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| Inside this edition: Penn State trustees talk honoring Joe Paterno, the Pa. activist responsible for false election claims, and Democrats maintain control of Pa. House. |
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Real quick: In private meetings, a group of Penn State trustees have argued for honoring former football coach Joe Paterno, who was fired in 2011 amid the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal, Spotlight PA’s Wyatt Massey reports.
A little more: Penn State trustees and high-ranking university representatives met privately twice in January to discuss whether to name the football field at Beaver Stadium after former coach Joe Paterno, according to three people with direct knowledge of the conversations.
The meetings potentially violate a state law that requires governing bodies to conduct business in public view, and continue a decadelong pattern of the board convening behind closed doors.
A group of trustees is pushing to name the football field after Paterno, while board and university officials are hesitant, according to the three sources, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak openly about the discussions.
The board fired Paterno in 2011 during the fallout of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal. A statue of Paterno outside the football stadium was removed, and the NCAA vacated more than 100 wins from Paterno’s record. The wins were later restored, and Paterno holds the record for most wins in NCAA football history with 409.
The trustees met for hours on Jan. 16 for a “briefing” on the matter — a gathering not previously disclosed to the public — and again on Jan. 29 in “executive session,” according to the sources. The meetings were held behind closed doors to avoid public discussions on the topic, the sources said.
When asked for comment on the meetings, an unnamed Penn State spokesperson wrote via email: “The Administration and the Board of Trustees have embarked on numerous change initiatives based on President Bendapudi’s vision and goals and are focused on these priorities to continue to provide a world-class academic and student experience for years to come.”
The full story: Read more here. |
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» Treasurer Stacy Garrity’s decision to invest more Pa. money in Israel Bonds draws protest, Democratic opposition
» DOJ settlement will bring new protections for people with opioid use disorder in Pa. courts
» Democrats maintain control of Pennsylvania House after Bucks County special election
» Josh Shapiro accepted $1,650 in ‘event tickets’ from powerful Pa. lobbyist
» This Pa. activist is the source of false and flawed election claims gaining traction across the country
» Pa. could wipe out up to $400M in medical debt under proposal from Gov. Josh Shapiro
» Former top Pa. lawmaker’s lobbying firm paid $41K by Game Commission in unusual arrangement |
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🤔 Can’t attend your local town meetings but want to keep tabs on what’s happening? Sign up for the new Centre Documenters newsletter. Centre Documenters pays local documenters to attend and document government meetings in six undercovered townships across Centre County — Benner, College, Gregg, Halfmoon, Snow Shoe, and Spring.
You can find meeting notes at centredocumenters.org. Centre Documenters is also launching a texting service, allowing you to receive key takeaways and a link to meeting notes for a particular municipality or type of meeting.
Read more about Centre Documenters here, and read the latest newsletter here. |
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Canada geese on the west branch of the Susquehanna River in South Williamsport, photographed by George Smeal, of Jacks Hollow Photography.
Have a north-central Pennsylvania photo to share? Send it to us by email, use #PAGems on Instagram, or tag us @spotlightpennsylvania. |
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Get our Exclusive Tote Design, Made Only for UsGet exclusive Spotlight PA apparel and accessories now on sale, including the return of our famous tote bag! Shop now »Proceeds benefit Spotlight PA’s nonprofit, nonpartisan journalism. |
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Want us to list your event? Send it to us.
» Feb. 15: Celebrate Huntingdon’s local art scene at its monthly art walk event.
» Feb. 16-18: Penn State students, children with cancer and their families, and supporters participate in THON, a 46-hour dance marathon that benefits Four Diamonds, at the Bryce Jordan Center in Centre County.
» Feb. 16-18: The Bradford Veterans of Foreign Wars hosts Vet Jam in McKean County featuring live music and supporting veterans.
» Feb. 17: Learn how to take photos of the night sky at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum in Potter County.
» Feb. 20: Johnny Cash — The Official Concert Experience projects video of Johnny Cash as a live band and singers accompany him on stage at Eisenhower Auditorium in Centre County. |
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An anagram is a word, phrase, or name formed by rearranging the letters of another. For example, “spotlight” also forms “stoplight.”
Decode the anagram and send your answer to talkofthetown@spotlightpa.org. We’ll shout out winners here, and one each week will get some Spotlight PA State College swag.
S T R A I N
Good luck!
Last week’s answer: Flowers
Congrats to Karen R., who will receive Spotlight PA State College swag! Others who answered correctly: Susan V., Jean B., Patty G., John L., Don H., Rena Z., Kevin M., Leslie B., Daniel M., Elizabeth B., Rick W., Linda M., Frederick H., and Leann T.
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Do you have events, community shoutouts, questions about our region, or tips on stories that we should pursue? Email our team.
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