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Dear Reader,
 We have just 17 days left to raise $43,000 and hit our year-end goal. That's why we're politely asking for your help right now. Make a tax-deductible gift of any amount, and as a special bonus, it will be DOUBLED.
We must hit this goal to keep Spotlight PA's unique journalism strong. Can we count on you this season of giving? Give now »
Thank you!
—Colin D., Newsletter Editor
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A daily newsletter by  |
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| In today's edition: Grocery gouge, school money, 'zombie' deer, water fouls, and 'the coolest building in state government.' Thanks for checking in. |
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ConsumerAffairs says Pennsylvania is the hardest hit state in the nation when it comes to inflation at the grocery store.
Inflation is cooling overall, but it remains a potent force in the early stages of the 2024 election and in critical states like this one.
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday left interest rates — a form of inflation control — unchanged but hinted at three cuts in the new year.
THE CONTEXT: ConsumerAffairs analyzed grocery price data in 15 categories across 150,000 U.S. stores and found prices up 5.3% in the past year.
Pennsylvania saw an 8.2% increase in grocery prices over the past 12 months, while the state with the lowest bump, Colorado, saw a 2.9% hike.
The reasons for the disparities between locations vary and include retailers charging more when and where they can. Case in point: grocery prices in rural areas, where competition is scarcer, ran 7.6% higher in the past 12 months, compared with only 5.6% for residents of large cities.
But cities are feeling it too, with similar inconsistencies. For example: In Philadelphia, the price of ConsumerAffairs' 15-category basket increased by 7.1% over the past 12 months (that's the highest in the country). In Richmond, Virginia, 250 miles away, the cost is up just 2.3% in that same time.
Read more: - Pennsylvania food stamp enrollment hit record high this summer, likely driven by policy changes and inflation, via WESA archives
- Demand at Pennsylvania food banks and pantries has reached ‘catastrophic’ levels, via PennLive
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Our Famous Tote is Back (+Hats & More!)
Get exclusive Spotlight PA apparel and accessories now on sale, including the return of our famous tote bag! Shop now »
All proceeds benefit Spotlight PA's nonprofit, nonpartisan journalism. |
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NOTABLE / QUOTABLE
"This official inquiry will empower the House’s relevant committees to investigate these allegations free from Biden Administration obstruction."
—U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R., Pa.) on Wednesday's party-line House vote in favor of formalizing an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden; all Pa. Republicans voted yes; all Pa. Democrats voted no (see here) |
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We need your help right now.
We have just 17 days left in our year-end campaign and we need to raise $43,000 to hit our goal and ensure our vital work can continue strong in 2024. As a special bonus, if you give now a generous donor will DOUBLE it.
Our year-end campaign is the most important of the entire year. This season of giving, invest in unique, hard-hitting journalism that gets real results.
Thank you to the 1,136 people who have given so far during our year-end drive, including Rich K., who said, "You provide the resources to keep government accountable & visible."
Join Rich & make a tax-deductible gift now »
You can also give via PayPal or Venmo, or send a check to: Spotlight PA, PO Box 11728, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1728. |
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» BOILO BASICS: Join us TONIGHT from 6-7:15 p.m. on Zoom for a free Q&A and demo on one of Pennsylvania's signature adult beverages, boilo. As a bonus, try your hand at some Pennsylvania wintertime trivia in the last half hour for a chance to win Spotlight PA swag. Register for the event here and submit your questions to events@spotlightpa.org.
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Reindeer decorations at Tyler Arboretum in Delaware County, via Don N. Have a Pennsylvania photo to share? Send it to us by email, use #PAGems on Instagram, or tag us @spotlightpennsylvania. |
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STORAGE SPACE: PennLive reports the "coolest building in state government" is now open in Harrisburg. The new State Archives building is 146,000-square-feet and cost $75 million.
PICK-ME-UP: The Pennsylvania Department of Education has a new, automated hotline where you can hear pep talks, jokes, and words of encouragement from Pennsylvania students. Dial (717) 772-4737.
TRANS IN PA: Roughly 16% of America's transgender population lives in rural areas. The Inquirer (paywall) shares the experiences of Billie Jean Williams and Stephanie Fritsch at home in rural Wiconisco, Pennsylvania.
IN MEMORIAM: Here's how Erie News Now remembered anchor and 19-year colleague Emily Matson following her sudden death on Monday. Matson was fatally struck by a train. She was 42 years old.
PARK IDEAS: WPSU reports whitewater recreation parks could be coming to Clearfield County, and would replace two low-head dams. In unrelated news: WHYY reports on the fight brewing over a Chester County campsite.
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Unscramble and send your answer to scrambler@spotlightpa.org. We'll shout out winners here, and one each week will get some Spotlight PA swag. Answers submitted by 5:30 p.m. on issue date will be counted.
F B E L A N F E I
Yesterday's answer: Intrepid
Congrats to our daily winners: Julie K.,., Sandi H., Bob C., Don H., Melanie S., Becky C., Stacy S., Marty M., Beth T., Ted W., Lynne E., Eddy Z., Lynn M., Bruce B., Elaine C., Heidi G., Daniel M., Jon W., Kim C., Karen W., Vanessa J., Carol S., Lorraine H., Rick W., Daniel S., Martha D., Stanley J., Cate P., Mary S., Mark C., Alan B., Amy H., Ronnee G., Connie K., Bev F., John P., Jerry H., Jean B., James B., Kevin M., Marie B., Vicki U., Karyl S., Judith D., Susan N.-Z., Christina M., Johnny C., Kimberly S., Tish M., Elizabeth R., Geoff M., Richard A., Paul F., Jerry G., Rena Z., Jody A., Jeffrey F., Wendy A., Deborah W., William Z., Ada M., and David W. |
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BUDGET DEALS: School-funding legislation that sends 
CAPITOL BRIEFS: The state has 
DIRTY WATER: Public Herald spoke with employees of a company with facilities in Lycoming and Bradford Counties where radioactive fracking wastewater is cleaned — often incompletely — before it's discharged into rivers. The workers involved in the treatment process describe 
STUDENTS BARRED: Earlier this year we told you about a Pennsylvania law that has led to some 