Top News ElectionsCourtesy of the campaign and Commonwealth Media ServicesIndependent candidate closes in on Republican Senate incumbent as dark money spending surgesby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAIndependent Jodi Borello is challenging Republican Camera Bartolotta in the 46th Senate District. A new poll shows them tied.Related StoriesPa. election 2026: Where Perry, Stelson stand on campaign finance reform, anti-corruption policiesPa. election 2026: What you need to know about your Election Day voting rightsBucks County sheriff joins movement pledging not to interfere with elections
ElectionsAmanda Berg / For Spotlight PAPa. election 2026: Where Garrity, Shapiro stand on taxes, spending, skill games, and moreby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA
ImmigrationSusan Angstadt / For Spotlight PAAdvocates say police inaction is keeping some Reading crime victims from accessing immigration protectionsby Gabriela Martínez of Spotlight PA
EnvironmentKate Huangpu / Spotlight PASearching for ‘slimy, shiny, brownish stuff’: A retiree's quest to help track down Pa.'s abandoned oil wellsby Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA
ElectionsCommonwealth Media ServicesStacy Garrity is ambitious, Trump-endorsed, and experienced. Is that enough to beat Josh Shapiro?by Katie Meyer and Jaxon White of Spotlight PAA two-term treasurer, Garrity is running for Pennsylvania governor with much less money and name recognition than Shapiro.
Josh ShapiroCommonwealth Media ServicesJosh Shapiro built national fame on getting things done, but his full record is complexby Stephen Caruso and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA
Oct. 5, 2026Commonwealth Media ServicesPa. is getting at least $516M from a Meta settlement. It could spark a political fight.by Jaxon White of Spotlight PAThe settlement says the attorney general controls the money, but Pennsylvania’s fiscal code says it should go into the General Fund.
Sept. 30, 2026Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PABill to let unaffiliated voters participate in Pennsylvania primaries passes state Houseby Carter Walker of Votebeat
Oct. 9, 2026Courtesy of Todd WilsonMeet the Instagrammer documenting and celebrating Pittsburgh’s bridgesby Asha Prihar of Spotlight PATodd Wilson’s images of Pittsburgh bridges have amassed him 34,000 followers since he launched his @pghbridges Instagram account. The civil engineer admires their style and studies their history.
Oct. 6, 2026mapo / iStockCentre County restaurant inspections for Sept. 28 - Oct. 4by Spotlight PA StaffPennsylvania inspected three retail food establishments in Centre County between Sept. 28 and Oct. 4. None had violations. See what inspectors found.
Sept. 29, 2026alecsoms / iStockDried residue on thermometer, no documentation, and other Centre County restaurant inspections for Sept. 21-27by Spotlight PA Staff
Oct. 8, 2026Keeb for Spotlight PASpotlight PA’s first Ideas Festival brought Berks County together to tackle local challengesby Hanna Holthaus of Spotlight PAMore than 230 people gathered in Reading to discuss data centers, community cats, youth sports, and more.
Oct. 7, 2026Susan Angstadt / For Spotlight PAAdvocates say police inaction is keeping some Reading crime victims from accessing immigration protectionsby Gabriela Martínez of Spotlight PA
Justice SystemYuki Iwamura / APHomeland Security targets Democratic campaign after ICE arrest in Pennsylvaniaby Marc Levy of the Associated PressA federal agency's press release accused a congressional campaign of hiring an undocumented worker — now ethics watchdogs are crying foul.
PA LocalCourtesy of Todd WilsonMeet the Instagrammer documenting and celebrating Pittsburgh’s bridgesby Asha Prihar of Spotlight PATodd Wilson’s images of Pittsburgh bridges have amassed him 34,000 followers since he launched his @pghbridges Instagram account. The civil engineer admires their style and studies their history.
ElectionsCourtesy of the campaignsPa. election 2026: Where Perry, Stelson stand on campaign finance reform, anti-corruption policiesby Molly Bilinski for Spotlight PAThe candidates in the 10th Congressional District both favor stock trading bans and term limits for members of Congress.
Week of Oct. 5, 2026Commonwealth Media ServicesGreat PA News Quiz: Lawmaker resigns committees, passenger rail schedule, and TV extra excitementby Asha Prihar of Spotlight PAIn this quiz: the measles outbreak continues, Shapiro on open primaries, a major settlement could spark a political fight, and a lawmaker wants to leave a hunting rule up to democracy.
EnvironmentTed Shaffrey / APAdvocates push for tougher fracking rules as data centers spur demand for natural gasby Marie Cusick of Inside Climate NewsAs the data center buildout increases demand for natural gas, environmentalists want regulators to widen the minimum amount of buffer space between gas wells and homes, schools, and water sources.
ElectionsMatt Smith / For Spotlight PABucks County sheriff joins movement pledging not to interfere with electionsby Carter Walker of VotebeatThe pledge is aimed at combating “constitutional sheriffs” who believe they have supreme authority within their counties.
ElectionsMatt Smith / For Spotlight PAPa. election 2026: What you need to know about your Election Day voting rightsby Elizabeth Estrada and Katie Meyer of Spotlight PAVoting in Pennsylvania? Here’s everything you need to know about your rights.
ElectionsCourtesy of ABC27The top takeaways from the only debate between Gov. Josh Shapiro and Stacy Garrityby Stephen Caruso and Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PAShapiro, the Democratic incumbent, defended his record, while Republican Garrity tried to differentiate herself on spending and education.
Justice SystemGabriela Martínez / Spotlight PAHow Spotlight PA reported its Detained and Denied investigationby Gabriela Martínez, Kate Huangpu, and Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PAIn-depth interviews, documents, and data helped tell the story of disabled asylum seeker Carlos Moreno and his family.
Justice SystemGabriela Martínez / Spotlight PAICE detained a disabled dad after a noise complaint. A county jail let him languish, he says.by Gabriela Martínez, Kate Huangpu, and Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PACarlos Moreno says Cambria County Prison ignored his requests for his hearing aids and cane. At home in Schuylkill County, his growing family suffered.
ElectionsAmanda Berg / For Spotlight PAPennsylvania voting advocates are preparing for ICE to disrupt the 2026 electionby Carter Walker of VotebeatFederal law already prohibits armed agents at polling places, but Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta has a bill to clearly ban it on the state level.
HealthMary Conlon / APPennsylvania's measles outbreak is the largest in decades in the USby Mike Stobbe of the Associated PressPennsylvania has more than 1,000 measles cases this year, making it the largest state outbreak in decades.