Joseph N DiStefano
@phillyjoed.bsky.social
[email protected]
I write about money and people
mostly for the Philadelphia Inquirer
https://www.inquirer.com/author/distefano_joseph_n/
+OFS
I write about money and people
mostly for the Philadelphia Inquirer
https://www.inquirer.com/author/distefano_joseph_n/
+OFS
After 5+ years, 1,600 investors in Philly-based Ponzi scheme Par Funding get all/most of their $220 million in principal back, despite SEC warning it wouldn't happen. But was receivership the best way to go? 8 pleaded guilty, headed to prison. My story: www.inquirer.com/business/par...
Latest Par Funding plan will give scammed investors nearly all their money back
More than 1,600 people were victims of the high-interest loan scheme that diverted over $200 million to Par insiders.
www.inquirer.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:49 PM
After 5+ years, 1,600 investors in Philly-based Ponzi scheme Par Funding get all/most of their $220 million in principal back, despite SEC warning it wouldn't happen. But was receivership the best way to go? 8 pleaded guilty, headed to prison. My story: www.inquirer.com/business/par...
DHS fails
The DHS blamed immigrants for a number of problems known to be caused by outside economic factors.
Department Of Homeland Security Blames Immigrants For Grocery Prices And Healthcare Costs
The DHS blamed immigrants for a number of problems known to be caused by outside economic factors.
www.forbes.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:14 PM
DHS fails
Reposted by Joseph N DiStefano
Mayor Parker successfully lobbied Harrisburg to allow the city to create a 20 year tax abatement for the conversion, and demolition, of underutilized buildings to residential uses. She says an affordability component will be part of her bill next year: www.inquirer.com/real-estate/...
20-year tax abatement to help turn schools into homes may soon be legal in Philly
Buried in the state budget is a provision allowing for the new abatement. It is now up to City Council and Mayor Parker to craft city legislation to support it.
www.inquirer.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Mayor Parker successfully lobbied Harrisburg to allow the city to create a 20 year tax abatement for the conversion, and demolition, of underutilized buildings to residential uses. She says an affordability component will be part of her bill next year: www.inquirer.com/real-estate/...
Reposted by Joseph N DiStefano
In an executive order, Trump exempted dozens of Brazilian food products, including coffee and beef, from the 40% increased tariffs he imposed in an ill-fated attempt to help former President Jair Bolsonaro dodge a coup attempt trial
Lula Stares Down Trump and Scores Tariff Victory for Brazil
From the minute Donald Trump slapped tariffs on Brazil, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva bet the US leader was going all-in on a weak hand. The wager paid off Thursday, when Trump limped away from the battle.
bloom.bg
November 21, 2025 at 9:00 PM
In an executive order, Trump exempted dozens of Brazilian food products, including coffee and beef, from the 40% increased tariffs he imposed in an ill-fated attempt to help former President Jair Bolsonaro dodge a coup attempt trial
Reposted by Joseph N DiStefano
NEW: A proposed regulation would have denied disability benefits to at least 830,000 older blue-collar workers.
But after reporting from ProPublica and others, the Trump administration has killed the plan.
But after reporting from ProPublica and others, the Trump administration has killed the plan.
How the Trump Administration Abandoned Plans for a Major Cut in Disability Benefits for Older Workers
After meeting with advocates, the Trump administration confirmed it has scrapped a controversial regulation that would have cut disability benefits for older workers.
www.propublica.org
November 20, 2025 at 8:21 PM
NEW: A proposed regulation would have denied disability benefits to at least 830,000 older blue-collar workers.
But after reporting from ProPublica and others, the Trump administration has killed the plan.
But after reporting from ProPublica and others, the Trump administration has killed the plan.
French water and waste giant Veolia pays $3 billion for Enviri $NVRI 's PA-based Clean Earth to burn, recycle lots more U.S. medical, computer, industrial waste www.inquirer.com/business/veo...
French water giant Veolia buys King of Prussia waste recycler
Veolia, already a leading burner and recycler of medical, computer, and other industrial waste, says it will be a leading provider with its $3 billion purchase of Enviri's waste unit.
www.inquirer.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:01 PM
French water and waste giant Veolia pays $3 billion for Enviri $NVRI 's PA-based Clean Earth to burn, recycle lots more U.S. medical, computer, industrial waste www.inquirer.com/business/veo...
Reposted by Joseph N DiStefano
Rep. Houlahan: I never in a million years thought I'd be talking to you about the fact that the President of the United States has called for my death by hanging. His intent is clear, and it validates why we were concerned ...
FactPost (@factpostnews.bsky.social)
Rep. Houlahan: I never in a million years thought I'd be talking to you about the fact that the President of the United States has called for my death by hanging. His intent is clear, and it validates why we were concerned to begin with. He has proven the point.
bsky.app
November 21, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Rep. Houlahan: I never in a million years thought I'd be talking to you about the fact that the President of the United States has called for my death by hanging. His intent is clear, and it validates why we were concerned ...
