Spotlight PA: Pennsylvania news and investigations

State College Region Rural Issues

Gov. Josh Shapiro (left) and PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity

Where Garrity and Shapiro stand on broadband, federal cuts, and other key rural issues

by Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State College and Jaxon White of Spotlight PA

From broadband delays to strained health services, Pennsylvania’s governor’s race could shape the future of communities facing population loss.

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The Capitol

Lawmakers, Shapiro admin push to end practice of counties taking Social Security money owed to foster kids

by Steve Volk / Resolve Philly for Spotlight PA

After a 2025 Resolve Philly / Spotlight PA investigation, a federal directive urged states to end the practice

The exterior to the Pennsylvania Judicial Center.

Pennsylvania judges say blocking Medicaid for abortion violates state constitution

by Katie Meyer of Spotlight PA

Investigations

An illustration of two police officers standing in front of filing cabinets with hands coming out of the files.

Hundreds of rapes in the State College area weren’t reported in public police data over nearly a decade

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College and Mark Fazlollah for Spotlight PA

The missing data masked the true extent of the crime surrounding Penn State. The central Pa. department never publicly disclosed the error until contacted by Spotlight PA.

A photo illustration of Raymond Hohl encircled by images of the Penn State Cancer Institute, a medical device, and a nurse’s binder of thank you notes.

Alarming internal probes found chemo errors, delays, and ‘toxic’ leadership by Penn State’s cancer chief

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

Good News from Pennsylvania

Pretzels laid out on a baking sheet

Pretzels for breakfast? For lunch? For dessert? In Pa., the answer is always yes.

by Asha Prihar of Spotlight PA

They come crispy, chewy, pillowy, and snappy. Pennsylvanians dip them in cheese, fill them with peanut butter, and cover them in chocolate. And a lot of these pretzels are made in the state.

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

State College Bureau

Melissa Pérez-Carrillo

Meet Melissa Pérez-Carrillo, local accountability reporter for Spotlight PA State College

by Melissa Pérez-Carrillo of Spotlight PA State College

Pérez-Carrillo previously covered breaking news and public safety at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune in Florida.

Gov. Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visit the Lancaster County Rapid Response Center to host poultry producers and industry leaders for a roundtable discussion on the ongoing surge in Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) infections.

Hotline for Pa. farmers sees major drop in calls, texts amid mental health crisis

by Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State College

Berks County Bureau

Ge Fangyuan, a farmer in Washington Township, stands with his dog for a portrait at the farm Feb. 20, 2026. Fangyuan's farm was disrupted after a sewer main break dumped about 8,000 gallons of raw sewage in November 2024.

When a public pipe bursts on private land, who fixes it? One PA farmer wants answers

by Amanda Fries of Spotlight PA

A fence installation struck an unregistered sewer pipe on a disabled veterans’ farm, spewing 8,000 gallons of raw sewage and exposing years of missing township records.

Christine Kreisher

Meet a business leader connecting teens to entrepreneurship

by Susan Shelly McGovern for Spotlight PA

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