Podcasts about dauphin county

Mathias Lemos Castillo (He/Him/El), Founder / CEO, MLC Consulting, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about keeping hands off our brain data, the ultimate retention hack, accessibility at first swipe, and more!Here are this week's good vibes:Accessibility at First SwipeQueer Cover Breakthrough!Hands Off Our Brain DataFree Childcare: The Ultimate Retention HackFreedom UnlockedGood Vibes to Go: Bernadette's GVTG: Yesterday was Global Accessibility Awareness Day aka GAAD. It's amazing how much we don't know. My firm has strived to follow best practices for digital inclusion, but we're not perfect. Here's a great checklist from Meryl Evans.Mattias' GVTG: Turn challenges into opportunities. Identify ways to transform road blocks into an opportunity for growth, then not just internally, but in our community settings and our organizations and lean into the curiosity of what is possible for us.Read the Stories.Connect with Mathias Lemos Castillo.Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.Watch the show on YouTube. Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes in DEI every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

Some international students in Pennsylvania and elsewhere lost their student status recently, which allows them to stay and study in the U.S. Alan Yu from our friends at WHYY reports, the decision has now been reversed. The Trump administration has long flirted with the idea of selling the U.S. Postal Service to the highest bidder. Kenny Cooper, also from our friends at WHYY, reports Philadelphia-area letter carriers and post office workers are on edge. In the wake of an arson attack on the Governor's Residence in Harrisburg, Dauphin County officials admit a 911 dispatcher mishandled a call the morning of the fire. After nearly a week, firefighters are making steady progress containing a pair of wildfires in a central Pennsylvania state forest. The fires cover more than 2700 acres in Michaux State Forest, about 30 to 50 miles southwest of Harrisburg. We could be in for a Congressional rematch in central Pennsylvania's 10th House District in 20-26. U.S. Representative Scott Perry's spokesman confirms he will be running for an eighth term in the U.S. House. And Janelle Stelson is reportedly telling Democratic Party leaders she's strongly considering challenging Perry again. 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.

State Democrats joined gun-reform advocates in a plea to Republicans and to Governor Josh Shapiro. A Dauphin County magistrate judge accused of shooting and wounding her ex-boyfriend in the head as he slept has been convicted of attempted homicide and aggravated assault charges. International students at Penn State are among those whose visas are being revoked. A Philadelphia woman is using her own experience with vestibular disorder to help others. The National Transportation Safety Board confirms the explosion at the R.M. Palmer Co. plant in 2023 was the result of a natural gas leak. Senator John Fetterman revealed he has been using the popular weight loss drug, Mounjaro. Gov. Shapiro visited Lancaster to promote downtown businesses and the expansion of a state grant program aimed at revitalizing downtown areas and surrounding neighborhoods.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Dauphin County CASA-Court Appointed Special Advocates, have changed the stories of many abused and neglected children in the foster care system every single day.  Find out about the importance of your support. "    www.dauphincountycasa.org

Did you like this episode? Send us a text message and share your thoughts!In this episode of Cow-Side Conversations, Kendra Nissley of Jubilee Dairy in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania wraps up Women's History Month by sharing about her journey on the farm and trying to find a sense of balance in it all. While farming and family often go hand in hand, it can be challenging to prioritize your children, your marriage and your own needs when the day-to-day responsibilities on the farm are so demanding. Kendra reflects on some intentional decisions she and her husband, Jeff, have made in their journey to invest in employees, navigate the transition process between generations, and rely closely on outside experts – or as she says, “heroes” – to help them finetune the details and execute new plans.From sustainability projects and boosting pounds of butterfat to a value-added cheese business and grants that help them save money, Kendra opens up about lessons they've learned along the way. She says it's a neverending balancing act and an ongoing process of asking their family: How can we steward this farm so we farm it and it does not farm us?”

The Dauphin County Technical School (DCTS) Student-Run Restaurant, known as DC TASTE, offers a unique dining experience where guests can enjoy meals prepared entirely by each year’s Culinary Arts senior class. Hear from students Michael Osborne-Griffy and Illeiona ("Illy") Johnson, both seniors at DCTS as well as Chef Claire Dacko, Culinary Arts Instructor at DCTS. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pennsylvania is updating its 22-year-old voter registration system. Researchers and staff at the University of Pittsburgh are speaking out against proposed funding cuts to the National Institutes of Health. Visually impaired residents in northeastern Pa. have a resource designed to help them maintain independence. Dauphin County hired at least four former employees as consultants almost immediately after they left their full-time government roles, against state law. A cold-case investigation by York City Police yielded several felony charges against three suspects — including homicide and attempted homicide. The City of Reading is planning to use a new fleet management system and dashboard cameras on fifty vehicles. Tröegs Independent Brewing of Hershey, was voted by USA TODAY readers as the No. 1 brewery tour in the country.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Ben Knox, the new Administrator of Dauphin County's Area Agency on Aging discusses all the remarkable services available to seniors and the positive impact that these resources have on their lives.” www.dauphincounty.gov

“Ben Knox, the new Administrator of Dauphin County's Area Agency on Aging discusses all the remarkable services available to seniors and the positive impact that these resources have on their lives.” www.dauphincounty.gov

The city of Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. It is also the county seat of Dauphin County and has a population of about 50,000, making it the thirteenth most populous city in the state. It is east of the Susquehanna River and 107 miles west of Philadelphia. It is the primary city of the Harrisburg Metropolitan Area, with a population of about 578,000 people, making it the fourth most populous metropolitan area in the state and the ninety-sixth most populous one in the United States. Harrisburg is the second-largest city in the Lower Susquehanna Valley area of Pennsylvania, comprising the cities of Harrisburg, Lancaster, and York. Podast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/the-state-capitals-pennsylvania Genealogy Clips Podcast: https://ancestralfindings.com/podcast Free Genealogy Lookups: https://ancestralfindings.com/lookups Genealogy Giveaway: https://ancestralfindings.com/giveaway Genealogy eBooks: https://ancestralfindings.com/ebooks Follow Along: https://www.facebook.com/AncestralFindings https://www.instagram.com/ancestralfindings https://www.youtube.com/ancestralfindings Support Ancestral Findings: https://ancestralfindings.com/support https://ancestralfindings.com/paypal  #Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips

A federal judge has temporarily stopped a new Trump administration policy to put a cap on indirect overhead costs that come with research. Penn State had been getting ready to pause applying for certain grants. Respiratory virus infection is taking a toll on people across Pennsylvania, but is hitting the northeastern part of the state particularly hard. Now that Governor Josh Shapiro has made his initial budget proposal, state lawmakers must negotiate over what makes it into the final plan by this summer. Lawmakers say hearings will focus on contentious topics that include public transit and education. A small group of young people from Hazleton has organized a demonstration -- to serve as a voice for their friends and family. They say people are scared under President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. A Central Pennsylvania county has sold off unused items from its prison. UPMC is walking back its policy on facemasks. Dauphin County is creating a new summer concert series while picking up the pieces of Harrisburg University's canceled summer concerts.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Lafayette da Marqis Bicentennial commemoration is taking place all throughout the country. However, this weekend, there’s a special event taking place in Harrisburg and York this weekend. According to Elizabeth Zucker, with the Historical Society of Dauphin County, says Lafayette’s visit to Harrisburg was not originally planned. “He had been invited to come to the U.S., and he met with the governor of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia, and that was Governor Andrew Schultz. Governor Schultz said to him, this was September 1824, we have this brand-new Capitol in Harrisburg. We just built it four years ago. We'd love to show it to you. And General Lafayette, being the very hospitable, kind, and warm person that he was, said, sure, I'll come to Harrisburg, “said Zucker. Lafayette kept his word and came to Harrisburg. He even stayed at the Governors mansion. “At that time, it was a residence that's still intact today, 27 North Front Street. It's now part of the Dauphin County Library System, the Riverfront Library. And we're very excited because we're going to get to revisit that spot, that very spot-on Saturday with the General Lafayette reenactor.” Chuck Schwam, Executive Director of the American Friends of Lafayette says his visit to the United States 200 years ago was significant. “I feel is that Lafayette was here when we decided that all people were created equal. And when he came back in 1824, he saw that maybe our country wasn't exactly doing those things, creating people equally. And Lafayette was an abolitionist. He was a feminist, and he was a friend of the Native Americans. And he showed these feelings right open to the American public. And it was very important in 1824 and 1825 to see the last living continental American general do these things, hug African Americans, treat women like intellectual equals that they are. Seek out to have conversations with Native Americans. These were things that Lafayette did in 1824 and 1825, and Americans watched him do it. And we feel it really did help heal the nation a little bit and bring back some more patriotic feelings, “said Schwam. Here is what is taking place this weekend in Harrisburg and York. “So we have some what we think are very fun events planned. As I mentioned, we have a wonderful reenactor for playing General Lafayette, who will be in town all weekend, starting with a photo op in front of the state capitol. During General Lafayette's visit 200 years ago, he spent most of his visit with the governor, the governor's administration and the House of Representatives and Pennsylvania Senate. And so we thought it would be very fitting to start this commemoration with a trip back to the capitol. This is a new capitol, the capitol he visited, of course, unfortunately burned down, but we're going to have a photo op. It's open to the public. Come meet General Lafayette, take a picture, post it on social media, bring a very family friendly kind of event at four o 'clock on the state capitol steps right there at State Street and Third Street. That evening, we're going to have what we're calling a bicentennial reception commemorating the Marquis de Lafayette's historic visit to Harrisburg. It will start at six o 'clock at the Dauphin County Library, the McCormick Riverfront Library. This is a chance to mingle with Lafayette himself. We'll also have the reenactor that plays John Harris Jr. on whose land the capitol was built, as we know, and who himself was instrumental in making sure that Harrisburg was the state capitol of Pennsylvania, “said Zucker.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Charles Stewart is the Host and producer for the podcast, Itsnothistory.com. Stewart was always fascinated by history and worked on numerous documentary films. He began his journey with a podcast series called Conestoga Town. “I'm from Lancaster County. And growing up there, I was always fascinated by the Conestoga and subsequent rivers. And so, I thought, you know, hey, let's you know, and what happened to the people who those rivers are named after.” He began his podcast by asking one question. “What happened to the people the rivers are named after. And, you know, the people being the kind of stoker and Susquehanna Indian tribe. And, you know, so I thought this would be a nice, easy way to start a podcast because I naively thought I pretty much knew about what the answer to this question was, which was that the, you know, the last of the kind of stoker and systematic people were tragically massacred in the mid-1700s by a in Lancaster by a group of vigilantes from what's now the Harrisburg area called the Paxton Boys, or the Paxton Rangers.” Stewart interviewed historians and native Americans for his podcast series, and realized he didn’t know as much as he thought he did. The Conestoga Town series was supposed to be one episode, but as he completed more interviews, he realized there was so much more to the topic. “And so when I started to dig deeper into this and to talk to, you know, historians and Native American activists, I discovered that this was a very, very far reaching topic with, you know, very, very deep roots in the area. And it had a broad impact, not just in, you know, central Pennsylvania, in Dauphin County, what's now Dauphin County and Lancaster County, but really had far reaching impact on American history as well. And that this was actually a very, very active topic among both professional historians and Native American to Native American communities as well.” The Conestoga Town series currently has 22 episodes. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are so excited to finally sit down with Kelly Megonnel, the director of Dauphin County Solid Waste Management and Recycling Department in South Central Pennsylvania! Kelly's fascinating 25-year journey in the industry leads us into a discussion with a wealth of knowledge on effective recycling practices. From small, yet significant errors that can derail recycling efforts to the legislative power of the Covered Device Recycling Act in Pennsylvania, we cover it all. Plus, we're busting some of the biggest, common recycling myths. Does home recycling actually work? Are K-Cups really recyclable? Kelly spills all the tea addressing misconceptions around recycling while underscoring the critical role of proper recycling. Dolphin County Recycling Center 1625 South Cameron Street Harrisburg, PA 17104 717-982-6772 Website: https://www.dauphincounty.gov/government/support-services/solid-waste-management-recycling Connect with us: Drop us a line at enTICEingmedia@gmail.com Website and all projects: www.enTICEingmedia.com Join the What the Nell!? Podcast Facebook group HERE! Grab a copy of Nell's #1 Bestseller, Curvature of the Career, HERE! Connect with Nell on Social Media: Facebook Instagram Produced by enTICEing Media, LLC  

