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.

Our Journalist Roundtable conversation for March 28 included <a href="https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/this-brings-back-a-lot-of-trauma-bhutanese-americans-living-in-central-pa-react-to/article_d5fd8d1e-4d48-44d8-9c8e-eebdba07e130.html">LancasterOnline/LNP&rsquo;s Brett Sholtis</a> and Pennlive's <a href="https://www.pennlive.com/news/2025/03/ice-deports-at-least-four-bhutanese-men-who-had-settled-in-pa.html">Ivey DeJesus</a>. 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.&nbsp;
Listen to the podcast to hear the entire conversation. 
&nbsp; WITF&rsquo;s Jordan Wilkie has reported extensively on this situation. <a href="https://www.witf.org/2025/03/27/kicked-out-decades-ago-4-refugees-deported-en-route-to-bhutan/">CLICK HERE</a>, to read his article.

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 starts conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/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 starts conversations about what&rsquo;s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/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.

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&rsquo;s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at&nbsp;<a href="https://witf.org/programs/the-spark">https://witf.org/programs/the-spark</a>.

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

Student ICE Protests

Dan Tomaso

Erica Jo Shaffer

(00:00:00)

We spotlight student activism in York, where William Penn High School students organized powerful walkouts protesting increased ICE enforcement and advocating for classmates living in fear of deportation. Their grassroots movement - sparked by a single social media post - has inspired students across multiple districts to join in solidarity. We break down how the protests grew, why students felt compelled to speak out, and the personal stories driving their courage.

(00:11:48)

Then, we shift gears as meteorologist Dan Tomaso dives into the latest weather patterns and what to expect as winter transitions toward warmer days.

(00:23:26)

Finally, Erica Jo Shaffer helps us welcome spring with fresh insights, seasonal inspiration, and what this time of year means for our community.

(00:00:00)
We spotlight student activism in York, where William Penn High School students organized powerful walkouts protesting increased ICE enforcement and advocating for classmates living in fear of deportation. Their grassroots movement - sparked by a single social media post - has inspired students across multiple districts to join in solidarity. We break down how the protests grew, why students felt compelled to speak out, and the personal stories driving their courage.
(00:11:48)
Then, we shift gears as meteorologist Dan Tomaso dives into the latest weather patterns and what to expect as winter transitions toward warmer days.
(00:23:26)
Finally, Erica Jo Shaffer helps us welcome spring with fresh insights, seasonal inspiration, and what this time of year means for our community.

York Students Lead Anti‑ICE Walkouts as Spring Weather and Seasonal Insights Take Center Stage

Anthony (Tony) Tommasini is the former chief classical music critic for The New York Times, a role he held from 2000 until his retirement in 2021 after 24 years with the paper. A graduate of Yale University with a Doctorate of Musical Arts from Boston University, he is also an accomplished author of four books, including The Indispensable Composers. As a pianist, he recorded two albums of Virgil Thomson’s music with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Tommasini recently wrote about Marian Anderson’s legacy for the New York Times, a piece that earned praise from Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. In 2022, Gates and Penguin Press invited him to contribute to the “Significations” series. His upcoming book, Voice of a Century: The Life and Artistry of Marian Anderson, will be released by Penguin in September.

We talk with Andrew Dalton, President & CEO of Gettysburg History, and Jake Boritt, Producer of the Gettysburg Film Festival, about the town’s evolving identity, its role in American storytelling, and how history and the arts intersect in Gettysburg today.

We also explore recent public conversation surrounding Senator Doug Mastriano’s comments about Gettysburg’s “sharp left turn” and his concerns about the town’s cultural direction ahead of America’s 250th anniversary. Andrew offers context from the perspective of a history professional—discussing how Gettysburg balances preserving its past with supporting a diverse, modern community.

Hear how the Gettysburg Film Festival is shaping cultural engagement, how local institutions approach historical stewardship, and why conversations about heritage, tourism, and community identity matter now more than ever

 

