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Cynthia Fernandez

Cynthia Fernandez covers the most important news and events from the Capitol and state legislature. She is a member of the second class of Lenfest Fellows, a program of the Lenfest Institute for Journalism and supported by the Independence Public Media Foundation. Cynthia joined Spotlight PA from Boston, where she recently completed an undergraduate degree in journalism, with a concentration in computer science, from Boston University. She has interned at several news organizations, including Muck Rock, WBUR, and Boston Magazine. Most recently, she was a part-time breaking news reporter at the Boston Globe and a research assistant for their Spotlight team. A Cuban immigrant and Miami native, Cynthia is particularly interested in reporting on marginalized communities and how they interface with institutional and governmental systems.

Stories by Cynthia Fernandez

The Capitol

Rose’s death led to emotional protests, the arrest of the officer, and a package of police reform bills introduced by Democrats — legislation that went nowhere in the Republican-controlled state legislature. — Michael M. Santiago / Post-Gazette

Police reforms in Pa. languished after Antwon Rose’s killing. Will now be any different?

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

June 3, 2020

Coronavirus

The state Senate on Thursday passed the $25 billion budget 44-6, just two days after the House first presented the measure and passed it along party lines. — JOSE F. MORENO / Philadelphia Inquirer

Pa. legislature sends $26 billion short-term budget to Gov. Tom Wolf

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA and Jordan Wolman of Spotlight PA

May 28, 2020

Coronavirus

The state House and Senate are advancing separate versions of legislation to tap the money for the first time, largely to provide millions of dollars in relief to hard-hit nursing homes and other long-term care facilities across the state. — Kalim A. Bhatti / The Philadelphia Inquirer

Pennsylvania is sitting on billions in coronavirus relief money. What’s the hold up?

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 28, 2020

Coronavirus

The governor is expected to speak at a news conference today at 4 p.m. — Commonwealth Media Services

All Pa. counties will be in ‘yellow’ coronavirus reopening phase by June 5 under Wolf administration plan

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 22, 2020

Coronavirus

A viral test is one that checks for a current infection (think long swabs up someone’s nose) while an antibody test uses blood to check for proteins that indicate a previous infection. — TYGER WILLIAMS / Philadelphia Inquirer

Pa. is mixing coronavirus test results. That could distort our view of the disease.

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 22, 2020

Coronavirus

In mid-March, Gov. Tom Wolf ordered all businesses not considered “life-sustaining” to shutter in a statewide effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus. — Dan Moyle / Flickr

Pa. officials allow scaled-back real estate operations to resume statewide

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 19, 2020

Coronavirus

Pennsylvania Treasurer Joe Torsella announces early rebate payments for some renters and homeowners. — Commonwealth Media Services

Rebate checks may arrive earlier for some Pennsylvania homeowners and renters

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 19, 2020

Coronavirus

In March, Gov. Tom Wolf implemented broad stay-at-home and business closure orders to prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed by coronavirus patients. — Commonwealth Media Services

Pa. will allow 12 more counties to ease coronavirus restrictions

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 15, 2020

Coronavirus

People gather outside a Starbucks in Beaver, Pa. Beaver County Commissioners have said they disagree with Gov. Tom Wolf and the county will act as if they are transitioning to the "yellow" phase on May 15. — Gene J. Puskar / Associated Press

Pa. counties abandon plans to buck Wolf, as GOP lawmakers continue pushing doomed reopening bills

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 13, 2020

Coronavirus

A man standing on the sidewalk on 52nd Street is surrounded by local business’s that are closed due to the coronavirus outbreak on Saturday, March, 28, 2020. — TYGER WILLIAMS / Philadelphia Inquirer

Pa. GOP takes Gov. Tom Wolf to court as it seeks records on controversial business waiver process

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 11, 2020

Coronavirus

“These folks are choosing to desert in the face of the enemy. In the middle of a war that we Pennsylvanians are winning, and that we must win,” Wolf said at a news conference Monday. — Commonwealth Media Services

Gov. Tom Wolf denounces Pa. counties reopening without his approval as ‘cowardly,’ ‘selfish’

