Jamie Martines

Stories by Jamie Martines

Members of the Pennsylvania State Police Clandestine Lab Response Team remove chemicals from the front porch of a home in Minersville in 2013.

Public database significantly undercounts former drug labs in Pa. Here’s why home buyers, renters should care.

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

May 12, 2022

Help us monitor potential health hazards in Pennsylvania schools by filling out a short survey on the condition of your district or building.

It's hard to track the conditions of Pa. schools. Spotlight PA wants your help flagging health hazards.

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

April 7, 2022

The access problems date back to late 2019, when a computer that allowed the public to access criminal records for free was removed from the first floor of the York County courthouse.

Spotlight PA joins 4 state newsrooms in fighting alleged First Amendment violations in York County

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

March 16, 2022

Public Health Lab Director Robert Wadowsky oversees the Allegheny County public health lab system. For the past nearly two years, the labs have handled COVID-19 tests from county-run facilities, including the jail and nursing homes.

Who makes public health decisions for your community? In Pennsylvania, it depends on where you live.

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

Feb. 28, 2022

Despite spikes in coronavirus infections and low child vaccination rates, schools across Pennsylvania have been slow to enroll in a free testing program offered by the state health department.

As virus surged, few Pa. schools signed up for free COVID-19 testing

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

Feb. 17, 2022

Medical leaders at health systems across Pennsylvania send the same message: If you’re planning to gather for the holidays, get vaccinated.

Everything you need to know to stay COVID-safe during a second pandemic winter

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

Dec. 17, 2021

Gov. Tom Wolf

Pa. mask mandate for public and private schools expected to end in January, Wolf says

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

Nov. 8, 2021

Experts say testing is one way to verify whether mitigation efforts, like masks and social distancing, are working.

Many Pa. school districts are passing up free coronavirus testing even after a rise in cases

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

Oct. 7, 2021

People 65 and older, those with certain medical conditions, and workers in high-risk jobs who received a second Pfizer dose more than six months ago are now eligible to receive a booster.

Eligible for a COVID-19 booster? Here’s how to get one in Pa.

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

Oct. 4, 2021

The Amistad Project firm has led litigation to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election, including in Pennsylvania.

Pa. school mask lawsuit backed by group that challenged 2020 election results

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Sept. 9, 2021

Gov. Tom Wolf previously asked the legislature to institute a school mask mandate, but GOP leaders said no.

Gov. Tom Wolf mandates masks in Pa. schools, daycares

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

Aug. 31, 2021

The state abandoned a plan to strip WIC contracts from several providers, including North Inc. in Philadelphia.

Wolf admin unexpectedly pulls the plug on controversial revamp of Pa. safety net program

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA and Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA

Aug. 24, 2021

Contact tracing is a public health tool used to contain outbreaks of infectious diseases by alerting people who might have been exposed to an infected person.

Pa. will hire 100 coronavirus contact tracers to replace 1,000. Experts say it’s not enough.

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

Aug. 19, 2021

Holley Snyder, 45 of Hanover Township in Luzerne County, received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at the Wayne County Fair.

Pa. is trying county fairs, text messages, and door-knocking to raise the vaccination rate. Success is slow coming.

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

Aug. 10, 2021

After a slow start, Pennsylvania used the emergency procurement process to hire a consulting firm to help with the state's vaccine rollout.

Tracking Pa.’s pandemic spending, by the numbers

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

July 30, 2021

State lawmakers are calling into question whether the Department of Health should be jumping into emergency, pandemic-related contracts after a severe data breach from contact tracing.

Health officials request $124 million in pandemic-related emergency contracts as GOP calls for oversight

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

July 23, 2021

“I can tell you that we are taking an aggressive approach to ensure that nursing home residents get the care they need and deserve,” Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam said during an afternoon news conference.

Nursing homes would provide more direct care to residents under proposed Pa. rule

by Jaime Martines of Spotlight PA and Sarah Anne Hughes of Spotlight PA

July 21, 2021

Lawmakers will question top health department officials this week about why they are rushing another contact tracing program agreement after the state fired the last company for a data breach.

