Centre Access

The News Lab at Penn State
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Centre Access is a weekly recap of news for Centre County's 158,000 residents. We bring you stories from newsrooms across Pennsylvania and right here in Happy Valley, including original News Lab reporting and highlights from local public meetings. This student-run podcast is produced by the News Lab at Penn State and recorded in the Bellisario Media Center. Each episode includes a roundup from Centre Documenters, the first rural and student-run program in the national Documenters network. They attend and document public meetings across Centre County with a focus on Benner, College, Gregg, Halfmoon, Snowshoe, and Spring townships. In season two, new episodes drop every Friday. Subscribe wherever you listen.

  1. 1d ago

    Tracking, Trespassing, and Training

    October 23, 2026 | Season 2, Episode 4 State College asks residents to help shape its Vision Zero plan to end serious and fatal crashes, including a proposed speed cut on Park Avenue. CATA launches a bus tracker that updates every second. The Centre County elk hunt we covered earlier this season takes a turn: the hunter’s guide and caller face trespassing citations. Centre County 911 begins training dispatchers with AI. Skill games go dark across Pennsylvania after lawmakers miss a court deadline. And a new nonprofit, Satellite House, launches to bring multicultural music and arts to State College. 🔗 LINKS TO THIS WEEK’S STORIES AND RESOURCES  State College seeking speed limit reduction on Park Ave — Geoff Rushton, StateCollege.com [link]State College Borough Vision Zero Action Plan — [link]CATA real-time system map — [link]Possible harvest pa elk hunter questioned after two guides cited for alleged trespassing — Anna Licastro, WJAC [link]Gudioes charged with trespassing in Centre County Elk Hunt — Lloyd Rogers, Centre County Gazette [link]Centre County expands AI use with $5K 911 trainee simulator contract — Gary Sinderson, WJAC [link]Centre County to renew contract for AI assisted 911 training, no layoffs coming in future — Tim Durkin, WTAJ [link]The legislature didn't act on skill games by the Supreme Court's deadline. What happnes now? — Stephen Caruso, Spotlight PA [link]New Cultural Non-profit in State College launches — Geoff Rushton, StateCollege.com [link]Satellite House — [link] 📋 CENTRE DOCUMENTERS At Penns Valley, a student representative sat at the school board table for the first time in years and raised concerns about grading, student drivers, and lunch periods. The board also debated how it vets coaches and hired a dental hygienist to bring free screenings to students. The University Area Joint Authority raised its sewer tapping fee for new homes starting in January and approved emergency repairs at its waste receiving building. Full notes from every meeting are at centredocumenters.org.

  2. Oct 16

    Fracking, Floods, and a Four-Year Deal

    Friday, October 16, 2026 (Season 2 | Episode 3) This week on Centre Access:  This week on Centre Access: Pennsylvania environmental advocates push for stricter fracking rules as data center demand grows across the Commonwealth. Penn State announces the closure of 47 low-enrollment degree programs. A State College–area human trafficking ringleader pleads guilty. A deep dive into how Centre County weathers severe storms — and what this winter could bring. The Bellefonte teachers union reaches a tentative four-year agreement, averting a strike. And nearly $1 million in state funding heads to local parks and waterways. 🔗 LINKS TO THIS WEEK’S STORIES Advocates push for tougher fracking rules as data centers spur demand for natural gas, reporting by Marie Cusick, Inside Climate News & Spotlight PA [link]How AI data centers could affect Pennsylvania's water and electric, reporting by Asia Tabb, WITF [link]Penn State to close 47 low-enrollment degree programs, reporting by Bret Pallotto, Centre Daily Times [link]Syracuse University sunsets 93 academic programs, reporting by Samantha Olander, The Daily Orange [link]Higher Education curricula must adapt to the needs of today's student, analysis by Tom Mockaitis, The Hill [link]A looming “enrollment cliff,” reporting by Joe Marcus, NPR [link]Trump Administration addresses plan to cut student loans for some degrees, reporting by Joe Edwards, Newsweek [link]DA: Human trafficking charges to be filed in Centre County case dating back to 90s, reporting by Hayden Thompson and Tim Durkin, WTAJ [link]'It's over:' Victim in Centre County child sex trafficking ring speaks out after guilty plea, reporting by Tim Durkin, WTAJ [link]Bellefonte district, union dispute and path forward after strike authorization, reporting by Matt DiSanto, Centre Daily Times [link]Centre County awarded over $1 million for several infrastructure projects, reporting by Colin Day, WTAJ [link]📋 CENTRE DOCUMENTERSFull notes from public meetings are at centredocumenters.org.No public meetings covered this week. Next week: planning commission meetings at Spring, Halfmoon, College, and Benner townships, plus school board meetings at Penns Valley and State College Area School Districts.

