July 6, 2022Photo ProvidedMeet Ashad Hajela, rural affairs reporter for Spotlight PA State Collegeby Ashad Hajela of Spotlight PA State CollegeA recent graduate of Columbia Journalism School, Ashad Hajela is covering rural issues — from utilities to agriculture — thanks to Spotlight PA’s first-ever partnership with Report for America.
June 28, 2022Jelani Splawn / For Spotlight PAPa. waited more than 2 years to test wells after finding nearby contamination. Now this neighborhood wants answers.by Adam Smeltz for Spotlight PA State CollegeAffected homeowners in Benner Township, Centre County, want to know when and how PFAS chemicals got into their water. State officials defend the delay, pointing to “sound scientific practices.”
Dec. 2, 2021TOM GRALISH / Philadelphia InquirerThe Pennsylvania Wilds is known for quiet. Residents worry fighter jet training will disturb the silence.by Ethan Edward Coston of Spotlight PAThe Maryland Air National Guard wants to conduct combat training flights just 100 feet from the ground, sparking concerns that noise could cause tourism to decline and impact wild elk and bald eagles.
June 29, 2021HEATHER KHALIFA / Philadelphia InquirerPhiladelphia and Pittsburgh move ahead with plastic bag bans as Pennsylvania’s preemption nears its endby Lindsay Weber for Spotlight PAThe Republican-controlled legislature did not renew a statewide preemption on single-use plastics, opening the door for cities and municipalities to institute their own bans.
April 26, 2021MICHAEL BRYANT / Philadelphia InquirerSunoco failed to disclose some risks of Mariner East pipeline, was ‘negligent’ in response to concerns, judge rulesby Rebecca Moss of Spotlight PAThe ruling was far from a total victory for residents and local officials who had, among other things, sought additional measures to protect children, older people, and those with disabilities.
Dec. 22, 2020MICHAEL BRYANT / Philadelphia InquirerReform of secrecy law for Pa. utilities faces long odds despite agreement that it’s a problemby Rebecca Moss of Spotlight PALawmakers in both parties acknowledge the measure impedes government transparency and public safety, but powerful special interests stand in the way of any major changes.
Oct. 23, 2020MICHAEL BRYANT / Philadelphia InquirerSecrecy law for Pa. utilities gets boost in court ruling sidelining public records agencyby Rebecca Moss of Spotlight PAUtility companies — including Sunoco, which is behind the controversial Mariner East pipeline system — have wide authority to keep safety information a secret with little oversight.
Oct. 15, 2020STEVEN M. FALK / Philadelphia InquirerAlong Mariner East pipelines, secrecy and a patchwork of emergency plans leave many at risk and in the darkby Rebecca Moss of Spotlight PADespite being one of the most controversial projects in Pennsylvania history, many emergency managers and others along the route cannot confidently answer one pressing question: Are we prepared?
Oct. 15, 2020STEVEN M. FALK / Philadelphia InquirerEmergency plans fail to consider complexity of Mariner East pipelines, and those most at risk in an accidentby Rebecca Moss of Spotlight PAExperts say they require specialized planning, with blueprints for how all people — especially those with disabilities — can get to safety. But Pa.’s plan for preparedness passes the buck.
Oct. 15, 2020Michael Bryant / Philadelphia InquirerINTERACTIVE: Explore the Mariner East pipeline system and its historyby Dan Simmons-Ritchie and Rebecca Moss of Spotlight PALearn more about one of the most controversial projects in recent Pennsylvania history.
July 13, 2020Anthony Pezzotti / Philadelphia InquirerDamning report on Pa.’s failure to protect residents from fracking unlikely to result in major reformby Rebecca Moss of Spotlight PAState agencies implicated in the report dismissed it outright, calling the recommendations outdated and ill-informed.
