With hundreds of millions of federal dollars flowing into the commonwealth’s coffers for rural health, a coalition of stakeholders considered the potential funding opportunities Wednesday for nearly three hours in Harrisburg. From @wdownard.bsky.social

“As long as we have that convenient narrative that it’s just a bunch of broken people needing medicine and treatment, then we’re never accountable for fixing the broken things in our communities,” psychologist Sally Spencer-Thomas said. kffhealthnews.org/mental-healt...

While reading the new chair's bio, I noticed that another commissioner has disappeared from the PHRC's page ... potentially bringing their number down to four? penncapital-star.com/briefs/gov-s...

PHRC is now telling me that it's always been a quorum of "seated" commissioners?? Which seems to contradict their own release ...

The commission has only had seven of its 11 members since Shapiro took office, but the administration didn't respond to questions about why no one has been nominated in that time.

“There’s nothing that’s as horrible as watching a kid die who didn’t have to die, or get really sick and be permanently harmed," Dr. Wolynn said. “It tears your heart out.” newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/pennsylvania...

In a country with one of the highest maternal mortality rates among wealthy nations, Black women are two-to-three times more likely to die in childbirth than their peers. Dozens of state Capitol advocates this week were clear-eyed about how they’d change those numbers. From @wdownard.bsky.social

I'm so excited to take part!! Can't wait to get started.

In a rapidly aging state, Pennsylvania officials are identifying ways to shore up services dedicated to its seniors — and $193 million for rural health could help build out a long-standing program to every corner of the commonwealth. From @wdownard.bsky.social

Another day ... another announcement of impending layoffs at another national media organization. 1/

Pennsylvania — and its drivers — will be in the spotlight with high-profile events, including the FIFA World Cup and the NFL Draft. So, Senate Republicans evaluated the tools at their disposal to crack down on aggressive driving and pushed for stronger enforcement. From @wdownard.bsky.social

The PUC’s Investigation and Enforcement arm alleges UGI violated multiple state and federal regulations related to pipeline safety and is seeking $2.57 million in civil penalties — the maximum allowed by federal law — for the deadly accident in West Reading. From @wdownard.bsky.social

Gender-affirming health records from UPMC can’t be made anonymous, federal judge rules penncapital-star.com/children-fam...

“The intent, I think, is to bog down the municipalities,” said Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-Montgomery). “They’re obviously AI generated, and they are more of a malicious nuisance versus an actual Right-to-Know request.” From @wdownard.bsky.social

It’s so gratifying to have an interview that the other person just runs with because they’re so passionate about a subject no one else has ever asked them about before.

Permitting reform, state grant funding and coordinated zoning approvals would all boost Pennsylvania’s homebuilding industry and revitalize local economies, according to testimony before a panel of state Senate Republicans on Wednesday. From @wdownard.bsky.social

States are under pressure to deliver on their Rural Health Transformation Program dollars — federal reviews are in late summer and the next round of funding will be announced in October. But PA estimated that dollars won't come to the state for at least another month.

I’m focusing on rural access at the Capital-Star, and thought this was an intriguing way to meet the need. After all, 90% of Americans live within five miles of a pharmacy.

Tucked away in the story is how one incumbent in a deeply red district slightly outraised one of the Democratic challengers attempting to unseat him. Rep. Dan Meuser’s campaign also has the lowest cash on hand among the 16 U.S. House members seeking reelection in Pa.

“Pennsylvania has a statewide housing shortage … when the problem is statewide, the solution has to be statewide.” penncapital-star.com/housing/bipa... By @wdownard.bsky.social

Gov. Josh Shapiro brought his proposed budget for the next year to lawmakers on Tuesday, pitching more than $53 billion in general fund spending — with nearly 80% of the money going to just two state agencies. From @wdownard.bsky.social

Full story (with Golden Girls identifiers intact!):

Launching a public pressure campaign to make sure @timlambert-pa.bsky.social doesn't edit this out of my housing story.

‘These kids are invisible’: Child abuse deaths spur clash over homeschool regulation stateline.org/2026/01/29/t...

“These priorities reflect our enduring commitment to providing exceptional services while using tax dollars in a responsible manner,” said Kyle Kopko, the executive director of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania. From @wdownard.bsky.social

Nothing but admiration for my colleagues on the ground in Minnesota documenting what's happening. @maxnesterak.bsky.social @nicolehneri.bsky.social @madisonmcvan.bsky.social @minnesotareformer.com www.newsfromthestates.com/article/8-we...

