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Pa.’s first-ever investment in public defense allowed offices to hire attorneys, improve case management

by Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA Pennsylvania’s first two years of funding indigent defense resulted in progress toward better services for criminal defendants who cannot otherwise afford their own counsel, according to reports released earlier this year. County defender offices across the state hired new attorneys, added crucial support staff, and implemented case management systems, some for the first time. A new body, the Indigent Defense Advisory Committee, created the commonwealth’s first standards for this kind of representation. And a massive data collection effort has ...

Showers, toilet flushing optional as residents tackle high water bills

By Ford Turner | The Center Square (The Center Square) - Retired draftsman and designer Dennis Till has exercised complete control over the look inside his suburban home just east of Reading - planning upgrades and renovations himself - but he has been unable to control the cost of a vital element that comes into the home. Water. Till recently paid $174.68 for a single month of water-sewer service for himself. "I don't sprinkle water; I don't wash my car; nothing," he said. Neighbor Greg O'Brien, with three people in his home, has seen bills more than double to $250 to $275 a ...

As Shapiro opposes ICE detention centers, his GOP opponent stays vague

by Jaxon White of Spotlight PA HARRISBURG — Stacy Garrity’s gubernatorial campaign won’t clarify where the Republican stands on ICE detention centers, only saying the proposals in Pennsylvania “warrant serious review” and that sitting Gov. Josh Shapiro’s opposition to them is ...

California men charged in Pa. credit card resale scheme

HARRISBURG – Attorney General Dave Sunday and Pennsylvania State Police have charged four California men accused of using stolen credit card information, including data from 17 Pennsylvanians, in a scheme to purchase tickets and other items online for resale at a discount. Andres Ramirez, Andres Maravilla, Jesus Maravilla and David Santoyo are each charged with corrupt organizations, dealing in the proceeds of unlawful activities, identity theft and related offenses. Investigators allege the men obtained stolen credit card information from the dark web and used it to buy event ...

The 2026 primaries likely to shape the Pennsylvania House and Senate

by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA HARRISBURG — This spring, Pennsylvanians will vote in primary elections that will have huge ramifications for the way the state House and Senate look next year. That’s why Spotlight PA analyzed all 228 legislative primaries — many of which are uncontested — on the May 19 ballot to pinpoint which are the likeliest to be competitive, impactful, or otherwise worth watching. The general election in November is the ultimate decider of which party controls each legislative chamber. But as the number of competitive districts shrinks in ...

‘The Music Man’ to take stage at Eisenhower Auditorium April 7

UNIVERSITY PARK — The national tour of The Music Man will stop at Penn State’s Eisenhower Auditorium on April 7, bringing the classic Broadway musical to Centre County audiences. The performance is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Eisenhower Auditorium. Produced by Big League Productions, the show follows fast-talking salesman Harold Hill as he convinces residents of River City, Iowa, to purchase instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band he has no intention of organizing. At the center of the story is Marian Paroo, the town librarian, who challenges Hill and ultimately reshapes the ...