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, host Asia Tabb starts conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.
Episodes
In this festive episode, we explore the magic behind American Music Theatre’s 2025 Christmas Show, celebrating the sights, sounds, and spirit of the season. We also spotlight Pennsylvania’s Blue Ribbon School awardees, honoring outstanding achievement and educational excellence across the state. Plus, we take a journey through the State Museum’s America 250 exhibit, where history, heritage, and the nation’s ...
Chesapeake Bay officials elected Gov. Josh Shapiro to lead a regional agreement to help clean and restore the waterway. he first-term Democrat will take the reins at a tumultuous time for the forty-year-old partnership. Gov. Josh Shapiro says he’s going to break Pennsylvania from its history of taking a BACKSEAT to Chesapeake Bay conservation. The group Shapiro will lead FAILED to meet many of the goals it set for its members...
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Chesapeake Bay officials elected Gov. Josh Shapiro to lead a regional agreement to help clean and restore the waterway. he first-term Democrat will take the reins at a tumultuous time for the forty-year-old partnership. Gov. Josh Shapiro says he’s going to break Pennsylvania from its history of taking a BACKSEAT to Chesapeake Bay conservation. The group Shapiro will lead FAILED to meet many of the goals it set for ...
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Chad-Alan Carr is the new Mayor of Gettysburg, after his November election win. Carr defeated incumbent Rita Frealing in the May Democratic primary by a few dozen votes. Carr, an at-large member of the Gettysburg Borough Council, campaigned on improving transparency in the mayor’s office and delegating certain authorities to the Borough Council, specifically police oversight, taking a more ceremonial approach...
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Justina remained stuck on probation. Not because she posed any safety risk, but because she couldn’t afford the last $500 of restitution she owed. Despite finishing jail time, rehab, and community service, her probation kept restarting every six months due to the unpaid balance. Without a driver’s license following her DUI conviction, she had to travel an hour each way for br...
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We are joined once again by Catherine Lawrence of Midtown Scholar and Travis Kurowski of York College to recommend some holiday book selections for you and your loved ones!
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A letter signed by 237 faith leaders from diverse religious traditions across Pennsylvania will be delivered to state lawmakers urging them to pass comprehensive non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians and other policies th...
Broadway comes to Lancaster this holiday season with Elf the Musical, and local audiences are in for a treat. Ben Fankhauser, who plays Buddy the Elf, said performing at the Fulton Theatre has been a special experience. “I have fallen in love with the Fulton Theater and I hope that Lancaster residents realize that they have a Broadway-caliber performing arts venue right in th...
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November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month (NEAM), and the call to action is "All in for National Epilepsy Awareness Month.”
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Pediatricians are speaking often and openly with parents who are anxious about the safety of vaccines amid changing federal policies
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Dan Tomaso and Asia Tabb speak about what weather we can expect this holiday season
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Buddy the Elf takes on New York City in Elf the Musical at The Fulton Theatre. Asia speaks with Broadway star Ben Fankhauser and Director/Choreographer Maura Newberry Greer.
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The Pennsylvania Public Relations Society (PPRS) marked its 75th anniversary on November 8, with a celebration in Cumberland County. This year’s celebration also recognized Leslie Gervasio, Director of Communications for the Pennsylv...
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Susquehanna Art Museum presents If Herr Street Could Talk, the homecoming exhibition of award-winning abstract artist and Harrisburg native, Alteronce Gumby.
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Franklin and Marshall College have announced a major initiative designed to make the Lancaster-based private school more affordable. Under the program known as Commonwealth Commitment, tuition will be free for students whose families earn 75 thousan...
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Move Past Plastic founder Tamela Trussell says her organization exists to help communities better understand the growing dangers of single-use plastics in the region. “The heart of our mission is to be a resource for understanding the complexities and potential harms of single-use plastic,” she said, noting that the group works with partners locally and nationwide to support education and reduction effor...
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We are joined by 2 officials of the Lancaster County Community Foundation, CEO Sam Bressiand Executive Vice President Tracy Cutler, as well as Robin Stauffer, Executive Director of the High Foundations to talk all things ExtraGive.
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Penn State Dickinson Law Prof. Stanley Brand, a Distinguished Fellow in Law and Government, will discuss the outcome of last Tuesday's Supreme Court retention election which has rec...
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Elizabethtown College is transforming history education with its Public Heritage Studies program, led by director Jean-Paul Benowitz. This immersive, community-driven approach takes students beyond the classroom into Pennsylvania’s rich cultural landscape, preparing them for careers in archives, museums, and historic sites through hands-on experiences and real-world internships.
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David Morrison...
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This Giving Tuesday, The YCSPCA want you to know how you can give compassion to those who need it most, our favorite furry friends.
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Move Past Plastic (MPP) is a grassroots organization in Central Pennsylvania. They are a collective of individuals, businesses, and organizations working to mitigate the toxic impacts of plastic through education and the implementation of practic...
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President and CEO Mary Quinn talks about the 18th Annual Pursuit of Justice Purse Auction, featuring designer purses in a live and silent auction. Proceeds benefit the YWCA Legal Programs.
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Nov. 19 is National Women's Entrepreneurship Day (Women's Entrepreneurship Day Organization) and November is National Entrepreneurship Month.
Kait Gillis, founder of Nour is with Monica Gould, founder of Strategic C...
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Located across the river from downtown Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania Regional Ballets launches this year's Nutcracker season.
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The 34th Annual Will Huffman Toy Train Expo is "gathering steam" and bringing traditions to hundreds of children and families across Central Pa.
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Horticulturalist Erica Jo Shaffer reunites with Scott and brings him a "tasty treat" as they talk about fall lawn and garden cleanup as well as care for mums and Christmas trees.
Dr. Amanda Cheromiah, Executive Director at the Center for the Futures of Native Peoples at Dickinson College discusses the initiative dedicated to advancing the understanding and appreciation of the Indigenous boarding school experience, promoting the stu...
During today's Journalist Roundtable we look more in-depth on some stories that have flown under the radar. We're joined by Katie Meyer and Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA, the online statewide news service, and Brett Sholtis, who reports for the Philadelphia Inquirer. All three are veterans of WITF's newsroom.
Also, after a float depicting the gate to the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz appeared in the Hanover Halloween parade, we're l...
Shila Ulrich, CEO and Zach Zook, Chief Strategy Officer at the Central Pennsylvania Foodbank discuss food insecurity in Central Pennsylvania as the holiday season approaches.
Mystery and thriller author David Baldacci to discusses the Wish You Well Foundation that he founded with his wife as well as his latest release "Nash Falls" and its upcoming sequel "Hope Rises".
Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/
See omnystudi...
Horticulturalist Erica Jo Shaffer reunites with Scott and brings him a "tasty treat" as they talk about fall lawn and garden cleanup as well as care for mums and Christmas trees.
Dr. Amanda Cheromiah, Executive Director at the Center for the Futures of Native Peoples at Dickinson College discusses the initiative dedicated to advancing the understanding and appreciation of the Indigenous boarding school experience, promoting the stu...
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