Asia Tabb speaks with Sally Ann Sims, Co-Founder and Member of Pennsylvania Habitat Connectivity about the importance of legislation that will keep animals safe via wildlife corridors and more. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.بقلم WITF, Inc.

Coming up on this week's edition of The Spark Weekly: Asia Tabb Speaks with Dave Wagner, the Red PA State Coordinator and Gabbi Timmins, The National Coordinator for the American Hope Project. She also speaks with PA reporter Carter Walker and Editor and Chief Chad Lorenz of Votebeat about their reporting on election and voting related issues. Supp…

Host Asia Tabb speaks with Dave Wagner, the Red PA State Coordinator of Braver Angels, and Gabbi Timmins, who is the national coordinator for the American Hope Campaign. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.بقلم WITF, Inc.

Our weekly journalist roundtable segment featured Carter Walker, Votebeat Pennsylvania Reporter, and Chad Lorenz, Votebeat Editor-in-Chief. Votebeat operates in five states, with reporters on the ground producing coverage of election administration. Both joined The Spark to update us on their election coverage. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/su…

The Duncannon Fire Company No. 1 has earned a $15,000 Safety First grant from Norfolk Southern. Byron Worner, Fire Chief of the Duncannon Fire Company, has been volunteering for over 40 years. The funds will be used to purchase new gear so the fire team will have essential protective gear needed when responding to emergencies. Maintaining a volunte…

This past June, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a president is immune from criminal prosecution for official acts conducted while in office. Former President Donald Trump is facing several charges for his actions in connection to the January 6 attack at the capitol. Emily Spottswood, Professor from Penn State Dickinson School of Law says the news…

12-year-old Lancaster resident Lucus Kreider is on a mission to better the community he lives in. Lucus along with his mother, Sophia Kreider, created Peace Kids to the Rescue Art Show and Silent Auction. “So, at a young age, I was involved with people who are experiencing homelessness and people who are less fortunate than we are. So that just kin…

ABC27's Dan Tomaso spoke with Asia Tabb for our weekly weather report about what we can expect this fall and winter, and why we are experiencing lower temperatures this week. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.بقلم WITF, Inc.

Coming up on The Spark Weekly, We speak with UPMC Dietician Sarah Beaty about the pros and cons of using artificial sweeteners over natural sugars. Also on the program: We also have a conversation with Tracie Potts and Dr. Teresa Smallwood about Unpacking the Vote, an event that allows the public to ask questions and speak with Election Experts abo…

Asia speaks with Tracie Potts and Dr. Teresa Smallwood about Unpacking the Vote, an event that allows the public to ask questions and speak with Election Experts about the upcoming election. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.بقلم WITF, Inc.

The Spark host Asia Tabb spoke to Kele McComsey, Director of Mana Contemporary who spearheaded the book Project 270: 50 States, 70 Voices and 1 message along with artist Bob Fust, Machine Dazzle, and Hugo Crosthwaite on the importance of getting out to vote. The book included 70 artist to create posters to represent all 50 states to encourage ages …

The Career Studies program at Penn State Harrisburg offers individuals with intellectual disabilities can earn a post-secondary education that leads to professional networks and careers. The program was started in 2015 at the college as one of several programs that stated in the state, to provide a college experience and job preparation for individ…

We speak with UPMC Dietician Sarah Beaty about the pros and cons of using artificial sweeteners over natural sugars. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.بقلم WITF, Inc.

Author Tory Gates has written a new fiction novel called How the story ends. The inspiration of the book was born out of a trip he’s taken to Chambersburg about 6-7 years ago. “I was driving down I-81 to get there, I was looking at the fields, looking at the hills and that kind of thing. And I'm from Vermont originally, and there's certain parallel…

Penn State College of Medicine and the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation teamed up to launch a new healthcare system in a grab and go format. The ‘Health to Go’ vending machine provides 24/7 access to anyone in need. The vending machine is located outside the entrance of the emergency department at UPMC Harrisburg. Dr. Alice Zang, Assistant Professor of Fam…

Coming up on The Spark Weekly: It was July 13 when shots rang out during a rally in Butler County featuring republican candidate Donald Trump. One person was killed, and three others were injured including Trump. Numerous investigations uncovered gaps in security leading to gunfire. Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA, Tracy Leturgy and Irina Bucur of The…

WITF and Tim Lambert received some good news last week. Tim’s story about his father being one of the last living witnesses to a unique atomic test in the 1950’s was honored with a national Edward R. Murrow Award for best use of sound. Director of Journalism Scott Blanchard who was Tim’s editor for the project sat down with Asia Tabb to talk about …

