The news you need & none of the noise. Sign up for our newsletters »

Top News Elections

Democrats now control the Pennsylvania House, seen here in 2021. — Jose F. Moreno / Philadelphia Inquirer

Democrats sweep special elections, affirming first Pa. House majority in 12 years

by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA

Democrats have won three special elections for Pennsylvania’s state House, which means they officially control the chamber after a month-long impasse with Republicans.

Pennsylvania lawmakers Morgan Cephas (left) and Mark Rozzi (right) listen to a speaker in Philadelphia. — ELIZABETH ROBERTSON / Philadelphia Inquirer

Pennsylvanians were asked what they want to change about the state House. Their answer: less partisan deadlock.

by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA and Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA

For Black History Month, PA Local remembers the Eighth Ward, an enclave in Harrisburg destroyed to build the Capitol. — (Gov. Tom Wolf / Flickr)

The neighborhood the Pa. Capitol destroyed

Local Government

People stand in front of the Tioga Borough Office sign on a July day. — Min Xian / Spotlight PA

5 takeaways from our event on Pennsylvania’s fragmented local governments

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Like what you read?

Become a Member

Help Spotlight PA hold the powerful to account with a gift today.

Other Amount:

Donate now Yes, accountability matters

Most Popular Stories

RSVP NOW

Voters in Allegheny County will head to the polls on Feb. 7 for three special elections. — Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PA

You’re invited! A free ‘How Harrisburg Works’ event on Pennsylvania special elections

by Spotlight PA Staff

New investigation

A Spotlight PA analysis of 1 million medical marijuana certifications reveals how a change by policymakers made it possible for virtually anyone to get a card. — Leise Hook / For Spotlight PA

How anxiety came to dominate the big business of medical marijuana cards in Pennsylvania

by Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA

editor's pick

Pauletta Fajinmi waited more than six months to receive help from a Pennsylvania program to help homeowners recover from the pandemic. — Steven M. Falk / Philadelphia Inquirer

Thousands of Pa. homeowners feel stuck in a high-stakes game of telephone with their homes, vital utilities on the line

by Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA

State College Bureau

An orange glow in the sky indicates light pollution. — Photo By Brian Reid / Eventide Light Photography

How communities in north-central Pa. are attempting to preserve a scarce resource: darkness

by Ashad Hajela of Spotlight PA State College

INVESTIGATION

Tioga borough, in northern Pennsylvania, seen in the fall from a bird's-eye view. — Min Xian / Spotlight PA

Grudges, tribalism, and infighting rife in Pennsylvania borough that hired the cop who killed Tamir Rice

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

AMENDMENT TRACKER

Since 1968, the year Pennsylvania’s current constitution went into effect, voters rejected only six of 49 proposed amendments that reached them. — Tom Gralish / Philadelphia Inquirer

A complete guide and amendment tracker for proposed changes to Pennsylvania’s Constitution

by Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA

More top stories

A pandemic-era prohibition against kicking people off Medicaid means millions of Pennsylvanians will have to reapply. — Dreamstime / MCT

Hundreds of thousands in Pa. could lose Medicaid

Plus, it's Special Election Day in Allegheny County.

A sign directing voters to the entrance of a polling area. — AMANDA BERG / FOR SPOTLIGHT PA

Pa. House control will likely be decided this week

Plus, takeaways from Speaker Rozzi’s listening tour.

A man votes in a 2020 Bucks County special election. This week, there will be three Allegheny County special elections. — Tyger Williams

Pa. House control will likely be decided by special elections this week

by Katie Meyer of Spotlight PA

GOP lawmakers are appealing the ruling to the state Supreme Court. — Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PA

GOP has spent $1 million to impeach Krasner

Plus, Shapiro orders 2,300 state employees back to the office.

Week of Jan. 30, 2023

The Benjamin Franklin Bridge in Philadelphia. — Courtesy of Christine Kucowksi

Know your news? Prove it with this week’s Great PA News Quiz.

by Colin Deppen of Spotlight PA

The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency is taking over the state's struggling mortgage relief program. — SHANE DUNLAP / FOR SPOTLIGHT PA

Pa. takes over troubled mortgage relief program

Plus, Pa. schools arm officers with semi-automatic rifles.

Protesters calling for more police accountability are seen marching in Philadelphia. — MONICA HERNDON / Philadelphia Inquirer

Some probation officers skip Pa. misconduct checks

Plus, DOJ eyes Pa. child welfare agency's AI tool.

Rooftops of homes in Blair County. Pennsylvania has temporarily stopped new applications for its mortgage relief program — Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PA

Pa. takes over troubled mortgage relief program from contractor after complaints, backlogs

by Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA

Voters in Allegheny County will head to the polls on Feb. 7 for three special elections. — Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PA

You’re invited! A free ‘How Harrisburg Works’ event on Pennsylvania special elections

by Spotlight PA Staff

Brochures for Pennsylvania medical marijuana patients are pictured. — TOM GRALISH / PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

Scant evidence for Pa.'s top medical pot condition

Plus, it's Election Day in Pa.'s 27th Senatorial District.

