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.

Episodes

  1. 1D AGO

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. MAR 18

    Introducing: Centre Access

    Centre Access is coming! A weekly podcast bringing you a recap of news from Centre County. You can expect to hear from us every Saturday morning with 6 stories and a Centre Documenters local government update. Our first episode drops Saturday, March 21st. Along with it, we're releasing five pre-season back episodes so you can get a sense of what we bring you each week. 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.

    1 min

  5. MAR 7

    Runways, Renewables, and a Rare Elk Tag

    Saturday, March 7, 2026 (Season 1 | Pre-Season Episode) This week on Centre Access: Penn State moves to sell the State College Regional Airport to the Centre County Airport Authority, a collaborative solar energy project years in the making collapses amid tariffs and shifting economics, Happy Valley Casino launches a paid dealer training program ahead of its spring opening, new details emerge on where more than 1,500 Rockview inmates went after the prison closed, a Snow Shoe woman is arrested after hiding in a State College residence, and a rare Governor's Tag elk hunt draws attention to Pennsylvania's conservation success story. 🔗 LINKS TO THIS WEEK'S STORIES Penn State moves to transfer full ownership of State College Airport — Reporting by Jack Anderson-Jussen, Onward StatePenn State plans to sell State College Regional Airport — Reporting by Geoff Rushton, StateCollege.comBoard approves proposed acquisition of the State College Regional Airport by the Centre County Airport Authority — announcement by Penn State UniversityCentre County's long planned solar project falls apart — Reporting by Jacob Michael, Centre Daily TimesCentre County solar power purchasing project unravels — Reporting by Geoff Rushton, StateCollege.comHappy Valley Casino brings first gambling hub to Centre County — Reporting by Maggie Alderisio, Onward StatePa. Casino launches free dealer school — Reporting by Daniel Urie, PennLiveSCI Rockview inmates dispersed across Pennsylvania after closure — Reporting by Bret Pallotto, Centre Daily TimesWith SCI Rockview and Quehanna Boot Camp closures, effects on mats, staff and communities remain uncertain — Reporting by Sofia Costa Miranda, The News Lab at Penn State for WPSUState College woman arrested after hiding in residence — Reporting by Derek Cestone, WTAJTwo special tags lead to two huge bull elk for Pennsylvania hunters — Reporting by Mark Nale, Outdoor News & Centre Daily Times📋 CENTRE DOCUMENTERS With meeting cancellations, we don't have a Documenters roundup this week — but stay tuned. In two weeks, we'll hear directly from our Documenters about what happens when public meetings get cancelled or changed without much notice, and get an update on the Documenters on the Bus project. Full notes from recent public meetings are available at centredocumenters.org.

    13 min

  6. FEB 28

    Water, Wrestling, and a Welcome Back

    Saturday, February 28, 2026 (Season 1 | Pre-Season Episode) This week on Centre Access: a judge recommends a forced sale of Rock Spring Water Company after years of infrastructure failures, College Township gets ahead of a state bill by updating its zoning ordinance for potential AI data centers, Centre Safe launches its annual Twilight Dinners fundraiser with a $20,000 goal, the People's Choice Festival announces its return to Boalsburg after three years away, inmates transferred following the Rockview closure are being charged to ship their belongings, and Centre County wrestlers make their mark at the District 6 Championships. 🔗 LINKS TO THIS WEEK'S STORIES Judge recommends forced sale of Rock Spring Water Company — Reporting by Marley Parish, Spotlight PACollege Township updates zoning ordinance ahead of potential data centers — Reporting by Jacob Michael, Centre Daily TimesCentre Safe's Twilight Dinners fundraiser aims for $20,000 — from Staff Reports at The Lock Haven ExpressPeople's Choice Festival returns to Boalsburg — Reporting by Lloyd Rogers, Centre County GazetteTransferred Rockview inmates charged to ship personal belongings — Reporting by Sydney Roach, WPSUDistrict 6 Wrestling Championships — Reporting by Ryan Risky, WTAJOfficial Data from the PIAA District 6 Update: If you're interested and more on District 6 wrestlers headed to State watch this After the Whistle episode [6:35]📋 CENTRE DOCUMENTERS Full notes from this week's public meetings are available at centredocumenters.org.

