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State College Region Penn State

An attendee holds a map at a Benner Township neighborhood meeting about PFAS contamination in June 2022.

Penn State will pay more than $564K after investigation into drinking water contaminated with ‘forever chemicals’

by Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State College

An agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection says Penn State is a “responsible person” for releasing PFAS at its airport.

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Penn State trustees rarely discuss key issues before voting — unless they’re related to athletics or rules for members
Secretive group of Penn State trustees meet in public for first time since 2011
As problems roiled Penn State Health’s transplant programs, unknowing patients kept hope. Then they were blindsided.

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Editor's Picks

After Hershey Medical Center stopped performing kidney transplants, Jessica Clark scrambled to find another hospital that would add her to its waiting list.

As problems roiled Penn State Health’s transplant programs, unknowing patients kept hope. Then they were blindsided.

by Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA and Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State College

Already sick, former patients of the failed kidney and liver transplant units face rejection and despair as they look elsewhere and grapple with the one thing they cannot afford to lose: time.

Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program has allowed doctors with past misconduct to certify patients.

Prior misconduct rarely an obstacle for doctors in Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program

by Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA

The Capitol

Gov. Josh Shapiro in Philadelphia, PA in November 2024.

Shapiro says he won’t let SEPTA ‘fail’ as struggling transit agency warns of looming cuts

by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA

Transit supporters want him to use federal highway dollars as a stopgap, something at least one previous governor has done.

Elizabeth Moro, a state House candidate, knocks on doors in West Chester a week before the Nov. 5 election.

At least $34M has been spent on key races that will determine Pa. House, Senate control

by Stephen Caruso and Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA

Investigations

Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich (center)

Breaking rules intended to keep Pa.’s older adults safe is rarely met with state sanctions

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Despite chronic issues, the Department of Aging has never taken punitive action against county agencies that don’t meet state standards.

The Secret Service immediately surround former President Trump after he was shot during his campaign stop at the Butler Farm Show grounds on Saturday, July 13, 2024.

Trump assassination attempt shows long-standing flaws in Secret Service protections

by Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA; Jessica Lussenhop of ProPublica; and Irina Bucur, Tracy Leturgey and Eddie Trizzino of The Butler Eagle

Impact

Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program has allowed doctors with past misconduct to certify patients.

New limits, oversight for Pa.’s medical marijuana doctors proposed in response to Spotlight PA investigation

by Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA

The bill would give the Department of Health discretion on which doctors in the medical marijuana program would receive extra scrutiny.

Editor’s Notes

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Groundbreaking deal between Spotlight PA, TV stations to bring in-depth reporting to millions more people

by Christopher Baxter

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State College Bureau

Ferguson Township Municipal Building in Centre County

A troubled rural water system is moving toward a possible sale. Local officials want to help avoid costly rate increases.

by Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State College

The Ferguson Township Board of Supervisors has agreed to support the State College Borough Water Authority in efforts to acquire the Rock Spring Water Company.

Old Main on Penn State’s University Park campus

Penn State trustees rarely discuss key issues before voting — unless they’re related to athletics or rules for members

by Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State College

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