Centre Access

Saturday, March 28, 2026 (Season 1 | Episode 2)

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

Creators and Guests

DM
Host
Denzel Massaley
Denzel Massaley is a member of the founding Centre Access podcast team. A scriptwriter and editor for every episode, he is most often the voice you hear hosting the show.
FC
Host
Francisco Calvo
Francisco Calvo is a member of the founding Centre Access podcast team. A scriptwriter and editor for every episode, he is often the voice you hear hosting the show.
JO
Writer
Jennae Overton
Jennae Overton is a member of the founding Centre Access podcast team. A scriptwriter and editor for every episode, she is a voice you hear sharing stories each week.
OW
Writer
Olivia Warren
Olivia Warren is a member of the Season 2 Centre Access Team. She is a reporter and episode reader. In Season 1, she attended and documented local government meetings for Centre Documenters. She was a regular contributor to Centre Access, where you could hear her share highlights from the week's public meetings across the county.
VM
Writer
Victoria Misuraca
Victoria Misuraca is a member of the founding Centre Access podcast team. A scriptwriter and editor for every episode, she is a voice you hear sharing stories each week.

What is Centre Access?

Centre Access is a weekly recap of news for Centre County's 158,000 residents. We bring you stories from newsrooms across Pennsylvania and right here in Happy Valley, including original News Lab reporting and highlights from local public meetings.

This student-run podcast is produced by the News Lab at Penn State and recorded in the Bellisario Media Center. Each episode includes a roundup from Centre Documenters, the first rural and student-run program in the national Documenters network. They attend and document public meetings across Centre County with a focus on Benner, College, Gregg, Halfmoon, Snowshoe, and Spring townships.

In season two, new episodes drop every Friday. Subscribe wherever you listen.