{"description":"Spotlight PA: Find Pennsylvania news and investigations about state and local governments, businesses and special interests.","feed_url":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/feeds/full.json","home_page_url":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/","items":[{"author":"Jackie Llanos and Tyler Spence of NOTUS","authors":["Jackie Llanos","Tyler Spence"],"blurb":"“I expect there will be major heartburn from producers across the country,” Rep. Glenn Thompson said.","category":"Federal Government","content_html":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis article is made possible through \u003c/em\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eSpotlight PA’s\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e partnership with \u003c/em\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.notus.org/\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eNOTUS\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e, a nonpartisan news organization that covers government and politics with the fresh eyes of early career journalists and the expertise of veteran reporters.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChair Jim Jordan said the House Judiciary Committee won’t take up legislation next week to expand a visa program for temporary farm workers, bucking Republicans who sought a quick path to help the agriculture industry.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bipartisan bill, spearheaded by House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn Thompson (R-Pennsylvania), would eliminate the seasonal work requirement and make other changes to the H-2A visa program, allowing for temporary workers in dairy, mushroom, ranching and greenhouse operations.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThompson had said he believed the bill had a path forward when he introduced it last month.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“I think part of it is the border is under control, part of it is the fact that food security clearly is national security, and workforce is a main factor,” Thompson said.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut Jordan (R-Ohio) told NOTUS on Thursday he wants to pass an immigration enforcement package that resembles as close as possible the \u003ca href=\"https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2\"\u003ecommittee’s proposal from 2023\u003c/a\u003e. He said that proposal is slated for markup next week, and any changes to include H-2A legislation in it would have to be considered “down the road,” maybe on the House floor.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Secure the border, step one; enforcement, step two; step three, look at all that,” Jordan said, referencing visa programs. “I think you have to go in that sequence.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJordan’s stance on the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act of 2026 is a setback for Thompson and agriculture industry groups, who hoped that a stronger border would be enough to get immigration-minded Republicans on board with the bill.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“I expect there will be major heartburn from producers across the country if enforcement measures move forward without addressing the needs of the agriculture industry,” Thompson said in a statement to NOTUS, “and I remain confident in my belief that the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act of 2026 is the best farm labor solution put forth in years.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe H-2A agricultural guest worker program hasn’t changed in decades. The agriculture industry considers the changes long overdue and has waited patiently for a chance at reform.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse of the H2-A program has increased dramatically over the past decade, reaching nearly 400,00 workers in 2025 due to the lack of American workers willing to work in the industry.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to data from the Farm Bureau, \u003ca href=\"https://www.fb.org/market-intel/h-2a-program-use-continues-to-soar\"\u003eonly 182 of over 415,000 advertised positions\u003c/a\u003e received a domestic applicant in fiscal year 2025.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Our need is not covered by the rules that we have today,” Mark Currie, CEO of The Giorgi Companies Inc., a company that grows and distributes mushrooms nationwide, told NOTUS at the bill’s introduction in June. “We’re never fully staffed ever.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCurrie said his company is often forced to pay overtime to harvest the crop, which creates high additional costs for producers. The \u003ca href=\"https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2026/06/17/trump-administration-welcomes-clarification-h-2a-eligibility-dairy-operations\"\u003eTrump administration issued guidance in June\u003c/a\u003e that dairy farmers could use the H-2A program as long as the jobs they were trying to fill were seasonal, but the impetus has been on Congress to solidify changes.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bill would also rewrite wage rules and let eligible undocumented farmworkers access the visa program.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“If lawmakers are serious about food security and affordability, we need to add SAWA to HR2,” said James O’Neill, director of legislative affairs for the American Business Immigration Coalition. “Enforcement only without legal pathways for long-term skilled immigrants only drives up cost of food and threatens our national security.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile promoting the bill, Thompson \u003ca href=\"https://thompson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/thompson-introduces-bipartisan-agricultural-labor-reform-bill\"\u003eboasted support\u003c/a\u003e from more than 400 industry groups. However, farmworker labor unions and groups that oppose more foreign workers \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2026/07/10/g-s1-132915/congress-agriculture-h2a-visa-program\"\u003erejected expanding the H-2A visa program\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRep. Dan Newhouse (R-Washington), one of 51 co-sponsors of the bill, said at the bill’s introduction in June that many growers turn to the H2-A program when they struggle to find the workers they need in the communities.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“The cost of that program truly is putting very big hardship on our farmers, on their bottom lines,” Newhouse said.\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_modified":"2026-07-17T15:28:45-04:00","date_published":"2026-07-17T14:06:47-04:00","id":"4ff973724461190e1ce93510363be1dd","image":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/imgproxy/insecure/rt:fill/w:800/h:1000/g:sm/el:1/q:75/MjAyNi8wNy8wMW41LW12azAtcWZzOC0zaHhuLmpwZWc=.jpeg","image_credit":"Chris Szagola / AP","image_description":"U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson ","language":"en-us","title":"House judiciary panel won’t include farmworker visa changes in immigration package","topics":["Federal Government","State College"],"url":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/statecollege/2026/07/glenn-thompson-agriculture-farm-visa-immigration-us-congress-federal-government/"},{"author":"Gabriela Martínez of Spotlight PA","authors":["Gabriela Martínez"],"blurb":"Here’s a guide to navigating the rights all Pennsylvania tenants currently have under state law.","category":"Housing","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eREADING — A group of activists wants Reading City Council to adopt a wide-ranging proposal aimed at protecting renters from being priced out of their homes or retaliated against for organizing.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMembers of the Mayor Eddie Morán’s administration and City Council said they are open to the ideas in a proposed housing bill of rights, though they cautioned that some of them are beyond Reading’s control.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEven without any new ordinances, renters in Pennsylvania have rights they can assert regardless of the tenant protections in the municipality where they reside. Here’s what renters should know:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"basic-rights-in-a-lease\"\u003eBasic rights in a lease\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 1979 established that all tenants have a right to live in a safe and habitable home.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a result, all Pennsylvania leases — whether oral or written — have to include an “implied warranty of habitability.” This means a landlord must provide a home that is safe, sanitary, and livable, and must keep it that way before move-in and throughout the tenancy by making the necessary repairs.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA rental unit is considered uninhabitable for \u003ca href=\"https://renters.equalhousing.org/repairs-security-deposit/repairs/\"\u003ereasons\u003c/a\u003e including a leaking roof, structurally unsafe spaces, lack of heat, faulty electrical wiring, a broken refrigeration system, insect or rodent infestations, lack of hot and cold running water, a non-functioning sewage system, and the inability to secure doors and windows with locks.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA landlord can’t compel a tenant to accept a rental unit “as is.” Even if a tenant signs a lease agreeing to accept serious defects at the time of move-in, the law still protects their right to a livable home.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe implied warranty of habitability allows tenants to take action if there is evidence that a landlord repeatedly refused to fix a serious issue. Actions include terminating a lease and moving out; withholding all or part of the rent; making repairs and deducting costs from rent payments; or suing the landlord.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith any of these remedies, it is crucial for tenants to gather sufficient documentation — such as photos, videos, emails, text messages, and code inspection reports — to show that a defect or issue made a rental unit uninhabitable. It is also important to document that a landlord has ignored or refused to ameliorate the bad living conditions at the property.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt may help to contact an attorney, legal aid, or a tenants rights organization before starting to withhold rent, according to these \u003ca href=\"https://www.inquirer.com/philly-tips/witholding-rent-pennsylvania-20200910.html#:~:text=If%20you%20are%20considering%20withholding%20rent%2C%20it%E2%80%99s%20a%20good%20idea%20to%20get%20legal%20advice%20before%20you%20start.%20You%20can%20contact%20the%20Philly%20Tenant%20Hotline%20at%20267%2D443%2D2500%20or%20PhillyTenant.org%2C%20or%20contact%20CLS%20at%20215%2D981%2D3700.\"\u003egroups\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore withholding rent, tenants \u003ca href=\"https://law.justia.com/cases/pennsylvania/supreme-court/1979/486-pa-272-0.html\"\u003emust\u003c/a\u003e give the landlord written notice, which can be a \u003ca href=\"https://renters.equalhousing.org/repairs-security-deposit/repairs/serious-problems-affecting-habitability-letter/\"\u003eletter\u003c/a\u003e, an email, or a text message. The notice should give the landlord reasonable time to respond and repair the problem.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat is considered “reasonable” depends on how serious the issue is, according to \u003ca href=\"http://PALawHelp.org\"\u003ePALawHelp.org\u003c/a\u003e. For urgent issues, like a heat outage in the middle of winter or a burst pipe causing flooding, the landlord should respond within 24 hours. If a landlord does not respond or address the problem, tenants can begin withholding rent and placing it in an escrow account.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRiquan King, director of advocacy at the Philadelphia-based Tenant Union Representative Network, advises tenants to put withheld rent into a savings account because it is easier to pull bank statements and generate a clean paper trail proving that only rent money is being deposited into that account.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf that’s not possible, the next best option is to put the rent amount into money orders and save the receipts.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKing usually advises tenants against keeping a cash escrow, because it is risky to carry around and difficult to document. If the only proof in court is an unverified photo of a pile of money on a table, a judge would not be able to reliably tell where the money came from, he said.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“No matter what is happening, if you show up to court without your rent properly set aside, the judge will not listen to you,” King said. “It doesn't matter that you got a flat tire in your car. It doesn't matter that you need to buy your diabetes medication. It doesn't matter that you need to put your kid in daycare. If you spend a penny of this thing, your case becomes that much more harder.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRenters also have the basic \u003ca href=\"https://www.palawhelp.org/resource/covenant-of-quiet-enjoyment\"\u003eright to quiet enjoyment\u003c/a\u003e, which means they should be able to enjoy a home peacefully without the landlord regularly showing up unannounced or allowing disruptions that impact their quality of life.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short, any protection, requirement, or process outlined in the Landlord and Tenant Act or in Pennsylvania common law can’t be waived with lease language.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026gt;\u0026gt;\u003cstrong\u003eREAD MORE:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/berks/2026/07/reading-rental-cap-discrimination-rights-proposal-housing/\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Legal barriers keep Reading from enacting some tenant protections advocates seek\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"self-help-evictions-arent-allowed\"\u003e‘Self-help’ evictions aren’t allowed\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo-called “self-help eviction” is illegal in all 50 states. It usually involves a landlord showing up to take possession of a property when a tenant is not home, changing locks, throwing out or removing a tenant’s belongings, shutting off utilities, and blocking access to a property.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTenants can respond by calling the police to report the illegal eviction. Proof of residence — such as a lease or rent receipts — may be required to get an officer to order the landlord to restore entry into the property. Attorneys or legal aid organizations can also advise tenants on how to regain access to the property and take legal action against the landlord.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRules may differ for “rooming houses,” buildings where rooms are rented individually to unrelated tenants.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Landlord and Tenant Act exempts hotel guests and boarders in boarding houses from its standard protections, which is why some guidance says that an owner may padlock a door to a room if rent is not paid. However, courts typically will pay more attention to the facts of the case and less to what the landlord calls the residence, asking questions such as, “How long has the resident lived there?” Or, “Is it the person’s sole residence and do they receive mail there?”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.palawhelp.org/resource/tenants-rights-in-boarding-houses-hotels-and-motels\"\u003eAccording to MidPenn Legal Services\u003c/a\u003e, a tenant living long-term in a motel room or renting out a single room may still qualify to only be evicted through a court process.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"the-right-to-legal-counsel\"\u003eThe right to legal counsel\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnder the Pennsylvania Landlord and Tenant Act, leases can't have clauses that strip an occupant’s legal rights. Both tenants and landlords have a right to seek representation in legal proceedings.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSimilarly, a landlord can’t make a tenant give up the right to a hearing in court.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBerks County tenants who need legal advice can contact MidPenn Legal Services’ central intake system at (800) 326-9177 or fill out an application for legal aid \u003ca href=\"https://www.midpenn.org/\"\u003eonline\u003c/a\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"normal-maintenance-and-repairs\"\u003eNormal maintenance and repairs\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA landlord is responsible for keeping up with routine maintenance of a property, which includes fixing cracks in the wall, making sure utilities and smoke alarms work, and scheduling extermination if there are pest problems. That responsibility derives from the implied warranty of habitability.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, landlords will sometimes argue that regular \u003ca href=\"https://www.palawhelp.org/resource/security-deposits-4\"\u003ewear and tear \u003c/a\u003eor preexisting damage was caused by a tenant. That is why tenants need to take photos and thoroughly document the condition of an apartment as soon as they move in.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTenants are required to pay for damages to a property beyond normal wear and tear, including broken windows, large holes in the walls, or serious clogs.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"here-are-some-additional-resources-on-tenant-rights\"\u003eHere are some additional resources on tenant rights:\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHousing Equality Center of Pennsylvania: \u003ca href=\"https://renters.equalhousing.org/\"\u003eGuide to tenant rights in Pennsylvania\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePennsylvania Legal Aid Network: \u003ca href=\"http://PALawHelp.org\"\u003ePALawHelp.org\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.palawhelp.org/resource/deduct-repair-tenants-right-to-a-safe-and-dec\"\u003eRepair \u0026amp; Deduct - Tenant's Right to a Safe and Decent Home\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.palawhelp.org/issues/housing-and-shelter/your-right-to-a-safe-home\"\u003eYour Right to a Safe Home\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n","date_modified":"2026-07-17T04:57:18-04:00","date_published":"2026-07-17T05:00:00-04:00","id":"6445978af5519e88b8ea969b139662ac","image":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/imgproxy/insecure/rt:fill/w:800/h:1000/g:sm/el:1/q:75/MjAyNi8wNy8wMW41LWFrc3ktcTM3OS1oZDRkLmpwZWc=.jpeg","image_credit":"Susan Angstadt / For Spotlight PA","image_description":"Row homes in Reading","language":"en-us","title":"What protections Pa. renters have beyond local laws","topics":["Housing in Berks County","Economy","Berks County"],"url":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/berks/2026/07/renters-rights-reading-what-to-know-housing/"},{"author":"Susan Shelly McGovern for Spotlight PA","authors":["Susan Shelly McGovern"],"blurb":"Libraries have expanded their services to offer game nights, health services, and more. But all this programming comes with costs they increasingly can’t afford, and funding sources fluctuate.","category":"PA Local","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eAs funding remains flat and patron demands expand, public libraries in Pennsylvania need more help to maintain services for the communities that rely on them.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLibraries have become not just gateways to books and the internet, but spaces for families, adults, and teens to socialize with peers. Their range of services can be surprising: Libraries variously offer educational programs, storytimes, game nights, language classes, crafting groups, exercise sessions, card clubs, and more.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut all this programming comes with costs they increasingly can’t afford. Even small libraries tend to have extensive built-in overhead, including salaries and benefits, technology, utilities, and digital materials and licenses.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/newsletters/\"\u003e\n  \u003cb\u003eFree Newsletter:\u003c/b\u003e\n  PA Local takes a fresh, positive look at the incredible people, places, and food our state has to offer. Plus events, guides, best-of, and more.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhen any or all of those expenses creep up, libraries, which rely on public funding, have little recourse.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Libraries don’t charge people for their services, so they can’t pass along their increasing costs,” said Christi Buker, executive director of the Pennsylvania Library Association. “They just need to figure out ways to spend less.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat’s easier said than done, library officials told PA Local.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“We simply don’t have the resources or funding that our volume of services requires and deserves,” said Kaitlin Lehman, director of Bethel-Tulpehocken Public Library. “Really, we’re just doing what we can to keep our doors open.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLocated in the northwestern corner of Berks County, the bustling library is open seven days a week. Last year, according to Lehman, it supported 47,000 patron visits, loaned 160,000 physical items, and hosted nearly 600 events, despite having only one full-time employee and an annual budget of just $300,000.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“We’re always busy, so everyone thinks we’re doing great,” said Lehman. “And we are, as far as welcoming people and helping them with whatever they need. But we’re struggling to be able to continue doing that.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"library-operations-and-funding\"\u003eLibrary operations and funding\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 85% of Pennsylvania’s 444 public libraries operate as independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, according to Buker. Each has a board of directors responsible for hiring a library director, overseeing operations, and assisting with fundraising.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLibraries that aren’t nonprofits are either part of a local government or another entity such as an authority, according to a \u003ca href=\"https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/statelibrary/documents/libraries/the%2520future%2520role%2520of%2520public%2520libraries%2520in%2520pennsylvania.pdf\"\u003ereport\u003c/a\u003e from the state Office of Commonwealth Libraries (OCL).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMunicipal libraries include Mt. Lebanon Public Library in Allegheny County, which is owned and operated by Mt. Lebanon; Reading Public Library, a department of the City of Reading; and York County Libraries, which operate under a supportive county system.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNormally, the municipality that owns a library provides a substantial portion of its budget. Municipal libraries that meet requirements for funding also are eligible for state aid.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor example, according to its 2025 annual report, Mt. Lebanon Public Library received $2,068,645 from Mt. Lebanon, representing 73% of its entire budget.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor its 2026 budget, Reading Public Library got about 50% of its $3,381,315 in funding from the city and county, with another 18% from the state.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eState support for libraries increased by $5 million to $75.47 million last year, but due to previous cuts, the gain only brought funding back up to 2001 levels, according to Buker.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2026-27 state budget, which Gov. Josh Shapiro signed into law on July 12, provides no increase to library funding.