The Spark

The deadliest U.S. passenger ship disaster since 1934 is the focus of a gripping new maritime history by two veteran seafarers who know the waters — and the dangers — all too well.

Yarmouth Castle Burning: The Deadliest Passenger Ship Disaster off the Coast of the United States Since 1934 by Eric Takakjian and Randa...

The Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning (CHS) marked a major milestone with the grand opening of its newest location in Middletown — the third of six planned centers in Pennsylvania.

For Senate Alexander, Executive Director of CHS and a Milton Hershey School graduate, the opening is deeply personal.

On today’s edition of The Spark, former host Scott LaMar returned to the show for a wide-ranging conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Rick Atkinson. The discussion centered around Atkinson’s latest volume in his Revolutionary War trilogy, which explores not only national figures like George Washington but also the critical role Central Pen...

Downtown York is celebrating a major milestone in its journey toward revitalization — earning both state and national accreditation through the Main Street America program and the Pennsylvania Downtown Center.

The recognition signals a significant accomplishment for Downtown Inc, the org...

As the summer months heat up, so does the intake of stray and displaced animals at the York County SPCA, putting serious pressure on space, staff, and resources.

Steven Martinez, Executive Director of the York County SPCA, joined The Spark to shed light on how the shelter is navigating one of its busiest seasons of the year. "It...

Parkinson’s disease is often misunderstood and frequently misdiagnosed, especially in its early stages. On a recent episode of The Spark, I spoke with Dr. Rebecca Gilbert, Chief Mission Officer at the American Parkinson Disease Association, about the complexities of this neurodegenerative disease and why early awareness is so critical. "It's really such an...

Lung cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers in the United States, in part because it’s often detected too late. On The Spark, UPMC Thoracic Surgeon Dr. Troy Moritz joined the show to shed light on who should be screened, what symptoms not to ignore, and how technology is changing the way lung cancer is detected and treated.

Who Should Be Screened...

On The Spark this Monday, ABC27 meteorologist Dan Tomaso joined host Asia Tabb to talk about the recent stretch of refreshing weather in Central Pennsylvania — a welcome change after a hot and humid July.

“We’re coming off just a beautiful weekend,” Tomaso said. “It started out Friday with cooler w...

At the Horn Farm Center in York County, nature isn’t just scenery — it’s the classroom, the kitchen, and the community. This September, the nonprofit is preparing for its 21st annual Pawpaw Festival, a celebration of one of North America’s best-kept fruit secrets.

The star of the event? The pawpaw — a creamy, tropical-tasting fruit n...

As August 9 marks National Book Lovers Day, bookworms in Central Pennsylvania are in for more than just a reminder to curl up with their favorite read — they’re being invited to rediscover the joy, power, and importance of books through community celebrations hosted by the Dauphin County Library System and the Midtown Scholar Bookstore.

"It's just a gr...

Severe flash flooding earlier this month swept across parts of Northeastern Pennsylvania, leaving communities in Luzerne, Lycoming, and Columbia counties scrambling to respond to quickly rising waters and damaged infrastructure. The deluge, which began around 2:30 a.m. on July 14, caused significant disruptions in areas such as Kingston Borough, Harveys Lake, and West Nanticoke—longtime hot ...

Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse, Pennsylvania, may be known today for its bustling shops, restaurants, and homemade jams, but it all started in a garage with a single kettle of jelly. Now celebrating its 71st anniversary, the family-run destination has become a beloved Lancaster County landmark, drawing locals and tourists alike.

Michelle Rodinelli, the thi...

On this week's edition of The Spark Weekly

AmeriStarRail proposes to team with Amtrak to celebrate America’s 250th birthday in 2026 with a new, privately funded, coast-to-coast train operating between Los Angeles and New York (see attached letter)

The Transcontinental Chief will revolutionize rail passenger service and express logistics by carrying passengers, truck drivers and their tractor trailers coast-to-coast in le...

As the political gap between urban and rural communities continues to widen, organizations like Braver Angels are working to bring Americans together across that divide. In a recent conversation, Ron Chadwell of Camp Hill, the group’s Blue Co-Chair, joined Tom Cook of Quarryville, a more conservative-leaning member, to explore how respectful dialogue can lead to greater understanding between ...

With federal funding for public broadcasting officially eliminated, reporters at public media stations now face the unusual challenge of covering a story that hits close to home—their own financial future. On this week’s segment, we spoke with Sydney Roach from WPSU and Carmen Russell-Sluchansky from WHYY about how their newsrooms are navigating the tricky balance of objectivity and per...

Each January, during some of the coldest days of the year, communities across the country participate in a federally mandated effort to measure homelessness. The Point-in-Time (PIT) count provides a snapshot of those experiencing homelessness in a single 24-hour period. And this year, York County's results were sobering.

York County saw a 17% increase in the numbe...

The 37th annual Liberty Medal ceremony is set to shine a spotlight on the transformative power of storytelling and civic engagement this October. The National Constitution Center will honor the cast of Hamilton and acclaimed biographer Ron Chernow, whose work inspired the hit Broadway musical, during a live event in Philadelphia on October 17.

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