Scott Blanchard, Editor / WITF
My roots in journalism go back to growing up outside Washington, D.C., reading Woodward and Bernstein in my hometown paper, and being drawn to the ideals of freedom of the press and holding the powerful to account. I also idolized the Post’s sports columnists, and in fact was a sports reporter/editor before I moved to news.
I followed journalism’s call to the University of Missouri, then to jobs in Virginia and Maryland before landing in Pennsylvania, and I’ve lived near Gettysburg for more than two decades. Living in rural Pa. helps inform my work as a journalist and my belief that listening is one of the most important things we can do.
If I’m not doing journalism stuff, I may be traveling, bird-watching, or both.
Latest by Scott Blanchard
Band of Brothers is not the only World War II story out there
U.S. Sen. Casey addresses concerns with border, Gaza
The Democratic senator’s opponent this fall, Dave McCormick, has been talking about those issues as well.
Riley Williams, convicted of storming Nancy Pelosi’s office on Jan. 6, asks for shorter sentence
Her lawyers say she is eligible for a sentence reduction related to a change in federal sentencing guidelines. Prosecutors oppose the effort.
WITF’s election conflict of interest, and how we’ll handle it
Why is WITF’s journalism newsletter named ‘The Purple Buck’?
An artist’s thank-you that was tied directly to our work inspired the name.
WITF focuses election-fraud lie accountability policy on lawmakers in key areas involving democracy
In Pennsylvania, the election-fraud lie remains alive, pushed by elected officials who know that the 2020 election was free, fair and secure, and that the results were accurate.
Chambersburg wants to become a better community. 19 residents gathered to discuss how to get there
WITF, a consultant and a brewery co-owner collaborated to hold an event at which people from Chambersburg talked about what makes a great community — and how their borough can get there.
Republican Scott Perry defeats Democrat Shamaine Daniels to retain 10th Congressional District seat
Rep. Scott Perry, from Dillsburg, sought his sixth term in office and was challenged by Harrisburg City Council member Shamaine Daniels.
Pennsylvania climate forum brings informed public into problem-solving effort
Deliberative forums bring together a demographically representative group of people, provide them with in-depth background material on the subject matter of the forum, and create questions to engage attendees in small-group discussions that are designed to produce ideas and potential solutions.
By Scott Blanchard/WITF 