February 2, 2001, is a day many won’t forget in York County. Norinia Bentzel was the Principal of the North Hopewell-Winterstown Elementary School when she was attacked twice by a man with a machete. Bentzel noticed someone unfamiliar trying to get in the school around 11:23 a.m. The intruder, William Stankewicz snuck in behind a parent dropping he…

West & Ward a musical duo is working to incorporate advocating for mental health through their music. Their priority is galvanizing a local community into action that will change how mental health is discussed, and hopefully change how the mental health care system works here and beyond. West & Ward has recently dropped an EP, which includes “Battl…

It was July 13 when shots rang out during a rally in Butler County featuring republican candidate Donald Trump. One person was killed, and three others were injured including Trump. Numerous investigations uncovered gaps in security leading to gunfire. Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA, Tracy Leturgy and Irina Bucur of The Butler Eagle reported extensiv…

The Little League World Series tournament is held from July 27 through August 25. Approximately 935 kids will participate in the tournament. Jason Fink, President and CEO of the Lycoming County Visitors Bureau says the first world series took place in Williamsport in 1947. “This year is the 77th Little League World Series.” With this event being a …

An EF1 tornado hit a Dauphin County neighborhood on Friday August 9. The National Weather Service says the winds were up to 110 miles an hour in the Bellevue Park Neighborhood. Bellevue Park is located within the city limits of the City of Harrisburg. Dennis Kauffman, President of the Bellevue Park Association Board says his dog alarmed him of the …

There has been a drastic change in weather over the week as students returned back to school. ABC 27 Meteorologist Dan Tomaso says Hurricane Debbie has changed the weather pattern. While the hurricane is long gone, it essentially disrupted our summer weather pattern to the point that we had somewhat of a cooler weekend temperature wise this past we…

Franco Ordoñez is a White House Correspondent for NPR’s Washington Desk. In the past, he’s reported on foreign policy, and immigration, and has been a correspondent in Cuba, Colombia, Mexico, and Haiti. Ordoñez joined the Spark to speak with host Asia Tabb about his work as a correspondent, and his experience covering the 2024 Presidential election…

According to the 2024 Sports & Fitness Industry Association Topline Participation report, Pickleball grew in 2023 to 13.6 million players in the United States. Brandon Workotter the Owner of the Central Pa Pro Pickleball League says the sport grew since the pandemic. “It's on a much smaller court, so you're getting a little bit more of a workout th…

Setas Mushrooms was established in January 2020 growing hundreds of mushrooms. Max Justice, CEO of Setas Mushrooms has found a way to create a final resting place made from mushrooms. “I use fungus to grow alternatives. And in fact, I've been able to grow alternatives to concrete, plastic insulation as well as coffins and urns. Now, my installation…

According to the Pennsylvania Tree Growers Association, Pennsylvania ranks third in the nation for the number of Christmas tree farms. There are more than 1,400 Christmas trees in Pennsylvania. The winter holidays are months away, but for the tree farmers, it’s a year long process. Gerrit Strathmeyer Jr, President of the PA Christmas Tree Associati…

The Pennsylvania School Bus Association is made up of the independent school contractors that transport students every to and from school across Pennsylvania. Gerry Wosewick, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania School Bus Association says there are laws that motorist need to be aware of while buses are back on the roads. "The most important thin…

Coming Up on This Week's Edition of The Spark Weekly: We speak with Richard McGarvey with the PA Gaming Control Board about sports betting. We also speak with Dr. Carrie Sipes from Shippensburg University and Jeff Ritchie from Lebanon Valley College about A.I. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for priv…

August is National Minority Donor Awareness Month (NMDAM). The Gift of Life Donor Program helps to heal lives by coordinating the recovery and distribution of organs and tissues used in lifesaving and life- enhancing transplants. The Gift of Life donor program has been serving the community for 50 years, and it’s the vital link between patients who…

Managing Editor from the York Dispatch Wallace McKelvey, and reporter Meredith Willse joined the Journalist Roundtable segment. Both spoke about Meredith’s reporting on education in the Central Pennsylvania region. Meredith has ben writing a series of columns about the influence of a conservative organization in Central Pennsylvania School District…

Professional and college football is preparing for the season, and that means legal wagers for those games. In May 2018, after a six-year-battle, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of New Jersey in Murphey v. NCAA and struck down a decades-old deferral law that prohibited the state from legalizing sports betting. Richard McGarvey, Deputy Directo…

Since the early 1900's the Walnut Street property has housed schools and now apartments. Jeb Stuart the President of the Board of Directors of the Historic Harrisburg Association says the building means so much to so many people. "Well, it was a landmark, and, and had a lot of history. There are a lot of alumni from old tech, as it was called, and …

Artificial Intelligence also known as A.I. for short is a set of technologies that enable computers to perform a variety of advanced functions, including the ability to see, understand and translate spoke and written language, analyze data, and make recommendations and more according to google cloud. Many professions are utilizing this tool, and co…

