Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. Folo PA is hosted and produced by Pennsylvania Capital-Star Audio Reporter Emily Previti with editing by PCS Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature reporting from Emily, Tim and their colleagues Peter Hall, Ian Karbal and Whitney Downard as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth.Subscribe to Folo PA wherever you listen to podcasts. Find out more at visit https://penncapital-star.com/podcast

Every week, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star recaps our top stories with Natalie Bencivenga's The Week in Focus. It’s a way to get caught up on some news you might’ve missed in just a few minutes as you head into your weekend.Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the countryOur theme music is <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/studio-city/americana/">Americana by Mr Smith</a>, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">Attribution 4.0 International License</a>.  Learn more at <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/">penncapital-star.com</a>. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

Every week, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star recaps our top stories with Natalie Bencivenga's The Week in Focus. 
It’s a way to get caught up on some news you might’ve missed in just a few minutes as you head into your weekend.
Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. 
The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country
Our theme music is Americana by Mr Smith, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.  
Learn more at penncapital-star.com. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

The Week in Focus: September 4, 2026

For Pennsylvanians, rising prices are outpacing wage growth.But when working class households struggle to put food on their table, so does the charitable food system that acts as a safety net.<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/government-politics/food-banks-across-pennsylvania-are-struggling-to-keep-up-in-the-face-of-snap-cuts-economic-pain/">Ian Karbal looked into the situation. He found</a> the macroeconomic factors affecting those organizations and their clients are exacerbated by cuts to the federal program known as SNAP, or food stamps.Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country.Our theme music is <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/fever-dreams-1/dusk-1/">Dusk by Mr Smith</a>, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">Attribution 4.0 International License</a>. Learn more at <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/">penncapital-star.com</a>. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

For Pennsylvanians, rising prices are outpacing wage growth.
But when working class households struggle to put food on their table, so does the charitable food system that acts as a safety net.
Ian Karbal looked into the situation. He found the macroeconomic factors affecting those organizations and their clients are exacerbated by cuts to the federal program known as SNAP, or food stamps.
Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. 
The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country.
Our theme music is Dusk by Mr Smith, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License. 
Learn more at penncapital-star.com. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

Food banks face demand surge from SNAP cuts, economic pain

PFA chemicals are in the water supply – including our drinking water. One way these widely-used chemicals are getting there is through sewage sludge that is used as fertilizer. The Allegheny Front's Julie Grant <a href="https://www.alleghenyfront.org/pennsylvania-pfas-sewage-sludge-farms-water-alcosan/">looked into the push by Pennsylvania and other states to limit</a> water contamination from these so-called forever chemicals.Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country.Our theme music is <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/fever-dreams-1/dusk-1/">Dusk by Mr Smith</a>, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">Attribution 4.0 International License</a>. Learn more at <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/">penncapital-star.com</a>. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

PFA chemicals are in the water supply – including our drinking water. 
One way these widely-used chemicals are getting there is through sewage sludge that is used as fertilizer. 
The Allegheny Front's Julie Grant looked into the push by Pennsylvania and other states to limit water contamination from these so-called forever chemicals.
Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. 
The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country.
Our theme music is Dusk by Mr Smith, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License. 
Learn more at penncapital-star.com. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

Will Pennsylvania reduce ‘forever chemicals’ in sewage sludge on farms?

The Week in Focus: August 28, 2026

Pennsylvania lawmakers are under court order to come up with legislation that addresses cases where people are imprisoned on life sentences without any chance of parole for second-degree murder. Already, there are hiccups. One being that the <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/pa-supreme-court-rejects-extension-of-stay-in-life-without-parole-for-second-degree-murder-ruling/">legislature blew its deadline</a> to do that.Meanwhile, more than 1,100 people are serving life sentences for the crime in state correctional institutions. Ian Karbal and Whitney Downard took a <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/whos-serving-felony-murder-sentences-in-pennsylvania-prisons/?nvep=&amp;hmac=&amp;emci=561048cf-df97-f111-9b33-000d3a11fa30&amp;emdi=ea000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001&amp;ceid=">closer look at who they are</a> and how their <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/philadelphia-stands-out-for-its-approach-for-revisiting-felony-murder-in-pa/">cases could be handled</a>.   Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country.Our theme music is <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/fever-dreams-1/dusk-1/">Dusk by Mr Smith</a>, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">Attribution 4.0 International License</a>. Learn more at <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/">penncapital-star.com</a>. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

Pennsylvania lawmakers are under court order to come up with legislation that addresses cases where people are imprisoned on life sentences without any chance of parole for second-degree murder. 
Already, there are hiccups. One being that the legislature blew its deadline to do that.
Meanwhile, more than 1,100 people are serving life sentences for the crime in state correctional institutions. 
Ian Karbal and Whitney Downard took a closer look at who they are and how their cases could be handled.   
Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. 
The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country.
Our theme music is Dusk by Mr Smith, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License. 
Learn more at penncapital-star.com. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

Who's serving life for second-degree murder in Pennsylvania?

