The Spark
When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.
Episodes
As the cost of living continues to rise across the U.S., parents in Pennsylvania are feeling the squeeze — especially when it comes to raising young children. In a recent interview on The Spark, Laura Beltrán Figueroa, Director of Policy and Research at the Pennsylvania Policy Center, shared how child care expenses are forcing many working families into impossible financial choices.
At Fort Ligonier in Westmoreland County, history is more than something to read about — it’s something to experience.
The reconstructed 18th-century fort, which played a pivotal role in the French and Indian War, offers visitors a full immersion into colonial life, complete with authentic artifacts, historical interpreters, and a sprawling museum colle...
At the Fashion Archives & Museum at Shippensburg University, fashion isn’t just about style—it’s a portal to the past. Dr. Karin J. Bohleke, director of the museum, calls it her “dream job,” and she’s using it to bring centuries of history to life through original clothing and textiles.
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As the summer sun blazes on, the sounds of marching steps and brass instruments echo from Hershey High School, where band camp is in full swing. Director of Bands Brandon Buterbaugh says while the rehearsals may be long—spanning eight to nine hours a day—the energy and excitement among students are unmistakable.
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A new campaign in Harrisburg is working to reconnect Pennsylvanians with a powerful—but largely erased—chapter of the capital city's history.
The “Look Up, Look Out” campaign seeks to reimagine Harrisburg’s Old Eighth Ward, a vibrant and diverse neighborhood that was demolished in the 1910s to make way for Capitol Park. The effort us...
For adults who may have once believed college was out of reach, Messiah University’s Hoverter Course in the Humanities is proving that it’s never too late to return to the classroom. Run by the Center for Public Humanities, the program offers tuition-free, college-credit humanities courses to community members who’ve faced financial, educational, or personal barriers to higher e...
Coming up on this week's edition of The Spark Weekly:
As Central Pennsylvania swelters under a July heat dome, many gardeners are left wondering how to care for their plants in extreme heat. Gardening expert and landscape designer Erica Jo joined The Spark to share essential tips for summer plant care, from watering techniques to fertilizing container gardens.
Also on the prog...
As Pennsylvania’s budget remains more than two weeks overdue, this week’s Journalist Roundtable takes a closer look at the gridlock in Harrisburg—and what voters say they want their leaders to focus on.
Joining the conversation are Jordan Wilkie, Regional Democracy Reporter for WITF and LNP, and Stephen Caruso...
More than 220 miles of the Appalachian Trail weave through Pennsylvania, winding across mountains, valleys, and streams—and right through the heart of central PA. This iconic footpath stretches 2,197 miles from Georgia to Maine, challenging hikers from all walks of life to take part in one of the most grueling and inspiring outdoor adventures in the country.
For more than two decades, Living the Experience has invited audiences to take a powerful walk through history—right into the heart of Lancaster’s role in the Underground Railroad. What started as a church initiative has grown into an immersive reenactment that’s now drawing new attention under the direction of Ondra Haywood.
A bill that could reshape the future of public media in the U.S. is one step closer to becoming law. Early Thursday morning, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 4 – The Recessions Act of 2025, a measure that would completely eliminate federal funding for public media, including funding for WITF in Central Pennsylvania.
Now, with the bill heading back to the House f...
As Pennsylvania towns go, few can rival the historical breadth and regional impact of Shippensburg. Founded in the early 1730s, Shippensburg began as a frontier settlement and grew into a critical transportation, military, and industrial hub. This week on The Spark, John Miller of the Shippensburg Historical Society joined host Asia Tabb to shed light on the borough’s deep historical roots ...
As federal immigration enforcement ramps up across the country, Pennsylvania’s farms are increasingly on edge—and experts say the ripple effects could impact everything from food prices to local economies.
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The Cleveland-Cliffs steel mill in Steelton—an industrial cornerstone since 1868—went idle as of June 30, sending shockwaves through the community and across the Commonwealth. Once a thriving symbol of American industrial might, the mill's closure left residents grappling with the loss of both jobs and a deeply personal legacy.
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At age 60, Carla Fisher never expected to begin again. But after losing her husband, she pivoted from a long career in finance to become an award-winning fiber artist with her work exhibited in London, Italy, South Korea, and beyond. Her story isn’t just about art—it’s about courage, healing, and proving that transformation can begin at any stage of life.
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The York County Astronomical Society (YCAS) is helping residents of all ages and backgrounds discover the wonders of the night sky—whether through the lens of a telescope or simply with the naked eye.
Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/
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As Central Pennsylvania swelters under a July heat dome, many gardeners are left wondering how to care for their plants in extreme heat. Gardening expert and landscape designer Erica Jo joined The Spark to share essential tips for summer plant care, from watering techniques to fertilizing container gardens.
One of her biggest ta...
Coming up on the Spark Weekly:
With thousands of dams scattered across its waterways, Pennsylvania has a complicated relationship with its aquatic infrastructure. But a growing number of those dams—especially small, aging, and obsolete ones—are being taken down. And for good reason.
Also, on the program
The Pennsylvania State Police’s Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement (BLCE) is responsible for far more t...
The story of American industry is deeply woven into the steel beams, machine tools, and echoes of labor found inside the National Museum of Industrial History in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. On The Spark, host Asia Tabb spoke with museum curator Andria Zaia and historian Mike Piersa about the museum’s roots, its Smithsonian affiliation, and how it brings the legacy of industrial America to life...
On a recent episode of The Spark, Dr. Chrissy Senecal joined host Asia Tabb to uncover new and evolving discoveries about early humans—from our earliest ancestors in Africa to the impact of DNA inherited from long-extinct relatives like Neanderthals and Denisovans. The conversation explored groundbreaking insights into how humans evolved and what modern science is teaching us about our anci...
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