Our journalists told a lot of stories in 2023, from emergency responders pleading for help to fact-checking lawmakers.
Here’s a look back at some of the most-read stories of 2023 on WITF’s website.
“Full-scale catastrophe”: Pennsylvania emergency services implore state for urgent help
Emergency responders were asking lawmakers for help with staffing and funding.
The issue is particularly acute at police departments, where fewer people are responding to job postings than they did 30 years ago.
Read the full story.
Where did Central Pa.’s spotted lanternflies go?
A few summers ago, it looked like Central Pennsylvania was experiencing a biblical plague.
However, this past summer, the lanternflies seemed to have disappeared.
Read the full story.
Jenna Ellis, campaign lawyer for Donald Trump and Doug Mastriano, admits her voter fraud claims were false
A disciplinary judge on Colorado’s Supreme Court censured Republican lawyer Jenna Ellis for making false claims about voter fraud during the 2020 election.
Ellis admitted to the court that on social media and in TV appearances, she made several false statements that the 2020 election was stolen.
Ellis served as senior legal advisor to the campaigns of both Pennsylvania state senator Doug Mastriano and former president Donald Trump.
Read the full story.
Pa. House brings severance tax idea back around, raising an old debate in the nation’s 2nd-largest gas producer
The state House passed a resolution directing a nonpartisan committee to study severance tax structures in other major gas-producing states. Some advocates see the recent legislation as a chance to reset the debate.
Pennsylvania is the country’s second-largest gas producer, behind Texas.
Read the full story.
Pennsylvania schools are removing books from libraries. Here’s what the Supreme Court has said about book bans
Book bans were hotly debated this year at school boards across Pennsylvania.
WITF’s Gabriela Martinez looked at how much authority school boards have to remove books, and at what point a removal could violate students’ First Amendment rights.
Read the full story.
What can one person do about climate change? Climate Solutions will help you get started
StateImpact Pennsylvania reporter Rachel McDevitt frequently heard one question from people in a Climate Solutions focus group and at WITF community engagement events: What can I do about climate change?
So, she set out to answer that question in a seven-part video series.
Read the full story.
Rep. Scott Perry “central to planning of Jan. 6,” says former Trump White House aide
Former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson was on WITF program The Spark to discuss her upcoming book and her time working in the White House during the 2020 election.
During the interview, she said, Pennsylvania Congressman Scott Perry played a key role in helping former President Trump craft his plan to stay in office following his 2020 election loss.
Read the full story.
Lebanon County school district won’t allow Addams Family on stage, saying it promotes bad values
A majority of Northern Lebanon school board members did not believe the Addams Family musical embraced the district’s values. The board voted 7-2 not to approve the musical to be performed in 2024.
Read the full story.
Train derailments have increased under Joe Biden, decreased over 50% since 2003
After the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio earlier this year, some misinformation and disinformation started to surface.
U.S Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA 10) recently tweeted that derailments have increased since President Biden and Transportation Secretary Buttigieg took office, which is true – but doesn’t tell the full story.
Read the full story.
Controversial solar project near Gettysburg loses in court again
A massive solar energy project that sparked a backlash in Adams County has lost a second court fight.
The Commonwealth Court marked its decision “precedential” when it upheld a lower court ruling that denied a key permit to the Brookview Solar project in Mount Joy Township, outside Gettysburg.
Read the full story.
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