Podcasts about northumberland county

Troops from across the province, including those from the 31 Canadian Brigade Group based in London, Ontario, started The post Canadian Armed Forces invade Northumberland County during recent massive training exercise appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: Warden sizes up past year in council chambers and why you should pay attention in 2025 Upcoming federal election and a wide range of issues discussed by Alderville chief Black History Month needs higher profile in Northumberland, says local advocate

It is easy to forget the current federal election is not just about the party leaders. While a The post Green Party candidate addresses key concerns for residents of Northumberland-Clarke appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: Green Party candidate chats about party chaos, universal basic income and her deep roots in the community Green Party's Maxwell Groves outlines his party's approach to issues in Northumberland County Conservative candidate Philip Lawrence makes his case speaking to local issues facing Northumberland-Clarke

Lesson #10: "Plan For The Life Ahead: High School and Young Adulthood" In this final episode of 10 Lessons, Dr. Rick summarizes the lessons covered throughout the podcast, and speaks with three families about how they each navigated their children on the spectrum through high school and beyond. Other areas of discussion include Diploma vs Certificate, Guardianship, and College. Show Notes Organizations and Support Groups Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN): ASAN is a community organizing, self-advocacy, and public policy advocacy and education organization for autistic youth and adults, run by and for autistic adults. Asperger/Autism Network (AANE): AANE offers support groups for autistic teens, parents, and adults, providing both free and fee-based options, with financial assistance available for some groups. Autism Empowerment: Autism Empowerment works with individuals, families, and professionals to help people with Asperger Syndrome and similar autism spectrum profiles build meaningful, connected lives. Autism Support Center (ASC): ASC services are for families with children or young adults who have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Transition to Adulthood and Employment: U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services: This office provides a transition guide to postsecondary education and employment for students and youth with disabilities. Social Security Administration's Youth Resources: This page connects youth and young adults with disabilities to important resources and information to achieve education, career, and life goals. Ticket to Work Program: This program supports career development for Social Security disability beneficiaries age 18 through 64 who want to work. PACER's National Parent Center on Transition and Employment: This center educates parents on several aspects of the transition to adulthood for youth with disabilities, including finding a job, employment supports, and disability rights. The Center for Pursuit: This organization provides customized employment planning and assistance for transitioning youth and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), autism, and other similar conditions. WorkMAP Employment Coaching: AANE offers free WorkMAP coaching for post-high school autistic young adults (between the ages of 18 and 30) with employment-related goals in certain areas. Other Helpful Resources: Autism Resources Miramichi Inc. (ARM): ARM offers helpful free resources to individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, their families, community support workers and professionals throughout Northumberland County. Exceptional Lives: Exceptional Lives offers a free Resource Directory, a searchable online database of disability programs and providers, and free How-to Guides. Know Yourself Series: This series offers free resources (videos, PDFs, worksheets) to support autistic teenagers in understanding what being autistic means to them. Adult Autism Health Resources (AAHR): AAHR has more information on legal matters, common medical conditions, communication strategies and many other topics. Autism Social Space: The National Autistic Society provides Autism Social Space, which is free for Autistic adults to join and provides a safe space to meet like-minded people. Great Reference: Pelicano E, Unsa F, et al (2022) A capabilities approach to understanding and supporting autistic adulthood. Nature Reviews/Psychology. Nov, Vol 1 624-639 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/363286009_A_capabilities_approach_to_understanding_and_supporting_autistic_adulthood/

It is easy to forget the current federal election is not just about the party leaders. While a The post Trent University student Ava Becker throws her hat into the ring for the NDP in Northumberland-Clarke appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: Liberal candidate John Goheen tackles tariffs, tax cuts, deficits and local issues Liberal Dorothy Noronha unpacks party platform within a Northumberland perspective NDP's Bruce LePage digs into the party's platform from a Northumberland County perspective

Agriculture is one of the top economic drivers in Northumberland County. There were 840 farms in Northumberland, according The post Local farmers face huge hurdles as China and U.S. levy tariffs against Canada, says NFA president appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: County responding to American tariffs as a local strategic plan is developed by municipalities, says officials Port Hope chamber working with business and industry in responding to American tariffs New 911 ambulance dispatch system launching March 26 to provide improved service, says chief

