Video lessons on learning programming and electronics with Arduino. This is part of our Arduino Crash Course and Arduino Course for Absolute Beginners. It's designed to take someone with little or no experience in programming and electronics and get them fast-tracked to learning the skills to prototype using Arduino.
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The Programming Electronics Academy Podcast is a show featuring programmers, hobbyists, and other influencers, who are realizing their creative vision using Arduino. In each episode our host and guests of the show will talk about their creative projects and prototypes, how they managed build them, and what listeners can do to get out there and make their own projects using Arduino.
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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.
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Legal Battle Over Carbon Cap Could Shape Pennsylvania’s Energy Future
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10:52A pivotal case now before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court could determine whether the state continues participating in a key carbon-reduction program known as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). The outcome may have lasting implications for Pennsylvania’s energy policy, economy, and environmental health. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org…
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Blue Angels Take to the Skies Over Harrisburg
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23:26This Memorial Day weekend, the skies over Harrisburg International Airport (HIA) will roar with precision, speed, and spectacle as the U.S. Navy Blue Angels take over Central Pennsylvania—a first for the region and a homecoming for the event’s promoter. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf…
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How Kareem’s Mission Is Transforming Autism Support in Central Pennsylvania
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22:41When Dr. Hagir Elsheikh’s son, Kareem, was diagnosed with autism, she found herself navigating an under-resourced system. Determined to change that reality for other families, she founded Kareem’s Mission—a nonprofit dedicated to providing support, advocacy, and education for individuals with autism across Central Pennsylvania and beyond. Support W…
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Homefields Care Farm prepares for 26th season
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22:37Homefields Care Farm is set to launch its 26th growing season on May 30, 2025. This milestone underscores its enduring commitment to providing meaningful work and community engagement for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa…
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Uncovering the Legacy of William Miller Barber
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23:02When people talk about the history of civil rights in America, they usually mention famous names like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. But there are other important people, like William Miller Barbour from Middletown, Pennsylvania, who don’t get as much attention even though they did a lot for the movement. Recently, researchers at Elizabetht…
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Exploring the History of Birth Control: Insights from Christine Senecal
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22:53In a recent episode of The Spark, Dr. Christine Senecal, Associate Professor of History at Shippensburg University, delved into the multifaceted history of birth control. Drawing from her extensive background in medieval history and women's studies, Dr. Senecal provided a comprehensive overview of how family planning has evolved across different cu…
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Judith D. Cassel Unpacks the Challenges Facing Pennsylvania’s Budding Industry
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22:26Since Pennsylvania legalized medical marijuana in 2016, the cannabis industry has grown quickly—but not without growing pains. In a recent interview on WITF's The Spark, host Asia Tabb sat down with Judith D. Cassel, a leading attorney and advisor for cannabis companies, to explore how the legal landscape has evolved and what misconceptions still c…
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Uncovering the Buzzard Gang in Lancaster County
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32:10History isn't always written in the halls of government or on the battlefields of revolution. Sometimes, it's tucked into the rugged edges of Pennsylvania’s landscapes — like the Welsh Mountains of Lancaster County, where the Buzzard Gang built their legend. On a recent episode of The Spark, I sat down with historian and criminal justice expert Mic…
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The Capital Area Greenbelt and Tour de Belt Celebrate 25 Years
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22:41In the heart of Harrisburg, there’s a hidden gem — 24 miles of scenic trail connecting neighborhoods, natural spaces, and historic landmarks. It’s called the Capital Area Greenbelt, and it’s more than just a path. At the center of its most festive celebration is Tour de Belt, the annual bike ride that brings thousands of riders together and highlig…
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Journalist Roundtable: Pa Recreational Cannabis Legislation Faces Uncertain Future
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22:59Our journalist roundtable segment for May 16 included Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA and Kara Jeffers of Lilly Broadcasting, who discussed the latest developments in Pennsylvania's push to legalize recreational cannabis. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…
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The Spark Weekly 5.18.2025: Legalization of Cannabis and National Teacher of The Year.
