Top News The CapitolAmanda Berg / For Spotlight PAA bill funding Pa. child advocacy centers by fining sex offenders passes with bipartisan supportby Jaxon White of Spotlight PAPennsylvania’s child advocacy centers work to make the criminal justice system less traumatic for children. They’ve long struggled with funding.Related StoriesPa. election 2026: A guide to vetting state legislative candidatesTrifecta could unlock action on stalled renewable energy, climate bills, Democrats sayThe 2026 races that could decide control of the Pennsylvania House and Senate
The CapitolAmanda Berg / For Spotlight PAAs Pennsylvania’s legislature wraps up its session, many bipartisan bills are poised to failby Stephen Caruso, Kate Huangpu, and Jaxon White of Spotlight PA
The CapitolAmanda Berg / For Spotlight PALawmakers send Shapiro bill to close meeting notice loophole in Pa. transparency lawby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA
ElectionsCourtesy of the candidates’ campaignsPa. election 2026: Where Brooks, Mackenzie stand on campaign finance reform, anti-corruption policiesby Molly Bilinski for Spotlight PA
Josh ShapiroCommonwealth Media ServicesJosh Shapiro built national fame on getting things done, but his full record is complexby Stephen Caruso and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAAs voters nationwide get to know Josh Shapiro, Spotlight PA examines where he has succeeded as governor but also where he has arguably fallen short.
ElectionsCommonwealth Media ServicesStacy Garrity is ambitious, Trump-endorsed, and experienced. Is that enough to beat Josh Shapiro?by Katie Meyer and Jaxon White of Spotlight PA
Oct. 20, 2026Commonwealth Media ServicesTrifecta could unlock action on stalled renewable energy, climate bills, Democrats sayby Ben Seal of Inside Climate NewsFlipping the state Senate could pave the way for environmental action, but Gov. Josh Shapiro may be “the limiting factor.”
Oct. 16, 2026Sarah Anne Hughes / Spotlight PAThe legislature didn’t act on skill games by the Pa. Supreme Court’s deadline. What happens now?by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA
Oct. 9, 2026Courtesy of Todd WilsonMeet the Instagrammer documenting and celebrating Pittsburgh’s bridgesby Asha Prihar of Spotlight PATodd Wilson’s images of Pittsburgh bridges have amassed him 34,000 followers since he launched his @pghbridges Instagram account. The civil engineer admires their style and studies their history.
Oct. 20, 2026LightFieldStudios / iStockImproper handwashing, and other Centre County restaurant inspections for Oct. 12-18by Spotlight PA StaffPennsylvania inspected seven retail food establishments in Centre County between Oct. 12 and Oct. 18. One had violations. See what inspectors found.
Oct. 13, 2026Svitlana Hulko / iStockCentre County restaurant inspections for Oct. 5-11by Spotlight PA Staff
Oct. 20, 2026mapo / iStockUncleaned beer taps, greasy floors, and other Berks County restaurant inspections for Oct. 12-18by Spotlight PA StaffPennsylvania inspected 42 retail food establishments in Berks County between Oct. 12 and Oct. 18. Eighteen had violations. See what inspectors found.
Oct. 16, 2026Susan Angstadt for Spotlight PAReading could pull up to $24M from reserves to balance its next 2 budgetsby Hanna Holthaus of Spotlight PA
Week of Oct. 19, 2026Commonwealth Media ServicesGreat PA News Quiz: County passes parental leave rule, and a grocery store recovers from cyberattackby Asha Prihar of Spotlight PA and Colin Deppen of Spotlight PAIn this quiz: the party requesting fewer mail ballots, a former governor encourages trust in election officials, and the Sixers’ first game with LeBron James.
EducationCara Penquite / APIt's not just gas and groceries. Childcare costs weigh on some voters before the midterm electionsby Moriah Balingit of the Associated PressIn the 7th Congressional District north of Philadelphia, both candidates are making childcare part of their pitch to voters.
EnergyU.S. Department of EnergyHigher bills, greater risk of shutoff: Pa.'s largest electric company seeks new protections for customers who shop for suppliersby Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PAFirstEnergy wants regulators to end automatic contract renewals after data reveals steep costs for some shoppers.
ElectionsAmanda Berg / For Spotlight PAPa. election 2026: A guide to vetting state legislative candidatesby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAThe entire Pennsylvania House and half of the state Senate will be on the ballot in 2026. Learn more about how to research the candidates.
EnvironmentCommonwealth Media ServicesTrifecta could unlock action on stalled renewable energy, climate bills, Democrats sayby Ben Seal of Inside Climate NewsFlipping the state Senate could pave the way for environmental action, but Gov. Josh Shapiro may be “the limiting factor.”
ElectionsMatt Smith / For Spotlight PAPolls showed Trump policies might chill mail voting. But early data in Pennsylvania is inconclusive.by Carter Walker of VotebeatDemocratic mail ballot requests are down from both 2022 and 2024, though it's impossible to draw clear conclusions about why.
EspañolAmanda Berg / For Spotlight PAElecciones 2026 en Pa.: Una guía completa de quién está en la boleta electoral, cuándo votar, cómo votar, dónde votar, emitir votos por correo y másby Elizabeth Estrada de Spotlight PAEl 3 de noviembre, los votantes de Pensilvania elegirán gobernador y más.
ElectionsAmanda Berg / For Spotlight PAPa. election 2026: A complete guide to who is on the ballot, when to vote, where to vote, casting mail ballots, and moreby Elizabeth Estrada of Spotlight PAOn Nov. 3, Pennsylvanians will vote for governor, state House and Senate, and more.
EnvironmentJacquelyn Martin / APTop EPA official’s visits to Pa., other swing states ahead of midterms raise ethics concernsby Marianne Lavelle of Inside Climate NewsEPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is visiting battleground districts and states in the runup to the midterm elections. Are the trips for policy or politics?
Justice SystemTed Shaffrey / APErie gunman who killed family controlled their movements, finances: policeby John Raby of the Associated PressA Pennsylvania man who fatally shot eight others, including seven family members, before killing himself had exercised strict control over his relatives, police said.
ElectionsCourtesy of the campaignsRep. Perry’s Trump ties targeted by Dems in closely watched Pa. swing district raceby Marc Levy of the Associated PressThe president’s declining popularity could be a liability for Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, a Trump loyalist who faces a second challenge from Democrat Janelle Stelson.
The CapitolSarah Anne Hughes / Spotlight PAThe legislature didn’t act on skill games by the Pa. Supreme Court’s deadline. What happens now?by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PATop lawmakers said they wanted to act before the court-imposed deadline but didn’t, leading some members to mount a last-ditch legal effort.