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The latest news on public safety issues affecting Pennsylvanians.

Opioid overdoses kill thousands of people each year in Pennsylvania, and settlement money is meant to help the state respond to the epidemic.

Expecting more than $1 billion in opioid settlement money, Pa. grapples with policing versus treatment

by Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA and Kate Giammarise of WESA

Gov. Josh Shapiro has touted the money as “specifically earmarked for treatment,” but some counties want to hire more police officers and bolster drug task forces.

A student with long hair in a braid wears an orange T-shirt that says "taking a stand against gun violence."

Why a Pa. school district decided to arm its officers with semi-automatic rifles

by Ashad Hajela of Spotlight PA State College

Protesters gather in front of the Philadelphia Police Headquarters in Philadelphia, Pa. in May 2020.

Some Pa. courts are excluding probation officers from requirements under police misconduct law

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

With costs rising and donations down, more volunteer fire companies are turning to public support — and facing questions about transparency.

Talk of a tax increase is driving a wedge between leaders of a growing Pa. township and its fire company

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Five volunteer fire companies in Centre County are participating in a state study to determine how better collaboration among them might alleviate some cost and staffing challenges.

The business of volunteer fire companies has become harder to sustain. Can collaboration help?

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

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