – we want more schools. We want more charter schools."

Fox News Digital reached out to Unbound Academy for comment and further information on its other state applications.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said they have recovered the black box from the deadly Jan. 31 Learjet 55 plane crash in Philadelphia.

The announcement, made on Sunday, said investigators located the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) eight feet below the site of the initial impact. 

Investigators also found the aircraft's enhanced ground proximity warning system (EGPWS), which the NTSB said "could also contain flight data."

"Both components will be sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory in Washington, DC for evaluation," a statement said. "NTSB investigators have recovered both engines. Wreckage recovery continues tomorrow and all of the wreckage will be sent to a secure location in Delaware for further examination."

EERIE PHOTOS SHOW INTERIOR OF DOOMED MEDEVAC JET THAT CRASHED IN PHILADELPHIA

Flight data recorders and CVRs are tools that help investigators reconstruct the events that led up to a plane crash. They are orange to make them easier to find in wreckage, and are usually installed in a plane's tail section, which is considered the most survivable part of the aircraft, according to the NTSB's website.

The Jet Rescue Air Ambulance crash that took place near the Roosevelt Mall killed at least seven people and injured 22 others.

WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE VICTIMS OF THE PHILADELPHIA CRASH

Four crew members and two passengers – a pediatric patient and her mother – were on the plane that was headed to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri, the company said. They were all Mexican nationals.

A person in a car was the seventh fatal victim of the fiery crash.

Meanwhile, 38-year-old Jason Rodriguez – who was in the area at the time of the crash – remains missing, according to FOX 29. His family says he was shopping when they last heard from him.

Fox News' Andrea Margolis, Greg Wehner and the Associated Press contributed to this report. 

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently released video of officials combing through the debris and destruction left after the fatal Jan. 31 plane crash in Philadelphia, which killed at least seven people and injured 22 others.

The footage, which was shot on Sunday, showed the haunting aftermath of the Learjet 55 crash. The eerily-empty streets were strewn with debris, yellow tape and abandoned vehicles, as well as construction barriers guarding the scene of the crash.

One official stood in a crater-sized hole to inspect the rubble. Drone footage also shows the abandoned cars with broken windows covered in ash several yards away from the crater.

On Sunday, the NTSB announced that it had recovered the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) from the scene, which was found eight feet below the site of the initial impact. Investigators also found the aircraft's enhanced ground proximity warning system (EGPWS), which the NTSB says "could also contain flight data."

KAZAKHSTAN PLANE CRASH SURVIVORS SAY THEY HEARD BANGS BEFORE AIRCRAFT WENT DOWN; PUTIN ISSUES STATEMENT

"Both components will be sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory in Washington, DC for evaluation," the statement added.  "NTSB investigators have recovered both engines. Wreckage recovery continues tomorrow and all of the wreckage will be sent to a secure location in Delaware for further examination."

The crash, which involved a medevac jet, took place near the Roosevelt Mall at around 6:30 p.m. on Friday evening. The aircraft was departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport at the time, en route to Missouri for a fuel stop and eventually Mexico.

Jet Air Ambulance spokesperson Shai Gold told Fox News Digital that a passenger on the flight was a Mexican citizen who was in the U.S. for life-saving medical treatment. The young girl was headed home at the time with her mother.

In total, six people were on the plane, including four crew members. On Sunday, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said that at least 22 people were injured, and the seventh fatal victim was in a car at the time of the crash.

"Five of the victims remain hospitalized currently, and three of them are in critical condition," the mayor said at the press conference. "We have not, out of respect for their families and their loved ones, shared the names of any of those who have been impacted. Please continue to lift them, their families and loved ones up in prayer."

Fires erupted immediately after the plane crash, but Philadelphia fire officials eventually got the flames under control. Gold told Fox News Digital that the aircraft was "loaded with jet fuel that's highly flammable."