Anthony (Tony) Tommasini is the former chief classical music critic for&nbsp;The New York Times, a role he held from 2000 until his retirement in 2021 after 24 years with the paper. A graduate of Yale University with a Doctorate of Musical Arts from Boston University, he is also an accomplished author of four books, including The Indispensable Composers. As a pianist, he recorded two albums of Virgil Thomson&rsquo;s music with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Tommasini recently wrote about Marian Anderson&rsquo;s legacy for the New York Times, a piece that earned praise from Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. In 2022, Gates and Penguin Press invited him to contribute to the &ldquo;Significations&rdquo; series. His upcoming book, Voice of a Century: The Life and Artistry of Marian Anderson, will be released by Penguin in September.
We talk with Andrew Dalton, President &amp; CEO of Gettysburg History, and Jake Boritt, Producer of the Gettysburg Film Festival, about the town&rsquo;s evolving identity, its role in American storytelling, and how history and the arts intersect in Gettysburg today.
We also explore recent public conversation surrounding Senator Doug Mastriano&rsquo;s comments about Gettysburg&rsquo;s &ldquo;sharp left turn&rdquo; and his concerns about the town&rsquo;s cultural direction ahead of America&rsquo;s 250th anniversary. Andrew offers context from the perspective of a history professional&mdash;discussing how Gettysburg balances preserving its past with supporting a diverse, modern community.
Hear how the Gettysburg Film Festival is shaping cultural engagement, how local institutions approach historical stewardship, and why conversations about heritage, tourism, and community identity matter now more than ever
&nbsp;

The Spark Weekly | March 22 | Marian Anderson and The Gettysburg Film Festival

Gettysburg Film Fest

Mark and Val Wines

(00:00:00)

We talk with Andrew Dalton, President & CEO of Gettysburg History, and Jake Boritt, Producer of the Gettysburg Film Festival, about the town’s evolving identity, its role in American storytelling, and how history and the arts intersect in Gettysburg today.

We also explore recent public conversation surrounding Senator Doug Mastriano’s comments about Gettysburg’s “sharp left turn” and his concerns about the town’s cultural direction ahead of America’s 250th anniversary. Andrew offers context from the perspective of a history professional—discussing how Gettysburg balances preserving its past with supporting a diverse, modern community.

Hear how the Gettysburg Film Festival is shaping cultural engagement, how local institutions approach historical stewardship, and why conversations about heritage, tourism, and community identity matter now more than ever

(00:22:40)

We sit down with Mark Rhodes, a Brooklyn native who made York, PA, his home and built a life dedicated to leadership, equity, and community impact. After a 33‑year career with Harley‑Davidson, Mark launched his own training and diversity consulting firm and went on to serve as chairman of the Confronting Racism Coalition and vice chair of York’s Human Relations Commission. Today, he continues his community work on the boards of the York County History Centers and Ophelia’s Making Agency.

Alongside his wife Val—who enjoyed a 36‑year career with M&T Bank—Mark is now co‑owner of Mark and Val Wines, an urban winery created to celebrate and elevate Black excellence in the wine industry. Their mission is to offer high‑quality, small‑batch wines crafted by Black winemakers and to provide a welcoming, inclusive space for all through their tasting room, wine club, and online shop.

(00:00:00)
We talk with Andrew Dalton, President &amp; CEO of Gettysburg History, and Jake Boritt, Producer of the Gettysburg Film Festival, about the town&rsquo;s evolving identity, its role in American storytelling, and how history and the arts intersect in Gettysburg today.
We also explore recent public conversation surrounding Senator Doug Mastriano&rsquo;s comments about Gettysburg&rsquo;s &ldquo;sharp left turn&rdquo; and his concerns about the town&rsquo;s cultural direction ahead of America&rsquo;s 250th anniversary. Andrew offers context from the perspective of a history professional&mdash;discussing how Gettysburg balances preserving its past with supporting a diverse, modern community.
Hear how the Gettysburg Film Festival is shaping cultural engagement, how local institutions approach historical stewardship, and why conversations about heritage, tourism, and community identity matter now more than ever
(00:22:40)
We sit down with Mark Rhodes, a Brooklyn native who made York, PA, his home and built a life dedicated to leadership, equity, and community impact. After a 33‑year career with Harley‑Davidson, Mark launched his own training and diversity consulting firm and went on to serve as chairman of the Confronting Racism Coalition and vice chair of York&rsquo;s Human Relations Commission. Today, he continues his community work on the boards of the York County History Centers and Ophelia&rsquo;s Making Agency.
Alongside his wife Val&mdash;who enjoyed a 36‑year career with M&amp;T Bank&mdash;Mark is now co‑owner of Mark and Val Wines, an urban winery created to celebrate and elevate Black excellence in the wine industry. Their mission is to offer high‑quality, small‑batch wines crafted by Black winemakers and to provide a welcoming, inclusive space for all through their tasting room, wine club, and online shop.

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

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