Reposted by Joseph N DiStefano
Trump's anti-DEI crusade hit healthcare when the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, under Dr. Mehmet Oz, removed race questions from its kidney failure patient form. The problem is, those questions weren't about DEI. That data informed actual medical breakthroughs talkingpointsmemo.com/news/trump-m...
The Trump Admin’s War on Data Is Compromising Major Health Advancements for Black Americans
Thanks to a 2009 medical breakthrough, researchers could be on the precipice...
talkingpointsmemo.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Trump's anti-DEI crusade hit healthcare when the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, under Dr. Mehmet Oz, removed race questions from its kidney failure patient form. The problem is, those questions weren't about DEI. That data informed actual medical breakthroughs talkingpointsmemo.com/news/trump-m...
Reposted by Joseph N DiStefano
Thanks @phillyjoed.bsky.social for quoting our work. @ousvyatsky.bsky.social share.inquirer.com/4XBzIS?utm_s...
How Delaware helped keep OpenAI from turning into a typical for-profit company
The tiny state's nonprofit watchdogs say they played a role in keeping OpenAI true to its mission.
share.inquirer.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Thanks @phillyjoed.bsky.social for quoting our work. @ousvyatsky.bsky.social share.inquirer.com/4XBzIS?utm_s...
How Delaware, as the 'corporate capital,' helped ChatGPT maker OpenAI restructure and raise more billions, without losing its "save the world" mission, and with a CarnegieMellon prof's finger on a kill switch. Can this new structure work? My story: www.inquirer.com/business/ope...
How Delaware helped keep OpenAI from turning into a typical for-profit company
The tiny state's nonprofit watchdogs say they played a role in keeping OpenAI true to its mission.
www.inquirer.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:32 PM
How Delaware, as the 'corporate capital,' helped ChatGPT maker OpenAI restructure and raise more billions, without losing its "save the world" mission, and with a CarnegieMellon prof's finger on a kill switch. Can this new structure work? My story: www.inquirer.com/business/ope...
Good morning from the newsroom
November 20, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Good morning from the newsroom
Reposted by Joseph N DiStefano
NEW: The Philadelphia Housing Authority is planning sweeping layoffs that will affect more than 300 of the agency’s 1,200 employees.
Instead of directly employing union electricians, carpenters and other workers, beginning next year, the agency will contract out for those jobs as needed.
Instead of directly employing union electricians, carpenters and other workers, beginning next year, the agency will contract out for those jobs as needed.
Philly Housing Authority plans to lay off more than 300 workers in 2026
The layoffs come as the authority is pursuing an ambitious expansion plan.
www.inquirer.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:17 PM
NEW: The Philadelphia Housing Authority is planning sweeping layoffs that will affect more than 300 of the agency’s 1,200 employees.
Instead of directly employing union electricians, carpenters and other workers, beginning next year, the agency will contract out for those jobs as needed.
Instead of directly employing union electricians, carpenters and other workers, beginning next year, the agency will contract out for those jobs as needed.
Reposted by Joseph N DiStefano
When half the internet doesn't work because of a failure of a single vendor, that vendor is a utility, in the same way that power, water, and, back in the day, the phone companies, are/were utilities.
3/5
3/5
November 18, 2025 at 8:03 PM
When half the internet doesn't work because of a failure of a single vendor, that vendor is a utility, in the same way that power, water, and, back in the day, the phone companies, are/were utilities.
3/5
3/5
Reposted by Joseph N DiStefano
Philly is both beautiful and brutal and I love it here.
November 18, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Philly is both beautiful and brutal and I love it here.
Axalta, DuPont’s auto paint spin-off, agrees to AkzoNobel buy-out, will keep Philly HQ open $AKZA $AXTA my story www.inquirer.com/business/axa...
Philly-based DuPont spin-off hopes to boost sagging sales by merging with global paint giant
Both companies have plants in the Philadelphia area, among other locations worldwide.
www.inquirer.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Axalta, DuPont’s auto paint spin-off, agrees to AkzoNobel buy-out, will keep Philly HQ open $AKZA $AXTA my story www.inquirer.com/business/axa...
$Q: DuPont spin-off Qnity, which supplies AMD, Samsung and other big chip-makers and users, is already worth more than what's left of the parent company. My update on Qnity and other DuPont spin-offs: www.inquirer.com/business/qni...
DuPont’s latest spin-off, Qnity, soars with demand from Nvidia and AI
Qnity is growing faster than the industry because some of its products are in special demand, “fueled by the adoption of leading-edge technologies for AI applications,” says its CEO.
www.inquirer.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:28 PM
$Q: DuPont spin-off Qnity, which supplies AMD, Samsung and other big chip-makers and users, is already worth more than what's left of the parent company. My update on Qnity and other DuPont spin-offs: www.inquirer.com/business/qni...
