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. New episodes drop every Saturday. Subscribe wherever you listen.

  1. 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.

    19 min

  2. 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

    18 min

  3. 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

    20 min

  4. Apr 18

    Taxes, Transparency, and the Governor in Happy Valley

    Saturday, April 18, 2026 | (Season 1, Episode 5) This week on Centre Access: the State College and Bellefonte school districts propose tax increases for 2026–27, with officials pointing to rising personnel and special education costs. Governor Josh Shapiro stops in State College and takes questions on data center development and the state's maternal healthcare crisis. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court orders Penn State to release trustee retreat and board records, ending a years-long transparency fight with Spotlight PA. Police charge a Lock Haven man in the February crash that critically injured Penn State student Sophia Ruscillo. Hollidaysburg Borough Council reaches a compromise on honoring the Slinky alongside its historic canal basin exhibits. And USA Today names State College the best small college town in America. 🔗 LINKS TO THIS WEEK'S STORIES Another tax increase planned for State College’s district. What’s in the budget?, reporting by Matt DiSanto, Centre Daily Times Bellefonte’s district eyes another tax hike. How much could it cost homeowners?, reporting by Matt DiSanto, Centre Daily Times BASD gives first look at preliminary budget; Tax increase projected at about 2.5%, reporting by Hunter Smith, The Lock Haven ExpressSCASD Planning 3.5% tax increase in 2026-2027, by Geoff Rushton, StateCollege.comHigh court rejects Penn State’s bid to keep trustee records hidden from public, Spotlight PA, reporting by SpotlightPA Staff, SpotlightPAPennsylvania Governor Says Legalizing Marijuana Will Raise Revenue To Support Kids And Public Safety Programs, reporting by Tom Angell, Marijuana Moment With Trump budget cuts, Pa. could lose millions used to help people pay heating bills, reporting by Zack Hoopes, Penn Live Gov. Josh Shapiro rallies Centre County Democrats ahead of 2026 midterms, reporting by Sydney Roach, WPSU Happy Valley Hannah's sit-down with Governor Shapiro, cross-posted with JoshShapiroPA on Instagram New Slinky museum in Hollidaysburg will share space with canal basin exhibits at historic home, reporting by Sydney Roach, WPSU Man charged after State College crash that seriously injured a Penn State student, reporting by Bret Pallotto, Centre Daily TimesScholarly retreats: 10 best small college town's in the US (2026 Reader's Choice Awards), USA TodayState College Named America’s Best Small College Town by USA Today, reporting by Geoff Rushton, StateCollege.com 📋 CENTRE DOCUMENTERS  Full notes from public meetings are at centredocumenters.org.  This week's meetings:  MEETING  — Board Meeting, University Area Joint AuthorityMEETING  — Regular Meeting, College Township Council MEETING  — Regular Meeting, Halfmoon Board of Supervisors — Cancelled 🎁 OTHER RECOMMENDED READING  Man Charged in Hit and Run Crash That Left Penn State Student With Life-Threatening Injuries, reporting by Geoff Rushton, StateCollege.com KCSD faces $3.5 million deficit as it shapes 2026-2027 budget, Laura Jameson, Lock Haven Express (Paywall)Bellefonte Area School District Budget information State College Area School District 2026-2027 Budget Development💰SOPHIA RUSCILLO GOFUNDME Prayers and Support for Sophia's Recovery: https://gofund.me/214f1ab24