  3. Season 2 Trailer

    Introducing: Centre Access, Season Two

    Centre Access, Season 2! A weekly podcast bringing you a recap of news from Centre County. You can expect to hear from us every Friday morning with 6 stories and a Centre Documenters local government update. Our first and episode will drop in early October. Centre Access serves YOU, the roughly 158,000 residents of Centre County, Pennsylvania — by bringing you the most important news of the week. Powered by The News Lab at Penn State, our podcast also partners with Centre Documenters to deliver the latest from local government meetings each week.  Centre Access is produced by the News Lab at Penn State, recorded in the Bellisario Media Center and supported by the Curt Chandler Storytelling Fund, the Arthur P. Miller Newsroom Fund, and the Hearst Foundations.

  4. Oct 9

    Wages, WHYY, and Walking Tacos

    October 9, 2026 | Season 2, Episode 2 This week on Centre Access: Gov. Josh Shapiro comes to Bald Eagle Area High School to announce $448 million in federal broadband funding, including $29 million for Centre and Mifflin counties. In Harrisburg, Democrats push to raise Pennsylvania’s $7.25 minimum wage to $15 by 2029, and we look at what that means against the cost of living in Centre County. Pennsylvania passes 1,000 measles cases as vaccine exemptions climb. WPSU’s transfer to WHYY is final. A 16-year-old from Aaronsburg will soon take her food truck to a brick-and-mortar café in Millheim. And Way Fruit Farm opens a tasting room for its new hard cider. Links Shapiro announces BEAD broadband funding in Centre County — Bret Pallotto, Centre Daily Times; Geoff Rushton, StateCollege.com [link]  Josh Shapiro Announces $48 Million to Expand Broadband Internet Access Across Pennsylvania [video of event] — Forbes Breaking News [link] ConnectPA BEAD project map — [link]Pennsylvania minimum increase remains stalled in Senate — Macy Markham, Fox43 News.MIT Living Wage Calculator: Centre County — [link]Pennsylvania Dept. of Health Provides Statewide Update on Measles Outbreak as Cases Reach 1,004 in 39 Counties — [link]Pennsylvania Department of Health measles updates — [link]Measles confirmed in Centre and Mifflin counties — Sydney Roach, WPSU [link]Pennsylvania kinderarten vaccine exemptions double as the measles cases rise — Kahlie Wray, James Russell, Mercedes Tresise, and Kakii Kibia, News Lab at Penn State for Spotlight PA [link]Vaccine exemptions in southwestern Pennsylvania — Erin Yudt, Next Generation Newsroom, Point Park University [link]WPSU transfer to WHYY finalized — Carmen Russell-Sluchansky, WHYY [link]Aaronsburg teen opens food truck — Cecile McWilliams, Centre Daily Times [link]Centre County teen plans to expand her business — Isaac Hallock, Centre County Report [link]Way Fruit Farm launches Halfmoon Hard Cider — Facebook post [link]PAM Health rehabilitation center planned near Innovation Park — Jacob Michael, Centre Daily Times [link] Centre Documenters Penns Valley’s school board reviewed the 2025 Pennsylvania Youth Survey, with concerning results on student mental health and alcohol use. The board also discussed a delayed state safety audit and a costly roof replacement. The State College school board heard good news on its bond sale and budget, plus early results of a bullying prevention audit. The College Township Water Authority approved a riparian buffer in Kissinger Meadow and gave conditional approval to an easement for a planned PAM Health rehabilitation center. Thanks to Documenters Anna Allen, Alexandre Dumortier, Jenise Miller, Yoselin Ortiz, Joni-Marie Stuchko, and Kate Wallace. Full notes and meeting audio are at centredocumenters.org.

