Spotlight PA: Pennsylvania news and investigations

Top News Josh Shapiro

Gov. Josh Shapiro in January 2025.

Is Josh Shapiro keeping campaign promises? Test your politics knowledge with this quiz.

by Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA

Pennsylvania’s split legislature makes it tricky for Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro to pass his priorities. Here’s a look at his progress.

Related Stories

Ask a top Pa. Democrat about Gov. Shapiro’s latest budget pitch
Millions earmarked to keep rural hospitals open, recruit health care providers in Shapiro’s $51.4B budget proposal
Bird flu cases on the rise in Pa. as the state expands testing, containment efforts
Child care workers could get a raise under Shapiro plan to address shortage

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Editor's Picks

After Hershey Medical Center stopped performing kidney transplants, Jessica Clark scrambled to find another hospital that would add her to its waiting list.

As problems roiled Penn State Health’s transplant programs, unknowing patients kept hope. Then they were blindsided.

by Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA and Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State College

Already sick, former patients of the failed kidney and liver transplant units face rejection and despair as they look elsewhere and grapple with the one thing they cannot afford to lose: time.

Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program has allowed doctors with past misconduct to certify patients.

Prior misconduct rarely an obstacle for doctors in Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program

by Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA

The Capitol

Gov. Shapiro presents his 2025 budget proposal to the General Assembly.

Child care workers could get a raise under Shapiro plan to address shortage

by Sarah Boden for Spotlight PA

Businesses and advocates for families say the Democrat’s $55 million proposal would make child care in Pennsylvania more available and keep parents in the workforce.

Rooftops of homes in Blair County, Pennsylvania.

Eviction filings shouldn't doom Pa. residents to never get another rental, Shapiro says

by Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA

Investigations

Local Government

An illustration of a woman walking away from a crumbling road and out of a credit card with a phone in hand and shopping bags around.

New records detail Pa. township secretary’s alleged half-million-dollar heist. How did sports betting, trips, and more go unnoticed?

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Pamela Hackenburg allegedly used Gregg Township’s credit cards to steal almost $533,000 from local taxpayers. The township’s supervisors never looked at a statement.

Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich (center)

Breaking rules intended to keep Pa.’s older adults safe is rarely met with state sanctions

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Impact

Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program has allowed doctors with past misconduct to certify patients.

New limits, oversight for Pa.’s medical marijuana doctors proposed in response to Spotlight PA investigation

by Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA

The bill would give the Department of Health discretion on which doctors in the medical marijuana program would receive extra scrutiny.

Editor’s Notes

Spotlight PA reporting airs on PHL17 in Philadelphia, PA

Groundbreaking deal between Spotlight PA, TV stations to bring in-depth reporting to millions more people

by Christopher Baxter

Good News from Pennsylvania

A sign in Punxsutawney, Pa., welcomes visitors to Gobbler's Knob.

Groundhog Day annually draws crowds to the world ‘Weather Capital.’ Which other Pa. regions claim ‘capital’ status?

by Asha Prihar of Spotlight PA

Punxsutawney is one of many “world capitals” located in Pennsylvania, including the purported global hubs for cheesesteaks, murals, mushrooms, snack foods, and more.

PA Local Heroes: The Philadelphia nonprofit sharing ‘books and beauty’ with local kids

by Asha Prihar of Spotlight PA

Led by book collector and paper conservationist Sibylla Shekerdjiska-Benatova, A Book a Day has distributed over 13,000 children’s books in the past decade.

Blacksmiths forge unorthodox biz inside struggling Pa. mall’s vacated Victoria’s Secret

by Asha Prihar

As shopping malls nationwide see traditional retailers depart, businesses like the Drunken Smithy in Lebanon are making creative use of the vacancies.

A weekly dose of positive news

A fresh look at the incredible people, beautiful places, and delicious food Pennsylvania has to offer.

State College Bureau

Linnet Brooks, a Rock Spring Water Company customer, keeps bottled water in her pantry due to frequent outages.

Customers of a shoddy rural water company need relief — and fast, stakeholders say. A judge is mulling next steps.

by Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State College

A Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission administrative law judge is considering whether an emergency takeover of Rock Spring Water Company is necessary.

Gov. Josh Shapiro delivers his 2025 budget speech before the legislature.

Millions earmarked to keep rural hospitals open, recruit health care providers in Shapiro’s $51.4B budget proposal

by Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State College

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