Politics & Policy
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Commonwealth Media Services
Pa. election 2026: Where governor candidates Garrity and Shapiro stand on abortion
Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, states have become the primary battlegrounds for fights over expanding or restricting access to abortion.
By Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA -
Tim Lambert
House Education Committee passes cyber student safety bill after heated debate
A proposal to make online charter schools responsible for assuring the wellbeing of their students sparked tense debate Wednesday as GOP lawmakers warned it would ultimately leave parents with fewer choices for their children’s education.
By Peter Hall, Pennsylvania Capital-Star -
Commonwealth Media Services
Lawmakers look to taxes on Big Tech to help cover state spending needs
Taxes aimed at the tech industry are on the table as Pennsylvania lawmakers negotiate the upcoming budget and look for ways to help balance the commonwealth’s shaky books.
By Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA -
Gabriela Martínez
How this Pa. grandfather made it out of ICE detention and back to his family
For Zavala, the celebration marked the end of 45 days in ICE detention, including at Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Pennsylvania. The Clearfield County facility is one of the largest in the country, where detainee deaths and allegations of inhumane conditions have drawn scrutiny from advocates, attorneys, and elected officials.
By Gabriela Martínez of Spotlight PA -
Commonwealth Media Services
Services for crime victims face funding cuts after drop in white-collar prosecutions under Trump
Across Pennsylvania, organizations that provide resources for crime victims are scaling back services, cutting positions, and leaving key roles vacant after the federal fund supporting them has received record-low deposits during President Donald Trump’s second administration.
By Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA -
Emily Scolnick
Lawmakers urge Pa. Senate to split up public, private high school school playoffs
House lawmakers are calling on the state Senate to pass legislation that would allow Pennsylvania’s high school athletics governing body to split up playoff competition for public and private schools.
By Emily Scolnick, Pennsylvania Capital-Star -
Matt Rourke
Bill requiring owners to lock up guns advances to Pa. House over GOP objections
Gun locks and safes would be exempt from state sales tax under an amended version of a secure firearms storage bill Pennsylvania lawmakers advanced Monday.
By Peter Hall, Pennsylvania Capital-Star