STAFFING AT REAGAN WASHINGTON NATIONAL AIRPORT AIR CONTROL TOWER WAS 'NOT NORMAL' ON NIGHT OF COLLISION: FAA

"There is no indication that anybody survived, and by the debris field, I would be pleasantly surprised to learn otherwise," Gold explained at the time.

The Jet Air Ambulance spokesperson added that the pilot aboard the Learjet was "a very seasoned pilot," and that the co-pilot was also experienced.

"They know the job, and they do it many times," Gold added. "We fly 600 to 700 missions a year. We are very busy, very active, and we keep top-notch staff."

On Sunday, the NTSB announced that it had recovered the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) from the scene, which was found eight feet below the site of the initial impact. Investigators also found the aircraft's enhanced ground proximity warning system (EGPWS), which the NTSB says "could also contain flight data."

Fox News Digital's Greg Wehner, Alexandra Koch and Lorraine Taylor contributed to this report.

Don't put those winter woollens away just yet. Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow Sunday and six more weeks of wintry weather are now predicted, his top-hatted handlers announced to a noisy, record-sized crowd at chilly Gobbler’s Knob in Pennsylvania.

The post Groundhog Day Gloom: Punxsutawney Phil Says More Winter Ahead appeared first on Breitbart.

Pennsylvania's "official state meteorologist" Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow Sunday morning, predicting six more weeks of winter.

Sunday's joyous occasion was the 138th prognostication in Punxsutawney, located in Jefferson County. The festivities kicked off at 6 a.m. in a cold 20 degrees, and Phil made his appearance to the eager crowd at 7:22 a.m. It included singing, dancing, live music and fireworks to amp up the crowd ahead of Phil's prediction. 

Gov. Josh Shapiro, D-Pa., spoke early on during the annual festivities at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., rebuffing People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals' (PETA) demands to replace the beloved animal with something vegan.

"There's some folks out there who said we should take this great tradition that stretches all the way back to the 1880s and get rid of Phil and replace him with a cake," Shapiro said in front of thousands of people. "If anybody comes for Phil, they're gonna have to go through me and all of you. Am I right?"

PENNSYLVANIA GOV REBUFFS PETA'S DEMANDS ON PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL: 'COME AND TAKE IT'

Shapiro added that last year he declared Phil the "official state meteorologist" and that the groundhog is "never wrong about the weather." He teased making Groundhog Day an official state holiday.

The governor has been on-hand for every Groundhog Day ceremony in Punxsutawney since taking office in 2023.

GROUNDHOG DAY'S HISTORY, MEANING AND HOW THE SUPERSTITIOUS TRADITION MADE ITS WAY TO THE US

PETA President Ingrid Newkirk told the New York Post that Phil is denied the traditional lifestyle of a groundhog "for a tired old gimmick."

While Groundhog Day is considered a national holiday and has even been popularized in the classic 1993 Bill Murray film of the same name, the day — and Phil himself — hold a special place in many Pennsylvanians' hearts.

The annual weather prediction ceremony is hosted by the Groundhog Club Inner Circle, a group of local dignitaries who care for Punxsutawney Phil and help arrange special festivities. 

Even though Punxsutawney Phil's weather prediction is the one people gather to see, the groundhog's prediction is made ahead of the big moment by the group on Gobbler's Knob, a location very close to Punxsutawney, just around 65 miles away from Pittsburgh.

In addition to the large ceremony in western PA, throughout the rest of the Commonwealth, many historically Pennsylvania German communities are home to a "Grundsau Lodsch" or Groundhog Lodge. 

Fox News' Carles Creitz and Ashlyn Messier contributed to this report.

PETA is proposing a "weather reveal" cake in place of groundhog Punxsutawney Phil on Groundhog Day this year. 

The organization, known for its animal advocacy, believes that Phil is being exploited on the annual winter holiday. In response, they sent a letter to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, asking them to let Phil retire ahead of this year's celebration on February 2. 

Instead of Phil, PETA has offered to send a vegan "weather reveal" cake, similar to a gender reveal cake, each Groundhog Day. The proposed cake when cut would show one of two colors: blue, signifying six more weeks of winter, or pink, indicating an early spring.

