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 10, 2025Commonwealth Media ServicesFederal budget bill could strip 300K Pennsylvanians of Medicaid coverage, push rural hospitals to the brinkby Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegeState officials warn that President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” could have serious consequences for health care in rural Pennsylvania.
May 9, 2025Courtesy of Experience Butler CountySmall communities in Pa. are fighting population decline through cash incentivesby Abigail Hakas of Next Generation NewsroomSharon and Hermitage in Mercer County are giving $5,000 each to household that moves there, alongside other benefits.
April 16, 2025Courtesy of Pennsylvania AmericanAfter years of neglect, rural Pa. water system sees upgrades under interim managementby Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegePennsylvania American wouldn’t disclose how much the infrastructure repairs have cost, but said they are prioritizing delivering safe drinking water and will worry about money later.
April 2, 2025Georgianna Sutherland / For Spotlight PAProposed $25M cut to bird flu aid for farmers could leave Pa. unprepared for surge, GOP lawmakers fearby Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegeThe Shapiro administration says Pennsylvania has enough in reserves to address avian influenza, but Republican lawmakers aren’t convinced that reallocating that funding is responsible.
March 31, 2025Courtesy Allegheny National Forest Visitors BureauMore logging could be coming to Pa.’s only national forest under Trump directiveby Abigail Hakas of Next Generation NewsroomCash-strapped rural counties welcome a potential increase in federal timber harvesting, though forest management challenges remain.
March 21, 2025Georgianna Sutherland / For Spotlight PACustomers of struggling rural water system may see new investments as temporary takeover beginsby Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegeThe Public Utility Commission has directed Pennsylvania American to take temporary control of Rock Spring Water Company in rural Centre County.
March 5, 2025Georgianna Sutherland / For Spotlight PAReviving rural Pa. should start with shoring up local governments, says state commissionby Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegeThe Rural Population Revitalization Commission wants to streamline grant requirements and improve technical support to help rural areas overcome development challenges.
Feb. 21, 2025Georgianna Sutherland / For Spotlight PA‘Imminent health threats’ to rural water customers lead judge to order temporary takeoverby Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegeA state public utilities judge approved an emergency request from Pennsylvania’s Office of Consumer Advocate to put Rock Spring Water Company under new management.
Feb. 14, 2025Georgianna Sutherland / For Spotlight PACustomers of a shoddy rural water company need relief — and fast, stakeholders say. A judge is mulling next steps.by Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegeA Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission administrative law judge is considering whether an emergency takeover of Rock Spring Water Company is necessary.
Feb. 13, 2025Commonwealth Media ServicesMillions earmarked to keep rural hospitals open, recruit health care providers in Shapiro’s $51.4B budget proposalby Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegeDemocratic Gov. Josh Shapiro’s spending plan also invests in rural communities by promoting agriculture advancements and boosting outdoor recreation.
Feb. 12, 2025Georgianna Sutherland / For Spotlight PABird flu cases on the rise in Pa. as the state expands testing, containment effortsby Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegeBird flu has affected more than 2.2 million birds in Pennsylvania this year. The state is funding efforts to protect flocks and contain the spread of outbreaks.
Feb. 6, 2025Georgianna Sutherland / For Spotlight PAYears of unreliable service should force state regulators to take emergency action against rural water company, Pa. watchdog saysby Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegeThe Office of Consumer Advocate made the plea after a Centre County judge said he didn’t have the jurisdiction to take the matter out of regulators’ hands.
Jan. 31, 2025Georgianna Sutherland / For Spotlight PACustomers of distressed rural water company can’t wait for state investigation to play out, lawyers sayby Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegeAs deteriorating infrastructure plagues Rock Spring Water Company, its lawyers have asked a county judge to order a municipal takeover. But the Pa. utility commission argues only its regulators have jurisdiction.
Jan. 22, 2025Marley Parish / Spotlight PA$1M from the state prevented this rural hospital from closing, but its troubles aren’t overby Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegeLike other rural hospitals, Bucktail Medical Center in rural Clinton County has faced financial and operational challenges.
