What does Pennsylvania's 2026 Integrated Water Quality Report reveal about the health of the Commonwealth's rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands, and why should residents care? On this episode, we take a deep dive into one of the state's most important environmental assessments with Jill Whitcomb, Deputy Secretary for Water Programs, and Dustin Shull from the Department of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Clean Water.

Do esports athletes still play for fun, or does competing turn their favorite games into work? On this episode, we explore the balance between passion and competition with Central Pennsylvania esports players Brady Mace and Collin Lehman, along with coach Johnathan Walker of Valhallan Esports Training. They discuss how competitive gamers choose the titles they dedicate themselves to, whether they play the same games outside of competition, and how they keep gaming enjoyable while striving to win at the highest level.

In this episode, we meet the maker behind the Creative Toolkit, a unique wearable box designed to capture ideas anytime, anywhere. What started in 2022 as a hand-carved pencil made for a pencil-loving girlfriend grew into a small production line of handcrafted pencils and upcycled creative kits. We explore the story behind the first pencil, the sustainable packaging made from reclaimed pizza boxes, the QR-code system that lets users recreate their own boxes, and the mission to inspire creativity on the go. A conversation about craftsmanship, sustainability, and turning a simple idea into a growing passion project.

Go behind the scenes of The Whiskey Rebellion with Kristian Berg, Senior Producer at WPSU-TV, and special guest Gary Smith, a local historian, Revolutionary-era music expert, and film participant. Kristian shares the story of producing the documentary, bringing 18th-century Pennsylvania to life on screen, and exploring the events that shaped one of the young nation's first major challenges to federal authority. Gary offers a unique perspective from both in front of and behind the camera, including his role as an excise tax inspector in the film and his deep knowledge of the Revolutionary period. Join us for a conversation about history, storytelling, and the lasting legacy of the Whiskey Rebellion.

 Crossing the English Channel is one of the world's most demanding endurance challenges. For Camp Hill swimmer Jeannie Zappe, completing the feat for a second time was about much more than athletic achievement—it was a mission fueled by love, resilience and a desire to raise awareness for Alzheimer's disease. 

Kim Miller, the eldest daughter of Sight & Sound founders Glenn and Shirley Eshelman, will discuss the theater’s 50-year journey, sharing personal stories about its history, the 1997 fire, the rebuilding process, and the ministry’s growth and expansion. The interview will reflect on Sight & Sound’s milestone anniversary, exploring how the organization has evolved from its early years to where it stands today.

Kerry Royer, director of the Mt. Gretna Outdoor Art Show, and Nancy Gates, president of Visit Lebanon Valley, will discuss one of the region’s premier summer events, taking place August 15-16, showcasing hundreds of artists and attracting thousands of visitors. They can also highlight how the art show coincides with the Mt. Gretna International Film Festival on the same dates, creating a unique weekend that celebrates both visual arts and independent film in the Mt. Gretna community.

Kim Miller, the eldest daughter of Sight & Sound founders Glenn and Shirley Eshelman, will discuss the theater’s 50-year journey, sharing personal stories about its history, the 1997 fire, the rebuilding process, and the ministry’s growth and expansion. The interview will reflect on Sight & Sound’s milestone anniversary, exploring how the organization has evolved from its early years to where it stands today.

From royal courts and rural villages to South Philadelphia, poison has long been a weapon of choice for those seeking a discreet way to kill, sometimes spawning organized networks of murder motivated by money, power, or escape from unhappy lives. This episode explores three of history’s most notorious poison rings: the Affair of the Poisons in Louis XIV’s France, Hungary’s Angel Makers of Nagyrév, and the deadly Philadelphia Poison Ring of the 1930s, an alleged murder conspiracy that may have claimed dozens of victims.

Join the Harrisburg Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society for a behind-the-scenes look at Harris Tower and the Power Directors Office, two remarkable pieces of Pennsylvania Railroad history hidden in plain sight. Chapter leaders and historians share how this once-bustling rail hub operated, why its 113-lever interlocking machine was a marvel of its time, and how volunteers are preserving its legacy for future generations.