PETA CALLS OUT NYC MAYOR FOR ‘VILLAINIZING RATS'

PETA President Ingrid Newkirk explained her offer in the letter: "Retire Phil to a reputable sanctuary with his family, and every year we’ll provide a giant vegan ‘Weather Reveal’ cake (it would be the first in the world this year) to share with revelers at Gobbler’s Knob."

"If the inside of the cake is blue, there will be six more weeks of winter. If it’s pink, there will be an early spring," she added. "This would allow you to still make tourism dough while showing Phil a slice of decency. It would be as least as accurate as asking a groundhog what to expect in a way that doesn’t even reflect his nature."

She reiterated that they "batter believe" that Groundhog Day is no piece of cake for Phil. 

PETA TARGETS KANSAS MERRY-GO-ROUND MAKE OVER ANIMAL-THEME CAROUSELS 

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST MEDIA AND CULTURE NEWS

"Groundhogs are shy prey animals who, when allowed, actively avoid humans," she said. "Yet, year after year, Phil is transported to Gobbler’s Knob, whisked on stage, and subjected to a noisy announcer, screaming crowds, and flashing lights against all his natural instincts."

"If approached in his natural habitat, he would run away in fear, not volunteer to live year-round in captivity, unable to do anything that’s natural and important to him like hibernate or burrow—just to be a town’s once-a-year fake meteorologist," she added. 

This isn't the first time PETA has tried to remove Phil from the festivities. In 2023, the group offered to replace him with an enormous, golden, weather-predicting coin.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

"We’d be happy to send you a large thermometer for Gobbler’s Knob instead that reads, ‘If it’s still cold, it’s still winter,’ which would aptly represent the absurdity of the current form of this tired old spectacle. We look forward to hearing from you, as always," Newkirk concluded in this year's letter. 

Residents of Northeast Philadelphia looked on in disbelief after the crash on Friday night that also injured at least 19 people on the ground.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro hit back at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) on Friday, after the activist group sent a letter to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club promising to send them a vegan "weather reveal cake" if they agreed to stop pulling Punxsutawney Phil out of his burrow for his Feb. 2 prognostication.

"Come and take it," Shapiro tweeted in response to a New York Post story on PETA's demand.

Manuel Bonder, a spokesman for Shapiro, told Fox News Digital the governor stands by his comments and said he will again make the trip to Gobbler's Knob in Jefferson County on Sunday to witness Phil's 138th meteorological prediction.

Shapiro has been on-hand for every Groundhog Day ceremony in Punxsutawney since taking office in 2023.

PETA CALLS TO END GROUNDHOG DAY TRADITION, REPLACE PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL WITH CAKE

PETA President Ingrid Newkirk told the Post that Phil is denied the traditional lifestyle of a groundhog "for a tired old gimmick."

Visitors to Punxsutawney year-round can visit Phil and his "wife," Phyllis, at the borough library. On this reporter's last visit to the area, the rodents had recently become proud parents to a new baby groundhog, as well.

While Groundhog Day is considered a national holiday and has even been popularized in the classic 1993 Bill Murray film of the same name, the day — and Phil himself — hold a special place in many Pennsylvanians' hearts.

In addition to the large ceremony in western PA, throughout the rest of the Commonwealth, many historically Pennsylvania German communities are home to a "Grundsau Lodsch" or Groundhog Lodge. 

GROUNDHOG DAY QUIZ! HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW THE FACTS ABOUT THIS UNIQUE DAY?

Each lodge holds an annual banquet or "Versommling" in honor of their totem – Phil – with "Lodsch Nummer Ains an de Lechau" (Lodge #1 on the Lehigh River) in Allentown hosting theirs annually on the February 2 holiday itself since 1934.

Nineteen other lodges based around the state have held "Versommlinge" for decades, as well. 