Pa. requested $340 million in emergency contracts in 2020 with little oversight

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

July 19, 2021

State lawmakers are calling into question whether the Department of Health should be jumping into another, more expensive contact tracing contract after a severe data breach with the last company.

After contact tracing data breach, Pa. sidesteps scrutiny on proposed $34M contract

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

July 2, 2021

Insight Global, the company in charge of contact tracing in Pennsylvania, assured in April that it had secured all links from a data breach. After a Spotlight PA report found that to be incorrect, the company called on former and past employees to help resolve the issue.

Fired Pa. contractor seeks to secure contact tracing data after learning personal info still online

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

June 17, 2021

Personal data of people contacted by contact tracers in Pennsylvania remained online more than a month after the company responsible assured the public it had been secured.

Personal data from Pa. contact tracing calls still online despite assurances it had been secured

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

June 9, 2021

Giorgi Mushroom Company worker Juan Frutos gets a vaccine shot from Penn State Health nurse Christy Daniels during a clinic facilitated by Latino Connection's mobile unit. The Wolf administration hired the group this spring to address persistent disparities.

A stark racial divide on vaccinations leaves many at risk as Pa. reopens

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

May 26, 2021

One provider who reported a high number of spoiled doses cited a late shipment from the state and a lack of demand.

After citing privacy law, Pa. backtracks and discloses wasted vaccine details

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

May 25, 2021

Gov. Tom Wolf's administration announced coronavirus mitigation efforts, except masking, will be lifted on Memorial Day.

Pennsylvania will lift most COVID-19 restrictions on Memorial Day

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

May 4, 2021

Pennsylvania is temporarily suspending its use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine after rare reports of people forming blood clots after receiving it.

Pa. ‘pauses’ Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine after blood clotting reports

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

April 13, 2021

Amber Pedro, a volunteer from Family Practice Laporte, administers the vaccine into the arm of Robert Keen, 84 of Forksville, in the cafeteria of the Sullivan County Elementary School.

All Pa. adults eligible for COVID-19 vaccine as of April 19, Wolf says

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

March 31, 2021

While high-level statistics show the state is making progress, county-level data shows that some Pennsylvanians are apparently faring better based on where they live. In Sullivan County, where local and state officials ran a vaccine clinic in late January, 37% of residents have received at least one shot.

Inside Pennsylvania’s race to expand who’s eligible for the coronavirus vaccine

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

March 29, 2021

Dr. Rachel Levine, who oversaw the state health department during the first year of the pandemic, was nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as assistant health secretary.

Levine pressed for answers on Pa.’s missing nursing home data as confirmation advances

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

March 18, 2021

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections is offering $25 in commissary credit to inmates who get the coronavirus vaccine, and has seen promising results.

Two Pa. prisons have vaccinated more than 70% of inmates. An incentive program may be making a difference.

by Joseph Darius Jaafari of Spotlight PA and Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

March 17, 2021

Between April and September, state employees went from collecting it in just 40% of case investigations to roughly 62%, according to reports obtained by Spotlight PA.

From tests to vaccines, Pa. health officials still missing crucial race data for COVID-19

by Ese Olumhense of Spotlight PA and Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

March 9, 2021

As the coal mining industry contracted, Greene County, Pa. faced an uncertain future. Then came the natural gas boom. So why is the county nearly broke roughly 10 years later?

A Pennsylvania county went from bust to boom times with natural gas. Now, it’s nearly broke.

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

March 8, 2021

Rachel Levine, who was nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as assistant health secretary, oversaw the Pennsylvania Department of Health through the first year of the pandemic, which has killed thousands of people in long-term care facilities.

Levine questioned on missing Pa. nursing home data in federal confirmation hearing

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

Feb. 25, 2021

Rural counties like Sullivan are banding together to ensure older residents who lack transportation, access to providers, and internet connections can get the coronavirus vaccine.

In race for COVID-19 vaccinations, older residents in rural Pa. face tough obstacles

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

Feb. 5, 2021

Would a central, statewide signup for vaccine appointments ease Pennsylvania's rollout pains? Here's the answer.

Could a centralized vaccine signup ease Pa.’s rollout pains? Here’s the answer.

