Sept. 14, 2022Leise Hook / For Spotlight PAPa. law protects workers who are approved for medical marijuana — but once they use it, it’s a different story.by Ed Mahon of Spotlight PAFired workers and frustrated employers are facing off in court battles over Pennsylvania’s vague safeguards for marijuana patients, and those on both sides are asking for a legislative fix.
Sept. 1, 2022Commonwealth Media ServicesThousands of Pa. nursing home workers may strike despite $600M for care in state budgetby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAWorkers for two for-profit companies fear the bulk of the money won’t be used to alleviate longer working hours, expanded job responsibilities, and even food rationing for residents.
Aug. 25, 2022JOSE F. MORENO / Philadelphia InquirerMajor shift in medical malpractice rules in Pa. could help victims, but opponents fear the costby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAThe state’s high court will allow such cases to be filed in any county in the state, as opposed to the county where harm occurred, potentially leading to more claims and higher payouts.
Aug. 25, 2022Elizabeth Robertson / Philadelphia InquirerWolf administration explores using federal aid to help stretch Pa.’s limited monkeypox vaccine supplyby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAThe federal government has given providers the OK to get five shots out of a one-dose vaccine vial. The state may purchase syringes to make those shots possible.
Aug. 23, 2022HEATHER KHALIFA / Philadelphia InquirerWhy people in State College and rural north-central Pa. don’t have easy access to in-person abortion servicesby Ashad Hajela of Spotlight PA State CollegeCostly regulations and smaller populations relative to urban areas have prevented any providers from opening since one in State College closed after a series of scandals.
Aug. 22, 2022Commonwealth Media ServicesCommonwealth Court orders Pa.’s health department to release information on medical marijuana programby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PAFor more than a year, the Department of Health has fought to block Spotlight PA’s request for information about the state’s medical marijuana program. Judges rejected the agency’s arguments calling one claim “undeveloped.”
July 28, 2022ALEJANDRO A. ALVAREZ / Philadelphia InquirerWolf sues GOP-led legislature to block abortion, voter ID questions from reaching Pa. ballot boxby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PAThe Democratic governor is claiming legislative Republicans unconstitutionally lumped together five pieces of their “failed” agenda into a package of proposed amendments.
July 15, 2022Kent M. Wilhelm / Spotlight PAPa. court system says it’s not responsible for county judges banning opioid addiction medicationby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PAA federal lawsuit alleges the Pennsylvania court system discriminated against people with opioid use disorder, raising questions about who is responsible for decisions made by local judges.
July 8, 2022HEATHER KHALIFA / Philadelphia InquirerPennsylvania legislature seeks to declare state constitution provides no right to an abortionby Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PALegislative Republicans advanced five significant constitutional amendments, including stricter voter ID and enhanced powers for the General Assembly.
July 6, 2022Photo ProvidedMeet Ashad Hajela, rural affairs reporter for Spotlight PA State Collegeby Ashad Hajela of Spotlight PA State CollegeA recent graduate of Columbia Journalism School, Ashad Hajela is covering rural issues — from utilities to agriculture — thanks to Spotlight PA’s first-ever partnership with Report for America.
June 28, 2022Jelani Splawn / For Spotlight PAPa. waited more than 2 years to test wells after finding nearby contamination. Now this neighborhood wants answers.by Adam Smeltz for Spotlight PA State CollegeAffected homeowners in Benner Township, Centre County, want to know when and how PFAS chemicals got into their water. State officials defend the delay, pointing to “sound scientific practices.”
June 24, 2022HEATHER KHALIFA / Philadelphia InquirerWolf pushes $91 million for nursing homes to offset costs of proposed new staffing regulations, but industry says it’s not enoughby Jaxon White of Spotlight PAThe governor and GOP lawmakers have signaled interest in providing more help to the nursing home industry, which is plagued by low wages, staffing shortages, and big demand.
June 13, 2022Commonwealth Media ServicesUnregulated hemp derivative delta-8 thrives in Pa.’s thorny marijuana landscapeby Christina Baker for Spotlight PADespite its hazy legal status, delta-8 is not subject to any regulations or mandatory testing in Pennsylvania, and its packaging isn’t required to note potential side effects.
June 8, 2022Leise Hook / For Spotlight PAWATCH: A free virtual Q&A on Pa.’s uneven rules for medical marijuana cardsby Spotlight PA StaffOn June 14, Spotlight PA held a free panel on the rules and flaws of Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program.
June 1, 2022Commonwealth Media ServicesMedical marijuana card company draws scrutiny for using unofficial Pa. doctor listing to attract patientsby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PADoctors said the website highlights a larger problem: medical marijuana companies operate and advertise with impunity, while doctors are silenced.
June 1, 2022Kent M. Wilhelm / For Spotlight PAPennsylvania’s highest court could give cities the go-ahead to craft their own gun lawsby Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PAThe Republican-led General Assembly is unlikely to consider restricting gun access despite the recent massacre of nearly 20 children in Texas.
May 26, 2022Leise Hook for Spotlight PACompanies blanket Pa. with ads about how to get a medical marijuana card, but doctors are silencedby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PAWith millions of dollars at stake, certification businesses buy radio ads, dominate Google searches, and even offer Groupons. But if doctors do the same, they risk their license.
May 12, 2022Frank Andruscavage/Republican-HeraldPublic database significantly undercounts former drug labs in Pa. Here’s why home buyers, renters should care.by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PAA hot housing market has buyers and renters making quick decisions to compete for properties, but in Pennsylvania ensuring those homes are clean from former drug activity is difficult.
May 10, 2022Commonwealth Media ServicesWhy Pennsylvania’s health department is taking Spotlight PA to courtby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PAHow many people in Pennsylvania use medical marijuana for opioid addiction? The Wolf administration is taking Spotlight PA to court for trying to find out.
May 3, 2022Thomas Hengge / Philadelphia InquirerWhat happens if Roe v. Wade is overturned? In Pa., the answer depends on the November governor’s race.by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA and Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PAAt least five of the nine Republican gubernatorial candidates have said they would seek a complete ban on abortion with no exceptions.
April 12, 2022ELIZABETH ROBERTSON / Philadelphia InquirerOversight of Pa. addiction recovery homes will begin soon, but operators slow to opt-inby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PAOnly a few dozen addiction recovery homes in Pennsylvania have applied for a license despite the licensing program being designed to bring more oversight to the critical industry.
April 7, 2022Nate Smallwood / For Spotlight PAIt's hard to track the conditions of Pa. schools. Spotlight PA wants your help flagging health hazards.by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PAHelp us monitor potential health hazards in Pennsylvania schools by filling out a short survey on the condition of your district or building.
March 14, 2022Commonwealth Media Services: Natalie KolbTop Pa. drug official denies blame for botched medical marijuana guidance, but her claims don’t add upby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PADespite records and interviews that contradict her account, Jennifer Smith continues to contend the state’s drug oversight agency was not responsible for confusion that wrongly barred some people from addiction treatment.
Feb. 28, 2022Louis Ruediger / TribLIVE for Spotlight PAWho makes public health decisions for your community? In Pennsylvania, it depends on where you live.by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PAPennsylvania’s public health system has been the focus of plenty of discussion but little change, even as the pandemic created new challenges for local leaders.
Feb. 21, 2022Leise Hook / For Spotlight PAHow we investigated misleading addiction claims on Pennsylvania cannabis websitesby Ed Mahon of Spotlight PAThe investigation included a review of over 60 websites, an examination of peer-reviewed research, interviews with more than a dozen experts, and a review of thousands of pages of records.
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