However, three — "#2, Schibbach" in Montgomery County, "#3, Temple U." in Philadelphia County and "#5, Bind Bush" in Schuylkill County — have gone defunct in recent years as the Pennsylvania German language and culture see a decline in younger generations.

A March 2024 Versommling for "Lodge #18 an de Forelle Grick" (on Trout Creek) in Slatington featured local beer on tap, a traditional Pennsylvania German supper, stories and riddles from lodge elders told in the Pennsylvania German language, and, of course, representations of Phil himself.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Until recently, it was the custom of groundhog lodges to forbid English-speaking in favor of "Pennsilfaanisch," lest the violator toss a nickel in a donation jar on their table.

Other states' groundhogs have been less lucky than Phil, as then-New York Mayor Bill de Blasio infamously dropped Staten Island Chuck during a 2014 ceremony in West New Brighton. Chuck later died from internal injuries after appearing to land on his head.

With the importance Groundhog Day and Phil himself hold to Pennsylvania past-and-present, Bonder said Shapiro will continue to defend the groundhog and his tradition, and will be on hand for future wintertime prognostications in Punxsutawney.

Venture capitalist and conservative activist Paul Martino credited President Donald Trump’s election win for a documentary featuring Martino's family being screened at the Sundance Film Festival.

"Bucks County, USA" focuses on two 14-year-old girls, Evi and Vanessa, maintaining a friendship despite opposing political beliefs in a bellwether county of one of the seven swing states in 2022. The five-part docu-series asks if "we can learn that it’s possible to coexist and love one another despite our differing political views" and "discover the humanity in ‘the other side.’"

"Bucks County, USA" was also one of two docu-series to feature at Sundance, where it debuted the first two episodes on Tuesday.

Martino, Vanessa’s father, took part in the documentary as a conservative perspective based on his work founding the Back to School PA PAC to elect candidates in favor of keeping schools open during the Covid-19 pandemic.

PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTERS SHUT DOWN SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL'S MAIN STREET

At the premiere in Utah, Martino expressed his surprise at the series being featured in general, suggesting Trump’s win had encouraged more political dialogue even in film.

"One of the things that is fascinating about ‘Bucks County, USA’ being chosen as an official selection is it really looks like, in the era of Trump being re-elected, Sundance has pivoted to the middle," Martino said on X. 

"All of the sudden, the discussions are about ‘wow, I need to listen to the other side.’ So it is satisfying to be here at Sundance, which is known to be so left-leaning, knowing that there is a new openness to dialogue."

He continued, "I think the reason there’s an openness to dialogue is Trump won, and he won pretty big. And I think people are starting to realize, ‘this wasn’t a one-time little fluke when it came down to Hillary Clinton and the weirdness in 2016.’ This guy won the popular vote in 2024, and now I think people are like ‘Okay, maybe I shouldn’t just be in the resistance for four years. Maybe I should find out what the other person down the street from me is thinking.’"

In a clip sent to Fox News Digital, Martino addressed a theater audience at Sundance who criticized his beliefs after watching the series.

"Why can’t you be like your kids?" one audience member exclaimed.

Martino responded to the backlash by giving his perspective on what led him to activism.

"We were successful in the school policies around Covid, but you know what happened? The public sector’s unions decided to run ads about what an awful person I was, literally turning it into a personal battle," Martino said. "I was literally ready to take my ball and go home, but they decided they were going to make me a villain and my family. So what should I have done? Should I have just gone home? Or should I have actually gone into the fight?"

LIBERAL 'SECRET' KAVANAUGH DOCUMENTARY AT SUNDANCE AIMS TO REOPEN SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS

Members of the audience cheered at his response.

"You’ve clearly watched the movie then, seeing the humanity in the film is what this is about, given your response," Martino added. "But what’s crazy to me is that you attacked me. That is the start of this."

In another video posted on Martino’s X account on January 22, Martino discussed his involvement in the process after being told by the filmmakers that "nobody on the right has agreed to be in the documentary."