    18 min

  5. Apr 11

    Corridors, Courts, and Caturday

    Saturday, April 11, 2026 (Season 1 | Episode 4) This week on Centre Access: escalating tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran drove up gas and fertilizer costs affecting Pennsylvania farmers and consumers, Millheim residents near Bellefonte continue to deal with a weeks-long boil water advisory as officials work to repair aging infrastructure, business owners at the Nittany Mall are hopeful the upcoming Happy Valley Casino will revive foot traffic and economic activity, a local cat from the Centre County Library has become a social media sensation boosting community engagement and fundraising efforts, community members packed a public hearing to debate PennDOT's proposed $1 billion Route 322 connector project and its impact on local businesses and the environment, and a federal judge granted State College exoneree Subu Vedam relief from deportation after more than four decades of wrongful incarceration.  🔗 LINKS TO THIS WEEK'S STORIES ‘Up in the air.’ Iran war price hikes stretch Centre County farmers thin, reporting by Trebor Maitin, Centre Daily Times After 6 Weeks, End of Millheim Boil Water Advisory Is ‘on the Horizon,’ Borough Official Says, reporting by Geoff Rushton, StateCollege.com What's left in the Nittany Mall? Happy Valley Casino signals hope for some, reporting by Trebor Maitin, Centre Daily Times Purr-fect plan: fabulous felines garner attention for Centre County Library, reporting by Colette Costlow, Altoona Mirror 📋 CENTRE DOCUMENTERS  Full notes from this week's public meetings are at centredocumenters.org.  This week's meetings:  MEETING  — Spring Township Board of SupervisorsMEETING  — Gregg Township Planning CommissionMEETING  — Benner Township SupervisorsMEETING  — State College Area School District Board of DirectorsMEETING  — College Township Planning CommissionMEETING  — Gregg Township Board of SupervisorsMEETING  — Benner Township Planning Commission 🎁 OTHER RECOMMENDED READING  Residents voice concerns about State College Area Connector at PennDOT hearing, reporting by Anne Danahy, WPSU Oil plunges on Iran ceasefire news, setting the stage for some relief on gas prices, reporting by Steve Kopack, NBC News The Strait of Hormuz is not open as Iran controls access after ceasefire, UAE oil CEO says, reporting by Spencer Kimball, CNBC Diesel prices continue to climb, hitting Pa. wallets, reporting by Whitney Downard, Pennsylvania Capital Star a site exclusively chronicling Subu Vedam's case, Free SubuSubu Vedam wins bid to stay in US, walk free for first time since 1982, reported by Bret Pallotto, Centre Daily TimesJudge Rules Subu Vedam Can Remain in U.S., Overturns Deportation Order, reporting by Geoff Rushton, StateCollege.com 🚧 CONNECTOR ROUTE PUBLIC COMMENTS.You can add your comments here for PennDOT.

    22 min

  6. Apr 4

    Routes, Rallies, and Regional Eats

    Saturday, April 4, 2026 (Season 1 | Episode 3) This week on Centre Access: This week on Centre Access, we have an exclusive preview of a Centre Documenters and News Lab CATAbus report. We also cover a deadly house fire in Spring Township, the sentencing of a Centre County preschool teacher convicted of child endangerment, thousands turning out for the 'No Kings' Day protest in State College, a third ICE-related arrest near the Centre County Courthouse, and a look at the community-built maps helping Pennsylvanians find the state's best fish fries and hot dogs. 🔗 LINKS TO THIS WEEK'S STORIES CATA efficiency survey reveals shortcomings, reporting by Jack Rachinsky, Centre County ReportEven more of Pa.’s broadband funding will go to satellite after last-minute cost-cutting, reporting by Charlotte Keith, Spotlight PAFormer Centre County teacher gets jail time, probation for abusing multiple preschoolers, reporting by WJAC staff/Gary Sinderson, WJACPast reporting -- Police: Former Centre County accused of physically, verbally abusing preschoolers, reporting by WJAC‘No Kings’ Protest Planned in State College, reporting by Geoff Rushton, StateCollege.com'No Kings' rallies draw crowds across Europe, US, including PA, reporting by the Associated PressState College Police Not Involved With ICE Arrest in College Township, Department Says, reporting by Geoff Rushton, StateCollege.comMeet the voracious food mappers trying to make it easier to find Pa.’s best eats, reporting by Asha Prihar, Spotlight PA 📋 CENTRE DOCUMENTERS  Full notes from this week's public meetings are at centredocumenters.org.  This week's meeting: College Township Water Authority Two meetings to pay attention to next week: SCASD school board meeting -- Monday, April 6State College Area Connector public meeting -- Tuesday, April 7  🎁 OTHER RECOMMENDED READING  What to know before the next public hearing on the State College Connector Project, reporting by Bret Pallotto, Centre Daily TimesPennDot website on the Connector.