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clear-both my-12\" data-ga-category=\"inline:picture\"\u003e\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n\n  \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure\n  class=\"\"\n  data-ga-category=\"thumb\"\n  itemscope\n  itemtype=\"https://schema.org/ImageObject\"\n\u003e\n  \u003cdiv\n    class=\"  relative w-full overflow-clip group flex items-center justify-center bg-g-3\"\n    \n  \u003e\n    \n\n  \u003cspan\n    class=\"block w-full\"\n    \n      style=\"aspect-ratio: 669 / 446;\"\n    \n  \u003e\u003cpicture class=\"flex\"\u003e\n  \u003csource\n    type=\"image/webp\"\n    srcset=\"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/imgproxy/insecure/rt:fill/w:669/h:446/g:sm/el:1/q:75/MjAyNi8wNy8wMW41LWhqeGItcWY1cC0zejV4LmpwZWc=.webp 669w, https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/imgproxy/insecure/rt:fill/w:1338/h:892/g:sm/el:1/q:75/MjAyNi8wNy8wMW41LWhqeGItcWY1cC0zejV4LmpwZWc=.webp 1338w\"\n    \n      sizes=\"auto, 669px\"\n    \n  /\u003e\n  \u003cimg\n    itemprop=\"contentUrl\"\n    class=\"flex h-full w-full object-cover\"\n    alt=\"Shelves and tables inside the State Library of Pennsylvania\"\n    title=\"Shelves and tables inside the State Library of Pennsylvania\"\n    src=\"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/imgproxy/insecure/rt:fill/w:669/h:446/g:sm/el:1/q:75/MjAyNi8wNy8wMW41LWhqeGItcWY1cC0zejV4LmpwZWc=.jpeg\"\n    \n      loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n    \n    width=\"669\"\n    height=\"446\"\n  /\u003e\n\u003c/picture\u003e\n\u003c/span\u003e\n\n\n    \n    \n  \u003c/div\u003e\n  \n    \u003cfigcaption class=\"mt-3 max-w-content mx-auto text-g-8 text-sm\"\u003e\n      \u003cspan itemprop=\"caption\"\u003eShelves and tables inside the State Library of Pennsylvania\u003c/span\u003e\n      \u003cspan itemprop=\"creditText\"\u003e(The Office of Gov. Josh Shapiro / Flickr)\u003c/span\u003e\n    \u003c/figcaption\u003e\n  \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNonprofit libraries depend on various sources for funding, including allocations from the municipalities they serve, some state aid, contributions from individuals and businesses, and support from Friends of the Library groups.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome apply for and receive federal grant money, but the process can be burdensome to small libraries with limited staff.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFundraising is important for most community libraries, sometimes generating a substantial portion of their budgets. And some supplement their budgets with revenue from meeting room rentals, printer fees, book shops, and passport services fees.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis patchwork approach results in major resource discrepancies across the state, and sometimes year over year at a single library.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLibraries funded by municipalities are at the whim of township or borough officials who decide how much to allocate. Typically, library staff will request a certain amount from each municipality within its service area and officials decide whether to grant the request.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLast year, Berks municipalities provided a total of $1.63 million to the 19 libraries that are part of the county’s system, according to Stephanie Williams, system administrator. Berks County provided roughly $1.26 million.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdamstown Area Library in Lancaster County serves five municipalities but receives only 27% of its funding from them. It gets the remainder of its money from a combination of income from services, fundraising, and the state.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose funding sources also can fluctuate.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdamstown, along with about 24 other nonprofit Pennsylvania libraries, was dealt a blow in February when it was ordered by the U.S. Department of State to stop processing passports.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“It’s a significant funding loss, for sure, but it’s not only about the money,” Library Director Corrine Brumbach told Spotlight PA, saying the service brought between $30,500 and $50,775 annually. “Our being able to process passports provided a valuable service to our community, which is no longer available.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe said demand for services is rising as the library’s income stays the same or decreases.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“It’s getting significantly more difficult to do what we do,” Brumbach said. \u0026quot;Until we get some more stable funding, I’ll keep losing a lot of sleep.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrumbach pins her hopes on a referendum that’s expected to be put to Lancaster County voters in November. If passed, it would create a \u003ca href=\"https://www.wgal.com/article/lancaster-county-public-libraries-push-for-new-library-funding-tax-referendum/71636135\"\u003enew 0.55 mill tax\u003c/a\u003e to support the county’s libraries.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“That would be a game-changer for us because it would remove the human emotion that’s involved with funding a community library and assure we have support that’s adequate and stable,” Brumbach said. “We can’t solve our financial problems with a bake sale.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"more-offerings--and-need\"\u003eMore offerings — and need\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLibraries have expanded their services significantly in recent years. In addition to book-related programming and activities for kids, an increasing number allow patrons to reserve tickets to area museums, gardens, zoos, and other attractions using their library cards. And many include a “library of things,” from which patrons can borrow occasionally used items such as a pressure washer or ice cream maker.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome offer ESL or citizenship preparation classes.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Libraries serve people of all ages in many capacities,” Buker said. \u0026quot;They have the ability to make a profound impact on communities and residents.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn increasing number of community members have started showing up at local libraries for other kinds of assistance as well.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChelsea Williams, director of the Hamburg Public Library, said some patrons are requesting help with locating basics like food and rent, while those struggling to afford housing ask for help filling out assistance forms. The library has also hosted dental and mammogram screenings and serves as a heating and cooling center during extreme weather.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“I’ve been working in libraries for 20 years and the needs have changed dramatically,” Williams said. People sometimes sleep overnight in their cars in the library parking lot, she added.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Berks County Community Foundation recently initiated a program to bring social services into libraries in Bernville, Boyertown, Hamburg, and Morgantown.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clear-both my-12\" data-ga-category=\"inline:picture\"\u003e\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n\n  \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure\n  class=\"\"\n  data-ga-category=\"thumb\"\n  itemscope\n  itemtype=\"https://schema.org/ImageObject\"\n\u003e\n  \u003cdiv\n    class=\"  relative w-full overflow-clip group flex items-center justify-center bg-g-3\"\n    \n  \u003e\n    \n\n  \u003cspan\n    class=\"block w-full\"\n    \n      style=\"aspect-ratio: 669 / 446;\"\n    \n  \u003e\u003cpicture class=\"flex\"\u003e\n  \u003csource\n    type=\"image/webp\"\n    srcset=\"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/imgproxy/insecure/rt:fill/w:669/h:446/g:sm/el:1/q:75/MjAyNS8wOC8wMW1hLTl4ZGUtbnZmai1yZm4wLmpwZWc=.webp 669w, https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/imgproxy/insecure/rt:fill/w:1338/h:892/g:sm/el:1/q:75/MjAyNS8wOC8wMW1hLTl4ZGUtbnZmai1yZm4wLmpwZWc=.webp 1338w\"\n    \n      sizes=\"auto, 669px\"\n    \n  /\u003e\n  \u003cimg\n    itemprop=\"contentUrl\"\n    class=\"flex h-full w-full object-cover\"\n    alt=\"Books in the Osterhout Free Library in Wilkes-Barre.\"\n    title=\"Books in the Osterhout Free Library in Wilkes-Barre.\"\n    src=\"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/imgproxy/insecure/rt:fill/w:669/h:446/g:sm/el:1/q:75/MjAyNS8wOC8wMW1hLTl4ZGUtbnZmai1yZm4wLmpwZWc=.jpeg\"\n    \n      loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\n    \n    width=\"669\"\n    height=\"446\"\n  /\u003e\n\u003c/picture\u003e\n\u003c/span\u003e\n\n\n    \n    \n  \u003c/div\u003e\n  \n    \u003cfigcaption class=\"mt-3 max-w-content mx-auto text-g-8 text-sm\"\u003e\n      \u003cspan itemprop=\"caption\"\u003eBooks in the Osterhout Free Library in Wilkes-Barre.\u003c/span\u003e\n      \u003cspan itemprop=\"creditText\"\u003e(Commonwealth Media Services)\u003c/span\u003e\n    \u003c/figcaption\u003e\n  \n\u003c/figure\u003e\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTwice a month, social or health workers visit the libraries to support community members who have medical questions and other concerns.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe foundation hopes to expand the program by partnering with area nonprofits, businesses, colleges, and universities.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Libraries aren’t called community centers, but many serve as them,” said Susan Tracey, president of Pennsylvania Citizens for Better Libraries. “They fulfill a lot of needs that otherwise might go unmet.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"the-future-of-pennsylvania-libraries\"\u003eThe future of Pennsylvania libraries\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite the financial constraints libraries face, officials hope to continue meeting the changing needs of the communities they serve.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Public libraries have become one of the few truly accessible public spaces for people to come without being expected to spend money,” said Melissa Adams, executive director of Reading Public Library. “People depend on us and we must keep growing and adapting to meet the demands of modern life.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJust over half of Pennsylvanians are library users, according to the OCL report, and 4 million have a library card.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStephanie Winward is one of those patrons. She and her kids, Ryder, 7, and River, 4, frequent Adamstown Area Library, participating in many of the children’s programs.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe was particularly pleased with dinosaur-themed programming offered earlier this summer.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“My kids just loved that,” she said. “It was fun for them and gave them something to do, and they learned so much. I don’t know what we’d do without the library.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/donate/\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhile You’re Here:\u003c/b\u003e\n  If you learned something from this report, pay it forward and become a member of Spotlight PA so someone else can in the future.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWinward praised the facility’s variety of programming and services, including those geared toward older adults that focus on socialization, health, and computer literacy. She said she once turned to library staff for help filling out a tax form.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“I think a lot of people aren’t aware of how much libraries do,” she said. “They contribute an awful lot to a community.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Williams with the Berks library network, in 2025 the 19 libraries of the county system loaned digital and print materials with a total value of about $28.5 million. That did not include the value of all the services the libraries offer, whether audiobooks, internet access, or free meeting space.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith libraries fulfilling more local needs, Adams called on residents and elected leaders to recognize them as essential institutions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“The role of libraries will continue to expand, but to do that well, they’ll need sustainable funding, strong partnerships and the flexibility to respond to local needs,” Adams said. “Public libraries are constantly adapting to serve their communities, but that work requires consistent support from the state, county, local municipalities, and community members.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe added: “The future of libraries is strong, but only if we invest in them.”\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_modified":"2026-07-17T03:57:10-04:00","date_published":"2026-07-17T04:00:00-04:00","id":"79baa6624d6fa1a5ba5b7b3ad8532693","image":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/imgproxy/insecure/rt:fill/w:800/h:1000/g:sm/el:1/q:75/MjAyNi8wNy8wMW41LWhqeDYtMnk1di1jZG1jLmpwZWc=.jpeg","image_credit":"The Office of Gov. Josh Shapiro / Flickr","image_description":"Library books arranged on a shelf","language":"en-us","title":"Many public libraries in Pa. are evolving into community centers. Why is their funding staying flat?","topics":["PA Local","News"],"url":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/news/2026/07/public-library-funding-passports-services-budget-reading-third-spaces-pennsylvania-local/"},{"author":"Colin Deppen of Spotlight PA","authors":["Colin Deppen"],"blurb":"In this quiz: What the $50.8 billion state budget deal skipped, a rare bipartisan fundraising committee, severe storms, and Trump addresses a Defense and Innovation Summit.","category":"Week of July 13, 2026","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eIn this quiz: What the $50.8 billion state budget deal skipped, a rare bipartisan fundraising committee, severe storms, and Trump addresses a Defense and Innovation Summit.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"clear-both my-8\" data-tf-live=\"01KXK3GW87GVP95WY1YYTAMXZV\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\n\n  \n  \u003cscript defer src=\"//embed.typeform.com/next/embed.js\"\u003e\u003c/script\u003e\n\n\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf a blue “Take the News Quiz” button doesn’t appear above for you, \u003ca href=\"https://hsqxo6lncmz.typeform.com/to/cTipYTep\"\u003eclick here instead\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs always, let us know if you encounter any technical issues. Just email Newsletter Editor Colin Deppen (newsletters@spotlightpa.org) with a heads up. And good luck!\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_modified":"2026-07-16T16:43:10-04:00","date_published":"2026-07-16T11:00:00-04:00","id":"13e1c3b875e5c9a26c475a900f26148a","image":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/imgproxy/insecure/rt:fill/w:800/h:1000/g:sm/el:1/q:75/MjAyNi8wNy8wMW41LWQ1Z2MtajBtOS1wYWtmLmpwZWc=.jpeg","image_credit":"Commonwealth Media Services","image_description":"Gov. Josh Shapiro signs the 2026-2027 Pennsylvania state budget on July 12, 2026.","language":"en-us","title":"Great PA News Quiz: What the state budget deal skipped, and unusual fundraising","topics":["News Quiz","News"],"url":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/news/2026/07/pennsylvania-news-quiz-week-of-july-13-2026/"},{"author":"Corey Williams and Tassanee Vejpongsa of the Associated Press","authors":["Corey Williams","Tassanee Vejpongsa"],"blurb":"The changed exhibition comes as President Donald Trump has made dismantling diversity and inclusion initiatives a priority.","category":"Federal Government","content_html":"\u003cp\u003ePHILADELPHIA — The Trump administration on Wednesday replaced an exhibit on slavery at the site of President George Washington’s home in Philadelphia with a version that historians say whitewashes the nation’s history.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe new exhibit was installed in the same area where the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Overnight, under the cover of darkness, the federal government removed panels at the President’s House that told a thorough history of Philadelphia,” Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said. “It was allowed to do this by the decision of the federal court, but that it did so at night shows it understands this action is shameful, that it violates community trust.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original panels were put in place in 2010 and told the story of how nine slaves lived in the home along with George and Martha Washington in the 1790s, when Philadelphia was briefly the nation’s capital.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe changed exhibition comes as President Donald Trump has made dismantling diversity and inclusion initiatives a priority in an aggressive campaign to overhaul some of America's most sacred cultural, historic and educational institutions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrump issued an \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/trump-national-park-service-disparaging-d861b3c902ef68b0184c2bd776f707e4\"\u003eexecutive order\u003c/a\u003e in 2025 that called for federally owned or controlled historic sites to not display information to “disparage Americans past or living” and to focus on the “greatness of the achievements and progress of the American people.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe directive has raised concerns about sanitizing and erasing dark sides of American history.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrump has continued a broadside against culture he deems too liberal. In March, Trump revealed his \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/trump-smithsonian-executive-order-improper-ideology-558ebfab722f603e94e02a1a4b06ed4d\"\u003eintention to force changes\u003c/a\u003e at the \u003ca href=\"https://www.si.edu/\"\u003eSmithsonian Institution\u003c/a\u003e with an \u003ca href=\"https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/restoring-truth-and-sanity-to-american-history/\"\u003eexecutive order\u003c/a\u003e that targeted funding for programs that advanced “divisive narratives” and “improper ideology.\u0026quot; He has also pressured organizations outside of the government, including universities, to take similar actions with the stated aim of eliminating what he says are discriminatory practices.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Trump administration began removing the old panels earlier this year, but a lower court forced the federal government \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/slavery-history-exhibit-philadelphia-a3cf68e206257da106c0b680cc3187d9\"\u003ein February\u003c/a\u003e to stop while the city appealed. A three-judge panel of the U.S. 3rd Circuit of Appeals reversed that and \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/philadelphia-slavery-exhibit-trump-washington-465cf8d6a81d00dd82242e7a2366bb65\"\u003eruled July 3\u003c/a\u003e that the work could continue.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe three-judge panel praised the plans for the replacement installation, writing that they were “full of historical context,” despite objections from historians and city officials that the content appears whitewashed.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Interior Department told The Associated Press Wednesday in a statement that the new “panels are full of historical context and highlight the momentous events that took place in the President’s House and the other sites at Independence National Historical Park.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“They acknowledge the evils of slavery, including its injustices and hypocrisies, and, by telling the stories of the nine slaves that Washington kept in the President’s House, remind us of their essential humanity,” the statement said.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe new panels still include information on enslaved people who lived in the home and details on the abolitionist movement, how the Constitution treated slavery, the end of slavery in Pennsylvania and how Washington and his successor, John Adams, viewed and treated slavery, as well as information about the 20th century Civil Rights movement.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, the replacement panels do not include some of the detail in the earlier ones, such as a map of slave trade routes and a timeline on slavery. They also avoid critical headlines such as “The Dirty Business of Slavery.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe city of Philadelphia had sued the federal government over the removal of information previously included in the panels. It argued that the federal government must consult with the city before making changes to the President’s House Site. Justice Department lawyers argued the administration alone can decide what stories are told at National Park Service properties.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParker said the city intends to seek a rehearing “on serious legal issues” presented in the appeals court decision.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMichael Coard, an attorney and founder of Avenging The Ancestors Coalition (ATAC), said the Philadelphia-based history preservation group continues to work on legal strategies opposing the Trump administration’s changing of the panels.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eATAC joined the city’s lawsuit.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrump is attempting to rewrite history, Coard told reporters Wednesday near the site.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“What if there’s a president next time who doesn’t like the Liberty Bell because the Liberty Bell was used by abolitionists to support the end of slavery?” he said. “What if there’s a president who doesn’t like the Statue of Liberty because too many immigrants come in? Do we remove the Statue of Liberty?”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWilliams reported from Detroit.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_modified":"2026-07-16T10:10:32-04:00","date_published":"2026-07-16T10:10:16-04:00","id":"07d0c62026911ce80ca0d144f94e6e73","image":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/imgproxy/insecure/rt:fill/w:800/h:1000/g:sm/el:1/q:75/Y2FzL2MzMzYtcTdidy1mOHdqLXBrYXcuanBlZw==.jpeg","image_credit":"Tassanee Vejpongsa / AP","image_description":"Visitors view the reinstalled educational panels about slavery at the site of President George Washington's home in Philadelphia, Wednesday, July 15, 2026.","language":"en-us","title":"Federal government replaces slavery exhibition at Washington's home in Philadelphia","topics":["Federal Government","News"],"url":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/news/2026/07/washington-home-slavery-panels-replaced-philadelphia-trump-federal-government/"},{"author":"Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA","authors":["Kate Huangpu"],"blurb":"The state Supreme Court has agreed to hear AG Dave Sunday’s appeal of a ruling that found the ban is unconstitutional.","category":"Health","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eHARRISBURG — When Dave Sunday became Pennsylvania’s attorney general in 2025, a complicated situation awaited him.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo weeks after the Republican’s January swearing-in, judges on Commonwealth Court assembled in Pittsburgh to hear oral arguments about the constitutionality of the state’s ban on Medicaid-funded abortions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA group of reproductive health care providers challenged the law in 2019. When Sunday’s term started, the state’s highest court had already \u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2024/01/pennsylvania-abortion-rights-supreme-court-constitution-guarantee-ruling-commonwealth-court/\"\u003eset a new precedent\u003c/a\u003e — that abortion restrictions can be considered sex-based discrimination under Pennsylvania’s Equal Rights Amendment — before sending it back down to Commonwealth Court for full arguments.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/newsletters/\"\u003e\n  \u003cb\u003eFree Newsletter:\u003c/b\u003e\n  Sign up for a free roundup of the top news from across Pennsylvania, all in\n  one daily or weekly email from Spotlight PA.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe problem was, nobody was defending the law before Commonwealth Court.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs attorney general, Democrat Josh Shapiro delegated the case to the state Department of Human Services. DHS initially defended the law. But by early 2025, the department had changed its position in the wake of the new state Supreme Court precedent and argued that the law was unconstitutional — the same position as the plaintiffs.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSoon after, Sunday would step in to defend the ban before Commonwealth Court. He appealed a loss there to the state Supreme Court, which this week agreed to take up the case again.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike some attorneys general, Sunday stays away from hot-button political issues. During his campaign, he declined to share his personal position on abortion, though he did say during a \u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2024/10/pennsylvania-election-2024-attorney-general-abortion-eugene-depasquale-dave-sunday/#:~:text=During%20a%20primary%20debate%2C%20Sunday%20said%20he%20believes%20that%20there%20is%20no%20right%20to%20abortion%20guaranteed%20in%20the%20state%20constitution.