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A convenience store in Downtown Pittsburgh prominently advertises that Pennsylvania Lottery tickets are available.

Lottery pushes Pa. lawmakers to end profit rules for bigger jackpots

by Abigail Hakas of Next Generation Newsroom

The Pennsylvania Lottery wants to sell more big-prize tickets. Will it generate more revenue — or fuel gambling problems?

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1000s waiting as Shapiro admin again tries to convince lawmakers to fund home repairs program
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The exterior of the Pennsylvania Judicial Center.

Republicans have a chance to transform the Pa. Supreme Court this year

by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA and Carter Walker of Votebeat

Judicial retention elections in Pennsylvania are usually sleepy. But this year, Republicans say they’re going all in to unseat three Democratic Supreme Court justices.

Old Main on Penn State’s University Park campus in State College, Pennsylvania

Final say on Penn State campus closures might not involve the university's governing board

by Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State College

The Capitol

Rooftops of homes in Blair County, Pennsylvania.

1000s waiting as Shapiro admin again tries to convince lawmakers to fund home repairs program

by Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA

Two previous efforts to pass a state-funded home repair program were casualties of the budget process.

A woman sits while an infant rests on her chest.

Nursing parents would gain right to pump in public under proposal to expand breastfeeding law

by Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA

Investigations

From left: The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging; Luen Ng and her Northeast Philadelphia home; Pennsylvania Aging Secretary Jason Kavulich

Ailing Pa. woman died after months of pleas for help, a victim of a safety net in tatters

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Aging officials in Philadelphia took months to get Luen Ng help before she was killed. She’s one of 1,511 older adults who died in the state in 2023 with open abuse and neglect investigations.

From left: Lt. Gov. Austin Davis (Commonwealth Media Services); Gail Stallworth (courtesy of Cornelius Harp); then-Attorney General Josh Shapiro at a Board of Pardons meeting (via YouTube).

Rare 2nd chance at freedom for Pa. woman serving life sentence reversed in unprecedented revote

by Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA

Impact

Gov. Josh Shapiro arrives in Philadelphia to discuss a partial Interstate 95 collapse.

Public will no longer be in the dark about Shapiro flights on taxpayer-funded State Police planes

by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA

Unlike a PennDOT-operated plane, State Police aircraft don’t have to publish public logs of who they carry or the cost.

Linnet Brooks, a Rock Spring Water Company customer, keeps bottled water in her pantry due to frequent outages.

‘Imminent health threats’ to rural water customers lead judge to order temporary takeover

by Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State College

Good News from Pennsylvania

Campers and volunteers at Camp Dreamcatcher in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

PA Local Heroes: A summer camp where HIV stigma stops

by Colin Deppen of Spotlight PA

Camp Dreamcatcher in Chester County, launched at the height of ‘90s stigma around HIV, has served thousands of children living with or affected by the virus.

Former hair rocker and current lawmaker pitches new Pa. state song—written by him

by Colin Deppen of Spotlight PA

Critics say Pennsylvania’s state song is dull and uninspiring. Lawmakers have another chance to change it this session.

Groundhog Day annually draws crowds to the world ‘Weather Capital.’ Which other Pa. regions claim ‘capital’ status?

by Asha Prihar of Spotlight PA

Punxsutawney is one of many “world capitals” located in Pennsylvania, including the purported global hubs for cheesesteaks, murals, mushrooms, snack foods, and more.

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State College Bureau

A street in Tyrone, a borough in Blair County, Pennsylvania.

Reviving rural Pa. should start with shoring up local governments, says state commission

by Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State College

The Rural Population Revitalization Commission wants to streamline grant requirements and improve technical support to help rural areas overcome development challenges.

Old Main on Penn State’s University Park campus in State College, Pennsylvania

Final say on Penn State campus closures might not involve the university's governing board

by Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State College

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