The Spark

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President and CEO Mary Quinn talks about the 18th Annual Pursuit of Justice Purse Auction, featuring designer purses in a live and silent auction. Proceeds benefit the YWCA Legal Programs.

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Nov. 19 is National Women's Entrepreneurship Day (Women's Entrepreneurship Day Organization) and November is National Entrepreneurship Month. 
Kait Gillis, founder of Nour is with Monica Gould, founder of Strategic Consulting Partners, and Brenna Anderson, Relationship Manager for Members 1st Federal Credit Union, the first line of defense for female founders or women entrepreneurs.  

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Located across the river from downtown Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania Regional Ballets launches this year's Nutcracker season.

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The 34th Annual Will Huffman Toy Train Expo is "gathering steam" and bringing traditions to hundreds of children and families across Central Pa.

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Horticulturalist Erica Jo Shaffer reunites with Scott and brings him a "tasty treat" as they talk about fall lawn and garden cleanup as well as care for mums and Christmas trees.

Dr. Amanda Cheromiah, Executive Director at the Center for the Futures of Native Peoples at Dickinson College discusses the initiative dedicated to advancing the understanding and appreciation of the Indigenous boarding school experience, promoting the study of North American Indigeneity, and fostering a robust national conversation on the past, present, and future of Native American issues

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During today's Journalist Roundtable we look more in-depth on some stories that have flown under the radar. We're joined by Katie Meyer and Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA, the online statewide news service, and Brett Sholtis, who reports for the Philadelphia Inquirer. All three are veterans of WITF's newsroom.

Also, after a float depicting the gate to the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz appeared in the Hanover Halloween parade, we're looking at the shortcomings of Holocaust education. Boaz Dvir has a personal connection to the Holocaust but also works with educators to teach about the holocaust and other uncomfortable subjects. He is also the founding director of the Holocaust Genocide and Human Rights Education Initiative at Penn State University.

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Shila Ulrich, CEO and Zach Zook, Chief Strategy Officer at the Central Pennsylvania Foodbank discuss food insecurity in Central Pennsylvania as the holiday season approaches.

Mystery and thriller author David Baldacci to discusses the Wish You Well Foundation that he founded with his wife as well as his latest release "Nash Falls" and its upcoming sequel "Hope Rises".

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Horticulturalist Erica Jo Shaffer reunites with Scott and brings him a "tasty treat" as they talk about fall lawn and garden cleanup as well as care for mums and Christmas trees.

Dr. Amanda Cheromiah, Executive Director at the Center for the Futures of Native Peoples at Dickinson College discusses the initiative dedicated to advancing the understanding and appreciation of the Indigenous boarding school experience, promoting the study of North American Indigeneity, and fostering a robust national conversation on the past, present, and future of Native American issues

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Today is Veterans Day – a day to honor all those who have served in the United States Military. First up, our guest is:

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Major General Michael E. Wegscheider is the Division Deputy Adjutant General-Army for Pennsylvania's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and was the General of the 28th Infantry Division.

He’ll talk about the DMVA’s responsibilities to support Pennsylvania’s National Guard and also provide services to veterans and their families.

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When entering the criminal justice system, depending on the crime that is alleged, military veterans in 32 Pennsylvania counties have the option of participating in Veterans Court – a program that offers the veterans an opportunity to pursue treatment while addressing the criminal charges. The veterans who participate in Veterans Court are paired with a mentor – someone they can talk to and seek guidance from.

Richard Wilson is a mentor with the Lancaster County Veterans Court.   

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More than 15 hundred people have died as the result of domestic violence in Pennsylvania over the past ten years. Many more people are living in abusive relationships or homes. Domestic violence is more than physical violence against someone. Often it can be emotional or financial abuse directed at someone. Domestic violence is a scourge that just that leaves lasting scars. And now a state budget impasse is affecting services can domestic violence survivors rely on. Joining us on The Spark today is Susan Higginbotham, CEO of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence. 

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Also on the program, the state budget impasse has been going on now for more than four months. Pennsylvania’s public schools are not getting the funding they’re due and are feeling the brunt of it. Some schools are having to take drastic measures like taking out loans that will have to be paid back with interest. How are schools coping? To answer that questions on the program will be Sherri Smith, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators.

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Lancaster native Jesse Krimes has turned personal experience into a powerful artistic voice. While serving a prison sentence in his twenties, Krimes used art to process his experiences and reclaim his humanity. What began as a survival tool behind bars has grown into a career that has taken his work from makeshift materials in prison to major museum walls across the country.

November marks National School Psychology Week, a time to recognize the essential work of school psychologists and this year’s theme — “Fostering Belonging and Building Hope.” Across Pennsylvania, these professionals are making a difference in students’ academic success and emotional well-being.

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Reporters Carter Walker of Votebeat and Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA will join us to review the results of Tuesday's election, which includes the Mayoral Election in Harrisburg and the retention vote for three PA Supreme Court justices.

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With an estimated 59 million unpaid caregivers in the U.S., many individuals find themselves balancing their own lives while providing emotional, physical, and logistical support to loved ones—often without adequate resources or rest. This balancing act can come at a cost: high stress, emotional exhaustion, burnout, and even physical health decline.

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