With privacy and safety concerns mounting around automatic license plate reader systems, state lawmakers are considering guardrails on their use. <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/pa-lawmakers-propose-guardrails-on-automatic-license-plate-cameras-as-backlash-grows/">Peter Hall looked into</a> how a major purveyor of the equipment, Flock Safety, has responded by tightening its own controls.Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country.Our theme music is <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/fever-dreams-1/dusk-1/">Dusk by Mr Smith</a>, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">Attribution 4.0 International License</a>. Learn more at <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/">penncapital-star.com</a>. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

With privacy and safety concerns mounting around automatic license plate reader systems, state lawmakers are considering guardrails on their use. 
Peter Hall looked into how a major purveyor of the equipment, Flock Safety, has responded by tightening its own controls.
Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. 
The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country.
Our theme music is Dusk by Mr Smith, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License. 
Learn more at penncapital-star.com. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

ALPR camera guardrails in Pennsylvania?

The Week in Focus: August 21, 2026

There’s been strong public opposition to data centers in many communities where they’ve been proposed – including in Pennsylvania. About <a href="https://trackdatacenters.com/">80 data center projects</a> are in the works statewide at various stages: from the preliminary/exploratory stage when land hasn’t been acquired yet, up to construction being underway. Peter Hall recently published <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/agriculture-pa-farms/data-center-developers-want-to-build-in-three-pa-communities-each-has-its-own-experience/">a story based on his reporting in three</a> future, prospective or would-be host communities, published a story and made time to talk more about it on this episode. Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country.Our theme music is <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/fever-dreams-1/dusk-1/">Dusk by Mr Smith</a>, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">Attribution 4.0 International License</a>. Learn more at <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/">penncapital-star.com</a>. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

There’s been strong public opposition to data centers in many communities where they’ve been proposed – including in Pennsylvania. 
About 80 data center projects are in the works statewide at various stages: from the preliminary/exploratory stage when land hasn’t been acquired yet, up to construction being underway. 
Peter Hall recently published a story based on his reporting in three future, prospective or would-be host communities, published a story and made time to talk more about it on this episode. 
Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. 
The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country.
Our theme music is Dusk by Mr Smith, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License. 
Learn more at penncapital-star.com. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

A tale of three townships: Pa.'s data center debate

With three months to go until the midterms, Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt is joining other officials to push back on misinformation ahead of elections this fall.From our friends at WESA in Pittsburgh, Tom Riese reports the timing of this effort during the summer also coincides with when voter lists are often updated.Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country.Our theme music is <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/fever-dreams-1/dusk-1/">Dusk by Mr Smith</a>, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">Attribution 4.0 International License</a>. Learn more at <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/">penncapital-star.com</a>. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

With three months to go until the midterms, Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt is joining other officials to push back on misinformation ahead of elections this fall.
From our friends at WESA in Pittsburgh, Tom Riese reports the timing of this effort during the summer also coincides with when voter lists are often updated.
Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. 
The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country.
Our theme music is Dusk by Mr Smith, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License. 
Learn more at penncapital-star.com. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

The Misinformation Season: Election officials push back ahead of midterms

The Week in Focus: August 14, 2026

The race to represent Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District is expected to be one of the closest in the country. Its outcome could determine which party controls the U.S. House.With less than three months until the election, it’s not just Democrats and Republicans making headlines. A little-known Green Party candidate is stoking big controversy.  And <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/election-2026/why-is-the-green-party-trying-to-kick-a-green-party-candidate-off-the-ballot-in-the-pa/">The Pennsylvania Capital-Star's Ian Karbal looked into it</a>.Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country.Our theme music is <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/fever-dreams-1/dusk-1/">Dusk by Mr Smith</a>, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">Attribution 4.0 International License</a>. Learn more at <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/">penncapital-star.com</a>. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

The race to represent Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District is expected to be one of the closest in the country. 
Its outcome could determine which party controls the U.S. House.
With less than three months until the election, it’s not just Democrats and Republicans making headlines. 
A little-known Green Party candidate is stoking big controversy.  
And The Pennsylvania Capital-Star's Ian Karbal looked into it.
Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. 
The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country.
Our theme music is Dusk by Mr Smith, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License. 
Learn more at penncapital-star.com. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

