Podcasts about berks county

Republican gubernatorial candidate and State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who hopes to unseat Josh Shapiro as Governor this year, has previously suggested Donald Trump won the 20-20 election. She revised those remarks on Monday. Meantime, Garrity says rural Pennsylvania should embrace the data center boom. Polling shows voters may not be so interested. Facebook's parent company Meta has announced it reached a deal to purchase nuclear power from the Beaver Valley power plant in western Pennsylvania and two others in Ohio. Penn State officials say two unique programs at closing Commonwealth campuses – including Mont Alto - will be moved to the Altoona campus. A Berks County township is spending thousands of dollars to apparently hide details of a proposed law from local residents. According to reporting by our partners at Spotlight PA, a group of residents is also spending thousands of dollars trying to get Tulpehocken Township officials to disclose the proposed ordinance that could affect their farms. A York County Sheriff’s Office K9 has died, just weeks before his retirement. And a contest that celebrates the much maligned but enduring mullet hairstyle brought thousands of spectators to a stage at the Pennsylvania Farm Show on Monday. Did you know that if every one of WITF’s sustaining circle members gives as little as $12 more a month, we'd close the gap caused by federal funding cuts? Increase your gift at https://witf.org/increase or become a new sustaining member at www.witf.org/givenow, and thanks!Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Lancaster County man is accused of stealing human remains from 100 graves at Delaware County's Mount Moriah Cemetery. Jonathan Gerlach, a resident of Ephrata, is also being investigated in connection with November’s theft of two bodies from Good Shepherd Memorial Park in Luzerne County. A new study from Penn State University finds a ‘hot-spot’ of melanoma cases in central Pennsylvania. The study found a pattern of skin cancer in counties with or near farmland. That hot spot spans 15 counties and includes Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder, Union and York Counties. Last week, WHYY’s Terry Gross appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to celebrate Fresh Air's 50th anniversary. A 61-year-old Hanover man died at UPMC Pinnacle Hospital after a fire late Friday night according to the York County Coroner's Office. We’re learning more about a chase that ended in a stand off and shooting Friday in Berks County that closed down Route 61 for nearly six hours. The city of Harrisburg has been awarded a $750,000 grant under a program administered by the state Department of Community and Economic Development. The funds will be used to make significant upgrades to the Capitol Area Greenbelt, a popular 26-acre outdoor recreation space. If you're already a member of WITF's Sustaining Circle, you know how convenient it is to support programs like this. By increasing your monthly gift, you can help WITF close the budget gap left by the loss of federal funding. Visit us online at witf.org/increase or become a new Sustaining Circle member at www.witf.org/givenow to help build a sustainable future for WITF and public media. Thank you. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts!In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Jeremy Martin of Mountain View Holsteins LLC in Berks County, Pennsylvania shares his unconventional journey after taking over management of his family's dairy farm at the young age of 17 when his father unexpectedly passed away. With 140 cows in their herd, Jeremy describes how he focuses on production, cow comfort, breeding, and ways to make farming fun. Jeremy also shares how he has shifted more into business management over the last three years, his outlook on avoiding burnout, and his philosophy on what farm transition looks like when working with the next generation.

In Harrisburg, key legislative leaders appear to be in agreement on a budget deal, which would end Pennsylvania's months-long budget impasse. The news broke late last night - and legislators in both chambers are expected to return this morning to approve the deal. Meantime in Washington, the Senate passed a bill to reopen the federal government late Sunday night, and the House is expected to take their first look at the bill today. In order to pass the budget bill, eight Democratic Senators broke rank with their party to reach a deal with Republicans to end the federal government shutdown. Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman was among them. Some House members from Pennsylvania say it was a bad idea. Environmentalists have filed a lawsuit to stop the expansion of a major natural gas pipeline system in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The project would include ten miles of new pipe in Lancaster County and an expanded compressor station in Chester County. A 27-year-old Carlisle woman is being charged with murder in connection with the death of her daughter. Annjalee Nunez is being charged more than two years after her 2-year-old daughter died from fentanyl toxicity. An EMS funding crisis is forcing some Berks County communities to consider new taxes or fees. Only about a dozen of Berks County's 72 municipalities have a designated EMS tax, according to reporting by our partners at Spotlight PA. A popular area state park campground will be closing for upgrades next year. Gifford Pinchot State Park, located in York County, will close its campground after Labor Day in September of 2026 and remain closed through 2027. Yesterday was Veterans Day – and we end today with the story of a Lancaster County soldier whose remains were just returned to his family in September.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The sound of community is getting louder again. We sit down with WEEU owner John Treese to unpack how a 1931 AM station found fresh purpose with modern tech, live local programming, and an unapologetic focus on Berks County and the surrounding 16 counties their signal reaches. From the decisive frequency move to 830 AM and a 20,000-watt daytime boost to the nuts and bolts of licenses, towers, and engineering, John explains how coverage becomes connection only when you pair it with relevance.We walk through the overhaul that made the station feel alive: renovated studios that inspire confidence on camera, expanded streaming, and a new video-forward approach to high school football and basketball. Sports serve as a bridge across neighborhoods and generations, supported by a lively scoreboard show featuring coaches, reporters, and standout athletes. The commitment to free, no-paywall content keeps access open for families, fans, and advertisers who want reach without friction. Along the way, we touch on the hardest challenge—bringing back local radio news in a world with fewer radio journalists—and the practical steps WEEU is taking through call-in forums and clear pointers to trustworthy sources.John's path from college radio to station ownership adds heart to the strategy. He argues that radio lost ground when it stopped talking to people like they mattered; WEEU's answer is to open the doors wide. That means internships, school partnerships, student performances in-studio, and series like Outstanding Student that put young voices on air. It also means inviting new hosts to pitch ideas, test their talent, and help build a daily lineup that's live and local from early mornings into drive time. If you care about local media, community sports, and hearing your neighbors on the mic, this conversation will remind you why radio still matters.Follow WEEU at 830weeu.com and on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok. If this story resonated, share it with a friend in Berks County, leave a review, and subscribe for more conversations that put local voices first.Hi This is Brad Weisman - Click Here to Send Me a Text Message ---Welcome to The Brad Weisman Show, where we dive into the world of real estate, real life, and everything in between with your host, Brad Weisman!