Heading into the month of September, we are heading into the peak of hurricane season. The Central Pennsylvania region just experienced remnants of Hurricane Debbie in the past week. ABC 27’s Meteorologist Dan Tomaso, says hurricane season is roughly between August though September. “Most of our impacts from any hurricane or tropical storm will be …

During the Paris Olympics, Algerian boxer Imane Khelif faced difficulty when she tested higher for testosterone in her system. Khelif was assigned female at birth, and it says so on her birth certificate. Dr. Frederika Schmitt Associate Professor of Sociology at Millersville university says the word sex is a noun. “ Well, first, when we talk about …

Dr. John Sygielski, seventh president of Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) announced he will be retiring in July 2025. He’s held the position since 2011 and holds the title of HACC’s longest running president. HACC’s reputation is what lead Sygielski to Central Pennsylvania, and how valuable this institution is to the community. “I have come…

Lancaster County’s Casey Kaufhold made her dreams come true after winning a mixed-team archery bronze medal in the Paris Olympics. Her journey began at the Lancaster Archery Academy in Easter Lampeter Township. Kaufhold’s archery coach, Heather Pfeil, was with her in Paris as she was living her dreams as an Olympic athlete. Pfeil says watching Kauf…

The Franklin County Visitors Bureau will be hosting on Aug. 17 "Frederick Douglass in Chambersburg: More Than A Speech". The presentation will include lunch, a bus tour to showcase Douglass' visit, and the major meeting between Douglass and John Brown. Janet Pollard, Executive Director of the Franklin County Visitors Bureau, says the speech that wa…

Coming up on this week's edition of The Spark Weekly: Vice President Kamala Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. Among those who had been in consideration was Pennsylvania Governor, Josh Shapiro. Berwood Yost, Director for the Center of Opinion Research at Franklin & Marshall College, and Stephen Caruso, journalist with …

Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges served in the military for 38 years. He has been making appearances in Pennsylvania including the Midtown Scholar Bookstore and the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle. Hodges most recently published a book called Future War and the Defense of Europe. “I wanted to write a book that would help wake people up about what needed to be…

Vice President Kamala Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. Among those who had been in consideration was Pennsylvania Governor, Josh Shapiro. Berwood Yost, Director for the Center of Opinion Research at Franklin & Marshall College, and Stephen Caruso, journalist with Spotlight PA shared their general reactions to Harris’…

In just two weeks, students attending Franklin & Marshall College will be back on campus for the fall semester. F&M President Dr. Barbara Altman says the start of a new academic year is the highlight of her year. “We're expecting a first-year class of about 500, which is pretty much what we planned. I know we might want to talk about the various th…

The One World Festival in Lancaster will be held Sept. 8 at the Franklin and Marshall College at the Alumni Sports and Fitness Center. Deepa Balepur, Chair of the One World Festival Committee and Tom Daniels, Performance Coordinator of the festival appeared on The Spark to promote the festival. The festival was born in 2018, as Deepa was attending …

It's been ten years since the spotted lanternflies began showing up in Pennsylvania. Brian Walsh, Spotted Lanternfly Researcher at Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences began noticing the insects when he was a landscaper years ago. "I was running a landscaping business, and it lanternfly landed very close to where we worked from just a few mi…

Boar's Head recalled seven million more pounds of deli meat due to a listeria outbreak. That outbreak follows an earlier recall of more than 200 thousand pounds of deli meat by the same company. Those outbreaks have been reported in Pennsylvania and 12 other states. Martin Bucknavage, Senior Extension Program Specialist with the Penn State Departme…

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will soon convert its tolling system to Open Road Rolling east of Reading and on the Northeast Extension. The Open Road Tolling system will be in place in January 2025. The turnpike was opened in 1940 with a cash collection system, then in the 2000’s the EZ pass was added. Craig Shuey, Chief Operating Officer of…

The York County Sheriff's Office is eager to engage with communities across York County for National Night Out on August 6. The goal of the event is to strengthen relationships between law enforcement and the residents they serve. Lieutenant David Godfrey and his deputies at the York County Sheriff’s Department look forward to this event each year.…

Inflation has been impacting many industries from food prices at the grocery store and even affordable housing. In Central Pennsylvania, there’s even a housing shortage. Jodi Diego of the National Association of Realtors says there’s even a lack of homes to sell in the area. “We don’t have enough homes to sell. Plus, you know, new construction. It’…

On June 3, the Dauphin County Library System had its first Library named after an historic African-American couple. The Kline Library located in the Allison Hill area of Harrisburg was renamed the George & Hettie Love Memorial Library. This library is the first library in the county named after African Americans. About a year ago, Dauphin County Bo…