Inside the ballot challenge in Pennsylvania's tight 7th District race

In the vast majority of states, businesses have to file reports every year or two. That includes Pennsylvania, as of 2025, when the law in the commonwealth changed from just once per decade. But it turns out that some of the same legislators who enacted the new rule have not been following it. More than two dozen of them disclosed income or a financial interest in companies that had overdue filings or weren’t registered with the state at all.  Ethan Young, a Pennsylvania Legislative Correspondents Association Intern, broke <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/government-politics/more-than-two-dozen-pa-lawmakers-reported-stakes-in-businesses-with-overdue-filings/">the story </a>and sat down to talk about his reporting. Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country.Our theme music is <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/fever-dreams-1/dusk-1/">Dusk by Mr Smith</a>, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">Attribution 4.0 International License</a>. Learn more at <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/">penncapital-star.com</a>. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

In the vast majority of states, businesses have to file reports every year or two. That includes Pennsylvania, as of 2025, when the law in the commonwealth changed from just once per decade. 
But it turns out that some of the same legislators who enacted the new rule have not been following it. More than two dozen of them disclosed income or a financial interest in companies that had overdue filings or weren’t registered with the state at all.  
Ethan Young, a Pennsylvania Legislative Correspondents Association Intern, broke the story and sat down to talk about his reporting. 
Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. 
The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country.
Our theme music is Dusk by Mr Smith, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License. 
Learn more at penncapital-star.com. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

Follow the filings: Q&A with Ethan Young about Pennsylvania lawmakers' disclosure gaps

Every week, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star recaps our top stories with Natalie Bencivenga's The Week in Focus. Natalie's on vacation, but she'll be back next week to get you caught up on some news you might’ve missed in just a few minutes as you head into your weekend.Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the countryOur theme music is <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/studio-city/americana/">Americana by Mr Smith</a>, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">Attribution 4.0 International License</a>.  Learn more at <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/">penncapital-star.com</a>. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

Every week, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star recaps our top stories with Natalie Bencivenga's The Week in Focus. 
Natalie's on vacation, but she'll be back next week to get you caught up on some news you might’ve missed in just a few minutes as you head into your weekend.
Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. 
The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country
Our theme music is Americana by Mr Smith, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.  
Learn more at penncapital-star.com. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

The Week in Focus returns next week

State law requires the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to document underground mining damages to properties and the environment, and publish its findings every five years. This mandate on DEP took effect in 1994 -- and now, an environmental group is claiming the latest publication has major issues.The Pennsylvania Capital-Star’s Ian Karbal <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/energy-environment/environmental-group-claims-dep-is-falling-behind-reporting-on-underground-mining-damages-in-pa/">asked DEP officials about it</a> and they've defended their approach as robust.Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country.Our theme music is <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/fever-dreams-1/dusk-1/">Dusk by Mr Smith</a>, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">Attribution 4.0 International License</a>. Learn more at <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/">penncapital-star.com</a>. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

State law requires the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to document underground mining damages to properties and the environment, and publish its findings every five years. 
This mandate on DEP took effect in 1994 -- and now, an environmental group is claiming the latest publication has major issues.
The Pennsylvania Capital-Star’s Ian Karbal asked DEP officials about it and they've defended their approach as robust.
Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. 
The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country.
Our theme music is Dusk by Mr Smith, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License. 
Learn more at penncapital-star.com. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

Environmental group says DEP's faltering on tracking underground mining damages

Pennsylvania expects to get nearly $1 billion during a five-year stretch through the federal Rural Health Transformation Plan. Some of that money will go toward launching the state’s Primary Care Medics initiative. The goal is for trained medical professionals to make house calls to triage care. And the hope is that they’ll help extend the reach of doctors in rural communities, where providers are in short supply on top of – and often tied into – other health disparities. The Capital-Star’s Whitney Downard sat down recently to talk about her<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/health-care/primary-care-medics-lessons-from-the-u-s-military-closing-healthcare-gaps-in-rural-pennsylvania/"> reporting on this program</a>. Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country.Our theme music is <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/fever-dreams-1/dusk-1/">Dusk by Mr Smith</a>, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">Attribution 4.0 International License</a>. Learn more at <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/">penncapital-star.com</a>. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

Pennsylvania expects to get nearly $1 billion during a five-year stretch through the federal Rural Health Transformation Plan. 
Some of that money will go toward launching the state’s Primary Care Medics initiative. 
The goal is for trained medical professionals to make house calls to triage care. And the hope is that they’ll help extend the reach of doctors in rural communities, where providers are in short supply on top of – and often tied into – other health disparities. 
The Capital-Star’s Whitney Downard sat down recently to talk about her reporting on this program. 
Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. 
The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country.
Our theme music is Dusk by Mr Smith, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License. 
Learn more at penncapital-star.com. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