In Pennsylvania, every state park has its purpose. Allegheny Islands shows people what undeveloped islands once looked like on the river. Colton Point features stunning views of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. And Pine Grove Furnace highlights the iron making industry crucial to Pennsylvania and America's growth.But are there any places set aside for learning and study. As it turns out, there is. One such place is Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center.Located in Berks County, Nolde Forest was established as the first environmental education center operated by DCNR's Bureau of State Parks in the 1970s. It is dedicated to helping visitors and community members develop sound environmental ethics based upon science.The park has provided a wide variety of nature-based educational programs for students, teachers, organizations and families. Students take part in guided, hands-on activities that let them explore unique ecosystems and deepen their awareness, appreciation and understanding of the natural environment.Nolde Forest also functions as an outdoor laboratory for biologists, college students and natural resource professionals conducting a wide range of environmental studies and research projects. Topics that have been studied in the park include everything from water quality and songbirds to small mammals and reptiles. But I know what you're thinking, “Christian, bubbie, I'm not a child or a scientist. Is there anything for me there?” Don't worry, I got you, player. As much as Nolde Forest is about serious study and learning, it also about recreation. The park has hiking trails, historic structures, ponds, streams and more to explore.  On this episode, I speak with Brent Erb. Brent is the center manager at Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center. Be sure to support our 2025 sponsors:Keystone Trails AssociationPurple Lizard MapsPennsylvania Parks and Forests FoundationSisters' SunflowersSupport the showVisit our website to learn more about the podcast, to purchase merch and to find out about our incredible sponsors. Follow us on Instagram and Meta to stay connected. Hosting, production and editing: Christian AlexandersenMusic: Jon SauerGraphics: Matt Davis

Friend of the Good Government Show Christian Leinbach joins us again to talk about Berks County, PA and his city of Reading. Top on his list of good government projects is trains, he is working on restoring rail service from his city to Philadelphia and points beyond. GoodGovernmentShow.com Thanks to our sponsors: The Royal Cousins: How Three Cousins Could Have Stopped A World War by Jim Ludlow Ourco Good News For Lefties (and America!) - Daily News for Democracy (Apple Podcasts | Spotify) How to Really Run a City As Fate Would Have It (Apple Podcasts | Spotify) Executive Producers: David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Host/Reporter: David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic

Scripture states, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12 King James Version). Do you think that sharing moments of prayer in your past relationship could have made a real difference in how things turned out?   Do you sense that there are envious individuals in your life? Maybe it's time to reflect and deepen your prayers about your relationships.    Check out this case! I'd love to hear if it strikes a chord with your journey toward praying more with your partner, family, or friends.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday is rolling out a new effort aimed at helping people with mental illness who commit low-level offenses, to avoid jail time. The program builds off the state’s Law Enforcement Treatment Initiative or LETI, originally created to address substance abuse. Governor Josh Shapiro is stepping onto the international stage. Eight U.S. governors and two premiers of Canadian provinces elected Shapiro to lead a partnership overseeing the Great Lakes. State House and Senate members held a joint public hearing to discuss artificial intelligence in education and workforce development. Trout stocking season is now underway along Pennsylvania waterways. Prosecutors are withdrawing DUI charges against a 37-year-old York Haven woman accused of hitting three people with her minivan at Harrisburg's Kipona Festival over Labor Day weekend. Online casinos continue to power growth in the state’s gambling revenue. That’s according to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s recently-released annual report, which showed a 27% increase in online casino revenue, over the last fiscal year. Federal funding for housing is under threat - just as Berks County is facing record homelessness. And a recycling company’s bankruptcy is leaving tons of discarded artificial turf across the state. Did you know that if every sustaining circle member gives as little as $12 more a month, we'd close the gap caused by federal funding cuts? Increase your gift at https://witf.org/increase or become a new sustaining member at www.witf.org/givenow, and thanks!Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Critical service providers are still not receiving funding from the state, as lawmakers and Governor Josh Shapiro enter their fourth month without a state budget. These organizations warn that layoffs, service cuts and even closures are looming over their work. In Pennsylvania, a growing number of grandparents are raising grandchildren after the loss of their adult children. Now the state has set up a helpline for older residents to better help navigate custody issues, court proceedings and supportive resources. ... This summer, state lawmakers on both sides of the aisle introduced legislation to ban smartphones from K-to-12 classrooms across Pennsylvania. But a new survey shows school leaders feel mixed about a “one size fits all” approach. The 20-26 Pennsylvania Farm Show theme was unveiled late last week. "Growing a Nation" is the theme, tying into events marking America's 250th Birthday. Officials in South Heidelberg Township, Berks County will be learning more about a proposal for two warehouses totaling 1.3 million square feet. Faculty at HACC - Harrisburg Area Community College - voted Thursday to give their union leadership the authority to call a strike at any time without notice. 93 percent of the 750 HACC Education Association members representing five campuses voted yes to a strike. The University of Pennsylvania is one of nine colleges and universities the White House is asking to commit to Donald Trump's political priorities in exchange for greater access to federal funding. Pennsylvania has joined a coalition of states launching an investigation into allegations of false business practices by major tech companies. If you have a favorite trail in Pennsylvania, the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources wants to hear from you. Nominations are now open for the Commonwealth’s 2026 Trail of the Year. Federal funding for public media has been rescinded. Your monthly gift to WITF can help fill the gap as we navigate this new reality. Become a monthly sustaining member today at www.witf.org/givenow.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A husband, wife, and their 1-year-old son are found dead in separate cases, murdered in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Now a 61-year-old man is charged in connection with the father’s death. Police in New Jersey warn that fake “movie money” is being passed off as real cash in Gloucester Township. Drew Nelson reports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pennsylvania has no shortage of literary talent, and one of its most celebrated young adult authors is back with a new novel. A.S. King, who grew up “in the middle of a cornfield in Berks County,” has just released Pick the Lock, a story about family secrets, teenage rebellion, and the power of music.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amy Lobben and Andrew Marcus founded Terra Pacem Winery to bring the wines they lovingly crafted in Oregon after retiring from a college career teaching geography and to create meaningful work for their son within a community by and for people with disabilities. Their farm on South Grim's Mill Road just west of Boyertown brings a lovely spot to meet with friends surrounded by Berks County's fields and flowers (and a few silly alpacas.) Visit terrapacem.com for more details.

Anything that can go wrong, it will go wrong.The police reported it an accident; with anguish I added the word stupid.Thomas Gery, a common man with uncommon experiences lives in Berks County, Pennsylvania. He served in the U.S. Army with duty in Vietnam. As a social worker he helped children, youth, and adults in a variety of practice venues and situations throughout a work life of 40 years. Married with two adult children and three grandchildren, he is currently writing his life's story to provide answers to questions his kids will never ask. His first essay appeared in Personal Story Publishing Project—Lost & Found, 2023.

Hi This is Brad Weisman - Click Here to Send Me a Text MessageBrad and Pete Heim are back with all the NEW Stats for the Local, State and National home market.  The real estate market shows clear signs of change with inventory increasing locally and even more so nationally, though still far below the amount of homes available during the 2008 crash. Regional differences across the US housing market reveal the Northeast maintaining a seller's market while the South experiences excess inventory and falling prices.• Current housing inventory in Berks County at 524 listings compared to 4,400 in 2008• Average days on market down to 16 in July from 33 in March• Regional differences show Northeast at 44% below pre-pandemic inventory while Florida is 30% above• Interest rate differences have minimal impact on monthly payments - only $132 difference between 7% and 6.5% on a $400k loan• One in three Northeast properties still receiving multiple offers• New construction remains limited in Berks County compared to surrounding areas in Pennsylvania• Home sales projected to increase from 4 million in 2024 to 4.5 million by 2026Join us for our special 250th episode on September 18th at 7pm! #tbws250 #bradweisman #peteheim #homemarket #interestrates #thebradweismanshow  ---Welcome to The Brad Weisman Show, where we dive into the world of real estate, real life, and everything in between with your host, Brad Weisman!

