Brett Sholtis
@brettsholtis.bsky.social
Reporter, Philadelphia @Inquirer.com Weekend |Prev: Investigative reporter @LancasterOnline, health reporter @WITF & for @NPR | 21-22 Rosalynn Carter fellow | ARNG vet | bsholtis@inquirer.com
"You could drive a Mack Truck through the loopholes in Pennsylvania’s campaign finance rules," election law attorney Larry Otter told @spotlightpa.org @stephenjcaruso.bsky.social @katiemeyer.bsky.social
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/10...
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/10...
Why PA Supreme Court retention race spending is hard to track
Blame it on a mix of lagging reporting, weakly enforced rules, and a campaign finance system that requires little transparency.
www.spotlightpa.org
October 30, 2025 at 12:13 PM
"You could drive a Mack Truck through the loopholes in Pennsylvania’s campaign finance rules," election law attorney Larry Otter told @spotlightpa.org @stephenjcaruso.bsky.social @katiemeyer.bsky.social
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/10...
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/10...
It's not often that I get to interview other journalists. This is the exception. May we all aspire to live such an exemplary life as Michael Days, former editor at the Philly Daily News and @inquirer.com and NABJ-
Philadelphia president.
www.inquirer.com/obituaries/m...
Philadelphia president.
www.inquirer.com/obituaries/m...
Michael Days, pioneering journalist who led the Philadelphia Daily News during its 2010 Pulitzer Prize win for investigative reporting, has died at 72
Days was a mentor to countless young journalists and was president of the National Association of Black Journalists-Philadelphia.
www.inquirer.com
October 19, 2025 at 10:12 PM
It's not often that I get to interview other journalists. This is the exception. May we all aspire to live such an exemplary life as Michael Days, former editor at the Philly Daily News and @inquirer.com and NABJ-
Philadelphia president.
www.inquirer.com/obituaries/m...
Philadelphia president.
www.inquirer.com/obituaries/m...
Today I helped cover the No Kings protest in Philly along with several of my talented @inquirer.com colleagues. Here’s a liveblog of our coverage along with some pics
www.inquirer.com/news/philade...
www.inquirer.com/news/philade...
October 18, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Today I helped cover the No Kings protest in Philly along with several of my talented @inquirer.com colleagues. Here’s a liveblog of our coverage along with some pics
www.inquirer.com/news/philade...
www.inquirer.com/news/philade...
Reposted by Brett Sholtis
As Philly’s rate of violence plummets to near-historic lows, police are also solving homicides at the highest rate in recent memory.
The homicide clearance rate this year is around 90% — the highest in 40 years.
The homicide clearance rate this year is around 90% — the highest in 40 years.
Philly detectives are solving homicides at the highest rate in 40 years as violence plummets and tech improves
Still, nearly 800 killings between 2021 and 2023 have yet to result in an arrest, according to an Inquirer analysis.
www.inquirer.com
October 16, 2025 at 12:14 PM
As Philly’s rate of violence plummets to near-historic lows, police are also solving homicides at the highest rate in recent memory.
The homicide clearance rate this year is around 90% — the highest in 40 years.
The homicide clearance rate this year is around 90% — the highest in 40 years.
With the U.S. Navy in Philly, I asked its top officer about the bombing of boats in the Caribbean, Trump's efforts to politicize the military, and the deployments of soldiers and Marines in U.S. cities. Here's what he said @inquirer.com
www.inquirer.com/politics/nav...
www.inquirer.com/politics/nav...
During Philadelphia visit, Navy’s top officer said he would follow ‘lawful’ orders to deploy troops ‘anywhere’
With the Navy in Philadelphia for its 250th anniversary, its chief of operations spoke about the military's role in a moment of heightened tension at home and at sea.
www.inquirer.com
October 12, 2025 at 8:29 PM
With the U.S. Navy in Philly, I asked its top officer about the bombing of boats in the Caribbean, Trump's efforts to politicize the military, and the deployments of soldiers and Marines in U.S. cities. Here's what he said @inquirer.com
www.inquirer.com/politics/nav...
www.inquirer.com/politics/nav...