Lessons from the military could help close healthcare gaps in rural Pennsylvania

The Week in Focus: July 31, 2026

Pennsylvania lawmakers passed the state budget within a couple weeks after their deadline this year –  a dramatic departure from some other years, including negotiations in 2025 that lasted 135 days.A big factor driving the duration of budget talks seems to be whether an election is coming up – as it is this year for half the state Senate, the entire state House and the Governor’s office.In fact, according to the Capital-Star's analysis of timelines during the past two decades: budgets are not only more likely to be late during non-election years, they also take about three times as long to negotiate. We had more questions and wanted more context. So, we talked to Christopher Nicholas, a longtime Republican strategist and founder of Eagle Consulting, and Berwood Yost, director of the Center for Opinion Research at Franklin &amp; Marshall College. Our conversations have been edited for length and clarity.For more perspectives, including from sitting lawmakers, check out <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/government-politics/why-elections-mean-faster-state-budgets-in-pennsylvania/">this digital story</a>. Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country.Our theme music is <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/fever-dreams-1/dusk-1/">Dusk by Mr Smith</a>, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">Attribution 4.0 International License</a>. Learn more at <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/">penncapital-star.com</a>. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

Pennsylvania lawmakers passed the state budget within a couple weeks after their deadline this year –  a dramatic departure from some other years, including negotiations in 2025 that lasted 135 days.
A big factor driving the duration of budget talks seems to be whether an election is coming up – as it is this year for half the state Senate, the entire state House and the Governor’s office.
In fact, according to the Capital-Star's analysis of timelines during the past two decades: budgets are not only more likely to be late during non-election years, they also take about three times as long to negotiate. 
We had more questions and wanted more context. 
So, we talked to Christopher Nicholas, a longtime Republican strategist and founder of Eagle Consulting, and Berwood Yost, director of the Center for Opinion Research at Franklin & Marshall College. 
Our conversations have been edited for length and clarity.
For more perspectives, including from sitting lawmakers, check out this digital story. 
Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. 
The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country.
Our theme music is Dusk by Mr Smith, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License. 
Learn more at penncapital-star.com. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

Why elections mean faster state budgets in Pennsylvania

This year marks two decades since Pennsylvania independently raised its minimum wage. In 2009, a federal mandate increased it to $7.25 per hour.But state legislative efforts since then to increase it have failed. And this session has been no different.Emily Scolnick talked with some of the lawmakers and workers behind the longtime push in the commonwealth. Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country.Our theme music is <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/fever-dreams-1/dusk-1/">Dusk by Mr Smith</a>, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">Attribution 4.0 International License</a>. Learn more at <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/">penncapital-star.com</a>. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

This year marks two decades since Pennsylvania independently raised its minimum wage. 
In 2009, a federal mandate increased it to $7.25 per hour.
But state legislative efforts since then to increase it have failed. 
And this session has been no different.
Emily Scolnick talked with some of the lawmakers and workers behind the longtime push in the commonwealth. 
Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. 
The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country.
Our theme music is Dusk by Mr Smith, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License. 
Learn more at penncapital-star.com. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

20 years without Pennsylvania raising minimum wage

The Week in Focus: July 24, 2026

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has taken some official steps suggesting the agency's sincere about scrapping its controversial plans to convert two warehouses in Pennsylvania to detention and processing facilities. ICE has rescinded its appeal of state Department of Environmental Protection orders blocking local officials from facilitating water and sewage use at the properties in Upper Bern Township, Berks County, and Tremont Township, Berks County.On the heels of ICE's filing late Wednesday, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration released correspondence from a couple weeks ago in which ICE stated it won’t use the site as detention centers.Both steps are more formal, concrete developments than news reports and statements from officials about the agency scrapping conversion projects at 11 sites around the country – including those in the commonwealth.We’ve covered this issue extensively and turned around an episode to provide context for <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/civil-rights-social-justice/ice-withdraws-appeal-of-pa-environmental-directives-tied-to-warehouse-purchases/">the latest update to the story</a>. Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country.Our theme music is <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/fever-dreams-1/dusk-1/">Dusk by Mr Smith</a>, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">Attribution 4.0 International License</a>. Learn more at <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/">penncapital-star.com</a>. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has taken some official steps suggesting the agency's sincere about scrapping its controversial plans to convert two warehouses in Pennsylvania to detention and processing facilities. 
ICE has rescinded its appeal of state Department of Environmental Protection orders blocking local officials from facilitating water and sewage use at the properties in Upper Bern Township, Berks County, and Tremont Township, Berks County.
On the heels of ICE's filing late Wednesday, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration released correspondence from a couple weeks ago in which ICE stated it won’t use the site as detention centers.
Both steps are more formal, concrete developments than news reports and statements from officials about the agency scrapping conversion projects at 11 sites around the country – including those in the commonwealth.
We’ve covered this issue extensively and turned around an episode to provide context for the latest update to the story. 
Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. 
The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country.
Our theme music is Dusk by Mr Smith, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License. 
Learn more at penncapital-star.com. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

