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Pa.’s judges must reveal the perks they accept, but the public won’t find those disclosures online

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Pa.’s judges must reveal the perks they accept, but the public won’t find those disclosures online


This story originally appeared on Spotlight PA.

Every year, thousands of officials in state government must fill out reports by May 1 that disclose their sources of income, creditors, and business interests, as well as any gifts, hospitality, or other perks they accepted.

Those reports, called statements of financial interest, are then made publicly searchable and available online. The forms are a key way for the public to gain a deeper understanding of their elected officials’ financial ties, as well as discover which outside groups may be trying to influence public policy decisions.

Pennsylvania’s judges, however, play by somewhat different rules.

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Though they too must file annual disclosures, theirs aren’t posted online. The public must ask for copies — provided they know where to go for that information.

Some good-government advocates say this creates an unnecessary inconvenience for anyone trying to quickly access fundamental information about Pennsylvania’s judiciary, a critical branch of government with great power over civil and criminal matters.

“Judges are public officials, and there are many special interests trying to influence the courts,” said Michael Pollack, executive director of March On Harrisburg, a group that pushes for transparency in government, as well as a ban on gifts to elected officials.

“When you erect barriers, you are denying access,” he said.

Stacey Witalec, spokesperson for the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, did not answer a question about why the courts do not post financial interest statements for judges online. “While not posted on our website, the Court makes the statements of financial interest available upon request,” she said in an email.

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She did not elaborate.

Statements of financial interest are at their core a tool to increase public trust in government. But they also can act as deterrents, the thinking being that disclosure makes it less likely a public official will engage in any conflicts of interest. The importance of a robust reporting system was amplified following media investigations last year that revealed several U.S. Supreme Court justices had not disclosed certain gifts and travel.



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Pennsylvania

Fire crews try moving burning barge to shallow water in Delaware Bay

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Fire crews try moving burning barge to shallow water in Delaware Bay


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Delaware, Pennsylvania, and federal agencies have been responding to a barge fire in the Delaware Bay. 

The barge, which is carrying salvage metal, is being moved to shallow water so it can be secured, allowing on-scene responders to extinguish the fire and complete salvage operations, according to a March 10 statement from the Delaware Emergency Management Agency.

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No injuries have been reported as of 1:15 p.m.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) is on scene to perform air monitoring, the statement said.

Responding agencies include the Wilmington Fire Department, Good Will, Leipsic Volunteer, Bowers and South Bowers fire companies. Also there are Delaware State Police, DNREC, New Castle County Office of Emergency Management, Kent County Department of Public Safety, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay.

The Philadelphia Fire Department was enroute.

This is a developing story. Check back with delawareonline.com for more information.

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Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com.



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Shapiro wants to incentivize data centers to be better neighbors. Will that work?

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Shapiro wants to incentivize data centers to be better neighbors. Will that work?






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Pennsylvania High School Girls Basketball 2026 Playoff Brackets, Schedule (PIAA) – March 10, 2026

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Pennsylvania High School Girls Basketball 2026 Playoff Brackets, Schedule (PIAA) – March 10, 2026


The 2026 Pennsylvania high school girls basketball state playoffs begin on Tuesday, March 10, with second-round games for all divisions.

High School On SI has brackets for every division in the PIAA high school girls basketball playoffs. The state championships begin on March 19th.

Pennsylvania High School Girls Basketball 2026 Playoff Brackets, Schedule (PIAA) – March 10-11, 2026

CLASS 1A BRACKET (select to view bracket)

Second Round

New Covenant Christian vs. Delaware County Christian – 03/11

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Philadelphia Montgomery Christian Academy vs. Benton – 03/11

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Our Lady of Lourdes Regional vs. Motivation – 03/11

Linville Hill vs. Southern Fulton – 03/11

Williamsburg vs. Elk County Catholic – 03/11

Farrell vs. Bishop Carroll – 03/11

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Clarion-Limestone vs. Saint Joseph’s Catholic Academy – 03/11

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Bishop Guilfoyle vs. Aquinas Academy – 03/11


CLASS 2A BRACKET (select to view bracket)

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Second Round

Shalom Christian Academy vs. Southern Columbia Area – 03/10

Faith Christian vs. Mountain View – 03/10

Wyoming Seminary College Prep vs. Marian Catholic – 03/10

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York Catholic vs. Berlin Brothersvalley – 03/10

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Neshannock vs. Penns Manor – 03/10

Kennedy Catholic vs. Keystone – 03/10

Bishop McCort vs. Chartiers-Houston – 03/10

Winchester Thurston vs. Wilmington Area – 03/10

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CLASS 3A BRACKET (select to view bracket)

Second Round

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Imhotep Charter vs. Holy Redeemer – 03/10

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Pequea Valley vs. Schuylkill Haven – 03/10

Hughesville vs. Notre Dame-Green Pond – 03/10

Dunmore vs. Executive Education Academy – 03/10

Trinity vs. Troy – 03/10

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Northwestern vs. Greensburg Central Catholic – 03/10

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Shady Side Academy vs. Beaver Falls – 03/10

Central Cambria vs. Karns City – 03/10

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CLASS 4A BRACKET (select to view bracket)

Second Round

Susquehanna Township vs. Universal Audenried Charter School – 03/11

Scranton Prep vs. Allentown Central Catholic – 03/11

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Central Columbia vs. Villa Joseph Marie – 03/11

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Valley View vs. Neumann-Goretti – 03/11

Delone Catholic vs. Penn Cambria – 03/11

Slippery Rock vs. Oakland Catholic – 03/11

Belle Vernon vs. Blackhawk – 03/11

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North Catholic vs. Harbor Creek – 03/11


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CLASS 5A BRACKET (select to view bracket)

Second Round

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Lampeter-Strasburg vs. Mt. St. Joseph Academy – 03/11

Marple Newtown vs. Crestwood – 03/11

Bethlehem Catholic vs. Villa Maria Academy – 03/11

North Pocono vs. Archbishop Wood – 03/11

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York Suburban vs. TBD – 03/11

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Peters Township vs. Manheim Central – 03/11

South Fayette vs. Penn-Trafford – 03/11

Baldwin vs. Indiana – 03/11


CLASS 6A BRACKET (select to view bracket)

Second Round

Upper Dublin vs. Perkiomen Valley – 03/10

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Hazleton vs. Parkland – 03/10

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Easton vs. Red Lion – 03/10

Downingtown West vs. Archbishop Carroll – 03/10

Wilson vs. Cardinal O’Hara – 03/10

Pennsbury vs. Altoona – 03/10

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Dallastown vs. Emmaus – 03/10

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Canon-McMillan vs. Taylor Allderdice – 03/10


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