Reposted by Joseph N DiStefano
ByHeart now recalling all products and beings sued: www.usatoday.com/story/news/h...
ByHeart sued over recalled formula by parents of infants sickened with botulism
Two families have filed lawsuits against ByHeart Inc. after their infants contracted botulism from allegedly consuming the company's formula.
www.usatoday.com
November 16, 2025 at 2:08 PM
ByHeart now recalling all products and beings sued: www.usatoday.com/story/news/h...
Reposted by Joseph N DiStefano
Several thousand people took to the streets of Mexico City on Saturday to protest crime, corruption and impunity in a demonstration organized by members of Generation Z, but which ended with strong backing from older supporters of opposition parties.
Thousands protest crime and corruption in Mexico City as 'Gen Z' protests gain momentum
Thousands of people in Mexico City are protesting crime, corruption and impunity. The protest Saturday, organized by Generation Z, gained strong support from older opposition party members.
bit.ly
November 16, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Several thousand people took to the streets of Mexico City on Saturday to protest crime, corruption and impunity in a demonstration organized by members of Generation Z, but which ended with strong backing from older supporters of opposition parties.
U.S. Catholic bishops speak out on depostations youtu.be/nsMQ8V4pNCI?...
Special Pastoral Message on Immigration by the Bishops of the United States
YouTube video by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
youtu.be
November 15, 2025 at 3:03 AM
U.S. Catholic bishops speak out on depostations youtu.be/nsMQ8V4pNCI?...
'Blood is red, not blue:' 'Bold' Swedish drugstore supplier Essity, w/US HQ in Philly + Tork plant in South Jersey, buys 450-worker Playtex works and its O.B., Stayfree, Carefree lines in Delaware (they don't make girdles or NASA suits anymore). My story: www.inquirer.com/business/ess...
Essity buys Playtex brands and tampon manufacturing plant in Dover for $340 million
The deal puts a Delaware plant, several brands, and 450 workers under Swedish-owned Essity and its West Philly-based U.S. management.
www.inquirer.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:39 PM
'Blood is red, not blue:' 'Bold' Swedish drugstore supplier Essity, w/US HQ in Philly + Tork plant in South Jersey, buys 450-worker Playtex works and its O.B., Stayfree, Carefree lines in Delaware (they don't make girdles or NASA suits anymore). My story: www.inquirer.com/business/ess...
Penn, 2 years after leadership crisis, shrinks its bloated Trustee board a little, once-powerful alumni society is cut out, key emeritus still has big influence, Governance bloc gains power. @SSnyderInq breaks it down w assist from me: www.inquirer.com/education/up...
Penn is changing the structure of its board following the 2023 resignation of president and board chair
The changes are the first in more than a decade and limit the size of the body, create conduct standards, and institute a process for removing a trustee.
www.inquirer.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Penn, 2 years after leadership crisis, shrinks its bloated Trustee board a little, once-powerful alumni society is cut out, key emeritus still has big influence, Governance bloc gains power. @SSnyderInq breaks it down w assist from me: www.inquirer.com/education/up...
My Philly Inquirer story on the "Last Penny" struck at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia (last working legacy of the city's years as the first U.S. capital) got a pile of readers www.inquirer.com/business/min...
U.S. officially ends production of the penny after 232-year run
Treasurer Brandon Beach said pennies cost more to make than they're worth, and Americans still have plenty in reserve.
www.inquirer.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:28 PM
My Philly Inquirer story on the "Last Penny" struck at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia (last working legacy of the city's years as the first U.S. capital) got a pile of readers www.inquirer.com/business/min...
U.S. Mint makes its last penny in Philly after 232 years of copper cents. 100 jobs cut since last year. My story: www.inquirer.com/business/min...
U.S. officially ends production of the penny after 232-year run
Treasurer Brandon Beach said pennies cost more to make than they're worth, and Americans still have plenty in reserve.
www.inquirer.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:45 PM
U.S. Mint makes its last penny in Philly after 232 years of copper cents. 100 jobs cut since last year. My story: www.inquirer.com/business/min...
Reposted by Joseph N DiStefano
🚌 Inquirer transportation reporter Tom Fitzgerald answers some FAQs about what the f— happened with Philly’s Greyhound station.
🚏 As he puts it, “It’s an equity issue.”
Watch the full video ⤵️
🚏 As he puts it, “It’s an equity issue.”
Watch the full video ⤵️
November 12, 2025 at 3:54 PM
🚌 Inquirer transportation reporter Tom Fitzgerald answers some FAQs about what the f— happened with Philly’s Greyhound station.
🚏 As he puts it, “It’s an equity issue.”
Watch the full video ⤵️
🚏 As he puts it, “It’s an equity issue.”
Watch the full video ⤵️