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Brett Sholtis

Brett Sholtis was a health reporter for WITF/Transforming Health until early 2023. Sholtis is the 2021-2022 Reveal Benjamin von Sternenfels Rosenthal Grantee for Mental Health Investigative Journalism with the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism. His award-winning work on problem areas in mental health policy and policing helped to get a woman moved from a county jail to a psychiatric facility. Sholtis is a University of Pittsburgh graduate and a Pennsylvania Army National Guard Kosovo campaign veteran.

Latest by Brett Sholtis


PFAS report identifies hundreds of Pa. manufacturing sites

The so-called ā€˜forever chemicalsā€™ are linked to a range of health problems.

By Brett Sholtis

Sampling confirms Harrisburg’s sewage overflow is polluting the Susquehanna River with E. coli

A related report finds Pennsylvania has ā€˜gone backwardsā€™ in its effort to curb river pollution
By Brett Sholtis

Department of Health says it is looking into fracking public health risks following grand jury report

The grand jury criticized the departmentā€™s response, saying it was ā€œunable to meet the challengeā€ of understanding how fracking could affect people.

By Brett Sholtis

A third of Pa. drinking water samples contained toxic chemicals. The state says there’s ‘no widespread contamination’

Amid federal inaction, there's no consensus on how much of the PFAS class of chemicals is too much.
By Brett Sholtis



Environmental group finds dangerous E. coli levels in Susquehanna River

Environmental Integrity Project is calling on the state to help fix Harrisburg’s sewer and stormwater system. The water authority is considering adding a stormwater impact fee to city residents and property owners to help pay for upgrades.

By Brett Sholtis

Thyroid cancer study re-ignites debate over Three Mile Island accident’s health effects

The 2017 Penn State College of Medicine study found a certain type of thyroid cancer to be common to those who were near the nuclear plant during the accident.

By Brett Sholtis