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Stephen A. Smith is a straight shooter. NABJ says he's gone astray

The former Inquirer columnist is feuding with a group that helped mold him into the journalist he is.

News

Stephen A. Smith is committed to having the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first take" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/watch/catalog/59fe7218-3b48-4543-8f24-7bafd3956f03/first-take" data-vars-content-id="fe5ab7e1-5b20-4fdb-a450-3a3fc3cd8154" data-vars-headline="Stephen A. Smith is a straight shooter. NABJ says he&#x27;s gone astray" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/watch/catalog/59fe7218-3b48-4543-8f24-7bafd3956f03/first-take" target="_blank">first take</a> and the last take.Why it matters: Smith is feuding with the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Association of Black Journalists" data-vars-click-url="https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/6035210-stephen-a-smith-nabj-award/" data-vars-content-id="fe5ab7e1-5b20-4fdb-a450-3a3fc3cd8154" data-vars-headline="Stephen A. Smith is a straight shooter. NABJ says he&#x27;s gone astray" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/6035210-stephen-a-smith-nabj-award/" target="_blank">National Association of Black Journalists</a> — a group he credits with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="helping shape him into the journalist he&#x27;s become" data-vars-click-url="https://youtu.be/BITy6WSbniQ?si=Gk_SRVIjU8JXFIa9&amp;t=249" data-vars-content-id="fe5ab7e1-5b20-4fdb-a450-3a3fc3cd8154" data-vars-headline="Stephen A. Smith is a straight shooter. NABJ says he&#x27;s gone astray" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://youtu.be/BITy6WSbniQ?si=Gk_SRVIjU8JXFIa9&amp;t=249" target="_blank">helping shape him into the journalist he&#x27;s become</a> — over its claim that he has a &quot;recurring public pattern&quot; of disrespecting &quot;prominent Black women across politics, sports and media.&quot;

500+ teachers left Philly district schools last year

Teacher turnover has a ripple effect, negatively affecting school climate, teacher quality and student outcomes.

Education

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Teacher turnover" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/09/11/public-schools-teacher-resignations-retirements-data" data-vars-content-id="aef3c9c4-bdef-41c6-8bda-497f4872b2dd" data-vars-headline="500+ teachers left Philly district schools last year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/09/11/public-schools-teacher-resignations-retirements-data" target="_self">Teacher turnover</a> in Philadelphia district schools rose last year for the first time since 2022.Why it matters: Losing teachers can hurt <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="school climate" data-vars-click-url="https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1213629.pdf" data-vars-content-id="aef3c9c4-bdef-41c6-8bda-497f4872b2dd" data-vars-headline="500+ teachers left Philly district schools last year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1213629.pdf" target="_blank">school climate</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="teacher quality" data-vars-click-url="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2332858420905812" data-vars-content-id="aef3c9c4-bdef-41c6-8bda-497f4872b2dd" data-vars-headline="500+ teachers left Philly district schools last year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2332858420905812" target="_blank">teacher quality</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="student outcomes" data-vars-click-url="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.3102/0002831212463813" data-vars-content-id="aef3c9c4-bdef-41c6-8bda-497f4872b2dd" data-vars-headline="500+ teachers left Philly district schools last year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.3102/0002831212463813" target="_blank">student outcomes</a> while driving up <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="staffing costs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.jstor.org/stable/40704404" data-vars-content-id="aef3c9c4-bdef-41c6-8bda-497f4872b2dd" data-vars-headline="500+ teachers left Philly district schools last year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/40704404" target="_blank">staffing costs</a> for districts.

King us. The Sixers are suddenly the NBA's hottest ticket

The LeBron effect is real. The Sixers are the most in-demand team on StubHub.

The Sixers can already claim one preseason accolade: They&#x27;re the NBA&#x27;s hottest ticket on StubHub.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="LeBron James" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/07/27/lejawn-takes-over-philly" data-vars-content-id="0ab94c70-1ae4-4861-925b-4287f6f32f8e" data-vars-headline="King us. The Sixers are suddenly the NBA&#x27;s hottest ticket" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/07/27/lejawn-takes-over-philly" target="_self">LeBron James</a> doesn&#x27;t just move the needle — he&#x27;s the straw that stirs the NBA&#x27;s drink.

Philly among final 3 cities in contention for the DNC in 2028 

The selection is a nod to the cities' political power and a signal they're vital to Democrats' road back to the White House.