An important change is happening within the ambulance service in Northumberland County on March 26. A new dispatch The post New 911 ambulance dispatch system launching March 26 to provide improved service, says chief appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: Warden sizes up past year in council chambers and why you should pay attention in 2025 Survivor night honours first responders and those they saved with heartfelt stories Construction of high-speed rural internet to underserved areas starts by end of January, says official

As the American tariffs come into effect and the economic fallout takes shape, the response by Northumberland County The post County responding to American tariffs as a local strategic plan is developed by municipalities, says officials appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: Potential tariffs by United States hold different challenges for Indigenous communities, Alderville chief explains Food4All program under review by Northumberland County as officials explore a revamp Warden sizes up past year in council chambers and why you should pay attention in 2025

In 2024, more than 5,600 people visited a local food bank in Northumberland. The county's Food4All warehouse provides The post Food4All program under review by Northumberland County as officials explore a revamp appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: Northumberland County food banks respond to growing need to feed those struggling to eat Food4All continues to supply local food banks while preparing for potential increase in demand Warden sizes up past year in council chambers and why you should pay attention in 2025

How do the party platforms for the Ontario Election impact Northumberland County? In a series of extensive, in-depth The post Progressive Conservative David Piccini explains election call, answers critics, outlines platform appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: Green Party's Maxwell Groves outlines his party's approach to issues in Northumberland County Liberal Dorothy Noronha unpacks party platform within a Northumberland perspective Incumbent Progressive Conservative candidate David Piccini addresses record

How do the party platforms for the Ontario Election impact Northumberland County? In a series of extensive, in-depth The post Liberal Dorothy Noronha unpacks party platform within a Northumberland perspective appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: NDP's Bruce LePage digs into the party's platform from a Northumberland County perspective Green Party's Maxwell Groves outlines his party's approach to issues in Northumberland County Progressive Conservative David Piccini explains election call, answers critics, outlines platform

How do the party platforms for the Ontario Election impact Northumberland County? In a series of extensive, in-depth The post NDP's Bruce LePage digs into the party's platform from a Northumberland County perspective appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: Liberal Dorothy Noronha unpacks party platform within a Northumberland perspective Green Party's Maxwell Groves outlines his party's approach to issues in Northumberland County Progressive Conservative David Piccini explains election call, answers critics, outlines platform

How do the party platforms for the Ontario Election impact Northumberland County? In a series of extensive, in-depth The post Green Party's Maxwell Groves outlines his party's approach to issues in Northumberland County appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: NDP's Bruce LePage digs into the party's platform from a Northumberland County perspective Progressive Conservative David Piccini explains election call, answers critics, outlines platform Liberal Dorothy Noronha unpacks party platform within a Northumberland perspective

A major shift in relations between First Nations and the rest of Canada is the assertion of existing The post Duty to consult sits at heart of delegation to Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission hearing appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: Relations with Northumberland municipalities and Assembly of First Nations Simpson joins delegation at nuclear safety hearing to express concerns about Darlington proposal New show provides insight into Indigenous community in Northumberland County and beyond

For the second time in three years, Philadelphia and Kansas City will meet in the Super Bowl. The Eagles are all that is standing in the way of the Chief's attempt for a three-peat. A flyer is encouraging people in Scranton to report what it calls illegal aliens to U.S. Immigration and Customs - known as ICE. In the Philadelphia suburbs, a growing number of people born in another country play a vital role in their economies. Some county leaders are responding to the Trump Administration's immigration policies. Philadelphia City Council is sounding alarm bells about potential changes the new Trump administration could implement and how the city should prepare. Commonwealth University says it will close its satellite location in Clearfield in two years. Republicans put Pennsylvania and Wisconsin back in the win column in the 2024 presidential race. Now they’re hoping the momentum carries over to contests this year that will determine whether their state Supreme Courts retain left-leaning majorities or flip to conservative control. A Northumberland County man is facing terrorism charges for threatening to shoot people and detonate bombs two years ago. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Back in July, Northumberland County announced the creation of 181 much-needed additional daycare spaces. Some of these are The post New daycare spaces open recently in three locations across Northumberland County appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: Parents get daycare relief as Northumberland County adds 181 new spaces, says manager County spending $1.5 million to support local daycare as operators struggle to stay open Parents get a break as province announces $10 per day childcare, says county manager

