Cynthia Fernandez

Stories by Cynthia Fernandez

Harrisburg in Dauphin County, the site of a Reopen PA demonstration at the Capitol in May, will soon go to green.

8 more Pa. counties will move to ‘green’ reopening phase next week

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

June 12, 2020

In January, House Speaker Mike Turzai, left, stood with his wife Lydia, right, and one of his sons, Matt, center, as he announced at a news conference he would not run for another term.

Top Republican Mike Turzai will resign from the Pa. House on June 15

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

June 10, 2020

The resolution targets the disaster emergency Gov. Tom Wolf declared in March, as Pennsylvania began reporting cases of COVID-19.

Pa. lawmakers approved a resolution ending Wolf’s coronavirus emergency declaration. Next up: a legal battle.

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

June 10, 2020

House Speaker Mike Turzai (R., Allegheny) earlier this year announced he would not seek reelection this fall.

Pa. House Speaker Mike Turzai expected to resign before the end of his term, sources say

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA, and Jan Murphy and Charles Thompson of PennLive | The Patriot-News

June 9, 2020

Pa. House Democrats blocked the start of a voting session to demand a special session to consider police reform bills in the wake of the killing of George Floyd and widespread peaceful protests.

Pa. House Democrats block start of voting session to demand police reforms from GOP

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

June 8, 2020

Gov. Tom Wolf in March closed all but “life-sustaining” businesses and incrementally put counties under stay-at-home orders to prevent COVID-19 from overwhelming hospitals.

12 more Pa. counties will be allowed to move to ‘green’ reopening phase

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

June 5, 2020

Gov. Tom Wolf marches with demonstrators in Harrisburg on June 3, 2020.

Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf marches with George Floyd demonstrators in Harrisburg

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

June 3, 2020

Rose’s death led to emotional protests, the arrest of the officer, and a package of police reform bills introduced by Democrats — legislation that went nowhere in the Republican-controlled state legislature.

Police reforms in Pa. languished after Antwon Rose’s killing. Will now be any different?

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

June 3, 2020

The state Senate on Thursday passed the $25 billion budget 44-6, just two days after the House first presented the measure and passed it along party lines.

Pa. legislature sends $26 billion short-term budget to Gov. Tom Wolf

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA and Jordan Wolman for Spotlight PA

May 28, 2020

The state House and Senate are advancing separate versions of legislation to tap the money for the first time, largely to provide millions of dollars in relief to hard-hit nursing homes and other long-term care facilities across the state.

Pennsylvania is sitting on billions in coronavirus relief money. What’s the hold up?

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 28, 2020

The governor is expected to speak at a news conference today at 4 p.m.

All Pa. counties will be in ‘yellow’ coronavirus reopening phase by June 5 under Wolf administration plan

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 22, 2020

A viral test is one that checks for a current infection (think long swabs up someone’s nose) while an antibody test uses blood to check for proteins that indicate a previous infection.

Pa. is mixing coronavirus test results. That could distort our view of the disease.

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 22, 2020

In mid-March, Gov. Tom Wolf ordered all businesses not considered “life-sustaining” to shutter in a statewide effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Pa. officials allow scaled-back real estate operations to resume statewide

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 19, 2020

Pennsylvania Treasurer Joe Torsella announces early rebate payments for some renters and homeowners.

Rebate checks may arrive earlier for some Pennsylvania homeowners and renters

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 19, 2020

In March, Gov. Tom Wolf implemented broad stay-at-home and business closure orders to prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed by coronavirus patients.

Pa. will allow 12 more counties to ease coronavirus restrictions

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 15, 2020

People gather outside a Starbucks in Beaver, Pa. Beaver County Commissioners have said they disagree with Gov. Tom Wolf and the county will act as if they are transitioning to the "yellow" phase on May 15.

Pa. counties abandon plans to buck Wolf, as GOP lawmakers continue pushing doomed reopening bills

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 13, 2020

A man standing on the sidewalk on 52nd Street is surrounded by local business’s that are closed due to the coronavirus outbreak on Saturday, March, 28, 2020.

Pa. GOP takes Gov. Tom Wolf to court as it seeks records on controversial business waiver process

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 11, 2020

“These folks are choosing to desert in the face of the enemy. In the middle of a war that we Pennsylvanians are winning, and that we must win,” Wolf said at a news conference Monday.

Gov. Tom Wolf denounces Pa. counties reopening without his approval as ‘cowardly,’ ‘selfish’

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 11, 2020

Gov. Tom Wolf ordered all but “life-sustaining” businesses to close in March to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Gov. Tom Wolf rejects GOP subpoena for business waiver records, but releases some information online

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 8, 2020

The Pittsburgh region will join two dozen counties that were previously given the go-ahead to loosen some restrictions.

Pa. officials will allow Pittsburgh region to relax coronavirus-related restrictions

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 8, 2020

Gov. Tom Wolf ordered all but “life-sustaining” businesses to close in March to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Wolf faces 4 p.m. deadline to comply with subpoena for business waiver records. Here are his options.