Politics

Philadelphia, Boston and Denver are the finalists to host the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2028 Democratic National Convention" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/03/06/dnc-convention-and-a-possible-shapiro-moment" data-vars-content-id="680488b7-20f5-42d4-b85f-92657dd8b443" data-vars-headline="Philly among final 3 cities in contention for the DNC in 2028 " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/03/06/dnc-convention-and-a-possible-shapiro-moment" target="_self">2028 Democratic National Convention</a>, the party revealed Thursday.Why it matters: The party&#x27;s selection is a nod to the cities&#x27; political power and a signal they&#x27;re vital to Democrats&#x27; road back to the White House.

Shapiro's Latino ad blitz reaches out to voters he may need in 2028 

A political expert says Shapiro must cultivate that electorate to have a shot at the White House.

Gov. Josh Shapiro is launching a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new six-figure ad blitz" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=es6biCnz4LU" data-vars-content-id="e7715b41-6fb2-44dd-ae45-7685e0382d66" data-vars-headline="Shapiro&#x27;s Latino ad blitz reaches out to voters he may need in 2028 " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=es6biCnz4LU" target="_blank">new six-figure ad blitz</a> targeting Latino voters as Pennsylvania&#x27;s governor&#x27;s race shifts into high gear.Why it matters: Winning over the state&#x27;s growing Latino electorate could be key to Shapiro&#x27;s reelection — and a test of his ability to build the broad coalition he&#x27;d need for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="potential presidential run." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/07/shapiro-pennsylvania-strategy-midterms-2028" data-vars-content-id="e7715b41-6fb2-44dd-ae45-7685e0382d66" data-vars-headline="Shapiro&#x27;s Latino ad blitz reaches out to voters he may need in 2028 " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/07/shapiro-pennsylvania-strategy-midterms-2028" target="_self">potential presidential run.</a>

How much Trump's deportations could cost Philly taxpayers

An Economic Policy Institute estimate is fueling a debate over whether federal tax dollars devoted to deportations could instead fund other priorities, like health care or housing.

Philadelphia County taxpayers could pay roughly $1,600 each for President <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="dde58eef-0f76-4d1f-8096-3d85efa83ac1" data-vars-headline="How much Trump&#x27;s deportations could cost Philly taxpayers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">Trump</a>&#x27;s mass deportation push, per a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="calculator tool" data-vars-click-url="https://www.epi.org/deportation-calculator/" data-vars-content-id="dde58eef-0f76-4d1f-8096-3d85efa83ac1" data-vars-headline="How much Trump&#x27;s deportations could cost Philly taxpayers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.epi.org/deportation-calculator/" target="_blank">calculator tool</a> from the Economic Policy Institute. Why it matters: The estimate is fueling a debate over whether federal tax dollars devoted to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="deportations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/15/ice-deportations-us-immigration-trump-biden-2025" data-vars-content-id="dde58eef-0f76-4d1f-8096-3d85efa83ac1" data-vars-headline="How much Trump&#x27;s deportations could cost Philly taxpayers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/15/ice-deportations-us-immigration-trump-biden-2025" target="_self">deportations</a> could instead fund other public priorities, like food assistance, health care or housing.

Josh Shapiro's Meek Mill cameo adds to his growing national profile

Shapiro's cameo in Meek Mill's new music video is the latest pop culture moment for Pennsylvania's governor.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Meek Mill" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/08/11/free-meek-mill-justice-reform-oral-history" data-vars-content-id="55964a28-975b-4998-9262-b23c6897972a" data-vars-headline="Josh Shapiro&#x27;s Meek Mill cameo adds to his growing national profile" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/08/11/free-meek-mill-justice-reform-oral-history" target="_self">Meek Mill</a> gave Pennsylvania another glimpse of his budding bromance with Gov. Josh Shapiro, who makes a cameo in the rapper&#x27;s latest video, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Nightmares to Dreams.&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwKb85C0ZuA" data-vars-content-id="55964a28-975b-4998-9262-b23c6897972a" data-vars-headline="Josh Shapiro&#x27;s Meek Mill cameo adds to his growing national profile" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwKb85C0ZuA" target="_blank">&quot;Nightmares to Dreams.&quot;</a> Why it matters: It&#x27;s another high-profile appearance for Shapiro as he seeks re-election this year and builds a national profile amid speculation about his <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="future presidential ambitions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/07/shapiro-pennsylvania-strategy-midterms-2028" data-vars-content-id="55964a28-975b-4998-9262-b23c6897972a" data-vars-headline="Josh Shapiro&#x27;s Meek Mill cameo adds to his growing national profile" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/07/shapiro-pennsylvania-strategy-midterms-2028" target="_self">future presidential ambitions</a>.

Shapiro has big cash advantage over Garrity

There's an old political adage: Cash is king.