  5. Oct 2

    Delays, Deadlines, and a Dividing Line

    October 2, 2026 | Season 2, Episode 1 This week on Centre Access: Rock Spring Water Company makes a last-minute pitch to its customers: form a cooperative and keep the system out of Pennsylvania American Water’s hands. In Clearfield County, commissioners vote to extend the Moshannon Valley Processing Center contract for six more months. The trial of two former Penn State football players accused of rape is delayed for a second time. Bellefonte Area School District appoints a new board member as a teachers’ strike deadline nears. A Port Matilda hunter takes what could be a record-breaking elk. And Wawa breaks ground in State College, deep in Sheetz country. Links Troubled rural Pa. water company pitches last-minute idea to keep system in local hands  — Marley Parish, Spotlight PA [link]Clearfield leaders approve 6-month DHS contract extension at Moshannon Valley facility — Emily Marines, WJAC [link]Clearfield County commissioners vote 2-1 to extend Moshannon detention center contract  — Melissa Perez-Carrillo, Spotlight PA [link]Trial of ex-Penn State football players charged with rape will be rescheduled, again — Bret Pallotto, Centre Daily Times [link]Bellefonte school board spot left vacant as member resigns after more than 2 years  — Matt DiSanto, Centre Daily Times [link]Bellefonte school board fills vacancy with new member. Here's what we know — Matt DiSanto, Centre Daily Times [link]Centre County produces potential records bull elk in Pennsylvania— Mark Nale, Outdoor News [link]Wawa to begin construction of a new location downtown State College, set for Oct. 20 — Colin Day, WTAJ [link]Centre Documenters Season 2 will bring weekly roundups of public meetings across Centre County. Nearly two dozen Centre Documenters will cover supervisors, school boards, planning commissions, and water and sewer authorities. New Documenters are in training now and will start covering meetings soon. Follow along at centredocumenters.org and @centredocumenters.

  6. May 9

    Districts, Displacement and a Do-Si-Do

    Saturday, May 9, 2026 (Season 1 | Episode 8) This week on Centre Access: A look at what could come next for the SCI Rockview land after the prison's March closure. Months after a burst pipe at The Maxxen, residents are still displaced and frustrated. A local developer lays out his vision to remake the Nittany Mall. The Pennsylvania House passes a bill that would let PIAA split public and private school playoffs. Centre Gives raises more than $3 million in community impact across 36 hours. And contra dancing returns to State College. Plus, "Documenters on the Bus" continues. This week, how on-time performance shifts township by township. 🔗 LINKS TO THIS WEEK'S STORIES A Centre County Developer Wants to Buy and Revitalize the Nittany Mall. Here’s His Vision for It, reporting by Geoff Rushton, StateCollege.com State College high-rise pipe burst led to long hotel stays, financial stress, residents say, reporting by Halie Kines, Centre Daily TimesPa. House Passes Bill allowing PIAA to Split Public, Private High School Playoffs, reporting by Geoff Rushton, StateCollege.com Pa. House Passes bill allowing PIAA to Split Public, Private Playoffs, reporting by Austin Hertzon, PennLivePa Lawmakers Advance legislation for Potential Overhaul of state's High School Sports Playoff Format, reporting by Tyann Bell, WJAC-TVCentre County DA reviewing dozens of cases after police officer admits to false reports, reporting by Bret Pallotto and Josh Moyer, Centre Daily Times How Centre Foundation Helps Turn Local Generosity Into Lasting Impact, reporting by Elton Hayes, StateCollege.comSwing Your Partner Again: State College’s Contra Dance Scene Is Back, Welcoming Beginners, Families and Musicians, reporting by Karen Dabney, StateCollege.com 📋 CENTRE DOCUMENTERS  This week's roundup is a continuation of "Documenters on the Bus," the joint report from Centre Documenters and the News Lab assessing CATA. Read the full report.If this week's story on the PIAA bill sounded familiar, you'd be right. You're likely recalling two Documenters roundups from earlier in the season when the Penns Valley Area School Board first weighed House Bill 41, with discussion centered on wrestling and basketball and player safety in contact sports, and later approved a formal resolution in support. Centre Access has followed this story from the local level to the state House. Listen back: [February 21, 2026] | [March 20, 2026] 🎁 OTHER RECOMMENDED READING  Centre Gives Pennsylvania House Bill 41,  an act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in interscholastic athletics accountability, providing for playoffs and championships. Read the full text of the bill.