\"\u003edebate\u003c/a\u003e that he didn’t think the state constitution guaranteed access to it. He later \u003ca href=\"https://www.abc27.com/news/top-stories/ag-candidate-dave-sunday-touts-record-as-prosecutor/\"\u003epledged\u003c/a\u003e that he would “follow the law regardless” of his personal feelings about abortion.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSunday \u003ca href=\"https://www.inquirer.com/health/abortion-allegheny-reproductive-medicaid-funding-pennsylvania-lawsuit-appeal-20260519.html\"\u003ehas said\u003c/a\u003e he took up the case because of \u003ca href=\"https://www.palegis.us/statutes/unconsolidated/law-information/view-statute?txtType=PDF\u0026amp;SessYr=1980\u0026amp;ActNum=0164.\u0026amp;SessInd=0\"\u003ea state statute\u003c/a\u003e that dictates the attorney general is responsible for upholding and defending the constitutionality of state law “in the absence of a controlling decision by a court of competent jurisdiction.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“I have irritated the entire political spectrum, because I am defending statutes whether you like them or not. That’s literally my job,” Sunday \u003ca href=\"https://www.inquirer.com/politics/attorney-general-dave-sunday-larry-krasner-philadelphia-crime-rate-abortion-20260629.html\"\u003etold\u003c/a\u003e the Philadelphia Inquirer in June. “What a lot of people don’t understand is that the [Medicaid] law is part of the Abortion Control Act — the same law that allows abortions to occur up to six months of pregnancy, the very same law.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLegal experts who spoke with Spotlight PA say that’s legitimate reasoning, though some noted that attorneys general have opted to delegate their responsibility for defending state laws to the governor’s administration without facing consequences.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile Sunday has taken great pains to remain apolitical, that hasn’t stopped political actors from pressuring him, according to court filings and internal emails.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAhead of last year’s Commonwealth Court arguments, Republican lawmakers and anti-abortion activists were already working to get Sunday to defend the Medicaid ban. Meanwhile, advocates for abortion access were hoping he’d let the matter lie.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"sundays-entry\"\u003eSunday’s entry\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe factors that would complicate Commonwealth Court’s February 2025 oral arguments in the Medicaid abortion case had been brewing for years.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe defendant that day was technically the state Department of Human Services. The first time the case was argued before Commonwealth Court, in 2020, the department argued the petitioners lacked standing, and the state Supreme Court had already ruled on the constitutionality of the abortion ban decades ago.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut in 2025 — a year after the state Supreme Court’s consequential new precedent — attorneys for the department said they now held that the abortion law was unconstitutional. In fact, they agreed with the plaintiffs on all the major points of the case. The two ostensibly opposing parties were literally sitting on the same side of the courtroom.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe judges assembled in Pittsburgh tried to figure out how to proceed. As Judge Patricia McCollough said, “There's no adversarial parties here. There's no controversy. There's no justiciable matter that we're here deciding … I don’t know what this is.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs they struggled, one person kept coming up.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Can this court make any ruling without the attorney general being present?” Judge Michael Wojcik asked a lawyer for GOP lawmakers. No, the lawyer said.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePennsylvania’s attorney general typically defends the state’s laws as a matter of course, as that is the office’s duty under the \u003ca href=\"https://www.palegis.us/statutes/unconsolidated/law-information/view-statute?txtType=PDF\u0026amp;SessYr=1980\u0026amp;ActNum=0164.\u0026amp;SessInd=0\"\u003eCommonwealth Attorneys Act\u003c/a\u003e. But the act also explicitly allows the attorney general to authorize the Governor’s Office of General Counsel or an independent agency to defend litigation in their stead “upon determining that it is more efficient or otherwise is in the best interest of the Commonwealth.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe attorney general in power for most of the abortion litigation was Shapiro, who became governor in 2023. He delegated the case to the administration of then-Gov. Tom Wolf. Sunday’s office inherited Shapiro’s stance and that of Shapiro’s appointed successor, Michelle Henry.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe week Sunday was sworn into office, a member of his staff sent an email about the agency’s position on the abortion case.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“My recollection is that we designated it to [Office of General Counsel] some time ago, and we weren’t going to take it back for a number of reasons. One of those reasons being that [DHS] is not a willing ‘client’ for us,” wrote Marguerite Quinn, the attorney general’s director of government affairs and a former Republican state representative.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrett Hambright, a spokesperson for the Office of Attorney General, said Quinn was “refreshing her recollection of the actions of the prior administration,” rather than referring to Sunday’s.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“While we do not wish to speak for a prior administration, the decision … not to intervene was just that: another administration’s decision,” Hambright said in a statement to Spotlight PA.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuinn’s unredacted email was one of many obtained by the Pennsylvania Democratic Party through a Right-to-Know request. The attorney general’s office later informed the party it had improperly redacted the records. Spotlight PA’s own Right-to-Know request returned the same emails, but with redactions. The office did not dispute the content of the emails.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn February 2025 oral arguments before Commonwealth Court, attorneys for reproductive health care providers said they hoped the attorney general's office would continue not to be involved.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAttorney Susan Frietsche said the plaintiffs wanted the court to “grant our motion for summary relief, which we are entitled to because there are no material disputes of fact.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut Republican lawmakers, despite not having standing to defend the case, filed amicus briefs arguing that the state’s abortion law is constitutional, and they explicitly brought up having Sunday step in and defend it. That’s the idea David Dye, an attorney for state House Republican leaders, presented to Commonwealth Court.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“The attorney general who delegated responsibility to DHS … [was] the former attorney general,” Dye noted. “The attorney general we currently have has been in office for, I think, two weeks. Maybe maybe two weeks and a day.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“We could at least notify him,” President Judge Renée Cohn Jubelirer said.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSunday’s office had, in fact, already been notified by a number of conservatives.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDye said in court that he knew there had been “a communication to the attorney general's office indicating … that we are going to be here today, and your name may very well be invoked.” Republicans had also sent a filing to the court arguing that Sunday should defend the law, Wojcik said.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInternal emails from the attorney general’s office show that ahead of the court’s oral arguments, Ted Meehan, the legislative director of the Pro-Life Coalition of Pennsylvania, had sought a meeting with Sunday. Days after the inauguration, Meehan told Quinn in an email that the need to defend the Medicaid abortion ban was “the ‘most’ time-sensitive topic” he wished to discuss.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“We believe that the immediate entry of Attorney General Sunday — to defend against this suit — is essential given that the only sympathetic members of the Defense have been removed,” Meehan wrote, referencing the legislative Republicans who unsuccessfully sought to intervene in the case.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe emails show that Meehan had a meeting with Sunday scheduled for late April, but the attorney general was ultimately unable to attend as “a pressing matter developed,” according to Hambright. A member of his staff went in his stead.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHambright said the office’s meeting with Meehan did not influence Sunday’s decision to get involved in the case, as it had filed to intervene in February 2025, shortly after oral arguments.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“And that meeting, involving an OAG staff member, took place long after OAG took its action to intervene,” Hambright told Spotlight PA.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"what-is-the-ags-obligation-to-defend-state-law\"\u003eWhat is the AG’s obligation to defend state law?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter taking on the case, Sunday’s office offered three “compelling” state interests to defend the ban, according to a Commonwealth Court \u003ca href=\"https://www.pacourts.us/assets/opinions/Commonwealth/out/26MD19_4-20-26.pdf?cb=1\"\u003eruling\u003c/a\u003e: protecting fetal life, preventing abortion to protect women from alleged psychological harm, and “not violating the conscience of those who object to abortion.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUltimately, Commonwealth Court \u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/04/pennsylvania-medicaid-abortion-ban-court-ruling-commonwealth-court-capitol/\"\u003eruled\u003c/a\u003e 4-3 in April of this year that the state’s ban on Medicaid-funded abortion violates the Pennsylvania Constitution. The majority rejected the attorney general’s arguments, finding the interests put forth by the office were not compelling and that the ban is not “the least intrusive means of pursuing them.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe following month, Sunday appealed that ruling to the state Supreme Court. It agreed in mid-July to take up the case once more.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLawyers and legal experts who spoke to Spotlight PA generally agreed that a strict reading of the Commonwealth Attorneys Act requires Sunday to defend the law, but weren’t unified on whether he was also obligated to appeal.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“In my opinion he has to,” said Chris Carusone, an attorney who served as chief deputy attorney general under former GOP Gov. Tom Corbett, referring to the law’s requirement that attorneys general defend laws without “a controlling decision” from a court.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“In this case you have a Commonwealth Court decision that's being appealed to the state Supreme Court, so you don't have a controlling decision at the moment,” he said.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut Ted Ruger, a professor and the former dean of the University of Pennsylvania’s Law School, also noted that attorneys general who have declined to defend state laws in the past have faced no legal issues.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat includes Democrat Kathleen Kane. In 2013, she declined to defend the state’s \u003ca href=\"https://whyy.org/articles/pa-same-sex-marriage-ban-wont-be-defended-ag-says/\"\u003eban on gay marriage\u003c/a\u003e, and did the same with \u003ca href=\"https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/whyykanes-refusal-to-represent-pa-in-gun-law-challenge-legally-defensible-experts-say/161282/\"\u003ea Republican-passed gun law\u003c/a\u003e the following year. (The moves were unrelated to Kane eventually \u003ca href=\"https://www.mcall.com/2015/09/21/kathleen-kanes-law-license-suspended-by-pa-supreme-court/\"\u003ehaving her law license suspended\u003c/a\u003e.)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;I believe that AG Sunday would face no legal consequence if he didn't take this appeal, but I also feel he wouldn't be following the clear terms of the CAA,\u0026quot; Ruger told Spotlight PA, referring to the Commonwealth Attorneys Act.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMatt Haverstick, an attorney who often represents Republican lawmakers and also served on Sunday's transition team, said the prosecutor is doing a “basic requirement of the job,” and attorneys general should have been doing this all along. Haverstick \u003ca href=\"https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/Report/PacDocketSheet?docketNumber=34%20MAP%202026\u0026amp;dnh=z2wuKKOj%2BqH9BbKAAvzGFw%3D%3D\"\u003ealso represented state Senate Republicans\u003c/a\u003e\u003cu\u003e \u003c/u\u003ewhen they applied to intervene in the Medicaid case in 2022.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;That's my problem with an inconsistent application. It opens it up to politics,\u0026quot; Haverstick told Spotlight PA.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/donate/\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhile You’re Here:\u003c/b\u003e\n  If you learned something from this report, pay it forward and become a member of Spotlight PA so someone else can in the future.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAmong people concerned with the politics — and practical impacts — of the Medicaid abortion case, Sunday’s handling of it has drawn criticism from multiple directions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eElizabeth Lester-Abdalla, a staff attorney at Women’s Law Project who worked on the case, told Spotlight PA she disagrees with Sunday’s interpretation of his responsibilities, particularly when it comes to appealing the case.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Commonwealth Attorneys Act dictates that attorneys general defend the constitutionality of all statutes, absent a “controlling decision by a court of competent jurisdiction.” Lester-Abdalla argued that Commonwealth Court’s latest ruling serves as that controlling decision.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Nothing in the Commonwealth Attorneys Act requires the attorney general to appeal and continue to assert the constitutionality of the statute,” Lester-Abdalla told Spotlight PA.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRuger said he was unsure on that point, as he couldn’t find a clear statutory definition of what counts as a “court of competent jurisdiction.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnti-abortion advocates have meanwhile countered that not only was it Sunday’s responsibility to appeal under the Commonwealth Attorneys Act, but he should also have done it sooner.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(Sunday appealed the ruling published April 20 on May 19, and his office says there was no hesitation.)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“We were disappointed in Sunday's initial reaction. He should have said, ‘This is an outrage,’” said Mike McMonagle, the president of the Pro-Life Coalition of Pennsylvania. “He hesitated for almost a whole month before he finally decided to appeal the case, but again, when he appealed it, he did a good job.”\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_modified":"2026-07-16T03:57:08-04:00","date_published":"2026-07-16T04:00:00-04:00","id":"3b5e38101255df89dfcc9a101a619f0c","image":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/imgproxy/insecure/rt:fill/w:800/h:1000/g:ce/el:1/q:75/Y2FzL3hkd24tcXJlbi1ucGR4LTkzZzAuanBlZw==.jpeg","image_credit":"Commonwealth Media Services","image_description":"Attorney General Dave Sunday in February 2026.","language":"en-us","title":"Pa.’s attorney general is defending the state’s Medicaid abortion ban in court. Is he required to?","topics":["Health","News"],"url":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/news/2026/07/pennsylvania-attorney-general-dave-sunday-abortion-medicaid-ban-health/"},{"author":"Hanna Holthaus of Spotlight PA","authors":["Hanna Holthaus"],"blurb":"Officials say they don’t know why the system crashed, but say it will relaunch under a new vendor on Aug. 3.","category":"Local Government","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eREADING — Berks County’s online civil court records system has been broken for more than a month, meaning the public can’t remotely access documents related to divorces, liens, and more.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpotlight PA identified the issue June 16 when attempting to search court records, and was unable to find any public notice or release informing people that the site was nonfunctional.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCounty officials told the news outlet a new system is coming Aug. 3.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBerks County \u003ca href=\"https://www.berkspa.gov/departments/prothonotary\"\u003eProthonotary\u003c/a\u003e Jonathan Del Collo said he doesn’t know why the current site crashed, but IT knows it’s inaccessible. Attorneys have electronic filing access necessary for day-to-day administration, Del Collo said.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDel Collo is replacing the server-based online system, originally developed by the county IT department more than a decade ago, with a new cloud-based platform from an outside vendor. The vendor, \u003ca href=\"https://paperlessus.com/\"\u003ePaperless Solutions\u003c/a\u003e, operates prothonotary systems in other Pennsylvania counties.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/newsletters/\"\u003e\n  \u003cb\u003eFree Newsletter:\u003c/b\u003e\n  Good Day, Berks is your daily dose of Berks County essentials. Be the first to know about important news, events, and more.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe change won’t cost the office extra money, Del Collo said, as revenue from the e-filings that was previously meant to go to upkeep will go toward operator payments.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMembers of the public looking to access the civil court dockets can do so at the prothonotary’s office in downtown Reading.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBerks County Chief Operating Officer Kevin Barnhardt told Spotlight PA that the county became aware of the issue June 8. He said that the county would benefit from the new system by having “less infrastructure, development time.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDel Collo started looking for a new case management system around 2021 when the current system “was beginning to fail,” he said. He decided on Paperless Solutions in 2024 and signed the contract in September 2025, which he believes lasts five years.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe new site was meant to go live on April 1, then July 1, but Del Collo said the county IT department was not ready to transfer data. None of the delays have been the fault of the new vendor, he said.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBarnhardt said in an email that the delays can stem from data conversion, user requests, and new reports.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Most software implementations have fluid go-live dates,” Barnhardt said.\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_modified":"2026-07-15T04:57:35-04:00","date_published":"2026-07-15T05:00:00-04:00","id":"27fcc97f211eca0d1f242fc2fe7beb15","image":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/imgproxy/insecure/rt:fill/w:800/h:1000/g:sm/el:1/q:75/MjAyNi8wNy8wMW41LWNwN2gtZ3Nmcy1kYnd3LmpwZWc=.jpeg","image_credit":"Susan Angstadt / For Spotlight PA","image_description":"Berks County courthouse","language":"en-us","title":"Public unable to access online civil court records in Berks County due to crash","topics":["Local Government","The Capitol","Berks County"],"url":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/berks/2026/07/berks-civil-court-online-public-access-crash-local-government/"},{"author":"Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA","authors":["Ed Mahon"],"blurb":"Proposals to give prosecutors more time to bring these cases have stalled in the Pennsylvania legislature.","category":"Justice System","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eHARRISBURG — Supplying drugs in fatal overdoses has led to hundreds of Pennsylvania prison sentences, while grieving families remain divided over whether these prosecutions do more harm than good.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose are among the findings of recent Spotlight PA investigations into the state’s criminal charge of drug delivery resulting in death, a felony punishable by up to 40 years in prison. It is used for cases when someone illegally provides drugs that cause someone to die — it includes both selling and giving. The statute is broad and doesn’t distinguish between defendants who are kingpins, street-level dealers, or fellow users.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/newsletters/\"\u003e\n  \u003cb\u003eFree Newsletter:\u003c/b\u003e\n  Sign up for a free roundup of the top news from across Pennsylvania, all in\n  one daily or weekly email from Spotlight PA.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePennsylvania is known as one of the top states, \u003ca href=\"https://www.healthinjustice.org/drug-induced-homicide\"\u003eif not the leader\u003c/a\u003e, in bringing this type of criminal charge. Some families of victims push for these prosecutions, while others object to this approach.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere are five things to know about the issue and Spotlight PA’s findings.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"punishments-under-the-law-have-increased-in-pa\"\u003ePunishments under the law have increased in Pa.\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePennsylvania saw a dramatic increase in these charges, after a change in \u003ca href=\"https://www.ydr.com/story/archives/2015/03/22/drug-death-law-draws-defensive-fire/74455336/\"\u003estate law\u003c/a\u003e and the rise of the opioid epidemic.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2011/hb0396\"\u003eIn 2011\u003c/a\u003e, state lawmakers paved the way for the use of the charge when they effectively removed a requirement for there to be a finding of malice for drug delivery resulting in death cases. Some prosecutors embraced the charge as the opioid epidemic spread in Pennsylvania, with more than 5,000 people dying from overdoses some years.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\n\n\u003cdiv\n  class=\"flourish-embed flourish-story clear-both my-8\"\n  data-src=\"visualisation/29150362\"\n\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\n\n  \n  \u003cscript\n    defer\n    src=\"https://public.flourish.studio/resources/embed.js\"\n  \u003e\u003c/script\u003e\n\n\n\u003cp\u003eData from the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing show punishments under the charge used to be rare. The commission’s data are based on reports from common pleas courts in Pennsylvania, and an official told Spotlight PA that historically, the agency receives data on about 95% to 98% of all cases.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom 2007 through 2011, the commission’s data show not a single person was convicted and sentenced on the charge.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut such punishments reached a recent annual high of around 100 in 2019.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile many defendants in these drug delivery resulting in death cases do not receive the maximum sentence of up to 40 years in prison, attorneys say the threat of such a lengthy time can pressure them into accepting guilty pleas.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTracking these types of cases nationally is a challenge. But researchers at the \u003ca href=\"https://www.healthinjustice.org/drug-induced-homicide\"\u003eAction Lab at Northeastern University\u003c/a\u003e found more drug-induced homicide cases in Pennsylvania than in any other state, based on media mentions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\n\n\u003cdiv\n  class=\"flourish-embed flourish-story clear-both my-8\"\n  data-src=\"visualisation/29397186\"\n\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"state-leaders-have-embraced-the-charge-at-least-in-some-cases\"\u003eState leaders have embraced the charge, at least in some cases.