On The Spark this week, we explored the fascinating intersection of art, memory, and environmental legacy with two leaders from the Susquehanna Art Museum. Executive Director Alice Anne Schwab and Rachel O’Connor, the museum’s new Director of Exhibitions, joined us in the studio to talk about Future Fossils, their latest exhibition that’s sparking big questions—and imaginations.

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This week on The Spark’s Journalist Roundtable, we tackle a major shakeup in Pennsylvania higher education: the closure of seven Penn State campuses, a decision formally approved by the university’s Board of Trustees in a 25 to 8 vote. Joining us to unpack the story are Anne Danahy, reporter for WPSU, and Wyatt Massey, education reporter with Spotlight PA.

The closures, announced as part of a sweeping cost-cutting and restructuring effort, have stunned students, staff, and communities that have long relied on Penn State’s commonwealth campus system to provide accessible and affordable education across the state.

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Nearly half of Americans are now breathing unhealthy air — and much of Pennsylvania is among the hardest-hit, according to the American Lung Association’s newly released 2025 State of the Air report. The annual analysis, now in its 26th year, found significant declines in air quality across the state, with Lancaster, Pittsburgh, and Dauphin counties receiving failing grades for both ozone and fine particle pollution.

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If you’ve ever marveled at the massive Greyhounds that crisscrossed the country or wondered what public transit looked like decades ago, the Museum of Bus Transportation in Hershey, Pennsylvania, is a destination worth pulling over for. And there’s no better time to visit than during its signature event: Spring Fling, happening this June.

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 Dr. Kaushal Kapadia’s path to opening his own dental practice in York, Pennsylvania, began with a self-conscious middle schooler’s smile and a compassionate orthodontist in a small town in India. Today, as the owner of White Rose Family Dental, he brings a lifetime of experience, empathy, and global perspective to his patients—thanks to a journey filled with determination, hardship, and heart.

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When Alvernia University launched its engineering program in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was more than an academic initiative — it was a bet on the future of Reading, Pennsylvania. Today, that gamble is paying off with a powerful partnership between the university and local industry, most notably Brentwood Industries.

Peter Rye, CEO of Brentwood Industries, brought a global mindset to his leadership — shaped by life in Denmark, Canada, and now Reading — that emphasizes outward-looking innovation.

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If you walk into the Pennsylvania National Fire Museum in Harrisburg, you’ll find more than old fire trucks and helmets. You’ll step into a story of service, family tradition, and decades of dedication to preserving local history—thanks in large part to one man: Dave Houseal.

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This month, Project SHARE marks a major milestone: 40 years of nourishing the Carlisle community and awakening hope for those experiencing food insecurity. Since its founding in 1985, the organization has grown from a centralized food distribution initiative into a multifaceted support network addressing both immediate needs and long-term stability.

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When it comes to balancing love, duty, and family, retired military couple Dale and Jan Hamby have lived what many might consider the impossible dream. Both dedicated to decades of service in the U.S. Armed Forces—Dale in the Army, Jan in the Navy—their journey has spanned continents, deployments, and deep personal sacrifice. But their bond only grew stronger through it all.

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As the nation observes Memorial Day, many Americans pause to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service. For Patricia Bowers of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, that solemn remembrance is a year-round mission.

Bowers has made it her life’s work to honor the veterans of World War II, particularly those of the 17th Airborne Division—where her late father, Thomas Miller, served. What began as a personal tribute has become a powerful example of living patriotism, community service, and intergenerational memory

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