Author Archive: Staff, Spotlight PA

Pa. House Control Will Likely Be Decided by Special Elections This Week
HARRISBURG, Pa. — In the coming days, three special elections will likely decide which political party controls the Pennsylvania House, breaking a stalemate that has brought operations in the chamber to a complete halt.

Pennsylvanians Were Asked What They Want to Change About the State House. Their Answer: Less Partisan Deadlock.
HARRISBURG, Pa. – A statewide listening tour organized by embattled state House Speaker Mark Rozzi revealed widespread frustration with the lower chamber, which has been unable to move forward with official business amid a partisan stalemate.

5 Takeaways From Our Event on Pennsylvania’s Fragmented Local Governments
A December Spotlight PA investigation detailed how the government of Tioga, a small borough in northern Pennsylvania, nearly collapsed after a controversial police hire unearthed disorganization, personal vendettas among elected officials, and a lack of critical oversight.

Penn State’s Lion Ambassadors Were Accused of Hazing. Why Isn’t It on the Hazing Report?
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — When a former Penn State student claimed responsibility for vandalizing the Lion Shrine last year, she also alleged inappropriate conduct including hazing by the Lion Ambassadors, a student group responsible for giving campus tours to prospective students.

Pa. Takes Over Troubled Mortgage Relief Program From Contractor After Complaints, Backlogs
HARRISBURG, Pa. — In an abrupt change, Pennsylvania’s struggling mortgage relief program will no longer work with the private company originally hired to run it, and will temporarily stop accepting new applications starting Feb. 1 while it makes the transition.

Hopes of Bipartisan Cooperation Give Way to Complete Deadlock in the Pa. House
HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Pennsylvania House officially adjourned Tuesday until late February, almost certainly ending any chance of voters seeing constitutional amendments on their May ballot.

How Pennsylvania Homeowners Can Apply for Mortgage and Utility Assistance
Pennsylvania received $350 million from the federal government to help homeowners who fell behind on their mortgages during the pandemic.

Tax Caps Leave Many Pa. Municipalities with Few Ways to Raise Revenue
MCKEAN CO., Pa. – Bradford, a small city situated just a few miles south of the New York state line in McKean County, no longer has 24-hour police coverage.

How Communities in North-Central Pa. Are Attempting to Preserve a Scarce Resource: Darkness
Communities in north-central Pennsylvania are taking action to limit outdoor artificial lighting that is encroaching on what has become a crucial resource in the region: darkness.

Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro Loosens His Predecessor’s Notoriously Strict Gift Ban for Top Officials
HARRISBURG, Pa. – Top officials for Pennsylvania’s governor are now allowed to accept an occasional free lunch while on duty.