Spotlight PA: Pennsylvania news and investigations

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A photo of the entrance to Field of Screams in Mountville, Lancaster County, from the 2020 season.

New state policies stopped popular Pa. haunted attraction from using minor volunteers

by Ann Rejrat for Spotlight PA

The new rules came after a Spotlight PA investigation found allegations of abuse from volunteers at Field of Screams in Lancaster County.

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State allowed teens to volunteer at popular Pa. attraction that faced past mistreatment claims
Teen volunteers were harassed, groped, and pressured into sex by adults at a popular Pa. haunted attraction, former staff say
Popular Pa. haunted attraction allowed man convicted of exposing himself to children to volunteer alongside minors

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The Capitol

Lawmakers, Shapiro admin push to end practice of counties taking Social Security money owed to foster kids

by Steve Volk / Resolve Philly for Spotlight PA

After a 2025 Resolve Philly / Spotlight PA investigation, a federal directive urged states to end the practice

The exterior to the Pennsylvania Judicial Center.

Pennsylvania judges say blocking Medicaid for abortion violates state constitution

by Katie Meyer of Spotlight PA

Investigations

An illustration of two police officers standing in front of filing cabinets with hands coming out of the files.

Hundreds of rapes in the State College area weren’t reported in public police data over nearly a decade

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College and Mark Fazlollah for Spotlight PA

The missing data masked the true extent of the crime surrounding Penn State. The central Pa. department never publicly disclosed the error until contacted by Spotlight PA.

A photo illustration of Raymond Hohl encircled by images of the Penn State Cancer Institute, a medical device, and a nurse’s binder of thank you notes.

Alarming internal probes found chemo errors, delays, and ‘toxic’ leadership by Penn State’s cancer chief

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

Good News from Pennsylvania

The Media Theater in Media, Pennsylvania.

Meet a Mayor: Hidden gems and hometown charm in one of the last streetcar suburbs

by Colin Deppen of Spotlight PA

Joi Washington became Media’s first Black mayor and first woman mayor in last year’s election, at the age of 39.

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

State College Bureau

Spotlight PA staff and donors at Centre Gives Fest on May 15, 2025, in Bellefonte, Pa.

This Centre Gives, donate to Spotlight PA State College and support vital local journalism

by Sarah Rafacz of Spotlight PA State College

All gifts to Spotlight PA during Centre Gives, a 36-hour online fundraiser hosted by Centre Foundation on May 6-7, will benefit the State College regional bureau.

Gov. Josh Shapiro (left) and PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity

Where Garrity and Shapiro stand on broadband, federal cuts, and other key rural issues

by Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State College and Jaxon White of Spotlight PA

Berks County Bureau

Tom Frebel with a young player in the Baseballtown Charities Dream League.

Meet a volunteer helping people with disabilities play baseball

by Susan Shelly McGovern for Spotlight PA

Tom Frebel pitches and volunteers in the Baseballtown Charities Dream League, a program founded by Reading’s minor league baseball team for people with intellectual and physical disabilities.

Ge Fangyuan, a farmer in Washington Township, stands with his dog for a portrait at the farm Feb. 20, 2026. Fangyuan's farm was disrupted after a sewer main break dumped about 8,000 gallons of raw sewage in November 2024.

When a public pipe bursts on private land, who fixes it? One PA farmer wants answers

by Amanda Fries of Spotlight PA

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