Top News 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

The college abruptly cut counseling services for students in September and did not publicly announce the move.

health

In September, HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College, eliminated its campus mental health counseling across its five campuses and said it would refer students to off-campus providers. — ANERI PATTANI / Spotlight PA

Feeling suicidal, she turned to her college. But it had just cut campus mental health services.

by Aneri Pattani

Health

From left, Marshall Everett, Ed Peters, and Sabrina Herb protest the cuts to campus mental health services at HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College, on Oct. 23, 2019. — ANERI PATTANI / Spotlight PA

Students blast Pa.'s largest community college for cutting campus mental health services while spending big on renovations

by Aneri Pattani

Campaign Finance

State Sen. Jay Costa (D., Allegheny) is pushing a sweeping campaign finance reform bill that would, among other changes, ban using campaign cash for personal use and require candidates to better describe their expenses on public forms. — Pittsburgh Post-Gazette staff

Citing Spotlight PA/Caucus probe, top lawmaker pushes limits on campaign donations, stricter disclosure rules

by Sam Janesch, The Caucus and Angela Couloumbis, Spotlight PA

More top stories

Campaign Finance

Reporters for The Caucus and Spotlight PA spent a year requesting and analyzing thousands of credit card statements and receipts for Pa. legislative campaigns to uncover examples of lavish and outlandish spending. — SARA SIMON / Spotlight PA

The 10 most extravagant or bizarre campaign expenses by Pa. state lawmakers

by Brad Bumsted and Sam Janesch of The Caucus

Campaign Finance

A top aide to Senate leader Joe Scarnati, Shelly Brown, charged thousands of dollars worth drinks and meals — including a visit to Mangia Qui in downtown Harrisburg — to Scarnati's campaign credit card, despite having no official role with the campaign. — Sara Simon / Spotlight PA

She’s paid by taxpayers. So why is top Pa. Senate aide wining and dining on a campaign credit card?

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Alyssa Biederman of The Inquirer

Campaign Finance

Hours after an investigation Tuesday revealed millions of dollars in hidden campaign expenses by Pa. lawmakers, a House committee, at the request of GOP Senate leaders, attempted to further limit oversight. But on Wednesday, House Republicans said they would reverse course. — Kalim A. Bhatti/Philadelphia Inquirer

Pa. lawmakers abruptly abandon attempt to limit public access to campaign expenses

by Angela Couloumbis

Campaign Finance

The leader of the Pennsylvania Senate, Joe Scarnati, was among three senators who went on a European trip shortly after the Legislature passed a sweeping overhaul expanding wine sales. — Courtesy of The Philadelphia Inquirer

Mystery trip to Europe with ‘donors’ by Pa. state senators followed expansion of wine law

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Brad Bumsted and Sam Janesch of The Caucus

Campaign Finance

The PA State Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa., Tuesday, June 18, 2019. — Kalim A. Bhatti/Philadelphia Inquirer

Hours after investigation reveals millions in hidden campaign spending, Pa. lawmakers push for less oversight

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Sam Janesch of The Caucus

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