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 8, 2020

“At a time when people need to stay home to protect their heath, they should not have to worry about losing their homes,” Wolf said in a statement.

Pa. extends eviction, foreclosure protections through July 10

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 7, 2020

Gov. Tom Wolf told reporters his administration is still being transparent during the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘I’m trying to be transparent,’ Wolf says as his administration rejects bill to restart public records law

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 6, 2020

Nurses at Einstein Medical Center demanded more PPE in April. Now the state says hospitals that perform elective procedures will have to find their own.

Top Pa. health official says state won’t supply masks, other protective equipment to hospitals that resume elective surgeries

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 5, 2020

Gov. Tom Wolf has allowed some sectors including construction to resume activities.

Pa. will ease coronavirus restrictions in 24 northwest, north-central counties as reopening process begins

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

May 1, 2020

The waivers have been one of the most contentious aspects of Gov. Tom Wolf’s response to the coronavirus because of perceived inconsistencies and a lack of transparency about which businesses received them.

Republicans subpoena Wolf administration for documents related to controversial business waiver process

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

April 30, 2020

Public officials including Gov. Larry Hogan in Maryland (pictured) have to decide how much information to make public.

States need coronavirus data to make timely decisions. What they share with the public varies widely.

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA, Anna Orso of the Philadelphia Inquirer, and Christine Vestal of Stateline

April 27, 2020

In March, Gov. Tom Wolf shuttered most of the state’s economy in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

There’s no timeline to release list of Pa. businesses that received coveted coronavirus waivers, top official says

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

April 23, 2020

“Our seasonal workers are sometimes forgotten by consumers, but their skills are vital in the commonwealth,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said Tuesday at a news conference.

Tight housing, lack of health care put migrant workers on Pa. farms at high risk for the coronavirus

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

April 21, 2020

Wolf vetoed Senate Bill 613, which would have allowed more Pennsylvania businesses to reopen.

Gov. Tom Wolf vetoes bill that would have allowed more Pa. businesses to reopen over public health objections

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

April 20, 2020

Protesters gather outside the Capitol Complex. They are calling for Gov. Tom Wolf to reopen up the state's economy during the coronavirus outbreak.

Hundreds gather at Capitol in Harrisburg for anti-shutdown rally calling to ‘reopen’ Pennsylvania

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

April 20, 2020

Pennsylvania officials are aware of the gathering and have advised against it.

The backlash against the quarantine has begun in Pennsylvania, with anti-shutdown rally Monday in Harrisburg

by Jason Nark of the Philadelphia Inquirer and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

April 19, 2020

Pa. released figures on the coronavirus and race, but not specific geographic data. Experts say that’s a problem.

by Anna Orso of the Philadelphia Inquirer and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

April 17, 2020

Republicans in the Senate said the bill would align Pennsylvania's standards with other states while requiring companies to provide proper safety measures.

Gov. Tom Wolf will veto bill to reopen more Pa. businesses, as top health official warns legislation puts ‘more lives at risk’

by Gillian McGoldrick of LNP | LancasterOnline and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

April 15, 2020

Secretary Pedro Rivera said the Department of Education doesn’t have the power to compel school districts to continue educating students.

Gov. Tom Wolf orders Pennsylvania schools closed through rest of academic year

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

April 9, 2020

New cases in Philadelphia overwhelmingly affect black residents, raising fears the virus will compound existing inequities in employment, housing, and health.

Pennsylvania plans to release racial data on coronavirus cases, but faces collection challenges

by Anna Orso of the Philadelphia Inquirer and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

April 7, 2020

The Department of Human Services, led by Secretary Teresa Miller, said the agency is "trying to expand resources to facilitate telework for these employees."

Limited tech forces thousands of state workers to still report for work, despite their offices being closed

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

April 7, 2020

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has taken the national spotlight as the “coronavirus governor,” with his colorful press briefings, candor, and willingness to go toe-to-toe with President Donald Trump to bring home needed supplies.

The darling, the technocrat, and the Ph.D.: N.Y., N.J., and Pa. governors tackle COVID-19

by Pranshu Verma of the Philadelphia Inquirer and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

April 6, 2020

So far, more than 890,000 Pennsylvanians have filed for unemployment. With many unable to pay their bills, advocates and public defenders are bracing for a surge in evictions.

Pa.'s high court extends eviction moratorium as coronavirus shutdowns lead to record unemployment

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA and Gillian McGoldrick of LNP | LancasterOnline

April 1, 2020

Secretary of Corrections John Wetzel placed the entire prison system under quarantine Sunday, following an inmate's positive test for COVID-19.

Hundreds could be released from Pa. state prisons under draft plans to help prevent a coronavirus outbreak

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA and Matt McKinney of Spotlight PA

March 31, 2020

"If you have a friend or neighbor who needs this information in their native language, please share it," Health Secretary Rachel Levine said Friday.

