Brazil, Bigotry, and a Bears Legend

Charlie begins in his native Brazil, where Flávio Bolsonaro’s stronger-than-expected showing has sent the presidential election to an October 25 runoff against Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The result reflects a broader rejection of socialism across South America—and raises the question of why it continues attracting support here at home.

Three years after the October 7 Hamas attacks, Charlie again speaks out against the antisemitism spreading through American culture and politics. In Pennsylvania, a Haverford professor faces a federal cyberstalking charge after allegedly threatening a Jewish colleague, while the Department of Education has expanded its investigation of Swarthmore following a disturbing social media post by a former student group.

Charlie also shares his take on Pennsylvania’s only gubernatorial debate. Stacy Garrity went toe-to-toe with Governor Josh Shapiro and delivered the night’s most memorable moment when she forcefully answered his attack on her record.

Finally, Charlie remembers Pennsylvania native, Hall of Fame player, and Super Bowl-winning coach Mike Ditka, who died Friday at 86. He also revisits one of political history’s great “what ifs”: Ditka’s decision not to challenge Barack Obama for the U.S. Senate in 2004—a choice Ditka later called his biggest mistake. May Da Coach rest in peace.