Supporting local news media organizations in the commonwealth for over 100 years | | From left, seated, Dominic Frye, Tammy Schuey and Andrew Woods, standing, Tracy Leturgey, Jill Zoria and Keith Graham of The Butler Eagle. | | |
Action needed: Verify your PNA directory information by Nov. 13
We’re preparing the 2027 PNA Member Directory and need your help. Check your email for a request to verify your organization’s contact information and add any key personnel.
Please respond by Friday, Nov. 13, even if no changes are needed. Your timely response helps keep this essential resource accurate and up to date.
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Executive editor Fabregas adds VP to title
TribLive
Luis Fabregas, a longtime award-winning journalist who has served as the Trib’s top editor for the past five years, has been elevated to vice president and executive editor of Trib Total Media.
“Luis’ knowledge, sincerity and pride in his colleagues have helped people understand the value of supporting local journalism,” said Jennifer Bertetto, Trib Total Media president and CEO. “Luis cares deeply about getting the journalism right and ensuring we continue to earn our readers’ trust.”
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Spotlight PA promotes Katie Meyer to assistant managing editor, state government
Spotlight PA has promoted Katie Meyer to assistant managing editor, state government, reinforcing the nonprofit newsroom’s commitment to in-depth coverage of Pennsylvania state government. In her previous role as a lead editor, Meyer combined reporting and editorial leadership with a deep understanding of how government works, helping distinguish Spotlight PA’s coverage by identifying the issues that matter most to Pennsylvanians. In her new role, she will help guide the newsroom’s state government coverage and develop new approaches to serving readers through its reporting.
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The House and Senate recessed for the election.
The House is scheduled to return on Nov. 9 and the Senate, Nov.17. The 2025-26 legislative session ends Nov. 30.
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Pennsylvania has two new transparency laws
Gov. Josh Shapiro on Thursday signed into law SB 1150 and SB 806 that will enhance transparency in government meetings and advertisements.
SB 1150, now Act 103 of 2026, closes a loophole created by a state Supreme Court decision in Coleman v. Parkland School District that allowed government agencies to add any matter to a meeting agenda without any prior notice by a majority vote of the board. The new law limits last-minute changes to emergencies and de-minimis matters.
SB 806, now Act 99 of 2026, prohibits advertiser from creating and disseminating artificial intelligence-generated content that creates a false consumer perception about the nature, origin or authenticity of goods or services being advertised without a clear and conspicuous disclosure.
Both laws take effect on Dec. 21.
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Lawmaker wants to cap municipal property tax hikes
Rep. Zachary Mako (R-Lehigh/Northampton) plans to introduce legislation to establish a uniform 4% cap on municipal real estate tax increases to limit the financial burdens these tax bills can place on families and individuals. He wrote in his cosponsorship memo, “This commonsense reform would provide taxpayers with greater predictability while still allowing municipalities to account for rising costs and maintain essential local services.”
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Senator calls for data center impact fee
Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Bradford/Lycoming/Sullivan/Tioga/Union) intends to introduce legislation establishing an annual impact fee on data centers in Pennsylvania based on a facility’s size and electricity consumption, with revenue directed to communities that host these facilities.
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Q: The school board I cover voted to fire their solicitor at their regular meeting last night. That item was not on the meeting agenda; they added it by majority vote during the meeting, and then voted on it. Is that legal?
A: Sadly, yes, it is. But only for 53 more days!
This practice of adding an agenda item at a public meeting has been legal since Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s November 2025 decision in Coleman v. Parkland School District, 346 A.3d 1266 (Pa. 2025). In that decision, the Supreme Court created a loophole under which government agencies could add any matter to a meeting agenda, during the meeting and without notice, by a majority vote.
But here is some good news.
As of Monday, December 21, 2026, only matters included on the published agenda can be acted upon at a public meeting, with a few limited exceptions.
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“Pennsylvania’s body camera law is, by design, anti-transparency. Requests must be made within a narrow time frame and following very strict requirements.”
— Paula Knudsen Burke, senior supervising attorney for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press’ Local Legal Initiative in Pennsylvania, in comments to PennLive about the challenges of obtaining police body camera footage in this state
Thank you for reading,
Bill Cotter
President and CEO
Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association
Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association Foundation
MANSI Media
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