Dec. 10, 2020Commonwealth Media ServicesWolf temporarily suspends Pa. indoor dining, school sportsby Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA and Jamie Martines of Spotlight PAThe 4 p.m. announcement comes as confirmed coronavirus cases in Pennsylvania continue to break records, and hospitals struggle with rising admissions and a potential staffing crisis.
Dec. 9, 2020Commonwealth Media ServicesPa. Gov. Tom Wolf tests positive for the coronavirus, other officials in quarantineby Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAThe governor said he is not experiencing symptoms and plans to continue working remotely.
Dec. 4, 2020DAVID MAIALETTI / Philadelphia InquirerPa. hospitals on the brink of a staffing crisis as COVID-19 surgesby Jamie Martines of Spotlight PAAt least a third of the hospitals in the southwest and south-central part of the state expect shortages in the next week, state data shows. Some rural facilities are already in crisis.
Nov. 24, 2020DAN NOTT / For Spotlight PAAre you a Pa. contact tracer, or have you been contacted by one? Tell us your story.by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA and Ese Olumhense of Spotlight PASpotlight PA wants to investigate where the issues lie and whether Pennsylvania is doing enough with its contact tracing efforts to make it effective. We need your help.
Nov. 23, 2020Jamie Martines / Spotlight PAFinancially distressed Pa. towns faring better than expected, while others in painby Jamie Martines of Spotlight PAYears of financial oversight through Act 47 has prepared cities that were thought to be doomed by the pandemic, while others face cuts and potentially massive tax hikes.
Nov. 20, 2020Joe Hermitt / The Patriot-NewsPa. lawmaker claims Capitol unsafe after fifth member tests positive for COVID-19by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PARep. Jim Gregory (R., Blair) announced Thursday evening he had tested positive for COVID-19.
Nov. 19, 2020Kalim A. Bhatti / The Philadelphia InquirerWith $1.3 billion in coronavirus cash left to spend, the Pa. government might be the big winnerby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PAA long line of service providers and industries — including restaurant owners — are still seeking coronavirus bailouts, but increasingly fear the cash might go toward the state’s budget.
Nov. 13, 2020JESSICA GRIFFIN / Philadelphia InquirerLockdowns aren’t the answer to Pa.'s surging coronavirus cases, health officials and experts sayby Jamie Martines of Spotlight PAOfficials say the state is in a different place than 6 months ago, but without more testing, contact tracing, and efforts to isolate sick people, cases — and deaths — will continue to rise.
Nov. 11, 2020Joshua Vaughn / The AppealSerious COVID-19 outbreak threatens hundreds at Pa. prison for medically vulnerableby Joseph Darius Jaafari of Spotlight PAIn the Capitol, both Democrats and Republicans are calling for the release of ill and geriatric prisoners, but advocates fear it might already be too late.
Nov. 5, 2020JOSE F. MORENO / Philadelphia InquirerHere’s who in Pa. will get a coronavirus vaccine first when one is approvedby Jamie Martines of Spotlight PAThe state’s three-phase plan will prioritize health-care personnel, frontline and emergency workers, and those working with vulnerable populations.
Nov. 2, 2020TYGER WILLIAMS / Philadelphia InquirerGaping loopholes and vague state guidance leave some Pa. families out of a home despite federal ban on evictionsby Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PAWhether or not families get kicked out often comes down to where they live, and which judge happens to hear their case, a Spotlight PA investigation found.
Oct. 30, 2020TIM TAI / Philadelphia InquirerTrump threatened to withhold aid from Pa. as coronavirus cases, hospitalizations surge. Here’s what you need to know.by Ed Mahon of Spotlight PAThe comment "erodes trust" in the federal government’s obligation to help protect people regardless of politics, a national disaster expert said.
Oct. 22, 2020Dan Nott / For Spotlight PASenate GOP halts fixes for Pa.’s troubled rent relief program, surprising even their ownby Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PAThe state House unanimously passed long-awaited changes Monday, but Senate leadership refused to advance it, leaving many landlords and families on the financial brink.
Oct. 13, 2020TIM TAI / The Philadelphia InquirerTo jumpstart relief program, Wolf gives landlords more flexibility to collect unpaid rentby Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PALandlords will no longer be required to forgive all payments owed in return for accepting state aid, which is capped at $750, much lower than average rent in many areas.
Oct. 6, 2020Bradley C. Bower / For The InquirerHundreds of Pa. child-care centers have closed, and some fear it will get worseby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PAFederal coronavirus relief money made a big difference in Pennsylvania, but as it dries up, a second wave of closures could be coming.