Rick Hartlieb and his wife and business partner, Jen, are the proud first-generation farmers behind Castanea Farms in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Their journey is rooted in both passion and persistence, beginning more than 25 years ago when they first met through the Conrad Weiser Area School District's FFA program.Rick's early love for forestry led him to Penn State University, where he earned an Associate of Science in Forest Technology from the Mont Alto campus before completing his Bachelor of Science in Forestry at University Park. His career path soon intertwined with chestnuts—starting in 2005 as a volunteer with the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation.By 2008, Rick was serving his community as a Service Forester with the DCNR Bureau of Forestry, managing forest resources across Berks, Lancaster, and Chester Counties. His leadership continued to grow, and from 2014–2024 he served as Assistant Manager for Resource Stewardship in the William Penn Forest District before stepping into the role of District Manager in 2024.In 2017, Rick and Jen discovered the property that would define their future: a farmstead dotted with 100-year-old chestnut trees. Inspired by its legacy, they named it Castanea Farms—a tribute to the genus of the chestnut itself. Today, chestnuts remain at the heart of their farming operation, a living testament to both heritage and hard work.

Mass transit funding, Medicaid payments, and taxing games of skill are among the many issues holding up state budget negotiations this year. The Pennsylvania state budget impasse continues, even as the Republican-controlled Senate passed a budget proposal of its own. Officials still don’t know what caused Monday's explosion at a US Steel plant near Pittsburgh that killed two workers and injured 10 others. The plant has a history of maintenance problems, explosions, and environmental violations. Freshwater managers are warning the millions of gallons of water data centers use every day could stress public water supplies in Pennsylvania. The 78th Little League World Series is underway in Williamsport. A Grand Slam Parade on Tuesday, kicked off the annual event, with 20 teams from around the country and the world marching in the procession across the Susquehanna River from the ball fields. In the wake of two suicides of Lancaster County pharmacists, a former pharmacy professor is raising an alarm, calling for state regulators to investigate nationwide pharmacy chain CVS. Janelle Stelson is announcing she's moved to Camp Hill, within the 10th Congressional District. The move comes about a month after she announced her candidacy. It may be an effort to diffuse one of the issues that came up in her previous attempt to unseat Republican U-S Representative Scott Perry. A Berks County lawmaker is calling on the owners of the Berkshire Mall property to address what she calls serious concerns about its declining condition. In uncertain times, our community counts on facts, not noise. Support the journalism and programming that keep you informed. Donate now at www.witf.org/givenow.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi This is Brad Weisman - Click Here to Send Me a Text MessageWe analyze the current real estate market conditions in locally and nationally, separating media hype from reality while examining foreclosure rates, price appreciation, and interest rate predictions.• Berks County currently has 446 homes on the market, showing stability in the mid-four hundreds• Foreclosure rates are up 7% nationally but represent only 1 in 758 homes compared to 1 in 45 during the 2008 crash• National housing appreciation predictions average 1.6% for remainder of 2025, while Berks County is experiencing 5.4% appreciation• Interest rates are stabilizing in the 6.4-6.6% range with little expectation of significant decreases• Home prices are up 55% nationally compared to five years ago, with current market adjustments averaging only 3.5% downward in some regions• The "five-year rule" suggests homebuyers will typically come out ahead if they hold property for five years regardless of market timing• Tax exemptions on primary residence sales ($250,000 for singles, $500,000 for married couples) may be increased to reflect significant home appreciation• Experts recommend focusing on personal housing needs rather than attempting to time the marketIf you're thinking about buying or selling, don't make decisions based on headlines. Work with a real estate professional who understands the local market conditions and can help you navigate the current environment based on your personal situation. ---Welcome to The Brad Weisman Show, where we dive into the world of real estate, real life, and everything in between with your host, Brad Weisman!

Hi This is Brad Weisman - Click Here to Send Me a Text MessageLucine Sihelnik, the First Female President and CEO of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA), discusses the economic development landscape and exciting future projects in Berks County. She shares insights about significant changes in the business community and explains how GRCA is breaking the traditional chamber (of commerce) model with 900 members while many chambers nationwide are struggling.• GRCA formed eight years ago by combining three organizations: Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce, Greater Brooks Development Fund, and Greater Reading Economic Partnership• Reading's housing crisis requires comprehensive solutions beyond first-time buyer incentives—new construction and creative repurposing of existing properties are needed• Passenger rail service expected to return (Reading Railroad) within five years, with the station located at the original Franklin Station• Reading, PA offers higher competitive wages than surrounding counties, especially in manufacturing• Major employers include East Penn Manufacturing, Amazon, Reading Hospital, and Giant Food Stores• Family-owned businesses like Redner's Markets (employee-owned) play significant roles in the local economy• "Meet Greater Reading" campaign highlights individuals who relocated to Reading to help with workforce development and talent retention• Downtown revitalization efforts focus on mixed-use development near the future train stationVisit greaterreading.org for information about GRCA's 70+ annual events and initiatives. ---Welcome to The Brad Weisman Show, where we dive into the world of real estate, real life, and everything in between with your host, Brad Weisman!