With over 3,000 families on waitlists across Northumberland County, creating affordable daycare is a priority. In this interview, The post New daycare rates are now in effect as operators introduce $22 per day at most locations appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: YMCA Northumberland CEO worries about future of daycare in Northumberland County spending $1.5 million to support local daycare as operators struggle to stay open Parents get daycare relief as Northumberland County adds 181 new spaces, says manager

If you live in Northumberland County, there is a huge chance you are on a septic system. Yes, The post Homeowners offered septic re-inspection for peace of mind, prevent problems or prosecution, says county official appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: Construction of high-speed rural internet to underserved areas starts by end of January, says official Affordable housing top of mind for residents as county seeks public input on strategic plan New leader of Northumberland health team shares her experience and perspective

Northumberland County council had a tumultuous year in 2024. The question is: Will it continue into 2025? In The post Warden sizes up past year in council chambers and why you should pay attention in 2025 appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: New warden explains the ins and outs of a three-year budget for county Police review underway as politicians and residents grapple left to grapple with future County council takes on big projects over the past year with more to come, says Warden

Efforts to improve broadband service in Pennsylvania communities are getting a boost. Medicaid funds slated for gun violence prevention programs nationwide could be at risk. The money was made available through a Biden administration executive order aimed at furthering its initiatives to toughen gun laws. The owner of Delaware County’s Crozer Health has filed for bankruptcy. State lawmakers are irate - yet cautiously optimistic about the future of the county's health care. A recent U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory recommends adding a cancer warning to alcohol labels. One Penn State researcher discusses whether the labels can be effective. A Northumberland County school district has hired two part-time law enforcement officers -- as it moves toward establishing its own police department. Dozens of people are urging the city of Lancaster to set up legal camping spaces instead of conducting homeless encampment sweeps.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two years ago, Northumberland County announced a public-private partnership to provide internet services to rural residents with poor The post Construction of high-speed rural internet to underserved areas starts by end of January, says official appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: Details of a $110-million project bringing high-speed Internet to rural Northumberland Inside look into new Golden Plough Lodge's final construction phase, hoping to open in June 2025 Regional bus getting passengers to GO station and across Northumberland, says county reps

For 36 years, the Giving Tree has made sure children and teens in Northumberland do not miss out The post Giving Tree bring Christmas to more than 1,000 children and teens in Northumberland this year, says coordinator appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: Salvation Army Kettle Drive helps those in need during Christmas season and all year-round Salvation Army and others working hard to bring Christmas to everyone in Northumberland Northumberland County food banks respond to growing need to feed those struggling to eat

Northumberland County council approved a 6.12 percent increase in taxes, which is $92 more for the average homeowner. The post In Their Words: County council approves three-month hiring freeze and requests report looking for cost savings appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: In Their Words: County politicians debate on study of the future of Northumberland In Their Words: Halfway into term Alnwick-Haldimand council debates and approves strategic plan It's no mystery where Northumberland County taxes go, just read the 2020 annual report

Restructuring Northumberland County is on the table once more. Northumberland County council approved a study to examine options The post In Their Words: County politicians debate on study of the future of Northumberland appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: In Their Words: Northumberland County councillors debate the future of the encampment in Cobourg In Their Words: Port Hope politicians debate police amalgamation In Their Words: County grapples with town over license for portion of 310 Division Street to open

This time of year many places collect for local food banks.  It is hard to miss. No matter The post Northumberland County food banks respond to growing need to feed those struggling to eat appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: County residents encouraged to support food banks and reduce food waste Rising numbers of people using food bank in face of inflation, gas prices, says CEO More families with children and seniors using food bank as numbers rise, says board chair

Northumberland County and the town of Cobourg reached a deal earlier this week that will allow the county The post In Their Words: County reaches deal spending more than $500,000 to meet shelter bylaw appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: County warden addresses concerns over Cobourg emergency shelter bylaw County CAO explains recent developments regarding emergency shelter and encampment In Their Words: County grapples with town over license for portion of 310 Division Street to open

