Spotlight PA
@spotlightpa.org
Official account for spotlightpa.org.
Activists worry Trump will send ICE to disrupt 2026 midterms. Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta has a bill to ban federal agents at Pa. polls. https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/midterm-2026-ice-law-enforcement-polls-bill-kenyatta-pennsylvania-elections/
October 6, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Activists worry Trump will send ICE to disrupt 2026 midterms. Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta has a bill to ban federal agents at Pa. polls. https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/midterm-2026-ice-law-enforcement-polls-bill-kenyatta-pennsylvania-elections/
Carlos Moreno says Cambria County Prison ignored his requests for his hearing aids and cane. At home in Schuylkill County, his growing family suffered.
https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/pennsylvania-ice-immigration-detention-conditions-family-justice-system/
https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/pennsylvania-ice-immigration-detention-conditions-family-justice-system/
October 6, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Carlos Moreno says Cambria County Prison ignored his requests for his hearing aids and cane. At home in Schuylkill County, his growing family suffered.
https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/pennsylvania-ice-immigration-detention-conditions-family-justice-system/
https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/pennsylvania-ice-immigration-detention-conditions-family-justice-system/
ICE detained a disabled dad after a noise complaint. A county jail let him languish, he says.
https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/pennsylvania-ice-immigration-detention-conditions-family-justice-system/
https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/pennsylvania-ice-immigration-detention-conditions-family-justice-system/
October 6, 2026 at 11:00 AM
ICE detained a disabled dad after a noise complaint. A county jail let him languish, he says.
https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/pennsylvania-ice-immigration-detention-conditions-family-justice-system/
https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/pennsylvania-ice-immigration-detention-conditions-family-justice-system/
Pennsylvania voting advocates are preparing for ICE to disrupt the 2026 election https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/midterm-2026-ice-law-enforcement-polls-bill-kenyatta-pennsylvania-elections/
October 6, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Pennsylvania voting advocates are preparing for ICE to disrupt the 2026 election https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/midterm-2026-ice-law-enforcement-polls-bill-kenyatta-pennsylvania-elections/
Meta settlement could spark battle over who controls the money, how it’s spent https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/pennsylvania-meta-settlement-political-fight-control-dave-sunday-capitol/
October 5, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Meta settlement could spark battle over who controls the money, how it’s spent https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/pennsylvania-meta-settlement-political-fight-control-dave-sunday-capitol/
Su guía de voto por correo para las elecciones generales 2026 en Pensilvania:
https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/pensilvania-elecciones-generales-2026-votar-correo-como-llenar-espanol/
https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/pensilvania-elecciones-generales-2026-votar-correo-como-llenar-espanol/
October 5, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Su guía de voto por correo para las elecciones generales 2026 en Pensilvania:
https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/pensilvania-elecciones-generales-2026-votar-correo-como-llenar-espanol/
https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/pensilvania-elecciones-generales-2026-votar-correo-como-llenar-espanol/
Here’s everything you need to know about voting by mail in Pennsylvania:
https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/pennsylvania-general-election-2026-mail-ballot-how-to-request-fill-out-return-elections/
https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/pennsylvania-general-election-2026-mail-ballot-how-to-request-fill-out-return-elections/
October 5, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Here’s everything you need to know about voting by mail in Pennsylvania:
https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/pennsylvania-general-election-2026-mail-ballot-how-to-request-fill-out-return-elections/
https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/pennsylvania-general-election-2026-mail-ballot-how-to-request-fill-out-return-elections/
Making sense of ‘central Pa.,’ the region we love to debate and claim
https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/central-pennsylvania-history-borders-harrisburg-centre-county-vernacular-regions-pennsylvania-local/
https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/central-pennsylvania-history-borders-harrisburg-centre-county-vernacular-regions-pennsylvania-local/
The many contested borders, communities, and counties of ‘central Pa.’