    13 min

  7. FEB 21

    Funding Gaps, Fish, and a Free Clinic

    Saturday, February 21, 2026 (Season 1 | Pre-season Episode)  This week on Centre Access: Pennsylvania's rape crisis centers will see no budget increase under Governor Shapiro's latest proposal — including Centre Safe right here in Centre County; State College Borough Council tables a resolution calling for ICE reform after a heated debate; an immigration judge denies bond for Subu Vedam, the State College man held at Moshannon Valley Processing Center; state officials monitor fish at Benner Spring Hatchery following chemical contamination linked to airport firefighting foam; Centre County PAWS reports a sharp rise in unhoused dogs tied to housing insecurity; and a free pop-up clinic from Remote Area Medical is coming to Bellefonte in March. 🔗 LINKS TO THIS WEEK'S STORIES Pennsylvania rape crisis centers face flat funding — Reporting by Geoff Rushton, StateCollege.comICE concerns prompt Lycoming County residents to form mutual aid networks  — Reporting by Marley Parish, Spotlight PA State College Borough Council tables ICE reform resolution — Reporting by Geoff Rushton, StateCollege.comFederal immigration judge denies Subu Vedam's release, Reporting by Sydney Roach, WPSUPrevious reporting mentioned: Cold case brings Indian community together —  Reporting by Milan Varia, The News LabBenner Spring Fish Hatchery monitored after chemical contamination — Reporting by Gary Sanderson, WJACCentre County PAWS sees rise in unhoused dogs — Reporting by Anne Danahy, WPSURemote Area Medical free clinic coming to Bellefonte March 28–29 — Reporting by Oscar Orellana, WPSUYou can volunteer your times and services to the free clinic by registering here.📋 CENTRE DOCUMENTERS Full notes from this week's public meetings are available at centredocumenters.org.  This week's meetings: State College Area School District board meeting — Penns Valley Area School District board meeting — College Township Planning Commission — University Area Joint Authority —

    13 min

  8. FEB 14

    Appeals, Affordable Housing, and Agricultural Education

    Saturday, February 14, 2026 (Season 1 | Pre-Season Episode) This week on Centre Access: Subramanyam Vedam, the State College man who spent more than four decades in prison on a now-overturned murder conviction, remains in ICE custody as his legal fight shifts to immigration court; a Penn State student is on life support after a hit-and-run in downtown State College; three Centre County townships pool resources to protect 49 affordable housing units in Ferguson Township; Keystone Central School District nears completion of its 2026–2029 comprehensive plan; a psychiatrist and attorney confirmed to Pennsylvania's Board of Pardons draws pushback from clemency advocates; and Bellefonte Area High School alumna Bailey Little earns the American FFA Degree — one of the highest honors in agricultural education. 🔗 LINKS TO THIS WEEK'S STORIES Subu Vedam remains in ICE custody after wrongful conviction overturned — Reporting by Brett Pallotto, Centre Daily TimesUpdate: Pennsylvania man cleared after 43 years denied bail  — Reporting by, The Associated Press & NBCUpdate: He spent 40 years in prison...  — Reporting by Elizabeth Wolfe and Lauren Mascarenhas, CNNPenn State student Sophia Ruscillo on life support after hit-and-run — Reporting by Geoff Rushton, StateCollege.comGoFundMe for Sophia Ruscillo and her familyCentre region townships on 'creative solution' to save affordable units — Reporting by Jacob Michael, Centre Daily Times Townships collaborate to preserve affordable housing in Ferguson Township — Reporting by Centre Daily Times staff with AI summarizationKeystone Central School District finalizes three-year comprehensive plan — Reporting by Laura Jameson, Lock Haven ExpressPennsylvania Senate confirms Dr. John O'Brien II to Board of Pardons — Reporting by Danielle Ohl, SpotlightPABellefonte alumna Bailey Little earns American FFA Degree — Reported by staff at the Lock Haven Express📋 CENTRE DOCUMENTERS Full notes from this week's public meetings are available at centredocumenters.org.  This week's meetings: Gregg Township Board of Supervisors — Documenters on the Bus project launch — 30 CATA Bus routes 🚌

    14 min

Trailer

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
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026