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THIS IS NO MISTAKE
Quality journalism doesn't happen by mistake. As newsrooms continue to lay off reporters or get gobbled up by profit-hungry hedge funds, Spotlight PA is writing a bold new chapter — together with you. Your gift enables our talented reporters to go deeper, focus on issues being ignored, and keep those with power and influence honest. We have so much work to do, but only you can make it happen. Give now & as a special bonus, your contribution will be DOUBLED » |
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| Today: Request denied, compassionate release ruling, defender dearth, 'forever chemical' limits, 401(k) problems, and Pa.'s new slogan. |
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A soon-to-be-adopted state ban on handheld use of cellphones while driving will exempt traffic stop race data from Right-to-Know requests. The bill, which is set to receive Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro's signature, requires many law enforcement agencies to collect data on stops, including a driver's race or ethnicity in an effort to prevent racial profiling. But it also exempts the data from open records requests. “It seems like, you know, there's a purpose behind the gathering of the data. Therefore, why shouldn't that be publicly available?” said Craig Staudenmaier, an attorney specializing in Pennsylvania’s public information law. |
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NOTABLE / QUOTABLE
"It’s about how compelling that call is — that after 20 years, I still want to come back."
—Beth Stroud, who was defrocked as a United Methodist pastor in Philly and is now seeking reinstatement after the end of an LGBTQ clergy ban |
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We're at a critical point: The future of Spotlight PA's nonprofit, nonpartisan investigative journalism depends on your support. This isn't a line — it's the hard truth. Either you support our work so it can continue, or it goes away.
As a special bonus, all contributions today will be DOUBLED thanks to a matched gift offered by the Lenfest Institute for Journalism.
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 237 people who have given so far, including Diane B., who said, "I greatly appreciate your diligent, honest journalism on behalf of the citizens of PA." Join Diane & make a gift now » |
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| Pine cones in Delaware County, via Don N. Send us your photos by email, use #PAGems on Instagram, or tag us @spotlightpennsylvania. |
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 DELAYED RELIEF: One of Pennsylvania’s oldest and longest-serving prisoners was approved for compassionate release by an Allegheny County judge on Monday, the same day he was hospitalized in critical condition. Spotlight PA reports it is unclear if Ezra Bozeman will have the freedom his family and advocates have fought for.
 SHORT-HANDED: There should be about 1,200 public defenders employed in county courthouses across Pennsylvania, but there are only around 850 currently working here, University of Pennsylvania professor Paul Heaton found. Heaton's study, reported on by The Inquirer (paywall), revealed shortages in nearly every county statewide.  FOREVER LIMITS: Pennsylvania will revise its statewide limits around toxic "forever chemicals" in drinking water in light of new and more stringent federal standards, Environmental Health News reports. One in three Pennsylvania drinking water systems had detectable levels of PFAS in 2021. The chemicals have been linked to cancer and infertility.  |
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🗞️ Coming Soon
Spotlight PA will soon launch a new weekly newsletter: How We Care. Every Tuesday, our team will share original reporting and perspectives on caregiving, a field that affects millions of people across the commonwealth. You can sign up for How We Care here. |
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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. F T E Y E C P A
Yesterday's answer: Cylinder
Congrats to our daily winners: Stacy S., Jon W., Jody A., Eric F., Elaine C., Don H., Kimberly D., Daniel M., Connie K., Barbara F., Connie A. O., Beth H., Alan B., Ted W., Ada M., Richard A., Lynne E., Jeffrey F., Tom M., Nan S., William Z., Wendy A., David W., Susan N.-Z., and Stanley J.
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