WATCH: A virtual Q&A with Spotlight PA’s new State College bureau

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To further our commitment to using public service journalism to connect and inform communities across Pennsylvania, this summer Spotlight PA launched a regional bureau in State College.

Our team of four covers north-central Pennsylvania, focusing on local government accountability, issues that affect rural communities, and Penn State, one of the state’s largest and most influential institutions.

The bureau already has published a range of stories, from a report on salary data in Centre County to an investigation of water contamination in Benner Township. We also have launched a weekly newsletter, Talk of the Town, that rounds up our coverage, highlights other local reporting, and showcases north-central Pennsylvania’s many communities.

We spent more than a year building the bureau, and part of that work included attending community events, meeting with officials and community members, and coordinating with other newsrooms in the region.

This event was a continuation of those conversations. Watch below to meet the staff of our new bureau, get a behind-the-scenes look at our coverage, and learn how to contact us with feedback or story tips.

Our panelists were:

• Sarah Rafacz, State College editor

• Ashad Hajela, rural affairs reporter

• Wyatt Massey, Penn State investigative reporter

• Min Xian, local accountability reporter

» Spotlight PA’s events operate on a “pay-what-you-can” honor system. If you value this public-service event, pay it forward and contribute any amount to Spotlight PA now so we can keep our programming free for everyone: spotlightpa.org/donate.