By Tim Lambert | Editor
“Packaging was done by fraternity brothers and oftentimes pledges. In fact, we found a pattern of events that showed cutting and bagging cocaine was, for some pledges, an indoctrination into the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternities.” — State Attorney General Dave Sunday, who announced drug trafficking charges against more than a dozen current or former Penn State students.
A good Saturday morning to you and welcome to the weekend. There are a lot of activities to choose from across the state. Here’s a bit of a taste:
Along with Little League World Series action in South Williamsport, the Somerset County Fair and the Crawford County Fair kick off today. Riverfest is underway in Reading, as is the King of the Mountain race in Clearfield. Let’s not forget, the Great American Banana Split Celebration in Latrobe.
Whatever you get up to, have fun and be safe.
Thanks for starting your day with us. As always, we deeply appreciate you reading, sharing and supporting our work. -- Tim
Muncy Township, Lycoming County, is the site of a proposed data center. (Photo by Peter Hall/Pennsylvania Capital-Star)
By Natalie Bencivenga
The Week in Focus is a recap of our top stories.
Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a data center executive order this week.
Democrats declare a surprising victory in a special election.
Pennsylvania lawmakers are trying to push back on Flock cameras.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday (center, at podium) points to a poster highlighting the two alleged main suppliers for a cocaine-trafficking ring at Penn State’s University Park campus. (Courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services)
By Sydney Roach of WPSU
Pennsylvania’s Attorney General says more than a dozen current or former Penn State students at the University Park campus are facing drug trafficking charges.
All but one of the 14 people accused of drug trafficking were students at University Park during the multi-year investigation period. State College police and a Grand Jury are investigating alleged cocaine trafficking in 2023 and 2024.
One person was a student’s father, who allegedly tried to obstruct the investigation.
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Inside the Pennsylvania Capitol building in downtown Harrisburg on October 14, 2025. (Photo by Jessica Kourkounis for the Pennsylvania Capital-Star)
By Ian Karbal
Democrat Brandon Dukes has declared victory after a special election in Butler County’s 12th state House district.
The Associated Press has yet to call the race. The county elections bureau said they completed their first official signing, and that a five-day period allowing challenges to the results has begun.
No challenge has been filed yet, and if none is, the election will be certified on August 26.
“We want to count every vote, every provisional, every overseas voter, but based on these results, I have nothing but gratitude for the support of my friends, family, staff and volunteers who have supported me through this entire journey,” Dukes said. “We can now do so much more in the State House to deliver real wins for working families.”
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