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43:13On this week's edition of The Spark Weekly; Ashlie Crosson, an English and journalism teacher at Mifflin County High School in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, has just been named the 2025 National Teacher of the Year — and while the spotlight may be on her, she’s making it clear her mission is still focused on the students she serves. Also, on the program…
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Journalist Joshua Vaughn on Deaths, Conditions, and Coverups at Dauphin County Prison
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37:04In his in-depth investigative podcast Death County, PA, PennLive journalist Joshua Vaughn dives deep into a troubling pattern of deaths and alleged abuse at Dauphin County Prison (DCP) — a facility many incarcerated individuals describe as so inhumane, they’d rather die than remain inside. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See om…
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Education Leaders Call for Cyber Charter School Funding Reform in Pennsylvania
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21:45As the debate over public education funding continues in Pennsylvania, a concern from school administrators and business officials are calling for urgent reform of how cyber charter schools are funded. At the heart of their concern: a decades-old funding formula they say unfairly drains resources from public schools and lacks accountability. Suppor…
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Bowmansville Roller Mill Hosts Historic Open House on May 17
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22:59History buffs and curious visitors alike will have the rare opportunity to experience early American industry in action during the upcoming Open House at the Bowmansville Roller Mill on May 17, hosted by the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County. Built in 1850—and with roots going back to 1737, even before George Washington was born—the B…
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York College Students Bring Zion Lutheran Church’s History to Life in New Exhibit
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23:32In a new exhibit, York College students are breathing life back into one of York’s long-silent landmarks: Zion Lutheran Church. The church, which has been vacant for more than 30 years, is the centerpiece of a student-led public history project that uncovers not only its architectural grandeur but its deep-rooted legacy of community outreach, socia…
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National Teacher of the Year Ashlie Crosson
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22:58Ashlie Crossan, an English and journalism teacher at Mifflin County High School in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, has just been named the 2025 National Teacher of the Year — and while the spotlight may be on her, she’s making it clear her mission is still focused on the students she serves. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystu…
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Harrisburg's Group Violence Intervention Program
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23:13In Harrisburg, a small team is taking a new approach to curb gun violence—one that places empathy, community engagement, and early intervention at its core. Group Violence Intervention (GVI), led by Angelo Bailey and Gina Vasquez, aims to interrupt cycles of violence by connecting high-risk individuals with resources, not just repercussions. The pr…
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The Spark Weekly 5.11.2025: Pa. College Leaders Challenge Federal Overreach and Author Highlights Female Empowerment for Mother's Day.
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43:05Coming up on this week's edition of The Spark Weekly. This week, Dickinson College President John Jones and Susquehanna University President Jonathan Green joined more than 300 higher-education leaders in publicly condemning what they described as “unprecedented government overreach and political interference endangering American education and publ…
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Journalist Roundtable: Shortages in the Justice System
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22:06This week’s journalist roundtable dove into the growing staffing shortages impacting all corners of the justice system—from sheriff’s deputies to public defenders. Joining the conversation were Dan Nephin, reporter for LNP/LancasterOnline, and Kara Jeffers, multimedia journalist at Lilly Broadcasting. Both shared insights from their reporting and o…
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Fierce and Fearless: Author Dan E. Hendrickson Celebrates Heroic Women in Brandy, Dame of the Caribbean
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22:32Listen to the podcast for the full conversation. With Mother’s Day just around the corner, author Dan E. Hendrickson joins The Spark to share a story rooted in love, legacy, and liberation. His latest novel, Brandy, Dame of the Caribbean, continues the saga of a woman pirate turned abolitionist, capturing both swashbuckling adventure and heartfelt …
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Grow Your Own Veggies—and Keep Blooms Fresh—With Horticulturalist Erica Jo Schaffer
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22:15This spring, as we look forward to harvesting homegrown produce and gifting fresh flowers for Mother’s Day, horticulturalist Erica Jo Schaffer joined The Spark to share her expert advice on everything from planning your first vegetable patch to reviving cut blooms. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for…
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Doug Peiffer on Big Blue: A Parable of Modern-Day Migration
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21:43Paralegal-by-day and debut novelist by night Doug Peiffer joined us on The Spark to discuss his six-year labor of love, Big Blue, “a parable of modern-day migration” that explores the fraught relationship between the United States and Mexico through the eyes of ordinary—and extraordinary—individuals. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-…
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New Exhibit at Cumberland County Historical Society shows Carlisle Indian School Through Student Lens
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22:17Listen to the podcast for the full conversation. This spring, the Cumberland County Historical Society (CCHS) unveiled Contrasting Photos: Behind and in Front of the Camera at the Carlisle Indian School, a groundbreaking exhibition featuring over 300 rarely seen images that reveal how students reclaimed their own representation at the controversial…
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Pa College Leaders Challenge Federal Overreach, Defend Academic Freedom
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23:13Listen to the podcast to hear the full conversation. This week, Dickinson College President John Jones and Susquehanna University President Jonathan Green joined more than 300 higher-education leaders in publicly condemning what they described as “unprecedented government overreach and political interference endangering American education and publi…
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ENIAC’s Legacy, the world's first general-purpose electronic computer
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17:07On The Spark, Asia Tabb sat down with Paul Schaeffer—longtime spokesperson for ENIAC, the world’s first general-purpose electronic computer—to explore how a 1940s Army weapons project gave birth to the digital age and why its lessons still matter. ENIAC, unveiled in February 1946 at the University of Pennsylvania’s Moore School of Engineering, was …
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Exploring LancasterHistory with CEO Robin Sarratt
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22:30LancasterHistory is a nonprofit museum preserving the county’s heritage since 1886. We dove into Lancaster’s rich past with Robin Surratt, President and CEO of LancasterHistory. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By WITF, Inc.
