Spotlight PA: Pennsylvania news and investigations

Top News The Capitol

Pennsylvania skill game machine at a business near Harrisburg.

Negotiations to tax skill games fell apart last year. GOP leaders are restarting the debate.

by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA

Lawmakers will again wade into a tricky debate over taxing skill games this session. The slot-like machines are currently unregulated.

Related Stories

Shapiro wants to tax skill games. He must first navigate Pa.’s wealthy, warring gambling interests.
What are skill games, and why are they at the center of a multimillion-dollar fight
Gov. Shapiro wanted to regulate skill games in this year's budget, but talks aren’t going well
More funding for SEPTA unlikely this year thanks to deep conflicts over gaming expansion

Most Popular Stories

Sign up for our newsletters

Get the top stories and best investigative journalism from across Pa. with our free newsletters.

Support Nonpartisan, Independent Journalism

Spotlight PA's unique investigative and public-service journalism depends on reader support.

Other Amount:

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

Former Gov. Tom Wolf (left) speaks to Gov. Josh Shapiro (right)

Governor’s office forced to reveal why it spent $368K on private law firms

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Ex-Gov. Tom Wolf’s office and top lawyers for Gov. Josh Shapiro have furiously fought to keep this information secret.

The exterior of the Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg.

Lawmakers tease their plans to address high child care costs, low pre-K attendance in Pa.

by Sarah Boden for Spotlight PA

Investigations

Local Government

An illustration of a woman walking away from a crumbling road and out of a credit card with a phone in hand and shopping bags around.

New records detail Pa. township secretary’s alleged half-million-dollar heist. How did sports betting, trips, and more go unnoticed?

by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College

Pamela Hackenburg allegedly used Gregg Township’s credit cards to steal almost $533,000 from local taxpayers. The township’s supervisors never looked at a statement.

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

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

Spotlight PA reporting airs on PHL17 in Philadelphia, PA

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

by Christopher Baxter

Good News from Pennsylvania

Merchandise and tables inside the Drunken Smithy forge in Lebanon Valley Mall.

Blacksmiths forge unorthodox biz inside struggling Pa. mall’s vacated Victoria’s Secret

by Asha Prihar

As shopping malls nationwide see traditional retailers depart, businesses like the Drunken Smithy in Lebanon are making creative use of the vacancies.

Residents of this Philadelphia block create neighborhood ‘magic’ every December

by Asha Prihar of Spotlight PA

Neighbors come together every year to create Miracle on 13th Street, a beloved holiday tradition of lights and cheer that draws crowds to South Philly.

PA Local Heroes: The accidental activist lobbying Harrisburg to protect older adults from abuse

by Colin Deppen of Spotlight PA

After Lynn Fiedler’s mother was abused in a memory care center near Lewisburg, Fiedler went to Harrisburg to change the laws.

A weekly dose of positive news

A fresh look at the incredible people, beautiful places, and delicious food Pennsylvania has to offer.

State College Bureau

A Shippensburg Borough Water Authority building

What to do if you have an issue with your municipal water or wastewater authority

by Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State College

Pennsylvania’s municipal water and wastewater authorities have local control over operations, but they don’t go unchecked.

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

Spotlight PA Live Event: An inside look at our coverage of Penn State

by Spotlight PA Staff

More top stories

Get the top news from across Pennsylvania, plus some fun and a puzzle, all in one free daily email newsletter.