Democracy dies in darkness. We didn't come up with it, but we sure agree, and that's why we're hoping you'll help us end January strong.
Last week, we launched a new, nonpartisan public-service initiative to raise awareness and education about the state constitutional amendments that might be coming to your ballot.
It's just one of a growing number of Democracy initiatives aimed at informing, equipping, and empowering voters — regardless of political party — to get engaged in our state. If you value this kind of unique public-service journalism from Spotlight PA, please make a gift now.
"We believe the individuals we have subpoenaed today have information about how these so-called alternate electors met and who was behind that scheme."
» ON GUARD: While the omicron wave appears to be subsiding across the state, the death rate here remains elevated. "It is much too early to let down our guard," Pennsylvania's acting health secretary said.
» SCHOOL SUITS: One Pennsylvania court reached opposite conclusions in nearly identical lawsuits looking to restore mask rules in two school districts. TribLIVE explains the legal incongruity as appeals are pending.
» NEW LOOK: Even as omicron strained hospitals, Gov. Tom Wolf eschewed the kinds of restrictions he favored earlier in the pandemic. The New York Times says the pivot is about pragmatism but also this year's elections.
'MASSIVE DAMAGE': Officials leading a federal investigation into Friday's catastrophic bridge collapse in Pittsburgh say a preliminary report will be released in about 10 days but pinpointing the cause could take much longer, per WESA. Among the early focal points: footage from a Port Authority bus that was one of several vehicles on the bridge when it fell. Ten people were injured in all, none seriously.
BILLIONS DIVERTED: As debate swirled about the politics of Pennsylvania's infrastructure problem, some cited a 2019 WHYY article about $4.2 billion for bridge repairs that went to shore up the State Police budget instead. Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed changes meant to lessen such fuel tax diversions as State Police coverage areas grow, but those pitches have struggled to find legislative support.
NO WINNER: Pennsylvania's Democratic Party committee deadlocked in Saturday's vote to endorse a candidate in the U.S. Senate primary, with U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb earning the most support but not the two-thirds majority needed to win the nod. AG Josh Shapiro, meanwhile, easily earned the committee's gubernatorial endorsement. GOP state committee endorsements are slated to happen on Feb. 5.
CAT FANCY: The White House has a new pet with a Pennsylvania connection. Willow, a 2-year-old gray and white farm cat, is from Pennsylvania and named for First Lady Jill Biden's hometown of Willow Grove.
CEO SAGA: Douglas Lindey stepped down as Mercer mayor the same month he was sworn in after his eligibility was challenged. With no backup, the borough has a workaround to put him back in office, per the Herald.
RETURN FLIGHT: A great horned owl is back at its Mount Joy nesting spot, "quelling fears that owls would abandon the popular bird-watching site after a human climbed up and took an owlet from its mother last spring," per LNP.
PLAY NEXT: "The Guy Who Sings Songs about Cities and Towns" cut a banger of an album about Pennsylvania with track titles like "York is a City (Good Nice)," "Altoona Altoona Altoona!," and "Oh Yeah! Millcreek Township!"
THE SCRAMBLER
Unscramble and send your answer to scrambler@spotlightpa.org. We'll shout out winners here, and one each week will get some Spotlight PA swag.
A N C A L I C A B A H
*This week's theme: Words that start with the letter "B"
Friday's answer: Extenuating
Congrats to our weekly winner: Nancy S.
Congrats to our daily winners: Vicki U., Mike B., Michelle T., Irene R., Barbara F., Beth T., Eddy Z., Don H., Suzanne O., Al M., Lex M., Doris T., Stephen G., Becky C., Kirk B., Wendy A., Judith D., Ted W., Nancy S., Susan N.-Z., Cindy G., John B., John A., Ellen G., Heidi B., Craig W., Susan D., Mark O., Elaine C., George S., David S., David W., Kimberly S., Rick G., James B., Jill A., Ronnee G., Michael K., Keith F., Tish M., Bill S., Daniel M., Connie K., Dianne K., Kimberly B., Starr B., Kathleen C., Elizabeth W., Gina L., John H., Patricia R., Joel S., Kim C., Karen M., Chris M., John P., William S., Donna J., and Shawn I.
Spotlight PA is an independent, non-partisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and WITF Public Media.
'MASSIVE DAMAGE': Officials leading a federal investigation into Friday's catastrophic bridge collapse in Pittsburgh say a preliminary report will be released in about 10 days but pinpointing the cause could take much longer, per WESA. Among the early focal points: 
BILLIONS NEEDED: 
BILLIONS DIVERTED: As debate swirled about the politics of Pennsylvania's infrastructure problem, some cited a 2019 WHYY article about 
NO WINNER: Pennsylvania's Democratic Party committee 
GUN CHECK: 