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Woodward PA Camp: Where Action Sports and Community Converge
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25:07For the past three years, Woodward PA’s 90-mile-from-Harrisburg action-sports summer camp has been forging a unique blend of elite coaching and genuine camaraderie. Camp Program Director Eric Brown and Olympic gold-medalist Charlotte Worthington joined The Spark to explain what makes Woodward’s “wheeled sports” experience unlike any other—and why c…
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What the White House’s Funding Cut Means for WITF and Local Public Media
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24:45Last Thursday, President Trump issued an executive order directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to halt federal funding for NPR and PBS. For WITF and hundreds of other public media stations nationwide, that order—and a pending congressional budget vote—could have serious implications. WITF’s Chief Impact Officer Cassie Farrelly and…
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The Spark Weekly 5.4.2025: Braver Angels Faith and Pa. Primary Election
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41:10With Pennsylvania’s primary election just weeks away, Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt joined WITF’s The Spark to walk voters through the critical deadlines and options for casting their ballots. “The primary in Pennsylvania is May 20th,” Secretary Schmidt reminded listeners, noting that “the last day to register to vote is May 5th” and “th…
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Journalist Roundtable - Dueling Downtowns: How Lancaster thrives as Harrisburg struggles to reinvent itself
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22:22John Lucieu and Sue Gleiter of PennLive joined our journalist roundtable to dissect their compelling feature on “Dueling Downtowns: How Lancaster Thrives as Harrisburg Struggles to Reinvent Itself.” Drawing on extensive reporting, John and Sue explored why Lancaster’s revitalized riverfront development, bustling arts scene, and strategic public–pri…
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On May 2, Braver Angels’ own Red Co-Chair of Braver Faith, Lenny Greenberg, and Reverend Chad Butz joined The Spark to explore how faith communities can heal our fractured political landscape. Lenny, a retired high-tech executive, explained that “we must learn to talk to each other about our disagreements in a civil way again,” while Pastor Chad re…
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How Role-Playing Games Are Becoming Powerful Therapeutic Tools
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22:25When the juvenile treatment facility where Jack Berkenstock Jr., MHS Executive Director of the Bodhana Group —and several colleagues—worked closed its doors, he and his friends faced an unexpected question: “What’s next?” As Jack recalls, “we decided to start a nonprofit to help other organizations know about unique and innovative treatment opportu…
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Pennsylvania’s May 20th Primary: Key Dates and What Voters Need to Know
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21:33With Pennsylvania’s primary election just weeks away, Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt joined WITF’s The Spark to walk voters through the critical deadlines and options for casting their ballots. “The primary in Pennsylvania is May 20th,” Secretary Schmidt reminded listeners, noting that “the last day to register to vote is May 5th” and “th…
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Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum Marks 100 Years
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22:24This year, Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum celebrates its centennial, honoring a vision born nearly a century ago when brothers Henry and George Landis “started collecting as boys” to “protect and collect all Pennsylvania German history that [they] were seeing disappear from the area,” explains longtime curator Jennifer Royer. Their early passi…
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Containment numbers rise as crews make progress on Cumberland County wildfires
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20:49This interview was recorded on Monday, April 28. Two wildfires that tore through the Michaux State Forest last week are now largely under control, even as foresters warn that dry conditions could fan new blazes. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…
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The History of the Pa Governor's mansion and resilience
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22:06Since it opened in 1968, the Pennsylvania Governor’s Mansion has stood as a deliberate statement of state pride—and a beacon of resilience. “It was the first one that was actually built to be a governor’s residence,” explains David Morrison of the Historic Harrisburg Association. Prior to its construction, gubernatorial families lived in purchased …
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Lancaster Native Maya de Vitry Comes Home for Songwriting Workshop and Concert
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23:23Nashville‐based singer‐songwriter Maya de Vitry returns to her hometown this week for two special homecoming events at Zoetropolis. On Tuesday, April 29, she’ll lead an interactive workshop titled “Find Your Voice, Unblock Your Creativity, and Gain the Courage to Share Your Songs,” designed to help participants mine their personal stories and sharp…
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Understanding Stress: When It Helps—and When It Hurts
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22:39“Stress is really the body’s response to some type of a challenge,” explains Dr. Patrick DeLone, a clinical psychologist, “whether it’s a physical challenge, an emotional challenge, or a combination of both.” At its core, stress triggers the familiar “fight or flight” cascade: cortisol and adrenaline spikes that sharpen focus, speed up your heart, …
