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State College Region Penn State

Penn State, like many universities, does not disclose the financial values of its students’ NIL contracts. — HEATHER KHALIFA / Philadelphia Inquirer

Schools like Penn State self-police student-athlete endorsement deals

by Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State College

Student-athletes can now make money from their “name, image, and likeness,” but there aren’t many incentives for the state or universities to hold violators accountable.

While it’s common for boards to cover the cost of doing business, details of the spending come as the university raises tuition and slashes spending to overcome a $127 million budget deficit. — TIM TAI / Philadelphia Inquirer

Amid budget crunch, Penn State trustees spent nearly $318,000 on meals, lodging, and more for meetings

by Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State College

Local Government

A proposed zoning change aims to deter more student high-rises from being built in downtown State College. — Abby Drey / Centre Daily Times

An attempt to deter more student high-rises in State College raises larger debate about the future of downtown

by Sarah Rafacz of Spotlight PA State College

Penn State’s Board of Trustees claims a legal exception allows some of its most influential leaders to meet regularly in private. Media law lawyers say the practice might violate Pennsylvania law. — Abby Drey / Centre Daily Times

Regular private meetings among top Penn State trustees may be violating Pa.’s transparency law

by Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State College

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Talk of the Town

Three dead in accident at Penns Valley farm

Plus, what happens when local elected officials call it quits?

Talk of the Town

Spotlight PA's State College bureau cover local governments, institutions, and concerns in north-central Pennsylvania. — Abby Drey / Centre Daily Times

The future of zoning in downtown State College

Plus: A complete guide to candidates for governor, and PSU's new president defends hiring.

Penn State Transparency Tracker

Just days after announcing a hiring freeze, Penn State created a new office and hired a new vice president. Here’s what the university has to say about that decision. — Abby Drey / Centre Daily Times

Why did Penn State create a new VP position during a hiring freeze?

by Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State College

Talk of the Town

People walk across Old Main lawn on the Penn State campus on Wednesday, May 19, 2021. — Abby Drey / Centre Daily Times

Why PSU created a VP job during hiring freeze

The changing relationships between volunteer fire companies and local governments, the lost village of Kinzua, and a voting system referendum.

With costs rising and donations down, more volunteer fire companies are turning to public support — and facing questions about transparency. — Photo Courtesy Chris Harter

Talk of a tax increase is driving a wedge between leaders of a growing Pa. township and its fire company

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Talk of the Town

Rural students are missing out on extracurriculars

Plus: 36 Pa. counties in a drought watch, a free event on the Great Migration's legacy in Pennsylvania, and leafminers

Five volunteer fire companies in Centre County are participating in a state study to determine how better collaboration among them might alleviate some cost and staffing challenges. — ALEJANDRO A. ALVAREZ / Philadelphia Inquirer

The business of volunteer fire companies has become harder to sustain. Can collaboration help?

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Talk of the Town

Costly regulations and smaller populations relative to urban areas have prevented any abortion providers from opening in north-central Pennsylvania since one in State College closed after a series of scandals. — HEATHER KHALIFA / Philadelphia Inquirer

People in rural areas lack access to abortion clinics

Plus: Fire companies consider teaming up, a government transparency win, and a new, and maybe the last, high-rise in State College.

Costly regulations and smaller populations relative to urban areas have prevented any abortion providers from opening in north-central Pennsylvania since one in State College closed after a series of scandals. — HEATHER KHALIFA / Philadelphia Inquirer

Why people in State College and rural north-central Pa. don’t have easy access to in-person abortion services

by Ashad Hajela of Spotlight PA State College

Talk of the Town

State College further restricts short-term rentals

Plus: PSU spent more than $500K on police OT for football in 2021, student housing, and Williamsport's financial turmoil

Penn State University paid $572,119 for officers from five Centre County police departments to work overtime at football games last year. — Daniel Fishel for Spotlight PA

Penn State spent half a million dollars on police overtime at football games in 2021

by Emma Dooling of Spotlight PA

Talk of the Town

Abby Drey / Centre Daily Times

Why sharing documents helps us cover Penn State

Plus: A possible Lyme disease vaccine, making plant fibers into paper, and a Viking ship.

