Family planning and health organizations that serve tens of thousands of people across Pennsylvania could see federal funding delayed or denied by a new Trump administration policy, a new lawsuit alleges. www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/06...

The Senate is debating a tax code bill that — after today — is loaded with: - cut of 6% gross receipts tax on electricity (profit is to be passed onto consumers) - expanding private scholarship tax credits - eliminating a data center tax credit Watch: www.palegis.us/senate/sessi...

According to a state Senate spokesperson, the chamber has canceled its voting session on Friday. Tomorrow's begins at 9:30 a.m. "Discussions regarding the budget are ongoing at this time," the statement read.

PA Attorney General Dave Sunday announced today that his office has charged 8 people with Medicaid fraud. His office claims they caused more than $260,000 in losses.

New: Pennsylvania lawmakers will, in all liklihood, have to pull from the state's almost $8 billion rainy day fund to balance this year's budget. That fact will undergird closed door talks as the commonwealth creeps toward the June 30 deadline. www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/06...

Following Spotlight PA's story today, GOP nominee Stacy Garrity is calling for seven public debates with incumbent Gov. Josh Shapiro before the general election. www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/06...

For the first time since 2018, Pennsylvanians may have the chance to watch their choices for governor meet face-to-face for a debate. www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/06...

New from Votebeat PA: The Election Law Advisory Board was meant to be a bipartisan, statewide collaborative effort to provide the legislature with advice on election reform. But it has been languishing for years as it awaits appointees from Gov. Shapiro. www.votebeat.org/pennsylvania...

New: @jaxonwhite.bsky.social and I look at what's next for skill games. With potentially billions in revenue up for grabs, few talk about upholding an outright ban. But how to regulate the devices and what to do with the money (say, funding public transit) will define coming talks.

The PA House just unanimously passed a bill to create a fund for children who are victims of violence and abuse under the Commission on Crime and Delinquency, using fees (ranging from $250-$1000) charged to convicted offenders. Heads to the Senate www.palegis.us/legislation/...

Wowow, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania just granted the state Office of the Attorney General the authority to intervene in PCRA cases brought by the Philadelphia DA's conviction integrity unit, calling the program "checkered."

Upcoming changes to Medicaid are poised to increase Pennsylvania’s number of uninsured children and reverse decades of efforts to provide healthcare to poor families in the state, advocates warn. www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/06...

BREAKING: Skill games are slot machines, must adhere to Pa.’s gambling law, state Supreme Court rules https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/06/skill-games-illegal-pennsylvania-supreme-court-ruling-capitol/

House Approps Chair Jordan Harris (D., Philly) just spoke with reporters in the Capitol about budget talks. Not many details. He said caucus staff held meetings over the weekend and that “this cycle is different than last year’s.”

First time I've seen Gov. Shapiro wearing a traditional watch. Looks like an Omega Speedmaster. Solid pick for the NASCAR Cup Series. The Speedmaster was primarily for motorsports before 1969 – when it became the first watch worn on the moon.

Rep. Brenda Pugh (R, Luzerne) wants each of PA's licensing boards/commissions to adopt field-specific rules on how AI is used in their respective licensed professions. www.palegis.us/house/co-spo...

Shell's Monaca plant exposes Pennsylvania's failed trickle-down petrochemical renaissance, per The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis ieefa.org/resources/sh...

Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Stacy Garrity, a Republican, has forged political connections with Cliff Maloney, an operative who's been previously accused of sexual misconduct. https://www.notus.org/pennsylvania/stacy-garrity-cliff-maloney-governors-race

Senate passed (48-2) a bill to require ads to provide “clear and conspicuous” disclosures on AI “modified or generated” content — sponsored by Sen. Nick Pisciottano (D., Allegheny). Civil fines could reach $3,000. Moves to the House. www.palegis.us/legislation/...

Services to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and other crimes are in crisis under the 2nd Trump admin. That's because they rely on the fines and penalties paid out after white collar prosecutions & settlements, which the DOJ hasn't been too keen on & Trump keeps forgiving w/ pardons.

A bill to give 20 weeks paid parental/medical leave cleared the Senate L&I Committee. This is Sen. Devin Robinson’s (R., Allegheny) bill, which fully relies on employee contributions capped at 1% of income. Check out disagreements on the details here: www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/04...

Chatbots on 5 websites claimed to be licensed to practice medicine in the commonwealth when prompted by Spotlight PA — the same kind of output that led the Shapiro administration to file a lawsuit last month. www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/06...

Glad to see @washingtonpost.com pick up our story about Pennsylvania’s Child Death Review program. The lede: Many Pennsylvania counties are failing to review the death of every child in their area, despite a 2008 state law that requires them to do so. www.washingtonpost.com/national/202...