Medical Marijuana

Spotlight PA analyzed 1 million certifications to reveal the most common qualifying condition to get a Pennsylvania medical marijuana card. — Leise Hook / For Spotlight PA

A behind-the-scenes look at Spotlight PA’s analysis of 1 million medical marijuana certifications

by Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA

Medical Marijuana

A Spotlight PA analysis of 1 million medical marijuana certifications reveals how a change by policymakers made it possible for virtually anyone to get a card. — Leise Hook / For Spotlight PA

How anxiety came to dominate the big business of medical marijuana cards in Pennsylvania

by Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA

The Pennsylvania State Capitol building is pictured. — TOM GRALISH / PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

Lobbyist claims harassment by current Pa. lawmaker

Plus, conservative protesters target Cutler over Rozzi support.

A Pennsylvania lobbyist said she was harassed by a current lawmaker outside of the Capitol building Harrisburg. — Tom Gralish / Philadelphia Inquirer

Lobbyist says she was harassed by current Pa. lawmaker, wants legislature to change misconduct rules

by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA

Pennsylvania State Police sent 70 employees to provide security at a Penn State appearance by the far-right Proud Boys. — DAN GLEITER / PennLive

PSU hasn't paid for Proud Boys event security

Plus, auditor general calls out school district 'shell game.'

Week of Jan. 23, 2023

The Pennsylvania flag is seen hanging on the east side of the state Capitol building in Harrisburg. — Tom Gralish / Philadelphia Inquirer

Test your knowledge with this week’s Great PA News Quiz

by Colin Deppen of Spotlight PA

Lawmakers in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives were sworn in on Jan. 3. — Matt Smith / AP

Hopes for May abuse amendment vote rapidly dwindle

Plus, why tax caps pose a problem for Pa. towns.

The Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund can help with late mortgage payments, utility bills, and property taxes, as well as other housing costs. — Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PA

How Pennsylvania homeowners can apply for mortgage and utility assistance

by Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA

Democratic Pa. House Speaker Mark Rozzi has recessed the chamber until next month, with no agreement on operating rules. — House Democratic Caucus

Hopes of bipartisan cooperation give way to complete deadlock in the Pa. House

by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA

A rig is used to help replug an abandoned well near Crane, Texas. — Eric Gay / Associated Press

Scores of abandoned gas wells add to Pa. backlog

Plus, the third rail of Pittsburgh politics.

Alexis VanBuren’s mortgage relief application was approved in August but delayed another three months. — Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PA

Thousands in limbo as Pa. mortgage relief stumbles

Plus, Berks GOP censures Rozzi's Republican backers.

Gov. Josh Shapiro, shown here at his election night celebration. — Heather Khalifa / Philadelphia Inquirer

Shapiro loosens Wolf's executive branch gift ban

Plus, House Speaker Mark Rozzi to launch a ‘listening tour.’

Pauletta Fajinmi waited more than six months to receive help from a Pennsylvania program to help homeowners recover from the pandemic. — Steven M. Falk / Philadelphia Inquirer

Thousands of Pa. homeowners feel stuck in a high-stakes game of telephone with their homes, vital utilities on the line

by Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA

Gov. Josh Shapiro at his swearing-in. As one of his first acts as governor, he has loosened his predecessor's gift ban. — Tom Gralish / Philadelphia Inquirer

Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro loosens his predecessor’s notoriously strict gift ban for top officials

by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA and Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA

Josh Shapiro's campaign set a record for the highest amount spent by a single Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate. — Jessica Griffin / Philadelphia Inquirer

Shapiro fills key posts with allies, political vets

Plus, Pa. senator will be first to give birth while in office.

Week of Jan. 16, 2023

Test your knowledge of Pennsylvania news for the week of January 16, 2023. — Michael Yatsko Photography

Think you’re pretty smart? Prove it with this week’s PA news quiz.

by Colin Deppen of Spotlight PA

Governor Josh Shapiro, who has hired allies to advise him, leaves the Capitol with his wife Lori before being sworn in. — Tom Gralish / Philadelphia Inquirer

Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro fills executive staff with loyal allies, political veterans

by Katie Meyer of Spotlight PA and Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA

State Sen. Doug Mastriano (R., Franklin) speaks at a primary night election gathering in Chambersburg, Pa. — Carolyn Kaster / AP Photo

Mastriano now says GOP must 'embrace' mail voting

Plus, Gov. Shapiro backs a private prison ban in Pa.

PA Gov. Josh Shapiro, who has already made many of his cabinet picks, made his inaugural address at the Capitol. — Tom Gralish / Philadelphia Inquirer

Who has Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro nominated for his cabinet? (Full list)

by Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA and Katie Meyer of Spotlight PA

Josh Shapiro, shown here at his election night celebration, has been sworn in as Pennsylvania's 48th governor. — Heather Khalifa / Philadelphia Inquirer

Democrat Josh Shapiro sworn in as governor

Plus, Pa. adopts 'forever chemical' rules.

This new year, pledge to support vital investigative journalism that strengthens our democracy.