With fewer than 90 days until the November election, Gov. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Josh Shapiro" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/12/shapiro-centrists-progressives-fight-2028" data-vars-content-id="6979963f-fd25-46a1-9771-174d4e2c393f" data-vars-headline="Shapiro has big cash advantage over Garrity" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/12/shapiro-centrists-progressives-fight-2028" target="_self">Josh Shapiro</a> has a massive cash advantage over Republican challenger <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Stacy Garrity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/12/02/pennsylvania-treasurer-stacy-garrity-future" data-vars-content-id="6979963f-fd25-46a1-9771-174d4e2c393f" data-vars-headline="Shapiro has big cash advantage over Garrity" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/12/02/pennsylvania-treasurer-stacy-garrity-future" target="_self">Stacy Garrity</a> Why it matters: There&#x27;s an old political adage: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cash is king" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/19/tim-scott-nrsc-minnesota-senate-michigan" data-vars-content-id="6979963f-fd25-46a1-9771-174d4e2c393f" data-vars-headline="Shapiro has big cash advantage over Garrity" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/19/tim-scott-nrsc-minnesota-senate-michigan" target="_self">Cash is king</a>. And Shapiro&#x27;s sizable campaign war chest strengthens his position as a popular incumbent seeking reelection.

Philadelphia added workers under Parker but vacancies remain high

Persistent vacancies can delay city services and drive up overtime spending.

Philadelphia&#x27;s full-time city workforce has grown by roughly 5% under Mayor <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cherelle Parker" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/08/03/philly-july-4-concert-procurement-esm-productions-no-bid" data-vars-content-id="c9606962-aea4-4088-a9ea-19bc72027fd7" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia added workers under Parker but vacancies remain high" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/08/03/philly-july-4-concert-procurement-esm-productions-no-bid" target="_self">Cherelle Parker</a>, even as thousands of jobs remain vacant. Why it matters: Persistent vacancies can delay city services and drive up overtime spending.

Scoop: Philly awarded $15M Fourth of July contract without new bids

A government watchdog is calling for an investigation into the deal.

Mayor Cherelle Parker wanted to prove the doubters wrong. Philly could pull off a celebration worthy of America&#x27;s 250th birthday.<ul><li>&quot;I can remember feeling the pressure of folks saying, &#x27;Philadelphia lacks ambition,&#x27;&quot; she said during a July 1 news conference, days before the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="One Philly Unity Concert for America" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/05/27/july-4-concert-one-philly-mayor-parker-slogan" data-vars-content-id="8526748e-8d3a-4892-b33b-f1712e031fd4" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Philly awarded $15M Fourth of July contract without new bids" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/05/27/july-4-concert-one-philly-mayor-parker-slogan" target="_self">One Philly Unity Concert for America</a>. &quot;They&#x27;re thinking too small … Where is the legacy project?&quot;</li></ul>Why it matters: The star-studded Fourth of July concert and fireworks show was certainly ambitious: It cost city taxpayers a whopping <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$15.5 million" data-vars-click-url="https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/mayor-cherelle-parker-july-fourth-concert-esm-productions-20260701.html" data-vars-content-id="8526748e-8d3a-4892-b33b-f1712e031fd4" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Philly awarded $15M Fourth of July contract without new bids" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/mayor-cherelle-parker-july-fourth-concert-esm-productions-20260701.html" target="_blank">$15.5 million</a> — more than double the cost of Welcome America&#x27;s 2024 festivities.<ul><li>But Axios found the city didn&#x27;t seek competing bids or proposals for the event before hiring politically connected <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ESM Productions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.esmproductions.com/" data-vars-content-id="8526748e-8d3a-4892-b33b-f1712e031fd4" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Philly awarded $15M Fourth of July contract without new bids" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.esmproductions.com/" target="_blank">ESM Productions</a>, prompting scrutiny and calls for an investigation.</li></ul>

Immigrant rights groups pressure Philly to enforce new ICE restrictions

The laws place new limits on how federal immigration authorities can operate in Philadelphia and how city employees interact with them.