Pennsylvania Rep. Joe Ciresi told lawmakers today that he's looking to ban AI chatbots from being used in children's toys, mentioning microphones and speakers inside teddy bears, plushies, and robots. www.palegis.us/house/co-spo...

ICYMI: Half of child deaths left unreviewed in Pa. since 2020 as counties struggle with 'unfunded mandate' www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/06...

The state House just passed (198-3) a bill instructing the Attorney General to launch an AI public education campaign in PA targeting folks with "lower AI consumer literacy." Heads to the Senate now. www.palegis.us/legislation/...

When a child dies in Pa., a panel of local officials is supposed to review the circumstances of their death. But Spotlight PA found that only about 1/2 of these deaths have been reviewed since 2020, according to the Department of Health. www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/06...

John Jones III, a former Middle District of PA federal judge and current president of Dickinson College, joined a group of retired judges urging a Florida court to reopen President Trump's case against the IRS and investigate the agreement that ended it. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity’s business experience could help her cut a contrast with Gov. Josh Shapiro. It also poses potential conflicts as she seeks higher office.

Garrity often talks about her military career on the campaign trail, highlighting the accolades she received and describing how it prepared her for public service. But this particular episode rarely makes it into her stump speeches. “I had death threats," she told Spotlight PA.

Interesting story from a University of Pennsylvania study: voting is associated with a longer life. www.tpr.org/government-p...

Before she was a candidate for governor, Republican Stacy Garrity was a military whistleblower www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/05...

Scoop: PA Gov. Josh Shapiro talked to Ken Martin last week about the DNC autopsy and told him he was unhappy about how Martin had not released it and had not been transparent. Martin was rattled after the call. www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...

Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R., Indiana) told @katehuangpu.bsky.social that he isn't planning on advancing any bills regulating PA data centers right now, arguing instead that the state should "make sure that we're competing against our neighboring states."

ChatGPT's parent company is focusing more effort on lobbying state legislatures, according to @politico.com. This story names California and New York, as well as foreshadowing an effort in Illinois. www.politico.com/news/2026/05...

A mix-up here from the DNC?

Follow the results of Pennsylvania's primaries here. www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/05...

Republican gubernatorial nominee Stacy Garrity is greeting voters outside a poll in Dauphin County. One of her first questions: “Did you vote for Jason Richey?” Richey is facing a challenger for the GOP lieutenant governor nomination. His name is John Ventre (see my past thread below)

An individual allegedly threw a suspected explosive device out of a car at a polling place in Lehigh County. Tom Shortell has the details here: www.lehighvalleynews.com/criminal-jus...

Good morning! It’s primary day here in Pennsylvania. I’ll be moving around different polls but my first stop is in Lebanon County, where incumbent state GOP Sen. Chris Gebhard is facing a well-funded challenge from horse farmer Clovis Crane.

According to Google's database, Western Pa. attorney Jason Richey ran some statewide digital ads against his opponent for the GOP lieutenant governor nomination - John Ventre. They claim Ventre is tied to "racist groups." Here are some details 🧵 adstransparency.google.com/advertiser/A...

Observation: GOP State Committeeman Bryant Glick is listed as the treasurer of Tyler Meyers' primary PAC against incumbent Republican state Sen. Lisa Baker in the 20th Senate District. Not sure if this would violate the state GOP's rules. Haven't heard back yet.

After lawmakers were left in the dark about alleged threats, Pa. police planning ‘better’ alert process www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/05... w/ @angelasink.bsky.social

ICYMI: Adam G. Berryhill, of Lebanon County, was arrested by State Police officials last week and charged with making terroristic threats against Pa. lawmakers (all Democrats) online. www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/05...

20 Pennsylvania legislators were allegedly threatened online by a Lebanon County man who police say posted a "hit list" and referenced a “Memorial Day Operation,” law enforcement records show. www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/05... w/ the brilliant Angela Couloumbis

Inbox: Earlier this month, HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute sent a letter to the Pa. Insurance Department claiming Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is violating federal Essential Health Benefits, discrimination, and "preventive health" regulations

Last week, the Shapiro admin filed what it said was the first lawsuit to stem from its AI investigations. Pennsylvania officials indicated there could be more to come. www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/05...

New from me. Field of Screams didn't allow minors to volunteer for the company at a recent event due to new state safety requirements, according to a company post to staff. The changes were put in place after my 2025 investigation with @spotlightpa.org www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/05...

The recent FBI raid of a Washington Post reporter's home sent shockwaves through the journalism industry. @rcfp.org spoke to 12+ journalists to find out how the raid has impacted their work and why it will deter public-interest reporting. Read the analysis: www.rcfp.org/natanson-fbi...

A group of protestors from March on Harrisburg, advocating for a gift ban, were detained by Capitol police after they blocked one of the major thruways of the building.