As today is Christmas Eve, the entire Spark Team at WITF FM thought it would be great to read a Christmas story on air. Ryan McCrory, Executive Director of the Dauphin County Library System, read "I Got the Christmas Spirit" by Connie Schofield-Morrison. Listen to the podcast to hear the story.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dauphin, Cumberland, and Perry Counties have partnered with Connections Health Solutions, to launch a 24/7 Emergency Behavioral Health Crisis Walk-in center, making it a first of its kind in the area. “We're actually really excited about this because we know that if we are better prepared to offer proactive support to families and individuals experiencing a crisis, it will likely. Be helpful and decrease more costly services down the road. Plus, the person gets immediate help versus waiting longer until their need is met, “said Annie Strite, Mental Health Director for Cumberland and Perry County. The Center is projected to open for adults and children in the weeks following, serving individuals ages 14 and up, regardless of insurance or ability to pay. The center located at 1100 S. Cameron Street in Harrisburg will provide walk-in care and crisis stabilization services, and mobile response units to address the additional crises in the community. “One of the goals of the center is to expedite drop offs by law enforcement personnel. To do that as quickly as possible and to avoid any lengthy delay in order to support law enforcement personnel with getting back to what the public most needs them to be doing it, “said Andrea Kepler, Administrator for Dauphin County Mental Health, Autism, and Developmental programs. The center will open in phases with the crisis mobile unit Dec.4. More information about the Center can be found on Connections Health Solution's Website.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The search for a woman who is believed to have fallen into a sinkhole in Westmoreland County has become a recovery effort after two treacherous days of digging through mud and rock produced no signs of life. Faculty members and coaches at Commonwealth University's Lock Haven campus plan to hold a "no-confidence" vote early next year on the school's  president.  Gun reformers in Pennsylvania say they will pressure state lawmakers to pass stricter firearms laws. Groups like CeaseFire PA want the state to match a federal ban on machine gun conversion devices. Penn Medicine is launching a new program aimed at preventing gun-related injuries in Philadelphia. Organizers say firearm injuries and deaths are reported every year because of improper storage. A shelter in Lancaster will now be able to assist homeless people with extensive medical needs. A Dauphin County man is in custody after police say he shot a rifle into his home while a woman was inside. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A first of its kind mental health assessment and treatment facility is up and running in Dauphin County.  Schools and businesses have been closed this week in Erie, after a snowstorm dumped nearly six feet in some areas, with more snow in the forecast. Some experts say it's an example of climate change in action.  A grandmother looking for her lost cat apparently fell into a new sinkhole above an abandoned western Pennsylvania coal mine and rescuers worked late into the night to try and find her.  President-elect Donald Trump is underscoring his intention to block the purchase of U.S. Steel by Japanese steelmaker Nippon Steel. A former Harrisburg police officer has filed a sexual discrimination lawsuit against the city, claiming she was passed over for promotions three times over a period of 19 years because she is a woman. Kendrick Lamar and SZA will hit the road together in 2025-- and one of their stops will be in Hershey.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

   Slam the Gavel welcomes Hadassah Feinberg to the podcast. Hadassah Feinberg is an experienced foster and adoptive mother who became a citizens advocate after her family was retaliated against in Pennsylvania for exposing public corruption.   Hadassah and her children ended up fleeing the state of Pennsylvania. They now live in a redacted location and she is exposing the public corruption in the Pennsylvania courts and on Social Media platforms.   Explaining how all this corruption came about after helping abandoned children, to the invasion of OCY (CPS) into her family's lives, Hadassah took note of the corruption. What led to a "Shelter Hearing," with many players involved forced Hadassah to sell her home in Dauphin County. She moved to Cumberland County which led to having her own children removed for 13 days and then returned.       Hadassah now lives out of the state of Pennsylvania after filing over 12 lawsuits because of the duress and damage attorneys and caseworkers have caused her family.To Reach Hadassah Feinberg;  on X:@speakuppa, TikTok: @speakup249, Facebook: Speak Up******** Supportshow(https://www.buymeacoffee.com/maryannpetri)Maryann Petri: dismantlingfamilycourtcorruption.comhttps://www.tiktok.com/@maryannpetriFacebook:  https://www.youtube.com/@slamthegavelpodcasthostmar5536Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guitarpeace/Pinterest: Slam The Gavel Podcast/@guitarpeaceLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryann-petri-62a46b1ab/  YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@slamthegavelpodcasthostmar5536  Twitter https://x.com/PetriMaryann*DISCLAIMER* The use of this information is at the viewer/user's own risk. Not financial, medical nor legal advice as the content on this podcast does not constitute legal, financial, medical or any other professional advice. Viewer/user's should consult with the relevant professionals. Reproduction, distribution, performing, publicly displaying and making a derivative of the work is explicitly prohibited without permission from content creator. Podcast is protected by owner. The content creator maintains the exclusive right and any unauthorized copyright infringement is subject to legal prosecution. Support the showSupportshow(https://www.buymeacoffee.com/maryannpetri)http://www.dismantlingfamilycourtcorruption.com/

The Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children in Dauphin County has sworn in eight new volunteers.  Nearly 400 children are in foster care in Dauphin County, and the advocates work to ensure the safety of abused and neglected children in the county. Now that the new volunteers have been sworn in, the program in Dauphin County has 40 advocates. Will Foster, Executive Director of the CASA Program in Dauphin County says this will positively impact the youth in foster care. “It's really wonderful. Our program in a very short amount of time has gotten to the 40 mark for volunteers. And as I said earlier, it's a 1 to 1. So that means at least 40 children in our system are having a 1 to 1 experience. And that impact goes even beyond that, because some of our counselors have 2 or 3 kids, one has four. But that's the special circumstance that just gives a few more kids an extra set of eyes and ears that that can help them, “said Foster. Maurice Knight is a newly sworn volunteer with CASA. He has served 23 years in the Military and during a National Night Out event in Lower Paxton Township, he spoke with someone within the program and wanted to give back to the community. I like to see the fruits of the labor, so I'm looking forward to meeting the child or teenager that I'll be paired with and then watching them get through and hopefully, you know, lead to a successful life, “said Knight. CLICK here to apply to be a volunteer. CASA in Dauphin County is also asking for donations for their virtual giving tree which will benefit the children in foster care. The virtual giving tree is the agency's one and only annual fundraiser. "They can donate a certain amount of money or however much money that they would like to donate and they can put a little message up or a picture up and then people can go on and read the stories. And it's pretty a pretty amazing fundraising event that we do, "said Foster. CLICK here to donate to the virtual giving tree.  Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year's presidential election could see a historic gender gap as young women line up behind Democrat Kamala Harris' bid to be the first female president. One place where this could be significant is Pittsburgh,  All over the country, people with more education are leaning more Democratic, a shift that's reshaping American politics. One of the places where it could have the most impact this year is Centre County.  In a stretch of what once was Pennsylvania steel country, Democrats and Republicans are looking to test their strength with Latino voters. The commonwealth i happens to have one of the fastest-growing Hispanic communities in the country. The fight is along the 222 Corridor, which connects small cities and communities west and north of Philadelphia.  The Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Dauphin County could restart quickly since all of its essential equipment is in good condition. Several years have passed since the Delaware River's shipping channel was deepened, and now the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority is proposing dredging an additional five feet.  Hundreds of kids in the Allentown area are getting a hands-on lesson in farming.  A bill that would give pension increases to more than 60-thousand retired school and government workers is advancing in the state Legislature.  Teachers in one Adams County school district have a new contract. A rural school district in Central Pennsylvania is hoping to add a resource officer to its staff in the coming months.  Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Voters across Dauphin County and parts of Cumberland and York counties have new information about their 10th congressional district candidates. The positions were laid out by Democratic Party challenger Janelle Stelson and Republican Party incumbent Scott Perry. Control of the 50-member state Senate will likely come down to a handful of races this November More than five years after an explosion and massive fire at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery in southwest Philly, the Environmental Protection Agency has announced a $4.2 million settlement with the bankrupt former operator.  A York County judge has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges he directed employees at his law firm to fraudulently collect unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic and later tried to cover it up. With cleanup continuing from one hurricane and another on the way, the American Red Cross is looking to replenish its blood supply, and are offering an incentive.  Poll workers are on the front lines across Pennsylvania on election day -- from the time voting begins until well past the deadline for ballots to be cast. Their main responsibilities are to check-in voters and maintain a safe, secure and efficient polling place or precinct. As part of Election 2024 coverage centered around listening to Central Pennsylvanians, we gathered together a group of six poll workers and judges of elections to hear about their experiences.       Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

