Min Xian

Stories by Min Xian

Local Government

State College Municipal Building

Police misreporting 100s of rapes ‘didn’t make any difference’ to how cases were handled, oversight board says

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Jan. 16, 2026

An illustration of a police officer behind an information desk with shadows looking confused in the foreground.

The inside story of how State College police underreported 100s of rapes

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Jan. 6, 2026

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

Dec. 18, 2025

Local Government

An illustration of a person at a laptop looking at various facets of local government.

Pennsylvania, its local governments are on track to use nearly all $13B in pandemic relief by end of 2026

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Nov. 18, 2025

Local Government

The DuBois sign was constructed thanks to $2.3 million in federal, state, and city funding that Herm Suplizio oversaw.

Former Pa. city manager's $1.5M theft trial could start this spring after 2-year delay

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Nov. 12, 2025

Josh Maines

Democrat Josh Maines wins Clearfield County judge race with thin margin over Republican Ryan P. Sayers

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Nov. 5, 2025

Centre County Courthouse

Municipal Elections 101: Pa. voters will choose district attorneys in 17 counties this November

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Oct. 27, 2025

An illustration of five elected officials sitting at a table.

Municipal Elections 101: Township supervisors, borough and city council members are on Pa.’s November ballot

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Oct. 13, 2025

Clearfield County Courthouse

Pa. election 2025: A complete guide to the candidates for Clearfield County judge

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Sept. 22, 2025

Local Government

Pamela Hackenburg speaks at a microphone.

Former rural Pa. township secretary sentenced to state prison for $532K theft of public dollars

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Sept. 16, 2025

Local Government

An illustration of a woman walking away from a crumbling road and out of a credit card with a phone in hand and shopping bags around.

Ex-township secretary in rural Pa. pleads guilty to stealing $533K in public funds for sports betting, trips, and more

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

July 15, 2025

Local Government

A firefighter puts out a fire during a training class.

More local governments in Pa. would be able to tax more to cover fire, EMS costs under new bill

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

June 19, 2025

Local Government

The Old Gregg School Community and Recreation Center in Spring Mills, which houses Gregg Township's municipal office.

Township allegedly fleeced by its own employee seeks to block immediate access to bond claim details

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

June 5, 2025

An illustration of the seven candidates for State College school board

Pa. primary election 2025: The State College school board candidates advancing to November

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

May 21, 2025

Illustration of a piece of land fitting into another like a puzzle with various icons around it.

Rare birth of a new city in Pennsylvania inches closer as voters pick a whole new council

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

May 15, 2025

An illustration of the seven candidates for State College school board

Pa. primary election 2025: A complete guide to the candidates for State College school board

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

April 21, 2025

People hold up signs of U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson that say “missing” during a protest outside his Bellefonte office.

The people who represent you in D.C. and Harrisburg are allowed to keep their calendars secret

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

April 18, 2025

Local Government

Benner Commerce Park in Centre County

Benefits unclear 20 years after Pennsylvania governor, legislators gave away land with promise of jobs, revenue

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

April 11, 2025

Local Government

Houses on a street in Tyrone, Pennsylvania

End of federal relief money will push some Pa. municipalities off a financial cliff, Shapiro admin fears

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

March 24, 2025

Local Government

An illustration of five elected officials sitting at a table.

Pa. primary election 2025: Everything you need to know about running for local public office

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Feb. 18, 2025

Local Government

How Local Government Works series illustration

The alleged theft of more than $532K from a Pa. township shows the limits of routine audits

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Feb. 6, 2025

Local Government

An illustration of a woman walking away from a crumbling road and out of a credit card with a phone in hand and shopping bags around.

New records detail Pa. township secretary’s alleged half-million-dollar heist. How did sports betting, trips, and more go unnoticed?

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Dec. 19, 2024

Local Government

The Old Gregg School Community and Recreation Center in Spring Mills, which houses Gregg Township's municipal office.

More than $532K went missing from a rural Pa. township. Now the former secretary has been charged with 4 felonies.

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Dec. 2, 2024

Local Government

A street in St. Marys, Elk County

Find out how your Pennsylvania community is spending its federal pandemic relief funding

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Nov. 14, 2024

Local Government

Houses in Altoona, Blair County

Pennsylvania, most of its municipalities on track to decide how to spend pandemic relief funding as deadline nears

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Nov. 14, 2024

Local Government

Solar panel field at the University Area Joint Authority in Centre County.

Routine process or ‘financial scandal’? Legal bills divide some elected officials involved in Pa. county solar project

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Oct. 23, 2024

Local Government

An exterior of the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania

Lawsuits are a last resort when local government goes wrong. Here's why one Pennsylvanian is suing.

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Sept. 20, 2024

Local Government

How Local Government Works series illustration

Local governments need 12K people to function. Experts say you could be one of them.

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Aug. 30, 2024

Local Government

A stack of credit cards.

Did Pa. township missing $532K in taxpayer dollars have financial safeguards? Officials won't say.

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Aug. 15, 2024

Local Government

A state police car

A half million dollars in taxpayer money went missing in this Pa. township

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Aug. 9, 2024

Local Government

A gate blocking access to a temporary 911 tower in Elk County, Pennsylvania.