Big Step: ICE quits fight for utility use at Pa. warehouses

Pennsylvania lawmakers passed the state's 2026-27 budget within two weeks of the deadline June 30th. That might be late. But it's closer to on-time than usual in recent decades – including <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/government-politics/every-state-in-the-nation-has-some-form-of-a-budget-in-place-except-pennsylvania-and-michigan/">last year</a>, when the process dragged on for 135 days and Pennsylvania ended up being the last state to adopt a budget.We don’t have to go through that again this summer, although negotiations did conclude with<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/government-politics/pa-lawmakers-hold-weekend-session-to-advance-50-8-billion-spending-plan/"> a bit of a marathon</a> involving late nights and working through the weekend – with Gov. Josh <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/government-politics/50-8-billion-compromise-budget-in-pa-goes-to-gov-shapiro-despite-some-opposition-in-both-parties/">Shapiro signing it</a> on the evening of Sunday, July 12. Now that the dust has settled, the Capital-Star team sat down together to compare notes, talk about future coverage, swap behind-the-scenes stories and more. Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country.Our theme music is <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/fever-dreams-1/dusk-1/">Dusk by Mr Smith</a>, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">Attribution 4.0 International License</a>. Learn more at <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/">penncapital-star.com</a>. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

Pennsylvania lawmakers passed the state's 2026-27 budget within two weeks of the deadline June 30th. 
That might be late. But it's closer to on-time than usual in recent decades – including last year, when the process dragged on for 135 days and Pennsylvania ended up being the last state to adopt a budget.
We don’t have to go through that again this summer, although negotiations did conclude with a bit of a marathon involving late nights and working through the weekend – with Gov. Josh Shapiro signing it on the evening of Sunday, July 12. 
Now that the dust has settled, the Capital-Star team sat down together to compare notes, talk about future coverage, swap behind-the-scenes stories and more. 
Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. 
The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country.
Our theme music is Dusk by Mr Smith, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License. 
Learn more at penncapital-star.com. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

Pa.'s (almost) on-time budget: debrief with the Capital-Star team

Every week, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star recaps our top stories with Natalie Bencivenga's The Week in Focus. It’s a way to get caught up on some news you might’ve missed in just a few minutes as you head into your weekend.Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the countryOur theme music is <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/fever-dreams-1/dusk-1/">Dusk by Mr Smith</a>, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">Attribution 4.0 International License</a>. Learn more at <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/">penncapital-star.com</a>. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

Every week, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star recaps our top stories with Natalie Bencivenga's The Week in Focus. 
It’s a way to get caught up on some news you might’ve missed in just a few minutes as you head into your weekend.
Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. 
The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country
Our theme music is Dusk by Mr Smith, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License. 
Learn more at penncapital-star.com. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

The Week in Focus: July 17, 2026

With Pennsylvania’s state budget through the legislature and signed by the governor last weekend, it’s official: the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is increasing tuition. Emily Scolnick, a 2026 Dow Jones News Fund intern at the Pennsylvania Capital-Star, has <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/briefs/pa-state-system-to-cover-all-tuition-for-eligible-in-state-students/">more details on that as well as a new initiative</a> to mitigate costs for eligible students announced by PASSHE at the same time as next year’s tuition.  Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the countryOur theme music is <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/fever-dreams-1/dusk-1/">Dusk by Mr Smith</a>, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">Attribution 4.0 International License</a>. Learn more at <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/">penncapital-star.com</a>. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

With Pennsylvania’s state budget through the legislature and signed by the governor last weekend, it’s official: the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is increasing tuition. 
Emily Scolnick, a 2026 Dow Jones News Fund intern at the Pennsylvania Capital-Star, has more details on that as well as a new initiative to mitigate costs for eligible students announced by PASSHE at the same time as next year’s tuition.  
Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. 
The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country
Our theme music is Dusk by Mr Smith, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License. 
Learn more at penncapital-star.com. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

Mixed bag: Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education tuition updates

