Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College
Local Accountability ReporterCentral and northern Pennsylvania is home to vast natural beauty, historic towns with changing economies, and a diverse mix of social-political values. Xian reports on how local governments are run and how public dollars are spent, with a focus on how public and private forces shape ordinary life in this region.
Before joining Spotlight PA, Xian covered local government and rural issues for the region’s NPR affiliate, WPSU. Originally from southern China, she has called State College home since 2013.
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Pamela Hackenburg allegedly used Gregg Township’s credit cards to steal almost $533,000 from local taxpayers. The township’s supervisors never looked at a statement. -
Pamela Hackenburg allegedly stole more than half a million dollars in public funds. She has been charged by State Police with theft, receiving stolen property, identity theft, and access device fraud. -
Pennsylvania — along with its cities, counties, and local governments — have until Dec. 31 to finalize their federal pandemic relief funding. -
The commonwealth and most of its cities, counties, and local governments are on track to obligate about $13 billion in American Rescue Plan Act pandemic relief dollars. -
An intergovernmental cooperation among 10 public agencies to purchase solar power, likely the first of its kind in Pennsylvania, has been embroiled in controversy. -
Bringing a civil lawsuit is one of the few ways Pennsylvanians can force corrective action from municipalities, but it’s often costly and difficult. -
Pennsylvania local governments are designed to be led by ordinary citizens, but finding and keeping the right people to do the job have become challenging for municipalities of all sizes. -
Local officials believe a suspended employee may have stolen more than half a million dollars in public funds. No one has been charged with a crime. -
More than $500,000 in taxpayer money is missing from a Centre County township, and local officials say it might have been misappropriated. -
Pennsylvania township and borough associations want the legislature to let them publish public notices online, but lobbyists for newspapers say voters prefer the status quo.
