Spotlight PA: Pennsylvania news and investigations

Top News Justice System

Governor Josh Shapiro speaking at a 2023 event.

Under Shapiro, half of clemency recommendations remain unsigned

by Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA

Gov. Josh Shapiro has approved about half of the clemency applications recommended to him by the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons in his first two years.

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Editor's Picks

After Hershey Medical Center stopped performing kidney transplants, Jessica Clark scrambled to find another hospital that would add her to its waiting list.

As problems roiled Penn State Health’s transplant programs, unknowing patients kept hope. Then they were blindsided.

by Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA and Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State College

Already sick, former patients of the failed kidney and liver transplant units face rejection and despair as they look elsewhere and grapple with the one thing they cannot afford to lose: time.

Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program has allowed doctors with past misconduct to certify patients.

Prior misconduct rarely an obstacle for doctors in Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program

by Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA

The Capitol

A transformer station.

Utility law will lapse after Pa. legislature deadlocks on expanding consumer protections

by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA

The law was designed to make it easier for utility companies to reclaim unpaid bills while increasing consumer protections. Advocates say it’s not strong enough.

An installation at the Pennsylvania Capitol shows how many days and hours have passed since the state House passed gun control bills.

A court loss isn’t the end of the fight for stricter gun laws in Pa., advocates say

by Katie Meyer of Spotlight PA

Investigations

Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich (center)

Breaking rules intended to keep Pa.’s older adults safe is rarely met with state sanctions

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Despite chronic issues, the Department of Aging has never taken punitive action against county agencies that don’t meet state standards.

The Secret Service immediately surround former President Trump after he was shot during his campaign stop at the Butler Farm Show grounds on Saturday, July 13, 2024.

Trump assassination attempt shows long-standing flaws in Secret Service protections

by Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA; Jessica Lussenhop of ProPublica; and Irina Bucur, Tracy Leturgey and Eddie Trizzino of The Butler Eagle

Impact

Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program has allowed doctors with past misconduct to certify patients.

New limits, oversight for Pa.’s medical marijuana doctors proposed in response to Spotlight PA investigation

by Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA

The bill would give the Department of Health discretion on which doctors in the medical marijuana program would receive extra scrutiny.

Editor’s Notes

Spotlight PA reporting airs on PHL17 in Philadelphia, PA

Groundbreaking deal between Spotlight PA, TV stations to bring in-depth reporting to millions more people

by Christopher Baxter

Latest From Our Daily Newsletter

The inauguration of Gov. Josh Shapiro at the Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg on Jan. 17, 2023.

Activists target guv's 'scandalous' conduct rule

Plus, the faulty tests tearing families apart.

The real history behind Trump’s Philly falsehoods

Plus, tonight's presidential debate.

What a court ruling means for rejected mail voters

Plus, 'massive violations' inside an ICE facility.

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State College Bureau

Old Main on Penn State’s University Park campus

Penn State trustees pass almost 85% of measures without a single dissenting vote

by Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State College

When Penn State University’s administration brings a proposal to its governing board, the item is all but assured to pass, a Spotlight PA analysis found.

The Old Gregg School Community and Recreation Center in Spring Mills, which houses Gregg Township's municipal office.

More than $532K went missing from a rural Pa. township. Now the former secretary has been charged with 4 felonies.

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

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