The Spark

David Blankenhorn, a Harvard graduate and cofounder of Braver Angels, has stepped down after nine years as President of the nonprofit organization he helped launch in response to America’s growing political polarization. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Americans get ready to celebrate Independence Day, the bald eagle—a powerful symbol of freedom and the nation itself—continues to be a soaring success story in Pennsylvania. Once nearly wiped out due to pesticide use, bald eagles have made a remarkable comeback across the Commonwealth. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the heart of downtown Lancaster, a new museum is preparing to open its doors — one that highlights a powerful, and often overlooked, chapter of American history. The Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy is set to open next spring, led by LancasterHistory, the organization behind the museum's development. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As temperatures soar and heatwaves become more common in Pennsylvania, health experts are urging people to understand the dangers of extreme heat — and how to protect themselves and others. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mount Gretna may be a small Pennsylvania town, but it’s home to something historically unique: the only remaining Chautauqua in the state. For more than 130 years, the Mount Gretna Chautauqua has championed the same four foundational pillars—arts and culture, education, religion, and recreation—that began with the movement’s founding in 1874. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than a decade after the loss of 19-year-old Peyton Walker to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), the foundation created in her name is saving lives across Pennsylvania and beyond. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Local educator, historian, and adventurer Adam Zurn has taken his passion for Pennsylvania’s hidden history from blog to bookshelf. In his debut children’s book Canassatego and His Six Arrows, Zurn tells the powerful story of unity shared by the Onondaga chief Canassatego during the 1744 Treaty of Lancaster—a message that helped shape America’s earliest ideas of governance. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asia Tabb speaks with Hope Mackenzie and Marcus Mcghee of Gamut Theatre Group all about their mission, history, and what's coming up next. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Congress considers what could be the most significant Medicaid cuts in U.S. history, experts are sounding the alarm about the far-reaching consequences—especially for small businesses and rural communities. Also, on the program. For children affected by parental incarceration, the trauma can be deep, isolating, and difficult to express. But in Lancaster, a unique nonprofit is helping those children find their voice — through music. Scaling Walls a Note at a Time (SWAN) was founded in 2011 by violinist and educator Diana Vuolo to serve children impacted by the incarceration of a parent. The organization offers free music instruction, performance opportunities, Bible and trauma management classes, and immediate access to mental health care — all under one roof. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With summer temperatures climbing and heat waves becoming more frequent, energy bills can quickly get out of hand. But there are simple, affordable ways to stay cool without breaking the bank. Dan McCunney, Senior Communications Manager at NRG Energy, joined The Spark to share expert tips on how to lower energy usage while staying comfortable indoors. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Harrisburg’s own M. Travis Dinicola had his public radio dreams come true when he was selected as the winner of NPR’s Sunday Puzzle segment on Weekend Edition. A long-time listener, public media volunteer, and nonprofit fundraiser, Dinicola represented Central Pennsylvania on the national airwaves with enthusiasm and humility. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Pennsylvania's June 30 state budget deadline approaches, lawmakers in Harrisburg remain at odds—especially over the controversial issue of whether to tax so-called "skill games." On this week’s Journalist Roundtable, The Spark explored the state budget standoff with Spotlight PA reporters Katie Meyer and Stephen Caruso, who outlined the widening rift among Republicans and what’s at stake. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As summer kicks off, much of the East Coast — including Pennsylvania — has already endured a punishing stretch of extreme temperatures, thanks to what meteorologists are calling a "heat dome." According to ABC 27 Meteorologist Dan Tomaso, the phenomenon is a classic — but intense — example of high-pressure systems trapping heat across large regions. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As vacation season heats up, safety officials are reminding Pennsylvanians to travel smart, buckle up, and never drive impaired — especially with increased traffic expected around the July 4th holiday. In a recent conversation on The Spark, Kelly Whitaker with the Pennsylvania Traffic Injury Prevention Project (PA TIPP) outlined critical safety tips and state efforts to reduce crashes this summer. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Congress considers what could be the most significant Medicaid cuts in U.S. history, experts are sounding the alarm about the far-reaching consequences—especially for small businesses and rural communities. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association (LSRA) has sounded an alarm for outdoor enthusiasts this summer: several locations along the Susquehanna River near Harrisburg are currently unsafe for recreational activities like swimming, kayaking, and fishing due to dangerously high levels of E. coli and other bacteria. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As conversations around mental health and social media continue to intensify, one expert says there’s growing evidence that screen time—especially among teens—is doing real harm. On The Spark, WITF’s Asia Tabb spoke with Dr. Yann Poncin, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, about what research is revealing and how families can respond. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts is celebrating a major milestone — 25 years of engaging the Central Pennsylvania community with its unique blend of science, art, and education. We spoke with President and CEO Mary Oliveira, who reflected on the center’s legacy and shared how it’s planning for the future. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Journalists have long risked their safety to report the news — but in today's political and digital climate, that danger is only growing. Whether on the frontlines of protests or facing online harassment, reporters are increasingly “in the line of fire” in more ways than one. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For children affected by parental incarceration, the trauma can be deep, isolating, and difficult to express. But in Lancaster, a unique nonprofit is helping those children find their voice — through music. Scaling Walls a Note at a Time (SWAN) was founded in 2011 by violinist and educator Diana Vuolo to serve children impacted by the incarceration of a parent. The organization offers free music instruction, performance opportunities, Bible and trauma management classes, and immediate access to mental health care — all under one roof. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.