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Pa. House and Senate Democratic leaders hold a state budget press conference on June 30, 2026.

Pennsylvania’s budget is late for the fifth year in a row

by Katie Meyer of Spotlight PA

Senate Republicans say a deal is close, but House Democrats are accusing them of “not finishing the job.”

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Why lawmakers may need to tap Pa.’s rainy day reserves to balance this year's budget
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Will education again divide the Pa. legislature this budget cycle? There are signs of smoother sailing.
Shapiro calls for more investment in Pa.’s poorest schools, public transit agencies as part of $53.3B budget pitch

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An illustration of a room exposed by a missing roof, inspired by a real-life case in Allegheny County.

Elder abuse agencies reject cases experts say they should investigate as state scales back oversight

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

State aging officials reviewed every no-need designation to ensure older adults weren’t being left at risk of harm before the Shapiro admin curtailed the practice.

An illustration of two people looking at surgical tools.

Workers in Penn State Health operating rooms raised alarms about safety, sterilization

by Wyatt Massey for Spotlight PA

The Capitol

Gov. Josh Shapiro

Shapiro wants to use incentives to push data centers to behave better. His own party wants to be more aggressive.

by Ethan Young for Spotlight PA

House Democrats had to cut a deal to convince their members not to rewrite the governor’s data center proposal.

The Pennsylvania Capitol building in Harrisburg, PA.

Why lawmakers may need to tap Pa.’s rainy day reserves to balance this year's budget

by Stephen Caruso and Jaxon White of Spotlight PA

Good News from Pennsylvania

Octoraro Reservoir in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Does this Pa. utility offer North America’s best-tasting tap water? They’re headed to DC to compete.

by Asha Prihar of Spotlight PA

Next week, the Chester Water Authority will compete against other award-winning providers from around the continent to see who offers the best taste.

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 stock image of plates stacked on a stainless steel shelf in a kitchen

Bare hands, grease buildup, and other Centre County restaurant inspections for June 22-28

by Spotlight PA Staff

Pennsylvania inspected 19 retail food establishments in Centre County between June 22-28. Five had violations. See what inspectors found.

The sign for the GEO Group Moshannon Valley Processing Center, immigration detention facility in Clearfield County.

ICE detainee punished for speaking to press about poor conditions at Moshannon, lawyer says

by Melissa Pérez-Carrillo of Spotlight PA State College

Berks County Bureau

A stock image of a restaurant kitchen.

Leaking faucet, debris on floor, and other Berks County restaurant inspections for June 22-28

by Spotlight PA Staff

Pennsylvania inspected 67 retail food establishments in Berks County between June 22-28. Thirty-three had violations. See what inspectors found.

3501 Mountain Road warehouse owned by the federal government in Upper Bern Township on May 18, 2026

Berks County officials await answers from Trump admin on ICE warehouse’s future

by Amanda Fries of Spotlight PA

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