State News

Governor Shapiro Backs Pittsburgh Steelers’ Bid to Host the NFL Draft

March 21, 2024 | Jacob Deemer

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Governor Josh Shapiro announced his support of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ recent bid to host the 2026 or 2027 NFL Draft.

5 Takeaways From Spotlight Pa’s Event on Education Transparency and Holding Public School Officials Accountable

March 21, 2024 | Spotlight PA

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — For Sunshine Week, an annual event that highlights the importance of government transparency, Spotlight PA hosted a discussion on openness and accountability in public education.

State Reminds Voters of April 16 Deadline to Apply for Mail-In or Absentee Ballots

March 21, 2024 | Jacob Deemer

HARRISBURG, Pa. – With the primary election a little more than a month away, Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt reminded Pennsylvania voters that the deadline to apply for mail-in or absentee ballots for the primary election is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16.

Pa. Election 2024: a Complete Guide to the Primary Candidates for Attorney General

March 20, 2024 | Spotlight PA

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania voters will elect a new attorney general this November, but Democrats and Republicans first must pick their candidates this spring.

Clarion’s Alexa Gonczi, Heath Calhoun Sweep CSCAA Women’s Diving Postseason Awards

March 20, 2024 | Jacob Deemer

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — Junior Alexa Gonczi became the program’s 18th Division II Women’s Diver of the Year and diving coach Heath Calhoun earned his second straight Division II Women’s Diving Coach of the Year honor, as the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) announced their postseason awards on Tuesday.

Pa. Election 2024: How Much the Democratic and Republican Attorney General Candidates Have Raised

March 20, 2024 | Spotlight PA

HARRISBURG, Pa. — In wide-open primary races for Pennsylvania attorney general, campaign finance reports show the Republican establishment is largely rallying around one candidate while donors are still spreading their cash out among the five Democratic hopefuls.

What a Proposed Performance-Based Funding Model Could Mean for Penn State, Other State-Related Universities

March 20, 2024 | Spotlight PA

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro has proposed creating a predictable funding formula and boosting state support by 5% for the state-related universities — Lincoln University, Penn State University, Temple University, and the University of Pittsburgh.

Gov. Josh Shapiro Wants to Spend $80M to Attack Pennsylvania’s Housing Crisis. Here’s How.

March 19, 2024 | Spotlight PA

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Housing is often considered a local issue, but there is a growing consensus in Harrisburg that state-level action is necessary to combat Pennsylvania’s persistent shortages and rising costs.

Anticipation Grows as Pennsylvania Gears Up for the Great Eclipse of 2024

March 16, 2024

HARRISBURG, Pa. – In advance of the solar eclipse that will darken skies across all of Pennsylvania on April 8, the Shapiro Administration is sharing resources with visitors and motorists who are planning to visit the state.

State Police Seek Applicants for Annual Youth Camp

March 16, 2024 | Jacob Deemer

HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Pennsylvania State Police, in collaboration with the Pennsylvania National Guard and Pennsylvania American Legion, has begun accepting applications for its annual youth camp.

Great PA News Quiz: Trump’s TikTok Flip-Flop, 2024 Pollbooks, Watchdog Election, and the State Police Motif

March 15, 2024 | Spotlight PA

In this week’s quiz: Trump on TikTok, 2024 technology, election contests, and a State of the Union shoutout.

Former Pa. Police Lieutenant Sentenced for Transporting Illegal Alien Within the United States

March 15, 2024 | Jacob Deemer

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — A resident of Bethel Park was sentenced in federal court on March 13, 2024, to three years of probation, a $2,000 fine, and 50 hours of community service following his conviction of transporting an illegal alien within the United States, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced on Thursday, March 15.

Pennsylvanians Encouraged to Be Mindful of Increased Woodland Fire Risks

March 15, 2024 | Jacob Deemer

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and State Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook urged Pennsylvanians on Thursday to be mindful of high woodland fire danger as seasonal wildfire risk increases.

