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

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

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 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.