June 15, 2026Sarah Anne Hughes / Spotlight PASkill games are slot machines, must adhere to Pa.’s gambling law, state Supreme Court rulesby Stephen Caruso, Katie Meyer, and Jaxon White of Spotlight PALaw enforcement can’t take any action for four months, which gives the legislature a window to finally regulate the devices.
June 11, 2026Commonwealth Media ServicesLawmakers look to taxes on Big Tech to help cover state spending needsby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAThe proposals come as public opinion shifts against major tech companies and Pa. lawmakers struggle to find revenue.
June 8, 2026Katie Adkins / APAs Pennsylvania cracks down on AI, multiple chatbots continue to pose as doctorsby Jaxon White of Spotlight PAFive role-playing bots claimed to be doctors, then provided fake Pennsylvania medical license numbers when prompted.
June 3, 2026Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PAHalf of child deaths left unreviewed in Pa. since 2020 as counties struggle with 'unfunded mandate'by Jaxon White of Spotlight PAGov. Shapiro wants a 2.5M boost for the broken program, but advocates are skeptical that it’s a priority
June 2, 2026Commonwealth Media ServicesShapiro pitches incentives for data centers to be environmentally friendlier as budget deadline approachesby Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAGOP leaders, unions say they’re open to the plan. But some environmental groups argue it’s too deferential to developers.
May 29, 2026Sarah Anne Hughes / Spotlight PALegislature unlikely to act on skill games until the Pa. Supreme Court rules on their legalityby Stephen Caruso and Katie Meyer of Spotlight PASupporters of skill games tried — and failed — to defeat GOP senators who support aggressive taxation, which could embolden the effort.
May 27, 2026Keith Srakocic / APPa. Supreme Court justice defends independence after criticizing Democratic Partyby Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAExperts said David Wecht’s criticisms of the Democratic Party raised concerns regarding the appearance of bias in the courts.
May 18, 2026Ted Shaffrey / APWhat’s next for data centers in Pa.? State lawmakers are split on how to regulate them.by Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAThe state House recently passed bills to mandate energy use disclosure, require data centers to contribute to state programs, and more.
May 15, 2026Jeff Chiu / APSkill games, sports betting interests are spending millions competing over 3 GOP state Senate primariesby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAThe primaries feature three prominent incumbents who are central in ongoing talks about how to regulate skill games and find state revenue.
May 13, 2026Jaxon White / Spotlight PAState Police take blame for failing to notify lawmakers about violent threats, promise a better alert processby Angela Couloumbis and Jaxon White of Spotlight PAPolice became aware last month of a Lebanon County man making alleged hit lists. Lawmakers only found out this week.
May 12, 2026Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PAMan arrested for making ‘politically violent’ threats to Pa. lawmakers online, State Police sayby Angela Couloumbis and Jaxon White of Spotlight PAAt least two of the lawmakers named as victims in the case said they only found out about the threats on Tuesday.
May 12, 2026Commonwealth Media ServicesA state task force is hunting for misleading AI chatbots as the Shapiro admin vows legal crackdownby Jaxon White of Spotlight PAA new Pennsylvania task force has been working since February to find chatbots posing as licensed professionals.
May 4, 2026Commonwealth Media ServicesShapiro demands a stop to ‘excessive’ utility rate increases, but has little authority to force changeby Charlotte Keith and Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAAs energy costs climb in Pennsylvania, Governor Shapiro pressures utilities to limit rate hikes and change how profits are determined.
April 24, 2026Dylan Caleho / For Resolve PhillyLawmakers, Shapiro admin push to end practice of counties taking Social Security money owed to foster kidsby Steve Volk / Resolve Philly for Spotlight PAAfter a 2025 Resolve Philly / Spotlight PA investigation, a federal directive urged states to end the practice
April 20, 2026Kent M. Wilhelm / Spotlight PAPennsylvania judges say blocking Medicaid for abortion violates state constitutionby Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAThe case could still be appealed up to the state Supreme Court.
