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Help us celebrate our one-year anniversary!

Plus: DuBois objects to Sandy Township consolidation lawsuit

This is Talk of the Town, a free weekly newsletter delivering top news from State College and the surrounding region.


July 6, 2023
⭐ Support local investigative journalism! If each Talk of the Town subscriber gives just $15/month, we will meet our fundraising goal for Spotlight PA’s State College regional bureau this year! Contribute now.
Inside this edition: DuBois objects to Sandy Township consolidation lawsuit, rocky governance persists in Tioga borough, and Williamsport police officers accused of excessive force. Plus, we are celebrating the one-year anniversary of Spotlight PA State College! 🎉
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US 🎂
It’s been a year since we launched Spotlight PA State College, and we are overwhelmed by the support we’ve received from our community!

We are grateful for the warm welcome to north-central Pennsylvania, and we’re honored to be here working in service to you. We’re just getting started!

In the past year, you’ve shown us that public-service and accountability journalism matters to you. Every day, we fight for access to the information you deserve to know.

Here’s how you can help us celebrate our one-year anniversary:
  1. Give us feedback about Talk of the Town and our coverage of the region! What do you like? How could we improve?
  2. Attend our birthday party! Test your knowledge of Pennsylvania trivia at our “Clink and Think” Quiz Bash Fundraiser on Aug. 6 at Axemann Brewery in Bellefonte.
  3. Help us grow Talk of the Town by sharing this newsletter with your friends!
  4. Send us story ideas and tips!
  5. Donate! Our investigative journalism is only possible because of the generosity of readers like you.
We are so excited to continue growing the State College regional bureau in the coming year. We’ve got a lot on the horizon that we’re eager to share with you.

Keep an eye out for details about two virtual events we’re holding later this summer — hosted by the bureau’s Local Accountability Reporter Min Xian and Penn State Investigative Reporter Wyatt Massey.

Sarah Rafacz, State College editor
📝 FROM SPOTLIGHT PA
» After Shapiro reverses position on school vouchers, Pa. House passes a budget and Senate cries foul

» Rocky governance persists in tiny Pa. borough that hired Tamir Rice’s killer

» Several years after Pennsylvania legalized fireworks, they’re probably here to stay
VISIT THE PENN STATE TRANSPARENCY TRACKER
📷 LOCAL GEM
The Pine Creek Gorge, photographed by Linda Stager

Want to be featured here? Send your best local pics to talkofthetown@spotlightpa.org.
💕 Love Talk of the Town? Help us keep growing by sharing this newsletter with your friends! Did someone forward this email to you? Click here to sign up.
📰 IN OTHER NEWS
» Courier Express: DuBois objects to Sandy Twp. consolidation lawsuit
» Sun-Gazette: Williamsport cops accused of excessive force in lawsuit 
» Era: Three train cars derail in Mount Jewett

» WPSU: PSU responds to Supreme Court’s affirmative action rejection
» Mirror: Historic Black cemetery in Altoona to receive state funds

» CDT: Another inmate dies by suicide at Benner state prison
» Daily News: Broadband input sought from Huntingdon County residents
📅 EVENTS
Want us to list your event? Send it to us.

» July 7: Catch a race at the Clinton County Speedway in Mill Hall.


» July 8: Acoustic Brew presents Celtic Fest — a celebration of culture, music, and dance — at the Boal Museum Amphitheater and grounds.

» July 11-15: Stop by Philipsburg Heritage Days for live performances, the grand parade, fireworks, a watermelon-eating contest, and more.

» July 12: Budding artists sell their creations at Children and Youth Day in State College.

» July 12-22: The Lycoming County Fair, first held in 1870, highlights agricultural traditions.
🧩 THE PUZZLER
An anagram is a word, phrase, or name formed by rearranging the letters of another. For example, “spotlight” also forms “stoplight.”

Decode the anagram and send your answer to talkofthetown@spotlightpa.org. We’ll shout out winners here, and one each week will get some Spotlight PA State College swag.

 
H U S T L I N G
 
Good luck!

Last week’s answer: Rival

Congrats to Kate B., who will receive Spotlight PA State College swag. Others who answered correctly: Tish M., Leslie B., Coache, Daniel M., Amy Z., Don H., and Thomas S.
Do you have events, community shoutouts, questions about our region, or tips on stories that we should pursue? Email our team.
 
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Help us power investigative journalism in our communities that gets results by becoming a member now.

 
SUPPORT SPOTLIGHT PA
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.

Copyright © Spotlight PA / The Philadelphia Inquirer, All rights reserved.

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Harrisburg, PA 17108-1728

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