Pennsylvania Is Flush With Surplus Cash, but It Still Faces a Looming Budget Problem

March 14, 2024 | Spotlight PA

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Gov. Josh Shapiro wants to spend $3.5 billion of Pennsylvania’s surplus to stabilize transit systems, fund a court-mandated K-12 education overhaul, and expand the state’s economic development programs as part of his second budget proposal.

PennWest to Host Virtual Panel on Global Cooperation

March 14, 2024 | Jacob Deemer

EDINBORO, Pa. – The American Democracy Project at Pennsylvania Western University will present a virtual panel discussion exploring global identification and connection-building across societal divides on Tuesday, March 26.

Warning Issued for Potential SNAP Benefits Scam, Public Reminded of Safe Ways to Apply

March 14, 2024 | Jacob Deemer

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh is informing Pennsylvanians of a potential scam targeting individuals who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

Pa. Local Governments Want Long-Term State Money for Cybersecurity as Federal Grant Fills the Gap

March 13, 2024 | Spotlight PA

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Local governments in Pennsylvania could soon have access to up to $25 million in federal funding to help them prepare for digital security threats facing critical infrastructure, according to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal.

Farrell Receives $25K in Shapiro Administration’s Law Enforcement Recruitment Grants

March 13, 2024 | Jacob Deemer

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Supporting the Shapiro-Davis Administration’s goal to ensure Pennsylvania’s law enforcement agencies have the tools and personnel to keep our communities safe, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) announced 31 new law enforcement agencies have been selected to receive Law Enforcement Recruitment grant funding, bringing the total number of accepted applicants to 51 since the solicitation

Pennsylvania Department of Education: Data Creates a World of Opportunities for Public Education

March 13, 2024 | Jacob Deemer

HERSHEY, Pa. — On Tuesday, March 12, Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Secretary Dr. Khalid N. Mumin served as the keystone speaker at the PDE Data Summit in Hershey.

AAA: Despite Higher Demand, Gas Prices Dip in Pennsylvania

March 12, 2024 | Jacob Deemer

VENANGO COUNTY, Pa. — Gas prices are two cents cheaper in Western Pennsylvania this week at $3.633 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

Eligible Pennsylvanians Reminded of April 8 Voter Registration Deadline

March 12, 2024 | Jacob Deemer

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt reminded Pennsylvanians on Monday that the deadline to register to vote in the April 23 primary is four weeks away.

Secrecy Still Pervades Pennsylvania State Government, but Spotlight Pa Is Fighting Back

March 12, 2024 | Spotlight PA

Politicians in Harrisburg come and go, and political majorities shift over time. But one enduring constant no matter who’s in power is a reflexive inclination to shield information from the very people who pay the bills — we, the taxpayers.

Pennsylvania Treasurer Candidates Spar Over Unclaimed Property Issue

March 11, 2024 | Spotlight PA

HARRISBURG, Pa. — An obscure policy issue is getting new attention in this year’s race for Pennsylvania treasurer as Democratic state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro of Erie seeks to draw a contrast with Republican incumbent Stacy Garrity.

Clarion’s Pine Clinches NCAA Bid, Highlights Second Day at MAC Championships

March 11, 2024

KENT, Oh. — Cam Pine punched his ticket to the NCAA Division I Championships in Kansas City and John Worthing came up just one win short of matching him, as the Golden Eagle wrestling team finished their two-day stay at the 2024 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championships at the M.A.C. Center.

Elections 101: What to Know About Electronic Pollbooks, Which Pa. Counties Use Them, and More

March 9, 2024 | Spotlight PA

HARRISBURG, Pa. — As Pennsylvania prepares for the 2024 presidential election, voters may start hearing about a new piece of technology rolling out in more and more counties: electronic pollbooks.

What to Know About Shapiro’s Proposed $10.3M Agriculture Innovation Program

March 8, 2024 | Spotlight PA

BELLEFONTE, Pa. — An open-ended pitch by Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro to give millions of dollars to Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry to make it more innovative is stoking skepticism and hope among lawmakers and farmers.