Elk County 911 radio upgrades in jeopardy due to property owners’ legal dispute

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Aug. 5, 2024

Local Government

How Local Government Works series illustration

Local governments could save millions if public notice requirements change. Newspapers oppose the move.

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

July 12, 2024

Local Government

The DuBois sign was constructed thanks to $2.3 million in federal, state, and city funding that Herm Suplizio oversaw.

Secret bank accounts, $1M deficit plague city as official's corruption case is repeatedly delayed

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

July 11, 2024

How Local Government Works

How Local Government Works series illustration

Property taxes are the lifeblood of local government, but officials, residents hate to adjust them

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

June 28, 2024

Local Government

A view of buildings in downtown State College, Pennsylvania.

State College area encouraged to consolidate to improve economy almost 3 decades after failed attempt

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

May 10, 2024

Local Government

Illustration of a piece of land fitting into another like a puzzle with various icons around it.

Why a thorny union of two Pa. municipalities can still succeed despite lack of legal remedy

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

May 1, 2024

Local Government

The dome of the Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg.

Pa. local governments want long-term state money for cybersecurity as federal grant fills the gap

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

March 13, 2024

Local Government

Illustration of a woman working at a laptop and a magnifying glass focused on local government offices.

How to judge the effectiveness of your local government in Pennsylvania

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

March 1, 2024

Local Government

A street in DuBois, Pennsylvania

5 takeaways from Spotlight PA’s event on the DuBois corruption case and local government oversight

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Feb. 2, 2024

Local Government

The municipal building of the City of DuBois, Pennsylvania.

DuBois paid more than $307,000 in legal fees related to city manager corruption investigation, records show

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Jan. 5, 2024

Local Government

An illustration of four elected officials sitting at a table with a mystery person in the final seat.

Pa. voters play little role in choosing who fills vacant municipal offices

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College and Halie Kines of the Centre Daily Times

Dec. 21, 2023

How Local Government Works

Illustration of a woman at a computer next to a magnifying glass showing the various elements of local government work.

How Local Government Works: A key factor in determining property taxes varies wildly across Pennsylvania

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Dec. 8, 2023

Local Government

A sign that spells DuBois in four foot tall white letters

Big bonuses, vast powers, and corruption charges: 5 takeaways from an investigation into DuBois’ Herm Suplizio

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Nov. 23, 2023

Local Government

Downtown DuBois, Pennsylvania

How Spotlight PA reported its investigation into suspended DuBois City Manager Herm Suplizio

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Nov. 17, 2023

Local Government

Herm Suplizio in a campaign video

Feds take over corruption case against embattled Pa. city manager

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Nov. 16, 2023

Local Government

The DuBois sign with four foot tall white letters.

The inside story of how one man remade a small Pa. city while allegedly ripping off his neighbors

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Nov. 9, 2023

Local Government

A view of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania.

New bills would let Pennsylvania local governments hire firms as managers

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Aug. 21, 2023

Local Government

A street in DuBois, Pennsylvania.

5 takeaways from our event on holding local Pennsylvania officials accountable

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Aug. 15, 2023

How Local Government Works

How Local Government Works illustration

How Local Government Works: How does municipal planning work in your community?

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

July 17, 2023

Local Government

A street in DuBois, Pennsylvania

A Pa. town seeks to pause consolidation with its scandal ridden neighbor city

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

June 7, 2023

Local Government

In early May, DuBois’ solicitor showed up at City Hall with $93,920 in cash tucked inside a cardboard box and packaged in a gift bag.

A DuBois official was arrested on corruption charges. Then nearly $100K in cash arrived at city hall.

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

May 30, 2023

Local Government

Illustration of a woman sitting at a computer with court, records, and clerk offices in a government building.

How Local Government Works: Are government officials’ personal social media posts public records?

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

May 22, 2023

Local Government

A street in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Proposed Pa. budget nearly quadruples funding for local government cooperation

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

May 17, 2023

Local Government

A street in DuBois, Pennsylvania

DuBois official’s corruption arrest puts consolidation with Sandy Township at risk

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

April 24, 2023

The entrance to the Pennsylvania Judicial Center in Harrisburg.

Why Pennsylvania courts won’t be a part of this year’s budget hearings

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

April 17, 2023

Local Government

The municipal building of the City of DuBois, Pennsylvania.

How a Pa. city manager allegedly stole thousands of taxpayer dollars with virtually no oversight

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

April 10, 2023

Local Government

Piles of campaign finance records.

How Local Government Works: A basic guide to requesting public records in Pa.

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

March 23, 2023

An illustration of dollars and cents over county lines in Pennsylvania.

Penn State paid state, local police almost $1.9 million for 2021 home football game security

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Feb. 23, 2023

Local Government

People stand in front of the Tioga Borough Office sign on a July day.

5 takeaways from our event on Pennsylvania’s fragmented local governments

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Feb. 3, 2023

Protesters gather in front of the Philadelphia Police Headquarters in Philadelphia, Pa. in May 2020.

Some Pa. courts are excluding probation officers from requirements under police misconduct law

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Jan. 31, 2023