The show: The full interview with bonus material: Murray Sinclair was a well-known lawyer, judge, member of the The post Alderville chief's reflections on Murray Sinclair's contribution to community and country appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: New show provides insight into Indigenous community in Northumberland County and beyond Access to medical care and relations with the federal Conservatives are discussed with Alderville Chief Simpson calls on Ontario minister to return artifacts after years of poor storage and neglect

The show: The full interview with bonus material: Murray Sinclair was a well-known lawyer, judge, member of the Senate, and dedicated advocate for Indigenous people and Canadians. He is best recognized as the chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which was dedicated to the legacy of residential schools. The 94 calls to action continue […] The post Alderville chief's reflections on Murray Sinclair's contribution to community and country appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: Reflecting on the legacy of Murray Sinclair, plus rejecting the child welfare deal New show provides insight into Indigenous community in Northumberland County and beyond Access to medical care and relations with the federal Conservatives are discussed with Alderville Chief

Northumberland County and the town of Cobourg reached a deal earlier this week that will allow the county to open its warming room at 310 Division Street. This In Their Words shares the open session where council finalized its direction. Most of the meeting was in closed session due to the legal nature of the […] The post In Their Words: County reaches deal spending more than $500,000 to meet shelter bylaw appeared first on Consider This. Related posts: County CAO explains recent developments regarding emergency shelter and encampment County warden addresses concerns over Cobourg emergency shelter bylaw In Their Words: County grapples with town over license for portion of 310 Division Street to open

Manitoba's first Indigenous judge. Murray Sinclair died yesterday at the age of 73.He will be remembered as a pillar of Canada's attempt at reconciliation and his impact as Chancellor of Queen's University. Host Nav Nanwa spoke with Queen's principal Patrick Deane about his legacy.It's National Skilled Trade and Technology week and we're using the occasion to look at the growth of trades in Ontario. On today's segment, Loyalist College is appealing to potential future students as early as elementary school by connecting science with the trades; showing what an education in the trades could look like. Host Nav Nanwa spoke to dean of Interdisciplinary Studies at Loyalist College in Belleville, Chad Murray, about the initiative.Yesterday, we spoke with Transition House about a recent reduction in capacity from 22 spots down to 10 and about the fact that a Town of Cobourg bylaw was standing in the way of a new, expanded shelter on Division Street. Cobourg is currently in discussion with Northumberland County about parts of that bylaw. Host Nav Nanwa spoke with Cobourg's Warden Brian Ostrander about the whole situation. Brian is also the Mayor of Brighton. Heidi Schreck has probably thought more about the United States Constitution than most average Americans. As a teenager, she won enough speech and debate competitions about the Constitution to pay her way through college. Now she's turned her debate experience, and insights, into a play at Soulpepper Theatre in Toronto. Host Nav Nanwa had the pleasure of speaking to Heidi while she was in Brooklyn.

During National Skilled Trade and Technology Week, We're going to speak to kids, parents, and to schools about what they think about the trades! But first Nav, Nanwa spoke to CEO of Skills Ontario Ian Howcroft, an organization that promotes skilled trades and technologies.Every Monday, we start your week with a journey through Ontario Morning country to get a sense of the music coming out of our listening area. Today we chatted with Platinum selling artist and award-winning producer Tebey who had just released a new duet with Tenille Arts. Host Nav Nanwa had a delightful conversation with him about his career and meeting the Jonas Brothers.Cobourg's  only emergency shelter was forced to downsize last week from 22 to 16 spaces then down to just 10. The reduction in spaces comes as colder weather is beginning to set in and as the town and Northumberland County try to agree on who assumes liability for that shelter. Nav Nanwa spoke to Meaghan Macdonald, board chair of Transition House, about the current situation.Kawartha Lakes Food Source is four days into their ‘reverse advent calendar' food drive for 2024 and they are ready to help spread that Christmas spirit. Host Nav Nanwa got to partake in the fun with Executive director Heather Kirby.