Immigration

Immigrant rights organizations say Mayor <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cherelle Parker" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/11/08/cherelle-parker-wins-mayor-election" data-vars-content-id="9b01f9ba-0ca8-43bc-a4ee-c61c3d4f5df8" data-vars-headline="Immigrant rights groups pressure Philly to enforce new ICE restrictions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/11/08/cherelle-parker-wins-mayor-election" target="_self">Cherelle Parker</a>&#x27;s administration has yet to fully implement the city&#x27;s so-called <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;ICE Out&quot; laws" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/05/08/immigration-enforcement-limits-face-mask-ban" data-vars-content-id="9b01f9ba-0ca8-43bc-a4ee-c61c3d4f5df8" data-vars-headline="Immigrant rights groups pressure Philly to enforce new ICE restrictions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/05/08/immigration-enforcement-limits-face-mask-ban" target="_self">&quot;ICE Out&quot; laws</a>.Why it matters: The laws place new limits on how <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal immigration authorities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/04/13/trump-immigration-enforcement-ice-sanctuary-cities" data-vars-content-id="9b01f9ba-0ca8-43bc-a4ee-c61c3d4f5df8" data-vars-headline="Immigrant rights groups pressure Philly to enforce new ICE restrictions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/04/13/trump-immigration-enforcement-ice-sanctuary-cities" target="_self">federal immigration authorities</a> can operate in Philadelphia and how city employees interact with them. Advocates say those protections mean little if the city doesn&#x27;t put them into practice.

Trump admin replaces President's House slavery exhibit panels overnight

It's part of the Trump administration's push to eliminate what it calls "improper ideology" from national parks nationwide.

Trump administration-approved educational panels are now greeting visitors at Philadelphia&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President&#x27;s House" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/02/19/trump-slavery-exhibit-independence-national-historic-park-restored" data-vars-content-id="fc42542e-aace-44be-9943-7b1b4ab4c9be" data-vars-headline="Trump admin replaces President&#x27;s House slavery exhibit panels overnight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/02/19/trump-slavery-exhibit-independence-national-historic-park-restored" target="_self">President&#x27;s House</a> slavery exhibit after months of legal fights over the site&#x27;s interpretation of history.Why it matters: The Trump administration has remade one of the nation&#x27;s most visited historical sites.

Pennsylvania opts out of Trump's 250th state fair celebration

The birthplace of America's democracy will be MIA.

Pennsylvania is skipping the Trump-backed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="250th anniversary celebration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/27/national-mall-fifa-fan-zone-state-fair-flo-rida" data-vars-content-id="bc19a6bc-4b71-4414-b041-af36737b0deb" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania opts out of Trump&#x27;s 250th state fair celebration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/27/national-mall-fifa-fan-zone-state-fair-flo-rida" target="_self">250th anniversary celebration</a> on the National Mall.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Several other states" data-vars-click-url="https://www.newsweek.com/list-of-states-snubbing-trumps-great-american-state-fair-12065281" data-vars-content-id="bc19a6bc-4b71-4414-b041-af36737b0deb" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania opts out of Trump&#x27;s 250th state fair celebration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.newsweek.com/list-of-states-snubbing-trumps-great-american-state-fair-12065281" target="_blank">Several other states</a>, mostly led by Democratic governors like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pennsylvania" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/10/aoc-josh-shapiro-midterms-presidential-race" data-vars-content-id="bc19a6bc-4b71-4414-b041-af36737b0deb" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania opts out of Trump&#x27;s 250th state fair celebration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/10/aoc-josh-shapiro-midterms-presidential-race" target="_self">Pennsylvania</a>, and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="musicians" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/03/vanilla-ice-will-not-ice-out-washington" data-vars-content-id="bc19a6bc-4b71-4414-b041-af36737b0deb" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania opts out of Trump&#x27;s 250th state fair celebration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/03/vanilla-ice-will-not-ice-out-washington" target="_self">musicians</a> have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="opted out" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/11/us/politics/great-american-state-fair.html" data-vars-content-id="bc19a6bc-4b71-4414-b041-af36737b0deb" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania opts out of Trump&#x27;s 250th state fair celebration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/11/us/politics/great-american-state-fair.html" target="_blank">opted out</a> of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Great American State Fair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/29/trump-freedom-250-concert-state-fair-backlash" data-vars-content-id="bc19a6bc-4b71-4414-b041-af36737b0deb" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania opts out of Trump&#x27;s 250th state fair celebration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/29/trump-freedom-250-concert-state-fair-backlash" target="_self">Great American State Fair</a> as the event has become <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="increasingly politicized" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/29/trump-freedom-250-concert-state-fair-backlash" data-vars-content-id="bc19a6bc-4b71-4414-b041-af36737b0deb" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania opts out of Trump&#x27;s 250th state fair celebration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/29/trump-freedom-250-concert-state-fair-backlash" target="_self">increasingly politicized</a> and associated with President Trump&#x27;s agenda.

A choropleth map showing the estimated cost per taxpayer for federal immigrant deportation and detention funding across the U.S. states. The average cost is $2.4k. Washington, D.C., has the highest load, at $3.9k.

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