Top News ElectionsMichelle Perez / For VotebeatHis model was built to detect voter fraud. Now it’s testing the limits of election trust.by Carter Walker and Jessica Huseman of VotebeatInside the “perfect storm” that put Walter Mebane Jr.’s election fraud model in the hands of a movement to question the 2024 election results.Related StoriesHow an American professor’s contested work was used to fuel election doubts in South Korea
Week of Aug. 31, 2026Commonwealth Media ServicesGreat PA News Quiz: Universal healthcare proposal, new food plant, and museum closureby Asha Prihar of Spotlight PA
ElectionsErin Hooley / APPa. election results, Shapiro’s speeches, and state laws are all prediction market bets. Could this lead to corruption?by Jaxon White of Spotlight PA
ElectionsCommonwealth Media ServicesPa. election 2026: Where governor candidates Garrity and Shapiro stand on LGBTQ rightsby Jaxon White of Spotlight PA
Justice SystemEd Mahon / Spotlight PAA Pa. mom's fight reveals the messy reality of treating overdoses like homicidesby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PASome Pennsylvania lawmakers want to give prosecutors more time to bring charges against people who supply drugs in fatal overdoses.
Josh ShapiroCommonwealth Media ServicesJosh Shapiro built national fame on getting things done, but his full record is complexby Stephen Caruso and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA
Sept. 1, 2026Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PADozens of former Pa. lawmakers are now registered to lobby their old workplaceby Stephen Caruso and Jaxon White of Spotlight PACritics warn the state’s lax revolving-door law allows ex-lawmakers to profit from relationships formed while in office.
Aug. 21, 2026Sophia Lucente / NewsWorks LabSkill games' roots in Pa. trace to allegedly arranged Beaver County raidby Sean D. Hamill of NewsWorks Lab
Sept. 4, 2026Shideh Ghandeharizadeh / For Spotlight PABig Spring, tiny shops, historic charm: How to spend a day in Bellefonteby Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegeTranslated as “beautiful fountain” in French, Bellefonte boasts distinct architecture, quaint shops, and pleasant views. PA Local offers a guide to spending a day there.
Sept. 1, 2026Phira Phonruewiangphing / iStockDried food residue and other Centre County restaurant inspections for Aug. 24-30by Spotlight PA StaffPennsylvania inspected three retail food establishments in Centre County between Aug. 24 and 30. One had violations. See what inspectors found.
Aug. 31, 2026Courtesy of GuthrieMedicaid will likely shed patients under new rules. This health system is working to keep them covered.by Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State College
Sept. 1, 2026Years / iStockSwollen canned items, hot soup in walk-in cooler, and other Berks County restaurant inspections for Aug. 24-30by Spotlight PA StaffPennsylvania inspected 22 retail food establishments in Berks County between Aug. 24 and 30. Twelve had violations. See what inspectors found.
Aug. 21, 2026Gabriela Martínez / Spotlight PAAs elevator repairs drag on, older residents of subsidized Berks County apartment building endure outages, injuryby Gabriela Martínez of Spotlight PA
Federal GovernmentSteven Senne / AP‘Fetterman is a disgrace,’ Democrats say after bombshell articleby Gavin J. Quinton and Igor Bobic of NOTUSThe Pennsylvania Democrat was uninterested in the typical day-to-day responsibilities of the job, a former senior aide confirmed to NOTUS.
ElectionsMark Schiefelbein / APElon Musk’s super PAC dumped $800K Into battleground races in Augustby Marissa Martinez of NOTUSNMost of the money went toward competitive U.S. Senate races in states like Texas and Maine, while smaller amounts were directed to U.S. House races in Pennsylvania.
Justice SystemGene J. Puskar / APSandusky lawyers ask court to put off accuser’s recantation in bid for new trialby Associated PressLawyers for Jerry Sandusky asked to cancel a court date for a hearing over a claim that an accuser wants to recant allegations that the former Penn State coach sexually abused him years ago.
PA LocalShideh Ghandeharizadeh / For Spotlight PABig Spring, tiny shops, historic charm: How to spend a day in Bellefonteby Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegeTranslated as “beautiful fountain” in French, Bellefonte boasts distinct architecture, quaint shops, and pleasant views. PA Local offers a guide to spending a day there.
Federal GovernmentAlex Brandon / APFitzpatrick, other swing-state Republicans are skipping Trump’s midterm conventionby Avani Kalra of NOTUSWith 60 days until the midterms, many lawmakers are forgoing the event, dubbed “Trumpapalooza,” to campaign.
ElectionsCarter Walker / VotebeatHow an American professor’s contested work was used to fuel election doubts in South Koreaby Carter Walker of VotebeatIn South Korea, experts said an analysis from an American professor was interpreted as evidence of election manipulation.
Justice SystemMatt Rourke / APPennsylvania police officer charged with voluntary manslaughter in killing of college studentby Tassanee Vejpongsa and Kate Brumback of the Associated PressBody camera footage reveals the victim had raised hands and posed no threat before fatal gunfire, officials say.
HealthRobert F. Bukaty / APAt 91, Dale 'Grey Beard' Sanders reclaims record as oldest hiker to complete the Appalachian Trailby Holly Ramer and Robert F. Bukaty of the Associated PressDale Sanders, whose trail name is Grey Beard, first set the Appalachian Trail record in 2017 at age 82.
Federal GovernmentMarc Levy / APWant an animal shelter? A lazy river? Cash? Data centers want to know.by Mara Hoplamazian of NOTUSNorthPoint Development has proposed giving $10,000 to every household in Hazle Township, PA, if it’s allowed to build a massive data center for Amazon.
The CapitolAmanda Berg / For Spotlight PADozens of former Pa. lawmakers are now registered to lobby their old workplaceby Stephen Caruso and Jaxon White of Spotlight PACritics warn the state’s lax revolving-door law allows ex-lawmakers to profit from relationships formed while in office.
EducationChuck Burton / APAs Pell grants expand, students see openings to afford short-term job trainingby Heather Hollingsworth of the Associated PressCommunity colleges nationwide race to qualify as federal officials weigh dozens of applications for career certificate funding.
ElectionsAlex Brandon / APNoncitizen voting claims animate Trump's attacks on midterms and set up potential result challengesby Mike Catalini and Ali Swenson of the Associated PressPresident Donald Trump and his allies are pressing hard about the perceived threats of voting by people who aren't U.S. citizens as the November election approaches.