This episode is sponsored by The Plumbing Outlet and Coal Region Winery. Chad Lauer and Chad Evans sit down with local Community Revitalization leader Betsy Kramer. Betsy is the Community Revitalization Manager for SEDA-COG - An economic development organization and also Local Development District set up through the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) serving 11 core central region counties: Center, Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Juniata, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder, Union. Betsy uncovers the hood of what is confusing to many. She explains the major need in our area and the difficult process of securing funding and getting projects off the ground. She explains how specific the grant writing process needs to be and the challenges involved. She also inspires so many that often they think she has an open "checkbook". Betsy leaves us feeling educated and wanting to be a larger part in our community revitalization efforts. She has secured and is working on administering nearly 7 million dollars worth of grants today and is working on securing millions more for the area. Let's celebrate her great work! Tune in today!

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.

Despite pushback from some community members, Centre County's board of elections is moving forward with creating a satellite election office on the Penn State University Park campus. Even with bipartisan support to increase the state's minimum wage to $15 lawmakers don't expect much movement on the issue any time soon. The president and CEO of Visit Hershey & Harrisburg is stepping down -- just days after the FBI visited her office. Researchers have found that a drug being developed for cancer treatment could also lead to a new treatment for Alzheimer's and other diseases.  A Northumberland County school district is hoping to avoid a planned teachers strike tomorrow.. Elizabethtown College is cutting back on full-time faculty to reduce costs. Students at Shippensburg University, like others at central Pennsylvania colleges, are among those with a big stake in who the next U.S. president will be.  And they have questions for the candidates.   We recently sat down with eight students at the Franklin County school and focused on two simple questions.  Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it possible to have sympathy for a killer? Cursed with the mental development of a child and an IQ of 52, John Hogendobler was an impoverished farmer with a heart of gold. And after he shot his wife in 1941, there were many who believed Hogendobler had gotten a raw deal-- by the Department of Public Assistance, by Northumberland County officials, by his own attorneys, and by life in general. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/paoddities/support

