Spotlight PA: Pennsylvania news and investigations

Top News 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.

Related Stories

Shapiro pitches incentives for data centers to be environmentally friendlier as budget deadline approaches
What’s next for data centers in Pa.? State lawmakers are split on how to regulate them.
Lawmakers look to taxes on Big Tech to help cover state spending needs
America’s data center backlash is bipartisan — can it stay that way?

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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

Pennsylvania skill game machine at a business near Harrisburg.

The clock is ticking for Pa. lawmakers to regulate skill games. Here are the hurdles in their way.

by Stephen Caruso and Jaxon White of Spotlight PA

Harrisburg needs to figure out a taxation rate and regulatory scheme for skill games, plus decide where the money will go.

Pennsylvania skill game machine at a business near Harrisburg.

Skill games are slot machines, must adhere to Pa.’s gambling law, state Supreme Court rules

by Stephen Caruso, Katie Meyer, 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.

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

State College Bureau

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

Edin Daniel Chinchilla-Roque has allegedly been placed in a higher level of surveillance at the Clearfield County detention center.

The Moshannon Valley Processing Center is run by the Geo Group, whose boom in ICE contracts contributed to profits of more than $250 million last year.

Rural emergency care is struggling to keep up with ICE detention demand

by Jackie Llanos of NOTUS

Berks County Bureau

A warehouse owned by ICE is seen at 3501 Mountain Road, Upper Bern Township, on May 18, 2026.

Emails detail how Berks County leaders worked behind the scenes after detention center surprise

by Hanna Holthaus of Spotlight PA

Emails obtained by Spotlight PA show behind-the-scenes divisions among the region’s officials over ICE’s warehouse purchase.

Erasmo Zavala hugs his granddaughter, Selene, as his wife Maria stands nearby. A picture of Selene’s mother, Selena, who was murdered, hangs behind the family. May 29, 2026.

How this Pa. grandfather made it out of ICE detention and back to his family

by Gabriela Martínez of Spotlight PA

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