Pennsylvania is now streaming its daily coronavirus briefings with Spanish captions

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

March 27, 2020

When Gov. Tom Wolf and other officials deliver their daily briefing via video online, they do so in English with a sign language interpreter.

Pa. Latinx groups slam Wolf administration for not providing daily coronavirus updates in Spanish

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

March 26, 2020

Groups that represent the state’s nursing and long-term care centers say workers need protective equipment like masks, as seen here on a medical worker in Philadelphia.

Long-term care workers demand more protection as Pa. reports first coronavirus cases at nursing homes

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

March 25, 2020

Lawmakers are targeting Gov. Tom Wolf's emergency powers, paid sick leave, and more.

Evictions, student loans, PSSAs, and more: What Pa. lawmakers are proposing in response to the coronavirus

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA and Gillian McGoldrick of LNP | LancasterOnline

March 20, 2020

Secretary of Corrections John Wetzel said simply releasing inmates isn't a viable option. He said there needs to be reentry policies and procedures in place, and that takes time.

Advocates call on Pa. officials to reduce inmate population amid coronavirus outbreak

by Joseph Darius Jaafari of PA Post and Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

March 20, 2020

Gov. Tom Wolf has ordered the statewide shutdown of nonessential Pennsylvania businesses for the next 14 days, while in Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney announced Monday a similar policy for the city due to the spread of the coronavirus.

Updated: Everything you need to know about the Pennsylvania coronavirus shutdown

by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA

March 18, 2020

Lawmakers in the state House and Senate are still planning to meet next week — although legislative leaders signaled those plans are fluid.

Pa. lawmakers plan to meet in the Capitol next week, despite coronavirus concerns

by Angela Couloumbis and Cynthia Fernandez

March 12, 2020

Pennsylvania Health Secretary Rachel Levine said Wednesday counties with local departments “have complete control” about what information they release.

Pennsylvania’s health department is keeping coronavirus details from local officials

by Cynthia Fernandez and Justine McDaniel

March 12, 2020

Health Secretary Rachel Levine speaks to reporters about COVID-19.

Pennsylvania isn’t releasing details on coronavirus cases because of a decades-old law

by Cynthia Fernandez

March 11, 2020

Gov. Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Rachel Levine brief the media on two presumed cases of the new coronavirus, COVID-19.

Pennsylvania announces first ‘presumed positive’ cases of coronavirus

by Cynthia Fernandez and Sarah Anne Hughes

March 6, 2020

Capitol Notebook

A hemp plant is pictured at the Pennsylvania Hemp Industry Council's exhibit during the annual Pennsylvania Farm Show at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg, Pa., on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020.

Pa. officials warn CBD still largely unregulated despite popularity of creams, oils, candies, and more

by Cynthia Fernandez

March 4, 2020

Pa. Secretary of Health Rachel Levine briefs the media on the new coronavirus, COVID-19.

Pa. state lab can now test for coronavirus, but its capability is limited

by Cynthia Fernandez

March 3, 2020

Capitol Notebook

Raiding Pa.'s 'special funds' dedicated to roads, the environment — and horse racing?

by Cynthia Fernandez

March 2, 2020

Dr. Rachel Levine, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, speaks at the Capitol in September 2019.

Pa. is preparing for coronavirus as CDC warns spread in U.S. may be ‘inevitable’

by Cynthia Fernandez

Feb. 26, 2020

Capitol Notebook

Attorney General Josh Shapiro.

Protesters call on Pennsylvania AG to ‘show mercy’ and commute more life sentences

by Cynthia Fernandez

Feb. 25, 2020

Capitol Notebook

Voters on Tuesday will choose a replacement for former state Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell, who is serving a jail term. These special election candidates are picked by party insiders, not voters.

How political party insiders — not voters — dictate Pa. special election candidates

by Cynthia Fernandez

Feb. 24, 2020

Capitol Notebook

Growing bipartisan gridlock, infighting, and unwillingness to compromise has also chilled morale in Harrisburg, longtime Capitol watchers say.

With dozens of Pa. lawmakers heading for the exits, do Democrats have the edge in 2020?

by Cynthia Fernandez

Feb. 19, 2020

Capitol Notebook

The effort to count every Pennsylvania is underway. (Dreamstime/TNS)

Pennsylvania is spending $4 million to ensure hard-to-reach groups are counted in the 2020 census

by Cynthia Fernandez

Feb. 14, 2020

Capitol Notebook

Pennsylvania State Sen. Andy Dinniman.

The Pennsylvania Senate's most outspoken pipeline critic is retiring

by Cynthia Fernandez

Feb. 10, 2020

Capitol Notebook

Cappy, a onetime stray, was rescued outside the Capitol in Harrisburg and is now the Capitol Police's community service dog.

The agency that exposes Pennsylvania's puppy mills is about to run out of money

by Cynthia Fernandez

Feb. 7, 2020