A new study says Pennsylvania drivers get pulled over and are cited by state police at roughly comparable rates no matter their race or ethnicity.      Homeless people in Lancaster are no longer allowed on a prominent public square.   Raw milk contaminated with E-coli bacteria has been found at 14 stores in four Central Pennsylvania counties. Incumbent Republican Congressman Scott Perry and Democratic challenger Janelle Stelson both say they will support manufacturing growth in Pennsylvania's 10th District.  A Northumberland County community will no longer explore a sale of its municipal authority. Franklin County has a new warden at its jail. Heather Franzoni has been hired to replace Christopher Schell, who stepped down earlier this year. The National Park Service is investigating a case of vandalism on the Gettysburg battlefield.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A heat advisory is in effect across Central Pennsylvania until eight tomorrow night.  The region is also under a Code Orange Air Quality Alert -- meaning air pollution concentrations may be unhealthy for sensitive groups. Climate scientists say flooding is expected to get worse in the commonwealth. A  task force study that highlights the lack of flood insurance among Pennsylvanians.  Republican U.S. Senate nominee David McCormick has cited his business background during his campaign -- often saying he has created hundreds of jobs in Pennsylvania. But, the record suggests a different story. A well-known Lehigh Valley drag queen has made Pennsylvania history. A French court has ruled the American accused of sexually assaulting a Gettysburg College student in 2013 -- and later sending her a Facebook message that said “So I raped you” -- can be extradited to the U.S. A city in Northumberland County is moving hire a social worker for its police department. The new superintendent of a York County school district is acknowledging his bad judgement to drink and drive.  Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The union that represents about 2,500 Penn State employees has voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike.  State lawmakers are starting to debate Governor Josh Shapiro's proposal to increase renewable energy. Shapiro wants 35 percent of electricity to come from clean sources by 2035.  The  state House is sending a proposal to the Senate to require insurance to cover speech therapy for children who stutter. A 49-year-old bishop from western Pennsylvania has become the youngest person ever elected as leader of the Episcopal Church.  A midstate county is using state grant money to improve voting booths and privacy at the polls. A Northumberland County police department could soon put fencing around its headquarters. The state police are taking steps to help people with autism when they are interacting with law enforcement.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two school boards in Berks County are dealing with separate controversies over hateful symbolism.  Close to 400 faculty and staff at Penn State's Commonwealth Campuses -- including facilities in Harrisburg, York, Mont Alto, and Reading --have accepted buyouts. Voters can now request mail-in ballots for the fall. The Department of State streamlined the application process and opened the request portal two months earlier than in 2020.  This summer is expected to be hotter than normal across the state. Some Pennsylvanians can get free window air conditioning units and central A/C repairs through the state.  LGBTQ people face particular health challenges. A statewide survey aims to find solutions.   Another three people from Central Pennsylvania have been arrested in connection to the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. A retired midstate police chief has been sentenced to nine months of house arrest after being convicted of stealing nearly seven-thousand dollars from a Northumberland County fire company.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yuka Saso has won her second U-S Women's Open. She delivered a masterpiece on the back nine at tough Lancaster Country Club amid collapses from so many contenders.  Over the last year, 28 dogs have been rescued from a kennel in Northumberland County due to neglect. It's operated by a non-profit that was supposed to help retired military and police dogs. One of the unknowns in the wake of former President Donald Trump's conviction is how voters will react to it. Pollster Berwood Yost of Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster County says the nature of the crime may dilute opinions given the charges he faces in other cases. The United States used a record amount of natural gas for electricity production last year. The country is expected to match that amount this summer.  Fewer mail ballots have been rejected for voter errors overall in the Pennsylvania primary. A man who quit his job as a librarian in a Lancaster County school district in 2022 after being told to enforce a policy limiting students' access to library books has been honored with a national award.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Penn State is making a buyout offer to employees at its Commonwealth Campuses -- including those in Harrisburg, York, Mont Alto, and Reading. Faculty Senators are not holding back in  expressing frustration and criticism of the plan.  Several communities across the state -- including Philadelphia -- are turning to “tough-on-crime” approaches to address drug use and the opioid crisis. But, some families who've lost loved ones to drug overdoses are pushing back on strategies that rely on criminalization. Pennsylvania's severe rainstorms drop more water than they did decades ago. A new analysis shows how climate change is “supercharging” rain events. If you  have ever wanted to spend the night on a historic battlefield,  now you have the chance at the Gettysburg National Military Park. A popular amusement park in Northumberland County is open for its 98th season. Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg has  added more food options this year. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dairy farmers across Central Pennsylvania are dealing with new measures to stop avian flu. Federal funds for public transit in Pennsylvania are running out this year and advocates and lawmakers alike are worried that will hurt systems across the state. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is funding removal of ten dams in Pennsylvania in the next few years.  Both Democrats and Republicans are checking in on protests at the University of Pennsylvania. GOP U.S. Senate candidate David McCormick had harsh words for some of them. One man is dead after a shooting involving police at a nursing home in York County, but not many details have been released.   A Pennsylvania nurse who administered lethal doses of insulin to patients is heading to prison for life after pleading guilty in the deaths of at least 17 people.  Teachers in a Northumberland County school district are voicing their unhappiness. Governor Josh Shapiro and state police are honoring Trooper Jay Rougeau Jr. and paying tribute to all troopers killed in the line of duty.  Each week, as part of our commitment to transparency in our journalism, Scott Blanchard, WITF's Director of Journalism Scott Blanchard will take us behind the scenes of our newsroom. Today, he discusses the issue of fairness – for example, how WITF tries to give politicians a chance to respond if someone criticizes them.     Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While everyone's rushing to put shovels on the ground for affordable housing, the Town of Cornwall is turning down a housing project from a local developer to build an affordable apartment complex with 400 units. We spoke with Cornwall Mayor Justin Towndale to explain the decision. The town of Collingwood is now being urged to drop animal control service from the Bylaw. Instead, they plan to lean on the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to take over. We spoke with Collingwood Mayor Yvonne Hamlin about the change in structure.mesFairy Day Games is a children's imaginative story that allows readers to enter the wonderful and magical world of fairies. This comes after the success of her first book: A Fairy On My Sleeve. Grey Highlands author Mari Sherkin gave us the scoop.The future needs of policing in Northumberland County will be discussed later today at county council. With expected population growth, increasing social challenges, and public scrutiny towards public safety services, County Council members will hear a presentation from a consulting firm about potential scenarios for policing in the area for the next 15 years. Brian Ostrander, the Warden for Northumberland County and the Mayor of Brighton, spoke to us before the meeting.