The lawsuit states that the Trump administration’s deployment of Oregon National Guard and out-of-state National Guard troops in Portland is “unlawful, unconstitutional and undemocratic” and violates long-held concepts like federalism and states' rights.
www.inquirer.com/politics/sha...
www.inquirer.com/politics/sha...
Gov. Shapiro signs onto a lawsuit against the Trump administration over National Guard deployments to U.S. cities
Shapiro's support comes as President Trump seeks to send the National Guard to Oregon. A federal appeals court is expected to decided on it today.
www.inquirer.com
October 9, 2025 at 5:11 PM
The lawsuit states that the Trump administration’s deployment of Oregon National Guard and out-of-state National Guard troops in Portland is “unlawful, unconstitutional and undemocratic” and violates long-held concepts like federalism and states' rights.
www.inquirer.com/politics/sha...
www.inquirer.com/politics/sha...
Reposted by Brett Sholtis
Check out the story @brettsholtis.bsky.social and I published this weekend on last Monday's Street's Committee hearing, where bicycle advocates and the Parker admin faced a series of setbacks at the hands of City Council: www.inquirer.com/news/bike-la...
City Hall bike lane faces unclear future after Philadelphia City Councilmember Jeffery Young pumps the brakes on support
Councilmember Jeffery Young has hit the brakes on his bill authorizing a bike lane around City Hall after construction already started on the project.
www.inquirer.com
October 6, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Check out the story @brettsholtis.bsky.social and I published this weekend on last Monday's Street's Committee hearing, where bicycle advocates and the Parker admin faced a series of setbacks at the hands of City Council: www.inquirer.com/news/bike-la...
The union wants to lock in a new contract ahead of the 2026 tourist season in Philly, which they expect will drive up company profits and strain hotel staff. Approximately 190 union members are striking.
My latest @inquirer.com
www.inquirer.com/news/sherato...
My latest @inquirer.com
www.inquirer.com/news/sherato...
Sheraton and Hampton hotel workers are on strike in Center City
Sheraton and Hampton hotel workers left their job sites and joined picket lines, seeking better pay and staffing levels ahead of an expected busy 2026 tourist season.
www.inquirer.com
October 5, 2025 at 8:35 PM
The union wants to lock in a new contract ahead of the 2026 tourist season in Philly, which they expect will drive up company profits and strain hotel staff. Approximately 190 union members are striking.
My latest @inquirer.com
www.inquirer.com/news/sherato...
My latest @inquirer.com
www.inquirer.com/news/sherato...
Reposted by Brett Sholtis
A ‘brazen’ Jeffrey Yass-backed mailer suggests the Pa. Supreme Court created the congressional map it actually threw out
“It’s probably the most shameless political ad I’ve ever seen,” said Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice David Wecht in a rare interview.
share.inquirer.com
September 29, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Tanisha Long shared her thoughts online, and "within hours, her phone was lighting up with notifications: people trying to hack her Instagram, calling her racial slurs, and wishing her dead."
My latest, a Ximena Conde collab @inquirer.com
www.inquirer.com/politics/cha...
My latest, a Ximena Conde collab @inquirer.com
www.inquirer.com/politics/cha...
They talked about Charlie Kirk’s death on social media. Now, they’re getting death threats.
In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, local officials, lawyers and other professionals, teachers, and even teens have been targeted.
www.inquirer.com
September 16, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Tanisha Long shared her thoughts online, and "within hours, her phone was lighting up with notifications: people trying to hack her Instagram, calling her racial slurs, and wishing her dead."
My latest, a Ximena Conde collab @inquirer.com
www.inquirer.com/politics/cha...
My latest, a Ximena Conde collab @inquirer.com
www.inquirer.com/politics/cha...
Stephen Wilkins shut off his tenants’ electricity, tossed a brick through a window, and even removed all of the doors and windows from their home, said former tenant Crystal Hall.