April 16, 2026Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PAShapiro wants to eliminate three 'niche' tax credits. Supporters say they should be expanded.by Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PAThe Democratic governor wants a more flexible tax credit that’s focused on job creation.
April 3, 2026Courtesy of Amy Kobeta of Children FirstPennsylvania could require paid family leave — if lawmakers can decide who bears the costby Jaxon White of Spotlight PAThe concept has bipartisan support in both the Pa. House and Senate. But disagreement about cost remains a roadblock.
March 23, 2026Richard Drew / APShapiro parodies and chatbot phone banks — how AI is popping up in Pa. electionsby Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAA bill pending in the Pa. Capitol would impose consequences for using AI to misrepresent candidates close to an election.
March 11, 2026Matt Smith / For Spotlight PAWill independents ever get to vote in Pa. primaries? Advocates hope a lawsuit moves the needle.by Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAThe suit argues Pennsylvania’s closed primaries violate the state constitution by giving Democrats and Republicans more voting power than independents .
March 9, 2026Ted Shaffrey / APShapiro wants to incentivize data centers to be better neighbors. Will that work?by Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAThe governor plans to allow faster permitting for data centers built with consideration for water, energy, and local jobs.
March 4, 2026Stephen Caruso / Spotlight PAA Silicon Valley firm offered gift cards as part of a campaign to defeat Pa. regulation. Lawmakers say that’s unethical.by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PALawmakers say Point’s payment for testimony crossed ethical lines and called their arguments against regulation into question.
March 4, 2026Nate Smallwood / For Spotlight PADemand for student teacher stipends outstrips supply as Shapiro proposes boosting programby Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAStill, experts say teacher turnover remains a major issue across Pennsylvania, especially in lower-wealth urban and rural districts.
Feb. 24, 2026Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PARape crisis centers say Shapiro’s budget will worsen staffing, service challengesby Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAFunding has been flat in 6 out of the past 10 Pa. budgets for rape crisis centers. They say they’re stretched too thin and services are suffering.
Feb. 23, 2026Commonwealth Media ServicesFalse claims laws in other states have brought in millions. Why hasn’t it passed in Pa.?by Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PAAdvocates for the legislation say without it, Pa. is missing a key tool to fight fraud and is losing out on millions in federal dollars.
Feb. 19, 2026Commonwealth Media ServicesData center tax break created to boost economy, add jobs in Pa. could cost state billions in revenueby Kate Huangpu and Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAOpponents argue the tax break is a costly giveaway to an industry dominated by some of the country’s largest and most profitable corporations.
Feb. 11, 2026Commonwealth Media ServicesWhy a $193M injection for rural health care in Pa. isn’t easing closure worriesby Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegeThe five-year Rural Health Transformation Program is meant to expand and strengthen access to care, but state officials and experts warn the money isn’t enough to fix every problem.
Feb. 9, 2026Commonwealth Media ServicesAre Republicans in Pa. ready for legal weed this year? Advocates are skeptical.by Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAPennsylvania Democratic lawmakers say it’s time for Senate Republicans to act, but a key GOP lawmaker says his caucus is “very divided” on the issue.
Feb. 6, 2026Commonwealth Media ServicesWho owns Pa.’s digitized history? We’re a step closer to an answer.by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PACommonwealth Court is considering a case that could determine whether digitized historical records belong to the public or are controlled by Ancestry.com.
Feb. 3, 2026Commonwealth Media ServicesGOP leaders must stop tying relief for childhood sexual abuse survivors to ‘pet projects,’ Shapiro saysby Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PARepublican leaders in the state Senate have refused to advance a window for abuse lawsuits unless it is tied to expanded voter ID.
Feb. 3, 2026Commonwealth Media ServicesShapiro calls for more investment in Pa.’s poorest schools, public transit agencies as part of $53.3B budget pitchby Stephen Caruso and Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PATo help pay for the new spending, Shapiro again called on lawmakers to tax and regulate slot-like skill games and legalize recreational marijuana.