Our best stories of 2023

In the 18 months since Spotlight PA’s State College regional bureau launched, we’ve criss-crossed north-central Pennsylvania to tell vital, impactful stories.

As the year draws to a close, we want to share a few of our best stories of 2023.

Thank you for reading, and we wish you a happy, healthy new year!

‘Richest Little City’

A massive corruption case brought by the state Office of Attorney General in March against suspended DuBois City Manager Herm Suplizio alleged that he shrewdly used his power, network of political connections, and control over local organizations and charities to line his own pockets for almost a decade. 

Suplizio remade the city into a destination for youth and collegiate sports during his tenure, but the scandal posed uncomfortable questions about his time as DuBois’ chief administrator: Do his achievements stand on their own, or were they only borne out of entrenched corruption? If so, how could such alleged crimes have gone unnoticed for so long?

Spotlight PA spent months following the development of the criminal case, which is now in the hands of federal authorities, and investigating the circumstances that led to the alleged corruption in this investigation.

—Min Xian, local accountability reporter

Missed Conduct

In partnership with the Centre Daily Times, Spotlight PA spent a year investigating Penn State’s once-praised system of reforms implemented in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal a decade ago.

What started as a tip on potential misconduct in the very office created to root out such behavior expanded into a look at the web of compliance offices and oversight measures across the university. Our story offered a look inside Penn State when a system designed to encourage and protect whistleblowers stumbles over itself.

—Wyatt Massey, Penn State investigative reporter

Help from Harrisburg

When new faces started representing Snow Shoe in Harrisburg, residents felt like their state lawmakers were prioritizing the rural community after years of hardship.

Our story details how state Sen. Cris Dush (R., Jefferson) and state Rep. Paul Takac (D., Centre) have worked to put partisanship aside to serve their constituents. The piece details ongoing efforts to meet residents where they are through office hours and engage with local officials to find a food source for the area. It demonstrates how lawmakers can use their position to secure state funding and development grants for improvements.

—Marley Parish, rural affairs reporter

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More top stories from 2023

» Penn State, Pitt, and others get hundreds of millions in taxpayer funds. Tracking it is a challenge.

» Pa. leads the nation for Lyme disease cases. Development in forests boosts the risk.

» Spotlight PA sues Penn State trustees over alleged violations of Pennsylvania’s open meetings law

» A budget boost to payments for state-owned land will benefit rural Pa. counties

» Pa. voters play little role in choosing who fills vacant municipal offices