The Spark

Some 1.7 million Pennsylvania are food insecure. Many areas of the state are considered food deserts – meaning grocery stores aren’t close by or there isn’t access to healthy food.

This is an issue we’ve talked about many times over the years on The Spark, because it continues to exist and if anything, the problem has gotten worse between the COVID pandemic and rising prices on food.

Access to healthy food can be an event bigg...

When motorists stop to buy gasoline for their vehicles, it’s almost always at a business that doubles as a convenience store, whose main sales priority is often their food menus. And the driver is almost always pumping their own gas.

It didn’t used to be that way. Service stations were just that – the place to go to have an attendant pump gas, check the oil in a car, clean the windshield and doubled as the garage where a mechan...

A major milestone in the clean-up of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore is scheduled for Monday afternoon after being postponed over the weekend. Explosives will be used to clear eight to 12 million pounds of the collapsed bridge from the front of the container ship, Dali.

To get an update on the story, The Spark turned to Robert Lang, an award-winning anchor reporter with WBAL News Radio and longtime radio and TV journalis...

In a unique collaboration celebrating history, community, and the spirit of resilience, Spring House Brewing Company has crafted "Saucy Boy," a refreshing blend of pale lager and grapefruit soda. But this beer is more than just a beverage; it's a tribute to the enduring legacy of Crispus Attucks, an emblematic figure in America's fight for freedom.

Partnering with the Crispus Attucks Community Center and the Community Action Partn...

On June 1st, a moving portrayal will grace the stage—a heartfelt depiction of Hazel Jackson's life, a woman whose resilience and dedication left an unforgettable impact on her community. This play, honoring Jackson's memory, marks the foundation stone of the newly formed Hazel Jackson Foundation, with proceeds supporting its mission of empowerment and assistance. Recalling the beginnings of this endeavor, Cheryl Holland-Jones, Dr. ...

The vibrant cultural scene of Downtown Harrisburg is set to be enriched as the curtains rise for the acclaimed play "What the Constitution Means to Me" starting Saturday, and continuing its run until June 1st at the Open Stage. This Tony-nominated and Pulitzer Prize finalist production promises to captivate audiences with its witty, timely, and deeply personal exploration of our nation's founding document. At the heart of the play ...

Public interest in intergenerational (IG) programs and practices are growing, spurred by the recognition that the synergy between younger and older generations can address mutual needs and aspirations. Research underscores the manifold benefits of IG programs, with participants of all ages experiencing diminished susceptibility to age-based stereotypes, enriched perspectives on life, skill acquisition, expanded social networks, and...

The Cuban Missile Crisis in October, 1962 may have been the closest the world has come to a nuclear war.

The Soviet Union placed nuclear missiles in Cuba – just 90 miles of the coast of Florida.

President John F. Kennedy and Soviet Premiere Nikita Khrushchev stared one another down as the U.S. demanded the missiles be removed.

New York Times best-selling novelist Jeff Shaara’s new book The Shadow of War, tells the tension-fil...

As the curtains draw close on the fantastical production of "Seussical" at Theatre Harrisburg, audiences are left enchanted by the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss characters brought to life on stage. Since its opening on April 26th, the musical has captivated hearts and minds with its tale of friendship, loyalty, and community. In an exclusive interview with Lorien Reese Mahay, the Executive Director of Theatre Harrisburg, and Becky M...

There are about 200 million working animals around the world. Here in Pennsylvania, we’re most familiar with farm horses, search and rescue dogs, dogs used by law enforcement and therapy animals.

The Pennsylvania State Working Animal Foundation has plans to honor these animals with a granite memorial wall in Mechanicsburg on June 1.

On The Spark Wednesday was Terri Heck, President of the Pennsylvania State Working Animal Found...

In the heart of Oklahoma's jazz culture, a prodigious talent emerged, shaped by the rich harmonies of the genre and guided by the influence of legendary musicians. Champian Fulton, hailed as one of jazz's top talents, traces her musical journey back to her upbringing in Oklahoma, where the rhythms of jazz infused her childhood. Inspired by her father, jazz trumpeter Stephen Fulton, Champian's passion for music ignited at a young ag...

About 20% of all people who consume alcohol develop an unhealthy use, accounting for over 5% of worldwide deaths.

Bucknell University psychology and neuroscience professor Judy Grisel was among those who developed an unhealthy relationship with substances.

Dr. Grisel began her recovery from addiction 30 years ago. Since then, she has studied substance dependency and wrote a New York Times best-selling book Never Enough, the Ne...

In the realm of criminal justice, Pennsylvania stands as a stage where the specter of wrongful convictions casts a long and haunting shadow. Recent research by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) sheds light on the staggering prevalence of wrongful accusations within the state, illuminating the urgent need for systemic reforms.

According to the ACLU's data, Pennsylvania ranks among the highest in the nation for wrongful conv...

On this week's edition of The Spark Weekly.

A White woman Pheobe Kilby contacted Betty Kilby Baldwin, a Black woman. sawing she suspected they are connected through slavery. That started a conversation and led to a book called Cousins. They both join us for The Spark Weekly,

Also on the program, Dr. Dhiman Chattopadhyay is a professor at Shippensburg University and an author of two books, the first one related to journalism in...

In the emotionally gripping film "Cold," viewers are plunged into the haunting tale of Carmen, a woman thrust into a perplexing ordeal with high stakes and harrowing consequences. Co-produced and directed by Greg Poppa and Sugey Cruz and brought to life by her compelling portrayal of Carmen, the narrative unfolds as Carmen awakens in an unfamiliar abode, greeted by a cryptic message from her guide, Samuel. The ominous directive gra...

Men Raising Black Boys (MR. BB) is set to make waves with its inaugural conference, slated for May 18th, 2024, at Harrisburg University. This pioneering event aims to embolden men engaged in the nurturing and guidance of Black boys, igniting vital discussions and furnishing invaluable resources for community enrichment. The conference showcases an illustrious lineup of speakers and panelists, featuring renowned figures such as Marc...

In the bustling city of Kolkata, nestled amidst a population of 14 million, Dr. Dhiman Chattopadhyay's journey from the world of journalism to academia, reads like a gripping novel. Eschewing the family tradition of teaching, Dr. Chattopadhyay carved his path, propelled by a passion for storytelling and a fervent desire to illuminate the world through the lens of journalism. His foray into the field took a seismic turn when he foun...