“And then Wilkins sent a man to the house with a gun. And he killed her mother.” @ellierushing.bsky.social
“And then Wilkins sent a man to the house with a gun. And he killed her mother.” @ellierushing.bsky.social
insane story www.inquirer.com/crime/stephe...
A Philly landlord’s scheme to terrorize his tenants into moving out left two people dead
Stephen Wilkins pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in connection with the 2023 killing of Patricia Hall, a tenant he was trying to force out of his East Germantown property.
www.inquirer.com
September 16, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Stephen Wilkins shut off his tenants’ electricity, tossed a brick through a window, and even removed all of the doors and windows from their home, said former tenant Crystal Hall.
“And then Wilkins sent a man to the house with a gun. And he killed her mother.” @ellierushing.bsky.social
“And then Wilkins sent a man to the house with a gun. And he killed her mother.” @ellierushing.bsky.social
State lawmakers still have not passed a budget, and the complex reasons behind the transit agency’s $213 million shortfall remain unaddressed. But for now, things are back to normal. Sort of.
www.inquirer.com/transportati...
www.inquirer.com/transportati...
As SEPTA restores bus and rail service, here’s what you need to know
Routes are returning, fares are increasing, and the underlying funding shortfall has not been addressed.
www.inquirer.com
September 14, 2025 at 1:38 PM
State lawmakers still have not passed a budget, and the complex reasons behind the transit agency’s $213 million shortfall remain unaddressed. But for now, things are back to normal. Sort of.
www.inquirer.com/transportati...
www.inquirer.com/transportati...
Reposted by Brett Sholtis
some of the last large undeveloped lots in Port Richmond could be on their way to getting filled in www.inquirer.com/real-estate/...
In Port Richmond, suburban developers seek to fill vacant lot with houses and apartments
The Jenkintown-based developers are proposing 162 houses and apartments.
www.inquirer.com
September 10, 2025 at 2:45 PM
some of the last large undeveloped lots in Port Richmond could be on their way to getting filled in www.inquirer.com/real-estate/...
"FBI agents aided by local police arrested private-equity investor Daryl Heller outside his Lancaster County home Wednesday..." @inquirer.com Joseph N. DiStefano reports:
www.inquirer.com/business/dar...
www.inquirer.com/business/dar...
Daryl Heller indicted in Lancaster County ATM fraud that raised $770 million from investors
Federal investigators can't yet say how much investors, which included Plain families, might get back of the $402 million they are owed.
www.inquirer.com
September 4, 2025 at 11:30 AM
"FBI agents aided by local police arrested private-equity investor Daryl Heller outside his Lancaster County home Wednesday..." @inquirer.com Joseph N. DiStefano reports:
www.inquirer.com/business/dar...
www.inquirer.com/business/dar...
Reposted by Brett Sholtis
My profile of the redevelopment of the Willow Street steam plant! www.inquirer.com/real-estate/...
Inside Callowhill’s Willow Street plant as it is transformed into apartments
The long neglected industrial building will see new life as an apartment building after a half-century of vacancy.
www.inquirer.com
September 3, 2025 at 4:06 PM
My profile of the redevelopment of the Willow Street steam plant! www.inquirer.com/real-estate/...
After the 2024 election, I wondered if I had wasted my time tracking Heather Honey, whose group had been setting up lanes to claim the election was rigged if Trump lost.
Now, I'm glad we kept tabs on her and glad my story about efforts to remove voters from rolls was included in this piece.
Now, I'm glad we kept tabs on her and glad my story about efforts to remove voters from rolls was included in this piece.
Heather Honey, a 2020 election denier, has been appointed to a senior position in the Department of Homeland Security. State election officials and voting experts are concerned. @dougbockclark.bsky.social
She Pushed to Overturn Trump’s Loss in the 2020 Election. Now She’ll Help Oversee U.S. Election Security.
Heather Honey has been appointed to a senior position in the Department of Homeland Security. State election officials and voting experts are concerned.
www.propublica.org
August 26, 2025 at 6:41 PM
After the 2024 election, I wondered if I had wasted my time tracking Heather Honey, whose group had been setting up lanes to claim the election was rigged if Trump lost.
