The Spark
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, host Asia Tabb start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.Follow the podcast:
Tips for Navigating Hard Conversations During the Holidays; Plus, The Weekly Journalist Roundtable.
(00:00:00) Chesapeake Bay officials elected Gov. Josh Shapiro to lead a regional agreement to help clean and restore the waterway. he first-term Democrat will take the reins at a tumultuous time for the forty-year-old partnership. Gov. Josh Shapiro says he’s going to break Pennsylvania from its hi…
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Breakthrough Migraine Study in Lancaster; Plus, Gettysburg's Mayor-Elect.
(00:00:00) Chad-Alan Carr is the new Mayor of Gettysburg, after his November election win. Carr defeated incumbent Rita Frealing in the May Democratic primary by a few dozen votes. Carr, an at-large member of the Gettysburg Borough Council, campaigned on improving transparency in the mayor’s offi…
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Philadelphia Mom Freed From Probation in Time for Thanksgiving and a Look into the Secret Lives of Chickens
(00:00:00) Justina remained stuck on probation. Not because she posed any safety risk, but because she couldn’t afford the last $500 of restitution she owed. Despite finishing jail time, rehab, and community service, her probation kept restarting every six months due to the unpaid balance. Without…
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Holiday Book Picks and a Call for Equality: Local Experts Share Seasonal Reads as PA Faith Leaders Urge Lawmakers to Pass LGBTQ+ Protections.
(00:00:00) We are joined once again by Catherine Lawrence of Midtown Scholar and Travis Kurowski of York College to recommend some holiday book selections for you and your loved ones! (00:22:26) A letter signed by 237 faith leaders from diverse religious traditions across Pennsylvania will be de…
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The Spark Weekly 11.30.25: elf The Musical and Epilepsy Awareness Month
Broadway comes to Lancaster this holiday season with Elf the Musical, and local audiences are in for a treat. Ben Fankhauser, who plays Buddy the Elf, said performing at the Fulton Theatre has been a special experience. “I have fallen in love with the Fulton Theater and I hope that Lancaster reside…
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How Dan Tomaso and Asia Tabb Stole Christmas. Plus, Public Health Updates.
(00:00:00) November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month (NEAM), and the call to action is "All in for National Epilepsy Awareness Month.” (00:21:59) Pediatricians are speaking often and openly with parents who are anxious about the safety of vaccines amid changing federal policies (00:33:48) …
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Spotlight on Joy: Elf the Musical at the Fulton | PPRS Commemorates 75th Anniversary
(00:00:00) Buddy the Elf takes on New York City in Elf the Musical at The Fulton Theatre. Asia speaks with Broadway star Ben Fankhauser and Director/Choreographer Maura Newberry Greer. (00:22:14) The Pennsylvania Public Relations Society (PPRS) marked its 75th anniversary on November 8, with a c…
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Alteronce Gumby Returns to Harrisburg for New Exhibit; Franklin & Marshall Unveils Commonwealth Commitment for Affordable Tuition
(00:00:00) Susquehanna Art Museum presents If Herr Street Could Talk, the homecoming exhibition of award-winning abstract artist and Harrisburg native, Alteronce Gumby. (00:21:47) Franklin and Marshall College have announced a major initiative designed to make the Lancaster-based private school…
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The Spark Weekly 11.23.2025: Move Past Plastic and The YWCA's 18th Annual Pursuit of Justice Purse Auction
(00:00:00) Move Past Plastic founder Tamela Trussell says her organization exists to help communities better understand the growing dangers of single-use plastics in the region. “The heart of our mission is to be a resource for understanding the complexities and potential harms of single-use plast…
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Extra Give 2025 and The Results of Pa's Supreme Court Election
(00:00:00) We are joined by 2 officials of the Lancaster County Community Foundation, CEO Sam Bressiand Executive Vice President Tracy Cutler, as well as Robin Stauffer, Executive Director of the High Foundations to talk all things ExtraGive. (00:22:16) Penn State Dickinson Law Prof. Stanley Bra…
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