The Spark

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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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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