Now, I'm glad we kept tabs on her and glad my story about efforts to remove voters from rolls was included in this piece.
Now, I'm glad we kept tabs on her and glad my story about efforts to remove voters from rolls was included in this piece.
With Lebanon County-based conservative activist Heather Honey newly appointed to oversee “election integrity” in Trump’s Department of Homeland Security, I’m re-sharing this thread from last year.
Honey spent the past few years organizing people who believed Dems rigged the 2020 election.
Honey spent the past few years organizing people who believed Dems rigged the 2020 election.
Heather Honey's group has also been involved in pushing Eagle AI:
‘PA Fair Elections,’ tied to powerful conservative groups, behind efforts to remove people from voter rolls
lancasteronline.com/news/politic...
‘PA Fair Elections,’ tied to powerful conservative groups, behind efforts to remove people from voter rolls
lancasteronline.com/news/politic...
‘PA Fair Elections,’ tied to powerful conservative groups, behind efforts to remove people from voter rolls
Editor’s note: This story is the second in a series about the “election integrity” movement of people who claim recent elections are illegitimate and are preparing to challenge the election
lancasteronline.com
August 26, 2025 at 1:27 AM
With Lebanon County-based conservative activist Heather Honey newly appointed to oversee “election integrity” in Trump’s Department of Homeland Security, I’m re-sharing this thread from last year.
Honey spent the past few years organizing people who believed Dems rigged the 2020 election.
Honey spent the past few years organizing people who believed Dems rigged the 2020 election.
Personal news: I have joined the Philadelphia @inquirer.com as part of its Inquirer Weekend team. I could not be more excited! Lancaster: Thank you for trusting me with your stories these past few years. Philly: Don't be a stranger, send me your story ideas, theories, etc.
August 19, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Personal news: I have joined the Philadelphia @inquirer.com as part of its Inquirer Weekend team. I could not be more excited! Lancaster: Thank you for trusting me with your stories these past few years. Philly: Don't be a stranger, send me your story ideas, theories, etc.
The SEC has staked a claim against embattled Lancaster County businessman Daryl Heller.
The federal agency said it has been investigating "certain pre-bankruptcy transactions and practices” involving Heller.
@lancasteronline.bsky.social
lancasteronline.com/news/local/a...
The federal agency said it has been investigating "certain pre-bankruptcy transactions and practices” involving Heller.
@lancasteronline.bsky.social
lancasteronline.com/news/local/a...
ATM businessman Daryl Heller hit with federal Securities and Exchange Commission claim
Another federal agency has staked a claim against embattled Lancaster County businessman Daryl Heller.
lancasteronline.com
August 12, 2025 at 2:18 PM
The SEC has staked a claim against embattled Lancaster County businessman Daryl Heller.
The federal agency said it has been investigating "certain pre-bankruptcy transactions and practices” involving Heller.
@lancasteronline.bsky.social
lancasteronline.com/news/local/a...
The federal agency said it has been investigating "certain pre-bankruptcy transactions and practices” involving Heller.
@lancasteronline.bsky.social
lancasteronline.com/news/local/a...
A luxury a-frame lodge, farmland, an active natural gas drilling site... part of over $4M in real estate, tied to ATM businessman Daryl Heller, that could get swept up in bankruptcy. My latest @lancasteronline.bsky.social
lancasteronline.com/news/local/o...
lancasteronline.com/news/local/o...
Over $4M in real estate tied to ATM businessman Daryl Heller could get swept up in bankruptcy
A luxury A-frame lodge, a dozen mobile homes, hundreds of acres of farmland and an active gas drilling well pad are among the properties owned by businesses that Lancaster County
lancasteronline.com
July 23, 2025 at 11:54 AM
A luxury a-frame lodge, farmland, an active natural gas drilling site... part of over $4M in real estate, tied to ATM businessman Daryl Heller, that could get swept up in bankruptcy. My latest @lancasteronline.bsky.social
lancasteronline.com/news/local/o...
lancasteronline.com/news/local/o...
