Jamie Martines of Spotlight PAWhat I DoI cover the business and politics of Pennsylvania's agriculture industry, natural resources, and rural communities for Spotlight PA. Public database significantly undercounts former drug labs in Pa. Here’s why home buyers, renters should care.A hot housing market has buyers and renters making quick decisions to compete for properties, but in Pennsylvania ensuring those homes are clean from former drug activity is difficult.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA May 12, 2022Link copied to clipboardAs virus surged, few Pa. schools signed up for free COVID-19 testingDespite spikes in coronavirus infections and low child vaccination rates, schools across Pennsylvania have been slow to enroll in a free testing program offered by the state health department.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA Feb. 17, 2022Link copied to clipboardMany Pa. school districts are passing up free coronavirus testing even after a rise in casesOfficials offered different reasons for the lack of participation, including fear of finding too many cases and simply being too overwhelmed by a chaotic start to the academic year.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA Oct. 7, 2021Link copied to clipboardWolf admin unexpectedly pulls the plug on controversial revamp of Pa. safety-net programThe Department of Health did not explain why it abandoned a plan to change who administers a nutrition program for pregnant people and young children.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA and Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA Aug. 24, 2021Link copied to clipboardPa. health officials request $124 million in pandemic-related emergency contracts as GOP calls for oversightIn House and Senate hearings this week state lawmakers pushed for more oversight as health officials doubled down on its needs to secure emergency contracts for contact tracing and COVID-19 tests.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA July 23, 2021Link copied to clipboardAfter contact tracing data breach, Pa. sidesteps scrutiny on new $34M contractState lawmakers are calling into question whether the Department of Health should be jumping into another, more expensive contact tracing contract after a severe data breach with the last company.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA July 2, 2021Link copied to clipboardA stark racial divide on vaccinations leaves many at risk as Pa. reopens As the state eases distancing and mask mandates, health officials are still failing to successfully vaccinate communities that have been disadvantaged from the start.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA May 26, 2021Link copied to clipboardIt’s hard to track the conditions of Pa. schools. Spotlight PA wants your help flagging health hazards.Help us monitor potential health hazards in Pennsylvania schools by filling out a short survey on the condition of your district or building.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA April 7, 2022Link copied to clipboardEverything you need to know to stay COVID-safe during a second pandemic winterHospital officials warn decreased mask use, aggressive COVID-19 variants, and flu infections could worsen Pa.’s rising case rate.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA Dec. 21, 2021Link copied to clipboardPa. school mask lawsuit backed by group that challenged 2020 election resultsRudy Giuliani once described the Amistad Project as a “partner” in the Trump campaign’s legal efforts to overturn the 2020 election. But little else is known about the group or its donors.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA Sept. 9, 2021Link copied to clipboardPa. will hire 100 coronavirus contact tracers to replace 1,000. Experts say it’s not enough.The rapid spread of the delta variant, a slowing vaccination rate, and fewer mitigation efforts in place make contact tracing even more critical.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA Aug. 20, 2021Link copied to clipboardNursing homes to provide more direct care for residents under proposed Pa. ruleThe state currently requires nursing homes to provide residents with 2.7 hours of direct care each day, despite the minimum federal recommendation being much higher.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA and Sarah Anne Hughes of Spotlight PA July 21, 2021Link copied to clipboardFired Pa. contractor seeks to secure contact tracing data after learning personal info still onlineAfter Spotlight PA found that Insight Global, the company handling contact tracing for the state, had not secured its data breach issues, the company called on former and current staff for help.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA June 17, 2021Link copied to clipboardAfter citing privacy law, Pa. backtracks and discloses wasted vaccine detailsJust 0.18% of more than 10 million doses given to hospitals, pharmacies, and other providers through May 21 were discarded.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA May 25, 2021Link copied to clipboardWho makes public health decisions for your community? In Pennsylvania, it depends on where you live.Pennsylvania’s public health system has been the focus of plenty of discussion but little change, even as the pandemic created new challenges for local leaders.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA Feb. 28, 2022Link copied to clipboardPa. mask mandate for public and private schools expected to end in January, Wolf saysGov. Tom Wolf’s update to the school mask mandate comes as vaccinations have expanded to children ages 5-11. The mandate will remain in early learning and child care centers.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA Nov. 10, 2021Link copied to clipboardRepublican leaders reject Wolf’s call to pass school mask mandateFew school districts are requiring masks inside classrooms, something Gov. Tom Wolf said is needed to ensure safety. GOP leaders countered that those decisions are best left to local communities.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA Aug. 26, 2021Link copied to clipboardPa. is trying county fairs, text messages, and door-knocking to raise the vaccination rate. Success is slow coming.Nearly 64% of Pennsylvania adults are fully vaccinated, a small increase compared to July and a worrying plateau as the delta variant surges across the country.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA Aug. 10, 2021Link copied to clipboardPa. requested $340 million in emergency contracts in 2020 with little oversightPennsylvania agencies turned to the emergency procurement process that avoids public scrutiny 483 times last year. In years prior, they made on average 135 requests annually.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA July 19, 2021Link copied to clipboardPersonal data from Pa. contact-tracing calls still online despite assurances it had been securedA spreadsheet of data was still online as of Wednesday, raising questions about whether the company, Insight Global, or the state can be confident they know where all the information might be stored.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA June 9, 2021Link copied to clipboardSee more stories
