Spotlight PA

12/29/2025

Gov. Josh Shapiro has not reappointed a longtime member of the Board of Pardons, a psychiatrist who advocates have opposed for his votes against clemency applicants, lack of experience in criminal justice, and lines of questioning they find inappropriate.

Gov. Josh Shapiro did not reappoint a member criticized for asking sexual questions and consistently voting no on pardons and commutations.

12/25/2025

Pennsylvania’s 2025 retention races are likely among the five most expensive elections of their kind in American history, one expert told Spotlight PA.

Millions of dollars from outside groups helped three PA judges elected as Democrats keep their seats.

12/24/2025

Critics believe Aging Secretary Jason Kavulich’s changes have relaxed oversight of county agencies and weakened efforts to keep older adults safe.

12/23/2025

At least two Penn State trustees no longer have access to Diligent, an online file-sharing platform central to an ongoing court case with Spotlight PA.

12/22/2025

A Berks County family attacked by a rabid cat fell through gaps in Pa.’s animal control system
https://www.spotlightpa.org/berks/2025/12/rabies-berks-animal-control-health/

12/19/2025

Every song has a Pa. connection on this holiday playlist

From religious hymns to classic covers by some of the commonwealth’s best known musicians, PA Local’s holiday playlist spans genres and decades.

12/19/2025

The county has continued to experience election administration errors, raising questions about whether it has moved beyond the high-profile mistakes of its past.

The PA county has continued to experience election administration errors, raising questions about whether it has moved beyond the high-profile mistakes of its past.

12/19/2025

Great PA News Quiz: Vance visit, ACA discharge petition, and Pa.’s Christmas tree industry

In this week’s news quiz: Bills that passed the PA legislature, AG Sunday talks Trump executive order, and a legal battle over a park.

12/18/2025

Over nearly a decade, the State College Police Department underreported hundreds of r**es in public data, a Spotlight PA investigation found, masking the true extent of the crime in the community surrounding Penn State.

The missing data masked the true extent of the crime surrounding Penn State. The central PA department claims it was unaware of a 2013 change to what is considered r**e.

12/17/2025

Mental health care workers face too many needs and not enough money on the front line of Pa.'s self-made crisis (Part Three of The Cost of Failing series)

Community mental health providers must make tough decisions on what services they can provide given rising needs and limited resources.

12/17/2025

Mental health providers often know what works for the people they serve. But there’s not enough resources to help everyone in need.

Community mental health providers must make tough decisions on what services they can provide given rising needs and limited resources.