Strike art at Thomas F. Donatucci, Sr. library, Philadelphia ☠️
July 3, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Strike art at Thomas F. Donatucci, Sr. library, Philadelphia ☠️
The bill requiring cyber charter schools to see students online once a week came after the 2024 death of a 12-year-old attending Commonwealth Charter Academy who was allegedly tortured and starved. CCA faces a wrongful death suit. @katiemeyer.bsky.social
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/07...
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/07...
Cyber charter school fights PA law on student wellness checks
Facing a wrongful death suit, Commonwealth Charter Academy says it’s “unreasonable” to expect its staff to see and hear from all 30K students weekly.
www.spotlightpa.org
July 2, 2025 at 5:48 PM
The bill requiring cyber charter schools to see students online once a week came after the 2024 death of a 12-year-old attending Commonwealth Charter Academy who was allegedly tortured and starved. CCA faces a wrongful death suit. @katiemeyer.bsky.social
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/07...
www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/07...
ICYMI: a couple years before Amish-born Lancaster businessman Dave Zook was involved in Daryl Heller's $500 million+ ATM scheme, Zook was involved in a $181 million Ponzi scheme originating in Texas.
What do an Amish shed maker from Lancaster, a dentist from the Philly suburbs, and the mayor of a small town an hour south of Dallas have in common?
For the answer, you must travel to Fairfield, Texas . . .
lancasteronline.com/news/local/a...
For the answer, you must travel to Fairfield, Texas . . .
lancasteronline.com/news/local/a...
ATM investment promoter Dave Zook also led Lancaster investors to Texas Ponzi scheme
About an hour south of Dallas, among the gas wells and pump jacks that dot the Texas prairie, there was a business venture some investors from Lancaster County couldn’t pass
lancasteronline.com
June 2, 2025 at 5:17 PM
ICYMI: a couple years before Amish-born Lancaster businessman Dave Zook was involved in Daryl Heller's $500 million+ ATM scheme, Zook was involved in a $181 million Ponzi scheme originating in Texas.
Reposted by Brett Sholtis
@brettsholtis.bsky.social looks at Dave Zook, a Lancaster County investor who tied to both the Heller ATM Ponzi scheme and another one in Texas.
About an hour south of Dallas, among the gas wells and pump jacks that dot the Texas prairie, there was a business venture some investors from Lancaster County couldn’t pass up.
lanc.news/4jhASAu
lanc.news/4jhASAu
ATM investment promoter Dave Zook also led Lancaster investors to Texas Ponzi scheme
About an hour south of Dallas, among the gas wells and pump jacks that dot the Texas prairie, there was a business venture some investors from Lancaster County couldn’t pass
lanc.news
May 23, 2025 at 12:40 PM
@brettsholtis.bsky.social looks at Dave Zook, a Lancaster County investor who tied to both the Heller ATM Ponzi scheme and another one in Texas.
What do an Amish shed maker from Lancaster, a dentist from the Philly suburbs, and the mayor of a small town an hour south of Dallas have in common?
For the answer, you must travel to Fairfield, Texas . . .
lancasteronline.com/news/local/a...
For the answer, you must travel to Fairfield, Texas . . .
lancasteronline.com/news/local/a...
ATM investment promoter Dave Zook also led Lancaster investors to Texas Ponzi scheme
About an hour south of Dallas, among the gas wells and pump jacks that dot the Texas prairie, there was a business venture some investors from Lancaster County couldn’t pass
lancasteronline.com
May 22, 2025 at 11:19 PM
What do an Amish shed maker from Lancaster, a dentist from the Philly suburbs, and the mayor of a small town an hour south of Dallas have in common?
For the answer, you must travel to Fairfield, Texas . . .
lancasteronline.com/news/local/a...
For the answer, you must travel to Fairfield, Texas . . .
lancasteronline.com/news/local/a...