Articles & Videos
America’s future depends on a thriving free press, and it’s time we take it back
BY CHRISTOPHER BAXTER FOR SPOTLIGHT PA ON DECEMBER 16, 2024. The CEO and founder of Spotlight PA, a nonpartisan, nonprofit newsroom in Pennsylvania, speaks about the importance of keeping independent news sources alive.
Philly Latinx artists gather to discuss the challenges of the creative economy
BY JENNIFER HERNANDEZ ON NOVEMBER 6, 2024.
Philly Latinx art community gathered at Taller Puertorriqueño on October 24 for the final "Cuéntame Series: Creative Economy" event, where artists and leaders discussed funding challenges, cultural heritage, and community resilience. Attendees shared personal experiences, emphasizing the importance of cultural representation and access to support to empower Philadelphia’s creative community.
Cuéntame series returns to promote civic engagement among the Latino community
BY JENNIFER HERNANDEZ ON NOVEMBER 6, 2024.
The Cuéntame series, co-hosted by Madre Tierra and ¡Presente! Media at PhillyCAM on October 10, focused on "Advancing Civic Engagement" by sharing diverse stories from Philadelphia’s Hispanic community. Latino small business owners discussed challenges in economic mobility, language barriers, and resource accessibility. This event aimed to foster civic engagement, particularly as the community prepares for the upcoming presidential election.
Pa. election 2024: A complete guide to who is on the ballot, when to vote, how to vote, where to vote, casting mail ballots & more
BY ELIZABETH ESTRADA FOR SPOTLIGHT PA ON OCTOBER 14, 2024.
The 2024 election is critical, with Pennsylvania playing a pivotal role in determining the next president. Find out how to register, locate your polling place, vote by mail, and more in this comprehensive election guide.
Immigration and inflation, the issues shaping Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign
BY NIGEL THOMPSON BY OCTOBER 16, 2024
Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for a third time, focuses his 2024 campaign on immigration and the economy. His plans include completing the border wall, mass deportations, and addressing inflation through deregulation and tax cuts. Trump also emphasizes foreign policy, opposing U.S. involvement in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict, while pushing right-wing cultural issues like banning "critical race theory" in schools.
Pa. election 2024: Everything college students need to know about voting
BY ELIZABETH ESTRADA OF SPOTLIGHT PA ON SEPT. 12, 2024.
Students in Pennsylvania's almost 300 colleges, universities, and technical schools will be eligible voters in the upcoming election. This comprehensive guide will help student determine their eligibility status and understand how to make their voice heard on the ballot.
Between fear and hopelessness: Two DACA recipients brace for the 2024 Election
BY NIGEL THOMPSON ON SEPT. 3, 2024
Daniela Morales and Adesola Ogunleye share their experiences as DACA recipients navigating life in the U.S. Both women are driven by their desire to make a positive impact in their communities, despite the challenges of their immigration status, and remain hopeful and engaged as the 2024 presidential election approaches.
How Harrisburg Works: What happens if Pennsylvania’s governor steps down
BY KATIE MEYER OF SPOTLIGHT PA ON AUGUST 19, 2024.
What happens if Pennsylvania's governor steps down? Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis may have to prepare for a potential transition should Governor Josh Shapiro advance to a higher office or depart. Pennsylvania's leadership and political landscape may change according to its political succession plan.
Trump assassination attempt shows long-standing flaws in Secret Service protections
BY DANIELLE OHL OF SPOTLIGHT PA; JESSICA LUSSENHOP OF PROPUBLICA; AND IRINA BUCUR, TRACY LETURGEY AND EDDIE TRIZZINO OF THE BUTLER EAGLE ON AUGUST 20, 2024
Local police in Butler, PA were warned of vulnerabilities prior to former President Trump's rally, but a security breakdown, poor coordination, and other issues led to a gunman injuring Trump and killing one man. Officials recommend improvements in security if Trump returns.
Immigrant advocates march to Fetterman’s Philly office, keep the pressure on closing detention centers
BY NIGEL THOMPSON ON AUGUST 26, 2024
Immigrant advocates are speaking out as the 2024 election approaches, despite both major parties overlooking their calls for action. On August 21, a group assembled outside Philadelphia’s ICE field office before marching to U.S. Senator John Fetterman’s office in Philadelphia. Their renewed demands focus on closing the remaining ICE detention centers in PA and NJ.
Records obtained by Spotlight PA and WESA reveal how Pa. counties used tens of millions in opioid settlement dollars
BY ED MAHON OF SPOTLIGHT PA & KATE GIAMMARISE OF WESA ON MAY 6, 2024
Records obtained by Spotlight PA and WESA reveal how Pa. counties used tens of millions in opioid settlement dollars. Counties are waiting to hear if an oversight board will publicly approve their strategies.
