The Spark

Last week, The Most Reverend Timothy Senior, Bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg, found himself originally traveling to Rome as part of the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year 2025, Bishop Senior joined forty faithful from his diocese to “walk in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare” before making arrangements to attend Pope Francis’s funeral on Saturday. As Bishop Senior explains, the Jubilee theme is “hope”—a reminder that “we are pilgrims of hope…trying to share that hope and encourage others…in the midst of so many challenging and difficult times, we all need hope.” Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the past two weeks, Central Pennsylvania has traded April showers for an almost unbelievable stretch of spring sunshine. As ABC27 Meteorologist Dan Tomaso put it, “It’s kind of phenomenal that this time of year…we’ve had lots of sunshine, very little active weather,” making it “the perfect recipe” for spring sports and outdoor plans. After a damp start to April and a few chilly weekends, the region has seen more days in the 70s—and even flirted with the 80s in the extended forecast—than the cooler 50s and 60s typical of early spring. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In an era when family vloggers and “kidfluencers” can earn upwards of six figures, the rights—and privacy—of the children at the center of that content often go unprotected. Quit Clicking Kids, a grassroots initiative founded by Chris McCarty, is on a mission to change that by pushing for legislation that treats these minors as the revenue-generating contributors they are. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nearly 27 years ago, the Virginia Department of Transportation launched a pilot effort to curb the rising number of highway work-zone accidents. “They put together an awareness campaign and then after a year said, ‘You know, we need to take this national,’ ” recalls Stacey Taschner, President and CEO of the American Traffic Safety Services Association, which now spearheads National Work Zone Awareness Week in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration and AASHTO. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nestled in the rolling hills of Western Pennsylvania, Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village offers a captivating journey through nearly 19,000 years of human habitation. We sat down with David Scofield, the site’s director for the past 31 years, to uncover how this nationally recognized landmark brings prehistory and pioneer life vividly to public view. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WITF Creator Academy, an exciting audio and video curation and coaching program, is all about uncovering and boosting the next big student creators from colleges and universities across central Pennsylvania. Dive into the world of authentic storytelling, sharing your unique take on campus life and the hot topics that matter most to today’s young adults. With awesome mentorship and hands-on coaching, you’ll sharpen your skills, find your voice, and maybe even go viral! Get ready to create, connect, and shine with WITF Creator Academy! Asia Tabb interviews current Creator Academy student Grace Harbour and Mentor Dr. Julia Lennox about this springs program. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a former tire factory in Oaks, Pennsylvania, the American Treasure Tour Museum unfolds like a pop‑culture funhouse, where vintage cars, mechanical music machines, and stuffed animals coexist in kaleidoscopic harmony. “If you have a concept of a museum, I can almost 100 percent guarantee this isn’t it,” says director Ross Brakman, who delights in upending every expectation of quiet glass cases and hushed galleries. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our discussion will center on the state of the environment in Pennsylvania, with Dr. Allen Dietrich-Ward of Shippensburg University, author of Cradle of Conservation: An Environmental History of Pennsylvania. We’ll also be joined by a representative from Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful to discuss the 2025 Pick Up Pennsylvania Initiative. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month—a time to spotlight the importance of keeping children safe and supporting families through education, community awareness, and access to critical resources. In Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance (PFSA) leads the way with its annual Blue-Ribbon campaign and an array of statewide initiatives dedicated to prevention. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the shadowy woods above the Wissahickon Creek in present-day Philadelphia, legend has it that a mystic once awaited the end of the world. His name was Johannes Kelpius—a German-born spiritual seeker who led a small band of followers from Europe to the wilds of Pennsylvania in 1694. Their purpose? To prepare for the second coming of Christ and live lives of contemplation and purity. On a recent episode of The Spark, host Asia Tabb sat down with Dr. Patrick M. Urban, professor of American literature at the University of West Georgia and a scholar of early German American culture, to uncover the story of this lesser known but deeply fascinating figure. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's edition of The Spark Weekly... We’ll discuss the arson attack on the Governor’s Residence with Peter Hall and Ian Karbal of the PA Capital Star, along with Laura Esposito of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, who wrote a story earlier this year on political violence in Pennsylvania. also, on the program. When Dr. James P. Delgado took his first dive to the Titanic in 2001, he expected awe. What he didn’t expect was tears. Delgado—one of the world’s foremost marine archeologists—spoke with Asia Tabb for The Spark about what it was like to descend two and a half miles beneath the ocean's surface and come face-to-face with the wreck of the Titanic, a site as iconic as it is tragic. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During one of the darkest chapters of the American Revolutionary War, George Washington’s army settled into winter quarters at Valley Forge. What followed was a six-month ordeal that tested the endurance, resilience, and unity of a nation. On a recent episode of The Spark on WITF, host Asia Tabb welcomed Adam Gresek, Director of Community Engagement at Valley Forge National Historical Park, to take listeners deep into the story of that pivotal winter encampment. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Spark, we confront a disturbing incident that has shaken Pennsylvania’s capital: the arson attack on the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg. As law enforcement continues its investigation, we turn to journalists who have been closely following this developing story and the broader rise in political violence across the state. Joining the conversation was Peter Hall and Ian Karbal of the Pennsylvania Capital-Star, who have been reporting on the investigation into the arson and its potential political motivations. They provided insight into the ongoing search for answers, how officials are responding, and what this attack may signal about the current political climate in Pennsylvania. Also on the program is Laura Esposito of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, who earlier this year published an in-depth piece on the increase in politically motivated threats and violence across the commonwealth. Esposito helps place the Governor’s Residence arson in a broader context, highlighting how elected officials, law enforcement, and journalists themselves are becoming targets in an increasingly charged atmosphere. Listen to the podcast to hear the conversation. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At least two more Pennsylvania residents have been deported to Bhutan. That brings the total to eight Bhutanese refugees from Pennsylvania and 20 from across the country who have been deported back to Bhutan, according to leaders from those communities who have been tracking cases. In early March, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents began arresting members of the Bhutanese refugee community in Central Pennsylvania. The first deportation flight came on March 26, less than three weeks after the initial arrests, with the next flights on March 28 and April 10. On this special episode of The Spark, Democracy Reporter Jordan Wilkie spoke with Craig Shagin, a lawyer for one of the recently deported men, human rights activist Gopal Krishna Siwakoti, Narad Adhikari, a former refugee from Bhutan and now a U.S. citizen living in Central Pa. and other members of the Bhutanese community about this issue. If you want to read the full story, check out Jordan's article here. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every June, hundreds of riders saddle up for an epic journey spanning eight states and nearly 2,000 miles — all in the name of history. On a recent episode of The Spark, host Asia Tabb caught up with Petra Keller and Linda Jenny of the National Pony Express Association to talk about the enduring legacy of the legendary Pony Express and how it continues to ride strong today. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As part of National Library Week, we took a closer look at the critical and evolving role libraries play in our lives. To help us understand, we welcomed two local leaders in library services—Ryan McCory, Executive Director of the Dauphin County Library System, and Carolyn Blatchley, Executive Director of the Cumberland County Library System. Together, they painted a vibrant picture of how libraries have become vital hubs of connection, learning, and community. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As maternal health outcomes worsen across the nation, Pennsylvania’s hospital leaders are taking action. Nicole Stallings, president and CEO of the Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania (HAP), joined WITF’s The Spark to discuss the group’s new maternal health report and the sweeping recommendations it offers. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Dr. James P. Delgado took his first dive to the Titanic in 2001, he expected awe. What he didn’t expect was tears. Delgado—one of the world’s foremost marine archeologists—spoke with Asia Tabb for The Spark about what it was like to descend two and a half miles beneath the ocean's surface and come face-to-face with the wreck of the Titanic, a site as iconic as it is tragic. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inside Chester County lies Kennett Square, a town known for its mushroom farms. But hidden beneath its surface is a powerful history—one that reveals the courage, solidarity, and risk that defined the Underground Railroad. Today, that legacy lives on through the work of the Kennett Underground Railroad Center (KURC), where volunteers are striving to preserve a story too long overlooked. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Center for Rural Pennsylvania Board of Directors held a public hearing on advancing rural mental health awareness and support on April 8 in Harrisburg. Asia Tabb spoke with Senator Gene Yaw and Dr. Nancy Falvo, Pennsylvania Western University Clarion, Secretary all about it. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.