With Immigration and Customs Enforcement pivoting from plans to convert some of its new warehouses to detention facilities, one lingering issue is that local governments have lost millions of dollars in annual revenue because the properties are tax-exempt. Some officials had been pushing for payments in lieu of taxes from the federal government.  But now, it looks like that won’t happen because, as the Pennsylvania Capital-Star’s Emily Previti<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/immigration/future-uncertain-for-pennsylvania-warehouses-after-ice-pivot/"> found out, the sites don't qualify for a PILT or comparable agreement</a>. Emily sat down with the Capital-Star's Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert to talk all about it. Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the countryOur theme music is <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/fever-dreams-1/dusk-1/">Dusk by Mr Smith</a>, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">Attribution 4.0 International License</a>. Learn more at <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/">penncapital-star.com</a>. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

With Immigration and Customs Enforcement pivoting from plans to convert some of its new warehouses to detention facilities, one lingering issue is that local governments have lost millions of dollars in annual revenue because the properties are tax-exempt. 
Some officials had been pushing for payments in lieu of taxes from the federal government.  
But now, it looks like that won’t happen because, as the Pennsylvania Capital-Star’s Emily Previti found out, the sites don't qualify for a PILT or comparable agreement. 
Emily sat down with the Capital-Star's Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert to talk all about it. 
Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. 
The podcast is hosted and produced by the Capital-Star's Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country
Our theme music is Dusk by Mr Smith, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License. 
Learn more at penncapital-star.com. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

The PILT Problem: Q&A with Tim Lambert and Emily Previti

The Week in Focus: July 10, 2026

Hazing is a crime in Pennsylvania. It wasn't always that way, but elected officials changed state law after a Penn State student died in 2017 of injuries he suffered at a fraternity party. Now, the state Attorney General’s Office has used the law for the first time to charge a former Bucknell University football coach in the death of 18-year-old freshman recruit Calvin “C.J.” Dickey Jr. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star's Peter Hall reports athletes later told investigators they were being forced to exercise as a form of punishment when Dickey collapsed. Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. The podcast is hosted and produced by Pennsylvania Capital-Star Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by PCS Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the PCS team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the countryOur theme music is <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/fever-dreams-1/dusk-1/">Dusk by Mr Smith</a>, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">Attribution 4.0 International License</a>. Learn more at <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/">penncapital-star.com</a>. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

Hazing is a crime in Pennsylvania. It wasn't always that way, but elected officials changed state law after a Penn State student died in 2017 of injuries he suffered at a fraternity party. 
Now, the state Attorney General’s Office has used the law for the first time to charge a former Bucknell University football coach in the death of 18-year-old freshman recruit Calvin “C.J.” Dickey Jr. 
The Pennsylvania Capital-Star's Peter Hall reports athletes later told investigators they were being forced to exercise as a form of punishment when Dickey collapsed. 
Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. 
The podcast is hosted and produced by Pennsylvania Capital-Star Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by PCS Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the PCS team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country
Our theme music is Dusk by Mr Smith, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License. 
Learn more at penncapital-star.com. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

Former Pa. college football coach charged with hazing in recruit's death

Data center development recently provoked finger-pointing in the state’s gubernatorial race, with incumbent Democrat Josh Shapiro and challenger Republican state Treasurer Stacy Garrity each accusing the other of flip-flopping on the issue. The Capital-Star’s Ian Karbal did a <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/technology-information/garrity-and-shapiro-have-accused-each-other-of-flip-flopping-on-data-centers-are-they-both-right/">deep dive</a> into that dynamic and sat down to talk about it alongside Peter Hall, who’s done <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/?ep_meta_filter_coauthor_names=Peter%20Hall&amp;s=%22data%20center%22">extensive reporting</a> on data centers (including the photo in this episode badge). Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. The podcast is hosted and produced by Pennsylvania Capital-Star Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by PCS Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the PCS team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the countryOur theme music is <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/fever-dreams-1/dusk-1/">Dusk by Mr Smith</a>, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">Attribution 4.0 International License</a>. Learn more at <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/">penncapital-star.com</a>. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

Data center development recently provoked finger-pointing in the state’s gubernatorial race, with incumbent Democrat Josh Shapiro and challenger Republican state Treasurer Stacy Garrity each accusing the other of flip-flopping on the issue. 
The Capital-Star’s Ian Karbal did a deep dive into that dynamic and sat down to talk about it alongside Peter Hall, who’s done extensive reporting on data centers (including the photo in this episode badge). 
Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. 
The podcast is hosted and produced by Pennsylvania Capital-Star Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by PCS Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes feature the work of Tim, Emily and the rest of the PCS team as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Listeners also can expect content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country
Our theme music is Dusk by Mr Smith, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License. 
Learn more at penncapital-star.com. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