 A new statewide organization bills itself as a resource for all school board members -- regardless of political ideology - despite Pennsylvania already having a longstanding professional organization serving that purpose. What the Pennsylvania School Directors Coalition's website doesn't detail is its leaders' history with the state's conservative education movements. An estimated one million Pennsylvanians are dealing with medical debt. Under Governor Josh Shapiro's budget plan, about $400 million in debt would be erased for low-income Pennsylvanians.  Pennsylvania is handing out $3.3 million to fund pre-apprenticeship programs in agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, and gaming. A Lancaster County community will suspend its donation to the Lancaster Public Library in response to a planned Drag Queen Story Hour that was canceled amid a bomb scare last month. The former police chief in a Northumberland County community has pleaded guilty to theft charges.  Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  With St. Patrick's Day coming up on Sunday, you'll be hearing a lot of stories about the Irish and many will be celebrating their Irish heritage. One of the most infamous periods in American history, and certainly here in Pennsylvania, involved the Molly Maguires. The Molly Maguires were a secret organization of Irish coal miners in the anthracite coal region of Pennsylvania in the late 1800s. Assassinations and violence grew throughout the area because of poor working conditions in the mines and ethnic tensions, leading to 16 killings. The Molly Maguires were thought to be responsible, and 20 supposed members were executed. Kevin Kenny is author of the 1998 book Making Sense of the Molly Maguires and a Professor of History and the Glucksman Professor in Irish Studies at New York University. On The Spark Wednesday, Kenny was asked who the Molly Maguires were,"Nobody agreed at the time. Historians haven't agreed since. I would say we need to avoid, two extremes. One is that they were simply savages who killed people for the sake of killing people. Believe it or not, that's how they were described in the 19th century. The other is that they were simply innocent victims because 20 men were hanged. But there were 16 other dead bodies on the stage at the end, and somebody killed them." Working conditions and ethnic differences were two factors that led to violence, especially after coal miners unionized,"Underground and mining communities are always difficult and harsh. It's brutal work. People died of miners lung in those days and they still do. I can tell you that the fatality rates and mining accidents were three times as high in the anthracite region of Pennsylvania as they were in Europe. It's really difficult work. There's also a division based on class, on ethnicity, because most of the skilled miners and this was really an elite workforce who built the mines and then freed the coal from the coalface. Most of them were were British, English or Welsh. Most of them were Protestant. Some of the skilled miners were Irish, but most of the laborers were Irish. It's a very important distinction between being a laborer and a miner because it comes down to this. The skilled miner will come in, come into the mine underground in the morning. They will free the coal from from the coal face by using powder to explode it out of the coalface. Then they'll go home. The Irishman will stay down underground all day loading the coal into carts. It's a different kind of work. The union brought the two sides together. The Molly Maguires represents the marginalized and the exploited." Kenny described what happened,"There were two waves of violence attributed to the Molly Maguires. The first was in the 1860s, during the Civil War. It was a mixture of rudimentary labor organizing and opposition to the military draft to conscription in the same category as the New York City draft riots, which are more famous. Six people were killed in that violence. Nobody was convicted at the time. The second wave of violence was in the middle of the 1870s, and it directly followed the destruction of the labor union. The labor union went down to defeat in the middle of the worst national economic depression the country had ever seen, and the 1870s the labor union, the WBA, was crushed. Into the vacuum stepped the Molly Maguires. Six more killings took place in the summer of 1875. That's the context in which it unfolds. (The victims were affiliated with the coal companies or those perceived to be enemies of the miners). The killings in the 1860s were traced retroactively to the Molly Maguires and a mopping up operation. They got the big wigs Alexander Campbell out in Carbon County, Patrick Hassler in Northumberland County, and John Kehoe in Schuylkill County. That's the context. And the explanation is Franklin Gowans attempted to secure monopoly control over the production and distribution of anthracite in the lower region, and eliminating all obstacles in his path." The suspected Molly Maguires paid for their alleged crimes with their lives -- justly or not as Kenny explained,"The 20 men who were hanged. My sense is, some were guilty as charged. Some were possibly innocent as charged. Others were probably guilty of other, crimes. But my position is that there were Molly Maguires and they killed people. It's a historian's question to try and explain, to try and make sense of what happened. I will tell you that, John Kehoe was the alleged ringleader of the whole Molly McGuire thing. He was based on Schuylkill County. He was active in politics. He was a marked man, and he was convicted in 1877 of the very first Molly McGuire killing, which took place in 1862." Kehoe was pardoned posthumously by Pennsylvania Gov. Milton Shapp in 1979.    Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lancaster has implemented policies that welcome immigrants and prohibits city officials from seeking information about a person's immigration status. Lawmakers are looking for ways to tackle a surge in false reports to police -- known as swatting. A former Northumberland County sheriff and his wife are suing the county and the Community Life Team for negligence in the stillbirth of their child. Law enforcement in Delaware County is closing the  investigation into a shootout and house fire that killed six members of an extended family. School nurses are under-resourced and understaffed. Now, a new Nurse Mentorship Program aims to help alleviate the problem. The U.S. Army is correcting the records of 110 Black Soldiers wrongfully convicted in 1917, including one from Altoona. We bring you the story of William Nesbitt.    Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

