This week on WURD: Philly teachers fight for more, Black federal workers under threat, the story behind Gladys Knight and the Pips

U.S. Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, who represents Pennsylvania’s 5th District, joined Wake Up With WURD with Solomon Jones to unpack the ongoing fallout from Donald Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill.” Scanlon highlighted the lack of bipartisan collaboration and warned of a projected $4 to $6 trillion deficit resulting from the bill’s passage.

Arthur Steinberg is the president of both the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) and the American Federation of Teachers, Pennsylvania. Steinberg spoke with Dr. James Peterson on Evening WURDs about the union’s fight for better school funding, the need for modernized facilities and ongoing contract negotiations with the Philadelphia School District.

Songwriter and author Dr. Dhyana Ziegler, joined Tiffany Bacon on The Midday Break Room to discuss her memoir “Midnight Train From Georgia,” chronicling the life of her brother-in-law, William Guest of Gladys Knight & the Pips. Dr. Ziegler shared stories about the group’s formation and Guest’s role in their rise to fame.

Angela Rye, award-winning legal analyst, social justice advocate, and podcast host, stopped by Evening WURDs to talk about the State of the People Tour, a national initiative focused on reclaiming democracy and mobilizing marginalized communities ahead of the 2024 election through conversation, connection, and culture. Rye offered insight on today’s most pressing political issues and shared details on her podcast Native Land.

Linn Washington, Jr., journalism professor at Temple University, joined Wake Up With WURD to discuss the latest Supreme Court ruling, which allows the Trump administration to resume mass firings of federal workers. Washington explained how this decision disproportionately impacts Black federal employees—many of whom have historically turned to government work after being excluded from the private sector due to racial discrimination.