    19 min

  7. Mar 28

    Weed, Waters, and Sunshine

    Saturday, March 28, 2026 (Season 1 | Episode 2) This week on Centre Access: Pennsylvania debates legalizing marijuana and the hundreds of millions it could bring in. AI is showing up in political campaigns in ways that might surprise you. Trout season is almost here, and there are new spots to fish in Centre County. Local groups want a say in what happens to Rockview's 5,700 acres. We check in on ICE deployments at Pennsylvania airports — including right here in State College. And nearly 40 dogs got a second chance. Plus, our Documenters had a dramatic week at the township meetings — and you'll want to hear what they found.🔗 LINKS TO THIS WEEK'S STORIES Shapiro projects $729M if pot made legal, but no agreement on framework, reporting by Ford Turner, Centre Daily Times States Collected Nearly $25 Billion from Legal Adult-Use Cannabis Sales, reporting by Violet Cavendish, MPP Cannabis Facts and Stats, CDC Shapiro parodies and chatbot phone banks — how AI is popping up in Pa. elections, reporting by Kate Huangpu, Spotlight PA Afield: Trout season is almost here. See where stocking happens in Centre County, reporting by Mark Nale, Centre Daily TimesCentre County groups call for public role in shaping the future of Rockview’s land, reporting by Bret Pallotto, Centre Daily Times Has ICE been deployed to PA airports? What to know on security in State College, beyond, reporting by Trebor Maitin, Centre Daily TimesAlmost 40 dogs rescued from emergency situation in Centre County, reporting by Anna Licastro, 6 WJAC Centre County PAWS Caring for Dozens of Dogs Removed From Home Following Humane Investigation, Geoff Rushton, StateCollege.comEmergency Dog Intake at Centre County Paws After Humane Investigation, The Lockhaven Express 📋 CENTRE DOCUMENTERS  Full notes from this week's public meetings are at centredocumenters.org.  This week's meetings:  Spring Township Water Authority — Benner Township Planning Commission — cancelled☀️ OTHER RECOMMENDED READING — resources on local government transparency Pennsylvania's Sunshine Act (Open Meetings Law), PA Office of Open Records A Guide to Pennsylvania's Sunshine Act, PA News Media AssociationImportant Sunshine Act Update: PA Supreme Court Reverses Commonwealth Court on Act 65 Meeting Agendas, The Pennsylvania State Association of BoroughsPA Supreme Court eases 24 hour notice rule for local officials, angering transparency advocates, WESA

    16 min

  8. Mar 21

    Broadband, Budget Models, and a Barbershop

    Saturday, March 21, 2025 (Season 1 | Episode 1) This week on Centre Access: a bureaucratic snag threatens Pennsylvania's $700 million broadband plan, Penn State's president faces lawmakers over campus closures, ICE operations stir tension in Bellefonte, a new University of Pittsburgh initiative takes on the rural dental care shortage, a Millheim barber shop marks 75 years, and a roundup of what's still ahead for Women's History Month at Penn State.  🔗 LINKS TO THIS WEEK'S STORIES Pennsylvania's broadband plan hits a snag, reporting by Charlotte Keith, SpotlightPAPenn State president faces lawmakers over campus closures, reporting by Geoff Rushton, StateCollege.comRecollections May Vary: Penn State President Bendapudi Goes to Harrisburg, opinion by Barry Fenchak SubstackCommunity members protest ICE reporting/photography, reporting Geraldine Cruz-Hernandez, The Daily Collegian ICE protest in downtown Bellefonte, reporting by Jacob Michael & photography Esteban Marenco, Centre Daily Times University of Pittsburgh launches rural dental training centers, reporting by Marley Parish, Spotlight PANew Pitt centers will aim to address rural dental needs, reporting by Maddie Aiken, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Keene's Barber Shop marks 75 years, reporting by Julie Noal, Centre Centre County Gazette 📋 CENTRE DOCUMENTERS Full notes from this week's public meetings are at centredocumenters.org.  This week's meetings:  Spring Township Planning Commission meeting — cancelledState College Area School District board meeting —Penns Valley Area School District board meeting —College Township Planning Commission —University Area Joint Authority —🎁 OTHER RECOMMENDED READING The AI boom has plunged a small Pennsylvania town into chaos Reporting by Rebecca Egan McCarthy, Grist

    15 min
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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. New episodes drop every Saturday. Subscribe wherever you listen.

Information

  • Creator
    The News Lab at Penn State
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026

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