politics

Skill Games Avoid Regulation Again in Pa. as Gambling Lobby War Intensifies

November 28, 2025 | Spotlight PA

A dispute over the level of taxation and accusations of retribution derailed another attempt to regulate skill games in Pennsylvania.

Top Pa. Lawmakers Took $119K in Gifts, Trips, and More from Those Seeking to Influence Them in 2024

May 20, 2025 | Spotlight PA

That includes trips to Israel funded by the charity arm of AIPAC and to Taiwan funded by the government.

The People Who Represent You in D.C. and Harrisburg Are Allowed to Keep Their Calendars Secret

April 19, 2025 | Spotlight PA

Pennsylvania and federal open records laws don’t require elected officials to release their work calendars to the public.

13 States Mandate Paid Family Leave. A Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Wants Pa. to Be Next.

February 4, 2025 | Spotlight PA

Getting paid time off to care for a kid or recover from illness depends on where one lives and works in Pennsylvania. Lawmakers want to change that.

Will a Tied State House Halt Harrisburg Again? Pa. Democrats Won’t Say.

January 28, 2025 | Spotlight PA

State House Democrats have a vacancy after a member’s death, and leaders won’t say whether they’ll stop floor votes while they wait to restore their numerical majority.

Statement from Governor Josh Shapiro on the Inauguration of President Donald Trump

January 21, 2025

“Where our priorities are aligned, I stand ready to work with the Trump Administration to continue our progress here in Pennsylvania.”

How Did Democrats Keep Their Pa. House Majority During a Red Wave? Redistricting Is Part of the Answer.

November 26, 2024 | Spotlight PA

Pennsylvania’s state House map makes districts politically representative, but less competitive. This makes it hard for either party to get a big majority.

Tonight’s Election Analysis Forum at PennWest University to Cover Presidential Race

November 12, 2024

Join PennWest University’s Election Analysis Forum on November 12 for expert insights into the 2024 presidential race and key election results.

How Did Pa. Dems Keep the State House During a Red Wave? Meet Frank Burns.

November 11, 2024 | Spotlight PA

Amid a red wave, a Pa. Democrat held his House seat in a Trump stronghold, and helped his party keep the chamber.

Great PA News Quiz: What All Those Political Ads Cost, Musk’s Lottery, and at the Drive-Thru

October 25, 2024 | Spotlight PA

In this week’s news quiz: The price of a swing state ad blitz, U.S. Senate rating shift, part-time police, and college conflict.

The (basically) Secret List of Campaign Donations by No-Bid Contractors

October 12, 2024 | Spotlight PA

Pennsylvania’s no-bid contractors must report campaign donations, but accessing those records is hard. Here’s why it matters.

Abortion a Top Election Issue for Nearly Half of State Voters, Spotlight PA Poll Shows

September 25, 2024 | Spotlight PA

A new Spotlight PA poll shows that Democrats and independents are much likelier than Republicans to identify abortion as among their top 2024 concerns.

Where U.S. Senate Candidates Bob Casey and Dave McCormick Stand on Abortion, Child Care, and More

September 24, 2024 | Spotlight PA

Caregiving is not a major issue in the U.S. Senate race between Democrat Bob Casey and Republican Dave McCormick, but it is one that matters to many Pennsylvanians. Here’s where they stand.

Pa. Election 2024: A Complete Guide to the Candidates for U.S. Senate

September 23, 2024 | Spotlight PA

Incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey seeks a fourth term, while former hedge fund CEO Dave McCormick, a Republican, makes his second consecutive bid for a Senate seat.

Federal Lawmakers Introduce Snowmobiles Aren’t Weapons Act, Addressing ‘Whacking’ of Wolves and Coyotes on Federal Lands

September 16, 2024 | Jacob Deemer

Bipartisan group of lawmakers address a sadistic form of cruelty to wildlife thrust into the spotlight by Wyoming rancher and trophy hunter Cody Roberts

PennWest Clarion Political Science Professor Reacts to Walz, Vance VP Selections

August 7, 2024 | Jacob Deemer

Yenerall has been a professor of Political Science at PennWest Clarion (formerly Clarion University) since 2000.

Libertarians File for President, U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania

August 2, 2024 | Jacob Deemer

The campaign submitted over 12,000 petition signatures to the election officials.

Governor Shapiro Announces Pennsylvanians Can File Federal, State Taxes for Free Starting Next Year

July 31, 2024 | Jacob Deemer

IRS Direct File will help Pennsylvanians save time and money by allowing people to prepare and file their federal taxes for free online.

Political Rhetoric and Its Consequences: The Viral Post Matt Croyle Says Cost Him Everything

July 9, 2024 | Gavin Fish

In a stark reminder of the power of social media, former Oil City Constable Matt Croyle says a single post about political extremism cost him his job, civic role, and peace of mind.

50+ Chambers of Commerce Urge State Investments in Child Care Teacher Recruitment, Retention

June 21, 2024 | Jacob Deemer

Teacher shortage is costing PA economy billions of dollars annually.

U.S. Senate Candidate Dave McCormick to Make Stop at Clarion County Farm

May 17, 2024 | Jacob Deemer

The event is set for May 22 at Port Farm, off Exit 64 of Interstate 80.

Bashline Wins GOP Nomination for 63rd District State House Seat; Ritchie Captures Democratic Bid

April 24, 2024 | Jacob Deemer

Josh Bashline (R) and Pat Ritchie (D) seek to replace Representative Donna Oberlander (R), who announced in December that she would not seek re-election.

The Vast Majority of Pa. Legislative Races Will Effectively Be Decided During the Primary

April 20, 2024 | Spotlight PA

Pennsylvania’s 2024 state House and Senate races will be decided by just a sliver of the voting population, thanks to closed primaries and non-competitive districts.

Shapiro Administration Urges Voters to Know Their Rights at the Polls on Primary Day, April 23

April 20, 2024 | Jacob Deemer

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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