Jan. 15, 2025Georgianna Sutherland / For Spotlight PALawyers for troubled Pa. water company ask court to force a takeover, calling system ‘a clear and present danger’by Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegeLawyers have asked a Centre County court to intervene and allow a municipal-run water authority to take over operations of the privately owned company.
Dec. 23, 2024Courtesy of Andrea DeSera / AD PhotographyRural Pa. counties are still recovering from Tropical Storm Debby as officials eye ways to mitigate future damageby Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegeThe August storm washed out parts of Tioga County. While federal aid has assisted recovery efforts, elected officials want to find a way to prevent future damage.
Nov. 27, 2024Colin Deppen / Spotlight PAThe Game Commission changed the 1st day of rifle deer season in 2019. Some rural Pa. businesses want to see it switched back.by Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegeDespite opposition from hunters, the Pennsylvania Game Commission moved the opening date for rifle deer season from the Monday after Thanksgiving to the Saturday.
Nov. 22, 2024Georgianna Sutherland / For Spotlight PAA troubled rural water system is moving toward a possible sale. Local officials want to help avoid costly rate increases.by Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegeThe Ferguson Township Board of Supervisors has agreed to support the State College Borough Water Authority in efforts to acquire the Rock Spring Water Company.
Nov. 18, 2024Abby Drey / Centre Daily TimesBipartisan bill to boost nonprofits’ fundraising abilities stalls in Pa. Houseby Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegePennsylvania lawmakers did not vote on a proposal that would let the state’s nonprofits accept cashless payments for raffle ticket sales.
Nov. 7, 2024Nate Smallwood / For Spotlight PAAfter losing its maternity unit, this rural Pa. county wants residents to have a say over health servicesby Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegeThe Elk County Board of Commissioners moved to form — but not fund — an authority to explore opportunities to bolster health care services in their rural community.
Nov. 1, 2024Georgianna Sutherland / For Spotlight PAOwner of troubled rural Pa. water company facing state investigation says he wants to sellby Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegeIf parties reach a settlement in a case to force the sale of a troubled Pennsylvania water company, state regulators could avoid a lengthy process to improve service.
Oct. 16, 2024Nate Smallwood / For Spotlight PALosing its only Sheetz pushed this rural Pa. community to think differently about its futureby Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegeSheetz closed its location in rural Cameron County at the end of September. Despite initial fears over the potential long-term impacts, the community stepped in to fill the gap.
Oct. 10, 2024Nicholas Monteleone / FEMAMore than $1M is available for rural Pa. counties hit hard by Tropical Storm Debby. Here’s how to apply.by Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegeResidents in Lycoming, Potter, Tioga, and Union counties can apply for federal aid.
Oct. 3, 2024Colin Deppen / Spotlight PAFarmer support could lead Pennsylvania to lift its near-total ban on Sunday huntingby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA and Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegeSunday hunting has long been a cultural debate in Pennsylvania, but it’s closer to becoming a reality after a state House committee this week advanced a Senate bill to lift the near-total ban.
Sept. 26, 2024Georgianna Sutherland / For Spotlight PATroubled rural water company could be forced to sell pending Pa. utility commission investigationby Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegeThe Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement has opened an investigation into Rock Spring Water Company.
Sept. 13, 2024Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PAA cost-saving Pa. dental policy did the opposite, lawmakers, health advocates sayby Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegePennsylvania curtailed most dental services for adults on Medicaid in 2011. Now, advocates are pushing lawmakers to restore coverage.
Sept. 5, 2024Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PACompromise elusive on reforming 2016 law that led to higher water bills across Pa.by Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegeWith only a handful of days left in the legislative session, Pennsylvania lawmakers appear unlikely to vote on changes to Act 12.
Aug. 28, 2024Nate Smallwood / For Spotlight PARural Pa. faces a widening health services gap. State officials think loan forgiveness could help.by Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegeThe proposed debt relief program aims to recruit health care practitioners to work in rural Pennsylvania.
Aug. 7, 2024Georgianna Sutherland / For Spotlight PAWhat Pennsylvania’s $47.6B budget does for the state’s rural communitiesby Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegeThis year’s state budget addresses some gaps that leaders in rural areas say make it hard to attract and keep people in their communities.
Booklight PA: Author Sara Novic on finding herself through hearing loss in ‘Mother Tongue’AttendJun 25