A long-awaited report ties a ballot paper shortage that marred midterm voting in Luzerne County last fall to high staff turnover, in the process refuting related conspiracy theories that even gained an audience with Congress. 

Republican Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce, the author of the report, said there is "no question" turnover was the primary issue, echoing findings from a February report by Votebeat and Spotlight PA.

The DA's report details what preceded the shortage and the official confusion that followed. Sanguedolce also addresses spurious and inaccurate information that alleged "suspicious" causes and effects.

"This would be about the stupidest way to try to criminally influence an election," the district attorney said emphatically.

Read Spotlight PA and Votebeat's full report on the findings: Report blames turnover for Luzerne County's 2022 election debacle.

THE CONTEXT: At the time, Luzerne County's longest-tenured election staffer had 14 months of experience and was filling in as deputy director.

In February, Votebeat and Spotlight PA reported that the county's unique government structure, low pay, and the stress on election workers had contributed to an exceptionally high turnover rate there.

Sanguedolce said the question of how to fix Luzerne County's elections is beyond his authority, but he's backing a nascent proposal in Harrisburg calling for some type of required training or manual for election directors.

Acting Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt and state Sen. Cris Dush (R., Jefferson), chair of the chamber's State Government Committee, a critical stopping point for proposed election law changes, both said there is a need for a more formalized training process or manual for new election directors amid an exodus that has plagued the state and nation in recent years.

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The former Saints Peter and Paul Greek Catholic Church in Palmerton, Carbon County, via Don N. Have a photo you'd like to share? Send it to us by email, use #PAGems on Instagram, or tag us @spotlightpennsylvania.

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FATAL SHOOTING: Trooper Jacques F. Rougeau Jr. became the 104th member of the Pennsylvania State Police to die in the line of duty after he was shot in Juniata County on Saturday. A second trooper was critically wounded in a separate encounter with the 38-year-old gunman. 

TWO ARRESTS: A former Allegheny County Executive candidate was arrested for shouting obscenities at Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey during a Juneteenth Parade over the weekend. In unrelated news: WVU basketball coach Bob Huggins is out after a DUI arrest in Pittsburgh on Friday.

DIPLOMA DENIED: A Philadelphia High School For Girls grad is calling for change after she was denied her diploma at a graduation ceremony for dancing on stage and making students laugh. Hafsah Abdur-Rahman said: "She [meaning the principal] stole that moment from me."

PLANE CRASH: Two people died in a plane crash in Cambria County on Sunday, per WJAC. Early information was limited but officials said the twin-engine plane crashed in a wooded area around 4 p.m. The two occupants were pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation continues.

FORKSVILLE POWWOW: The Sullivan County Fair Grounds became a place for education about Native American traditions and cultures for the 31st Annual Forksville Powwow over the weekend.