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

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

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 Express
• SCASD Planning 3.5% tax increase in 2026-2027, by Geoff Rushton, StateCollege.com
• High court rejects Penn State’s bid to keep trustee records hidden from public, Spotlight PA, reporting by SpotlightPA Staff, SpotlightPA
• Pennsylvania 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 Times
• Scholarly retreats: 10 best small college town's in the US (2026 Reader's Choice Awards), USA Today
• State 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 Authority
• MEETING  — 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 

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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 State
• Penn State plans to sell State College Regional Airport — Reporting by Geoff Rushton, StateCollege.com
• Board approves proposed acquisition of the State College Regional Airport by the Centre County Airport Authority — announcement by Penn State University
• Centre County's long planned solar project falls apart — Reporting by Jacob Michael, Centre Daily Times
• Centre County solar power purchasing project unravels — Reporting by Geoff Rushton, StateCollege.com
• Happy Valley Casino brings first gambling hub to Centre County — Reporting by Maggie Alderisio, Onward State
• Pa. Casino launches free dealer school — Reporting by Daniel Urie, PennLive
• SCI Rockview inmates dispersed across Pennsylvania after closure — Reporting by Bret Pallotto, Centre Daily Times
• With 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 WPSU
• State College woman arrested after hiding in residence — Reporting by Derek Cestone, WTAJ
• Two 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.

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 PA
• College Township updates zoning ordinance ahead of potential data centers — Reporting by Jacob Michael, Centre Daily Times
• Centre Safe's Twilight Dinners fundraiser aims for $20,000 — from Staff Reports at The Lock Haven Express
• People's Choice Festival returns to Boalsburg — Reporting by Lloyd Rogers, Centre County Gazette
• Transferred Rockview inmates charged to ship personal belongings — Reporting by Sydney Roach, WPSU
• District 6 Wrestling Championships — Reporting by Ryan Risky, WTAJ
  • Official 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.

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.com
• ICE 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.com
• Federal immigration judge denies Subu Vedam's release, Reporting by Sydney Roach, WPSU
• Previous reporting mentioned: Cold case brings Indian community together —  Reporting by Milan Varia, The News Lab
• Benner Spring Fish Hatchery monitored after chemical contamination — Reporting by Gary Sanderson, WJAC
• Centre County PAWS sees rise in unhoused dogs — Reporting by Anne Danahy, WPSU
• Remote Area Medical free clinic coming to Bellefonte March 28–29 — Reporting by Oscar Orellana, WPSU
  • You 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 — 

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 Times
  • Update: Pennsylvania man cleared after 43 years denied bail  — Reporting by, The Associated Press & NBC
  • Update: He spent 40 years in prison...  — Reporting by Elizabeth Wolfe and Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN
• Penn State student Sophia Ruscillo on life support after hit-and-run — Reporting by Geoff Rushton, StateCollege.com
  • GoFundMe for Sophia Ruscillo and her family
• Centre 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 summarization
• Keystone Central School District finalizes three-year comprehensive plan — Reporting by Laura Jameson, Lock Haven Express
• Pennsylvania Senate confirms Dr. John O'Brien II to Board of Pardons — Reporting by Danielle Ohl, SpotlightPA
• Bellefonte 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 🚌