Power vs policy: Data centers Q&A with Ian Karbal and Peter Hall

Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. The podcast is hosted and produced by Pennsylvania Capital-Star Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by PCS Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes are reported by Emily, Tim and their colleagues Peter Hall, Ian Karbal and Whitney Downard. Listeners also will hear content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country, as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. Our theme music is <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/fever-dreams-1/dusk-1/">Dusk by Mr Smith</a>, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">Attribution 4.0 International License</a>. Learn more at <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/">penncapital-star.com</a>. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

Folo PA features Pennsylvania-focused audio journalism that emphasizes context, accountability and community impact. 
The podcast is hosted and produced by Pennsylvania Capital-Star Audio Reporter Emily Previti, with editing by PCS Editor-in-Chief Tim Lambert. Episodes are reported by Emily, Tim and their colleagues Peter Hall, Ian Karbal and Whitney Downard. 
Listeners also will hear content from States Newsroom's Stories from the States podcast and sister outlets across the country, as well as media partners throughout the commonwealth. 
Our theme music is Dusk by Mr Smith, courtesy of the Free Music Archive licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License. 
Learn more at penncapital-star.com. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

Intro: This is Folo PA

As with any reporting project, some information gets left on the cutting room floor. So, what we'd like to do is pull back the curtain a bit on what went into the ICEd Out limited series from Folo PA, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star’s podcast, produced by Emily Previti and edited by Tim Lambert. Tim and Emily's conversation also provides more context for the immigration detention facility proposed in Schuylkill County and how it's landing with the community. Jessica Kourkounis is our photographer for this project. Our music is from the Free Music Archive licensed under an <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">Attribution 4.0 International License</a>. Opening: <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Doctor_Turtle/The_Double-Down_Two-Step/his_last_share_of_the_stars_zeroed/">His Last Share of the Stars by Doctor Turtle</a>. End credits: <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/fever-dreams-1/dusk-1/">Dusk by Mr Smith</a>. If you are new to the Capital-Star, we are a statewide nonprofit news organization that focuses on breaking down how policy decisions in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C., affect Pennsylvanians.Check us out at <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/">penncapital-star.com</a>. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

As with any reporting project, some information gets left on the cutting room floor. 
So, what we'd like to do is pull back the curtain a bit on what went into the ICEd Out limited series from Folo PA, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star’s podcast, produced by Emily Previti and edited by Tim Lambert. 
Tim and Emily's conversation also provides more context for the immigration detention facility proposed in Schuylkill County and how it's landing with the community. 
Jessica Kourkounis is our photographer for this project. 
Our music is from the Free Music Archive licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License. Opening: His Last Share of the Stars by Doctor Turtle. End credits: Dusk by Mr Smith. 
If you are new to the Capital-Star, we are a statewide nonprofit news organization that focuses on breaking down how policy decisions in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C., affect Pennsylvanians.
Check us out at penncapital-star.com. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

ICEd Out, Episode Four: Q&A with Emily Previti and Tim Lambert

Immigration and Customs Enforcement coming into Schuylkill County seems familiar to some people there – and not in a good way. They say it continues a pattern that dates back hundreds of years – to the beginning of the coal mining industry – of outsiders exploiting the community.ICEd Out is a limited series from Folo PA, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star’s podcast, produced by Emily Previti and edited by Tim Lambert. Special thanks to WITF for the use of their studios. Jessica Kourkounis is our photographer for this project. Our music is from the Free Music Archive licensed under an <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">Attribution 4.0 International License</a>. Opening: <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Doctor_Turtle/The_Double-Down_Two-Step/his_last_share_of_the_stars_zeroed/">His Last Share of the Stars by Doctor Turtle</a>. End credits: <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/fever-dreams-1/dusk-1/">Dusk by Mr Smith</a>. If you are new to the Capital-Star, we are a statewide nonprofit news organization that focuses on breaking down how policy decisions in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C., affect Pennsylvanians.Check us out at <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/">penncapital-star.com</a>. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement coming into Schuylkill County seems familiar to some people there – and not in a good way. 
They say it continues a pattern that dates back hundreds of years – to the beginning of the coal mining industry – of outsiders exploiting the community.
ICEd Out is a limited series from Folo PA, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star’s podcast, produced by Emily Previti and edited by Tim Lambert. 
Special thanks to WITF for the use of their studios. 
Jessica Kourkounis is our photographer for this project. 
Our music is from the Free Music Archive licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License. Opening: His Last Share of the Stars by Doctor Turtle. End credits: Dusk by Mr Smith. 
If you are new to the Capital-Star, we are a statewide nonprofit news organization that focuses on breaking down how policy decisions in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C., affect Pennsylvanians.
Check us out at penncapital-star.com. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

ICEd Out, Episode Three: 'Who holds them accountable?'