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

"[Robert May] did exactly what he promised me, that he would portray it as it happened. I didn’t want to be portrayed as good or bad. I just wanted the facts to be told. And when the facts are told, guess what? Us on the right look pretty damn rational. Our policies were the right ones. Our point of view was the right one, in particular around Covid policy," Martino said.

A plane crash in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, resulted in a large explosion setting several buildings on fire. Six people onboard the aircraft appear to have died in the crash, including a pediatric patient.

The post Plane Crash in Philadelphia Leads to Explosions, Buildings on Fire appeared first on Breitbart.

Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) and Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) were among the Pennsylvania lawmakers who responded to reports of a plane crash at a mall in Philadelphia.

The post Sen. John Fetterman, Gov. Josh Shapiro Respond to Plane Crash in Philadelphia appeared first on Breitbart.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted a raid at a car wash in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and arrested and detained seven illegal aliens who had been working there.

The post ICE Conducts Raid at Philadelphia Car Wash, 7 Illegal Aliens Arrested appeared first on Breitbart.

The Learjet, carrying a pediatric patient and five others, crashed on Friday, killing all on board. On the ground, one person was killed and at least 19 others were injured, officials said.

An executive order signed this week would push colleges and universities to combat antisemitism specifically by monitoring and reporting international students.

Authorities are investigating an apparent murder-suicide after a family of four was found dead last week in their Pennsylvania home. 

Paul Swarner, 35, Karen Swarner, 32, and their two young children were found dead in their house in Hempfield Township, Pennsylvania, on the morning of Friday, Jan. 24, according to police and a public report by the Westmoreland County Coroner.

Law enforcement believe Paul Swarner shot and killed his wife and two children before killing himself, Trooper Steve Limani of the Pennsylvania State Police explained in a press conference Friday, covered by WTAE. 

"It's unthinkable, unfathomable. To be honest with you, I don't have the words to describe how awful it is," Limani said. "You're talking about your wife, but then a 5-year-old and a 1-year-old. It's just devastating."

HUSBAND OF NURSE, MOM OF THREE FOUND DEAD AT BOTTOM OF STAIRCASE WENT FOR BEER AFTER FINDING BODY: POLICE

Authorities believe the last person to have spoken with the family had "a normal conversation" with Karen on Wednesday, Limani said, adding, "There was no, what you'd consider strife or any type of concern of, fear of endangerment."

SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER

The following day, Paul's parents tried calling the family in the afternoon but did not hear back from them. Karen's father then called 911 at 11:30 p.m. Thursday. 

Limani noted that authorities recovered a Ruger .22 from the home, adding, "It appears that was the firearm that was used." 

FAMILY OF MISSING PREGNANT WOMAN REVEALS SUSPICIONS ABOUT DISAPPEARANCE

When asked about a possible motive, Limani said, "We're trying to see if there's a reason. There's maybe a baby-camera… that we're trying to look through to see if there's anything that took place. To see if there was a triggering point or something that would've caused Paul to have these, experience these thoughts."

FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X

"We don't have any domestic violence history when it comes to the state police being involved in anything [in] that particular household," he added.

Limani said the couple was married for about 10 years and had an "all-American family," adding, "It looked like a very loving household with pictures and all the things that you would ever think that you would walk into a home and see." 

WEALTHY FLORIDA REAL ESTATE BROTHERS' 'TROPHIES' UNCOVERED AS JUDGE DENIES BAIL: FEDS

A reporter at Friday's conference noted that this incident marked the second murder-suicide in Westmoreland County since Christmas Eve, 2024.

GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB

"Generally in the holidays we do have most of our problems…when it comes to mental health," Limani said.

"I don't know what was going on with Paul. I don't know why it would've happened," he added. "I hope we're able to find some answers." 

Authorities asked that anyone with information contact state police in Greensburg. 

Lawmakers at the state and federal levels are responding to President Joe Biden’s record presidential pardon spree – as more than 3,000 people found their sentences commuted or pardoned. The pardons, some of which came in the final hours of Biden's presidency, were issued to many members of his own family.