\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, previously served as Pennsylvania’s attorney general. In his memoir, which was \u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/02/josh-shapiro-memoir-attorney-general-pardons-criminal-justice-missing-details-josh-shapiro/\"\u003ereleased earlier this year\u003c/a\u003e, he talked about his approach to drug prosecutions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe said the attorney general’s office under his leadership charged “higher level dealers with tougher crimes” including trying “to put them away for twenty to forty years” if “the drugs they sold resulted in someone dying.” But Shapiro also said the office tried to send people to treatment instead of prison if they were “non-violent dealers who were basically just users trying to feed their addiction.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe current attorney general, Republican Dave Sunday, \u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2024/10/pennsylvania-election-2024-attorney-general-opioid-epidemic-drugs-prosecute/\"\u003epreviously said\u003c/a\u003e that when he was the York County district attorney, the office was “extremely cautious in charging it,” but that it can be “appropriate, because there has to be accountability.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLocal district attorneys have also supported the charge. Kelly Callihan, executive director of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, told Spotlight PA “it is about justice” and “sending the message to drug dealers that what you’re selling is dangerous, is poisonous. It can cause death.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"one-familys-story-highlights-the-complicated-reality-of-these-cases\"\u003eOne family’s story highlights the complicated reality of these cases.\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProsecution rates vary widely between counties here. And compared to the total number of overdose deaths, charges and convictions remain relatively rare. What happens after a death can come down to how local law enforcement decides to approach these cases and the resources they have to investigate.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\n\n\u003cdiv\n  class=\"flourish-embed flourish-story clear-both my-8\"\n  data-src=\"visualisation/29150844\"\n\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\n\n\n\u003cp\u003eSpotlight PA’s recent investigations focused on the advocacy of Cyndi Compton, whose son Isaiah died in 2020 after an overdose in Tioga County. He was 24.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCyndi became known as a relentless advocate in her community.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLess than two months after Isaiah’s death, she wrote a letter to the editor in a local paper, describing the number of overdose deaths in the county and her own research into the drug delivery resulting in death law. She questioned why local officials weren’t using the charge against drug dealers.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe said she searched for evidence — Facebook messages, an ATM receipt — in her son’s case and shared it with investigators. She started a \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/394825464954831/\"\u003eFacebook group\u003c/a\u003e dedicated to stopping overdoses in Tioga County. She posted signs in the area declaring it was \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/394825464954831/permalink/459744278462949/?rdid=BNWSyJCbJW7yX3eu#\"\u003etime to hold drug dealers accountable\u003c/a\u003e and that \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/394825464954831/permalink/457949768642400/?rdid=4dUuXVnSend7pMoe#\"\u003eevery overdose death warrants a criminal investigation\u003c/a\u003e. She eventually urged people to \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/394825464954831/permalink/857966038640769/?rdid=96xE2VunEwXIdVS7#\"\u003evote out\u003c/a\u003e the \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/394825464954831/permalink/858633261907380/?rdid=QqyfW8wiqLE1fVH6#\"\u003eTioga County district attorney\u003c/a\u003e at the time, and \u003ca href=\"http://facebook.com/groups/394825464954831/permalink/861197198317653/?rdid=gu5epivi3wfzZydq\u0026amp;share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2Fp%2F1761rYS79L%2F#\"\u003ecollected signatures\u003c/a\u003e for the district attorney’s opponent.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden;\"\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ciframe allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share; fullscreen\" loading=\"lazy\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/HjuyVxZkvv4?autoplay=0\u0026amp;controls=1\u0026amp;end=0\u0026amp;loop=0\u0026amp;mute=0\u0026amp;start=0\" style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; border:0;\" title=\"YouTube video\"\u003e\u003c/iframe\u003e\n\t\t\u003c/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAn investigation into Isaiah’s death eventually led to a prosecution and conviction — although by the time those charges were filed, drug delivery resulting in death was off the table.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA two-year statute of limitations had expired.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"some-pa-lawmakers-want-to-give-prosecutors-more-time-to-bring-these-charges\"\u003eSome Pa. lawmakers want to give prosecutors more time to bring these charges.\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCyndi’s work \u003ca href=\"https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb326\"\u003eled to legislation\u003c/a\u003e in Harrisburg named after Isaiah.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bill would eliminate the statute of limitations when someone dies from an overdose, treating those cases like crimes such as murder and voluntary manslaughter.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe legislation from state Rep. Clint Owlett (R., Tioga) would reduce other potential barriers to prosecutions, including when there are multiple drugs involved. But it would also create a defense for people who don’t “receive any service or anything of value in exchange” — a measure intended to distinguish friends who share drugs from dealers.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo \u003ca href=\"https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/sb79\"\u003eother\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb2279\"\u003ebills\u003c/a\u003e would extend the statute of limitations to five years, giving authorities more time to begin these prosecutions. Five years is also the limit for a number of other drug offenses, including possession with intent to deliver heroin or fentanyl.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eState Rep. Dane Watro (R., Luzerne), a lawmaker pushing for the extension, said it would address a “legislative oversight.” Citing district attorneys and their statewide association, \u003ca href=\"https://www.palegis.us/house/co-sponsorship/memo?memoID=48204\"\u003ehe said\u003c/a\u003e the current time limit “has hampered the prosecution of various serious cases.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll three bills were awaiting action in state legislative committees as of early July. They had not been brought up for a vote.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eState Rep. Emily Kinkead (D., Allegheny) has previously raised concerns about the state’s drug delivery resulting in death law and \u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/07/pennsylvania-drug-death-prosecutions-mother-advocacy-overdose-tioga-justice-system/\"\u003ebacked legislation to limit its use\u003c/a\u003e. She told Spotlight PA that unless lawmakers narrow the scope of the law to target dealers, suppliers, and traffickers, “extending or eliminating the statute of limitations is irresponsible and dangerous.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"some-families-advocates-have-criticized-these-charges\"\u003eSome families, advocates have criticized these charges\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile some families push for these types of charges, others have tried to stop or limit them in Pennsylvania and nationally. Some families, defense attorneys, and public health advocates have objected to the reach of these prosecutions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://cdn-01.drugfree.org/web/prod/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/11122854/Drug-Induced-Homicide-Fact-Sheet.pdf?_gl=1*19dqquo*_gcl_au*MTA3OTc4NjIwMi4xNzc0MDMyMjQ3*_ga*MjEzNTUwNjA0My4xNzc0MDMyMjQ3*_ga_ECZGQ0GWSZ*czE3NzQwMzIyNDYkbzEkZzEkdDE3NzQwMzIyNTkkajQ3JGwwJGgw\"\u003eCritics\u003c/a\u003e say these prosecutions often target family, friends, or partners who may suffer from addiction themselves instead of large-scale dealers. They argue that these charges can discourage people from calling for help if someone overdoses, and that they also can take resources away from effective prevention efforts.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn a letter last year, family members who lost loved ones to substance-related deaths described their concerns when it comes to harsher penalties and criminalization.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Prosecuting drug-induced homicide cases does not deter supply—it pushes the drug market further underground, making substances even more unpredictable and deadly,” \u003ca href=\"https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25989708-families-to-shapiro-21425-1-1/#document/p1\"\u003ethey said. \u003c/a\u003e“These policies do not protect our children; they trap more families in the same suffering we have endured.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis investigation was supported with funding from the Data-Driven Reporting Project. The Data-Driven Reporting Project is funded by Arnold Ventures and the Google News Initiative in partnership with Northwestern University | Medill.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_modified":"2026-07-15T03:57:28-04:00","date_published":"2026-07-15T04:00:00-04:00","id":"7d4c54c2d62980b87b8f310df55f4e1f","image":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/imgproxy/insecure/rt:fill/w:800/h:1000/g:we/el:1/q:75/MjAyNi8wNi8wMW4zLW56N3AtcDVkMi1hMzhnLmpwZWc=.jpeg","image_credit":"Ed Mahon / Spotlight PA","image_description":"Isaiah Compton's family keeps items to memorialize him at their home in Mansfield, Pa.","language":"en-us","title":"5 things to know about the rise of prison sentences after overdose deaths in Pennsylvania","topics":["Investigations","Justice System","News"],"url":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/news/2026/07/pennsylvania-overdose-death-prosecutions-drug-delivery-homicide-justice-system/"},{"author":"Jaxon White of Spotlight PA","authors":["Jaxon White"],"blurb":"The plan delays billions in payments to organizations that manage healthcare for Medicaid recipients","category":"The Capitol","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eHARRISBURG — When Pennsylvania lawmakers passed a state budget on Sunday, leaders praised it for being a fiscally responsible $50.8 billion product that doesn’t dip into the state’s rainy day fund.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat’s a misleading picture. To reach that number, they had to employ some accounting tricks.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe biggest involves delaying two months' worth of payments — each costing about $1.3 billion — to the state’s Medicaid managed care organizations. In the Capitol, it’s a process called a “cycle roll.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/newsletters/\"\u003e\n  \u003cb\u003eFree Newsletter:\u003c/b\u003e\n  Sign up for a free roundup of the top news from across Pennsylvania, all in\n  one daily or weekly email from Spotlight PA.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eManaged care organizations, or MCOs, are responsible for organizing health care for the vast majority of \u003ca href=\"https://www.macpac.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/EXHIBIT-30.-Percentage-of-Medicaid-Enrollees-in-Managed-Care-by-State-and-Eligibility-Group-FY-2023.pdf\"\u003ePennsylvania patients\u003c/a\u003e covered by Medicaid.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKnown in the state as HealthChoices programs, they cover \u003ca href=\"https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/medicaid/hc\"\u003estandard healthcare\u003c/a\u003e; \u003ca href=\"https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/medicaid/chc\"\u003ehome care\u003c/a\u003e for older adults and people with disabilities; and \u003ca href=\"https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/medicaid/bhc\"\u003ebehavioral services\u003c/a\u003e like drug and alcohol treatment. The state pays MCOs monthly fees on a per-member basis.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere’s no set date when the state will need to catch up on the two months of payments it pushed back. In theory, it could indefinitely keep this adjusted schedule, in which it makes payments for claims that are older than usual.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eState House Appropriations Chair Jordan Harris (D., Philadelphia) told Spotlight PA the cycle roll would not impact Medicaid services.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, Matthew Knittel, who heads the state’s Independent Fiscal Office, argued it could cause “cash flow issues” for the care organizations.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMultiple Medicaid managed care organizations, including Geisinger and UPMC, did not return requests for comment about how the budgeting maneuver would affect them.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKnittel also noted the state’s creative accounting did not solve the overarching problem of Pennsylvania \u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/06/rainy-day-fund-budget-structural-deficit-pennsylvania-shapiro-house-senate-capitol/\"\u003espending more than it earns\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeading into this year’s budget talks, lawmakers knew they would have to contend with that multibillion-dollar structural deficit, coupled with mounting costs for obligations like healthcare and education. In his original budget pitch, Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed balancing the books by pulling about $4 billion from the state’s rainy day fund and creating new revenue streams like recreational marijuana.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut Harris said the Republicans who control the state Senate opposed any dip into the rainy day fund. The cycle roll, he said, was an ask from the upper chamber.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“We agreed to this because Senate Republicans wanted to do it,” Harris said. “This is what they wanted to do, and this is what we agreed to in order to get a budget done.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA spokesperson for Senate Republicans did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Harris’ claim.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cycle roll creates $2.6 billion in “temporary, one-time savings” over the course of two years, Knittel told Spotlight PA.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“It has no impact at all on the long-term structural deficit,” Knittel said.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLawmakers also had to pull more than $500 million from off-budget “special” funds, among other transfers among accounts, to make the math work.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePennsylvania’s net revenues this year could reach $47.75 billion, according to \u003ca href=\"https://www.ifo.state.pa.us/download.cfm?file=Resources/Documents/General_Fund_Budget_Update_BB_2026_07.pdf\"\u003eIFO predictions\u003c/a\u003e released after Shapiro signed the budget. The agency estimates that would mean the commonwealth will operate in a roughly $5 billion deficit, including one year’s cycle roll.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAsked about the delayed payments at a news conference, state Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R., Indiana) didn’t address any concerns and hinted at a new policy fight next year. He said his caucus spends a lot of time trying to find ways to cut down on Pennsylvania's human services spending.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“A lot of that money goes through these MCOs, and we talk a lot about governmental bureaucracy,” Pittman said. “Well, there's also this thing called corporate bureaucracy. I don't think it's something we paid enough attention to, and I do think it's something we're going to pay a lot more attention to in the budget upcoming.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePittman did not elaborate.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRosie Lapowsky, a spokesperson for Shapiro, criticized state Senate Republicans for not supporting either of the major revenue streams the governor proposed earlier this year: regulating and taxing skill games, and legalizing and taxing recreational marijuana.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“In divided government, every budget requires compromise and while Senate Republicans' only priority was saving every penny of the rainy day fund, Governor Shapiro stayed at the table to protect the critical health care services millions of Pennsylvanians rely on and secure new investments that will support our students, grow our economy, reduce costs, and improve public safety,” Lapowsky said.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCycle rolls are an accounting trick that used to be common in Pennsylvania during times of financial stress. According to one state House Republican staff member, the practice stretches back at least to Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell’s administration in the wake of the 2008 market crash that caused a recession.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2022, pandemic-era stimulus money allowed the commonwealth to make an extra-large payment to MCOs to clear its backlog and realign its payment plan with the fiscal calendar.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThen-Senate Appropriations Chair Pat Browne (R., Lehigh) — now secretary of revenue in the Shapiro administration — celebrated the timeline fix, \u003ca href=\"https://www.palegis.us/senate/session/journals?sessYr=2022\u0026amp;sessInd=0\u0026amp;pdfName=Sj20220708.pdf\"\u003earguing on the Pennsylvania Senate floor\u003c/a\u003e it would bring “more stability” by expediting payment cycles and “putting those payments on a more timely payment plan.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/donate/\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhile You’re Here:\u003c/b\u003e\n  If you learned something from this report, pay it forward and become a member of Spotlight PA so someone else can in the future.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCritics of the cycle roll this year, mostly conservative Republican lawmakers, argue that lawmakers saying this year’s budget is fiscally responsible misleads constituents.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eState Sen. Jarrett Coleman (R., Lehigh) told Spotlight PA that taxpayers, who might not fully understand the wonkery of the Medicaid “charade,” will eventually pay for the “dishonest” decision. He voted against the deal.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“We have to be able to have an honest discussion about our finances,” Coleman said. Delaying the two months of payments is equivalent to telling people “they can save money by not paying their bills. I mean, we're the commonwealth. We should be paying our bills.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eColeman speculated that legislative leaders wanted to expedite a deal to avoid the negative attention a late budget can bring — like last year’s four-month impasse — because half of the state Senate, the entire 203-member House, and Shapiro are all up for reelection in November.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“That shouldn't abdicate you from having to make tough decisions just because it's an election year,” Coleman said. “You don't just get a bye because it's an election year.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSpotlight PA’s Stephen Caruso contributed reporting.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eBEFORE YOU GO\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e… If you learned something from this article, pay it forward and contribute to Spotlight PA at spotlightpa.org/donate. This story was funded in part thanks to the support of the Lancaster County Local Journalism Fund. \u003c/em\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/support\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eLearn more about how we are supported here.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_modified":"2026-07-15T03:57:27-04:00","date_published":"2026-07-15T04:00:00-04:00","id":"be344d7d59b40f01dd2b61e71a9c1c6f","image":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/imgproxy/insecure/rt:fill/w:800/h:1000/g:ce/el:1/q:75/MjAyNi8wNy8wMW41LWQ1Z2MtajBtOS1wYWtmLmpwZWc=.jpeg","image_credit":"Commonwealth Media Services","image_description":"Gov. Josh Shapiro signs the 2026-2027 Pennsylvania state budget on July 12, 2026.","language":"en-us","title":"The accounting tricks that balanced Pa.’s budget — but only on paper","topics":["The Capitol","News"],"url":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/news/2026/07/state-budget-pennsylvania-deficit-accounting-tricks-medicaid-managed-care-capitol/"},{"author":"Adora Brown and Marissa Martinez of NOTUS","authors":["Adora Brown","Marissa Martinez"],"blurb":"Two courts want opposite actions on citizenship verification system, leaving homeland security agency unable to comply with both rulings simultaneously.","category":"Federal Government","content_html":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis article is made possible through \u003c/em\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eSpotlight PA’s\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e partnership with \u003c/em\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.notus.org/\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eNOTUS\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e, a nonpartisan news organization that covers government and politics with the fresh eyes of early career journalists and the expertise of veteran reporters.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo federal judges have ordered the Department of Homeland Security to do the opposite thing, at the same time. This summer, conflicting court rulings over the use of Social Security numbers in a citizenship database have created an unusual legal dilemma within President Donald Trump’s aggressive push to create a voter verification system.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLast month, a federal judge in Washington sided with voting and privacy groups to halt government changes to the database, including a Social Security number search, ruling it “flunked compliance” with federal Social Security and privacy laws.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDays later, another federal judge in Florida ordered the government to reinstate those very features, when it comes to four states, finding that complying with the Washington ruling violated a settlement agreement in a separate lawsuit.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“The Court understands that this puts Defendants in a bind because they are subject to two contradictory orders,” T. Kent Wetherell, a U.S. district judge in Florida, wrote in a July 7 order. “One of the orders has to give.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut which one?\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDHS now faces a tangled legal process over the fate of an overhaul of the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, database. It was originally intended to track the status of immigrants in the country but was overhauled after a March 2025 \u003ca href=\"https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/preserving-and-protecting-the-integrity-of-american-elections/\"\u003eexecutive order\u003c/a\u003e aimed at rooting out potential noncitizen voters.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat push to allow states to pare down voter databases before the midterms is moving forward in two courts, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida. How it plays out will determine whether the administration can make sensitive information public to promote Trump’s sustained efforts to achieve what he calls election integrity, which have included pressure campaigns aimed at the states.