A surprise beneficiary in President Trump’s budget mega bill is a type of coal used to make steel. Companies that mine metallurgical coal are now in line to receive a 2.5% tax credit thanks to the bill. Controversy has erupted after a Northeastern Pennsylvania county is cut a band from a popular concert series. The move appears to be connected to concerns over the band's lyrics and statements by the lead singer. A Lancaster County constable who was recently convicted of co-opting police powers will soon be able to carry out immigration arrests. The Carlisle School Board is set to vote on whether to ban high school students from using cellphones. A Berks County official is lodging a complaint with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission after a string of unexplained power outages. And a deep dive by WITF's Jordan Wilkie: Pennsylvania’s Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro says legislation that would prevent transgender girls and women from playing on publicly funded sports teams is backed by extremist politicians. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pennsylvania’s top emergency management official is calling on the federal government to rethink proposed changes to disaster aid, saying the measures could hurt emergency response in the state. Cleanup work is underway at a contaminated former dishware factory located just west of State College. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s efforts are focused on the Jackson Ceramix Superfund site. Former local TV news anchor Janelle Stelson is running again for Congress. The Democratic candidate plans to challenge incumbent Republican Scott Perry in the 10th District, which includes Dauphin County and major swaths of Cumberland and York counties. She lost to Perry in the 2024 election by just over 1 percent of the vote, having out-performed Vice President Kamala Harris in the district. A protest this Thursday in Harrisburg honors the fifth anniversary of the death of civil rights leader and congressman John Lewis. The "Good Trouble Lives On" protest is part of a nationwide day of action happening in 1500 cities across the country. A popular bipartisan solar program designed to help save Pennsylvania schools save on energy costs may soon go dark. According to reporting by our partners at Spotlight PA, state funding for the program is in question as lawmakers try to reach a deal on a late, deficit-plagued state budget. The swimming beach at a Berks County lake is closed due to high levels of blue-green algae. York is named one of America's most beautiful main street communities by Reader's Digest. The list of 20 most beautiful main streets in America also includes Frederick, Maryland; Bath, Maine; and Woodstock, Vermont. Reader's Digest notes York's revitalization efforts encompassing housing, businesses and local landmarks. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi This is Brad Weisman - Click Here to Send Me a Text MessageThe real estate market shows intriguing contrasts between national trends and local realities, with Berks County maintaining stability while national inventory hits milestones not seen since 2019.• Berks County inventory remains steady at 419 active listings• Local appreciation continues at 5% despite market changes• National inventory topped 1 million homes for first time since 2019• America faces significant housing deficit requiring 7.5 years to close• First-time homebuyers now average nearly 40 years old• Homeowner net worth ($396,500) drastically outpaces renter net worth ($10,400)• 80% of sellers expect asking price or higher, yet 40% sell below asking• Price properly from the start to avoid losing money in the long runListen to our show every Thursday at 7 PM for another NEW episode!!  #thebradweismanshow #housingmarket #peteheim #nationaltrends ---Welcome to The Brad Weisman Show, where we dive into the world of real estate, real life, and everything in between with your host, Brad Weisman!

Next year's Pennsylvania gubernatorial race is already on the political horizon. So far, the Republican field is shaping up with three prominent figures expressing interest. EMTs could soon be authorized to give caregivers medication that would reverse opioid overdoses, as a bill is quickly moving through the state Capitol. Pennsylvania could receive as much as 200 million dollars as part of a massive settlement with drug maker Purdue Pharma. That's according to PA Attorney General Dave Sunday. The payout is part of a $7.4 billion deal, stemming from the opioid crisis, in which prosecutors and addiction experts say Purdue and its owners the Sackler family played a major role. A portion of land in Somerset County is now protected through a recent acquisition by The Nature Conservancy. The land is part of a critical ecosystem, and it's being added to State Game Lands 82. Police say an 18-year old stabbed his father to death with a machete-style knife during an early-morning argument Tuesday in their West York home. Raw milk sold in Lancaster County and throughout Central Pennsylvania is contaminated and should be thrown out, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. The milk is contaminated with an infectious intestinal disease. The affected milk is Meadow View Jerseys brand raw milk purchased since April 1 with sell-by dates between April 15 and July 8. A Pennsylvania college is addressing its growing financial issues by auctioning its art collection. Albright College, located in Reading, Berks County - according to a report by our partners at Spotlight PA - is preparing to auction more than 2,000 pieces of art. Gov. Josh Shapiro was joined by Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Famer LeSean McCoy, at the official ribbon-cutting for a new 41-unit housing complex in Harrisburg, to benefit low and moderate income home buyers. And comedian and actor Shane Gillis, a Mechanicsburg native, will be hosting this year's ESPYS awards show. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To learn more visit Project Mindfully Outdoors Mindful Hiker Facebook Group Stock up and save on your 1st aid needs by visiting My Medic and using promo code PROJECTOUTDOORS15 Get to know Dan Clouser Catch this conversation on YouTube In this moving campfire conversation, host Mike Martin welcomes Dan Clouser, a dedicated leader in youth sports and now a renowned traveler and storyteller. After 30 years of running a nonprofit in Berks County, Pennsylvania, Dan and his wife, Sandy, took a bold step in August 2020, selling their home and possessions to explore the country full-time in their RV, accompanied by their beloved golden retriever, Youkilis. Though Youkilis has sadly passed, Dan and Sandy continue their journey, focusing on giving back and connecting with others. They share their experiences of volunteering, and the fulfilling relationships formed on the road, highlighting the importance of storytelling through blogging, social media, and podcasting. Join Mike and Dan as they delve into the joys and challenges of living on the road, the transformative power of service, and the deep sense of purpose that guides Dan's life. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation that encourages listeners to embrace adventure and contribute to their communities.  

To learn more visit Project Mindfully Outdoors Mindful Hiker Facebook Group Stock up and save on your 1st aid needs by visiting My Medic and using promo code PROJECTOUTDOORS15 Get to know Dan Clouser Catch this conversation on YouTube In this moving campfire conversation, host Mike Martin welcomes Dan Clouser, a dedicated leader in youth sports and now a renowned traveler and storyteller. After 30 years of running a nonprofit in Berks County, Pennsylvania, Dan and his wife, Sandy, took a bold step in August 2020, selling their home and possessions to explore the country full-time in their RV, accompanied by their beloved golden retriever, Youkilis. Though Youkilis has sadly passed, Dan and Sandy continue their journey, focusing on giving back and connecting with others. They share their experiences of volunteering, and the fulfilling relationships formed on the road, highlighting the importance of storytelling through blogging, social media, and podcasting. Join Mike and Dan as they delve into the joys and challenges of living on the road, the transformative power of service, and the deep sense of purpose that guides Dan's life. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation that encourages listeners to embrace adventure and contribute to their communities.  

– “I can do that.” The words “stress,” “pressure,” “anxiety” appear on page after page.Thomas Gery, a common man with uncommon experiences lives in Berks County, Pennsylvania. He served in the U.S. Army with duty in Vietnam. As a social worker he helped children, youth, and adults in a variety of practice venues and situations throughout a work life of 40 years. Married with two adult children and two grandchildren, he is currently writing his life's story to provide answers to questions his kids will never ask. His earliest published stories have appeared in Personal Story Publishing Project—Lost & Found, Sooner or Later, Now or Never, Foolhardy.