Central Pennsylvania’s nebulous definition can make efforts to talk about the region confusing — and occasionally contentious.
www.spotlightpa.org
October 5, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Making sense of ‘central Pa.,’ the region we love to debate and claim
https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/central-pennsylvania-history-borders-harrisburg-centre-county-vernacular-regions-pennsylvania-local/
https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/central-pennsylvania-history-borders-harrisburg-centre-county-vernacular-regions-pennsylvania-local/
Pensilvania tiene voto por correo universal. Aprenda todo lo que necesita saber sobre el proceso antes de las elecciones generales del 3 de noviembre.
https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/pensilvania-elecciones-generales-2026-votar-correo-como-llenar-espanol/
https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/pensilvania-elecciones-generales-2026-votar-correo-como-llenar-espanol/
October 5, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Pensilvania tiene voto por correo universal. Aprenda todo lo que necesita saber sobre el proceso antes de las elecciones generales del 3 de noviembre.
https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/pensilvania-elecciones-generales-2026-votar-correo-como-llenar-espanol/
https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/pensilvania-elecciones-generales-2026-votar-correo-como-llenar-espanol/
Pennsylvania has universal no-excuse mail voting. Here’s everything you need to know about the process ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/pennsylvania-general-election-2026-mail-ballot-how-to-request-fill-out-return-elections/
https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/pennsylvania-general-election-2026-mail-ballot-how-to-request-fill-out-return-elections/
October 5, 2026 at 12:01 PM
Pennsylvania has universal no-excuse mail voting. Here’s everything you need to know about the process ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/pennsylvania-general-election-2026-mail-ballot-how-to-request-fill-out-return-elections/
https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/pennsylvania-general-election-2026-mail-ballot-how-to-request-fill-out-return-elections/
Pa. is getting at least $516M from a Meta settlement. It could spark a political fight. https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/pennsylvania-meta-settlement-political-fight-control-dave-sunday-capitol/
October 5, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Pa. is getting at least $516M from a Meta settlement. It could spark a political fight. https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/10/pennsylvania-meta-settlement-political-fight-control-dave-sunday-capitol/
Last panel Ideas Fest :"From Scroll to Follow: How to Build an Audience on Social Media" Alexa Freyman, of Berksiana (formerly Berks Nostalgia) https://www.facebook.com/Berksiana
Anthony Matz, Berks County Views https://www.facebook.com/BerksCountyViews
Anthony Matz, Berks County Views https://www.facebook.com/BerksCountyViews
October 3, 2026 at 6:46 PM
Last panel Ideas Fest :"From Scroll to Follow: How to Build an Audience on Social Media" Alexa Freyman, of Berksiana (formerly Berks Nostalgia) https://www.facebook.com/Berksiana
Anthony Matz, Berks County Views https://www.facebook.com/BerksCountyViews
Anthony Matz, Berks County Views https://www.facebook.com/BerksCountyViews
From the Spotlight PA Ideas Fest panel on "Green Space for All: Lessons from Pennsylvania Communities:" In a city that experiences flooding like Reading, urban gardens are "first and foremost" water management infrastructure, city sustainability manager Bethany Ayers Fisher.
October 3, 2026 at 5:55 PM
From the Spotlight PA Ideas Fest panel on "Green Space for All: Lessons from Pennsylvania Communities:" In a city that experiences flooding like Reading, urban gardens are "first and foremost" water management infrastructure, city sustainability manager Bethany Ayers Fisher.