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

Jan. 28, 2021

PASSHE Chancellor Daniel Greenstein said he was committed to eliminating racism and the achievement gap on campus, but offered few specific new initiatives beyond what the university system has done in the past.

Head of Pa.’s public university system to examine historic roots of racism in state schools

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

Jan. 14, 2021

The temporary restrictions, in effect for the last three weeks, suspended indoor dining at restaurants, and shut down entertainment facilities such as movie theaters, concert venues, casinos, and clubs, as well as gyms and fitness facilities.

Pa.’s ban on indoor dining, school sports won’t extend beyond Jan. 4

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

Dec. 30, 2020

Gov. Tom Wolf is currently isolating at home after testing positive for COVID-19.

Wolf temporarily suspends Pa. indoor dining, school sports

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA and Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

Dec. 10, 2020

A sign that reads "HANG IN THERE WORLD" is seen in the windows of the enclosed walkway at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. State officials are asking hospitals to work together as some face a staffing crisis.

Pa. hospitals on the brink of a staffing crisis as COVID-19 surges

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

Dec. 4, 2020

Spotlight PA wants to talk to people who have been traced for coronavirus exposure or are tracers or investigators.

Are you a Pa. contact tracer, or have you been contacted by one? Tell us your story.

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA and Ese Olumhense of Spotlight PA

Nov. 24, 2020

Kristy Hagan, owner of Flood City Cafe in downtown Johnstown, photographed at her restaurant on Nov. 11, 2020. She received a portion of the city's CARES Act funding to help keep her business going during the coronavirus pandemic.

Financially distressed Pa. towns faring better than expected, while others in pain

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

Nov. 23, 2020

A more robust contact tracing system that quickly informs people who may have been exposed combined with a testing system that is fast enough to confirm cases before a person spreads the virus should be prioritized, one expert said.

Lockdowns aren’t the answer to Pa.'s surging coronavirus cases, health officials and experts say

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

Nov. 13, 2020

On Thursday, Pennsylvania reported yet another single-day record for new confirmed coronavirus cases.

Here’s who in Pa. will get a coronavirus vaccine first when one is approved

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

Nov. 5, 2020

Mail ballots are sorted and counted by workers on Election Day at Northampton County Courthouse in Easton.

Republicans seek to sideline Pa. mail ballots that voters were allowed to fix

by Angela Couloumbis and Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

Nov. 3, 2020

A USPS spokesperson, meanwhile, said the agency is “unaware of any significant delays or issues.”

Potentially thousands of requested mail ballots lost in Pa. county, official says

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

Oct. 28, 2020

Citing an August report by Spotlight PA that documented the mental and academic impact of ongoing racism at schools in the system, known as PASSHE, state Sen. Art Haywood criticized administrators and state leadership for failing to take meaningful action.

Solutions for racism, inequity should be central to redesign of Pa. state universities, senator says

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

Oct. 21, 2020

Secretary of the Commonwealth Kathy Boockvar called pre-canvassing "an obvious solution" to guarantee timely election results.

Top Pa. election official says ‘overwhelming majority’ of votes will be counted by Friday after Election Day

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

Oct. 19, 2020

The Wolf administration on Wednesday filed a motion to stay the decision in order to ensure “life-saving mitigation tools ... remain in place.”

Why the ruling against Wolf’s COVID-19 restrictions faces long odds on appeal, explained

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA and Paula Reed Ward of the Tribune-Review

Sept. 17, 2020

On Sept. 21, restaurants can increase indoor dining to 50% of overall capacity.

Wolf allows restaurants to serve more customers indoors, but timing raises eyebrows

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

Sept. 8, 2020

Weekly reports released by the Department of Health are consistently missing data for more than 100 of the state’s 693 nursing homes.

Nursing home COVID-19 case, death data still missing from Pa.’s public reports

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA

Sept. 2, 2020

Gov. Tom Wolf delivered a message to lawmakers Tuesday: "We’ve got to get back to doing things that actually matter to people.”

Gov. Tom Wolf wants Pa. to legalize marijuana, provide more COVID-19 relief this fall

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

Aug. 25, 2020