The last-minute tranche on Sunday that included James Biden, Hunter Biden and Valerie Biden-Owens came only weeks after a record 1,500 commutations in a single day – notably including that of disgraced Pennsylvania Judge Michael Conahan.

Conahan, of Wilkes-Barre, was dubbed the "kids for cash judge" after he was charged in connection with a scheme to send juvenile offenders to for-profit prisons in exchange for kickbacks.

Pennsylvania state Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Dallas, represents the area where Conahan once sat on the bench.

LAWMAKERS DEMAND SCRANTON CHANGE ‘BIDEN EXPRESSWAY’ NAME AFTER JUDGE PARDONED

Baker told Fox News Digital the former president’s pardon in that case was "disrespectful to the victims, their families, the juvenile justice system, and to all the officials who have worked to reform the system so that this kind of scandal cannot happen again."

She and other lawmakers are also trying to bring new attention to victim notification processes that exist at the federal level and in many states, including Pennsylvania.

A source familiar with the federal process said the system is a voluntary construct, in that victims may sign up for notifications but are not automatically informed if convicts are pardoned, transferred or released.

Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Pa., said he was troubled by much of Biden’s pardon spree, including those given preemptively to family and President Donald Trump critics, as well as convicts like Conahan – whose "kids for cash" scandal greatly affected his constituents – and added that the former president may have damaged the pardon process.

"These preemptive actions amount to an implicit admission of wrongdoing," Meuser said of pardons given to Biden family members.

ECONOMY BORDER & ABORTION DIVIDE BIDEN'S HOMETOWN AS RESIDENTS LOOK BACK ON NATIVE SON'S FIRST TERM

"This sets a dangerous precedent that undermines the long-standing purpose of the presidential pardon power. Historically, pardons have been used to offer clemency or correct injustices—not to shield one's family members from potential accountability before any charges are even brought."

Unfortunately for Biden critics, Meuser said the presidential pardon power is enshrined in Article II of the Constitution, and Congress has no power to intervene or change it.

"While I vehemently disagree with Biden’s decision to preemptively pardon members of his family, the presidential pardon power is established [therein]. That means, absent the ratification of a constitutional amendment, Congress does not have the power to review, alter, or pass legislation limiting a president’s pardon power."

Meuser pointed to the 1974 Supreme Court case Schick v. Reed, which confirmed Congress cannot have a role.

"Nevertheless, our Founding Fathers never could have conceived that a president would pardon a son who broke countless laws and utilized the White House to defraud and leverage millions of dollars in a pay-to-play scheme that also involved other family members."

Rep. Rob Bresnahan, R-Pa., who flipped Biden’s home district in November, has also expressed concern over Biden’s use of presidential pardons.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

"I think what's discouraging is that you heard time and time again along the campaign trail that he wasn't going to do something like this, but I'm certainly not surprised," Bresnahan recently told WBRE.

"I'm sure much of America is not surprised."

While countless Americans who fell victim to those pardoned, including Conahan, may have little recourse, Baker said she is participating in the drafting of legislation in Harrisburg late Friday that will attempt to remove Biden’s likeness from part of his home area.

While the former Spruce Street in Scranton – since renamed Biden Avenue – is city property, Baker said the "President Joseph R. Biden Jr. Expressway" splitting off Interstate 81 into his hometown is within PennDOT’s bounds.

"The reaction has been so strong that many have called for renaming the President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Expressway, which was designated by Scranton City Council in 2021," Baker said.

The lawmaker added Biden’s legacy is forever "stained" by Conahan’s "inexplicable and infamous commutation."

"We owe it to the juvenile victims, their families, and all the believers in equal justice to remove the name of Joe Biden and replace it with someone truly deserving of the honor."

Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pa., claimed in a post on X that "white supremacy and xenophobia" are the political right's "true religion" and that the values of those on the right do not stem from Christ's life and instruction.

