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A daily newsletter by  |
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| Today: Hydrogen hubs, Live Nation litigation, derailment dollars, waiting for certification, prison push, and a soldier is finally honored. Happy Friday. |
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The federal government and private developers are collecting public feedback on two major hydrogen projects that will be partly located in Pennsylvania as part of a multibillion-dollar Biden administration effort to cut carbon pollution and fight climate change. Last fall, the administration announced plans to invest $1.6 billion into building the two hubs, which are networks of infrastructure used to produce, store, and transport hydrogen and its byproducts. But affected communities and environmental advocates are worried about the health risks. They fear that by the time the government releases the full details of the projects, it will be too late for developers to incorporate their feedback or make changes.
Read Spotlight PA's full report: Communities fear health, environmental harms as they await more info on hydrogen hub projects |
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| NOTABLE / QUOTABLE
“The park existed long before the needles came and I’m hoping it will exist long after they leave.”
—Kensington Library supervisor Sara Palmer on McPherson Square’s nickname of “Needle Park”; community leaders are working to change the narrative of the neighborhood. |
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QUICK UPDATE: We're closing in on our Spring Member Drive goal, and you can be the hero for our vital journalism. We have $9,000 left to raise by June 1. But hurry! Your chance to get your gift DOUBLED will expire soon.
Make a gift now »
You can also give via PayPal or Venmo, or send a check to: Spotlight PA, PO Box 11728, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1728.
Thank you to the 380 people who have given so far, including Liz L., who said, "Journalism is important to a functioning democracy." Join Liz & make a gift now » |
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Spotlight PA will soon launch a new weekly newsletter focused on caregiving and caregivers across Pennsylvania. Every Tuesday, "How We Care" will feature original reporting and perspectives on how we care for one another at all stages of life, the huge economic and policy questions ahead, and how it's affecting the lives of millions of people across the state. You can sign up for How We Care here. |
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SETTLEMENT STRATEGY: Join us Thursday, May 30, from 6-7 p.m. ET on Zoom for a free panel on how counties are using their opioid settlement funds, and what influences these decisions. Register for the event here and submit your questions to events@spotlightpa.org. |
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| A Barn swallow on the Big Boardwalk at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Philadelphia, via Don N. Send us your photos by email, use #PAGems on Instagram, or tag us @spotlightpennsylvania. |
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  FEDERAL SETTLEMENT: Norfolk Southern will pay a $15 million fine as part of a federal settlement over last year’s East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment, the AP reports. Residents who had to evacuate their homes after the derailment were “generally underwhelmed” by the deal, which doesn’t involve any criminal charges. But the company has also agreed to other payouts, including $235 million in cleanup costs.  BALLOT CASE: Pennsylvania’s state department has come out in support of the Centre County elections board’s decision to count some improperly dated mail ballots during the 2024 primary, the Centre Daily Times reports. A GOP lawsuit challenging the practice has held up the certification of the results of the primary for the county and the state.  CASE DISMISSED: A federal judge in Philadelphia dismissed a lawsuit against Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity that alleged the state’s unclaimed property law violated the Constitution because it does not require the treasury to pay interest to owners who reclaim their belongings, the Capital-Star reports. The Pennsylvania Treasury holds billions of dollars in unclaimed property.  ‘LITTLE SCANDINAVIA’: State lawmakers are calling for permanent funding for a special unit of the Chester state prison that is modeled on a Scandinavian style of incarceration that gives prisoners more independence, WITF reports. State Rep. Ben Waxman (D., Philadelphia), who is leading the push to fund “Little Scandinavia,” said the model can better prepare prisoners to return to the outside world. |
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| 🤔 NEXT QUESTION: Are you on top of the news? Prove it with the latest edition of the Great PA News Quiz: A new state slogan, northern exposure, budget-breakers, and the NFL Draft. |
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PROPERTY PUSH: At a public hearing, several experts encouraged Allegheny County to reassess property values — something it has not done since 2012.
GUN VOTE: York City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to prohibit the use of 3D printers to make untraceable firearms known as ghost guns.
CEREMONY HONOR: This Memorial Day, the family of a Bucks County Vietnam vet who died saving other soldiers from a fire will receive his full decorations.
BAG BUSINESS: Three Lancaster businesses will be featured on top-ranked professional golfers’ gear for the U.S. Women's Open at the Lancaster Country Club.
GAME STATE: Pennsylvania hit a daily double on Jeopardy! this week: A Pittsburgh woman won this year’s “Jeopardy! Masters” tournament and Jason Kelce showed off his rap skills for a clue. |
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HOT, HOT, HOT Our exclusive 'All Sun, No Shade' beach towels are HOT!
Bold and thick, get ready for Memorial Day with this exclusive Spotlight PA swag. But hurry! Once they're gone, they're gone for the year. SHOP NOW > |
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Unscramble and send your answer to scrambler@spotlightpa.org. We'll shout out winners here, and one each week will get some Spotlight PA swag. Answers submitted by 5:30 p.m. on issue date will be counted. O N W C A S D T
Yesterday's answer: Syncopation
Congrats to our daily winners: Gerry L., Stacy S., Don H., Barbara F., Kimberly D., Bob C., Jon W., Richard A., Jody A., Elaine C., Marc G., Jane R., Susan N., Jeffrey F., Annette I., Judith D., Vicki U., Tom M., Alan B., William Z., Wendy A., and Joel S.
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