Fifteen colleges and universities in Pennsylvania, including HACC, are receiving special designation thanks to a recently created initiative to improve student mental health. A new report calls Pennsylvania's teacher shortage a crisis. About 45 counties are experiencing teacher shortages defined as severe or extremely severe, according to the report, by the group Teach Plus Pennsylvania. A pair of Native American tribes have filed a federal lawsuit in Pennsylvania, accusing the federal government of using trust fund money for the tribes to pay for boarding schools where generations of Native children were systematically abused. They included the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, which operated in Cumberland County from 1879 to 1918. A $580,000 cut to programs to combat homelessness in Lancaster County won’t be restored after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development denied an appeal filed by a county agency. One of the most powerful Republicans in Pennsylvania’s Senate is predicting this year’s state budget cycle will be among the most difficult “in a very long time.” Despite recent rainfall, parts of the midstate remain in dry or drought conditions. The U.S. Drought Monitor’s latest map shows Moderate drought conditions continuing to plague all of Berks County, most of Lancaster County, about half of York County, and about half of Schuylkill County. A Gettysburg College professor has written the first comprehensive history of Yellowstone National Park since the 1970s. And now his book has received a prestigious award; selected from a field of more than 150 historical books, as the 2025 winner of The New York Historical’s annual Barbara and David Zalaznick Book Prize in American History. We take a deep dive with Randall Wilson who explains how the legacy of Yellowstone continues to impact us today.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Journey of My Mother's Son podcast, I talk with Santo Marabella. I was honored to have the opportunity to have my old friend from Berks County, Santo, on my show.  We have been friends for over fifteen years now.  We first got to know each other when we both served on the board of the Berks County Visitors Bureau and through volunteering with the Reading Filmfest.  However, I never really knew Santo's story of how he arrived in the United States until recently.  It is an incredible story, and again, I feel honored to be able to give Santo a place at my table, and help tell a little bit of his story on my show. Santo D. Marabella, MBA, DSW, The Practical Prof® is an author, playwright, filmmaker, speaker and educator with writing, directing and producing credits for books, television pilots, a musical, short films and plays. He is the co-founder ReadingFilmFEST and the ReadingFilm Office, for which he served as ReadingFilm Commissioner (2006-2018). Recent projects include writer/director of the play Rocky Road Ain't Always Sweet, (2024). producer, AVA (2023); producer, FLASHLIGHT (2023); director/co-producer, workshop for Love Is Afoot!, an original musical (2023); writer/producer/director, THE CAREGIVER (2022). Marabella, Professor Emeritus of Management, Moravian University, is a member of The Lambs®, The Dramatists Guild of America and Theatre Communications Group. His newest film, Il Mio Posto a Tavola (My Place at the Table) is a first-person documentary which examines our universal need to belong, as seen through the heart of the filmmaker. Born in a Catholic orphanage in Aosta, Italy, and flown to the United States just one week shy of his first birthday, Santo D. Marabella was one of over 3700 Italian born children adopted by Italian American parents between 1951 and 1969. Known as the “Baby Scoop” era, tens of thousands of Italian unwed mothers were forced to give their children up for adoption, leaving behind generations of children devastated by their perceived abandonment. Though he was the treasured only child of his adoptive parents, Santo was bullied by his peers and struggled from an early age to fit in and connect with others. Growing up, the realization that he was gay further deepened this isolation, straining his relationship with the Church to which he was so dedicated and the parents he so loved. Despite self-doubt and fear, he refused to be stopped. He tried harder and achieved more, carving out a life as a caregiver, educator, writer and artist. But he was still on the outside. In this journey to belonging, Santo returns to Italy to find his place at the table (posto a tavola) To find out more about the film, check out its website at https://ilmiopostofilm.com/.

In the wake of Steelton's Cleveland-Cliffs plant temporarily laying off more than 500 employees, a southwestern Pennsylvania state senator says his new bill could encourage new investment in aging steel plants. The Pennsylvania State Police will no longer carry shotguns in their cruisers. Early May rainfall, along with expected rainfall this week, may ease Lancaster County's severe drought status. Berks County officials are reviewing a report analyzing the county inmate population and its finding that jail is too often used as a default tool to address social issues such as poverty, homelessness and substance use. Pottsville Mayor Mark Atkinson is resigning for health reasons. The Hershey Bears continue their quest for their third straight Calder Cup, as well as their 14th AHL championship overall. Last year, a nonprofit group in Pittsburgh, with a partner in Philadelphia, was awarded a large federal grant as part of a $2 billion climate justice program through the Inflation Reduction Act. But now, climate and environmental justice projects are "out" with the Trump administration, and the grant has evaporated. The Allegheny Front’s Julie Grant reports what's at stake. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Pennsylvania House is broadening and advancing a consumer data privacy bill. WITF’s Jordan Wilkie reports it would allow Pennsylvanians to ask companies to not collect certain data and have them delete other data already on-hand. A Johnstown-based mining company has gotten the go-ahead to expand an underground coal mine in Westmoreland County. LCT Energy operates the 2800-acre Rustic Ridge “Number One” coal mine in Donegal, just south of the Pennsylvania Turnpike exit there. The company recently got approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to expand the mine northward, underneath the Turnpike. Reid Frazier, from our friends at the Allegheny Front, reports opponents of the project worry about the potential for environmental damage. Dauphin County officials admit a 911 dispatcher did not appropriately escalate a call in accordance with county policy, early Sunday morning, April 13th, an hour after an arson attack on the Governor's Residence. Campgrounds, boat ramps, welcome centers and other recreational facilities run by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in six states are being closed or seeing hours reduced due to funding cuts by the Trump administration. The cuts include Blue Marsh Lake located near Reading, in Berks County. Mike Sullivan’s nearly decade-long tenure running the Pittsburgh Penguins is over. The team announced Monday that it was parting ways with the two-time Stanley Cup winning coach just over a week after the Penguins missed out on the playoffs for a third straight season. And the Hershey Bears open their Calder Cup playoff run this week. Game one is Wednesday night in Hershey, versus the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in an Atlantic Division best-of-five semifinal series. Hershey is seeking its 14th AHL championship overall. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi This is Brad Weisman - Click Here to Send Me a Text MessageTim Daley of Habitat for Humanity and Steve Gieringer of Neighborhood Housing Services join forces to tackle Berks County's housing crisis by transforming affordable housing into workforce housing that benefits both employers and employees. Their innovative approach bridges the gap between business needs and worker stability, offering homeownership opportunities that strengthen communities while addressing critical employment challenges.• Housing has become an employment issue as businesses struggle to retain talent due to housing affordability challenges• Habitat for Humanity has evolved to focus on workforce housing for those making $23-33 per hour• Homeownership provides stability for families and benefits municipalities through increased tax revenue• Neighborhood Housing Services offers unique financing solutions including down payment assistance up to 105% of property value• Comprehensive education (50 hours) and seven years of post-purchase counseling ensures buyer success• Creative financing programs developed during COVID continue to have 100% performance rates• Both organizations are rebranding their work as "workforce housing" to accurately reflect who they serve• Home prices in Reading have increased from $39,900 in the 1990s to $160-200,000 today• Over 300 first-time homebuyers have been created through these programs in the last three yearsTo learn more, visit www.habitatberks.org and www.nhsgb.org.#habitatforhumanity #neighborhoodhousingservices #NHS #thebradweismanshow #tbws2025 ---Welcome to The Brad Weisman Show, where we dive into the world of real estate, real life, and everything in between with your host, Brad Weisman!

