The Spark

Local educator, historian, and adventurer Adam Zurn has taken his passion for Pennsylvania’s hidden history from blog to bookshelf. In his debut children’s book Canassatego and His Six Arrows, Zurn tells the powerful story of unity shared by the Onondaga chief Canassatego during the 1744 Treaty of Lancaster—a message that helped shape America’s earliest ideas of governance.

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In the heart of downtown Harrisburg, Gamut Theatre Group is doing more than just putting on plays — it’s reimagining the way stories are told and connecting them to the community it calls home.

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As Congress considers what could be the most significant Medicaid cuts in U.S. history, experts are sounding the alarm about the far-reaching consequences—especially for small businesses and rural communities.

Also, on the program.

For children affected by parental incarceration, the trauma can be deep, isolating, and difficult to express. But in Lancaster, a unique nonprofit is helping those children find their voice — through music.

Scaling Walls a Note at a Time (SWAN) was founded in 2011 by violinist and educator Diana Vuolo to serve children impacted by the incarceration of a parent. The organization offers free music instruction, performance opportunities, Bible and trauma management classes, and immediate access to mental health care — all under one roof.

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With summer temperatures climbing and heat waves becoming more frequent, energy bills can quickly get out of hand. But there are simple, affordable ways to stay cool without breaking the bank.

Dan McCunney, Senior Communications Manager at NRG Energy, joined The Spark to share expert tips on how to lower energy usage while staying comfortable indoors.

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Harrisburg’s own M. Travis Dinicola had his public radio dreams come true when he was selected as the winner of NPR’s Sunday Puzzle segment on Weekend Edition. A long-time listener, public media volunteer, and nonprofit fundraiser, Dinicola represented Central Pennsylvania on the national airwaves with enthusiasm and humility.

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As Pennsylvania's June 30 state budget deadline approaches, lawmakers in Harrisburg remain at odds—especially over the controversial issue of whether to tax so-called "skill games." On this week’s Journalist Roundtable, The Spark explored the state budget standoff with Spotlight PA reporters Katie Meyer and Stephen Caruso, who outlined the widening rift among Republicans and what’s at stake.

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As summer kicks off, much of the East Coast — including Pennsylvania — has already endured a punishing stretch of extreme temperatures, thanks to what meteorologists are calling a "heat dome." According to ABC 27 Meteorologist Dan Tomaso, the phenomenon is a classic — but intense — example of high-pressure systems trapping heat across large regions.

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As vacation season heats up, safety officials are reminding Pennsylvanians to travel smart, buckle up, and never drive impaired — especially with increased traffic expected around the July 4th holiday.

In a recent conversation on The Spark, Kelly Whitaker with the Pennsylvania Traffic Injury Prevention Project (PA TIPP) outlined critical safety tips and state efforts to reduce crashes this summer.

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As Congress considers what could be the most significant Medicaid cuts in U.S. history, experts are sounding the alarm about the far-reaching consequences—especially for small businesses and rural communities.

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The Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association (LSRA) has sounded an alarm for outdoor enthusiasts this summer: several locations along the Susquehanna River near Harrisburg are currently unsafe for recreational activities like swimming, kayaking, and fishing due to dangerously high levels of E. coli and other bacteria.

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