Great Pa News Quiz: Gov’t Land Grabs, Trump Ruling, Derailed Trains, and Election Games

March 8, 2024 | Spotlight PA

In this week’s quiz:

Pa. Game Commission Won’t Renew Controversial Contract With Lobbying Firm Run by Former Top Lawmaker

March 8, 2024 | Spotlight PA

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Facing scrutiny from state lawmakers, the Pennsylvania Game Commission said it will not renew a controversial contract it signed late last year with a politically connected lobbying firm.

Oversight Board Will Secretly Review How Pa. Counties Spent Millions of Dollars to Fight Opioid Crisis

March 6, 2024 | Spotlight PA

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Counties will soon have to report how they spent millions of dollars they received from the first rounds of opioid settlement payments in Pennsylvania. But members of a trust that oversees county spending are preparing to first review the information in secret, despite a court order requiring the trust to follow the state's Sunshine Act.

PennDOT, PA Turnpike Announce the Start of Work Zone Speed Safety Camera Program

March 6, 2024 | Jacob Deemer

HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, in partnership with the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), started enforcement of the statewide Work Zone Speed Safety Camera program on Tuesday, March 5.

Clarion Grappler Notches Top Seed as MAC Announces Pre-Seeds for 2024 Wrestling Championships

March 6, 2024 | Jacob Deemer

CLEVELAND, Oh. — The Mid-American Conference (MAC) announced the pre-seeds for the upcoming (March 8-9) 2024 MAC Wrestling Championships on Tuesday.

New Details Released in 23-Year-Old Amish Mom’s Murder Investigation

March 6, 2024 | Gavin Fish

SPARTA TWP., Pa. (EYT) – The Pennsylvania State Police have released more information about the case of 23-year-old murder victim, Rebekah Byler.

More Details Revealed in Rebekah Byler Murder Case

March 5, 2024 | Gavin Fish

SPARTA TOWNSHIP, CRAWFORD CO., Pa. (EYT) — New details about the cause of 23-year-old Amish mother Rebekah Byler’s death have been revealed in newly released court documents.

AAA: Gas Prices Rising in Pennsylvania

March 5, 2024 | Jacob Deemer

VENANGO COUNTY, Pa. — Gas prices are two cents higher in Western Pennsylvania this week at $3.655 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

Pa. Pays Property Owners for Land Lost to Eminent Domain, but Farmers Want More for Their Loss

March 5, 2024 | Spotlight PA

BELLEFONTE, Pa. — A massive highway project in Centre County that will likely result in some farmers losing their properties has prompted calls to update how agricultural land is valued in Pennsylvania’s eminent domain process.

Area Students Participate in 2024 ‘Poetry Out Loud’ State Competition

March 5, 2024 | Jacob Deemer

HARRISBURG, Pa. – On Monday, March 4, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) announced that Sulette Lange, a junior at Hazleton Area Arts and Humanities Academy in Luzerne County, is Pennsylvania’s 2024 Poetry Out Loud (POL) state champion.

Pa. Was Deluged by Election Lawsuits in 2020. Experts Say 2024 Will Be Even More Intense.

March 4, 2024 | Spotlight PA

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Earlier this year, a group of Republican state lawmakers filed suit in federal court to throw out executive actions aimed at expanding voter registration, claiming the legislature’s constitutional right to determine how presidential elections are run in Pennsylvania had been violated.

How to Judge the Effectiveness of Your Local Government in Pennsylvania

March 1, 2024 | Spotlight PA

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — What do your nearest park’s playground equipment, your neighborhood’s trash pickup frequency, and your closest library’s services all have in common?

Shapiro Launches Pennsylvania Election Threats Task Force to Ensure Safe, Secure, Free, & Fair Election This November

March 1, 2024 | Jacob Deemer

HARRISBURG, Pa. – As part of his commitment to ensure safe and secure elections in Pennsylvania, Governor Shapiro has established the Pennsylvania Election Threats Task Force.

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