The Spark

The Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area isn’t your typical state game land. Spanning about 6,000 acres along the Lancaster-Lebanon County border, it combines hunting, hiking, boating, and wildlife viewing with a rich conservation history. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s Journalist Roundtable, reporters examined the August 11 explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works that killed two workers and injured ten others. U.S. Steel says its initial investigation points to a gas valve failure. According to the company, pressure built up inside the valve while workers were flushing it during maintenance preparations. The release of coke oven gas is believed to have found an ignition source, triggering the deadly blast. Reid Frazier of The Allegheny Front noted that the Clairton plant has a long history of safety and maintenance problems. “There was a fatal explosion here in 2009, another blast that injured 20 workers in 2010, and a fire in 2018 that disabled pollution controls for months,” he said. Jordan Wilkie of WITF shared the perspective of a Clairton resident who heard the August 11 blast. The resident described not only the fear of the explosion itself but also ongoing struggles with air quality and pollution tied to the coke works. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Pennsylvania native is receiving national attention for her work helping soldiers build resilience beyond physical training. Maj. Erin Stone, originally from Boiling Springs, was recently featured in Men’s Health for her expertise in the U.S. Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) system. The program, known as H2F, aims to improve soldier readiness by focusing on five areas: physical, mental, nutritional, sleep, and spiritual. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even though it’s late summer, many Pennsylvanians still have gardening on their minds—and plenty of questions, too. While spring is often thought of as the main planting season, horticulturalist Erica Jo Shaffer says this time of year is far from the end of gardening. In fact, there’s still a lot you can do to keep your garden thriving into fall and beyond. When words like “bipolar,” “schizo,” or even “anxious” are tossed around in everyday conversation, they often miss the mark of what those diagnoses actually mean. Psychiatrist Dr. Luke Piper of UPMC Lititz says while the casual use of psychiatric language has become common, it can dilute the real meaning of mental illness and even discourage people from seeking help. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As students and families prepare for the upcoming academic year, many are facing questions about financial aid — especially in light of major federal changes coming in the next few years. That’s where Pennsylvania’s School Services Team steps in. The team is made up of 13 Higher Education Access Partners strategically located across the state. They work under the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) to provide free support to students, families, schools, and community organizations. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pennon Education is working to give students the tools they need to succeed — from building curiosity in elementary classrooms to helping teens explore future career pathways. Check out The Morning Agendas Feature on the Youth Voice Program: https://omny.fm/shows/the-morning-agenda/ag-dave-sunday-implements-a-diversion-program-and-a-deep-dive-with-middle-school-podcasters Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Harrisburg will host its first-ever Open Championship, a martial arts tournament designed not just for competition, but to celebrate community, unity, and culture. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even though it’s late summer, many Pennsylvanians still have gardening on their minds—and plenty of questions, too. While spring is often thought of as the main planting season, horticulturalist Erica Jo Shaffer says this time of year is far from the end of gardening. In fact, there’s still a lot you can do to keep your garden thriving into fall and beyond. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new report is offering a deeper look into the well-being of children across Pennsylvania, providing insights at both the county and state levels. The State of the Child Profiles, published annually by Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children (PPC), aim to spark critical conversations about children’s health, education, and economic stability. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Penn State Health employees recently collected and donated more than 250 bras to women in need across Carlisle, Shippensburg, and Harrisburg — a project that not only meets a basic need but also spreads awareness about affordable breast cancer screenings. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For many visitors, the Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art offers more than just galleries of artwork—it’s an accessible and welcoming place where art and nature come together. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When words like “bipolar,” “schizo,” or even “anxious” are tossed around in everyday conversation, they often miss the mark of what those diagnoses actually mean. Psychiatrist Dr. Luke Piper of UPMC Lititz says while the casual use of psychiatric language has become common, it can dilute the real meaning of mental illness and even discourage people from seeking help. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What began as a simple injury turned into a lifetime of adventure for 68-year-old Duane “Mike” McHale. After an Achilles injury ended his running days, he took up swimming, then cycling, and eventually triathlons. He’s since completed more than 140 multisport events and now focuses on extreme endurance challenges around the world. His adventures include climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, biking the 450-mile RAGBRAI ride in Iowa, swimming 22 miles through the Maldives, and more. Most recently, Mike completed a 390-mile ride across the Erie Canal alongside his 15-year-old grandson, Gavin. Groundbreaking took place in late July on a brand new, 16 thousand square foot roundhouse at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg. It will be home to six historic steam locomotives, a major step forward in preserving Pennsylvania's railroad heritage. The Friends of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania have spearheaded a "Ready For The Roundhouse" fundraising campaign, already raising over $300,000 to support restoration work associated with the locomotives that will be housed in the new structure. The 13.5 million-dollar project is set to be completed in early 2027. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Journalist Roundtable, the discussion focused on the latest developments in the Pennsylvania state budget. Hosts spoke with Jaxon White, WITF Capitol Reporter, and Ian Karbol, State Government Reporter for the PA Capital Star, about the key negotiations, spending priorities, and the political dynamics shaping Harrisburg’s budget process. White and Karbol provided insight into how the proposed budget impacts Pennsylvanians, from education and healthcare funding to infrastructure and local government allocations. They also explored the challenges lawmakers face in reaching consensus and what to expect in the coming weeks as budget talks continue. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lancaster County is no stranger to ghost stories, strange legends, and tales of hidden treasures—and Adam Zurn, executive director of Uncharted Lancaster, has spent years chronicling them. Since 2019, Zurn has written nearly 700 articles exploring the area’s folklore, and now he’s compiled a full-length book capturing the county’s spookier side. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will and Jim Pattiz grew up just south of Atlanta, but a spontaneous road trip nearly 15 years ago changed the trajectory of their lives. Driving across the country to the Grand Canyon, they pulled off to visit Petrified Forest National Park and were immediately captivated. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For many, an Achilles injury might mark the end of an athletic journey. For 68-year-old Duane “Mike” McHale, it was just the beginning. After his injury ended his running days, Mike turned to swimming, then cycling, and eventually triathlons. Over the years, he has completed more than 140 multisport events and now focuses on extreme endurance challenges around the globe. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flooding is the most common and costly natural hazard in Pennsylvania — and now the state is taking a high-tech step forward in predicting and preparing for it. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) has partnered with Penn State University and the National Weather Service to modernize the Integrated Flood Observation and Warning System, or iFLOWS, first launched in the 1970s and 80s. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A major preservation project is underway at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania — one that museum leaders say will secure the future of some of the state’s most treasured locomotives. The museum has broken ground on a brand-new, 16,000-square-foot roundhouse, a circular structure that will house six historic steam locomotives, all listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Patrick Morrison, Director of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, says the design centers around a fully restored 1928 turntable — a piece of equipment that was once essential in the age of steam. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lancaster-based nonprofit Servant Stage is on a mission to make live theater accessible to everyone — regardless of physical or financial limitations. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.