Shapiro gets rebukes for commercial driver’s license going to immigrant involved in fatal crash – Bucks Round-Up – February 9, 2026
Shapiro gets rebukes for commercial driver’s license going to immigrant involved in fatal crash
Governor Josh Shapiro (D) and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation are receiving scrutiny over the issuance of a commercial driver’s license to foreign national Bekzhan Bieshekeev of Kyrgyzstan who was recently involved in a fatal crash in Indiana. The Bucks County Republican Committee called the crash “a wake-up call for every family in Bucks County” and said the administration “effectively turn[ed] our own state identification system into a weapon.” State Senator Judy Ward (R-Altoona), who chairs the Senate Transportation Committee, called on PennDOT to review all non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses as a response to the incident. “With the ongoing investigations at both the federal and state levels, it is important that we act swiftly to safeguard the public in Pennsylvania and beyond its borders,” she said. “These efforts require a strong federal-state partnership as we continue to address this critical matter. Pennsylvanians deserve assurances from their federal and state leaders — not political finger-pointing — that our roadways will be safe from criminal illegal migrants.” PennDOT insists that it was incompliance with the law in issuing all licenses and says it has cooperated with the Trump administration’s rules on CDL issuance. “PennDOT has not issued a non-domiciled CDL since September 29, 2025, following the release of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association’s (FMCSA) Interim Final Rule,” agency spokesperson Alexis Campbell said. “PennDOT fully cooperated with FMCSA’s regularly-scheduled audit – and out of 150 cases the federal government audited, FMSCA did not identify a single commercial driver’s license that was issued to anyone who was ineligible. PennDOT issues driver’s licenses in accordance with state and federal law and in fact, has additional security measures in place beyond what federal law requires. For example, PennDOT always checks applicants against the Department of Homeland Security’s Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system before issuing a driver’s license.”
Fitzpatrick wants Trump to apologize for offensive Obama post
U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) on Friday said President Donald Trump should make an “unequivocal apology” for an “absolutely unacceptable” Truth Social reposting of an animation video depicting former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle as apes. The clip came at the end of a minute-long video regarding Trump’s claims about the 2020 election. The clip with the offensive depiction of the Obamas was part of another video made independently of the White House that also depicted various other famous Democrats as jungle animals and Trump himself as a regal lion. While Trump’s team took down the post, the president said he “didn’t make a mistake in posting it.”
Wrightstown eyes multiple road repairs
The Wrightstown Township Board of Supervisors last week authorized municipal engineer Cindy VanHise to firm up the final draft of the township’s yearly road paving plan and advertise the bidding for contractors. Crescent Drive, Fox Hill Drive, Martindell Drive, Mud Road, Hallowell Drive, Thompson Mill Road, and Wooley Run are among the roads officials have determined need pavement repairs. Hallowell and Thompson Mill will require further improvement beyond mere repaving, e.g. milling and additional coats of blacktop or asphalt.
Yardley Borough Council greenlights historic preservation
Yardley Borough Council unanimously approved plans to reconstruct the historic Yardley Inn, clearing the way for a major preservation project tied to ongoing flood concerns. The 194-year-old building, originally opened in 1832 as the White Swan Inn, will be demolished and rebuilt rather than lifted, a move borough officials say is necessary due to safety risks tied to repeated basement flooding. Work is expected to begin in 2027, with the inn remaining open through 2026. The rebuilt structure will closely resemble the current inn but include expanded accessibility features, larger banquet space, improved stormwater management, and an outdoor dining area. Once construction begins, the project is expected to take twelve to sixteen months. Council also accepted the resignation of Councilman Uri Feiner for business reasons and is now accepting applications to fill the seat through the end of the term.
Bucks IU continues to develop leaders for Bucks School districts
The Bucks County Intermediate Unit continues to build a pipeline of future school leaders across the county. Since 2017, 229 educators have completed the Bucks IU Leadership Development Fellowship, a program designed to prepare administrators for anticipated leadership openings in local districts. The fellowship brings together educators for monthly sessions focused on leadership skills, data-driven decision-making, and school culture. Now in its ninth cohort, the program includes 37 current participants and boasts alumni serving as principals, central office administrators, and program directors throughout Bucks County. Bucks IU leaders say the initiative remains a key part of strengthening local public education amid rapid change.
Woman fatally shot in domestic violence case in Bristol Township
A Philadelphia man is being held without bail after a fatal domestic violence shooting in Bristol Township that authorities say unfolded rapidly on Sunday. Yujun Ren, 32, was arraigned before District Judge Corryn Kronnagel on homicide and related charges, including stalking and illegal weapon possession, following the shooting death of a woman outside a Levittown-area home Sunday afternoon. According to Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan, the victim had reported a sexual assault to Philadelphia police Saturday night and attempted to end the relationship. Investigators allege Ren then stalked her vehicle in the early morning hours and shot her while she was inside her car.” Today’s tragic event is a sobering reminder of the lethal nature of domestic violence. We want to commend the officers and detectives who worked to ensure that these charges were filed within hours of the incident. We are committed to seeking justice for the victim.” Ren later turned himself in and led police to the scene on Outlook Lane in the Oaktree Hollow section of Levittown, where officers found the victim deceased in a parked vehicle. Her name has not yet been released pending family notification. The investigation remains active, and authorities are urging anyone with information to contact Bristol Township Police.
Joe LeCompte hosts LeCompte in the Morning on WBCB 1490. Bradley Vasoli is the senior editor of The Independence.