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Match Madness Surpasses $5 Million to Fuel Local Nonprofits in Pa
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22:36Since 2016, the Partnership for Better Health’s Match Madness campaign has raised over $5 million to bolster small and mid-sized nonprofits across the region. “We saw that our local nonprofits didn’t necessarily have the staff to do the fundraising they needed,” explains Carol Thornton, the Partnership’s Executive Director. “We spotted an opportuni…
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The Spark Weekly 4.27.2025: The Death of Pope Francis and Cult Leader Johannes Kelpius
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42:30On this week's edition of The Spark Weekly. The Most Reverend Timothy Senior, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg, joins us from Rome to reflect on the life and legacy of Pope Francis, who died the day after Easter. Religious and political leaders, along with the Catholic faithful, are gathering in Rome for the Pope’s funeral, which …
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Journalist Roundtable: Life & Legacy of Pope Francis, Pa
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22:23Our Journalist Roundtable for April 25 included Ivy DeJesus from PennLive and David Payne, The Spark producer and former Radio Pennsylvania Reporter. In this episode, DeJesus reported the life and legacy of Pope Francis including his reaction to the clergy sex abuse scandal in PA. Payne discussed his report at the 2015 World Meeting of Families and…
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Bishop Senior Reflects on Pope Francis’s Life, Legacy, and Passing
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22:25Last week, The Most Reverend Timothy Senior, Bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg, found himself originally traveling to Rome as part of the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year 2025, Bishop Senior joined forty faithful from his diocese to “walk in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare” before making arrangements to attend Pope Francis’s fu…
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ABC 27 Meteorologist Dan Tomaso Spring Wx report
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10:33Over the past two weeks, Central Pennsylvania has traded April showers for an almost unbelievable stretch of spring sunshine. As ABC27 Meteorologist Dan Tomaso put it, “It’s kind of phenomenal that this time of year…we’ve had lots of sunshine, very little active weather,” making it “the perfect recipe” for spring sports and outdoor plans. After a d…
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Inside Quit Clicking Kids, Child Abuse prevention month
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13:33In an era when family vloggers and “kidfluencers” can earn upwards of six figures, the rights—and privacy—of the children at the center of that content often go unprotected. Quit Clicking Kids, a grassroots initiative founded by Chris McCarty, is on a mission to change that by pushing for legislation that treats these minors as the revenue-generati…
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National Work Zone Awareness Week Drives Home Safety
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22:16Nearly 27 years ago, the Virginia Department of Transportation launched a pilot effort to curb the rising number of highway work-zone accidents. “They put together an awareness campaign and then after a year said, ‘You know, we need to take this national,’ ” recalls Stacey Taschner, President and CEO of the American Traffic Safety Services Associat…
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Exploring History at Meadowcroft Rockshelter
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22:08Nestled in the rolling hills of Western Pennsylvania, Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village offers a captivating journey through nearly 19,000 years of human habitation. We sat down with David Scofield, the site’s director for the past 31 years, to uncover how this nationally recognized landmark brings prehistory and pioneer life vividly to …
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Building Media Literacy, WITF's Creator Academy
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22:20At a time when digital media shapes everything from global news to everyday conversations, a new generation of communicators is finding its voice—right here in Central Pennsylvania. In this installment of The Spark, host Asia Tabb goes behind the scenes of WITF’s Creator Academy to explore how college students are learning to craft their own storie…
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Inside the Pa American Treasure Tour Museum
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22:55In a former tire factory in Oaks, Pennsylvania, the American Treasure Tour Museum unfolds like a pop‑culture funhouse, where vintage cars, mechanical music machines, and stuffed animals coexist in kaleidoscopic harmony. “If you have a concept of a museum, I can almost 100 percent guarantee this isn’t it,” says director Ross Brakman, who delights in…
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The importance of Earth Day, Keep Pa Beautiful
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35:19Since its founding in 1990, Keep PA Beautiful has removed 161 million pounds of trash across all 67 counties—with over three million volunteers contributing to litter pickups, planting events, and stewardship programs. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…
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April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, Honoring Child Abuse Prevention Month at the PA State Capitol
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23:18April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month—a time to spotlight the importance of keeping children safe and supporting families through education, community awareness, and access to critical resources. In Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance (PFSA) leads the way with its annual Blue-Ribbon campaign and an array of statewide ini…
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