This week on the podcast, Stephanie and Katie interview our marketing and technology specialist, Paul McBride. We discuss his journey into this role and all the new technology we're incorporating into our homebuilding process to help our customers throughout their experience. We also talk about some upcoming developments, including a new neighborhood in Dauphin County. Click here to RSVP to our upcoming reveal event they mentioned: https://egstoltzfushomes.com/nissley-run-reveal-event/

Mail-in voters in Pennsylvania must write the correct date on their return envelopes or risk having their ballots rejected.  Due to high levels of voter excitement and confusion in news reports and social media channels, counties are getting lots of questions about when voters will actually get ballots in-hand. That won't be until early October, as is normal in Pennsylvania.  Governor Josh Shapiro is taking steps to address affordable housing and homelessness. Dauphin County is absolving inmates of nearly 66 million dollars in room and board debts. Democrats are pumping $25 million into expanded voter outreach across Pennsylvania and nine other states as part of their effort to protect their narrow Senate majority.  A York County man has entered no contest pleas to charges that he killed his father and stepmother with a sword in their home almost five years ago.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Joe Biden is no stranger to Pittsburgh's Labor Day activities. But this year, he was campaigning for Vice President Kamala Harris. She used the joint campaign appearance to say U.S. Steel should remain domestically owned.   Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents and deaths nationally.  So, researchers and physicians at the University of Pennsylvania wanted to find a way to reduce distracted driving by getting people to change their risky behaviors in the car. High levels of carbon monoxide gas are being blamed for the evacuation of a dinner theater in Lancaster County on Friday. More than 50 firefighters have battled a blaze in one Dauphin County community that displaced three people.        Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Secretary of State Al Schmidt to appear at a Sept. 16 event in Gettysburg put on by the Eisenhower Institute at Gettysburg College and WITF A project to prevent invasive carp from spreading in the Great Lakes has received federal support to get started.  More than one hundred schools in Pennsylvania will not be implementing the new Title IX rule. Public school officials in Philadelphia are warning that services for students experiencing homelessness could shrink as federal pandemic relief money dries up.  A federal judge denied a request from some people in East Palestine, Ohio to give them more time to decide whether they want to accept their share of a 600 million dollar class-action settlement over last year's train derailment.  A federal jury says a Pennsylvania school district violated a teacher's constitutional rights by falsely suggesting he took part in the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6th, 2021. Drivers on Interstate 83 this weekend should plan for delays and detours in Dauphin County as crews remove an overpass bridge. The annual Kipona festival in Harrisburg is adding a Giant Puppet Parade, and inviting the public to join in. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An EF1 tornado hit a Dauphin County neighborhood on Friday August 9. The National Weather Service says the winds were up to 110 miles an hour in the Bellevue Park Neighborhood. Bellevue Park is located within the city limits of the City of Harrisburg. Dennis Kauffman, President of the Bellevue Park Association Board says his dog alarmed him of the severe weather. “My dog's afraid of thunder. So, he woke me up and we went down to the basement. So, you can't see or hear it as well. So, I didn't even know about it till I started receiving emails from my neighbors, “said Kauffman. Dan Diebler, Architectural historian, was in bed when he heard the weather. “I heard this incredible noise, which, I just identified as wind, which was an unusual sound, but I didn't think anything other than that. And I know I got up and sort of looked out the window and suddenly saw. All this tree debris in my yard just everywhere. It was the most I think I've ever seen, “said Diebler. Kauffman spoke with other neighbors in the Bellevue Park community where he learned of the damage done to their properties. “I just went out and looked around and was stunned. By all the, visible tree damage that. Fortunately. Fortunately, our house was not damaged in any way. Except with a gutter was dented by a falling limb, but that's pretty minor. But. You. I was just when you looked out over the landscape, there were all these our neighbors who have a very open yard. Their yard was covered with huge trees that had fallen around them. And again, they were not. Your house was not hit. Their yard was covered. Debris. And the roads were filled with debris that the city had already started clearing, “said Kauffman. The neighborhood association is currently working with the City of Harrisburg to clean up the community. “The city has been very helpful. They've been very responsive to helping us get our, neighborhood cleaned up. People have been able to just take the phone lines and such to the curb, and they come by and pick them up. They've been helping us with our reservations, cleaning up the debris from there. The fire company was very helpful as well, “said Kauffman.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heading into the month of September, we are heading into the peak of hurricane season. The Central Pennsylvania region just experienced remnants of Hurricane Debbie in the past week. ABC 27's Meteorologist Dan Tomaso, says hurricane season is roughly between August though September. “Most of our impacts from any hurricane or tropical storm will be from heavy rain. And really, if you think about it, where these storms come from, thousands of miles away, it's the tropics. So that tropical air moves with the circulation. And unfortunately, if there is a tropical storm or a depression remnant, whatever, and it lingers over a certain period of time, it can lead to very heavy rain. Debby was unique in that it dropped a very narrow band of very heavy rain, and it didn't linger. It was only here for about 12 to 16 hours, but it was here long enough that parts of the Susquehanna River basin picked up 5 or 6in of rain, which can locally lead to problems. And as we saw, that can lead to flooding. It can also lead to, water table issues that unfortunately water supply can be affected. And I know residents of Mechanicsburg, parts of eastern Cumberland County, had water boil issues, that they had to boil their water first before using it. So all those things come with unfortunately, these storms and you know it for some people that may have just moved to this area, may not think is think of Pennsylvania as a state that could get affected, but absolutely it can be” National Weather Service confirmed an EF1 tornado touched down in Dauphin County on Friday. The tornado had a peak wind speed of 105 per mile and was 300 yards wide. It touched down near Gibson Street around 4:33 a.m. traveling 3.48 miles north according to the National Weather Service. “So Harrisburg, the surrounding area was on the eastern side. There tends to be a lot of spin and that moisture, that humidity actually can help some of these updrafts lift and create tornadoes. And so unfortunately, we do say Wednesday when the track seemed about final, that it was going to go west of the mid-state, that we could be in line for some brief tornadoes. And the timing was very unfortunate that it was 430 in the morning. We were standing by ready, but a warning was never issued. And the tornado did hit parts of Harrisburg, from about the Steelton area northward into Susquehanna Township.” Tomaso suggested there will be more hurricanes coming to the East Coast region in the next couple of days. So unfortunately, there's already another storm that will likely become a hurricane here in the coming days. That's her nest. So it is currently a tropical storm and strengthening over the Caribbean that will likely head out to open water. And then unfortunately, it could its path could take it in the direction of Bermuda and possibly eastern Canada. So that's the next storm. But as I mentioned earlier in the interview, we are now moving into the peak part of the season, and all indications are this is going to be an extremely active season already. We can see signs of that with Debbie in Nest. So for instance, so the East Coast still could see another storm or two that comes up through or possibly even more. We're hoping it doesn't get to that point because as we just saw the heavy rain that comes with these things. Yes, it's a good thing when you have a drought, but if you had repeated storms like this, it is not a good thing. So it is something that is actively on our mind that we're going to be tracking every single storm that develops. And you may say, where do they develop? Well, well, east of the Caribbean sometimes. So over the central antic ocean again, where there's no human being anywhere in sight. And so we track them from that spot onward. And so, for instance, we were tracking Debbie for about ten days. And so by the time day five, day six came about, that's when we started to really pick up on the trends that this is going to be a Pennsylvania problem, too.    Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On June 3, the Dauphin County Library System had its first Library named after an historic African-American couple. The Kline Library located in the Allison Hill area of Harrisburg was renamed the George & Hettie Love Memorial Library. This library is the first library in the county named after African Americans. About a year ago, Dauphin County Board Member Ruby Doub wanted to honor Hettie Love by remaining a library after her. "She became, quote unquote, a hidden figure of Harrisburg, despite the fact that she was well known throughout the community. She finally was getting noted, for having been the first African-American woman to graduate with her MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Penn in 1947, "said Ryan McCrory, Executive Director of the Dauphin County Library System. George and Hettie Love were both educators and civil rights activities. George earned his bachelors, master's, and PhD at the University of Pennsylvania, serving as the first African-American employed as a high school teacher in the Philadelphia school system. "He went on to also be the, assistant commissioner for basic education at the Pennsylvania Department of Education. When he moved, here to Harrisburg, he oversaw in that capacity the desegregation of schools. He was involved with local businesses, the local church, as well as, as well as his fraternity. And so, he kind of led the way in a, in a number of ways, just as much as he did, without quite becoming he wasn't quite the trailblazer, that she was in the sense of being the first, but he was just as important in the role in which education plays, in the citizens of the, of the Commonwealth, "said McCrory. The Dauphin County Library System is also working to create a community room at the George and Hettie Love Memorial Library to honor their commitment to education and the community. "One of the things that we're going to do in the coming months is actually name the community room in the George and Hettie Love Memorial Library, the Klein Family Community Room, as a way of honoring their, long term commitment to the to that library as well as, their future commitment, "said McCory.  Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A team from the University of South Florida and Pennsylvania State Police has exhumed the body of Dauphin County's last John Doe in hopes to identify him through DNA samples. Dr. Erin Kimmerle is an Associate Professor at the Department of Anthropology College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Florida. Dr. Kimmerle began working with Pennsylvania State Police to exhume John Doe and John Cases in the state. Just last week, Dr. Kimmerle was in Dauphin County at Potter's field where the last John Doe was buried. “We use heavy equipment to get it started, to take off the top layer of soil and grass, and then the rest is done by hand and excavation, just to make sure, everything is complete, and you just see a big range of in terms of, you know, preservation what's there based on each case, “said Dr. Kimmerle. Dr. Kimmerle said the exhumation process was very smooth, and state officials had marked the location prior to getting to the field, and that saved a lot of time. She says DNA has come a long way since the 1980's. “We have so many success stories now with DNA testing and specifically genetic genealogy, that I'm just very, very hopeful that we will all be able to figure out who he is and what happened to him, “said Dr. Kimmerle. Dr. Kimmerle and her team from the University of South Florida is also traveling around the state to help other agencies with solving cases similar to this one.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There has been some unofficial conversation about the possibility of reopening of the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Dauphin County. The plant was completely shut down in 2019 after more than 40 years in service. TMI was also the site of the 1979 accident which completely crippled the unit two reactor. Terry Fitzpatrick the President and CEO of the Energy Association of Pennsylvania, the main trade group of all utilities in the state. Fitzpatrick joined The Spark to share what this could mean from his perspective. "TMI closed in in 2019. And there's been a big change since then. I mean, circumstances have really changed. There's a lot of federal money support now available for nuclear power. That's one thing that's changed. The other big thing that's changed is with the growth of data centers in particular, and also more generally, just the switch, the shift towards using more electricity with electric vehicles, etc.. There's more concern now that demand is growing. So all of a sudden, you know, nuclear power didn't look so good or TMI didn't look so good back in 2019. But now the outlook has changed. So that's led to this discussion about the possible restart."  Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Dauphin County's Drug and Alcohol Services is hosting its first annual ‘Youth Summer Sports Fest'. It began in June, and will continue every Wednesday until August 14 from 12 p.m.-2 p.m. Basketball, soccer, volleyball, and other outdoor activities will be held at local parks around Harrisburg giving young people a positive alternative activity to take part in while school is out. “So, with prevention, you know, what we try to do is provide as many alternatives to risky behaviors, basically. So, we know that kids, you know, when they don't have much to do or they have a lot of downtime, they might be more inclined to participate in something that might not be the healthiest choice for them. So instead, if we can provide different activities and experiences for kids to get together to connect with their peers, and to basically fill their time with something other than something dangerous, then that is why we're trying to do this, “said Lauren Krebs, Prevention Program supervisor at the Dauphin County Drug and Alcohol Services. The games will be held at these times and locations: July 17 Volleyball at City Island (Skyline)—noon to 2 pm July 24 Soccer at City Island Skyline Soccer Complex—noon to 2 pm July 31 Basketball at 7th and Radnor—noon to 2 pm August 7 Basketball at 7th and Radnor—noon to 2 pm August 14 Basketball at 7th and Radnor –noon to 2 pm      Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The company that owns one reactor at Three Mile Island [in Londonderry Township in Dauphin County is floating the idea of reopening the shuttered nuclear plant. Now yesterday, we told you about a new report that says the Chesapeake Bay is at its best health in over two decades. Hear how actions in Pennsylvania played a role. Summertime's glaring sun and hot temperatures can cut short outdoor playtime for little ones. A new report outlining ways for kids to keep playing outside in the warmer months. Discussions are underway in Lebanon County to merge two police departments. State Police troopers have investigated 11 fatal crashes over the five day fourth of July holiday period. That's up from four a year ago.    Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The state starts the new fiscal year without a budget. Leaders say they are confident a deal will be reached early this month. Party divisions have contributed to the failure to reach a deal on a spending plan. Legislation requiring health insurers in Pennsylvania to cover biomarker testing is headed to Governor Josh Shapiro's desk for final approval.  Starting today, the state's Property Tax/Rent Rebate program will send out checks and direct deposits totaling $266 million -- double the amount from last year.  New federal guidelines to strengthen protections for LGBTQ+ children in foster care go into effect today. The Supreme Court has made it harder to charge Capitol riot defendants with obstruction - in a case brought by a former Lebanon County police officer. The Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas is under a state of judicial emergency.    Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emanuel Schaffner was a farmer who owned a small tract of land about ten miles from Harrisburg. Middle aged and short of stature, Schaffner was neither particularly bright in intellect, nor particularly handsome in appearance. In fact, some said he was a downright repulsive and repugnant little man-- and that was before Emanuel Schaffner, who was sent to prison in 1872, earned his reputation as one of the most despicable villains Dauphin County has ever seen. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/paoddities/support