“There is no end game right now. It is how do we manage it together in the best way possible,” Dan Cody says, because there are an estimated 30-40 million community cats, and only about 2% are spayed or neutered. #BerksIdeasFest
October 3, 2026 at 4:48 PM
“There is no end game right now. It is how do we manage it together in the best way possible,” Dan Cody says, because there are an estimated 30-40 million community cats, and only about 2% are spayed or neutered. #BerksIdeasFest
Unlike other states, PA does not have government operated animal shelters, Steven Martinez says. Municipalities do not have to sign contracts with the nonprofit shelters, which can impact their income and ability to operate, he adds. #BerksIdeasFest
October 3, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Unlike other states, PA does not have government operated animal shelters, Steven Martinez says. Municipalities do not have to sign contracts with the nonprofit shelters, which can impact their income and ability to operate, he adds. #BerksIdeasFest
“Cats are going to be in the community, whether we like it or not,” Steven Martinez says. But, he says it’s important to decide how communities will approach them and limit harm. #BerksIdeasFest
October 3, 2026 at 4:24 PM
“Cats are going to be in the community, whether we like it or not,” Steven Martinez says. But, he says it’s important to decide how communities will approach them and limit harm. #BerksIdeasFest
The Titus Development data center is planned to take up about 50 acres, but the setbacks are “meaningless” in its case because the closest residential neighbors are about a mile away, Joe D’Ascenzo says, so it will be in compliance. #BerksIdeasFest
October 3, 2026 at 3:45 PM
The Titus Development data center is planned to take up about 50 acres, but the setbacks are “meaningless” in its case because the closest residential neighbors are about a mile away, Joe D’Ascenzo says, so it will be in compliance. #BerksIdeasFest
Thousands of people will be employed to build the data center, but there will be fewer employees when it’s built, D’Ascenzo says of the Titus Development center. He tells attendees he cannot discuss who will be the final user of the center if it is completed. #BerksIdeasFest
October 3, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Thousands of people will be employed to build the data center, but there will be fewer employees when it’s built, D’Ascenzo says of the Titus Development center. He tells attendees he cannot discuss who will be the final user of the center if it is completed. #BerksIdeasFest
Muth says there aren’t many state resources for how to handle data centers, but Showers says Berks County has advice planning documents that can help municipalities plan. #BerksIdeasFest
October 3, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Muth says there aren’t many state resources for how to handle data centers, but Showers says Berks County has advice planning documents that can help municipalities plan. #BerksIdeasFest
Ashley Showers, of the Berks County Planning Commission, says that vacant warehouses could be redeveloped to data centers — but they have to go through the permitting process. #BerksIdeasFest
October 3, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Ashley Showers, of the Berks County Planning Commission, says that vacant warehouses could be redeveloped to data centers — but they have to go through the permitting process. #BerksIdeasFest
“It’s not about (data) storage. It’s about processing,” says Joe D’Ascenzo. He adds that the Amazon purchases we make, the searches we do, all go through data centers. The technology varies. #BerksIdeasFest
October 3, 2026 at 3:07 PM
“It’s not about (data) storage. It’s about processing,” says Joe D’Ascenzo. He adds that the Amazon purchases we make, the searches we do, all go through data centers. The technology varies. #BerksIdeasFest
Technology is continually changing which affects how big data centers need to be related to the amount of energy they use. Panel experts say that makes it hard to conceptualize how much space a data center may take up. #BerksIdeasFest
October 3, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Technology is continually changing which affects how big data centers need to be related to the amount of energy they use. Panel experts say that makes it hard to conceptualize how much space a data center may take up. #BerksIdeasFest
Set back requirements (distance from other buildings) mean that only smaller data centers could be possible in Reading, Wayne Jonas Bealer says. #BerksIdeasFest
October 3, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Set back requirements (distance from other buildings) mean that only smaller data centers could be possible in Reading, Wayne Jonas Bealer says. #BerksIdeasFest
Wayne Jonas Bealer, with the Reading Planning Commission, kicks us off by talking about the City Council’s 180-day moratorium on data center development to allow for time to enact a zoning ordinance. He says they expect a tight deadline because of how complicated the issue is. #BerksIdeasFest
October 3, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Wayne Jonas Bealer, with the Reading Planning Commission, kicks us off by talking about the City Council’s 180-day moratorium on data center development to allow for time to enact a zoning ordinance. He says they expect a tight deadline because of how complicated the issue is. #BerksIdeasFest
Data Centers: What’s coming, what’s at stake. Live at the Goggleworks Boscov Theater right now and available later on BCTV and our YouTube page.
October 3, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Data Centers: What’s coming, what’s at stake. Live at the Goggleworks Boscov Theater right now and available later on BCTV and our YouTube page.