Oct. 1, 2020STEVEN M. FALK / Philadelphia InquirerPa. House lawmaker tests positive for COVID-19, delaying legislation on election, rent reliefby Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PALawmakers have known about the problems with the rent relief program for months, but Republican leadership failed to bring a fix up for a vote before it expired Thursday.
Sept. 24, 2020Dan Nott / For Spotlight PAPa.'s failure to mandate quicker death reporting before the coronavirus fueled wild data fluctuations, mistrustby Sara Simon of Spotlight PA and Ryan Briggs and Nina Feldman of WHYY NewsAn investigation found state health officials abandoned their urgency in implementing a faster process, leaving them ill-prepared to accurately report death data when the pandemic arrived.
Sept. 21, 2020TIM TAI / Philadelphia InquirerEverything you need to know if you’re facing eviction in Pennsylvania (full guide)by Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PAWith thousands of renters struggling to make ends meet, Spotlight PA has put together a guide for those facing eviction.
Sept. 17, 2020Commonwealth Media ServicesWhy the ruling against Wolf’s COVID-19 restrictions faces long odds on appeal, explainedby Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA and Paula Reed Ward of the Tribune-ReviewMuch of the decision is grounded in precedent that has been widely repudiated, and it also runs counter to similar rulings and the reasoning of the country’s chief justice, John Roberts.
Sept. 14, 2020Commonwealth Media ServicesWolf’s COVID-19 business closures, limit on gatherings unconstitutional, federal court rulesby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA, Jeremy Roebuck of The Philadelphia Inquirer and Sarah Anne Hughes of Spotlight PALimiting how many people can gather indoors and outdoors violates “the right of assembly enshrined in the First Amendment,” a judge ruled.
Sept. 12, 2020Dan Nott / For Spotlight PAFrom relief to despair, one Pa. family struggles with the ambiguity of federal eviction banby Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PAIn Pennsylvania, it’s up to individual courts in each county to decide how to interpret the federal order. With debts mounting, renters' lives are in limbo, and relief is only temporary.
Sept. 10, 2020KALIM BHATTI / The Philadelphia InquirerHuge budget cuts could hurt people with mental illness, disabilities most, Pa. providers fearby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PAEight years ago, the state slashed $84 million targeted toward these programs and many services were eliminated. Now, advocates fear they could be on the chopping block again.
Sept. 8, 2020MONICA HERNDON / Philadelphia InquirerWolf allows restaurants to serve more customers indoors, but timing raises eyebrowsby Jamie Martines of Spotlight PAThe announcement came shortly before a Senate panel was set to consider the same move, prompting the administration’s critics to question the timing.
Sept. 8, 2020Dan Nott / For Spotlight PAWant to help Pa. renters avoid eviction? Give them cash directly, experts say.by Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PAPennsylvania's current rental assistance program sends money directly to landlords, many of whom won't participate.
Sept. 2, 2020DAVID MAIALETTI / Philadelphia InquirerFederal order protects many Pa. renters from eviction, though legal challenges may ariseby Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PAMuch remains uncertain about how the new eviction ban will work in practice — and whether it will survive legal challenges.
Sept. 2, 2020Kalim A. Bhatti / Philadelphia InquirerLatest Pa. GOP attempt to strip Gov. Tom Wolf of his coronavirus emergency powers failsby Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PAAn hour-long debate culminated in an unsuccessful vote to override the governor’s veto of a resolution that would force him to end the state’s disaster declaration.
Sept. 2, 2020DAN NOTT / For Spotlight PANursing home COVID-19 case, death data still missing from Pa.’s public reportsby Jamie Martines of Spotlight PAState health officials won't say why, week after week, some facilities are still missing data.
Sept. 1, 2020Commonwealth Media ServicesAfter waffling, Gov. Tom Wolf says he can’t extend Pa.’s eviction ban, looks to lawmakersby Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PARepublican lawmakers said they are looking at what options they have to extend another lifeline to tenants.
Aug. 27, 2020Cheyenne Snow / For Spotlight PAA vital rental assistance program is riddled with problems as Pa. prepares to resume evictionsby Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PAA Spotlight PA review found many landlords have refused to participate, and lawmakers have failed to take action despite warnings the program is failing.
Aug. 26, 2020DAN NOTT / For Spotlight PA‘You’ve got to do something’: Pa. rehabs buckle, begin to close under COVID-19 strainby Aneri Pattani of Spotlight PA and Ed Mahon of Spotlight PAProviders and state officials say facilities could begin closing at an alarming rate, even as overdose deaths rise and the need for treatment is expected to grow.
