March 24, 2021DAVID MAIALETTI / Philadelphia InquirerAs thousands of unemployment claims expire, Pa. residents refile, wait on federal benefitsby Rebecca Moss of Spotlight PAThe expiration of state benefits for many and the new federal stimulus law are creating fresh confusion and potential gaps in payments for people who have been desperate for help for the past year.
March 8, 2021Shane Dunlap / Tribune-ReviewA Pennsylvania county went from bust to boom times with natural gas. Now, it’s nearly broke.by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PACommissioners, led by Republicans, raised taxes amid a pandemic and for the first time since 2010, despite the county having received more than $37 million in gas impact fees.
Dec. 18, 2020TIM TAI / The Philadelphia InquirerAn inmate died of the coronavirus, but Pa. corrections never told his familyby Joseph Darius Jaafari of Spotlight PAState corrections officials say they are following the law in protecting medical information, but family members and advocates contend they could do more when inmates get sick or die.
Dec. 15, 2020KALIM BHATTI / The Philadelphia InquirerAs coronavirus hits home, Pa. GOP shifts messaging but still rejects mandatesby Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PAStill, at least two Republican lawmakers said Gov. Tom Wolf’s COVID-19 diagnosis was proof masks and other mitigation efforts don’t work.
Nov. 12, 2020STEVEN M. FALK / Philadelphia InquirerTop Pa. senator’s campaign revives lawsuit against journalists over public records feesby Mike Wereschagin of The CaucusThe campaign of Sen. Joe Scarnati is appealing the dismissal of a lawsuit seeking thousands of dollars in fees for providing records of campaign expenses to a Spotlight PA journalist and others.
Oct. 23, 2020MICHAEL BRYANT / Philadelphia InquirerSecrecy law for Pa. utilities gets boost in court ruling sidelining public records agencyby Rebecca Moss of Spotlight PAUtility companies — including Sunoco, which is behind the controversial Mariner East pipeline system — have wide authority to keep safety information a secret with little oversight.
Sept. 16, 2020STEVEN M. FALK / Philadelphia InquirerTop Pa. Republican’s campaign sues journalists over public records costsby Mike Wereschagin of The Caucus and Ed Mahon of Spotlight PASen. Joseph Scarnati's campaign is seeking thousands of dollars from a news organization and two journalists, even though a state agency says he's not entitled to collect the fees.
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.
June 15, 2020MONICA HERNDON / Philadelphia InquirerPa. advances reforms to create confidential police disciplinary database, as NY, NJ take steps to make records publicby Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PADemocrats hailed the move as a long-awaited first step after seeing similar legislation languish. But transparency in officer discipline still lags behind New York and New Jersey.
April 23, 2020Commonwealth Media ServicesPa. removes more than 200 deaths from official coronavirus count as questions mount about reporting process, data accuracyby Sara Simon of Spotlight PAThe past five days have been a roller coaster of confusion involving the state health department, marred by retracted statements, reporting lags, and angry coroners.
March 28, 2020MICHAEL BRYANT / Staff PhotographerHow many people in Pa. will be infected with the coronavirus? Scientific modeling is trying to find the answer.by Brett Sholtis of WITFWhile state officials have consistently said the situation will deteriorate, they’ve been unable to say just how bad the outbreak might become.
March 26, 2020HEATHER KHALIFA / Staff PhotographerPa. hotels volunteer to make room for patients as state braces for possible coronavirus surgeby Wallace McKelvey of PennLive | The Patriot-NewsState officials have repeatedly declined to detail exactly what their planning entails, but they are likely to follow the example of other states that have taken significant steps.
Booklight PA: Author Sara Novic on finding herself through hearing loss in ‘Mother Tongue’AttendJun 25
Spotlight PA Event: The past, present, and future of Pennsylvania’s mental health care systemsAttendJul 30