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 11, 2020

Coronavirus

Gov. Tom Wolf ordered all but “life-sustaining” businesses to close in March to slow the spread of the coronavirus. — Commonwealth Media Services

Gov. Tom Wolf rejects GOP subpoena for business waiver records, but releases some information online

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 8, 2020

Coronavirus

The Pittsburgh region will join two dozen counties that were previously given the go-ahead to loosen some restrictions. — Andrew Rush / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pa. officials will allow Pittsburgh region to relax coronavirus-related restrictions

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 8, 2020

Coronavirus

Gov. Tom Wolf ordered all but “life-sustaining” businesses to close in March to slow the spread of the coronavirus. — Commonwealth Media Services

Wolf faces 4 p.m. deadline to comply with subpoena for business waiver records. Here are his options.

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 8, 2020

Coronavirus

“At a time when people need to stay home to protect their heath, they should not have to worry about losing their homes,” Wolf said in a statement. — DAVID MAIALETTI / Philadelphia Inquirer

Pa. extends eviction, foreclosure protections through July 10

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 7, 2020

Coronavirus

Gov. Tom Wolf told reporters his administration is still being transparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. — Commonwealth Media Services

‘I’m trying to be transparent,’ Wolf says as his administration rejects bill to restart public records law

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 6, 2020

Coronavirus

Nurses at Einstein Medical Center demanded more PPE in April. Now the state says hospitals that perform elective procedures will have to find their own. — DAVID MAIALETTI / Philadelphia Inquirer

Top Pa. health official says state won’t supply masks, other protective equipment to hospitals that resume elective surgeries

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 5, 2020

Coronavirus

Gov. Tom Wolf has allowed some sectors including construction to resume activities. — Commonwealth Media Services

Pa. will ease coronavirus restrictions in 24 northwest, north-central counties as reopening process begins

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 1, 2020

Coronavirus

The waivers have been one of the most contentious aspects of Gov. Tom Wolf’s response to the coronavirus because of perceived inconsistencies and a lack of transparency about which businesses received them. — Commonwealth Media Services

Republicans subpoena Wolf administration for documents related to controversial business waiver process

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

April 30, 2020

Coronavirus

Public officials including Gov. Larry Hogan in Maryland (pictured) have to decide how much information to make public. — Patrick Siebert for Gov. Larry Hogan / Flickr

States need coronavirus data to make timely decisions. What they share with the public varies widely.

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA, Anna Orso of the Philadelphia Inquirer, and Christine Vestal of Stateline

April 27, 2020

Coronavirus

In March, Gov. Tom Wolf shuttered most of the state’s economy in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus. — HEATHER KHALIFA / Philadelphia Inquirer

There’s no timeline to release list of Pa. businesses that received coveted coronavirus waivers, top official says

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

April 23, 2020

Coronavirus

“Our seasonal workers are sometimes forgotten by consumers, but their skills are vital in the commonwealth,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said Tuesday at a news conference. — Commonwealth Media Services

Tight housing, lack of health care put migrant workers on Pa. farms at high risk for the coronavirus

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

April 21, 2020

Coronavirus

Wolf vetoed Senate Bill 613, which would have allowed more Pennsylvania businesses to reopen. — DAVID MAIALETTI / Philadelphia Inquirer

Gov. Tom Wolf vetoes bill that would have allowed more Pa. businesses to reopen over public health objections

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

April 20, 2020

Coronavirus

Protesters gather outside the Capitol Complex. They are calling for Gov. Tom Wolf to reopen up the state's economy during the coronavirus outbreak. — DAVID MAIALETTI / Philadelphia Inquirer

Hundreds gather at Capitol in Harrisburg for anti-shutdown rally calling to ‘reopen’ Pennsylvania

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

April 20, 2020

Coronavirus

Pennsylvania officials are aware of the gathering and have advised against it. — Kalim A. Bhatti / Philadelphia Inquirer

The backlash against the quarantine has begun in Pennsylvania, with anti-shutdown rally Monday in Harrisburg

by Jason Nark of the Philadelphia Inquirer and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

April 19, 2020