Spotlight PA: Pennsylvania news and investigations

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Gov. Josh Shapiro announces a $20B investment by Amazon in Pennsylvania data centers.

Pennsylvania’s data center boom, by the numbers

by Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA

Dozens of new data centers are proposed in the commonwealth, big companies are pledging to spend billions, and many Pennsylvanians are skeptical.

Related Stories

Shapiro wants to incentivize data centers to be better neighbors. Will that work?
Many Pa. residents don’t want data centers in their communities. State leaders are welcoming them.
Data center tax break created to boost economy, add jobs in Pa. could cost state billions in revenue
Map shows growing number of data centers planned across Pennsylvania

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The Capitol

Representatives from Point and a home equity loan industry trade group testify in Harrisburg.

A Silicon Valley firm offered gift cards as part of a campaign to defeat Pa. regulation. Lawmakers say that’s unethical.

by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA

Lawmakers say Point’s payment for testimony crossed ethical lines and called their arguments against regulation into question.

A row of lockers at Bennetts Valley Elementary School in Weedville, Pennsylvania on April 5, 2023.

Demand for student teacher stipends outstrips supply as Shapiro proposes boosting program

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 front entrance to West Shore movie theater in New Cumberland.

True Pennsylvanians have seen at least 1 of these essential films set in the state

by Asha Prihar of Spotlight PA

To determine the must-see movies set in Pennsylvania, Spotlight PA consulted film experts from across the commonwealth, as well as cinephiles on staff. A few have been nominated for Oscars.

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

State College Bureau

An illustration of water coming from a tap, houses, pipes, a Rock Spring Water Company sign, and a PUC sign.

Judge recommends sale of troubled rural water company to one of Pa.’s largest private utilities

by Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State College

Pennsylvania American Water is the suggested buyer for the long-troubled Rock Spring Water Company. Pennsylvania American has been managing the small rural utility in an interim capacity since March 2025.

A patient room at a health care facility

Why a $193M injection for rural health care in Pa. isn’t easing closure worries

by Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State College

Berks County Bureau

The Trump administration finalized the $87.4 million purchase of a warehouse in Upper Bern Township, Berks County, that it wants to use as an ICE detention facility, February 9, 2026.

ICE warehouse has years of unresolved construction problems, records show

by Amanda Fries of Spotlight PA

Upper Bern Township has struggled for years to make a developer fix construction deficiencies of a warehouse now planned for an ICE detention center, records obtained by Spotlight PA show. Now that the federal government has bought the building, no one can say if the problems will be addressed.

Gov. Josh Shapiro, cabinet secretaries, and local officials meet to discuss proposed ICE detention centers.

ICE told Pa. agency about warehouse plans in January

by Kate Huangpu and Gabriela Martínez of Spotlight PA

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