New federal regulations to remove so-called "forever chemicals" from public drinking water supplies over the next five years are weighing on water providers in Pennsylvania. Nearly 19 percent of water systems in the state contain the chemicals, known as PFAS, at levels that exceed the new guidelines. A Democratic state lawmaker is looking to overhaul the state's colleges and universities. Meantime, the Republican-controlled state Senate is advancing a bill package that would make state-related universities use new budgeting methods. Security officers at the Philadelphia airport are raising awareness about passengers trying to stash guns in their carry-on bags. The latest incident occurred this past Sunday and involved a man from Middletown, Dauphin County. . Maryland State Police say Pennsylvania's junior U.S. senator was speeding and at fault for an accident Sunday. Former President Donald Trump's campaign has teamed up with the Republican National Committee and the Pennsylvania GOP to open a “Latino Americans for Trump” office in Reading. Jay-Z is putting his weight behind an effort to fund private school vouchers in Philadelphia.     Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new federal rule banning non-compete agreements offers little comfort to many Pennsylvania doctors -- because the Federal Trade Commission has limited oversight of nonprofits, including UPMC. But. legislation that's gaining momentum at the state Capitol would free clinicians from non-competes with their nonprofit employers. The energy efficiency industry is growing, but the sector is facing a wave of retirements. A pilot program in York aims to bring more people into the field.  The Environmental Protection Agency has finalized a suite of pollution rules for natural gas and coal-fired power plants across the country. Jason Kelce will join ESPN's “Monday Night Countdown” after retiring from the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this year. Penn State Health has stopped performing liver transplants at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Dauphin County -- while a national oversight body conducts a performance review. An activist group has rallied the support of business owners to demand an apology from two Republican Lancaster County commissioners, who they hold “partially responsible” for a series of threats made against a Drag Queen Story Hour event last month. An autopsy is scheduled for today on the body of a 16-year-old Central Dauphin High School student. Justin Johnson went into cardiac arrest Friday night and later died at Penn State Hershey Medical Center.       Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  There are about 15,000 children in temporary foster care in Pennsylvania. Most of them will return to their family of origin. It can be painful for kids to be separated from their parents or families and for younger children, it may be hard to understand what's happening to them and around them. A new children's book called The Watchful Owl tells the story of a young fox that loses his parents and lives with another animal family. It was written by Heather Paterno, an attorney who focuses on families and children's issues and is a board member of Dauphin County's Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children or CASA. The artwork in the The Watchful Owl also tells the story and will keep kids' attention. It's illustrated by artist P.D. Murray. Both Heather Paterno and P.D. Murray were with us on The Spark Wednesday. Paterno surmised the story,"The story is just a parable of sort of what could happen to a child in the foster care system, sort of told through a family of animals, so that children can understand it. And essentially what happens to Fennec is he doesn't have a father who's around. His mother's working hard, raising the family. And tragically, something happens to her. She gets picked up by a hunter and the great owl, that's a watchful owl, has always circled around the woods and looked out for all of the the creatures in the woods. And he gathers the community together. And they come up with a plan to look out for Fennec and his siblings." Fennec, the young fox is taken in by the deer family after he loses his mother. Paterno that's part of the story behind the story,"There is a lesson there. And really it is how a child can walk through the dependency system. This is a very common thing that we do. We have what's called family group conferences, where whenever a child is in care, obviously you want to keep them and the most natural place that you can. So that's why we look to family members. That's why we look to to community members. You never want to have to pick up a child and put them with strangers. Now this fox winds up being with strangers. But he also has two siblings that wind up living with family members. And it's very common. You'll see that a lot in the dependency system. They have these family group conferences and they bring in everybody. And how can we keep the child in their most natural environment of origin? And who are the supports? Who are the people that we can bring around to help assist this family?" Murray's illustrations help tell the story, especially of Fennec, who is vulnerable,"He's small in most of the scenes. He's little in these environments of these dark woods and larger animals and such. You know, people talk a lot about the importance of representation of kids, how they look, skin color, gender, all of those things in books. But I think it's really critical to -- and Heather has done this wonderfully to capture the needs state of children and to have representation of that. So this does a wonderful job of preparing children or children that aren't in the foster system. Probably build some empathy out of reading a story like this." Murray was asked what the takeaway is from The Watchful Owl,"I think it's a heartwarming story without being pollyannish. It really tells about the foster system when everything goes right, when there's a champion for a child." Proceeds from sales of the book will go to Dauphin County's CASA. Paterno explained what CASA does,"These are volunteers, community volunteers who get trained in child abuse and the dependency system. And then they are appointed either one child or one sibling group, one family group. And they also help to advocate for the child's best interests through their entire court proceedings. And, what I can tell you in Dauphin County itself, we have over 350 children right now who are in foster care. That's a lot of kids. And while each child has what I was, which was a guardian ad litem, I can tell you, is guardians of litem or G-A-L, as we call them for short. They often have anywhere from 60 to it can be 110 children. So it's really tough to know what is going on with all of those children every day. Every moment of every day. What's going -on in school, what's going on in their home life, what's going on, with them psychologically and emotionally. Are they getting checked in and seen regularly? So having this outside volunteer come in and represent that one child or one family where they can devote all of their time, to helping, maybe they can find that one psychological report that was buried, that had that one nugget of information that was helpful. And that's what Dauphin County CASA does. They recruit and they train these advocates, to really make a difference in a child's life."      Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