Those who've been most vocal about the plans for an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Tremont Township agree that the rural area cannot support the operation that the federal government has in mind – and that it will only exacerbate the community’s economic and environmental issues. Others, however, see an opportunity to address them.ICEd Out is a limited series from Folo PA, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star’s podcast, produced by Emily Previti and edited by Tim Lambert. Special thanks to WITF for the use of their studios. Jessica Kourkounis is our photographer for this project. Our music is from the Free Music Archive licensed under an <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">Attribution 4.0 International License</a>. Opening: <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Doctor_Turtle/The_Double-Down_Two-Step/his_last_share_of_the_stars_zeroed/">His Last Share of the Stars by Doctor Turtle</a>. End credits: <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/fever-dreams-1/dusk-1/">Dusk by Mr Smith</a>. If you are new to the Capital-Star, we are a statewide nonprofit news organization that focuses on breaking down how policy decisions in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C., affect Pennsylvanians.Check us out at <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/">penncapital-star.com</a>. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

Those who've been most vocal about the plans for an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Tremont Township agree that the rural area cannot support the operation that the federal government has in mind – and that it will only exacerbate the community’s economic and environmental issues. 
Others, however, see an opportunity to address them.
ICEd Out is a limited series from Folo PA, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star’s podcast, produced by Emily Previti and edited by Tim Lambert. 
Special thanks to WITF for the use of their studios. 
Jessica Kourkounis is our photographer for this project. 
Our music is from the Free Music Archive licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License. Opening: His Last Share of the Stars by Doctor Turtle. End credits: Dusk by Mr Smith. 
If you are new to the Capital-Star, we are a statewide nonprofit news organization that focuses on breaking down how policy decisions in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C., affect Pennsylvanians.
Check us out at penncapital-star.com. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

ICEd Out, Episode Two: 'Couldn't get much worse'

Joyce Wetzel owns the daycare center right next door to the former Big Lots warehouse in Tremont Township, Schuylkill County, poised to become an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility. In trying to navigate the uncertainty she's facing, Joyce - who's been in business for more than four decades and lived in the adjacent borough her entire life - has met mainly indifference from her elected representatives. ICEd Out is a limited series from Folo PA, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star’s podcast, produced by Emily Previti and edited by Tim Lambert. Special thanks to WITF for the use of their studios. Jessica Kourkounis is our photographer for this project. Our music is from the Free Music Archive licensed under an <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">Attribution 4.0 International License</a>. Opening: <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Doctor_Turtle/The_Double-Down_Two-Step/his_last_share_of_the_stars_zeroed/">His Last Share of the Stars by Doctor Turtle</a>. End credits: <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/mr-smith/fever-dreams-1/dusk-1/">Dusk by Mr Smith</a>. If you are new to the Capital-Star, we are a statewide nonprofit news organization that focuses on breaking down how policy decisions in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C., affect Pennsylvanians.Check us out at <a href="https://penncapital-star.com/">penncapital-star.com</a>. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

Joyce Wetzel owns the daycare center right next door to the former Big Lots warehouse in Tremont Township, Schuylkill County, poised to become an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility. In trying to navigate the uncertainty she's facing, Joyce - who's been in business for more than four decades and lived in the adjacent borough her entire life - has met mainly indifference from her elected representatives. 
ICEd Out is a limited series from Folo PA, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star’s podcast, produced by Emily Previti and edited by Tim Lambert. 
Special thanks to WITF for the use of their studios. 
Jessica Kourkounis is our photographer for this project. 
Our music is from the Free Music Archive licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License. Opening: His Last Share of the Stars by Doctor Turtle. End credits: Dusk by Mr Smith. 
If you are new to the Capital-Star, we are a statewide nonprofit news organization that focuses on breaking down how policy decisions in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C., affect Pennsylvanians.
Check us out at penncapital-star.com. You can subscribe to our newsletter, The Morning Guide, there – and support our work.

ICEd Out, Episode One: A community in limbo

Pennsylvania Capital-Star audio reporter Emily Previti introduces this series about the impact on a community poised to host an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility as part of the federal government’s mass deportation initiative.

Pennsylvania Capital-Star audio reporter Emily Previti introduces this series about the impact on a community poised to host an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility as part of the federal government’s mass deportation initiative.