PAFA digitizes 5,000 archives of African-American sculptor John Rhoden
BY NEMESIS MORA ON FEBRUARY 27, 2024
‘Determined to Be: The Sculpture of John Rhoden' is the first comprehensive retrospective of 20th-century African-American sculptor John Rhoden and is currently open at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA). To continue the artist's legacy, PAFA celebrated on Saturday, February 10, the launch of the catalog book on the life and work of the award-winning sculptor, featuring seven essays and more than 90 pages of photographs.
The Bok Building: A Space for Cultural Rebirth for the Latine Community in Philadelphia
BY DAISY MURGUIA ON FEBRUARY 13TH 2024
The Bok Building is widely recognized as a hub for artists and a place for community events to be held without charge. Community leaders and artists share their experience with the Bok Building and the impact it has on the community with journalist Daisy Murguia. Artists share the need for a space where people can come together to collaborate and organize.
Edificio Bok: Un Espacio para el Renacer Cultural en Filadelfia para la Comunidad Latina
POR DAISY MURGUIA. EL 13 DE FEBRERO DEL 2024
El edificio Bok es ampliamente reconocido como un centro para artistas y un lugar para eventos comunitarios que se llevan a cabo sin costo alguno. Líderes comunitarios y artistas comparten su experiencia con el Edificio Bok y el impacto que tiene en la comunidad con la periodista Daisy Murguia. Los artistas comparten la necesidad de un espacio donde las personas puedan reunirse para organizarse y colaborar.
De Ecuador a Filadelfia- Michelle Myers comparte su experiencia como la primera Gerente editorial Fellow de ¡Presente! Media
POR MICHELLE MYERS TRADUCCION POR DAISY MURGUIA EL 30 DE ENERO DEL 2024
Mientras aclaraba mi confusión mental— en parte cuestionando mi identidad más allá de mi carrera, y en parte cuestionando si existía un lugar donde podía hacer periodismo que le diera importancia a las comunidades a las que iba a cubrir— me hice la compañera de gerente editorial para ¡Presente! del año 2021. Lo que debió ser nada más un compromiso de tres meses se convirtió rápidamente en siete meses de trabajo significativo y sanador.
From Ecuador to Philly- Michelle Myers shares her experience as ¡Presente! Media’s 1st Managing Editor Fellow
BY MICHELLE MYERS ON JANUARY 30, 2024
While sorting out my mental fog —half questioning my identity beyond my career, half questioning if a place to do journalism that cares about the communities it reports on truly existed — I became ¡Presente!’s 2021 Managing Editor Fellow. And what was supposed to be a three-month commitment, quickly turned into seven months of meaningful and healing work.
OPINIÓN: Alto definitivo al fuego en Palestina: alcemos nuestra voz como latinos
POR CARLOS JOSE PEREZ SAMANO EL 24 DE NOVIEMBRE DEL 2023
Alto al genocidio. Cese inmediato al fuego en Palestina. Estamos siendo testigos de un genocidio histórico y tenemos que detenerlo.
Cómo los candidatos a la alcaldía de Filadelfia planean combatir la crisis de opioides en Kensington
POR JENNIFER HERNANDEZ TRADUCCION POR ERICKA CONANT EL 6 DE NOVIEMBRE DEL 2023
La candidata demócrata a la alcaldía Cherelle Parker y el candidato republicano a la alcaldía David Oh discutieron sus planes para hacer frente a la epidemia de opioides en Kensington durante un debate privado con Tina Stankiewicz, una adicta en recuperación de fentanilo, heroína y tranquilizantes vinculada a la comunidad de Kensington, y Frank Rodrigues, un adicto a la heroína en recuperación y defensor de la adicción, moderado por ¡Presente! Media, Kianni Figuereo, natural de Kensington.
How Philly’s mayoral candidates plan to combat the opioid crisis in Kensington
BY JENNIFER HERNANDEZ ON OCTOBER 26, 2023
Democratic mayoral nominee Cherelle Parker and Republican mayoral nominee David Oh discussed their plans to address the opioid epidemic in Kensington during a private discussion with Tina Stankiewicz, a fentanyl, heroin, and tranq recovering addict with ties to the Kensington community, and Frank Rodriguez, a recovering heroin addict and addiction advocate, moderated by ¡Presente! Media multimedia producer Kianni Figuereo, a Kensington native.
The 1st Annual Souletri Fest honored Philadelphia’s vibrant arts scene
BY JENNIFER HERNANDEZ ON OCTOBER 25, 2023
Power Street Theatre (PST) hosted the 1st Annual Souletri Fest on Saturday, October 7th, 2023, at the Lighthouse Sports Complex Field to honor Philadelphia’s vibrant arts scene and amplify dynamic voices across the city.