State lawmakers are trying to enact a statewide rape kit tracking system. Mail-in ballots will hit voters' homes as early as today in Dauphin County, which  has expanded the number of drop boxes available. The state House has passed a resolution to help Vietnam War-era veterans who are suffering from complications related to Agent Orange and other toxins.   A federal judge in Philadelphia has dismissed a case involving a nonprofit seeking a legal pathway to opening and operating a supervised injection site for people who use drugs. A central Pennsylvania county is closing its prison. More electric vehicle charging stations will be installed across central Pennsylvania in the coming months. Police are investigating bomb threats that caused panic and shuttered businesses in Lancaster, almost two weeks ago. Extremism experts say the events follow a familiar pattern.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week in Episode 44, Caroline and Pete touch upon the issue of the treatment of mental health in the criminal justice system. Their discussion is triggered by recent news in Dauphin County of inmates facing "two weeks of darkness" in solitary confinement.

Pennsylvania officials are labeling the opioid overdoses as one of the most pressing public health crises confronting the state, and amidst this grim scenario, M28, a nonprofit based in Harrisburg, has emerged with a unique approach to aid individuals in their recovery from substance use disorder, drawing attention for its faith-based methodology. Reports indicate that while the national average for individuals staying sober for a year hovers between 4% to 6%, M28 Ministry's assistance in central Pennsylvania boasts an impressive claim of a 60% one-year sobriety success rate. Today, we dug deeper into this remarkable achievement with insights from M28's Executive Director, Jimmy Schambach, and Board member, Susan Ewing Rathfon, who also holds the prestigious title of Mrs. Pennsylvania America. In response to the crisis gripping the region, Dauphin County and Harrisburg have issued a joint public health and safety advisory, signaling the urgency of the situation. Opioid overdoses have surged, prompting state officials to highlight the gravity of the issue, characterizing it as one of the foremost public health challenges confronting the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Amidst this backdrop of despair, M28 has emerged offering a novel approach to aiding individuals grappling with substance use disorder. Situated in Harrisburg, this nonprofit organization has garnered attention for its faith-based methodology, which appears to be yielding remarkable results in the realm of addiction recovery. While national statistics paint a bleak picture, with only a small fraction of individuals managing to maintain sobriety for a year, M28 Ministry's efforts in central Pennsylvania have yielded an astonishing 60% one-year sobriety success rate. This achievement has not gone unnoticed, prompting inquiries into the methodologies employed by M28 to achieve such exceptional outcomes. On The Spark on Friday we had the privilege of speaking with key figures from M28: Executive Director Jimmy Schambach and Board member Susan Ewing Rathfon, who brings her perspective as Mrs. Pennsylvania America to the discussion. Together, they shed light on the innovative strategies and faith-based principles that underpin M28's approach, offering insights into how they are effectively combating the scourge of substance use disorder in their community.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Episode 7 of the PHA Podcast, Leah Eppinger shares her unique journey from city planning to leading housing initiatives in Dauphin County. With a focus on innovation and community service, she discusses overcoming developmental hurdles, implementing transformative programs like transitional housing, and the strategic use of technology to streamline operations. Eppinger's story highlights the importance of flexibility, strategic planning, and community-focused solutions in public housing. This episode is a must-listen for insights into making real impacts in affordable housing.