Hi This is Brad Weisman - Click Here to Send Me a Text MessageKathryn Lehman's path from social worker to judicial candidate reveals a professional journey shaped by genuine concern for community welfare and justice. After witnessing courtroom proceedings while advocating for troubled teens, Lehman realized her calling extended beyond social work into the legal realm—prompting her to attend law school at night while maintaining her full-time position.This unique foundation gives Lehman something increasingly rare in our judicial system: perspective from both sides of the courtroom. Having spent five years as a public defender before transitioning to nearly nine years in the district attorney's office, she brings balanced insight to her candidacy for Berks County Common Pleas Judge. As supervisor of the drug task force, she has prosecuted some of the county's most dangerous offenders, including securing convictions in the largest fentanyl seizure in county history.What distinguishes Lehman's candidacy is her unwavering commitment to applying the law fairly while understanding the human elements behind each case. "When you are doing the right thing, you can't worry about those things," she notes when discussing difficult decisions, emphasizing that integrity must guide judicial action even when decisions might be unpopular. This philosophy has earned her bipartisan endorsements from prominent figures across the political spectrum, including District Attorney John Adams and State Representative Eric Weaknecht.The primary election on May 20th presents Berks County voters with an opportunity to elect someone uniquely qualified for the bench—the only candidate with extensive trial experience for what is fundamentally a trial judge position. Consider supporting Kathryn Lehman, whose blend of legal expertise, practical courtroom experience, and compassionate understanding offers the balanced approach our judicial system needs. ---Welcome to The Brad Weisman Show, where we dive into the world of real estate, real life, and everything in between with your host, Brad Weisman!

In 1875, the Gring home would host the dead bodies of four members of the Bissinger family following a murder-suicide. A mother, Louisa Bissinger, took the lives of her children in retaliation for a wrong by the father. The tragic circumstances have left the ghosts of the family to haunt this area of Berks County in Pennsylvania. And then there was Ethel Major. Her husband was an angry man and their relationship had gone sour long ago. Rather than leave her husband, she decided to make the ultimate break. And for that, she paid with her life. It seems her spirit haunts the prison where she died. Join us as we share these tragic tales that have left revenants of two bad marriages. Intro and Outro music: Bad Players - Licensed under a non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-assignable, single-site, worldwide, royalty-free license agreement with Muse Music c/o Groove Studios. The following music was also used: Title: "Typical Horror Intro" Artist: Tim Kulig (timkulig.com) Licensed under Creative Commons By Attribution 4.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0997280/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 Music: All The Lines (Instrumental) by Sascha Ende Link: https://filmmusic.io/en/song/4926-all-the-lines-instrumental

Jared sits down with our long-time friend, Joshua Prince. Josh is the principal of the Civil Rights Defense firm, P.C. and an associate at Prince Law Offices, P.C. in Berks County, PA.Josh is a native of the Commonwealth, dedicated to making life better for all liberty-loving Pennsylvanians. Josh is running for a seat on the commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania. We support and endorse him. This episode of the the Lodestone Podcast needs to be shared to other Pennsylvanians interested in voting for a judge that will work to keep our freedoms intact.For more information on Josh and his campaign, you can visit his website HERE.Check out our website for more info and to register for classeswww.lodestonetac.comContact us at info@lodestonetac.comFollow us on FacebookLodestone Training and ConsultingInstagram@lodestonetrainingandconsultingYouTube@lodestonetrainingandconsultingFollow our instructors on InstagramJared - @ltac_zuluFlynn - @sek_ltac'Light' Chris - @ltac_whiskeyAbby - @ltac_sixKirk - @basil_fnfalOzz - @ltac_ozzMicah - @ltac_micahMike - @bluemountainbushcraft

Hi This is Brad Weisman - Click Here to Send Me a Text MessageIt's Pete Week Again!! The episode explores the local and national real estate market dynamics as they transition into 2025. Key topics include year-over-year comparisons, the significance of accurate home valuations, and diverse predictions for price trends. • Reflections on the Holiday Season and its impact • Analysis of Berks County and National Real Estate Statistics for 2024 • Comparison of Local Market trends to National Figures • Discussion on listing volume and pricing trends • The importance of professional home valuations • Predictions for the 2025 real estate market • Humorous commentary on resolutions and expectations for the new year."Pete and I talk about the many predictions that are being made for 2025... the reality is NO ONE knows what will happen.  Our advice is listen to your local real estate professional to get a feel for the market when you're ready to buy or sell real estate!" - Brad Weisman ---Welcome to The Brad Weisman Show (formerly known as Real Estate and YOU), where we dive into the world of real estate, real life, and everything in between with your host, Brad Weisman!

In this episode of the Journey of My Mother's Son podcast, I talk with Heather Christie. Heather is a fellow Berks County native and author.  She is the author of three books, so far.  Additionally, she is the producer of the storytelling show, LoveNotes!, which is True stories of first love, last love, & all the love in between. LoveNotes! is a storytelling show, a book, and a podcast in which real people share real stories about romantic love in all its incarnations. So, tell the poets, lovers, dreamers and anybody else who's ever been in love that I'm looking for TRUE LOVE stories–from heartbreaking to heartwarming. Any story about romantic love in any of its incarnations fits the bill. A LoveNotes! story is the kind of yarn in which Cupid has shot someone in the heart and that person has lived to tell the tale. To find out more about Heather, you can check out her website at https://heatherchristiebooks.com/. Some other important notes from the conversation are listed below: ·        Links for tickets to the live LoveNotes! Show or livestream: ·        3 PM In-Person SHOW: https://tinyurl.com/3PMLoveNotes ·        8PM In-Person SHOW: https://tinyurl.com/8PMLoveNotes ·        8 PM LIVESTREAM: https://tinyurl.com/LoveNotesLivestream LoveNotes! Bus 2/15 - $40 Round Trip (departs 10 AM Joanne Fabrics' Parking Lot, Wyomissing PA to NYC, Leaves NYC 8 PM), Show ticket must be purchased separately. Email Sandy Barber at sbarber@epexinc.com to reserve a seat.  Submit your love story (1000 words or fewer) at 71StreetBooks.com  Instagram, Facebook, & TikTok are @heatherchristiebooks   LoveNotes! Real Stories. Real People. Real Love. THE BOOK: https://amzn.to/40VIiUv

A legal battle is underway to extradite Luigi Mangione from Pennsylvania to New York. With temperatures expected to drop later today many will be reaching to turn up their thermostats. We have some tips on how to keep your home comfortable this winter. The University of Pittsburgh has launched a new global health initiative to reduce health disparities for women. A state lawmaker from Lancaster County will soon be stepping down. A federal safety board says a corroded steam pipe and a defective natural gas fitting caused a powerful explosion at a Berks County chocolate factory, killing seven workers when the company failed to evacuate. An investigation is underway into a fire that destroyed a vacant building at the former Harrisburg State Hospital grounds. Penn State University police will not charge retired Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce after investigating an altercation with a fan over a cellphone before a November 2nd home game between the Nittany Lions and Ohio State. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

– “I know what is coming.”The dying process is a crucible of tension.Thomas Gery, a common man with uncommon experiences lives in Berks County, Pennsylvania. He served in the U.S. Army with duty in Vietnam. As a social worker he helped children, youth, and adults in a variety of practice venues and situations throughout a work life of 40 years. Married with two adult children and two grandchildren, he is currently writing his life's story to provide answers to questions his kids will never ask. His earliest published stories have appeared in Personal Story Publishing Project—Lost & Found, Sooner or Later, and Now or Never.