State lawmakers and gun safety activists are urging the legislature to get behind Governor Josh Shapiro's 100 million dollar plan to reduce gun violence. Dozens of states allow people to provide sterile syringes to individuals who use illegal drugs. Some lawmakers want Pennsylvania to join the list. It's the heart of tax season, and those who made clean energy upgrades around their home last year may be eligible for tax credits. A new journal published by Penn State Press looks to create an academic space for the study of Palestine and Israel. The Goodwill Industries of Northcentral Pennsylvania recently hit gold. Lego gold, that is. Four toxic waste sites in Pennsylvania will receive a share of a $1 billion infusion to the federal Superfund program. The remains of a U.S. Army Air Force photographer from Northumberland County will be returning home.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A federal appeals court will decide if mail ballots in Pennsylvania can be rejected if voters don't put the correct date on the return envelope. As President Joe Biden pushes House Republicans to pass needed aid for Ukraine, he wants voters to understand nearly two-thirds would actually be going to U.S. factories -- including one in Scranton. The state legislature is beginning budget hearings two weeks after Gov. Josh Shapiro laid out his spending proposal for the upcoming fiscal year. Vice President Kamala Harris has announced new funding for clean water infrastructure, during a visit to Pittsburgh. A midstate school district is under fire for failing to approve cyber charter school invoices. WellSpan Health is the first health system in Pennsylvania to use drones to deliver medications on a large scale. A Northumberland County man has been arrested after threatening the Shikellamy School District.   Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The EPA has a new, stricter standard for fine particulates and it could lead to cleaner air in Pennsylvania. Penn State's board of trustees has voted to increase the financial bonus President Neeli Bendapudi will get if she stays with the university for 10 years. The move comes amid the school's financial shortfalls. Hundreds of Penn State students have raised more than $16.9 million for pediatric cancer patients in the annual 46-hour dance marathon known as Thon. Former Governor Tom Corbett says the U.S. democratic system does work - like none other in the world. But, the Republican is worried too many people don't realize that. Leaders in one Northumberland County community have been caught off guard as the result of an impromptu White Lives Matter demonstration.     Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pro-Palestine supporters from across the state have rallied in Harrisburg, calling for an end of Israel's occupation of Gaza and the West Bank. Federal and state elected leaders, along with faith and community members, have rallied against antisemitism at a synagogue in North Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Eagles are in control of the NFC East - -even after rare consecutive losses and allowing the Dallas Cowboys to match them atop the division. Three former police officers in one Northumberland County community are slated to go to trial early next year. It has been 20 years since the body of a Baltimore-based federal prosecutor named Jonathan Luna was found face down in a creek in Lancaster County.The circumstances around his death remain a mystery to this day.    Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federal safety investigators have issued a subpoena to the state Public Utility Commission for documents related to a fatal explosion at a chocolate factory in West Reading. All nine young people who escaped from a Berks County youth detention center have been re-captured. State police say hey didn't appear to have very good survival skills. Voters in Allegheny County's 21st state House district will decide which party will control the state House. Police say thousands of minks have been released from a Northumberland County fur farm after someone cut holes in the surrounding fence.    Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.