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 Times
• Pa. 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, PennLive
• Pa Lawmakers Advance legislation for Potential Overhaul of state's High School Sports Playoff Format, reporting by Tyann Bell, WJAC-TV
• Centre 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.com
• Swing 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.

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, WPSU
• Centre 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-8
• Pa. 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 Times
• DA: 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

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.com
• Opinion: 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

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 Supervisors
• MEETING — Gregg Township Planning Commission
• MEETING — Benner Township Supervisors
• MEETING — State College Area School District Board of Directors
• MEETING — College Township Planning Commission
• MEETING — Gregg Township Board of Supervisors
• MEETING — 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 Subu
  • Subu Vedam wins bid to stay in US, walk free for first time since 1982, reported by Bret Pallotto, Centre Daily Times
  • Judge 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.

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 Report
• Even more of Pa.’s broadband funding will go to satellite after last-minute cost-cutting, reporting by Charlotte Keith, Spotlight PA
• Former Centre County teacher gets jail time, probation for abusing multiple preschoolers, reporting by WJAC staff/Gary Sinderson, WJAC
• Past 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 Press
• State College Police Not Involved With ICE Arrest in College Township, Department Says, reporting by Geoff Rushton, StateCollege.com
• Meet 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 6
• State 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 Times
PennDot website on the Connector.

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 Times
• Centre 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 Times
• Almost 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.com
• Emergency 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 Association
• Important Sunshine Act Update: PA Supreme Court Reverses Commonwealth Court on Act 65 Meeting Agendas, The Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs
• PA Supreme Court eases 24 hour notice rule for local officials, angering transparency advocates, WESA

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, SpotlightPA
• Penn State president faces lawmakers over campus closures, reporting by Geoff Rushton, StateCollege.com
• Recollections May Vary: Penn State President Bendapudi Goes to Harrisburg, opinion by Barry Fenchak Substack
• Community 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 PA
• New 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 — cancelled
• State 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