Jeannie Zappe, a Mechanicsburg-area swim coach, successfully completed her second 21-mile English Channel crossing at age 60, finishing the swim in 15 hours and 10 minutes. Inspired by her husband Chris's early-onset Alzheimer's diagnosis, she undertook the challenge to raise funds for Alzheimer's research and has raised more than $27,000 for the Clear Thoughts Foundation.

Also on the program, we focus on the rigorous training and responsibilities of lifeguards, with Wyatt Werneth, the American Lifeguard Association's Public Service Spokesperson, drawing on decades of experience in lifeguarding, marine operations, military service, and aquatic safety education, Werneth promotes safe water practices nationwide through media interviews, public outreach, and the development of health and safety programs.

Tick season is back in Pennsylvania, and experts say 2026 is shaping up to be another challenging year. In this episode, we talk about how severe tick activity is across the state, what’s driving tick populations, and the health risks Pennsylvanians should be aware of this summer. Dr. Erika Machtinger, Associate Professor of Entomology and Extension Vector-borne Disease Team Lead at Penn State, explains what experts are seeing this season and how residents can protect themselves from tick-borne illnesses. Emily Struckhoff, Extension Program Specialist with Penn State Extension, shares practical guidance for families, including prevention tips, tick checks, and what to do if you find a tick attached.

The Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat continues to be an iconic attraction on the Susquehanna River, connecting residents and visitors with the region’s history, recreation, and tourism opportunities. In this episode, we sit down with Melissa Snyder, Riverboat Administrator/Manager, to discuss the riverboat’s role in the community, upcoming events, and its impact on local tourism and economic development. We’ll also talk about the recent approval of a $25,000 Dauphin County tourism grant, which will help support efforts to attract new visitors and strengthen the regional economy. 

Murder at University Park by Dr. Cheryl Dellasega is a campus thriller set in 1998 that explores corruption, power, and misconduct within academia. Drawing on Dellasega’s decades of experience in higher education, Murder at University Park combines a murder mystery with an insider look at the ambitions, politics, and darker realities of university life.

Native Americans and Pennsylvania is a thoroughly revised history of Indigenous peoples in the region, tracing their story from thousands of years before European colonization to the present day. Drawing on the latest scholarship, the book centers Indigenous perspectives, voices, and landscapes while examining how local events connected to broader continental and global developments.

On The Spark, Sean Murphy, ornithologist with the Pennsylvania Game Commission; Jen Sliko, landscape program specialist with Audubon Mid-Atlantic; and Bracken M. Brown, biologist-naturalist with Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association, discussed the Pennsylvania Northern Harrier Project, a collaborative research effort aimed at protecting the state’s threatened northern harrier.

On The Spark, Dr. Timothy Craig, an allergy and immunology specialist at Penn State Health and professor of medicine and pediatrics, discussed what allergies are, how they develop and why recognizing symptoms early is important.

Erica Jo Shaffer discusses the unique challenges gardeners face in Central Pennsylvania during the summer growing season. Erica explains that the region's hot, humid conditions create an ideal environment for a variety of fungal diseases, including early blight, powdery mildew, and leaf spot issues that can impact vegetable gardens and landscapes alike.

WITF’s democracy reporter, Jordan Wilkie, spoke live in studio with Pennsylvania experts immediately following President Trump’s live, prime-time address focused on what he called the successes of his second term. Here’s that analysis, lightly edited for time, on what a new law would mean for Keystone state voters if President Trump’s pressure campaign is successful. 

From record-breaking heat waves and devastating floods to surprise cold snaps and wildfire smoke, the weather seems to be getting weirder by the year. But is this the new normal, or are we just paying more attention? We cut through the headlines and hype to explore what's really driving today's extreme weather events. We'll unpack the science behind climate change, separate facts from misconceptions, and discuss what these shifts mean for our communities, businesses, and everyday lives.