Top News Courts

A landmark law passed in the wake of the Penn State child sexual abuse scandal required background checks of anyone working with children, including volunteers such as Boy Scout leaders. But it isn't working as intended. — Photo illustration by Dawn Sagert / The York Dispatch

Youth groups are skirting background check law intended to protect children from abuse

by Logan Hullinger of The York Dispatch and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

The state requires anyone working with children — from swim club volunteers to youth soccer coaches to Boy Scout leaders — to undergo background checks. But there's little enforcement and few ways to to know who isn't complying with the law.

Capitol Notebook

The Pa. Statehouse House returned to session this week for the first time in 2020 — Kalim A. Bhatti/Philadelphia Inquirer

The House advances hand-held cell phone ban, the Speaker erases the vote, and more from the week

by Angela Couloumbis and Cynthia Fernandez

Capitol Notebook

Next week, the state legislature returns to the Capitol after a lengthy break for the holidays. — Kalim A. Bhatti/Philadelphia Inquirer

A quick guide on what to expect from the Pa. legislature, governor and more in 2020

by Angela Couloumbis

Health

An estimated 150,000 Medicaid recipients in Pennsylvania may no longer have access to their current medications under new state regulations taking effect in the new year. — iStockphoto / Philadelphia Inquirer

Nearly 150,000 in Pa. could be forced to change medications beginning Jan. 1. Here’s why.

by Aneri Pattani

More top stories

The Capitol

The Commonwealth Financing Authority is overseen by a seven-member board, but appointees from the state legislature have more power than the others. — Kalim A. Bhatti/Philadelphia Inquirer

Canceled meetings and finger-pointing plague top Pa. economic development agency

by Charlotte Keith

Courts

A group of Democratic state senators said a news conference Wednesday they want to reform the largely-secret nomination process for filling judicial vacancies. Pictured from right-to-left: Sen. Katie Muth (D., Montgomery), Sen. Maria Collett (D., Montgomery), Sen. Anthony Williams (D., Philadelphia), Sen. Lindsey Williams (D., Allegheny) and Maida Milone, president and CEO of Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts. — Angela Couloumbis / Spotlight PA

State senators push to end secrecy in filling empty court seats as controversial pick is approved

by Angela Couloumbis

Health

Deb Beck, 69, has been one of the most influential people in Pennsylvania's battle against drug addiction. She's a go-to source for lawmakers drafting legislation, or looking to get help for a loved one. But critics have begun to wonder who she really represents. — Courtesy Gene DiGirolamo

She’s the force behind Pa.’s efforts to treat drug addiction. Critics say ‘there is more to the story.’

by Aneri Pattani

Courts

Five cases pending before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, shown here, seek to upend the state’s sex offender registry law as well as the public website listing offenders, which is accessed by millions of people every year. — PennLive

Sex offender registry law in Pa. facing life-or-death test at Supreme Court

by Angela Couloumbis

Politics

Top Senate GOP aide Drew Crompton, who was nominated this week to fill a vacancy on the state Commonwealth Court — PennLive

Secrecy, deal-making rule in process to pick Pa.'s interim judges

by Angela Couloumbis

health

The state's largest community college, HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College, eliminated campus mental health counseling in September, causing a backlash among students and sowing confusion about how they could seek help. — PennLive

Criticized for cutting campus mental health counseling, Pa.'s largest community college adds new services

by Aneri Pattani

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