Outdoor enthusiasts in south-central Pennsylvania have a new reason to explore the Bedford and Fulton County region, thanks to the opening of the Sideling Hill Trailhead at the Sideling Hills Service Plaza along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The new trailhead provides access to local hiking and biking trails, along with convenient amenities for visitors.

Outdoor enthusiasts in south-central Pennsylvania have a new reason to explore the Bedford and Fulton County region, thanks to the opening of the<a href="https://www.paturnpike.com/traveling/service-plazas/sideling-hill-trailhead"> Sideling Hill Trailhead</a> at the Sideling Hills Service Plaza along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The new trailhead provides access to local hiking and biking trails, along with convenient amenities for visitors.

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>.

Pennsylvania Turnpike Unveils New Sideling Hill Trailhead for Hikers and Cyclists

Human Trafficking Awareness

Dry January

In this episode, we take a closer look at two important and timely topics centered on protection, prevention, and recovery.

(00:00:00)

First, we explore human trafficking as a serious human rights abuse, breaking down what trafficking is, how force, fraud, and coercion are used to exploit victims, and why any minor who exchanges sex for something of value is legally considered a trafficking victim. We also discuss the reality that human trafficking is a crime prosecuted at both the federal and state levels, and why public awareness is critical to prevention and victim support.

(00:22:29)

In the second half of the episode, we shift to Dry January and recovery-focused conversations. We discuss why so many people choose to participate in Dry January, the physical and mental benefits that motivate the challenge, and how it can serve as a turning point for individuals questioning their relationship with alcohol. We also examine practical tools that people in sober living or rehab settings can use during Dry January, as well as whether treatment centers tend to see an increase in admissions during the month of January.

In this episode, we take a closer look at two important and timely topics centered on protection, prevention, and recovery.
(00:00:00)
First, we explore human trafficking as a serious human rights abuse, breaking down what trafficking is, how force, fraud, and coercion are used to exploit victims, and why any minor who exchanges sex for something of value is legally considered a trafficking victim. We also discuss the reality that human trafficking is a crime prosecuted at both the federal and state levels, and why public awareness is critical to prevention and victim support.
(00:22:29)
In the second half of the episode, we shift to Dry January and recovery-focused conversations. We discuss why so many people choose to participate in Dry January, the physical and mental benefits that motivate the challenge, and how it can serve as a turning point for individuals questioning their relationship with alcohol. We also examine practical tools that people in sober living or rehab settings can use during Dry January, as well as whether treatment centers tend to see an increase in admissions during the month of January.

Awareness and Recovery: Understanding Human Trafficking and the Rise of Dry January

Lenwood Sloan & Dr. Andrew Hermeling

Braver Angels

(00:00:00)

PennLive has reported that Lenwood Sloan passed away on December 26th at the age of 77. Lenwood was a passionate historian, educator and advocate for preserving the story of Harrisburg's old 8th ward. In this conversation, originally broadcast on July 21 he and Dr. Andrew Hermeling discuss the “Look Up, Look Out” campaign that seeks to reimagine Harrisburg’s Old Eighth Ward, a vibrant and diverse neighborhood that was demolished in the 1910s to make way for Capitol Park. 

(00:30:00)

Maury Giles is stepping into his new role as CEO of Braver Angels after spending five years with the organization as a volunteer, a transition he describes as both unexpected and deeply purposeful.

 

(00:00:00)
PennLive has reported that Lenwood Sloan passed away on December 26th at the age of 77. Lenwood was a passionate historian, educator and advocate for preserving the story of Harrisburg's old 8th ward. In this conversation, originally broadcast on July 21 he and Dr. Andrew Hermeling discuss the &ldquo;<a href="https://digitalharrisburg.com/commonwealth/lookuplookout/">Look Up, Look Out</a>&rdquo; campaign that seeks to reimagine Harrisburg&rsquo;s Old Eighth Ward, a vibrant and diverse neighborhood that was demolished in the 1910s to make way for Capitol Park.&nbsp;
(00:30:00)
Maury Giles is stepping into his new role as CEO of <a href="https://braverangels.org/">Braver Angels</a> after spending five years with the organization as a volunteer, a transition he describes as both unexpected and deeply purposeful.
&nbsp;

In Memory of Lenwood Sloan (Re-Broadcast) and Braver Angels

 DOJ efforts to seize voter records

Amish History

(00:00:00)

This episode explores two very different stories unfolding in Pennsylvania. Both centered on who is counted, who is protected, and who holds power. We begin with an investigation into the U.S. Justice Department’s lawsuit against states, including Pennsylvania, for refusing to hand over voter registration rolls. Drawing on a December 5th Mother Jones report, we examine the push to compare state voter data with commercial datasets and the broader effort to build the nation’s first federal voter database, one that could include sensitive personal information such as voting history, party affiliation, Social Security numbers, and driver’s license data.

Critics warn that such a database could expose millions of Americans to data breaches, reinforce false claims of widespread voter fraud, and provide political cover for purging eligible voters from the rolls. Potentially undermining future elections.

(00:22:37)

In the second half of the episode, we turn to one of Pennsylvania’s most distinctive and often misunderstood communities: the Amish. With insights informed by scholarship from the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College, we explore Amish history, religious beliefs, and cultural practices, and consider what their commitment to community, privacy, and separation from state power can teach us about democracy, citizenship, and life beyond constant surveillance.

Together, these conversations ask a larger question: in an age of data collection and political control, what does it mean to truly respect individual freedom and community autonomy?

(00:00:00)
This episode explores two very different stories unfolding in Pennsylvania. Both centered on who is counted, who is protected, and who holds power. We begin with an investigation into the U.S. Justice Department&rsquo;s lawsuit against states, including Pennsylvania, for refusing to hand over voter registration rolls. Drawing on a December 5th Mother Jones report, we examine the push to compare state voter data with commercial datasets and the broader effort to build the nation&rsquo;s first federal voter database, one that could include sensitive personal information such as voting history, party affiliation, Social Security numbers, and driver&rsquo;s license data.
Critics warn that such a database could expose millions of Americans to data breaches, reinforce false claims of widespread voter fraud, and provide political cover for purging eligible voters from the rolls. Potentially undermining future elections.
(00:22:37)
In the second half of the episode, we turn to one of Pennsylvania&rsquo;s most distinctive and often misunderstood communities: the Amish. With insights informed by scholarship from the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College, we explore Amish history, religious beliefs, and cultural practices, and consider what their commitment to community, privacy, and separation from state power can teach us about democracy, citizenship, and life beyond constant surveillance.
Together, these conversations ask a larger question: in an age of data collection and political control, what does it mean to truly respect individual freedom and community autonomy?

Pennsylvania Turnpike Unveils New Sideling Hill Trailhead for Hikers and Cyclists

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