Top News ElectionsCommonwealth Media ServicesPa. election 2026: Where governor candidates Garrity and Shapiro stand on Medicaid, fraud, and moreby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PAKey federal Medicaid changes will roll out next year, meaning Pennsylvania’s governor will play a crucial role in how they’re implemented or challenged.Related StoriesPa. election 2026: Where governor candidates Garrity and Shapiro stand on electionsPa. election 2026: Where governor candidates Garrity and Shapiro stand on energy costs, the environment, and morePa. election 2026: Where governor candidates Garrity and Shapiro stand on marijuana, hemp, and more
HealthCourtesy 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
HealthEd Mahon / Spotlight PAGrieving mothers boycott Pennsylvania’s opioid settlement money listening sessionby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA
HousingSusan Angstadt / For Spotlight PA1000s of affordable housing subsidies will end in the next 5 years. A new database will help Pa. get in front of the issue.by Charlotte Keith 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
Aug. 21, 2026Asha Prihar / Spotlight PAWhy Pennsylvanians care so dang much about regional names, bordersby Asha Prihar of Spotlight PARegional identities shape how Pennsylvanians relate to each other, what they call areas of the state, and where they decide to put down roots, PA Local found in interviews with residents.
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. 28, 2026Gene J. Puskar / APJudge will hear recantation of sexual abuse claim against ex-Penn State coach Jerry Sanduskyby Associated Press
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
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.
EnvironmentMatt Rourke / APWill a data center join the Philadelphia Bellwether District’s mix of manufacturers and warehouses?by Daniel Perrin of Inside Climate NewsUrban planners and neighborhood leaders wanted to see the former refinery site remediated beyond the current plan—and many strongly oppose a data center.
EnvironmentKyle Bagenstose / Inside Climate NewsWhile renewables languish, Pennsylvania pays millions to coal waste companiesby Kyle Bagenstose of Inside Climate NewsMore than 20 years after passing a landmark clean energy law, the state gets more of its power from burning coal waste than from solar.
HealthMary Conlon / APMeasles deaths reported in Pennsylvania spark fight among politicians and health officialsby Mike Stobbe of the Associated PressA newborn's death and an unexplained second case have unleashed accusations of fabrication and score-settling.
Federal GovernmentHouse majority could hinge on governors’ races trending toward Democratsby Paul Kane of NOTUSBig wins at top of ticket could propel Democrats down-ballot to a majority.
PA Local HeroesPhoto providedPA Local Heroes: The volunteer helping vets adjust to civilian lifeby Ann Rejrat for Spotlight PAAfter retiring in 2019, Mary Harper jumped right into regular volunteering. Working with the Red Cross, she’s become a stalwart for Philadelphia-area veterans and their families.
Federal GovernmentMark Schiefelbein / APHegseth is weighing a controversial Pentagon spokesperson for the Army’s top jobby Joe Gould of NOTUSHegseth is considering Parnell to succeed Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, who is reportedly weighing a departure from the Pentagon in the coming weeks
ElectionsRyan Murphy / APRepublicans face a midterm verdict as Iran war drags on months longer than Trump promisedby Mike Catalini and Steven Sloan of the Associated PressThe Iran war has reshaped the rapidly approaching midterm elections, undermining Trump's campaign pledge to steer clear of foreign conflicts.
Week of Aug. 24, 2026Commonwealth Media ServicesGreat PA News Quiz: Tech lawsuits, feds eye forest rule change, and scammers pose as radio stationby Asha Prihar of Spotlight PAIn this quiz: The latest on measles, the author of a notable amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution dies, and experts talk ticks.
Federal GovernmentJ. Scott Applewhite / APJosh Shapiro and RFK Jr. trade barbs over deadly measles outbreakby Torrie Herrington of NOTUSShapiro, a Democrat, said he “made very clear that [Kennedy’s] actions and the rhetoric that’s coming from this administration are having a negative impact on communities across America, particularly right here in Pennsylvania.”