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dueling cases represent the complexities behind implementing the president’s aggressive — and often legislatively fallible — push to cut down on noncitizen voting, which is already an extremely \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2025/07/30/nx-s1-5462836/noncitizen-voting-trump-ceir-review\"\u003erare occurrence\u003c/a\u003e. If the database is definitively shut down by a higher court, it would mark yet another defeat for the Trump administration on that front.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJustin Levitt, a law professor at Loyola Marymount University whose work focuses in part on elections, said the conflicting orders are “quite rare for a bunch of reasons.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“It is rare for the law to purport to require an agency to do something, and also for the law to purport to require an agency to do the opposite thing. It’s also quite rare because courts don’t like issuing inconsistent orders,” Levitt said.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"shut-down\"\u003eShut down\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDHS updated the SAVE system in April 2025 and formalized the changes months later. The League of Women Voters sued DHS in September 2025, alleging that the SSN search feature constitutes a privacy violation amid broader concerns that the database itself is inaccurate and can lead to American citizens being erroneously flagged as ineligible to vote.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJudge Sparkle Sooknanan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia shut down the expanded database \u003ca href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.285454/gov.uscourts.dcd.285454.111.0_1.pdf\"\u003ein June with a 75-page ruling that determined the government’s disclosure of Social Security Administration records bypassed required procedures and confidentiality protections.\u003c/a\u003eDHS disabled a bulk-upload functionality and an SSN-search feature of the SAVE system as a result, according to court records.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut Florida — joined by Iowa, Ohio and Indiana — asked a judge to immediately restore access to those features as part of a settlement agreement reached with DHS in November. Wetherell’s July 7 ruling pointed to the states’ interests in ensuring that noncitizens are not on their voter rolls and that people who are unlawfully present in the U.S. do not receive professional licenses.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Admittedly, the Court did not undertake an extensive assessment of the legality of the features that the settlement agreement required the SAVE system to include when it approved the agreement,” Wetherell, a Trump appointee, wrote in a footnote of his 10-page order, “but it would not have approved the agreement if it had any concern that those features were unlawful.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDHS asked Sooknanan to pause her order, arguing in a court filing that the government faces “a significant risk that it would soon be forced into an impossible dilemma, in which compliance with all outstanding court orders is logically impossible.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSooknanan, a Barack Obama appointee, wrote a scathing denial of that petition, including the government’s argument related to the Florida case. “But with all due respect, that court, which was no doubt pressed for time with emergency briefing on a motion to enforce the consent decree over a holiday weekend, erred in significant ways,” she wrote.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe government then on July 8 asked the D.C. Circuit to pause Sooknanan’s order, again arguing in part that it “has forced DHS to maintain, at substantial cost, both the legacy SAVE and the upgraded system in parallel.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLevitt said of the dueling opinions: “Some of this is, seems to me, bad behavior by the litigants, and some of it seems to be some bad behavior by the courts, but it has ended up in a mess.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe League of Women Voters’ case will collide with Wetherell’s decision as it heads to D.C. Circuit Court sometime soon. It’s further complicated by a question of jurisdiction: The Florida case, if upheld, would only apply to the four states on the suit, while the other has wider national implications by being tried in D.C. and is more likely to prevail on merit, experts say.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Becker, the executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, said the administration’s path forward is “not clear exactly.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“I think [DHS] is in much more peril if it now changed the status quo and reactivated the SAVE system in light of the recent D.C. district court,” Becker told reporters on a Thursday call. “As opposed to if it maintained the status quo, told the courts, ‘Our hands are tied, tell us what to do,’ and took it up at the appellate court level. It’s not an ideal situation.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDHS did not respond to a request for comment about how the agency will move forward with these conflicting judgments.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut more government directives are piling up in the meantime: Last week, the DOJ \u003ca href=\"https://www.notus.org/2026-election/doj-threat-election-officials\"\u003esent letters\u003c/a\u003e to the chief election officials of every state and D.C. threatening criminal prosecution if they knowingly allow noncitizens to vote.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe back-and-forth is likely headed to a higher court, legal experts said — potentially all the way to the Supreme Court — and it could be a long fight before states can use the overhauled SAVE database again. Meanwhile, states in the Florida case insist the expanded system is vital to election integrity.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“We want to keep that information private, but voting is really, really important. Who we elect is really, really important. Making sure that only American citizens can vote is really, really important,” Florida’s secretary of state, Cord Byrd, told NOTUS. “It’s always a weighing-and-balancing. The opponents of election integrity reform always roll out the list of horribles, and none of them ever come through.”\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_modified":"2026-07-14T10:22:27-04:00","date_published":"2026-07-14T10:22:03-04:00","id":"4087c2205a897a33ac74da3a3fa0eb17","image":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/imgproxy/insecure/rt:fill/w:800/h:1000/g:ce/el:1/q:75/Y2FzL2N6ajktZTYyYi10ZHdwLThmdDEuanBlZw==.jpeg","image_credit":"Jose Luis Magana / AP","image_description":"The seal of U.S. Department of Homeland Security is seen before a news conference at ICE Headquarters in Washington, May 21, 2025.","language":"en-us","title":"DHS faces 'impossible dilemma' as judges battle over Trump voter database","topics":["Elections","News"],"url":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/news/2026/07/trump-voter-database-conflicting-court-orders-dhs-federal-government/"},{"author":"Associated Press","authors":["Associated Press"],"blurb":"A fan wagered $18.5 million with FanDuel and was eventually rewarded with a personalized video from Harper.","category":"Economy","content_html":"\u003cp\u003ePHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper said he did not know a Cameo video he recorded would be used by FanDuel as a reward for a VIP customer who later sued the sportsbook, saying it took advantage of his gambling addiction.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/bryce-harper-fanduel-vip-video-gambling-addiction-20260709.html\"\u003ePhiladelphia Inquirer\u003c/a\u003e reported last week that a fan named Terry Thompson had wagered $18.5 million with FanDuel and was eventually rewarded with a personalized video from Harper.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the video, Harper addressed the fan by name and even mentioned the man's young son. Harper shared a screenshot Monday of the request on Cameo, an app that allows users to pay celebrities to record custom videos. FanDuel obtained the video through a partnership with Cameo.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/newsletters/\"\u003e\n  \u003cb\u003eFree Newsletter:\u003c/b\u003e\n  Sign up for a free roundup of the top news from across Pennsylvania, all in\n  one daily or weekly email from Spotlight PA.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e“Had I known FanDuel’s true intent, I would not have made the video,” Harper said. “The same is true had I known anything about Terry or his situation, or about any alleged ‘partnership’ between Cameo and FanDuel.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Inquirer reported Thompson lost $1.5 million, according to a \u003ca href=\"https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/sportsbetting-lawsuit-nfl-fanduel-draftkings-20260330.html\"\u003elawsuit that the Public Health Advocacy Institute filed in March\u003c/a\u003e in Common Pleas Court in Philadelphia on behalf of Thompson and against FanDuel and DraftKings. Thompson also was reported to have lost money to DraftKings.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe video was marked with FanDuel's logo. Harper said in the video he reached out at the request of Thompson's VIP manager on the site, “your host Bryttanni at FanDuel.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHarper addressed the situation on a social media post Monday, hours ahead of his scheduled participation in the Home Run Derby.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“I did not know FanDuel would do this,” Harper wrote. “I did not consent to it, and FanDuel had no right to do it.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAsked for comment, FanDuel said it was \u0026quot;committed to fostering a culture of responsible gaming and protecting our customers.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026quot;Unlike illegal offshore sportsbooks, FanDuel employees are trained to recognize and flag signs of problem gambling and offer resources and tools, and we continue to review and strengthen our policies to ensure we have the industry’s strongest consumer protection initiatives.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCameo did not immediately respond to a request for comment.\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_modified":"2026-07-14T10:12:44-04:00","date_published":"2026-07-14T10:12:28-04:00","id":"b0903dc14fe754958ec0f0c12a2aea9c","image":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/imgproxy/insecure/rt:fill/w:800/h:1000/g:sm/el:1/q:75/Y2FzL2Y2ejItOHFuYy1rNG1lLWNxaHIuanBlZw==.jpeg","image_credit":"Matt Rourke / AP","image_description":"Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper speaks with members of the media during the MLB baseball All-Star Week, Monday, July 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.","language":"en-us","title":"Bryce Harper says FanDuel used his Cameo video as VIP reward without consent in a gambler’s case","topics":["Economy","News"],"url":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/news/2026/07/bryce-harper-fanduel-cameo-consent-video-economy/"},{"author":"Spotlight PA Staff","authors":null,"blurb":"Pennsylvania inspected 17 retail food establishments in Centre County between June 6-12. Two had violations. See what inspectors found.","category":"Centre Inspections","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eThe state inspected the following food establishments in Centre County. To find more restaurant safety information, view full inspection reports, and sign up for real-time text or email alerts for specific restaurants or locations, visit Spotlight PA’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/\"\u003eRestaurant Safety Tracker\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pda/food/food-safety/retail-food-inspection-reports\"\u003ePennsylvania Department of Agriculture\u003c/a\u003e produces retail food inspection reports for 61 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties using the FDA Model Food Code. Inspections are conducted regularly throughout the state, and results are posted as inspections are conducted. As noted by the Department of Agriculture, inspections are a “snapshot” of a particular day. Many violations are relatively minor and are fixed at the time of inspection.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFacilities with violations:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#american-legion-post-536-510-front-st-port-matilda-pa-16870\"\u003eAmerican Legion Post #536\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#mediteranean-grill-mff3-po-box631-philipsburg-pa-16866\"\u003eMediteranean Grill(Mff3)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#american-legion-post-536-510-front-st-port-matilda-pa-16870\"\u003eAmerican Legion Post #536\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e510 Front St., Port Matilda, PA 16870\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 6, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 high priority, 1 moderate priority violations\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHigh Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eObserved a buildup of dried food residue on the stem of the thermometer used to monitor the internal temperatures of TCS foods.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eObserved the digital stem thermometer used to monitor temperature controlled foods was not operational due to a dead battery.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#mediteranean-grill-mff3-po-box631-philipsburg-pa-16866\"\u003eMediteranean Grill(Mff3)\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003ePo Box631, Philipsburg, PA 16866\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 9, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2 high priority violations\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHigh Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eObserved lettuce and tomatoes held at ambient temperature. Food were placed in a cold hold unit\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHigh Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eObserved temperature controlled foods in the hot hold unit with an internal temperature of 125 degrees F not 135 degrees F as required. The time of this inspection was 11:30AM and the food facility had only been open since 11am. The foods were reheated to 165 degrees F and placed in the hot hold unit.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections\"\u003e\n  \u003cb\u003eKnow before you go:\u003c/b\u003e\n  Look up inspection data for any PA retail food facility by name, city, or ZIP — and get alerts when new reports are published.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFacilities with no violations:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBartlebaugh Amusements - French Fry #2 (Mff3)\u003c/strong\u003e, 104 Madisonburg Pike, Madisonburg, PA 16852, on July 7, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBartlebaugh Funnel Cake (Pa-Xt36672) Mff3\u003c/strong\u003e, 104 Madisonburg Pike Po Box 56, Madisonburg, PA 16852, on July 7, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBartlebaugh Lemonade Mff3\u003c/strong\u003e, 104 Madisonburg Pike, Madisonburg, PA 16852, on July 7, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBartlebaugh's Amusements / Rosies - Pizza (Mff3)\u003c/strong\u003e, 104 Madisonburg Pike, Madisonburg, PA 16852, on July 7, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBonfatto's Italian Market \u0026amp; Corner Cafe\u003c/strong\u003e, 401 W. High St., Bellefonte, PA 16823, on July 10, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChipotle #5734\u003c/strong\u003e, 2673 Benner Pike, Bellefonte, PA 16823, on July 10, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDollar General Store #05820\u003c/strong\u003e, 378 E. Sycamore Rd., Snow Shoe, PA 16874, on July 6, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDubbs Grub Mff4\u003c/strong\u003e, 221 W. Union St., Fleming, PA 16835, on July 6, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFowler Grove Community Center(Tfs3)\u003c/strong\u003e, 11246 S. Eagle Valley Rd., Port Matilda, PA 16870, on July 6, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKozee's Monkey Bread(Mff3)\u003c/strong\u003e, 212 B St., Philipsburg, PA 16866, on July 9, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePackers Concessions #3 (Xcb5196)(Mff3)Ice Cream\u003c/strong\u003e, 623 Old Fort Rd., Centre Hall, PA 16828, on July 9, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSnappy's #517\u003c/strong\u003e, 412 Walton St., Philipsburg, PA 16866, on July 9, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSnow Shoe Sandwich Shop\u003c/strong\u003e, 505 E. Sycamore Rd. Po Box 268, Snow Shoe, PA 16874, on July 6, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Painted Owl (Mff2)\u003c/strong\u003e, 205 Centennial Hills Rd., Port Matilda, PA 16870, on July 6, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWow Fudge Tfs3 (Pcf)\u003c/strong\u003e, Pa Military Museum Grounds, Boalsburg, PA 16827, on July 9, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis post was automatically generated with \u003c/em\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://cedatareporting.pa.gov/reports/powerbi/Public/AG/FS/PBI/Food_Safety_Inspections\"\u003edata\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s database of Food Safety Inspections for Retail Facilities. We have also labeled violations as high, moderate, or low priority. These categories align directly with priority levels identified in the FDA Food Code: Priority, Priority Foundation, and Core.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePriority items contribute directly to the elimination, prevention, or reduction to an acceptable level of hazards associated with foodborne illness or injury, such as handwashing, food handling, and temperature control, or other direct food contamination threats, such as rodents or pests. We noted violations of priority items as high priority.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePriority foundation items support, facilitate, or enable control of risk factors that contribute to foodborne illness or injury, such as personnel training, labeling, and record-keeping. We noted violations of priority foundation items as moderate priority.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCore items usually relate to standard operating procedures, facility structures, equipment design, or general maintenance. We noted violations of core items as low priority.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTo read the full inspection reports, you can visit: \u003c/em\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.pafoodsafety.pa.gov/web/inspection/publicinspectionsearch.aspx\"\u003epafoodsafety.pa.gov/web/inspection/publicinspectionsearch.aspx\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_modified":"2026-07-14T04:57:46-04:00","date_published":"2026-07-14T05:00:00-04:00","id":"af1146c4e92b1d38300eaf8c9ff4cf10","image":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/imgproxy/insecure/rt:fill/w:800/h:1000/g:sm/el:1/q:75/MjAyNi8wNC8wMW14LXo0d2Qtcjc0NC1jZWRqLmpwZWc=.jpeg","image_credit":"mapo / iStock","image_description":"A stock image of a person with a clipboard in a kitchen.","language":"en-us","title":"Food residue, temperature issues, and other Centre County restaurant inspections for July 6-12","topics":["Centre Inspections","State College"],"url":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/statecollege/2026/07/restaurant-inspections-food-safety-centre-county-july6-12-centre-inspections/"},{"author":"Spotlight PA Staff","authors":null,"blurb":"Pennsylvania inspected 58 retail food establishments in Berks County between July 6 and 12. 33 had violations. See what inspectors found.","category":"Berks Inspections","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eThe state inspected the following food establishments in Berks County. To find more restaurant safety information, view full inspection reports, and sign up for real-time text or email alerts for specific restaurants or locations, visit Spotlight PA’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/\"\u003eRestaurant Safety Tracker\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pda/food/food-safety/retail-food-inspection-reports\"\u003ePennsylvania Department of Agriculture\u003c/a\u003e produces retail food inspection reports for 61 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties using the FDA Model Food Code. Inspections are conducted regularly throughout the state, and results are posted as inspections are conducted. As noted by the Department of Agriculture, inspections are a “snapshot” of a particular day. Many violations are relatively minor and are fixed at the time of inspection.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFacilities with violations:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#7-brew-coffee-3045-n-5th-st-hwy-reading-pa-19605\"\u003e7 Brew Coffee\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#auntie-anne-s-pa166-1665-state-hill-rd-wyomissing-pa-19610\"\u003eAuntie Anne's #Pa166\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#b2-bistro-bar-701-reading-ave-west-reading-pa-19611\"\u003eB2 Bistro \u0026amp; Bar\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#bella-s-2-0-2342-lancaster-pike-reading-pa-19607\"\u003eBella's 2.0\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#bread-box-mff4-2469-e-main-st-douglassville-pa-19518\"\u003eBread Box Mff4\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#camp-manatawny-33-camp-rd-douglassville-pa-19518\"\u003eCamp Manatawny\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#china-v-3-park-ln-douglassville-pa-19518\"\u003eChina V\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#comalli-taqueria-kitchen-701-court-st-701-ct-st-west-reading-pa-19611\"\u003eComalli Taqueria Kitchen @ 701 Court St\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#domino-s-4753-2844-penn-ave-reading-pa-19609\"\u003eDomino's 4753\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#dunkin-340388-8448-allentown-pike-blandon-pa-19510\"\u003eDunkin #340388\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#eve-s-thai-kitchen-10-s-summit-ave-reading-pa-19607\"\u003eEve's Thai Kitchen\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#florian-lounge-experience-24-e-main-st-fleetwood-pa-19522\"\u003eFlorian Lounge Experience\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#giant-food-6273-600-e-lancaster-ave-reading-pa-19607\"\u003eGiant Food #6273\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#hollywood-casino-morgantown-sportsbook-6021-morgantown-rd-morgantown-pa-19543\"\u003eHollywood Casino Morgantown - Sportsbook\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#hollywood-casino-morgantown-the-snack-bar-6021-morgantown-rd-morgantown-pa-19543\"\u003eHollywood Casino Morgantown - the Snack Bar\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#hollywood-casino-morgantown-grab-and-go-tony-luke-s-6021-morgantown-rd-morgantown-pa-19543\"\u003eHollywood Casino Morgantown -Grab-And-Go/Tony Luke's\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#ice-delight-leesport-farmers-market-leesport-pa-19533\"\u003eIce Delight\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#la-cocina-criolla-701-bingaman-st-reading-pa-19602\"\u003eLa Cocina Criolla\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#lancaster-custom-meats-llc-10-s-summit-ave-reading-pa-19607\"\u003eLancaster Custom Meats, LLC\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#oliviero-s-pizzeria-1-park-ln-ste-101-douglassville-pa-19518\"\u003eOliviero's Pizzeria\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#pappi-s-fried-chicken-538-franklin-st-reading-pa-19602\"\u003ePappi's Fried Chicken\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#philly-soft-pretzel-factory-153-2850-penn-ave-west-lawn-pa-19609\"\u003ePhilly Soft Pretzel Factory #153\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#pop-s-malt-shoppe-208-w-main-st-kutztown-pa-19530\"\u003ePop's Malt Shoppe\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#rooted-grounded-cafe-1400-lancaster-ave-reading-pa-19607\"\u003eRooted \u0026amp; Grounded Cafe\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#simran-indian-cuisine-163-main-st-kutztown-pa-19530\"\u003eSimran Indian Cuisine\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#sunoco-marahana-inc-501-penn-ave-west-reading-pa-19611\"\u003eSunoco - Marahana Inc\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#taco-fest-650-crossing-blvd-elverson-pa-19520\"\u003eTaco Fest\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#tacos-el-gordo-450-lancaster-ave-shillington-pa-19607\"\u003eTacos El Gordo\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#taqueria-aventura-mff3-leesport-farmers-market-leesport-pa-19533\"\u003eTaqueria Aventura Mff3\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#turkey-hill-minit-market-014-3701-kutztown-rd-laureldale-pa-19605\"\u003eTurkey Hill Minit Market #014\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#turkey-hill-minit-market-62-4801-n-5th-st-temple-pa-19560\"\u003eTurkey Hill Minit Market #62\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#utopia-cabaret-395-ben-franklin-hwy-douglassville-pa-19518\"\u003eUtopia Cabaret\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#wegman-s-poultry-2934-n-5th-st-hwy-reading-pa-19605\"\u003eWegman's Poultry\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#7-brew-coffee-3045-n-5th-st-hwy-reading-pa-19605\"\u003e7 Brew Coffee\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e3045 N. 5th St. Hwy., Reading, PA 19605\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 11, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 low priority violation\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eAn insect control device (hanging fly strip) located above beverage prep area/blender (not in use at time of inspection) with potential to contaminate food, equipment, and / or utensils.