Spotlight PA: Pennsylvania news and investigations

Top News Elections

Voters walk past “Vote Here” signs in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood on Nov. 5, 2024.

Pa.’s independent voters are growing in number. Here’s why they still can’t vote in primaries.

by Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA

Pennsylvania is one of 10 states with closed primaries that exclude independents. Every session, lawmakers and advocates push for change, but leaders haven’t committed.

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School administrators struggled to use an unfamiliar system riddled with problems as thousands of students waited for money they were counting on to pay for college.

Glitches, unproven tech in Pa.’s new financial aid system exacerbated delays for thousands of students

by Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA

School administrators struggled to use an unfamiliar system riddled with problems as thousands of students waited for money they were counting on to pay for college.

Gov. Josh Shapiro (center) is flanked by Dauphin County DA Fran Chardo (left) and Colonel Christopher Paris of the State Police

What we know about the elite Pa. State Police detail assigned to protect Gov. Josh Shapiro

by Stephen Caruso, Angela Couloumbis, and Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA

The Capitol

People hold up signs of U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson that say “missing” during a protest outside his Bellefonte office.

The people who represent you in D.C. and Harrisburg are allowed to keep their calendars secret

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Pennsylvania and federal open records laws don’t require elected officials to release their work calendars to the public.

The Pennsylvania Capitol at night.

Emails between Pa. lawmakers and lobbyists will remain hidden from the public after court ruling

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Investigations

Sometimes people who spent time in foster care discover their Social Security benefits were taken only after they apply for benefits later as adults.

Foster care agencies in Pa. took millions owed to kids in their care, often keeping them in the dark

by Julie Christie and Steve Volk / Resolve Philly for Spotlight PA

A Spotlight PA and Resolve Philly investigation found hundreds of kids each year are made to pay for their own foster care, a practice advocates describe as an unfair “tax”.

Photo illustration of the PA Capitol building, checks and bills, and their related iconography.

Powerful interests poured $18M into top Pa. lawmakers’ campaign coffers

by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA

Impact

The Pennsylvania Capitol at night.

Emails between Pa. lawmakers and lobbyists will remain hidden from the public after court ruling

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Advocates called the ruling a missed opportunity to create more transparency around the state legislature and multimillion-dollar lobbying industry.

Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Debra Bogen faced questions about her department's oversight of medical marijuana doctors, during a February 2025 state Senate budget hearing.

Medical marijuana oversight bill advances after Spotlight PA investigations reveal doctor concerns

by Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA

Good News from Pennsylvania

An outline of the Pennsylvania map with three question marks in the middle.

Quiz: It happened in Pennsylvania … or did it? (The answers may surprise you.)

by Asha Prihar of Spotlight PA

It’s no secret that Pennsylvania history is full of notable inventions, contributions to pop culture, and events with national and international significance. But how well do you know them?

Meet a Mayor: There’s more than beers and Blobs in this Pa. borough

by Asha Prihar of Spotlight PA

Phoenixville’s population has grown by a third since the turn of the millennium. Its mayor says the 20,000-person borough has become “like an extended family” to him.

PA Local Heroes: A Montco mom’s mission to provide friendly foods to all

by Asha Prihar of Spotlight PA

Garden of Health started in 2015 as a pantry that specialized in allergy-friendly foods, and it’s since grown into a nonprofit that distributes millions of pounds of “food for all.”

A weekly dose of positive news

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

State College Bureau

An illustration of the seven candidates for State College school board

Pa. primary election 2025: A complete guide to the candidates for State College school board

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Democrats and Republicans will see the same seven candidates for State College school board on their primary ballots.

People hold up signs of U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson that say “missing” during a protest outside his Bellefonte office.

The people who represent you in D.C. and Harrisburg are allowed to keep their calendars secret

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

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