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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Spotlight PA and the Centre Daily Times reviewed 3 years of meeting minutes from Centre County municipalities to determine how involved the public was in filling vacancies on governing boards. -
How much 1 mil in taxes brings a municipality differs widely all over the state. That has serious implications for municipalities’ budgets. -
Herm Suplizio, the suspended city manager of DuBois, has been charged by federal authorities with conspiracy and federal program fraud. -
A 7-month investigation by Spotlight PA found that Herm Suplizio, the suspended DuBois city manager, helped make the city a success story while allegedly stealing from it. -
In Herm Suplizio’s quest to make DuBois, Pa., a destination, state prosecutors allege that he lined his own pockets with hundreds of thousands of public and nonprofit dollars. -
Advocates say allowing Pennsylvania municipalities to outsource management could improve public services while saving taxpayers money. -
Local government officials, whether elected or appointed, shape residents’ lives in a range of ways. Here’s how to become involved in your municipality and what to do when problems arise. -
The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code lays out how land use decisions in local governments are made. -
A year after Tioga hired the police officer who killed Tamir Rice, borough officials who promised changes struggle with persisting issues. -
The mysterious money was apparently stored at a local nonprofit then delivered weeks after former DuBois City Manager Herm Suplizio was arrested on corruption charges.