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#auntie-anne-s-pa166-1665-state-hill-rd-wyomissing-pa-19610\"\u003eAuntie Anne's #Pa166\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e1665 State Hill Rd., Wyomissing, PA 19610\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 7, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 moderate priority violation\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eThe deflector in the ice machine, a food contact surface, was observed to have residue and was not clean to sight and touch.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#b2-bistro-bar-701-reading-ave-west-reading-pa-19611\"\u003eB2 Bistro \u0026amp; Bar\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e701 Reading Ave., West Reading, PA 19611\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 6, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 high priority, 1 moderate priority, 3 low priority violations\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHigh Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eRaw eggs were stored above lettuce in a bain marie in the pizza/sushi area. Corrected.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eThe handwash sinks in the bar area do not have single use towels. Corrected.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eThe light fixture above the ice machines is not working properly.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eThe light intensity in the food preparation area is poor.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eScoop being stored in the ice at the bar with handle touching the drink ice. Corrected.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#bella-s-2-0-2342-lancaster-pike-reading-pa-19607\"\u003eBella's 2.0\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e2342 Lancaster Pike, Reading, PA 19607\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 9, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 high priority, 1 moderate priority, 2 low priority violations\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHigh Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eTime in lieu of temperature being used in the food facility to control ready to eat potentially hazardous foods without written procedures or documentation to verify disposition of food. Corrected.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eRefrigerated ready to eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 24 hours, located in the front display case, is not being date marked. Corrected.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eFloor in the kitchen area is made of tiles and is cracked / roughened / and is not a smooth, easily cleanable surface.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eObserved the large chest freezer in the downstairs storage area to have a bent door that does not allow for a proper seal. Interior has a buildup of ice.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#bread-box-mff4-2469-e-main-st-douglassville-pa-19518\"\u003eBread Box Mff4\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e2469 E. Main St., Douglassville, PA 19518\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 7, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2 moderate priority violations\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eFood facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eSoap was not available at the handwash sink in the handwash area.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#camp-manatawny-33-camp-rd-douglassville-pa-19518\"\u003eCamp Manatawny\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e33 Camp Rd., Douglassville, PA 19518\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 8, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2 moderate priority, 1 low priority violations\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eWorking containers in dish washing area, used for storing cleaners taken from bulk supplies, were not marked with the common name of the chemical. Corrected.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eObserved the nonfood contact surfaces on the self-serve soda dispensing machines to have a buildup of apparent mold. Corrected.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eObserved wet wiping cloths in dish washing area, not being stored in sanitizer solution. Corrected.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#china-v-3-park-ln-douglassville-pa-19518\"\u003eChina V\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e3 Park Ln., Douglassville, PA 19518\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 7, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3 high priority, 3 moderate priority, 8 low priority violations\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHigh Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eObserved grocery bags made of plastic, which is not an approved material for food contact, being used as a single-service, single use article. Observed grocery bags being used to store frozen meat in the front freezer. Corrected.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHigh Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eSeveral raw animal foods were stored above ready to eat foods in the walk-in cooler.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHigh Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eMultiple foods in the Bain Marie area stored open with no covering.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eObserved the interior of the Bain Marie to have an apparent mold build up on the shelves and walls.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eRefrigerated ready to eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 24 hours, located throughout the facility, is not being date marked.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eThe Person in Charge did not demonstrate adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this non-compliant inspection.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eObserved deeply scored cutting board on the Bain Marie not resurfaced or discarded as required.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eMultiple food ingredient storage containers, in the kitchen area, is not labeled with the common name of the food. Corrected.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eObserved the front chest freezer to be sitting on top of a cardboard, a surface that is not easily cleanable and is absorbent.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eFood facility is reusing equipment (metal cans and cardboard containers), for food storage which is intended to be a single-service or single-use article.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eNon-food contact surfaces not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of dirt and soil. Observed the vent by the hand wash sink to have an accumulation of dust.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eObserved multiple personal foods and a medication stored with prepped foods. Corrected.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eNon-food contact surfaces not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of dirt and soil. Observed the area between the freezer and wall by the back door to have a buildup of dirt and leaves.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eObserved single use takeout containers not stored inverted to prevent contamination. Corrected.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#comalli-taqueria-kitchen-701-court-st-701-ct-st-west-reading-pa-19611\"\u003eComalli Taqueria Kitchen @ 701 Court St\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e701 Ct. St., West Reading, PA 19611\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 7, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 high priority, 1 low priority violations\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHigh Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eRaw eggs were stored above ready to eat foods in the single door refrigerator in the kitchen. Corrected.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eFood employee personal belongings (purse) observed stored on bags of food items in the kitchen. Corrected.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#domino-s-4753-2844-penn-ave-reading-pa-19609\"\u003eDomino's 4753\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e2844 Penn Ave., Reading, PA 19609\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 6, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 moderate priority violation\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eThermometer for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in one of the pizza bain marie units.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#dunkin-340388-8448-allentown-pike-blandon-pa-19510\"\u003eDunkin #340388\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e8448 Allentown Pike, Blandon, PA 19510\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 8, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 moderate priority, 3 low priority violations\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eFood facility inspection indicates evidence of fruit fly activity in dry storage area. Call pest control to come out and treat.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eSide door to the outside, located in the food prep area of the food facility is not self-closing and/or is being propped open. Corrected.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eThe floor / wall juncture in the front counter area by handwash sink is not coved and closed to 1/32 inch. Please repair.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eThe floor / wall juncture by the back door area is not coved and closed to 1/32 inch. Please repair to avoid potential pest breeding areas.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#eve-s-thai-kitchen-10-s-summit-ave-reading-pa-19607\"\u003eEve's Thai Kitchen\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e10 S. Summit Ave., Reading, PA 19607\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 9, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2 high priority, 1 moderate priority violations\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHigh Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eRaw shell eggs stored above RTE foods in refrigerator. Corrected.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHigh Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eObserved single use grocery bags being used to store food. Material is not an approved food contact material.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eRefrigerated ready to eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 24 hours, located in the refrigerators, is not being date marked. Corrected.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#florian-lounge-experience-24-e-main-st-fleetwood-pa-19522\"\u003eFlorian Lounge Experience\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e24 E. Main St., Fleetwood, PA 19522\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 7, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 high priority, 1 moderate priority violations\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHigh Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eAssorted foods, a refrigerated ready to eat time/temperature control for safety food, in the cold hold units area, was not compliant with datemarking by being labeled with a discard or use by date of no more than 7 days and requires discarding.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eGround beef foods are served raw or undercooked to the customer's request; however, a written consumer advisory (on the menu, table tent, or placard) is not provided to the consumer.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#giant-food-6273-600-e-lancaster-ave-reading-pa-19607\"\u003eGiant Food #6273\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e600 E. Lancaster Ave., Reading, PA 19607\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 6, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 low priority violation\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eFood employees observed in Seafood Department area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as beard covers. Corrected.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#hollywood-casino-morgantown-sportsbook-6021-morgantown-rd-morgantown-pa-19543\"\u003eHollywood Casino Morgantown - Sportsbook\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e6021 Morgantown Rd., Morgantown, PA 19543\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 6, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3 moderate priority, 4 low priority violations\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eRefrigerated ready to eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 24 hours, located in the walk-in cooler, is not being date marked.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eThe handwash sinks on the cook line and at the server prep station needs a barrier put in place on the left side of the sink to protect the food being prepared.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eCommercially processed refrigerated, ready to eat, time/temperature control for safety food, located in the refrigerator by the walk-in cooler, and held more than 24 hours, is not being marked with the date it was opened.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eCleaned and sanitized utensils located in front prep area, are stored with food contact surfaces / food or lip area exposed to hand contact when retrieved by food employees. Corrected.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eObserved two deeply scored cutting boards not resurfaced or discarded as required.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eObserved the lid of the bulk sugar container to be cracked and in need of replacement.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eMultiple food ingredient storage containers, in the prep area, is not labeled with the common name of the food.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#hollywood-casino-morgantown-the-snack-bar-6021-morgantown-rd-morgantown-pa-19543\"\u003eHollywood Casino Morgantown - the Snack Bar\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e6021 Morgantown Rd., Morgantown, PA 19543\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 6, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2 low priority violations\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eSingle use to go containers not stored inverted to prevent contamintaion in the front service area. Corrected.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eNon-food contact surfaces not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of dirt and soil. Observed the drain by the walk-in to have a buildup of old food residue. Corrected.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#hollywood-casino-morgantown-grab-and-go-tony-luke-s-6021-morgantown-rd-morgantown-pa-19543\"\u003eHollywood Casino Morgantown -Grab-And-Go/Tony Luke's\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e6021 Morgantown Rd., Morgantown, PA 19543\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 6, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 high priority, 1 moderate priority, 1 low priority violations\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHigh Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eMultiple foods were held at 49°F, in the Bain Maire area, rather than 41°F or below as required. Corrected.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eCommercially processed refrigerated, ready to eat, time/temperature control for safety food, located in the walk-in cooler, and held more than 24 hours, is not being marked with the date it was opened. Corrected.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eObserved one deeply scored cutting board not resurfaced or discarded as required.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#ice-delight-leesport-farmers-market-leesport-pa-19533\"\u003eIce Delight\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eLeesport Farmers Market, Leesport, PA 19533\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 8, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 moderate priority violation\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eFood facility does not have available sanitizer test strips to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#la-cocina-criolla-701-bingaman-st-reading-pa-19602\"\u003eLa Cocina Criolla\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e701 Bingaman St., Reading, PA 19602\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 8, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3 moderate priority violations\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eTemperature measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in refrigerated equipment.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003ePotentially hazardous ready-to-eat food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 48 hours, located in the refrigerator, is not being date marked.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eRaw meat observed thawing in standing water in the kitchen sink, which is not an approved thawing method.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#lancaster-custom-meats-llc-10-s-summit-ave-reading-pa-19607\"\u003eLancaster Custom Meats, LLC\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e10 S. Summit Ave., Reading, PA 19607\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 9, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2 high priority, 1 moderate priority violations\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHigh Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eFood facility preparing multiple foods using reduced oxygen packaging without the required written procedures and HACCP plan.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHigh Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eFood Facility is offering for sale foods prepared in an unapproved private home. Corrected. Removed from sale. Firm offering Beef Jerky for sale produced in an unapproved home kitchen.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eRefrigerated ready to eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 24 hours, located in the cold hold units, is not being date marked.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#oliviero-s-pizzeria-1-park-ln-ste-101-douglassville-pa-19518\"\u003eOliviero's Pizzeria\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e1 Park Ln. Ste 101, Douglassville, PA 19518\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 8, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 moderate priority, 2 low priority violations\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eCommercially processed refrigerated, ready to eat, time/temperature control for safety food, located in the side refrigerator, and held more than 24 hours, is not being marked with the date it was opened. Corrected.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eObserved deeply one scored cutting board not resurfaced or discarded as required.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eObserved a carboard box being used a shelf cover in the side refrigerator creating a surface that is not easily cleanable and is absorbent.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#pappi-s-fried-chicken-538-franklin-st-reading-pa-19602\"\u003ePappi's Fried Chicken\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e538 Franklin St., Reading, PA 19602\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 7, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3 moderate priority, 2 low priority violations\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eOld food residue, dishes and utensils observed in the handwash sink, indicating uses other than handwashing.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003ePotentially hazardous ready-to-eat food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 48 hours, located in the refrigerator, is not being date marked.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eChicken observed thawing in standing water in the basement sink, which is not an approved thawing method.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eObserved cardboard being utilized as a floor covering\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eMops are not being hung to air dry.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#philly-soft-pretzel-factory-153-2850-penn-ave-west-lawn-pa-19609\"\u003ePhilly Soft Pretzel Factory #153\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e2850 Penn Ave., West Lawn, PA 19609\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 6, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2 moderate priority, 4 low priority violations\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eThermometer for ensuring proper temperature of equipment is not available or readily accessible in the small bain marie in the front area.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eFood facility does not have available sanitizer test strips to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration at the 3-compartment sink.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eRear door located in the back area of the food facility has a gap at the bottom and does not protect against the entry of pests.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eCeiling tiles missing near the oven need to be replaced.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eLoose rubber door gasket observed on the small bain marie in the front area.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eFood employees eating in the side area as evidenced by observed partially consumed food on the food preparation table at the front window. Corrected.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#pop-s-malt-shoppe-208-w-main-st-kutztown-pa-19530\"\u003ePop's Malt Shoppe\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e208 W. Main St., Kutztown, PA 19530\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 10, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 moderate priority violation\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eObserved cooking equipment (microwaves) in the prep area, with encrusted grease and soil accumulation.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#rooted-grounded-cafe-1400-lancaster-ave-reading-pa-19607\"\u003eRooted \u0026amp; Grounded Cafe\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e1400 Lancaster Ave., Reading, PA 19607\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 9, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 moderate priority, 1 low priority violations\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eObserved the nonfood contact surface of the ice machine to have a build up of apparent pink slime. Corrected.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eObserved two cases of coconut milk stored directly on the floor in dry storage area, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. Corrected.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#simran-indian-cuisine-163-main-st-kutztown-pa-19530\"\u003eSimran Indian Cuisine\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e163 Main St., Kutztown, PA 19530\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 10, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 moderate priority violation\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eRefrigerated ready to eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 24 hours, located in a reach-in refrigeration unit, is not being date marked. Corrected.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#sunoco-marahana-inc-501-penn-ave-west-reading-pa-19611\"\u003eSunoco - Marahana Inc\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e501 Penn Ave., West Reading, PA 19611\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 6, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 high priority, 1 moderate priority, 1 low priority violations\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHigh Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eFoods were held at 107-112 °F, in the table-top hot hold display, rather than 135°F or above as required. Corrected by disposing of these items and increasing the temperature setting for the holding unit.