Pa. Supreme Court upholds Philadelphia judge suspension over partisan Facebook posts penncapital-star.com/campaigns-el...

The New York Times is reporting that these grants have been restored btw Mental health in the Pennsylvania Farm Show spotlight as feds abruptly terminate grant funding penncapital-star.com/agriculture-...

“People are more than statistics. It is safe to say that most people involved in agriculture know at least one person who has struggled,” said Lisa Wherry, a Pennsylvania Farm Bureau member. From @wdownard.bsky.social and @petehallpa.bsky.social

Garrity took her first shot at Shapiro 15 seconds into her half hour speech, painting him as someone “who talks to the national press first” rather than state-level media. She mentioned the sitting governor by name at least 30 times. From @wdownard.bsky.social

Thousands of Pennsylvanians have left the state’s only Affordable Care Act marketplace, Pennie, following sharp increases in monthly premiums due to expiring enhanced federal subsidies. From @wdownard.bsky.social

I unabashedly love silly bill names. What do you mean there's a proposal about a serious housing policy that references an iconic '80s TV show?

UPDATE: President Donald Trump said Saturday that the United States will “run the country” of Venezuela until “a proper transition can take place,” following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a strike against the South American nation. via @statesnewsroom.com #ncpol

Despite the dwindling number of Christmas Trees sold and growers in Indiana County, the name has stuck. And for a county already steeped in Christmas traditions, it’s been a label they carry with pride. From @iankarbal.bsky.social

Some people have writer’s block. I have another type of block…

Couldn't quite squeeze it in yesterday, but over a dozen bipartisan PA lawmakers signed onto a Nov. letter opposing a federal prohibition on state-level AI regulations, including:

Pa.’s Sunday, lawmakers contend with Trump order blocking state AI regulations penncapital-star.com/technology-i...

Premiums for one McKeesport couple are projected to go from $490 to $1,792 if tax credits expire at the end of the year. Jamie, left, has a rare form of cancer where a single, tumor-suppressing shot (taken every 28 days) costs $36,000 without insurance.

This story required a crash course for this new PA reporter. Grateful for the excellent coverage from other outlets, specifically @angelasink.bsky.social at SpotlightPA!

State budget sent $5 million to a struggling school district represented by the Pa. House speaker penncapital-star.com/education/st...

CALLOUT: I am looking to interview individuals who have sought health care at crisis pregnancy centers, whether intentionally or unintentionally, and want to talk about their experience. The center can be located anywhere. If you or someone you know might be interested, please email or send me a DM.

When we think about what we’re thankful for, the first thing that comes to mind is readers like you. After all, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star wouldn’t exist without your support. Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday. Can we count on you to make a gift that helps us get closer to our EOY goal of $5,000?

Today's PA rabbit hole took me into city classes and the interesting tidbit that Philly, Pittsburgh and Scranton are the only places required to have police departments and I'm just having a really hard time processing all of this

“Our housing stock is old,” said Cliff Clark, director of Cameron County Community and Economic Development. “One of our goals is to try to improve the housing stock … we’re doing, I think, a very good job making houses that aren’t otherwise marketable, desirable.” From @wdownard.bsky.social

Pennsylvania is hoping to secure its own slice of a $50 billion rural health fund in the face of federal Medicaid cuts, with a focus on bolstering a beleaguered workforce and expanding health access for more than two million people. @wdownard.bsky.social breaks down the 67-page application.

I love reading technical reports for nuggets like this:

An aspect of yesterday's story I didn't get to: who's responsible for student cellphones if they're confiscated? www.inquirer.com/education/ph...

In the last two weeks, you might have noticed the new byline “Whitney Downard” on the Pennsylvania Capital-Star site: “I love diving into any intersection between government and the people it serves.” Be sure to give @wdownard.bsky.social a follow and welcome her to our little corner of the world.

My welcome column is out, I'm covering two committees simultaneously and I've got my Red Bull. Must be a session day 💪

“We want to make sure our children are protected from bad actors,” said Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-Montgomery). “Children are now targeted in ways we never thought possible.” From @wdownard.bsky.social