Public database significantly undercounts former drug labs in Pa. Here’s why home buyers, renters should care.A hot housing market has buyers and renters making quick decisions to compete for properties, but in Pennsylvania ensuring those homes are clean from former drug activity is difficult.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA May 12, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Public database significantly undercounts former drug labs in Pa. Here’s why home buyers, renters should care.A hot housing market has buyers and renters making quick decisions to compete for properties, but in Pennsylvania ensuring those homes are clean from former drug activity is difficult.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA May 12, 2022Link copied to clipboard
As virus surged, few Pa. schools signed up for free COVID-19 testingDespite spikes in coronavirus infections and low child vaccination rates, schools across Pennsylvania have been slow to enroll in a free testing program offered by the state health department.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA Feb. 17, 2022Link copied to clipboard
As virus surged, few Pa. schools signed up for free COVID-19 testingDespite spikes in coronavirus infections and low child vaccination rates, schools across Pennsylvania have been slow to enroll in a free testing program offered by the state health department.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA Feb. 17, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Many Pa. school districts are passing up free coronavirus testing even after a rise in casesOfficials offered different reasons for the lack of participation, including fear of finding too many cases and simply being too overwhelmed by a chaotic start to the academic year.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA Oct. 7, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Many Pa. school districts are passing up free coronavirus testing even after a rise in casesOfficials offered different reasons for the lack of participation, including fear of finding too many cases and simply being too overwhelmed by a chaotic start to the academic year.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA Oct. 7, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Wolf admin unexpectedly pulls the plug on controversial revamp of Pa. safety-net programThe Department of Health did not explain why it abandoned a plan to change who administers a nutrition program for pregnant people and young children.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA and Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA Aug. 24, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Wolf admin unexpectedly pulls the plug on controversial revamp of Pa. safety-net programThe Department of Health did not explain why it abandoned a plan to change who administers a nutrition program for pregnant people and young children.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA and Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA Aug. 24, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Pa. health officials request $124 million in pandemic-related emergency contracts as GOP calls for oversightIn House and Senate hearings this week state lawmakers pushed for more oversight as health officials doubled down on its needs to secure emergency contracts for contact tracing and COVID-19 tests.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA July 23, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Pa. health officials request $124 million in pandemic-related emergency contracts as GOP calls for oversightIn House and Senate hearings this week state lawmakers pushed for more oversight as health officials doubled down on its needs to secure emergency contracts for contact tracing and COVID-19 tests.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA July 23, 2021Link copied to clipboard
After contact tracing data breach, Pa. sidesteps scrutiny on new $34M contractState lawmakers are calling into question whether the Department of Health should be jumping into another, more expensive contact tracing contract after a severe data breach with the last company.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA July 2, 2021Link copied to clipboard
After contact tracing data breach, Pa. sidesteps scrutiny on new $34M contractState lawmakers are calling into question whether the Department of Health should be jumping into another, more expensive contact tracing contract after a severe data breach with the last company.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA July 2, 2021Link copied to clipboard
A stark racial divide on vaccinations leaves many at risk as Pa. reopens As the state eases distancing and mask mandates, health officials are still failing to successfully vaccinate communities that have been disadvantaged from the start.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA May 26, 2021Link copied to clipboard
A stark racial divide on vaccinations leaves many at risk as Pa. reopens As the state eases distancing and mask mandates, health officials are still failing to successfully vaccinate communities that have been disadvantaged from the start.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA May 26, 2021Link copied to clipboard
It’s hard to track the conditions of Pa. schools. Spotlight PA wants your help flagging health hazards.Help us monitor potential health hazards in Pennsylvania schools by filling out a short survey on the condition of your district or building.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA April 7, 2022Link copied to clipboard
It’s hard to track the conditions of Pa. schools. Spotlight PA wants your help flagging health hazards.Help us monitor potential health hazards in Pennsylvania schools by filling out a short survey on the condition of your district or building.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA April 7, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Everything you need to know to stay COVID-safe during a second pandemic winterHospital officials warn decreased mask use, aggressive COVID-19 variants, and flu infections could worsen Pa.’s rising case rate.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA Dec. 21, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Everything you need to know to stay COVID-safe during a second pandemic winterHospital officials warn decreased mask use, aggressive COVID-19 variants, and flu infections could worsen Pa.’s rising case rate.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA Dec. 21, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Pa. school mask lawsuit backed by group that challenged 2020 election resultsRudy Giuliani once described the Amistad Project as a “partner” in the Trump campaign’s legal efforts to overturn the 2020 election. But little else is known about the group or its donors.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA Sept. 9, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Pa. school mask lawsuit backed by group that challenged 2020 election resultsRudy Giuliani once described the Amistad Project as a “partner” in the Trump campaign’s legal efforts to overturn the 2020 election. But little else is known about the group or its donors.