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eFood facility does not have available sanitizer test strips to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration at the 3-compartment sink.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eTongs at the hot-hot unit are stored in a dirty holder.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#taco-fest-650-crossing-blvd-elverson-pa-19520\"\u003eTaco Fest\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e650 Crossing Blvd., Elverson, PA 19520\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 6, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 high priority, 1 low priority, 1 other violations\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHigh Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eMultiple foods were held at 110-122°F, in the front hot hold area, rather than 135°F or above as required. Corrected.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eFood employee observed in kitchen area, not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats, or beard covers. Corrected.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOther: \u003c/strong\u003eFood facility has a certified food employee, but they are not employed in a position to act as the Person in Charge during their working hours.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#tacos-el-gordo-450-lancaster-ave-shillington-pa-19607\"\u003eTacos El Gordo\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e450 Lancaster Ave., Shillington, PA 19607\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 9, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 high priority violation\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHigh Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eBain Marie was held at 50°F, in the prep area, rather than 41°F or below as required.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#taqueria-aventura-mff3-leesport-farmers-market-leesport-pa-19533\"\u003eTaqueria Aventura Mff3\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eLeesport Farmers Market, Leesport, PA 19533\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 8, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 moderate priority, 1 other violations\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eFood facility does not have available sanitizer test strips to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOther: \u003c/strong\u003eFood facility has an employee that has taken food safety training program; however, the food safety program was not an ANSI/CFP accredited Certified Food Manager program. Owner has a Food Handler certificate, not a Food Manager certificate.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#turkey-hill-minit-market-014-3701-kutztown-rd-laureldale-pa-19605\"\u003eTurkey Hill Minit Market #014\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e3701 Kutztown Rd., Laureldale, PA 19605\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 6, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 low priority violation\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eNon-food contact surfaces of shelving in the walk-in cooler are not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of mold and dust.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#turkey-hill-minit-market-62-4801-n-5th-st-temple-pa-19560\"\u003eTurkey Hill Minit Market #62\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e4801 N. 5th St., Temple, PA 19560\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 11, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 low priority violation\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eFan guards dusty.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#utopia-cabaret-395-ben-franklin-hwy-douglassville-pa-19518\"\u003eUtopia Cabaret\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e395 Ben Franklin Hwy., Douglassville, PA 19518\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 7, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 high priority violation\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHigh Priority: \u003c/strong\u003ePlumbing system not maintained in good repair - observed leaking at the 3-bay sink at the bar at the handle and faucet head.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections/#wegman-s-poultry-2934-n-5th-st-hwy-reading-pa-19605\"\u003eWegman's Poultry\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e2934 N. 5th St. Hwy., Reading, PA 19605\u003cbr/\u003eJuly 11, 2026\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 low priority violation\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow Priority: \u003c/strong\u003eConcrete floor is not a smooth cleanable surface.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/restaurant-inspections\"\u003e\n  \u003cb\u003eKnow before you go:\u003c/b\u003e\n  Look up inspection data for any PA retail food facility by name, city, or ZIP — and get alerts when new reports are published.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFacilities with no violations:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAntietam Sd High School\u003c/strong\u003e, 201 N. 25 Th St., Reading, PA 19606, on July 9, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlue Rocks Campground Snack Bar\u003c/strong\u003e, 341 Sousley Rd., Lenhartsville, PA 19534, on July 8, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCarsonia Park\u003c/strong\u003e, 905 Byram St., Reading, PA 19606, on July 9, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCe Cole Intermediate School\u003c/strong\u003e, 3630 Kutztown Rd., Reading, PA 19605, on July 9, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eComalli Taqueria Mobile (Zsn-6722) Mff4\u003c/strong\u003e, 701 Ct. St., West Reading, PA 19611, on July 7, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCracker Barrel #312\u003c/strong\u003e, 21 Industrial Dr., Hamburg, PA 19526, on July 8, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDietrich's Country Meats\u003c/strong\u003e, 660 Old Route 22, Lenhartsville, PA 19534, on July 9, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFleetwood Beverages Inc\u003c/strong\u003e, 2 E. Race St., Fleetwood, PA 19522, on July 7, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunny Farm Apiaries\u003c/strong\u003e, 17 Oak Rd., Mertztown, PA 19539, on July 9, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGasser's Golf\u003c/strong\u003e, 3251 Pricetown Rd., Fleetwood, PA 19522, on July 6, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGauker Farms\u003c/strong\u003e, 846 Fleetwood Lyons Rd., Fleetwood, PA 19522, on July 8, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHamburg Recreation Park Pool Concession\u003c/strong\u003e, 2nd \u0026amp; Franklin Sts, Hamburg, PA 19526, on July 8, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHollywood Casino Morgantown - Bar 76\u003c/strong\u003e, 6021 Morgantown Rd., Morgantown, PA 19543, on July 6, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHoober's Produce\u003c/strong\u003e, 2934 N. 5th St., Reading, PA 19605, on July 11, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJohnny's Pizza T-Xm42170 Mff3\u003c/strong\u003e, 915 Cocalico Rd., Birdsboro, PA 19508, on July 6, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLittle Nicky's Pizza\u003c/strong\u003e, 1179 Ben Franklin Hwy. Ste 31, Douglassville, PA 19518, on July 7, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaola's Restaurant\u003c/strong\u003e, 4900 N. 5th Hwy., Temple, PA 19560, on July 11, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlum Creek Farm Market \u0026amp; Creamery\u003c/strong\u003e, 5035 Bernville Rd., Bernville, PA 19506, on July 6, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSelena's Diner\u003c/strong\u003e, 242 W. Main St., Kutztown, PA 19530, on July 9, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSweet Ride Ice Cream Mff3 Pa Zlj2239\u003c/strong\u003e, 4 Knollwood Dr., Reading, PA 19608, on July 6, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSweet Ride Ice Cream Mff3 T-Xjh6019\u003c/strong\u003e, 4 Knollwood Dr., Sinking Spring, PA 19608, on July 6, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTlacuani Mexican Food Truck/Mff3/Zpl5864\u003c/strong\u003e, 5005 Kutztown Rd., Temple, PA 19560, on July 10, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUpdog Hot Dogs\u003c/strong\u003e, 850 Golden Dr. Ste 6, Blandon, PA 19510, on July 7, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUpdog Hot Dogs Mff3/Xpb8653\u003c/strong\u003e, 227 Spirit Ct., Blandon, PA 19510, on July 7, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinding Road Bbq \u0026amp; Catering LLC Mmf/Xpy7023\u003c/strong\u003e, 128 Sandhill Rd., Fleetwood, PA 19522, on July 6, 2026\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis post was automatically generated with \u003c/em\u003e\u003ca href=\"http://cedatareporting.pa.gov/reports/powerbi/Public/AG/FS/PBI/Food_Safety_Inspections\"\u003edata\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s database of Food Safety Inspections for Retail Facilities. We have also labeled violations as high, moderate, or low priority. These categories align directly with priority levels identified in the FDA Food Code: Priority, Priority Foundation, and Core.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePriority items contribute directly to the elimination, prevention, or reduction to an acceptable level of hazards associated with foodborne illness or injury, such as handwashing, food handling, and temperature control, or other direct food contamination threats, such as rodents or pests. We noted violations of priority items as high priority.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePriority foundation items support, facilitate, or enable control of risk factors that contribute to foodborne illness or injury, such as personnel training, labeling, and record-keeping. We noted violations of priority foundation items as moderate priority.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCore items usually relate to standard operating procedures, facility structures, equipment design, or general maintenance. We noted violations of core items as low priority.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTo read the full inspection reports, you can visit: \u003c/em\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.pafoodsafety.pa.gov/web/inspection/publicinspectionsearch.aspx\"\u003epafoodsafety.pa.gov/web/inspection/publicinspectionsearch.aspx\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_modified":"2026-07-14T04:57:45-04:00","date_published":"2026-07-14T05:00:00-04:00","id":"26e842f68219ffe6b410478266957fc7","image":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/imgproxy/insecure/rt:fill/w:800/h:1000/g:sm/el:1/q:75/MjAyNi8wNC8wMW14LXo1a2ctODk0ZS16YmhrLmpwZWc=.jpeg","image_credit":"Wavebreakmedia / iStock","image_description":"A stock image of a restaurant kitchen.","language":"en-us","title":"Raw egg storage, frozen meat in grocery bags, and other Berks County restaurant inspections for July 6-12","topics":["Berks Inspections","Berks County"],"url":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/berks/2026/07/restaurant-inspections-food-safety-berks-county-july6-12-berks-inspections/"},{"author":"Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA","authors":["Danielle Ohl"],"blurb":"Prosecutors and advocates are split over whether mandatory minimums or maximums are the best way forward for second-degree murder sentencing.","category":"Justice System","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eHARRISBURG —\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c/strong\u003ePennsylvania lawmakers recessed Sunday without fixing the commonwealth’s unconstitutional sentencing scheme for second-degree murder, making it increasingly likely they will miss a deadline set by the state Supreme Court and leave the issue in limbo.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA killing is considered second-degree murder if it occurs during the course of a violent felony, including robbery, rape, or arson. Someone can be found guilty of the crime if they participated in the underlying felony, even if their actions didn’t lead directly to another person’s death.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause of this, a person in Pennsylvania who served as a getaway driver during a botched robbery, or caused an injury that later led to death, currently receives the same sentence as someone who knowingly plotted and carried out a killing.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, in March the Pennsylvania Supreme Court \u003ca href=\"https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/03/pennsylvania-felony-second-degree-murder-supreme-court-ruling-justice-system/\"\u003eruled in \u003cem\u003eCommonwealth v. Lee\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/a\u003e that mandatory life without parole for second-degree murder is unnecessarily cruel under the state constitution.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe court gave lawmakers until July 24 to rewrite the sentencing laws.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“While we have a clear obligation to ensure that constitutional bounds are not crossed, we may not act as legislators, who are best positioned to effectuate penal reform,” wrote Chief Justice Debra Todd for the majority.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/newsletters/\"\u003e\n  \u003cb\u003eFree Newsletter:\u003c/b\u003e\n  Sign up for a free roundup of the top news from across Pennsylvania, all in\n  one daily or weekly email from Spotlight PA.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThey also declined to make the ruling retroactive, leaving it up to the legislature to decide whether people already serving life sentences for second-degree murder convictions should be up for parole.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut months of talks among advocates for criminal justice reform, district attorneys, and members of the split legislature have not produced a compromise.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe state Senate twice tried to move a version of a proposal that would create 35-year mandatory minimum sentences for adults convicted of second-degree murder, with few exceptions, as well as a pathway to release for those already serving. However, state Rep. Tim Briggs (D., Montgomery), a key House lawmaker on criminal justice issues, told Spotlight PA the proposal is too punitive.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf the legislature misses the deadline, the state Supreme Court decision will take effect, leaving individual Common Pleas judges across the state to dole out fair sentences without legislative guidance.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd the fate of more than 1,100 people already in prison on second-degree murder convictions will likely be decided by the state’s highest court, as civil rights lawyers stand ready to petition the body for further clarity.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShould the justices apply their ruling to people who are already convicted, courts across the state will almost certainly be flooded with hundreds of petitions from those serving life in second-degree cases, some decades old.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome advocates are ready to file those petitions, telling Spotlight PA the courts might produce better outcomes for clients than the state Senate’s proposed path forward.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“We're not afraid of going to mass resentencings,” said Sean Damon, director of strategic partnerships for Straight Ahead. His organization is the policy arm of the Abolitionist Law Center, the firm that brought the suit in \u003cem\u003eLee\u003c/em\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOthers cautioned against that outcome.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Inaction is not an option, in fact it is dangerous,” Attorney General Dave Sunday said in a statement sent after the legislature convened.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Failing to act would leave our communities and victims without needed protections, and it is important that we move forward collaboratively to ensure a responsible solution.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLawmakers telegraphed Sunday night that they are willing to keep working on a compromise ahead of the deadline, but did not confirm whether they’d solve the issue in time.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGov. Josh Shapiro, in a news conference, said he agrees with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s ruling, and wants to see the legislature reach consensus.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“We're going to continue to work on this issue, and I'm confident, given some of the maneuvering that the majority leader in the House did today,” the Democrat said. “There's a vehicle ready to go when we have a compromise in place.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAsked whether lawmakers will pass a bill by the July 24 deadline, state House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D., Montgomery) twice told reporters: \u0026quot;We're hoping to get something accomplished.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"conversations-but-no-compromise\"\u003eConversations, but no compromise\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor decades, Pennsylvania’s justice system has applied second-degree murder to a wide variety of defendants and criminal behavior: a man who \u003ca href=\"https://law.justia.com/cases/pennsylvania/superior-court/2024/96-eda-2024.html\"\u003ekilled a 77-year-old woman\u003c/a\u003e during the course of a violent rape; an \u003ca href=\"https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/angela-marinucci-resentenced-for-her-role-in-jennifer-daughertys-death-in-2010/\"\u003eaccomplice in the torture\u003c/a\u003e and eventual death of an intellectually disabled woman; a man who \u003ca href=\"https://whyy.org/articles/a-chance-of-freedom-new-bill-could-release-1000-people-sentenced-to-life-in-pa-prisons/\"\u003erobbed a tourist\u003c/a\u003e who minutes later committed suicide; a 14-year-old with a history of abuse and mental illness, \u003ca href=\"https://eji.org/cases/trina-garnett/\"\u003ewho started an accidental house fire\u003c/a\u003e that killed the two boys she was trying to visit.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd for decades, those convicted have all received the same, unmovable sentence: life without parole.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe state Supreme Court in March found this sentencing scheme unnecessarily cruel, and argued that without an individual assessment of culpability, it violates the Pennsylvania Constitution.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“We determine that a mandatory life without parole sentence for all felony murder convictions, absent an assessment of culpability, is inconsistent with the protections bestowed upon our citizens under the ‘cruel punishments’ clause of our Commonwealth’s organic charter,” wrote Justice Todd \u003ca href=\"https://statecourtreport.org/case-tracker/commonwealth-v-lee\"\u003efor the majority\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the spring, the legislature seemed poised to act.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLawmakers from both chambers had already proposed legislation, including a \u003ca href=\"https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/sb387\"\u003ebipartisan effort\u003c/a\u003e by state Sens. Sharif Street (D., Philadelphia) and Camera Bartolotta (R., Beaver) and \u003ca href=\"https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb443\"\u003eanother\u003c/a\u003e by Rep. Tim Briggs (D., Montgomery).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut at \u003ca href=\"https://www.palegis.us/house/committees/meeting-archive?MeetingId=5468\"\u003ean April meeting\u003c/a\u003e of the state House Judiciary Committee, with \u003ca href=\"https://abolitionistlawcenter.org/2026/04/13/justice-delayed-joint-statement-on-the-postponed-vote-on-pa-house-bill-443/\"\u003eadvocates in attendance\u003c/a\u003e eager to celebrate the vote, Briggs tabled his bill. Stakeholders had reached out, he explained, with feedback and a desire to have their positions better reflected in whatever solution the legislature pursued.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“I think we can have a collaborative process to get to a better bill that balances the need to comply with the \u003cem\u003eLee\u003c/em\u003e decision, but also is fair and compassionate, respects victims’ rights, and above all, maintains community safety,” Briggs said during the April meeting.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThen, speaking about people already serving life sentences, he said: “These people – this is emotional – these people have been serving long, unconstitutional sentences, and I will not put them in a worse position than what I believe the Supreme Court would order for them after the [120 day] run.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn an interview with Spotlight PA months later, Briggs said he had hoped the pause would lead to meaningful cross-party conversations.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“That never happened,” Briggs said.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn spring conversations between Straight Ahead and the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, the groups tried to reach a framework that would satisfy their respective coalitions. Lawmakers were not directly involved in those conversations, sources confirmed to Spotlight PA.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eState prosecutors were most worried about the group of more than 1,100 people serving life sentences, said Kelly Callihan, the executive director of the district attorneys association.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“We like uniformity,” she said. “Victims deserve that, and honestly, perpetrators who have been convicted deserve that, so that it's not like the Wild West, where every county was just going to be on an island doing what they thought with resentencing.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePublic defenders feel similarly, said Sara Jacobson, the executive director of the Public Defender Association of Pennsylvania. Without a legislative fix, she said, the state would be left with “justice by geography.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Without guidance, the results will vary widely in terms of sentences they get handed down,’ Jacobson added. “It will depend much more on the politics of a given county and an individual judge’s perspective.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA legislative framework would be better for everyone, Jacobson said, because prosecutors, defense attorneys, and crime victims will know what to expect.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut feelings diverge from there.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe district attorneys association feels comfortable with a minimum sentence, after which the convicted person would be eligible for parole, Callihan said.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut Straight Ahead and other advocates found a high mandatory minimum for those sentenced to second-degree murder to be unpalatable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“We have been advocating for a maximum sentence similar to third-degree,” which carries a 40 year maximum, Damon said.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn June, a compromise had not been reached when, over the course of four days, the Republican-controlled state Senate introduced, voted out of committee, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/sb1400\"\u003epassed new legislation\u003c/a\u003e with bipartisan support.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat bill, SB 1400, would establish a 35-year mandatory minimum for adult offenders and preserve life without parole as an option for offenders who meet certain criteria. It allows for sentences as low as 10 years if a defendant meets a narrow set of mitigating circumstances.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor people already serving life, the bill would permit parole consideration after 35 years for most and 20 years for those over the age of 70.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe court gave the General Assembly a 120-day window “because opening the prison doors and letting out violent individuals back on the streets is unacceptable policy,” said state Sen. Lisa Baker (R., Luzerne), the bill’s lead sponsor, \u003ca href=\"https://www.pasenategop.com/news/sb1400-news-conf-062526/\"\u003eduring a news conference\u003c/a\u003e after passage. Attorney General Sunday, also appearing at the news conference, supported it.