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The Spark When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what's happening in the world and at home.
The Spark

Podcast Directory
The Spark

The Spark

From WITF

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what's happening in the world and at home.

Most Recent Episodes

The Spark Weekly 3.30.2025: LifeSmarts and Louder Than Guns

LifeSmarts is now in its 31st year, a competition sponsored by the Consumers League. It aims to prepare teens with knowledge and skills they can apply in their daily lives. Cumberland Valley High School's LifeSmarts team is headed to nationals in Chicago April 24. Also on the program, In a time of increasing political and social division, the new documentary Louder Than Guns seeks to do something many have struggled to accomplish—foster meaningful conversations about gun violence across all aisles of the political and social divide. Directed by filmmaker Doug Pray and journalist David Greene Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Journalist Roundtable: Bhutanese Americans living in central Pa. react to recent ICE raids

Our Journalist Roundtable conversation for March 28 included LancasterOnline/LNP's Brett Sholtis and Pennlive's Ivey DeJesus. This week we discussed their reports on the six Bhutanese men who were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in a Pike County Prison. This interview was recorded on Thursday March 27 at 1:30 p.m. Since the recording, A spokesman for the Bhutanese community in the Harrisburg area confirmed reports that at least four men in ICE detention had been deported. Listen to the podcast to hear the entire conversation. WITF's Jordan Wilkie has reported extensively on this situation. CLICK HERE, to read his article. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Journalist Roundtable: Bhutanese Americans living in central Pa. react to recent ICE raids

Listen · 23:55

Gettysburgians shine light on black Americans buried at Lincoln Cemetery

Gettysburg is steeped in Civil War history, but one of its most overlooked narratives—the history of its Black community—is about to receive a long-overdue acknowledgment. This month, Lincoln Cemetery, Gettysburg's only surviving Black burial ground, will undergo a significant transformation. Volunteers will gather to place grave markers at over 130 unmarked graves recently discovered through ground-penetrating radar (GPR). Jean Green, President of the Lincoln Cemetery Association, has been leading this effort. "The cemetery was established in 1867 as a final resting place for Gettysburg's Black citizens," she explains. "It is the only concrete evidence that there was a Black community here." Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gettysburgians shine light on black Americans buried at Lincoln Cemetery

Listen · 24:19

Voices of the Epidemic: A Call for Transparency in Opioid Settlement Spending

The opioid epidemic has devastated families and communities across Pennsylvania, leaving countless individuals searching for answers, accountability, and support. As the state receives billions of dollars in settlement funds from opioid manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, the question remains: How will this money be used to address the crisis effectively? Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Voices of the Epidemic: A Call for Transparency in Opioid Settlement Spending

Listen · 22:16

Spring Weather Swings: ABC27's Dan Tomaso Talks Warmth, Flurries, and Fire Risks

Spring is officially here, and with it comes unpredictable weather patterns that keep residents on their toes. On the Spark, we spoke ABC27 meteorologist Dan Tomaso about the recent and upcoming weather pattens. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spring Weather Swings: ABC27's Dan Tomaso Talks Warmth, Flurries, and Fire Risks

Listen · 10:57

"Money in Your Pocket: Free Tax Assistance Program Helps Working Families Keep More of The...

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is a free service for seniors and other eligible taxpayers, where volunteers from various fields help individuals with the preparation of state and federal income tax forms. We spoke with Heidi Newhaus, Volunteer Center Director for the United Way of the Capitol Region about the "Money in Your Pocket" initiative. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Money in Your Pocket: Free Tax Assistance Program Helps Working Families Keep More of The...

Listen · 12:56

Larry Richardson Retires After 30 Years of Leadership at YMCA of the Roses

Larry Richardson, President and CEO of YMCA of the Roses, has announced that he will be retiring after more than 30 years at the organization. He played a major role in transforming the organization and strengthening the Y's impact on housing insecurity and homelessness in York and Lancaster. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Larry Richardson Retires After 30 Years of Leadership at YMCA of the Roses

Listen · 22:24

Federal hiring freezes and cuts impact Raystown Lake recreation

Staffing cuts at Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County will have an effect on visitors for the upcoming summer season. Matt Price, Executive Director of the Huntingdon County Visitor's Bureau joined the spark to share the impacts. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Louder Than Guns: How Music Amplifies the Fight Against Gun Violence

In a time of increasing political and social division, the new documentary Louder Than Guns seeks to do something many have struggled to accomplish—foster meaningful conversations about gun violence across all aisles of the political and social divide. Directed by filmmaker Doug Pray and journalist David Greene, the film was inspired by a song of the same name, written by Ketch Secor, the frontman of Old Crow Medicine Show, in the wake of the Covenant School mass shooting in Nashville. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Mistake: Powerful Play on Hiroshima's 80th Anniversary Comes to Lancaster

Pretty soon in Lancaster County, British actor and playwright Michael Mears will showcase his latest play, The Mistake, on April 15-16. The play arrives during the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Mistake: Powerful Play on Hiroshima's 80th Anniversary Comes to Lancaster

Listen · 22:19
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