Orchestra paid for Pa. pols' European excursion

In the waning days of summer, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra embarked on a whirlwind, nine-city European tour — its first international journey since the start of the pandemic.

It brought along two Pennsylvania lawmakers and picked up the costs for their airfare, hotel, meals, and other incidentals, Spotlight PA's Angela Couloumbis reports. 

The lawmakers’ European excursion, which the orchestra estimated cost $15,000, is the type of job perk that a gift ban would make impossible for elected officials and others in government. But Pennsylvania’s legislature recently adjourned for what will likely be the last voting day of its two-year session. It left a closely watched gift ban bill on the cutting room floor. 

Also this week, Wyatt Massey profiles Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi, who led the University of Louisville through crises. But her sudden move to Happy Valley raised questions about her motivations and commitment.

Finally, Spotlight PA is continuing its voter-centric election coverage ahead of the critical Nov. 8 midterms. Katie Meyer explained why undated mail ballots are such a big deal, while Stephen Caruso took a deeper look at how abortion is playing a role in key legislative races.

Kate Huangpu also has the latest on how many mail ballots were requested for the upcoming election and how that will impact when we have unofficial results. Keep scrolling for more election coverage. 

"That’s when I started wondering if she was all show and no go. She is in marketing, and that’s what that was, marketing."

—Michele Foster, a University of Louisville professor who worked on the school's anti-racism agenda, which "fell flat on its face."

This week, we're kicking off our biggest challenge in Spotlight PA history.

If we raise $125,000 by the end of this year, the Lenfest Institute for Journalism will DOUBLE it. That means if you contribute to Spotlight PA now, it will be matched dollar for dollar, powering our vital journalism into 2023.

Make a tax-deductible gift and start this campaign with a bang »

Next year will be pivotal to the state's future, beginning with a new administration in the governor's office and a new legislative session. Now more than ever, we need independent, nonpartisan journalists to hold our elected leaders to account, track our tax dollars, and ensure the government works for us all.

Our end-of-year fundraising campaign is our most important of the year, and we want to prove how much Pennsylvanians value Spotlight PA's work. Send a gift now and don't miss this special opportunity to double your impact.

Election Day 2022 is approaching and Spotlight PA wants to make sure you’re equipped with the knowledge you’ll need to cast your ballot. 

Voters will choose a new governor and U.S. senator this year, elected officials who will help determine the future of major issues like abortion access and energy production. Voters will also cast ballots for representatives to the U.S. House and lawmakers to serve in the General Assembly.  

Before you cast a ballot, here’s a last-minute checklist of everything you’ll need to vote. 

First, the basics:

• Make sure you’re registered. You can check your voter registration status here. Unfortunately, if you’re not already registered, it’s too late to vote in this election cycle.

• It also is too late to request a mail ballot if you haven’t already. If you have, you can track your mail ballot here. It must be received by your county election office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Read more about mail ballots.

• If you plan to vote in-person, find your polling place here. 

• You need to bring a form of ID such as a driver’s license or a passport if it’s your first time voting at your polling location. You can find the full list of acceptable IDs here.

• Any other questions? Call your county election office to check. You can find their number here, and read more Spotlight PA election guides here.

And here’s what you can expect to see on your ballot:

• Enter your address into Spotlight PA’s interactive sample ballot to find your candidates.

• All voters will have five options on the ballot for U.S. Senate: John Fetterman (D), Mehmet Oz (R), Richard Weiss (G), Daniel Wassmer (Keystone Party of Pennsylvania), and Erik Gerhardt (L). Read WESA’s guide to the candidates.

• All voters will have five options on the ballot for governor: Josh Shapiro (D), Doug Mastriano (R), Christina Digiulio (G), Joe Soloski (Keystone Party of Pennsylvania), and Matt Hackenburg (L). Read our complete guide to the candidates for governor.

• All voters will select a person to represent them in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

• All voters will select a person to represent them in the Pennsylvania House. 

• Voters who live in even-numbered state Senate districts will vote for candidates. 

• Because of this year’s redistricting process, you may live in altered or different U.S. House, state House, and state Senate districts. Use Spotlight PA’s sample ballot to find your district and candidates, then consult our vetting guide to learn how to research them. 

There will be no statewide proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot. However, there may be local ballot initiatives depending on where you live. Check your county’s election website or sample ballot. —Kate Huangpu, Spotlight PA

SCOTUS DECLINES: 

» ABC27: Bills to prevent, track overdoses head to Wolf

» INQUIRER: AG charges 4 Jehovah’s Witnesses with sexual abuse 

» PENNLIVE: Sick people in Pa. jails are suffering, dying

» PUBLICSOURCE: Exploring the rise in involuntary commitment petitions

» WITF: Bill aims to simplify medical insurance in Pa.