When Van Wagner talks about trees, it’s more than just classroom chatter — it’s a personal mission. The Danville Area High School agriculture teacher and certified forester recently completed a unique and physically demanding journey: climbing a tree at the highest point in each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.

When Van Wagner talks about trees, it&rsquo;s more than just classroom chatter &mdash; it&rsquo;s a personal mission. The Danville Area High School agriculture teacher and certified forester recently completed a unique and physically demanding journey: climbing a tree at the highest point in each of Pennsylvania&rsquo;s 67 counties.

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. 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 <a href="https://www.witf.org">WITF</a>, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at <a href="https://witf.org/programs/the-spark">https://witf.org/programs/the-spark</a>.

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. Share your ideas at <a href="https://witf.org/programs/the-spark">https://witf.org/programs/the-spark</a>.

PA Agriculture teacher completes ‘67 Trees on 67 Mountains in 67 Counties’

A bill that could reshape the future of public media in the U.S. is one step closer to becoming law. Early Thursday morning, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 4 – The Recessions Act of 2025, a measure that would completely eliminate federal funding for public media, including funding for WITF in Central Pennsylvania.

Now, with the bill heading back to the House for a final vote—expected as soon as Friday—the potential consequences are looming large for stations across the country and for the communities they serve.

To explain what’s at stake, The Spark host Asia Tabb sat down with Fred Vigeant, WITF’s Vice President of Media and Production.

A bill that could reshape the future of public media in the U.S. is one step closer to becoming law. Early Thursday morning, the U.S. Senate <a href="https://www.witf.org/2025/07/17/senate-passes-9b-in-spending-cuts-to-public-broadcasting-foreign-aid-requested-by-trump/">passed</a> H.R. 4 &ndash; The Recessions Act of 2025, a measure that would completely eliminate federal funding for public media, including funding for WITF in Central Pennsylvania.
Now, with the bill heading back to the House for a final vote&mdash;expected as soon as Friday&mdash;the potential consequences are looming large for stations across the country and for the communities they serve.
To explain what&rsquo;s at stake, The Spark host Asia Tabb sat down with <a href="https://www.witf.org/author/fvigeant/">Fred Vigeant</a>, WITF&rsquo;s Vice President of Media and Production.

What’s at Stake for WITF and Public Media as Senate Approves Bill to Eliminate Federal Funding

As Pennsylvania towns go, few can rival the historical breadth and regional impact of Shippensburg. Founded in the early 1730s, Shippensburg began as a frontier settlement and grew into a critical transportation, military, and industrial hub. This week on The Spark, John Miller of the Shippensburg Historical Society joined host Asia Tabb to shed light on the borough’s deep historical roots and the people who helped shape it.

As Pennsylvania towns go, few can rival the historical breadth and regional impact of Shippensburg. Founded in the early 1730s, Shippensburg began as a frontier settlement and grew into a critical transportation, military, and industrial hub. This week on The Spark, John Miller of the Shippensburg Historical Society joined host Asia Tabb to shed light on the borough&rsquo;s deep historical roots and the people who helped shape it.

Shippensburg’s Storied Past: From Colonial Frontier to Industrial Hub

As federal immigration enforcement ramps up across the country, Pennsylvania’s farms are increasingly on edge—and experts say the ripple effects could impact everything from food prices to local economies.

As federal immigration enforcement ramps up across the country, Pennsylvania&rsquo;s farms are increasingly on edge&mdash;and experts say the ripple effects could impact everything from food prices to local economies.

PA Agriculture teacher completes ‘67 Trees on 67 Mountains in 67 Counties’

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