  7. May 2

    Measles, Mental Health, and a Musical

    Saturday, May 2, 2026 (Season 1 | Episode 7) This week on Centre Access, News Lab reporters share their months-long investigation into rising vaccination exemption rates across rural Pennsylvania — and what's behind the return of measles. We also cover Centre County's mixed grades in the American Lung Association's annual air quality report, a $300,000 state grant boosting youth mental health programming at the Jana Marie Foundation, Penn State's plan to cut 49 of its 403 undergraduate programs, a Spring Township police officer's resignation over falsified reports, and a local theatre company staging its first-ever musical in Bellefonte. 🔗 LINKS TO THIS WEEK'S STORIES Almost Half of America’s Kids Are Breathing Toxic Air , reporting by Keerti Gopal, Inside Climate News Takac: $300K boost for Jana Marie Foundation to serve 500 Centre County youth, a press release by Rep. Paul Takac, PA House Democrats Jana Marie Foundation to bolster summer programs, after-school clubs with $300K grant, reporting by Jacob Michael, Centre Daily Times Penn State defends hiring of McKinsey & Company as consultant, reporting by Anne Danahy, WPSUCentre County DA reviewing dozens of cases after police officer admits to false reports, reporting by Bret Pallotto and Josh Moyer, Centre Daily Times American Lung Association's annual 'State of the Air' report shows mixed results for central Pennsylvania, reporting by Anne Danahy, WPSU Dauphin County 1 of only 20 counties in the U.S. to fail air quality study, Tom Lehman, WGAL-8Pa. Commission on Crime and Delinquency grants $300K to Jana Marie Foundation, reporting by NCPA Staff, NorthcentralPA.com  Penn State leaders weigh cutting 12% of academic programs this fall, reporting by Maddie Aiken, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette The Tribune Content Agency, Centre Daily TimesDA: Centre County police officer resigns after allegedly adding false info into reports, reporting by Courtney Raynor, WTAJ Centre County Theater Company to Stage Its First Musical, reporting by SC.com Staff, Statecollege.com 📋 CENTRE DOCUMENTERS  Documenters didn't cover any meetings this week, but we discuss Documenters on the Bus and CATA's response to the full report. 🎁 OTHER RECOMMENDED READING  3 Pa. counties rank among nation’s worst for air pollution, study finds, reporting by Keerti Gopal, SpotlightPA

  8. Apr 25

    Homeless Count, Hunger Strike, and Happy Valley’s Big Weekend

    Saturday, April 25, 2025 (Season 1 | Episode 6) This week on Centre Access: a News Lab team examines how America's official homelessness count falls short, especially in rural communities. Detainees at Pennsylvania's largest immigration detention facility launched a hunger strike over conditions inside. A look at the automated license plate reader cameras quietly rolling out on and around University Park. Happy Valley Casino soft-launches with a public preview over Blue and White weekend, even as community members raise concerns. Fans heading to Beaver Stadium will navigate the major renovation in progress. And hundreds of volunteers turned out for ClearWater Conservancy's Annual Watershed Cleanup Day.  🔗 LINKS TO THIS WEEK'S STORIES ‘Something is fundamentally wrong:’ Detainees start hunger strike at Pa. ICE facility, reporting by Vida Lashgari and Joy Donald, for PennLive After ICE detainees in Pa. went on a hunger strike, officials put them in solitary confinement, reporting by Vida Lashgari, for PennLive Flock cameras on campus raise privacy, transparency concerns, reporting by Jonathon Chiu, Daily Collegian Penn State Piloting License Plate Readers: What to Know About ALPR Cameras on Campus, reporting by Evan Halfen, statecollege.com Happy Valley Casino offering public ‘first look’, while supporting local nonprofits, reporting by Cortney Raynor, WTAJ Letters: ‘Informed Awareness’ About Gambling; Casino’s Compelled Test Day Donations; GT vs. Planned Parenthood, op-eds published on statecollege.comOpinion: There’s Plenty That’s Not ‘Happy’ About Our Valley’s New Casino, op-ed by Bill Horlacher, statecollege.com What to expect in Beaver Stadium for Blue-White practice as construction continues, reporting by Jon Sauber, Centre Daily Times More than 800 volunteers took part in Centre County’s Watershed Cleanup Day. Take a look, reporting by Esteban Marenco, for the Centre Daily Times  📋 CENTRE DOCUMENTERS  Full notes from this week's public meetings are at centredocumenters.org.  This week's meetings:  MEETING  — State College Area School District Board of Directors 🎁 OTHER RECOMMENDED READING  DeFlock map showing Flock’s automated license plate reader cameras in University Park, PA Documenters on the Bus, a Centre Documenters special project report

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About

Centre Access is a weekly recap of news for Centre County's 158,000 residents. We bring you stories from newsrooms across Pennsylvania and right here in Happy Valley, including original News Lab reporting and highlights from local public meetings. This student-run podcast is produced by the News Lab at Penn State and recorded in the Bellisario Media Center. Each episode includes a roundup from Centre Documenters, the first rural and student-run program in the national Documenters network. They attend and document public meetings across Centre County with a focus on Benner, College, Gregg, Halfmoon, Snowshoe, and Spring townships. In season two, new episodes drop every Friday. Subscribe wherever you listen.

Information

  • Creator
    The News Lab at Penn State
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026

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