Spotlight PA: Pennsylvania news and investigations

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Bradford resident and retiree Barbara Laxon stands next to an abandoned, uncapped oil well.

Searching for ‘slimy, shiny, brownish stuff’: A retiree's quest to help track down Pa.'s abandoned oil wells

by Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA

Thousands of abandoned wells remain across Pennsylvania. One Bradford retiree has spent years helping find the ones the state doesn’t know about.

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Stacy Garrity speaks during an April, 2026 event on unclaimed property at Treasury's vault.

Stacy Garrity is ambitious, Trump-endorsed, and experienced. Is that enough to beat Josh Shapiro?

by Katie Meyer and Jaxon White of Spotlight PA

A two-term treasurer, Garrity is running for Pennsylvania governor with much less money and name recognition than Shapiro.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks at a June 2023 news conference after the reopening of part of I-95.

Josh Shapiro built national fame on getting things done, but his full record is complex

by Stephen Caruso and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

The Capitol

Pennsylvania’s capitol building in Harrisburg on the morning of Election Day. November 3, 2020.

Bill to let unaffiliated voters participate in Pennsylvania primaries passes state House

by Carter Walker of Votebeat

The measure likely won’t become law this legislative session, but its House passage represents a key milestone for advocates.

Pennsylvania skill game machine at a business near Harrisburg.

Skill games face seizure as deadline for Pa. legislature to act looms

by Stephen Caruso, Jaxon White, and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Good News from Pennsylvania

A map of Pennsylvania and a magnifying glass

Making sense of ‘central Pa.,’ the region we love to debate and claim

by Asha Prihar of Spotlight PA

Central Pennsylvania’s nebulous definition can make efforts to talk about the region confusing — and occasionally contentious.

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A fresh look at the incredible people, beautiful places, and delicious food Pennsylvania has to offer.

State College Bureau

A stock image of a person with a clipboard in a kitchen.

Centre County restaurant inspections for Sept. 28 - Oct. 4

by Spotlight PA Staff

Pennsylvania inspected three retail food establishments in Centre County between Sept. 28 and Oct. 4. None had violations. See what inspectors found.

A stock image of a chef's coat and tongs on a wooden board.

Dried residue on thermometer, no documentation, and other Centre County restaurant inspections for Sept. 21-27

by Spotlight PA Staff

Berks County Bureau

Front of Reading City Hall

Advocates say police inaction is keeping some Reading crime victims from accessing immigration protections

by Gabriela Martínez of Spotlight PA

That’s why they want City Council to adopt a formal policy requiring the department to respond to U visa certification requests within 90 days

A stock image of a person with a clipboard in a kitchen.

Diluted hand sanitizer, food stored on floor, and other Berks County restaurant inspections for Sept. 28 - Oct. 4

by Spotlight PA Staff

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