In the midst of an automatic recount of the U.S. Senate race, Democrat Bob Casey has conceded to his Republican opponent Dave McCormick.  Amid the recount, Democratic commissioners in Bucks County have come under fire for voting to count undated and misdated mail ballots -- a move later struck down by the state Supreme Court.  A large-scale technology processing center in Luzerne County is on the way to breaking ground -- faster than ever before thanks to a new state program.  The effort to build a nearly 50-mile loop of trails in Rothrock State Forest in Centre and Huntingdon Counties has received a boost from the state.  Remains found 51 years ago have been identified as a missing 14-year-old girl from York.  A Philadelphia jury has awarded $11 million to a man whose holstered Sig Sauer pistol went off by itself while he was going down the stairs.  A Berks County-based supermarket chain is alleging the top frozen potato producers in the country have engaged in price gouging. Cleveland's Nick Chubb ran for a 2-yard touchdown in heavy snow with 57 seconds left, as the Browns stunned division rival Pittsburgh 24-19. Fighting cancer takes a lot out of patients and their families.  The charitable group "Sail Beyond Cancer" offers them a chance to relax and enjoy some quality time with pleasure cruises along a few of the East Coast's most scenic waters. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federal climate money is helping Pennsylvania communities transform their downtowns. Pennsylvania will receive about $245 million this year to clean up abandoned mine lands, significantly more than any other state.  Penn State graduate students are looking to unionize. Organizers say they have the needed signatures to move to the next step in the unionization process.   A wildfire in Berks County appears to be mostly under control this morning. Lycoming County could be the home of a juvenile justice center to help troubled youngsters.  Education advocates estimate Pennsylvania is short some 15-thousand teachers statewide. In the face of such a staggering shortfall, many school districts are opting to “grow their own” supply of educators. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this true crime story from Love and Murder: Heartbreak to Homicide, Ky tells you the case of Chester Spayd, a man whose life spiraled into chaos fueled by drugs, family betrayal, and brutal violence. On August 5, 2000, in the community of Berks County, Pennsylvania, Chester's world collided with tragedy, resulting in the vicious murder of his mother's boyfriend, Kenneth Long. This case actually came from a Reddit post, and spiraled into a deep dive.This is one twisted and crazy case so strap in and let's get into it!Don't forget to share your thoughts on this case in the comments below and subscribe for more gripping episodes.Sources:https://casetext.com/case/spayd-v-wilsonhttps://www.readingeagle.com/2015/09/19/after-12-years-berks-detective-secures-confession-in-boys-killing/https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/contests/man-charged-in-cold-case-murder-of-3-year-old-reading-boy/521-3fadd638-60ff-4c8b-ac8f-ddf442077819https://apnews.com/51fcb3ee8d9e4486ad66c8effdfb9489/man-charged-2003-killing-ax-murderers-3-year-old-sonDon't forget to share this in text with your friends and on Reddit************************************************************************************************Support these businesses; support LaM:BJs - Save $35 on a yearly membership with my link: www.murderandlove.com/BJsNOVEMBER PATREON SALE - Save 50% all bonuses - Use the NOVEMBER SALE tier until 11-30-2024✨✨For a commercial-free episode, pictures, and more head to our exclusive group at www.patreon.com/loveandmurder✨✨Podcast Promo: Darkcast Network www.darkcastnetwork.com*************************************************************************************************

A federal judge in Pennsylvania is considering a Republican request to direct the state's election officials to take additional steps to verify the identification and eligibility of voters living overseas.  Thousands of supporters of Donald Trump have had a chance to hear from the former president at the county Convention Center.  One of the late golf legend Arnold Palmer's daughters calls Donald Trump's references to her father's genitalia "a poor choice of approaches” to honoring his memory.  Organizations in communities across Pennsylvania and the nation that suffered from the decline of coal have joined forces in a plea to the Trump and Harris campaigns.  More than $3.4 million is being awarded for projects in Pennsylvania, in an effort to protect agricultural runoff into rivers, lakes and streams. Elon Musk is pledging to give away $1 million a day to voters for signing his political action committee's petition backing the Constitution. The giveaway by the Donald Trump supporter is raising questions and alarms among some election experts who say it's a violation of the law. A Berks County woman has been sentenced to two life terms on murder convictions in the deaths of her two young children. Authorities say two people are facing charges following the release of about 200 minks from cages at a Northumberland County fur farm.            Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lisa Snyder, the mother charged in the 2019 hanging deaths of her two young children in their northern Berks County home, has been found guilty. The verdict was delivered late Tuesday afternoon by Berks County Court of Common Pleas President Judge Theresa M. Johnson in a bench trial held in a seventh-floor courtroom. Snyder, 37, was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder, endangering the welfare of a child, and evidence tampering. The charges stem from the deaths of her 8-year-old son Conner and 4-year-old daughter Brinley, whom Snyder hanged from a beam in the basement of their home in Albany Township on September 23, 2019. First responders found the children unresponsive, and they were flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital. After being taken off life support three days later, autopsies confirmed that both children died by hanging, and the deaths were ruled homicides by the Lehigh County coroner. Throughout the trial, Snyder maintained that her son Conner was suicidal due to bullying and that the incident occurred as a result of his desire to "build a fort" in the basement. However, the prosecution presented evidence contradicting this account, including surveillance footage of Conner appearing happy and untroubled when he arrived home from school on the day of the incident. Further investigation revealed that Snyder had ordered the dog lead used in the hangings the day before the children's deaths and picked it up the morning of the crime. Snyder's Google search history also included visits to a site offering instructions on how to hang oneself, further raising suspicion. Multiple witnesses, including school officials, testified that Conner had never exhibited signs of depression or suicidal thoughts, undermining Snyder's claims that bullying led to his death. Additionally, Snyder's adult son, Owen, testified during the trial, referring to his mother by her first name and stating he no longer considered her his mother—a moment that drew visible emotion from Snyder. Defense attorneys argued that Snyder's long history of mental health issues may have driven her to a psychotic state, but prosecution experts rejected this, stating that Snyder was fully aware of her actions. The trial concluded with a guilty verdict after seven days of testimony. After Berks County prosecutors rested their case on Friday morning, defense attorney Dennis Charles requested an immediate acquittal, arguing that the case was built on speculation, theory, and "all guesswork," according to The Reading Eagle. The request was ultimately denied. Charles argued that Lisa Snyder's internet searches on suicide, hangings, carbon monoxide poisoning, and drug overdoses reflected her own suicidal thoughts rather than an intent to kill her children. He further claimed that prosecutors lacked physical evidence to support their case, and that Snyder's 911 call and the reactions described by emergency responders were consistent with a mother finding her children hanging, not a perpetrator. With the conviction, Snyder faces an automatic life sentence without parole under Pennsylvania law for first-degree murder. She will be sentenced in October.    Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK's Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com 