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe state Senate passed a \u003ca href=\"https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb1042\"\u003elargely similar version\u003c/a\u003e of this legislation Sunday afternoon, attached to a House bill aimed at allowing incarcerated individuals to earn credits toward potential earlier parole by participating in educational and vocational programs.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut the bill found no purchase among House Democrats\u003cstrong\u003e.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen he spoke with Spotlight PA in June, Briggs said the language was “too heavy-handed.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“These are serious matters,” he said, “but I think there needs to be some compassion on the facts, and high mandatory minimums across the board isn’t the direction I want to go in.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eElizabeth Rementer, a spokesperson for House Democrats, said Sunday that the lawmakers remain committed to continuing negotiations.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut speaking of the bill passed Sunday, she said, “Unfortunately, this isn’t it.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"mass-resentencings-possible\"\u003eMass resentencings possible\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStakeholders are similarly split.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBerks County District Attorney John Adams, in an interview with Spotlight PA, said he largely supported the state Senate legislation and its attempt to establish both a framework for future sentencing and a path for reconsidering past convictions. As a prosecutor and former defense attorney, “I have been on both sides of this issue, so I know it by heart, and I know it through experience,” Adams said.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“This bill covers pretty much everything that I was looking for,” he said. “It offers, in the appropriate instances, the possibility that someone could be sentenced to life in prison, and it also offers otherwise some alternatives.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, a progressive Democrat \u003ca href=\"https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/crime/larry-krasner-philly-da-firing-prosecutors-20180105.html-2\"\u003eknown for diverging from his fellow prosecutors\u003c/a\u003e, derided the state Senate bill as unscientific and beholden to an old-school, tough-on-crime approach to justice.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn an interview with Spotlight PA, Krasner was blunt in his assessment of the courts as a better path than the proposed legislation..\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Nothing is better than stupid,” Krasner said.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/donate/\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhile You’re Here:\u003c/b\u003e\n  If you learned something from this report, pay it forward and become a member of Spotlight PA so someone else can in the future.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe path to this type of mass resentencing is uncertain — for now.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWithout a legislative fix, the issue will need to return to the state Supreme Court to become retroactive.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Abolitionist Law Center is ready to pursue this path if the legislature fails to act, said Legal Director Bret Grote, whether through traditional appeal or a \u003ca href=\"https://www.pacourts.us/Storage/media/pdfs/20210224/033123-extraordinaryjurisdiction-001741.pdf\"\u003eKing’s Bench petition\u003c/a\u003e, which would ask the court to take the matter more quickly.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“The issue will be presented to the court promptly, and the court alone will decide when they hear such a case,” Grote said, “but with more than — and we're confident it's more than 1,100 people — serving this unconstitutional sentence, this is a constitutional crisis.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStraight Ahead, ALC, and other advocates actively involved in conversations around the \u003cem\u003eLee\u003c/em\u003e decision are ready to do the most good for the most people, Damon said. “So, I'm not being glib when I say we're ready to go a mass resentencing.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore than 500 of the people serving life sentences for felony murder were convicted in Philadelphia, where the courts do not “tend to throw the book at people,” Damon said, and where there is a reform-minded district attorney in Krasner.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“We're going to have lower sentences in Philly,” Damon said.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_modified":"2026-07-14T08:29:21-04:00","date_published":"2026-07-14T04:00:00-04:00","id":"6df3b02561a8855ceb287e9f215c4dcb","image":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/imgproxy/insecure/rt:fill/w:800/h:1000/g:sm/el:1/q:75/ZXh0ZXJuYWwvNTdicWE1cjF4bXB5eHR6bWQ2eWpxd2txbmcuanBlZw==.jpeg","image_credit":"Kent M. Wilhelm / Spotlight PA","image_description":"View of the south side of the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex at night.","language":"en-us","title":"Lawmakers break without addressing unconstitutional murder sentences, leave 1K Pa. lifers in limbo","topics":["Justice System","News"],"url":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/news/2026/07/pennsylvania-felony-murder-deadline-state-legislature-justice-system/"},{"author":"Melissa Pérez-Carrillo of Spotlight PA State College","authors":["Melissa Pérez-Carrillo"],"blurb":"Officials say many of these issues will be solved when the county moves out of the 157-year-old prison and into a new facility in 2029.","category":"Justice System","content_html":"\u003cp\u003ePeople who have been incarcerated inside the Blair County Prison say they encountered rodent droppings in food, poor access to medical care, and violence at the aging, overcrowded facility, a review of nearly 80 legal filings from the past year shows.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOfficials say many of these issues will be solved when the county moves out of the 157-year-old prison and into a new facility in 2029. The design for the $100 million prison — \u003ca href=\"https://www.wtaj.com/news/blair-county-board-approves-design-for-new-prison/\"\u003eapproved by the prison board but pending a land sale\u003c/a\u003e — includes exercise areas for all housing units, larger culinary and medical areas, and medical rooms to house individuals who may need 24/7 observation, as well as expanded support for inmates with mental illnesses. The prison usually houses people who are awaiting trial and serving short-term sentences.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut some allegations laid out in legal filings aren’t directly related to the building’s conditions, including poor medical care by a third-party contractor and limited access to psychiatric and substance use disorder medications.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlair County Commissioner Laura Burke declined to comment on the active litigation but said commissioners and prison board members always thoroughly investigate any allegations.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWarden Matthew Hale also declined to comment on the litigation, but spoke candidly about the prison’s challenges in an interview.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince becoming warden in September 2025, Hale told Spotlight PA his biggest challenge is working around the prison’s dated structure. He’s focusing on the things he can control and mitigating the things that he can’t, he said.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/newsletters/\"\u003e\n  \u003cb\u003eStay informed:\u003c/b\u003e\n  Sign up for Talk of the Town, an update of the news that matters to your community — from the PA Wilds to Happy Valley.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe prison’s population in June was around 340, much higher than the 280 to 298 people it would “optimally” support under American Correctional Association standards, according to a \u003ca href=\"https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/28422172-feasibility-study-for-blair-county-prison/\"\u003efeasibility study\u003c/a\u003e Blair County commissioned on the facility and options to replace it.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf the prison’s 11 housing units, fewer than half comply with ACA standards for capacity according to the study, which Spotlight PA obtained through a Right-to-Know request. “Many units are overcrowded to the point of posing safety risks to both staff and inmates,” it says.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKen Dean, director of the Blair County Prison Re-entry Coalition, likened the interior of the prison, which has thick stone walls, to a medieval castle. The dingy, decrepit space makes incarceration an even more depressing experience, worsening mental health for people housed there, he said.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“In your worst imagination, no matter how bad you think it could be, double that,” Dean said. “That’s how bad it is.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe prison’s archaic design provides poor sightlines for correctional officers and makes it difficult to prevent fights or attacks among inmates, Hale said. Blair County Prison had 54 cases of inmate-on-inmate assault last year, the fourth highest amount in Pennsylvania, \u003ca href=\"https://www.pa.gov/agencies/cor/about-us/offices-and-bureaus/office-of-county-inspections-and-services/inspections-and-statistics\"\u003eaccording to “county prison extraordinary occurrence statistics” from the state Department of Corrections\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEyeing a new facility, Hale noted some improvements are needed to make the prison a space where incarcerated people can truly be rehabilitated. He wants to make incarceration at Blair prison as positive as possible.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“It can either be a thing that we all complain about, or it could be a thing that we sort of agree has to exist and is doing the best it can do to help society,” Hale said.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"19th-century-prison-21st-century-population\"\u003e19th century prison, 21st century population\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlair County Prison was built in 1869, the same year Ulysses S. Grant was sworn in as the 18th president. It was designed to hold 100 beds, but by the late 1970s, incarceration rates surged, and the facility exceeded its capacity, forcing some inmates to be housed outside the county, according to the feasibility study.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAround 1980, the prison received minor upgrades and increased its capacity to 158. By the early 2000s, population pressures persisted, leading to the most recent expansion.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts prison cells follow the Pennsylvania model design, where two rows of cells are split by a dayroom. It requires correctional officers to constantly pass through the housing unit to observe, which can create blind spots. It wasn’t until the mid-20th century that podular housing units became more popular in U.S. corrections and improved sightlines for staff.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHale said the old design supports fighting and other illicit activities. It also makes it difficult for correctional officers to investigate wrongdoing, he added.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“We have a whole set of issues that are caused or at least exacerbated by the way that the jail is set up,” he said. “If we had a more modern facility, those issues just wouldn’t exist.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf the almost 80 legal filings, two allege excessive use of force from correctional officers, and seven reference violent incidents among people held in the prison.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne man, who was incarcerated for unpaid traffic fines, alleged in a suit that he was beaten in a “suicide risk” cell. Two of the three other inmates in the cell “were mentally and emotionally unstable, had a propensity for violence, and would act out if given any opportunity.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpotlight PA is not naming any of the people who brought complaints against the prison, as their attorneys did not respond to requests for comment.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“When he was placed in the suicide risk cell with three inmates, [the man] was justifiably terrified and fearful for his safety,” according to the lawsuit. His “protests, questions, and complaints were deliberately unanswered and unheeded.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedical exams show the man suffered many injuries to his face and head, including broken and fractured bones. He underwent several corrective surgeries, according to his suit, along with metal implants and cosmetic work, to repair the damage from the assault.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe man alleged lasting damage from the injuries, including a diminished ability to chew on the right side and PTSD. The lawsuit was settled on Jan. 15 for an undisclosed amount.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"bites-droppings-and-stolen-food\"\u003eBites, droppings, and stolen food\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRodents have exploited the prison’s damaged plumbing, degraded foundations, and gaps in exterior walls to infiltrate cell blocks in search of food and shelter, several lawsuits allege. Over a dozen lawsuits filed mention mice or rats, noting bites, droppings in food, and chewed pantry items from the prison’s commissary.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“The plaintiff was subject to rats running all over the place,” one suit filed in November 2025 says. “A number of times, he had them in his box [of food], eating the plaintiff’s commissary. He has woken up to them in his bed.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother man who was incarcerated at the prison wrote in a complaint filed in October 2025 that he found droppings in food. “I should have never been housed at that location,” he wrote. “It was overcrowded and infested with mice, and [I] got no sleep.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA third incarcerated person, who worked in the prison’s kitchen, wrote in a complaint filed in November 2025 that he was forced to live with mice and would wake up to them running from cell to cell to steal food.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen he went into the kitchen to work, he would find the rodents eating bread in the dry food storage room, and he was still forced to serve it, he wrote.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“We was subject to treatment that is cruel and unusual and punished for it,” he wrote. “The living condition we endure will be in my nightmares for years to come.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHale said that when he took over as warden, there was an ongoing issue with mice, but steps were already being taken to address it.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Since then, we have increased our efforts further by implementing a sanitation plan and changing our pest control services,” Hale said in an email. “These efforts have had a big impact on improving the issue, and while we have not eliminated the issue completely, we have seen results and generally only have issues in high-risk [for mice] areas.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"medical-care-allegedly-denied\"\u003eMedical care allegedly denied\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf the 51 lawsuits and 27 motions to join a class-action lawsuit, filed between July 2025 and mid-April of this year, 11 list PrimeCare as a co-defendant. The company specializes in medical, mental health, and dental services for correctional facilities.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlair County commissioners voted last week to \u003ca href=\"https://www.altoonamirror.com/znewsletter-sunday/2026/07/armor-health-selected-as-new-medical-provider-for-blair-county-prison/\"\u003eaward a three-year contract\u003c/a\u003e to Armor Health, which will take over when PrimeCare’s contract expires July 31. Hale told Spotlight PA prior to the vote that the search for a new provider was not connected to the lawsuits.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne complaint alleges a 53-year-old man did not receive a diagnostic workup despite experiencing respiratory symptoms, including shortness of breath; instead, he was given Mucinex.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo weeks later, he was taken to UPMC Altoona, intubated, and found to have a widespread lung infection, the lawsuit says. He stayed in the hospital’s ICU for 34 days, then spent another 52 in intensive inpatient rehab.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe complaint alleges the man now has chronic nerve pain, a persistent cough, and shortness of breath, and that he uses a cane, walker, and scooter. His wife had to take unpaid leave to care for her husband, according to the complaint, and now outsources tasks her husband previously handled. The lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/donate/\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhile You’re Here:\u003c/b\u003e\n  If you learned something from this report, pay it forward and become a member of Spotlight PA so someone else can in the future.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA separate legal filing says a 42-year-old woman miscarried twins while incarcerated at the facility. The woman allegedly informed prison staff her pregnancy was high-risk and that she was spotting, but wasn’t taken to the hospital until she began bleeding more.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBack at the prison, the woman allegedly alerted medical staff that her bleeding worsened, but she was told to lie down and that there was nothing they could do. She found out that the fetuses died when she was taken back to UPMC Altoona, and then passed them separately at the prison.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“I was then taken to my cell as nothing happened!” the woman wrote in her filing. Her case was closed after court mail was returned from the prison as undelivered.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrimeCare is also accused in at least two lawsuits of withholding or denying mental health medication.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne man said his history of mental illness was ignored and that PrimeCare staff would not administer trazodone, used to treat depression, because it wasn’t permitted in the facility.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother man alleged that staff would not provide Depakote, which is used to treat bipolar disorder, for several days in a row. In the legal filing, he said he was told his unit was “burnt,” referring to someone on a bottom tier throwing feces on a nurse.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Mental health doesn’t have the proper treatment, which has also affected my pain and suffering, and now being in Blair County Prison has traumatized me,” the man said in the filing.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat case was closed after court mail was returned from the prison as undelivered.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA spokesperson for PrimeCare told Spotlight PA that every person receives a full medical intake within four hours of incarceration. Anyone with a chronic condition is seen by a medical provider every 90 days, and any person who has a non-urgent medical request will be seen within 24 hours of submitting it, they wrote. Existing medications are verified during the intake process, and newly prescribed medications are given to patients within 12 hours, the spokesperson added.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"is-a-new-prison-enough\"\u003eIs a new prison enough?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlair isn’t the only county building a new facility to replace a prison beyond saving.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLancaster plans to replace its 175-year-old facility with a new one. Fayette built a new prison following lawsuits about inhumane conditions, while Northumberland had to take action more than a decade ago after a fire destroyed its century-plus-old building.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Pennsylvania is long inhabited, and we incarcerate at high rates,” said Noah Barth, prison monitoring director of the Pennsylvania Prison Society. “So, we have a lot of aging infrastructure.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany Re-entry Coalition volunteers want to host programs inside Blair County Prison, but there aren’t many meeting spaces.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDean, the coalition director, hopes that with the new building, the added space will allow people to attend programs consistently. He also hopes that increased contact will allow his organization to reach people as soon as they get admitted rather than near their release.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe prison itself offers some programming, including parenting classes, drug/alcohol treatment and education, and GED classes.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut due to the existing layout, there’s just one room for these services, and it’s a full-time job just coordinating which group is using the space, said County Commissioner Burke — not to mention scheduling, and transporting inmates in and out of it, she added. In the new proposed design, there will be at least three programming rooms and a multipurpose space for each housing unit.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile the stakeholders in Blair County agree on the necessity of a new prison, not everyone thinks rebuilding alone will address the prison’s conditions.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCarol Taylor, president of Indivisible Blair, a grassroots organization that works to promote progressive candidates and policies, works in mental health and substance use disorder care.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn her work, she’s seen people end up back in prison for minor infractions of probation or parole, and get sucked into a cycle in which they spend more time in prison than in a rehab facility.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe is hopeful about the prison expanding mental health and substance use services, but wants to see that care provided in the community, not in carceral settings.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“They don’t have functional support in the community,” Taylor said of people who need this care. “And yet, what we do with them is put them in prison, making them even less functional. You can’t help people by incarcerating them.”\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe $100 million new prison design has been approved by the Blair County Prison Board, but county officials estimate it won’t be completed until early 2029. \u003cstrong\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the meantime, the Blair County Board of Commissioners is trying to introduce more rehabilitative measures, like ankle monitor use for home release and a work-release program, which is still under review. With limited parking spaces available, inmates can’t keep their cars at the prison, stalling progress for a work-release program. They’re forced to rely on someone for pickup and drop-off.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“We want people to be making better decisions,” Burke said. “We want to empower them to move on with their lives and not be stuck in this cycle of incarceration.”\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_modified":"2026-07-14T03:57:32-04:00","date_published":"2026-07-14T04:00:00-04:00","id":"018120fea6187c517217189dceb79a0f","image":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/imgproxy/insecure/rt:fill/w:800/h:1000/g:ce/el:1/q:75/MjAyNi8wNy8wMW40LXRndGItdHJjOS1oMW5uLmpwZWc=.jpeg","image_credit":"Daniel Fishel / For Spotlight PA","image_description":"An illustration of Blair County Prison with gray clouds in the background.","language":"en-us","title":"Rodents, violence, medical neglect: Lawsuits allege poor conditions at Blair County Prison","topics":["Justice System","State College"],"url":"https://deploy-preview-1183--poor-richard-spotlightpa.netlify.app/statecollege/2026/07/blair-county-prison-lawsuits-pennsylvania-justice-system/"}],"title":"Spotlight PA","version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1.1"}