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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What began as a simple injury turned into a lifetime of adventure for 68-year-old Duane “Mike” McHale. After an Achilles injury ended his running days, he took up swimming, then cycling, and eventually triathlons. He’s since completed more than 140 multisport events and now focuses on extreme endurance challenges around the world. His adventures include climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, biking the 450-mile RAGBRAI ride in Iowa, swimming 22 miles through the Maldives, and more. Most recently, Mike completed a 390-mile ride across the Erie Canal alongside his 15-year-old grandson, Gavin.

Groundbreaking took place in late July on a brand new, 16 thousand square foot roundhouse at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg. It will be home to six historic steam locomotives, a major step forward in preserving Pennsylvania's railroad heritage. The Friends of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania have spearheaded a "Ready For The Roundhouse" fundraising campaign, already raising over $300,000 to support restoration work associated with the locomotives that will be housed in the new structure.

The 13.5 million-dollar project is set to be completed in early 2027.

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This week on The Journalist Roundtable, the discussion focused on the latest developments in the Pennsylvania state budget. Hosts spoke with Jaxon White, WITF Capitol Reporter, and Ian Karbol, State Government Reporter for the PA Capital Star, about the key negotiations, spending priorities, and the political dynamics shaping Harrisburg’s budget process.

White and Karbol provided insight into how the proposed budget impacts Pennsylvanians, from education and healthcare funding to infrastructure and local government allocations. They also explored the challenges lawmakers face in reaching consensus and what to expect in the coming weeks as budget talks continue.

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Lancaster County is no stranger to ghost stories, strange legends, and tales of hidden treasures—and Adam Zurn, executive director of Uncharted Lancaster, has spent years chronicling them. Since 2019, Zurn has written nearly 700 articles exploring the area’s folklore, and now he’s compiled a full-length book capturing the county’s spookier side.

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Will and Jim Pattiz grew up just south of Atlanta, but a spontaneous road trip nearly 15 years ago changed the trajectory of their lives. Driving across the country to the Grand Canyon, they pulled off to visit Petrified Forest National Park and were immediately captivated.

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For many, an Achilles injury might mark the end of an athletic journey. For 68-year-old Duane “Mike” McHale, it was just the beginning. After his injury ended his running days, Mike turned to swimming, then cycling, and eventually triathlons. Over the years, he has completed more than 140 multisport events and now focuses on extreme endurance challenges around the globe.

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Flooding is the most common and costly natural hazard in Pennsylvania — and now the state is taking a high-tech step forward in predicting and preparing for it.

The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) has partnered with Penn State University and the National Weather Service to modernize the Integrated Flood Observation and Warning System, or iFLOWS, first launched in the 1970s and 80s.

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A major preservation project is underway at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania — one that museum leaders say will secure the future of some of the state’s most treasured locomotives.

The museum has broken ground on a brand-new, 16,000-square-foot roundhouse, a circular structure that will house six historic steam locomotives, all listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Patrick Morrison, Director of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, says the design centers around a fully restored 1928 turntable — a piece of equipment that was once essential in the age of steam.

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Lancaster-based nonprofit Servant Stage is on a mission to make live theater accessible to everyone — regardless of physical or financial limitations.

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For Kelly Smith, founder of Omega Horse Rescue, the journey began not with a business plan or a long-term strategy — but with what she calls “a divine intervention.”

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