Talk of the Town

People walk across Old Main lawn on the Penn State campus on Wednesday, May 19, 2021. — Abby Drey / Centre Daily Times

The questions PSU won't answer about student extortion case

Plus: A virtual Talk of the Town event, the state Supreme Court's ruling on mail voting law, and county fairs.

The Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte on Thursday, November 30, 2017. The Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte on Thursday, November 30, 2017. — Abby Drey / Centre Daily Times

Penn State did not prove its legal standing to have public court filing sealed, experts say

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

People walk across Old Main lawn on the Penn State campus on Wednesday, May 19, 2021. — Abby Drey / Centre Daily Times

Penn State won’t answer key questions about its handling of sexual extortion involving student athletes

by Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State College

Spotlight PA's State College bureau covers north-central Pennsylvania. — Abby Drey / Centre Daily Times

WATCH: A virtual Q&A with Spotlight PA’s new State College bureau

by Spotlight PA Staff

Talk of the Town

GT votes ‘no’ on marriage equality before gay son’s wedding

Plus: Spotlight PA State College team meets the community, a tuition increase for Penn State students, and a summer flower market.

Talk of the Town

The Centre County Courthouse on Nov. 1, 2018. — Abby Drey / Centre Daily Times

Why Spotlight PA held a highly sensitive story

Plus: Meet your regional reporting team at 3 Dots Downtown and register for a free Spotlight PA event breaking down Pa.'s multibillion-dollar budget

The Centre County Courthouse on Nov. 1, 2018. — Abby Drey / Centre Daily Times

Why Spotlight PA waited to publish details about potential sexual extortion of Penn State student athletes

by Sarah Rafacz of Spotlight PA State College

The Centre County Courthouse on Nov. 1, 2018. — Abby Drey / Centre Daily Times

Judge makes public search warrants involving Penn State student crime victims after university had them sealed

by Sarah Rafacz of Spotlight PA State College

Talk of the Town

Centre County salary data illustration — Daniel Fishel for Spotlight PA

Tell us what to focus on in Centre County salary data

Plus: Penn State's new president at the center of whistleblower lawsuit, Eliot Ness Fest, and a '21st century asylum' in Centre Hall

Local Government

Centre County salary data illustration — Daniel Fishel for Spotlight PA

Spotlight PA tested government transparency in Centre County. Tell us what to look for in the salary data.

by Emma Dooling of Spotlight PA

Talk of the Town

Hiring of cop that killed Ohio boy roils borough

Plus: Protesting for reproductive rights, standup paddleboard yoga, and quilts galore

Abby Drey / Centre Daily Times

6 ways to engage with our new State College regional bureau

by Spotlight PA State College Staff

Photo Provided

Meet Sarah Rafacz, Spotlight PA State College bureau editor

by Sarah Rafacz of Spotlight PA State College

Wyatt Massey — Photo provided

Meet Wyatt Massey, Penn State investigative reporter for Spotlight PA State College

by Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State College

We're rebuilding and revitalizing local news in north-central Pennsylvania, but we can't do it without you. — Abby Drey / Centre Daily Times

Spotlight PA launches first-ever regional bureau based in State College

by Sarah Rafacz of Spotlight PA State College

Min Xian — Andy Colwell

Meet Min Xian, local accountability reporter for Spotlight PA State College

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Ashad Hajela — Photo Provided

Meet Ashad Hajela, rural affairs reporter for Spotlight PA State College

by Ashad Hajela of Spotlight PA State College

Talk of the Town

Contaminated drinking water spurs anger, questions

Plus: Festival ice cream, 'woodhick' skills, and Bellefonte's role in the Underground Railroad