|
A daily newsletter by  |
|
|
|
| Today: Trust funds, poll pressures, squatting squabbles, minority views, overdose data, and unfortunate fashion facts. |
|
A state trust that oversees how Pennsylvania spends millions of dollars in opioid settlement funds is expected to reconsider a range of programs at its public meeting this week. Trust officials have publicly raised concerns about some spending, including Philadelphia’s use of $7.5 million for Kensington residents and an additional $3.5 million aimed at overdose prevention and “community healing.” “It is a significant sum of money, and we just have no details,” Tom VanKirk, the chair of the trust, said of Philly’s programs. The city has defended both efforts and says it provided the trust with additional information about where the money is going and why it’s appropriate. Decisions the trust makes could have an influence for years to come as counties allocate settlement money.
Read the full report: Drug testing, Philly parks, and other opioid money decisions await final approval in Pennsylvania
|
|
| PROPERTY VALUE: Join us Thursday, June 20 from 6-7 p.m. ET via Zoom for a free panel discussion about how outdated property assessments affect schools, roads, and more. Register for the event here and submit your questions to events@spotlightpa.org. |
|
| Captured at Wildwood Park, via Eliseo R. Have a photo of your own to share? Send it to us by email, use #PAGems on Instagram, or tag us @spotlightpennsylvania. |
|
 
  BLACK VOTES: USA TODAY and Suffolk University polled Black voters in Pennsylvania and Michigan to learn how they feel about the presidential candidates. In a summary of their findings, they note flagging support for President Joe Biden, small gains for former President Trump, and disagreement with Trump’s claims that his legal troubles make him more appealing.  DEATH DISPARITY: Black people in Pennsylvania who died from opioid overdoses were half as likely as white people to receive the overdose drug Narcan, according to a recent study from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. WHYY reports Black overdose deaths in Pennsylvania increased by more than 50% between 2019 and 2021 while white overdose deaths remained the same. Researchers say historical, cultural, and systemic factors play a part in the disparity. |
|
SENDER UNKNOWN: To gather info for possible class-action lawsuits, a business owner paid for anonymous mailers asking residents in three Northampton County communities if they’d experienced discrimination. DEEP ROOTS: The signature “wedding tree” of a Bucks County family farm known to host nuptials had to be cut down because of age; the farm owner has slowly been sharing the news with couples married there. |
|
HOT, HOT, HOT Our exclusive 'All Sun, No Shade' beach towels are HOT!
Bold and thick, get ready for summer with this exclusive Spotlight PA swag. But hurry! Once they're gone, they're gone for the year. SHOP NOW > |
|
|
Unscramble and send your answer to scrambler@spotlightpa.org. We'll shout out winners here, and one each week will get some Spotlight PA swag. Answers submitted by 5:30 p.m. on issue date will be counted. K L T U E R N C U B
Friday's answer: Peripatetic or Precipitate
Congrats to our weekly winner: Thomas E.
Congrats to our daily winners: Ada M., Eric. F, Barbara F., Elaine C., Bob C., Jane R., Dan A., Susan S., Jodi R., John C., Eddy Z., Don H., Marc G., Jon W., Stacy S., Craig E., Amelia M., Kimberly D., Mike B., Kevin M., Kelly A., Matt A., Ted W., Lynne E., Susan N., Annette I., Mary S., William Z., Pat E., Jody A., Ann and John P., George C., Jeffrey F., David W., Wendy A. Perry H., David M., and Stanley J.
|
|
|
| |
|
