On this week’s Journalist Roundtable, reporters examined the August 11 explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works that killed two workers and injured ten others.

U.S. Steel says its initial investigation points to a gas valve failure. According to the company, pressure built up inside the valve while workers were flushing it during maintenance preparations. The release of coke oven gas is believed to have found an ignition source, triggering the deadly blast.

Reid Frazier of The Allegheny Front noted that the Clairton plant has a long history of safety and maintenance problems. “There was a fatal explosion here in 2009, another blast that injured 20 workers in 2010, and a fire in 2018 that disabled pollution controls for months,” he said.

Jordan Wilkie of WITF shared the perspective of a Clairton resident who heard the August 11 blast. The resident described not only the fear of the explosion itself but also ongoing struggles with air quality and pollution tied to the coke works.

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A Pennsylvania native is receiving national attention for her work helping soldiers build resilience beyond physical training.

Maj. Erin Stone, originally from Boiling Springs, was recently featured in Men’s Health for her expertise in the U.S. Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) system. The program, known as H2F, aims to improve soldier readiness by focusing on five areas: physical, mental, nutritional, sleep, and spiritual.

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Even though it’s late summer, many Pennsylvanians still have gardening on their minds—and plenty of questions, too. While spring is often thought of as the main planting season, horticulturalist Erica Jo Shaffer says this time of year is far from the end of gardening. In fact, there’s still a lot you can do to keep your garden thriving into fall and beyond.

When words like “bipolar,” “schizo,” or even “anxious” are tossed around in everyday conversation, they often miss the mark of what those diagnoses actually mean. Psychiatrist Dr. Luke Piper of UPMC Lititz says while the casual use of psychiatric language has become common, it can dilute the real meaning of mental illness and even discourage people from seeking help.

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As students and families prepare for the upcoming academic year, many are facing questions about financial aid — especially in light of major federal changes coming in the next few years. That’s where Pennsylvania’s School Services Team steps in.

The team is made up of 13 Higher Education Access Partners strategically located across the state. They work under the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) to provide free support to students, families, schools, and community organizations.

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Pennon Education is working to give students the tools they need to succeed — from building curiosity in elementary classrooms to helping teens explore future career pathways.

Check out The Morning Agendas Feature on the Youth Voice Program:

https://omny.fm/shows/the-morning-agenda/ag-dave-sunday-implements-a-diversion-program-and-a-deep-dive-with-middle-school-podcasters

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Harrisburg will host its first-ever Open Championship, a martial arts tournament designed not just for competition, but to celebrate community, unity, and culture.

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Even though it’s late summer, many Pennsylvanians still have gardening on their minds—and plenty of questions, too. While spring is often thought of as the main planting season, horticulturalist Erica Jo Shaffer says this time of year is far from the end of gardening. In fact, there’s still a lot you can do to keep your garden thriving into fall and beyond.

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A new report is offering a deeper look into the well-being of children across Pennsylvania, providing insights at both the county and state levels. The State of the Child Profiles, published annually by Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children (PPC), aim to spark critical conversations about children’s health, education, and economic stability.

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Penn State Health employees recently collected and donated more than 250 bras to women in need across Carlisle, Shippensburg, and Harrisburg — a project that not only meets a basic need but also spreads awareness about affordable breast cancer screenings.

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For many visitors, the Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art offers more than just galleries of artwork—it’s an accessible and welcoming place where art and nature come together.

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