Aug. 26, 2025Matt Smith / For Spotlight PACourt orders Pa. to stop rejecting mail ballots solely over incorrect datesby Associated PressA federal appeals court on Tuesday ruled it unconstitutional for Pennsylvania to toss mail ballots with inaccurate dates on the return envelope.
Aug. 11, 2025Commonwealth Media ServicesWhat Trump’s solar crackdown could mean for Pennsylvania energy billsby Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAExperts say the rollback will decrease energy production and add $130 on average to bills by the end of the decade.
Aug. 4, 2025Erin Yudt / Next Generation NewsroomTrump administration restores $230M in frozen education grants to Pa.by Erin Yudt of Next Generation NewsroomThe U.S. Department of Education withheld the money during a review earlier this summer to determine whether the money had been “misused.”
July 30, 2025J. Scott Applewhite / APU.S. Sen. John Fetterman’s memoir details battle with depression, near-death experienceby Associated Press‘Unfettered,’ which covers John Fetterman’s rise from mayor of Braddock, Pa., to national fame, will be released in November.
July 15, 2025AP / Evan VucciTrump promotes major tech, energy investments in Pa. at summit with Sen. McCormickby Associated PressThe president wants to dramatically up energy production to compete with China. Announced plans include a data center, hydroelectric dams, and build-outs of coal and natural gas infrastructure.
July 15, 2025Ralph LoVuolo / Special to the Butler EagleOne year after Trump assassination attempt, changes at Secret Service but questions remainby Associated PressRecently released government reports point out failures in communication and planning for the 2024 rally in Butler, Pa.
July 11, 2025Commonwealth Media ServicesA popular, bipartisan solar program to save Pa. schools on energy costs might soon go darkby Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PATrump’s tax and spending bill will end federal support, and state lawmakers are unsure if they’ll renew their portion.
July 7, 2025Commonwealth Media ServicesWages for low paid home care workers could rise under Pa. budget proposal. Is it enough?by Vincent DiFonzo for Spotlight PAThe proposal from Gov. Josh Shapiro would add $21 million to the budget for certain home care workers. But advocates say much more is needed before Pa. pay is competitive.
July 3, 2025J. Scott Applewhite / APTrump tax cuts win final House approval in narrow voteby Associated PressAll but one Republican member of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation voted to support Trump’s $4.5 trillion tax breaks and spending cuts bill.
July 3, 2025Commonwealth Media ServicesTrump’s massive tax bill could cost Pa. $800M to keep food benefits program goingby Angela Couloumbis and Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PATwo million Pennsylvanians rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, many of them children and older adults.
July 1, 2025Architect of the CapitolMcCormick helps US Senate pass Trump's big tax breaks and spending cuts billby Associated PressDave McCormick’s Democratic counterpart, John Fetterman, voted against the bill, as did all members of his party.
June 27, 2025Marc Levy / APFormer rival Lamb emerges as progressive alternative to embattled Sen. Fettermanby Associated PressConor Lamb lost to John Fetterman in the U.S. Senate primary in 2022. Will he run again?
June 26, 2025David Dermer / APUS Steel takeover gives Trump special powers that future presidents won’t haveby Associated PressControl over special powers reverts to the Treasury Department and the Commerce Department when anyone else is president.
June 18, 2025Julia Demaree Nikhinson / AP$15B takeover of US Steel finalized after Nippon secures national security agreementby Associated PressNippon Steel and U.S. Steel did not list the full terms of the deal, and did not release a national security agreement struck with Trump's administration.
June 18, 2025Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PATrump admin tells Pa., other states to shift broadband focus to cheaper options like Elon Musk's Starlinkby Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PACritics say the changes prioritize “short-term gain over long-term benefits” for the federal broadband program
June 16, 2025Gene J. Puskar / APTrump would have unique control over US Steel’s decision-making under Nippon ‘partnership,’ admin claimsby Associated PressTrump admin officials provided additional insight into the "golden share" arrangement that the federal government made as a condition for supporting the deal.
June 15, 2025Yuki Iwamura / AP1000s of anti-Trump demonstrators gather in Pa., Shapiro thanks them for protesting ‘peacefully’by Associated PressThousands gathered in Philly, where organizers handed out small American flags and people carried protest signs saying "fight oligarchy" and "deport the mini-Mussolinis."
June 13, 2025Matt Rourke / APImmigrant detentions surge at Pa. center accused of abuse as Trump crackdown intensifiesby Elena Eisenstadt for Spotlight PAPennsylvania’s Moshannon Valley Processing Center is one of the biggest federal immigration detention facilities in the country, and advocates fear it risks overcrowding.
June 6, 2025Commonwealth Media ServicesFeds move to drop Sheetz racial discrimination lawsuit after Trump ends key civil rights toolby Associated PressSheetz' policy of denying jobs to anyone who failed a background check disproportionately harmed Black applicants, per the suit.
June 5, 2025J. Scott Applewhite / APTrump admin must restore AmeriCorps programs in Pa., other states that sued over cuts, federal judge rulesby Associated PressThe ruling only applies to states that sued the Trump administration, including Pennsylvania.
June 4, 2025Commonwealth Media ServicesPennsylvania sues USDA over canceled $13M food aid program for schools and food banksby Associated PressThe lawsuit in federal court, announced by Gov. Josh Shapiro, comes three months after the USDA advised states that it was ending the pandemic-era assistance program.
June 4, 2025Courtesy of Allegheny National Forest Visitors BureauLogging will increase by 10% in Pa.’s only national forest this year under Trump directiveby Abigail Hakas of Next Generation NewsroomThe move has sparked fierce debate between environmentalists and pro-logging groups who disagree on cutting trees to reduce wildfire risks or improve forest health.
June 4, 2025Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PAMillions for public Wi-Fi, digital skills classes in Pa. cut as Trump targets 'racist' broadband programby Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PAGroups trying to expand high-speed internet access call the cut in funding, originally created by the Digital Equity Act, a “punch in the stomach”.
May 27, 2025Gene J. Puskar / APUS Steel deal with Japan-based company guarantees American control, McCormick saysby Associated PressThe agreement is expected to resolve Nippon Steel's nearly $15 billion bid to buy the iconic American steelmaker.
May 8, 2025J. Scott Applewhite / APAlleged outburst at union meeting adds to concerns about Pa. Sen. Fetterman’s behaviorby Associated PressThe interaction at Fetterman's Washington office came as former staffers aired concerns about the senator's mental health.