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A daily newsletter by  |
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| Today: Medical checks, 'no' on Nippon, Fulton fees, 'against their will,' misconduct costs, waste not, and the making of a micronation. |
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Two Republican lawmakers, citing recent Spotlight PA reporting, plan to introduce legislation that would give the state Department of Health a greater say in which doctors can approve patients for medical marijuana.
A Spotlight PA investigation published Aug. 26 found that the Department of Health has rarely blocked practitioners from joining the state’s medical marijuana program based on past discipline, highlighting an ongoing debate over who gets to certify patients to use medical marijuana and whether past misbehavior should bar them from doing so.
The reform measure being floated by state Reps. Tim Twardzik and JoAnne Stehr, both of Schuylkill County, is being billed as an effort "to protect the health and safety of the patients enrolled in the program."
Not all lawmakers share their urgency.
State Rep. Dan Frankel (D., Allegheny), chair of the House Health Committee, said in a statement that he’s “far more concerned about making sure that all cannabis products in Pennsylvania are lab tested and safe for consumption,” adding, "If you’re asking me to name the biggest threat to the health of our medical marijuana patients, I’m not going to say underqualified doctors."
Read Spotlight PA's full report: Spotlight PA investigation spurs call for more oversight of who can be a medical marijuana doctor. |
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NOTABLE / QUOTABLE
“The fact pattern calls for a more thorough investigation than we have been led to believe Clairton Police have conducted.”
—Republican Committee of Allegheny County Chair Sam DeMarco leading GOP calls for further investigation into a Saturday car crash involving state Senate Democratic candidate Nicole Ruscitto; the details are disputed |
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Our exclusive PA Landmarks Artwork features landmarks and favorites from across Pennsylvania. And now — for the first time ever — it can be yours for your home, office, or as the perfect gift for the coming holiday season.
Four years ago, we commissioned Pennsylvania artist Brandt Imhoff to dream up an exclusive, hand-drawn design showcasing the pride and joy of the commonwealth. That design became the showcase of our popular tote bag.
Framed prints now available in 11x17, 14x20 and 18x24. Gets yours now » |
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In case you missed it, Spotlight PA launched a new mobile app. Download for free to see our latest stories in an accessible, easy-to-read format and get the latest on events, product offerings, and more.
Download for Apple/iOS
Download for Google/Android |
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| Sunset at King’s Gap Environmental Education Center in Carlisle, via Joe S. Send us your photos by email, use #PAGems on Instagram, or tag us @spotlightpennsylvania. |
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   HOSPITAL TRAP: An investigation by the New York Times (paywall) found psychiatric hospital chain Acadia Healthcare — which teamed up with Geisinger in Danville and Tower Health in Reading — "is holding people against their will to maximize insurance payouts." Inspectors criticized Acadia in Reading for "having instructed workers to avoid adjectives like 'calm' and 'compliant' in a patient's chart."
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POLITICAL FOOTBALL: The Philadelphia Eagles are working to remove "counterfeit" bus station ads that have the team endorsing Kamala Harris for president. Meanwhile, New Jersey officials are trying to lure the 76ers across the river with big-time tax incentives. Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro wants the team to stay but he's letting Philly take the lead in negotiations.
• New proposal would turn Philly’s Fashion District into a biomedical hub instead of a Sixers arena, via The Inquirer (paywall).
MAKING A MICRONATION: A man from northeast Pennsylvania started an imaginary country in Antarctica, of all places, and got 2,300 people to join him. Meet Travis McHenry in our latest PA Local original.
HOOD MANSION: The developers razing Montgomery County's historic and dilapidated Hood mansion for a warehouse facility say they're proceeding with caution after finding human remains, possibly members of the Hood family, at the site, The Mercury (paywall) reports.
'PINNACLE MAN': A 27-year-old reservist from Montgomery County has been identified as the man found frozen in a cave along the Appalachian Trail in Berks County nearly 50 years ago, NBC10 reports.
FLYING CARS: State Sen. Marty Flynn (D., Lackawanna) wants Pennsylvania ready for flying cars. Flynn is calling for the creation of a legal framework for the vehicles here. Other states have "Jetsons Laws" already. |
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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. Please include your first name and last initial. D O E U T R T F I
Yesterday's answer: Anticlimactic
Congrats to our daily winners: Marty M., Eric F., Don H., Barb K., Stacy S., Marc G., Jon W., Norman J., Beth H., Richard A., John R., Barbara F., Kimberly D., Wendy A., Jane R., Lynne E., Beth Y., Denise T., Louie C., Timothy A., Elaine C., Marie B., Stephen Z., Karyl S., Kevin M., George C., Susan N.-Z., Ada M., Perry H., Jeffrey F., Tom M., William Z., Jeff F., Joel S., Annette I., Craig E., Stanley J., David T., Jill C., and Daniel M. |
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'CRAZY IDEA': Environmentalists are dismayed by the Biden administration's backing of using plastic waste to fuel steelmaking instead of coal. Inside Climate News reports an Erie company has secured millions of dollars in federal loan guarantees to do just that. Environmental groups say 