Top News HealthCourtesy of Affordable Healthcare for PAHealth insurance rates poised to rise again as Pa. regulators claim limited power to control increasesby Jaxon White of Spotlight PANearly 202,000 people have canceled their plans through the state’s marketplace, Pennie, over the past nine months.Related StoriesMedicaid will likely shed patients under new rules. This health system is working to keep them covered.Pa. election 2026: Where governor candidates Garrity and Shapiro stand on Medicaid, fraud, and more
Justice SystemCourtesy of the Abolitionist Law CenterLifers ask Pa. Supreme Court to open pathway for resentencing after lawmakers fail to actby Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA
The CapitolDavid Goldman / APPa. lawmakers eye limits, outright ban on Flock cameras as they prepare for fall returnby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA
Justice SystemEd Mahon / Spotlight PAThese cases could reshape the way Pa. treats users who are accused of supplying drugs in fatal overdosesby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA
ElectionsCommonwealth Media ServicesStacy Garrity is ambitious, Trump-endorsed, and experienced. Is that enough to beat Josh Shapiro?by Katie Meyer and Jaxon White of Spotlight PAA two-term treasurer, Garrity is running for Pennsylvania governor with much less money and name recognition than Shapiro.
Josh ShapiroCommonwealth Media ServicesJosh Shapiro built national fame on getting things done, but his full record is complexby Stephen Caruso and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA
Sept. 3, 2026Erin Hooley / APPa. election results, Shapiro’s speeches, and state laws are all prediction market bets. Could this lead to corruption?by Jaxon White of Spotlight PAFederal officials argue states can’t regulate prediction markets. 44 state attorneys general, including Pa.’s, argue otherwise.
Sept. 1, 2026Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PADozens of former Pa. lawmakers are now registered to lobby their old workplaceby Stephen Caruso and Jaxon White of Spotlight PA
Sept. 4, 2026Shideh Ghandeharizadeh / For Spotlight PABig Spring, tiny shops, historic charm: How to spend a day in Bellefonteby Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegeTranslated as “beautiful fountain” in French, Bellefonte boasts distinct architecture, quaint shops, and pleasant views. PA Local offers a guide to spending a day there.
Sept. 9, 2026Georgianna Sutherland / For Spotlight PAPennsylvania American needs more time to negotiate a deal with troubled rural water systemby Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegeIf the investor-owned utility and Rock Spring can’t reach an agreement, Pennsylvania American may seek ownership through eminent domain.
Sept. 8, 2026Gene J. Puskar / APJerry Sandusky appears remotely in court as lawyers prepare a federal court bid to seek a new trialby Associated Press
Sept. 8, 2026Anna Kim / iStockNo covers, loose handle, and other Berks County restaurant inspections for Aug. 31-Sept. 6by Spotlight PA StaffPennsylvania inspected 19 retail food establishments in Berks County between Aug. 31 and Sept. 6. Twelve had violations. See what inspectors found.
Sept. 1, 2026Years / iStockSwollen canned items, hot soup in walk-in cooler, and other Berks County restaurant inspections for Aug. 24-30by Spotlight PA Staff
Week of Sept. 7, 2026Commonwealth Media ServicesGreat PA News Quiz: ICE flights, GOP convention speakers, and emergency room wait timesby Asha Prihar of Spotlight PAIn this quiz: Lawmakers join tech backlash, Sandusky appears in court, convicted labor leader leaves prison, and a local landmark’s rescheduled reopening.
HealthMary Conlon / APCoroner releases details of infants who died amid growing Pennsylvania measles outbreakby Mike Stobbe of the Associated PressDetails of the deaths have come under unusual national scrutiny and became the focus of a furious political battle between the Trump and Shapiro admins.
Federal GovernmentAlex Brandon / APDemocratic Sen. Fetterman speaks at a GOP midterm convention, fueling party-switch fearsby Jonathan J. Cooper of the Associated PressThe senator's appearance before conservative delegates has colleagues on edge, though he insists his loyalties haven't shifted.
EnvironmentMatt Rourke / APConsumers pay at the pump as hostilities flare, oil prices spikeby Marianne Lavelle of Inside Climate NewsExperts say President Donald Trump’s rollback of climate policy is leaving consumers more vulnerable to price shocks and pollution.
ElectionsSteven Senne / APDemocrats in Pa. maintain distance from John Fetterman heading into midtermsby Marc Levy of the Associated PressJohn Fetterman’s approval ratings are better with Republicans than they are with Democrats. And a shadow primary of sorts is taking shape for his U.S. Senate seat in 2028, even if he runs again.
EnvironmentTracie Van Auken / Inside Climate NewsA pipeline giant that spilled jet fuel in Pa. is trying to weaken a clean water lawby Marianne Lavelle of Inside Climate NewsEnergy Transfer has not yet been charged, but it is already moving to head off a criminal case over the monthslong jet fuel leak into a neighborhood’s drinking water source.
ElectionsMatt Smith / For Spotlight PADepartment of Justice charges 5 in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and New Jersey with crimes related to noncitizen votingby Carter Walker of VotebeatThe charges come as the Trump administration steps up its efforts to root out what it says are thousands of noncitizen voters.
ElectionsAmanda Berg / For Spotlight PAAttorney faces possible discipline over conduct in 2020 Fulton County election lawsuitby Carter Walker of VotebeatThomas Carroll was accused of “bad faith” while representing the county in its dispute with the Pennsylvania Department of State.
Federal GovernmentSteven Senne / AP‘Fetterman is a disgrace,’ Democrats say after bombshell articleby Gavin J. Quinton and Igor Bobic of NOTUSThe Pennsylvania Democrat was uninterested in the typical day-to-day responsibilities of the job, a former senior aide confirmed to NOTUS.
ElectionsMark Schiefelbein / APElon Musk’s super PAC dumped $800K Into battleground races in Augustby Marissa Martinez of NOTUSNMost of the money went toward competitive U.S. Senate races in states like Texas and Maine, while smaller amounts were directed to U.S. House races in Pennsylvania.
Justice SystemGene J. Puskar / APSandusky lawyers ask court to put off accuser’s recantation in bid for new trialby Associated PressLawyers for Jerry Sandusky asked to cancel a court date for a hearing over a claim that an accuser wants to recant allegations that the former Penn State coach sexually abused him years ago.
PA LocalShideh Ghandeharizadeh / For Spotlight PABig Spring, tiny shops, historic charm: How to spend a day in Bellefonteby Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State CollegeTranslated as “beautiful fountain” in French, Bellefonte boasts distinct architecture, quaint shops, and pleasant views. PA Local offers a guide to spending a day there.