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA Sept. 9, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Pa. will hire 100 coronavirus contact tracers to replace 1,000. Experts say it’s not enough.The rapid spread of the delta variant, a slowing vaccination rate, and fewer mitigation efforts in place make contact tracing even more critical.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA Aug. 20, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Pa. will hire 100 coronavirus contact tracers to replace 1,000. Experts say it’s not enough.The rapid spread of the delta variant, a slowing vaccination rate, and fewer mitigation efforts in place make contact tracing even more critical.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA Aug. 20, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Nursing homes to provide more direct care for residents under proposed Pa. ruleThe state currently requires nursing homes to provide residents with 2.7 hours of direct care each day, despite the minimum federal recommendation being much higher.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA and Sarah Anne Hughes of Spotlight PA July 21, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Nursing homes to provide more direct care for residents under proposed Pa. ruleThe state currently requires nursing homes to provide residents with 2.7 hours of direct care each day, despite the minimum federal recommendation being much higher.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA and Sarah Anne Hughes of Spotlight PA July 21, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Fired Pa. contractor seeks to secure contact tracing data after learning personal info still onlineAfter Spotlight PA found that Insight Global, the company handling contact tracing for the state, had not secured its data breach issues, the company called on former and current staff for help.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA June 17, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Fired Pa. contractor seeks to secure contact tracing data after learning personal info still onlineAfter Spotlight PA found that Insight Global, the company handling contact tracing for the state, had not secured its data breach issues, the company called on former and current staff for help.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA June 17, 2021Link copied to clipboard
After citing privacy law, Pa. backtracks and discloses wasted vaccine detailsJust 0.18% of more than 10 million doses given to hospitals, pharmacies, and other providers through May 21 were discarded.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA May 25, 2021Link copied to clipboard
After citing privacy law, Pa. backtracks and discloses wasted vaccine detailsJust 0.18% of more than 10 million doses given to hospitals, pharmacies, and other providers through May 21 were discarded.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA May 25, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Who makes public health decisions for your community? In Pennsylvania, it depends on where you live.Pennsylvania’s public health system has been the focus of plenty of discussion but little change, even as the pandemic created new challenges for local leaders.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA Feb. 28, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Who makes public health decisions for your community? In Pennsylvania, it depends on where you live.Pennsylvania’s public health system has been the focus of plenty of discussion but little change, even as the pandemic created new challenges for local leaders.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA Feb. 28, 2022Link copied to clipboard
Pa. mask mandate for public and private schools expected to end in January, Wolf saysGov. Tom Wolf’s update to the school mask mandate comes as vaccinations have expanded to children ages 5-11. The mandate will remain in early learning and child care centers.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA Nov. 10, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Pa. mask mandate for public and private schools expected to end in January, Wolf saysGov. Tom Wolf’s update to the school mask mandate comes as vaccinations have expanded to children ages 5-11. The mandate will remain in early learning and child care centers.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA Nov. 10, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Republican leaders reject Wolf’s call to pass school mask mandateFew school districts are requiring masks inside classrooms, something Gov. Tom Wolf said is needed to ensure safety. GOP leaders countered that those decisions are best left to local communities.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA Aug. 26, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Republican leaders reject Wolf’s call to pass school mask mandateFew school districts are requiring masks inside classrooms, something Gov. Tom Wolf said is needed to ensure safety. GOP leaders countered that those decisions are best left to local communities.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA Aug. 26, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Pa. is trying county fairs, text messages, and door-knocking to raise the vaccination rate. Success is slow coming.Nearly 64% of Pennsylvania adults are fully vaccinated, a small increase compared to July and a worrying plateau as the delta variant surges across the country.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA Aug. 10, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Pa. is trying county fairs, text messages, and door-knocking to raise the vaccination rate. Success is slow coming.Nearly 64% of Pennsylvania adults are fully vaccinated, a small increase compared to July and a worrying plateau as the delta variant surges across the country.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA Aug. 10, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Pa. requested $340 million in emergency contracts in 2020 with little oversightPennsylvania agencies turned to the emergency procurement process that avoids public scrutiny 483 times last year. In years prior, they made on average 135 requests annually.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA July 19, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Pa. requested $340 million in emergency contracts in 2020 with little oversightPennsylvania agencies turned to the emergency procurement process that avoids public scrutiny 483 times last year. In years prior, they made on average 135 requests annually.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA July 19, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Personal data from Pa. contact-tracing calls still online despite assurances it had been securedA spreadsheet of data was still online as of Wednesday, raising questions about whether the company, Insight Global, or the state can be confident they know where all the information might be stored.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA June 9, 2021Link copied to clipboard
Personal data from Pa. contact-tracing calls still online despite assurances it had been securedA spreadsheet of data was still online as of Wednesday, raising questions about whether the company, Insight Global, or the state can be confident they know where all the information might be stored.Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA June 9, 2021Link copied to clipboard