Lisa Snyder, the mother charged in the 2019 hanging deaths of her two young children in their northern Berks County home, has been found guilty. The verdict was delivered late Tuesday afternoon by Berks County Court of Common Pleas President Judge Theresa M. Johnson in a bench trial held in a seventh-floor courtroom. Snyder, 37, was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder, endangering the welfare of a child, and evidence tampering. The charges stem from the deaths of her 8-year-old son Conner and 4-year-old daughter Brinley, whom Snyder hanged from a beam in the basement of their home in Albany Township on September 23, 2019. First responders found the children unresponsive, and they were flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital. After being taken off life support three days later, autopsies confirmed that both children died by hanging, and the deaths were ruled homicides by the Lehigh County coroner. Throughout the trial, Snyder maintained that her son Conner was suicidal due to bullying and that the incident occurred as a result of his desire to "build a fort" in the basement. However, the prosecution presented evidence contradicting this account, including surveillance footage of Conner appearing happy and untroubled when he arrived home from school on the day of the incident. Further investigation revealed that Snyder had ordered the dog lead used in the hangings the day before the children's deaths and picked it up the morning of the crime. Snyder's Google search history also included visits to a site offering instructions on how to hang oneself, further raising suspicion. Multiple witnesses, including school officials, testified that Conner had never exhibited signs of depression or suicidal thoughts, undermining Snyder's claims that bullying led to his death. Additionally, Snyder's adult son, Owen, testified during the trial, referring to his mother by her first name and stating he no longer considered her his mother—a moment that drew visible emotion from Snyder. Defense attorneys argued that Snyder's long history of mental health issues may have driven her to a psychotic state, but prosecution experts rejected this, stating that Snyder was fully aware of her actions. The trial concluded with a guilty verdict after seven days of testimony. After Berks County prosecutors rested their case on Friday morning, defense attorney Dennis Charles requested an immediate acquittal, arguing that the case was built on speculation, theory, and "all guesswork," according to The Reading Eagle. The request was ultimately denied. Charles argued that Lisa Snyder's internet searches on suicide, hangings, carbon monoxide poisoning, and drug overdoses reflected her own suicidal thoughts rather than an intent to kill her children. He further claimed that prosecutors lacked physical evidence to support their case, and that Snyder's 911 call and the reactions described by emergency responders were consistent with a mother finding her children hanging, not a perpetrator. With the conviction, Snyder faces an automatic life sentence without parole under Pennsylvania law for first-degree murder. She will be sentenced in October.    Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK's Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com 

A panel of judges is requiring a Western Pennsylvania county to give voters a chance to fix problems with mail-in ballots and allow them to vote by provisional ballot if needed.  With a little more than a month before the election, Kamala Harris' presidential campaign is working to get Republicans to vote for Democrats in Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh has effectively banned rodeos for more than 30 years. But a provision inserted in this year's state budget requires municipalities to allow those events.  A Berks County woman faces a life sentence for hanging her two children in the basement of their home in 2019.  Lebanon County voters should get their mail-in ballots early next month. Police are investigating a former Lancaster Country Day student for creating AI-generated nude images of female classmates.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Erin tells us about Christopher Ryan Tucker who was convicted of murdering Tara Marie Serino in 2017 in his home in Berks County, Pennsylvania.Sources:https://casetext.com/case/commonwealth-v-tucker-77https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/failed-proposal-murder-berks/https://www.newsweek.com/pennsylvania-crime-christopher-tucker-tara-serino-707907Support the show

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has visited the Lackawanna County ammunition factory that is producing one of the most critically needed munitions for his country's fight to fend off Russian ground forces.  Republican Vice Presidential candidate JD Vance has campaigned at the Berks County Fairgrounds. Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz has also campaigned in Pennsylvania. The owner of the shuttered Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Dauphin County plans to restart the reactor. In some places across Pennsylvania, distress calls to 211 or 988 link callers with support professionals - who in some cases, are too far away to act. Chester County has a solution. Central Pennsylvania is recovering from an intense storm that blasted parts of the region Saturday night.   Penn State has removed nearly three dozen racks containing its independent student-produced newspaper from on-campus this week because politics-related ads on the racks violated school policy.  A defense attorney is dismissing as “conjecture” the prosecution's case against a Berks County woman charged with killing her two young children.   Former president Donald Trump has baselessly called out Haitian migrants in the small town of Charleroi in western Pennsylvania. Oliver Morrison is with our friends at WESA in Pittsburgh and spent some time in the Washington County community.        Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ghost Furnace - Episode 96 "Hawk Mountain"   We only need to travel a few short miles west of the location of our last episode to get into this week's stories. Hawk Mountain is now a nature sanctuary and one of the best places around to watch migrating birds, hike, appreciate the outdoors, and if you're lucky, you'll see a hatchet wielding ghost of the former innkeeper. For a mountain that is so beautiful, it certainly has a history to make locals and visitors alike wonder if something sinister lives along the base of the ancient gathering spot.   If you have questions, feedback or a story you'd like to share, you can find us on Instagram, Youtube, Facebook and TheGhostFurnacePodcast@gmail.com

A drug-trafficking ring has been busted by cops in Berks County. A U.S. representative from Pennsylvania helped introduce a bill that would fund the cost of benefits for services members sent to war. 2024's shaping up to be a good one for fall foliage. And a superload is making its way through Pennsylvania today.

Is the American Dream fading as fast as people say it is? How are current real estate trends and the overall market contributing to the degradation of the U.S. economy? Brad Weisman, a Keller Williams Platinum Realty agent, joins the podcast to share his thoughts… Brad has been a realtor since 1992. With more than 30 years of experience selling residential real estate in the surrounding Berks County, Pennsylvania area, he understands the magic of buying and selling homes better than most. On top of facilitating life-changing experiences for others, Brad is on a mission to provide exceptional, personalized service for all of his clients – and in this conversation, he gives us a glimpse of his unique approach to navigating today's challenging market conditions. Tune in to explore: How Brad got his start in real estate.  The main issue in real estate right now.  What would happen if interest rates drop.  How the 2008 economic crisis is still impacting the current real estate market.  Whether you're looking to buy your first home, invest in rental properties, or simply stay informed about the latest market trends, this episode is packed with practical advice and expert perspectives. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn from an experienced professional in the industry! To learn more about Brad and his work, visit his website here. You can also hear him hosting his own podcast here! Take advantage of a 5% discount on Ekster accessories by using the code FINDINGGENIUS. Enhance your style and functionality with premium accessories. Visit bit.ly/3uiVX9R to explore latest collection. Episode also available on Apple Podcast: http://apple.co/30PvU9C