"It's long been known that the true religion of the right is white supremacy and xenophobia. None of their real values are from the life and teachings of the Christ of the Christian Bible..." she wrote in a post on her @SummerForPA account.

Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., fired back at the congresswoman.

SEN. DAVE MCCORMICK ‘OPTIMISTIC’ ABOUT WORKING WITH SEN. FETTERMAN TO FIND ‘COMMON GROUND’: ‘EMBRACING’ CHANGE

"None of us should take lectures from someone who has repeatedly demonstrated antisemitic behavior and is now condemning millions of her fellow citizens who simply want freedom, opportunity and secure borders," he declared in a tweet.

Lee swiftly fired right back at him.

"Senator, I'm condemning those who profess to follow the teachings of Christ but do not love their neighbor or do right unto the least of these. Is that you? When he's hungry, will you feed him or cut SNAP benefits? When he's a stranger, will you invite him in or build a wall?" she replied.

‘SQUAD’ MEMBER SURVIVES CHALLENGE FROM CENTRIST DEMOCRAT AFTER ANTI-ISRAEL RHETORIC THREATENED RE-ELECTION

Lee has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since early 2023. 

McCormick was just sworn in as a senator earlier this month.

Lee has criticized newly-inaugurated President Donald Trump's executive orders.

WHITE HOUSE OPM ORDERS ALL DEI OFFICES TO BEGIN CLOSING BY END OF DAY WEDNESDAY

"Trump’s executive orders scapegoat Black + brown communities while his billionaire donors profit off the polluted air, overcrowded detention centers, and prison labor these EOs create. Immigrants aren’t why your wages are low and costs are high—it's the billionaires," she declared in a post on her @RepSummerLee X account.

A California resident is being extradited back to the U.S. Thursday after allegedly sexually assaulting a Pennsylvania college student in 2013 and then reportedly messaging her on Facebook "So I raped you" years later. 

Ian Cleary, who was wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service, was handed over to American authorities today at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, France, prosecutors told The Associated Press. 

Cleary, 31, of Saratoga, California, was detained in April in Metz after a three-year search. He has been held in custody pending extradition proceedings since his arrest. The Appeal Court in Metz ruled in July that he could be extradited. 

An arrest warrant accuses Cleary of stalking an 18-year-old Gettysburg College student at a party in 2013, sneaking into her dorm and sexually assaulting her while she texted friends for help. He was a 20-year-old Gettysburg student at the time, but didn’t return to campus. 

FLASHBACK: COLLEGE RAPE SUSPECT STILL ON THE LOOSE 2 YEARS AFTER EERIE MESSAGE TO VICTIM 

The accuser, Shannon Keeler, had a rape exam done the same day. She gathered witnesses and evidence and spent years urging officials to file charges. She went to the authorities again in 2021 after discovering Facebook messages that seemed to come from Cleary’s account. 

"So I raped you," the sender wrote in a string of messages. 

"I’ll never do it to anyone ever again," "I need to hear your voice," and "I’ll pray for you," read some of the other messages. 

According to the June 2021 warrant, police verified that the Facebook account used to send the messages belonged to Cleary. He allegedly sent the messages in 2020 while Keeler and her boyfriend were on a weekend trip. 

CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS FROM ACROSS US SUE AFTER WORKER SENTENCED FOR PLACING HIDDEN CAMERAS IN GUEST ROOMS 

In 2023, Andrea Levy, Keeler's attorney and the legal director for the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, said her client has "had to push and push and put herself out there" while Cleary has "literally gone on with his life." 

"It’s hard to measure that impact on her as a human being [and on] her family, her partner," Levy said at the time. "There’s a cost. There’s a real human cost. It’s someone’s life." 

Cleary left Gettysburg College and went on to graduate from Santa Clara University, worked for Tesla, then moved to France for several years, according to his blog, which touts his self-published medieval fiction. 

The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape did not immediately respond Thursday to a request for comment by Fox News Digital. 

Fox News’ Audrey Conklin and The Associated Press contributed to this report.