Both Republican and Democratic groups are seeking to exploit the growing void in local news through outlets that fail basic journalistic standards, according to a report by NewsGuard.
Spotlight PA
During height of coronavirus pandemic, Pa. lawmakers still cashed in big on meals, lodging
They collected $726,877 from taxpayers in per diem payments, in addition to being among the highest paid in the country. House Democrats received the most.
5 things to know about the minimum wage debate in Pa.
Republican opposition to minimum wage increases has long focused on what raising overhead might force businesses to do to offset those higher payroll costs
Pa. audit confirms Biden got more votes than Trump, but can’t tell us much else
While the audit’s results indicate a high degree of confidence in the outcome, they cannot answer some of the finer questions about how the election was run.
From tests to vaccines, Pa. health officials still missing crucial race data for COVID-19
Race and ethnicity data is key to informing vaccine outreach efforts to communities disproportionately affected by the virus, local health officials told Spotlight PA.
A Pennsylvania county went from bust to boom times with natural gas. Now, it’s nearly broke.
Commissioners, led by Republicans, raised taxes amid a pandemic and for the first time since 2010, despite the county having received more than $37 million in gas impact fees.
A business owner’s guide to Pa.’s next wave of COVID-19 relief grants
The aid is targeted at businesses with fewer than 300 employees that have lost at least 25% of their sales as a result of the pandemic.
Top Pa. senator appoints colleague’s wife to lucrative Gaming Control Board seat
Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman named Frances Regan, the wife of Sen. Mike Regan, to serve a two-year term on the board, which comes with a $145,000 annual salary.
Victims of unemployment fraud in Pa. are blindsided by tax documents
Thousands of apparent victims of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance fraud have received unexpected tax documents reporting income to the IRS they never took.
More people can gather indoors in Pa. as coronavirus cases decline, Wolf announces
In addition, travelers to the state no longer have to quarantine for 14 days or provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test.
The placeholder: Meet the man Wolf taps to (temporarily) hold key appointments
In less than four months, the top staffer in Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration has been nominated to serve on 28 different state-appointed boards.
Levine questioned on missing Pa. nursing home data in federal confirmation hearing
Former Health Secretary Rachel Levine’s explanation for the issues did not match previous reporting by Spotlight PA.
Why Spotlight PA is spending a year investigating Pennsylvania’s redistricting process
As part of Spotlight PA’s extensive coverage, the outlet is taking a hard look at how Pennsylvania elected officials have used their power in the past to manipulate their districts for political gain.
Counties will again be unable to process mail ballots early during Pa.’s primary election
While a municipal primary typically sees low turnout, election officials said they can’t predict how many voters will take advantage of the state’s no-excuse mail voting law.
New coronavirus grants for small Pa. businesses aim for inclusivity, but can’t track success
Applications open next month for $145 million in state grants for small hospitality businesses, with a significant change by lawmakers intended to make the money is more accessible to people of color.