April 24, 2023Tyger Williams / Philadelphia InquirerPenn State president unfairly took aim at ‘fake news’ in local mediaby Jessica McAllister of Centre Daily Times and Sarah Rafacz of Spotlight PA State CollegePenn State President Neeli Bendapudi criticized Spotlight PA’s coverage of the university’s layoff plans, which was published in the Centre Daily Times.
March 14, 2023KENT M. WILHELM / For Spotlight PASecrecy is too often the norm in Pennsylvania state and local governmentsby Christopher BaxterSome government officials find every reason to delay or deny access to public records, then use taxpayer dollars to fight the public in court. We’re fighting back.
Nov. 29, 2022Spotlight PANonpartisan journalism is vital to the future of Pa. Here’s how you can keep it going.by Christopher Baxter of Spotlight PAFor Giving Tuesday 2022, support Spotlight PA's independent, nonpartisan investigative journalism for Pennsylvania and your gift will be TRIPLED.
Sept. 1, 2022TOM GRALISH / Philadelphia InquirerCelebrating Spotlight PA's 3 years of high-impact accountability and public-service journalismby Christopher Baxter
Aug. 11, 2022Leise Hook / For Spotlight PAThe best Spotlight PA investigations of 2022 (so far)by Spotlight PA StaffIn the first half of 2022, Spotlight PA probed dangerous cannabis claims, exposed late-night emails between a lawmaker and lobbyists, and highlighted serious issues with a police hiring database.
July 21, 2022Abby Drey / Centre Daily TimesWhy Spotlight PA waited to publish details about potential sexual extortion of Penn State student athletesby Sarah Rafacz of Spotlight PA State CollegeSpotlight PA fought to unseal search warrants involving Penn State student crime victims, but there were too many unanswered questions to rush a story once we had them.
July 6, 2022Photo ProvidedMeet Sarah Rafacz, Spotlight PA State College bureau editorby Sarah Rafacz of Spotlight PA State CollegeA Centre County native and Penn State graduate, Rafacz has spent the past seven years working in local news in State College.
May 2, 2022Spotlight PASpotlight PA wins 10 statewide journalism awards, including top honors for its redistricting coverageby Christopher BaxterThe awards recognize Spotlight PA’s unique commitment to tough, nonpartisan investigative and public-service reporting for all Pennsylvanians.
April 6, 2022Leise Hook / For Spotlight PASpotlight PA wins national award for investigation into the Pennsylvania legislature’s hidden spendingby Christopher BaxterThe special honor, awarded to one journalism project in the country each year, recognizes outstanding work to advance open and transparent government.
March 24, 2022VICKI VELLIOS BRINER / For Spotlight PASpotlight PA leads historic coalition to host debates for Pennsylvania U.S. Senate, gubernatorial primary racesby Christopher BaxterThe Republican and Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate will face off in back-to-back nights April 25 and 26. A GOP gubernatorial debate will be held April 19.
Feb. 9, 2022Abby Drey / Centre Daily TimesSpotlight PA to launch first-ever regional reporting bureau based in State Collegeby Christopher BaxterThis historic investment in journalism in the region will bolster coverage of local issues, Penn State University, and rural Pennsylvania. The project could serve as a model for other communities.
Jan. 11, 2022VICKI VELLIOS BRINER / For Spotlight PAAmerican Journalism Project invests $1 million in Spotlight PA as model for local newsby Christopher BaxterThe grant, which will be matched by The Lenfest Institute for Journalism, recognizes Spotlight PA as one of the most promising reporting projects in the country.
Sept. 9, 2021Tom Gralish / Philadelphia InquirerSpotlight PA named a finalist for national investigative journalism awardby Christopher BaxterThe Online News Association has recognized work on the Mariner East pipeline system and hidden spending by state lawmakers.
May 3, 2021Kent M. Wilhelm / Spotlight PASpotlight PA wins 11 statewide journalism awardsby Christopher BaxterInvestigations into Gov. Tom Wolf's coronavirus business waivers, the Mariner East pipelines, and racial inequity on college campuses were among the work recognized.
Feb. 26, 2021TIM TAI / Philadelphia InquirerWhy Spotlight PA is spending a year investigating Pennsylvania’s redistricting processby Christopher BaxterAs part of our extensive coverage, we’re taking a hard look at how Pennsylvania elected officials have used their power in the past to manipulate their districts for political gain.
Nov. 3, 2020LOUIS B. RUEDIGER / For Spotlight PAHow Spotlight PA is covering the 2020 election in Pennsylvaniaby Christopher BaxterOur team of Spotlight PA reporters is fanned out across the state to deliver an independent, nonpartisan, and accurate report of one of our most fundamental rights and duties — casting a ballot.
Sept. 1, 2020Kent M. Wilhelm / FOR SPOTLIGHT PASpotlight PA named a finalist for 2 national online journalism awardsby Christopher BaxterThe Online Journalism Awards by the Online News Association honor the best in digital journalism around the world.
Aug. 17, 2020VICKI VELLIOS BRINER / For Spotlight PASpotlight PA joins forces with PA Post to become largest statewide news organization in Pa.by Christopher BaxterThe merged newsroom, which will continue to be known as Spotlight PA, will provide more accountability coverage of the state Capitol and urgent statewide issues.
Aug. 13, 2020Courtesy TribliveSpotlight PA partners with Triblive/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, expands coverage of Western Pa.by Christopher BaxterSpotlight PA now provides high-quality, public-service journalism free of charge to 47 newsroom partners statewide, the largest collaborative network of its kind in the U.S.
April 9, 2020VICKI VELLIOS BRINER / PennLive (custom credit)Times of extraordinary government power require more transparency, not lessby Christopher Baxter of Spotlight PANow more than ever, Spotlight PA needs your support to continue to provide accountability journalism from the state capital that gets results.
Jan. 21, 2020Reporters Committee for Freedom of the PressA big win for combating government secrecy in Pa.by Christopher Baxter
Sept. 5, 2019Courtesy Philadelphia InquirerMeet the team of reporters watching out for you in the state capitalby Christopher Baxter
Aug. 28, 2019Courtesy Philadelphia InquirerSpotlight PA: Unrivaled team of investigative reporters to hold the powerful to account in Pa. capitalby Christopher Baxter
Booklight PA: Author Sara Novic on finding herself through hearing loss in ‘Mother Tongue’AttendJun 25