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Ed Mahon

@edmahon.bsky.social

410 followers 160 following 120 posts

Investigative reporter at Spotlight PA. Also: chess player, soccer coach, Rubik's cube solver, coffee drinker, president of Pa. Legislative Correspondents' Association, 2x Ninja Warrior chair at my oldest son's elementary school.

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Ed Mahon @edmahon.bsky.social · 11d

I watched this clip just to see how the last name was pronounced. (We are not related, to be clear.) www.ktiv.com/2025/09/30/p...

Police Chief Ed Mahon looks back on 42 years of serving South Sioux City

South Sioux City Police Chief Ed Mahon is preparing for his next career milestone: retirement.

Ed Mahon @edmahon.bsky.social · Sep 12

Thanks, Tim!

Reposted by Ed Mahon

National Press Club Journalism Institute @npcinstitute.bsky.social · Sep 12

The Institute is proud to honor @edmahon.bsky.social, an investigative reporter at @spotlightpa.org, with the 2025 Neil and Susan Sheehan Award for Investigative Journalism.

Join us at @pressclubdc.bsky.social on Dec. 9 to celebrate: www.pressclubinstitute.org/2025/09/12/e...

Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA honored with the Institute’s Sheehan Award for Investigative Journalism - Journalism Institute

Ed Mahon, an investigative reporter at Spotlight PA, will receive the 2025 Neil and Susan Sheehan Award for Investigative Journalism.

www.pressclubinstitute.org

Ed Mahon @edmahon.bsky.social · Aug 21

Session is over. Stay tuned for more from me on this.

Ed Mahon @edmahon.bsky.social · Aug 21

Kathleen Strain speaking now. More about here here: www.witf.org/2025/03/28/v...

Voices of the Epidemic: A Call for Transparency in Opioid Settlement Spending | WITF

Aired; March 27th, 2025.The opioid epidemic has devastated families and communities across Pennsylvania, leaving countless individuals searching f […]

Ed Mahon @edmahon.bsky.social · Aug 21

"We're angry because no one's listening," Ousterman said.

Ed Mahon @edmahon.bsky.social · Aug 21

Susan Ousterman is the next speaker. More about her and her story here: www.spotlightpa.org/series/turne...

Failure by Pa. officials to clarify rules around medical marijuana, addiction treatment had serious consequences

Tyler Cordeiro was denied funding for treatment despite a state program offering help for anyone, even without insurance. The problem: his medical marijuana card.

www.spotlightpa.org

Ed Mahon @edmahon.bsky.social · Aug 21

Sharon White speaking now, talking about a family member.

Ed Mahon @edmahon.bsky.social · Aug 21

More on Gail's views here. I've spoken with her before.

www.spotlightpa.org/news/2024/08...

Public voices often ignored in states’ opioid cash decisions

Many see the billions in opioid cash coming to states as blood money. But in many places, the public is routinely shut out of spending decisions

www.spotlightpa.org

Ed Mahon @edmahon.bsky.social · Aug 21

Gail Groves Scott, public health researcher and advocate, is speaking now and criticizing what she calls the trust's secrecy.

Ed Mahon @edmahon.bsky.social · Aug 21

A county commissioner was called next, but said he was just there to learn. He thanked the board.

Ed Mahon @edmahon.bsky.social · Aug 21

Carla Sofronski of PA Harm Reduction Network talking now and she's criticizing money going to what she considers wasteful programs.

Ed Mahon @edmahon.bsky.social · Aug 21

"I'm tired of being shut out. ...I still do not feel heard," she said.

Ed Mahon @edmahon.bsky.social · Aug 21

Advocate Marianne Sinisi is speaking now. She's talking about her child that she lost, and she's also talking about families aren't being given a say in these settlement spending decisions.

Ed Mahon @edmahon.bsky.social · Aug 21

Those programs often rely on fear-based messaging, information only approaches which aren't effective or personal testimonies that do not resonate with youth, Hanley said.

Ed Mahon @edmahon.bsky.social · Aug 21

What type of prevention doesn't work? One-time presentations, assemblies or classroom talks rarely build skills, change attitudes or reduce substance use, Jeff Hanley told the opioid trust.

Ed Mahon @edmahon.bsky.social · Aug 21

Now up is Jeff Hanley with the Commonwealth Prevention Alliance. He's talking about the importance of spending settlement money on prevention programs that are proven to work, that are effective or evidence-based.

Ed Mahon @edmahon.bsky.social · Aug 21

Next speaker was with the Institute for Research, Education and Training in Addictions.

Ed Mahon @edmahon.bsky.social · Aug 21

Here's the link: www.spotlightpa.org/news/2024/04...

Can opioid settlement money fund public defense?

Billions of dollars have begun flowing to Pennsylvania and other states.

www.spotlightpa.org

Ed Mahon @edmahon.bsky.social · Aug 21

Andrew Capone, an attorney and official with the Public Defender Association of Pennsylvania, is speaking now. He's urging the trust to remove guidance discouraging settlement funds from being spent on public defenders. @dtohl.bsky.social and I wrote about the conflict last year.

Ed Mahon @edmahon.bsky.social · Aug 21

Listening session starting now. Event link is available here: www.paopioidtrust.org/meetings/202...

Pennsylvania Opioid Trust - 20250821 Public Listening Session

www.paopioidtrust.org

Ed Mahon @edmahon.bsky.social · Aug 21

About 17 people signed up, VanKirk said. But only 10 people responded to a follow-up outreach for confirmation, he said. Trust is going to reconvene for that session at 1 p.m.

Ed Mahon @edmahon.bsky.social · Aug 21

A listening session is scheduled for later today at 1 p.m. Info to view virtually is also available here: www.paopioidtrust.org/meetings/202...

Pennsylvania Opioid Trust - 20250821 Public Listening Session

www.paopioidtrust.org

Ed Mahon @edmahon.bsky.social · Aug 21

The board for the Pennsylvania Opioid Misuse and Addiction Abatement Trust is meeting now. Info to view virtually is available here.

www.paopioidtrust.org/meetings/202...

Pennsylvania Opioid Trust - 20250821 Public Board of Trustees' Meeting

www.paopioidtrust.org

Ed Mahon @edmahon.bsky.social · Jul 24

Big day*.