The attorney representing a suspended Dauphin County magistrate judge says his client is not guilty of allegations that she shot her estranged boyfriend in the head as he slept earlier this month. Researchers say Pennsylvania farmers who lease their land for solar energy projects consider both profit and future land use. Undergrad students at the University of Pennsylvania will be able to earn a degree in artificial intelligence next fall, becoming the first Ivy League school to offer the major. A group of state lawmakers is working to give hunters more options on Sundays. A York County school board is considering new restrictions on what books students have access to in the classroom.  Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another winter storm is likely to arrive in central Pennsylvania this evening. A district magistrate in central Pennsylvania is charged with attempted murder, accused of shooting a man in the face. Lebanon County Commissioners are sticking with their plan to remove the county's only ballot drobox. Medical marijuana cardholders may soon be a step closer to being able to legally possess a firearm in Pennsylvania. The Bucks County man charged with decapitating his father and posting a video online in which he holds up the severed head had a device with photos of federal buildings and apparent instructions for making explosives when he was arrested. Two brothers are the latest Pennsylvanians to face charges in connection to the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol.    Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A petition asking the Dauphin County community of Millersburg to enforce an anti-pornography ordinance to limit the viewing of a drag dinner has gathered more than 700 signatures. Public school advocates say Pennsylvania private and religious schools receiving state funds are employing discriminatory admissions practices. One of Pennsylvania's leading natural gas companies is poised to drill and frack in Dimock -- where it was banned for a dozen years for polluting the water supply. Midstate Congressman Scott Perry has suffered a setback in his attempts to shield his communications from federal prosecutors looking into former President Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. A former death row inmate from York County, who spent more than two decades locked up, has been released from prison. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  Workers at Mack Trucks have accepted a new deal - ending a strike that lasted over a month. It impacts facilities in Macungie, Lehigh County, and Lower Swatara Township, Dauphin County.     The state Senate and House has voted to approve funding for Pennsylvania's four state-related universities (Penn State, Pitt, Temple, and Lincoln). Immigrants' rights groups are calling on state lawmakers to allow undocumented immigrants to get driver's licenses in Pennsylvania. A midstate lawmaker to strip the Game Commission of the power to terminate hunting licenses. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Authoritarian voters cosplay Rambo on the U.S. Southern border, literally hunting refugees and denying them basic human rights. Our interview this week features Lisa Molomot and Jeff Bemiss, the filmmakers behind the extraordinary must-watch Peabody Award-winning film Missing in Brooks County about the immigration crisis in America deliberately engineered for maximum cruelty by both Republican and Democratic leaders over the years, creating the world's deadliest border crossing. It does not have to be this way. In this discussion, you'll hear common sense solutions, unmasking an entrenched genocidal culture that has gone unchecked for far too long. Who was first in line to carry out the Holocaust? The authoritarian voter next door. Survivors described how their neighbors turned on them, throwing rocks through their windows. That's who Trump is appealing to, driving out people who have existed throughout history: longing for a strongman to crush their enemies, and put mouthy women, smug nonwhite people, those pesky gays, and don't forget entitled refugees in their place. These are the “vermin” Trump scapegoats as he travels the country, amplifying Russian disinformation, and consolidating his base: the authoritarian voter next door.  Reality Winner, the patriotic whistleblower who confirmed extensive Russian hacking of our election systems after government officials tried to downplay it, has faced far harsher punishment than violent coup plotter Trump with his 91 criminal indictments. The American people see the threat to our democracy clearly, which is why they've built resilient grassroots power that ushered in yet another historic Blue Wave. The latest victory in a long list: Dauphin County, PA flipped to Democratic control for the first time in 100 years. We the People have done significantly more to protect our democracy than Merrick Garland's DOJ.  Given the immense power we've shown, it's time to abolish the Electoral College, a monument to slavery, and agitate for other reforms to modernize the United States government. Gaslit Nation is working on a special series on how to Trump-proof our democracy, protecting us and future generations from his massive cult that ensures succession is guaranteed. Even after Trump is gone, another cultist will take his place. So it's time to expand our historic Blue Wave energy into overdue government reform. The nonsense press release from the Supreme Court pretending to care about ethics is not what we're talking about.  As a thank you to our Gaslit Nation community on Patreon, look out the weekend after Thanksgiving for a special MAKE ART workshop in the form of a podcast that you can download and try at your own leisure. We're all natural born artists, and this act of self-care and meaningful therapy reminds us that our voices matter and that we're needed now more than ever. In his brilliant resistance pocket guide On Tyranny, historian Timothy Snyder urges us to be visible, and that visibility comes through creativity, as we use our voice for our collective good. The model of this has always been embedded in this show that has featured interviews with extraordinary artists like Nelson George, a writer of the hip-hop movement and Andrea's longtime mentor, and filmmaker Oleg Sentsov who survived a Siberian prison by writing a novel, stories, and directing a film. Yes, art matters. Art is survival. And each of us, to navigate these civilization-making-or-breaking years ahead, can embrace our inner artist to create a sustainable, livable future together. Artists imagine and show that another world is possible. As Sentsov said on our show: Dictators die. Art is forever. Look out for that special MAKE ART workshop next week! To get access to that, bonus shows, all episodes ad free, and more, subscribe to join our community of listeners at Patreon.com/Gaslit  This week's bonus show will look at the latest in the Israel-Hamas war, troubling jumps in A.I., and answer questions from listeners at the Democracy Defender level and higher. Thank you to everyone who supports the show – we could not make Gaslit Nation without you!  If you're in NYC, stop by 42 Second Avenue, between 2nd & 3rd Streets, to see a giant photograph of a “car cemetery” in Irpin, Ukraine, an area that suffered greatly during the early days of Russia's total war genocide. The photographer is Phil Buehler, and more of his work can be seen here: https://modern-ruins.com/irpin-ukraine-please-dont-forget-us/ You can also join Andrea this Thursday at NYU to check out a talk by Terrell Starr of the Black Diplomats podcast. Details here: https://twitter.com/terrelljstarr/status/1724146505001422925 Andrea joined Jennifer Taub, author of Big Dirty Money: Making White Collar Criminals Pay, on her podcast Booked Up. Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/andrea-chalupa-on-dictatorship-is-easy/id1651929984?i=1000634521344 SHOW NOTES: MUST WATCH: Missing in Brooks County by Lisa Molomot and Jeff Bemiss https://www.missinginbrookscounty.com/ MUST WATCH: John Oliver on the Israel-Palestine Conflict https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ9PKQbkJv8 Opening Clip: Trump in New Hampshire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE3S2_zWEIc Supreme Court Announces Ethics Code for Justices The decision comes after revelations about undisclosed property deals and gifts have intensified pressure on the court to adopt such a code. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/13/us/politics/supreme-court-ethics-code.html Supreme Court approval ratings at record lows, new Gallup poll shows https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/02/politics/supreme-court-record-lows-gallup/index.html In a Historic First, the Supreme Court Has Adopted a Code of Ethics The code, which does not include any enforcement mechanism, comes after ProPublica and other outlets disclosed that justices had repeatedly failed to disclose gifts and travel from wealthy donors. https://www.propublica.org/article/supreme-court-adopts-ethics-code-scotus-thomas-alito-crow FROM AXIOS: “Driving the news: In a Veterans Day speech in New Hampshire on Saturday, Trump vowed to "root out the communists, Marxists, fascists and the radical left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country that lie and steal and cheat on elections." He then posted the same message on Truth Social, including the word "vermin" often used by Hitler and Mussolini to denigrate Jews and their political enemies. Trump went on to say that "the threat from outside forces is far less sinister, dangerous and grave than the threat from within." The big picture: Trump's increasingly violent rhetoric — calling for a U.S. military leader to be executed, mocking a near-fatal assault on a congressional spouse, urging police to shoot potential shoplifters — has become a staple of his brand as he faces the threat of conviction in four different criminal cases.” https://www.axios.com/2023/11/13/trump-vermin-fascist-language-speech “The institutional right is screening a “pro-Trump army of up to 54,000 loyalists” that, if elected, Trump plans to use to unleash DOJ on his political enemies, create deportation camps for millions of immigrants, and generally turn his whim into law.”  https://twitter.com/MattGertz/status/1724037010183123157 We encourage you to check out the sponsor of this week's episode:  Our listeners can go to HelloFresh.com/gaslitfree and use code “gaslitfree” for FREE breakfast for life! One breakfast item per box while subscription is active. Thank you so much for our sponsor, HelloFresh, America's #1 Meal Kit 

This weekend saw a spike in overdoses in Dauphin County. Pennsylvania nursing homes would have to up their required staffing under a new federal proposal. If you smell something foul in Allentown, worry not. And we've all heard of lumberjacks, but how's about lumberjills?