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State College Region Penn State

The HUB-Robeson Center on Penn State's University Park campus in State College, Pennsylvania.

Penn State made deep cuts to engineering, graduate school amid budget woes

by Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State College

Since Penn State announced its multimillion-dollar budget deficit in 2022, the university has deeply cut the budgets to its graduate school and engineering college, a Spotlight PA analysis found.

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Before Penn State pledged more money for ‘promising’ diversity efforts, some of their budgets had been cut

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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

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?

A row of lockers at Bennetts Valley Elementary School in Weedville, Pennsylvania on April 5, 2023.

Extra funding for 100s of Pa. districts in question. See if yours could be affected.

by Sarah Anne Hughes 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

Attendees pose at a 2024 Harrisburg event celebrating a license plate featuring the state amphibian.

License plate overhaul offers window into Pa.’s rich history of designs

by Asha Prihar of Spotlight PA

Over the years, Pennsylvania’s been a hub for eye-catching license plates honoring everything from river otters to D.A.R.E to Quaker friendliness.

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.

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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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