Flooding is the most common and costly natural hazard in Pennsylvania — and now the state is taking a high-tech step forward in predicting and preparing for it.

The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) has partnered with Penn State University and the National Weather Service to modernize the Integrated Flood Observation and Warning System, or iFLOWS, first launched in the 1970s and 80s.

Flooding is the most common and costly natural hazard in Pennsylvania &mdash; and now the state is taking a high-tech step forward in predicting and preparing for it.
The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) has partnered with Penn State University and the National Weather Service to modernize the Integrated Flood Observation and Warning System, or <a href="https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pema/newsroom/shapiro-administration-highlights-upgraded-weather-monitoring-sy">iFLOWS</a>, first launched in the 1970s and 80s.

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 Upgrades Flood Monitoring System with iFLOWS 2.0

Magic School Bus LIVE

Tariffs and Christmas Shopping

(00:00:00)

Hop on the Magic School Bus for an interplanetary adventure, both on stage and in the real world. In this episode, we look at The Magic School Bus Live! a new musical adaptation that sends Ms. Frizzle and her class hurtling through the solar system when a field trip goes delightfully off course. As our local NPR/PBS station, we explore why high-quality live shows like this matter, what goes into producing them, and how educational programming strengthens learning across our state.

(00:22:44)

Then, we shift from the world of theatre to the world of supply chains with Bucknell University professor Jimmy Chen, who explains how global tariff pressures are already affecting toy and electronics inventory this season. From turbulent sourcing strategies to shrinking holiday selections, we unpack what families can expect on store shelves, and why shopping early may be more important than ever.

An episode that blends creativity, curiosity, and real-world context: how we learn, how we produce, and how big systems shape the everyday lives of kids and parents alike.

(00:00:00)
Hop on the Magic School Bus for an interplanetary adventure, both on stage and in the real world. In this episode, we look at&nbsp;The Magic School Bus Live! a new musical adaptation that sends Ms. Frizzle and her class hurtling through the solar system when a field trip goes delightfully off course. As our local NPR/PBS station, we explore why high-quality live shows like this matter, what goes into producing them, and how educational programming strengthens learning across our state.
(00:22:44)
Then, we shift from the world of theatre to the world of supply chains with Bucknell University professor Jimmy Chen, who explains how global tariff pressures are already affecting toy and electronics inventory this season. From turbulent sourcing strategies to shrinking holiday selections, we unpack what families can expect on store shelves, and why shopping early may be more important than ever.
An episode that blends creativity, curiosity, and real-world context: how we learn, how we produce, and how big systems shape the everyday lives of kids and parents alike.

Seatbelts Everyone! The Magic School Bus, Kids’ Learning & What’s on the Shelves This Season

Historian Chrissie Senecal joined The Spark to explore how people throughout history have understood comets and meteors, especially long before modern science could explain what was happening in the sky. With the Geminid meteor shower lighting up December skies and holiday traditions top of mind, the conversation tied celestial events to seasonal stories, including legends surrounding the Star of Bethlehem. Senecal walked through what comets actually are, where they come from, and how ancient observers first recognized them as something different from stars or planets—often seeing them as omens or messages rather than natural objects.

Cumberland County athletes rallied at Ace Pickleball Club in Enola, PA, pushing through a nonstop 48-hour pickleball match to break a world record—while each player competed for a different charity or cause. In this episode, we dive into the endurance, community spirit, and rising popularity of the sport.

<a href="https://chrissysenecal.com/">Historian</a>&nbsp;Chrissie Senecal joined The Spark to explore how people throughout history have understood comets and meteors, especially long before modern science could explain what was happening in the sky. With the Geminid meteor shower lighting up December skies and holiday traditions top of mind, the conversation tied celestial events to seasonal stories, including legends surrounding the Star of Bethlehem. Senecal walked through what comets actually are, where they come from, and how ancient observers first recognized them as something different from stars or planets&mdash;often seeing them as omens or messages rather than natural objects.
Cumberland County athletes rallied at Ace Pickleball Club in Enola, PA, pushing through a nonstop 48-hour pickleball match to break a world record&mdash;while each player competed for a different charity or cause. In this episode, we dive into the endurance, community spirit, and rising popularity of the sport.

The Spark Weekly 12.14.2025: World Record Pickleball Game and Comets, Christmas, and the Cosmos.

Journalist Roundtable

AIDs Resource

In this episode, we dive into three critical conversations shaping Pennsylvania’s political, economic, and public-health landscape.

(00:00:00)

First, Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA joins us to discuss her reporting on the use of taxpayer dollars for security upgrades at Governor Josh Shapiro’s private residence. She explains what her investigation uncovered, why the spending matters, and how it fits into larger questions of transparency and public trust.

Then, we turn to national politics with Roger DuPuis of WVIA, who breaks down former President Trump’s recent visit to northeastern Pennsylvania and his messaging on the economy. Roger shares on-the-ground insights, voter reactions, and what this visit signals heading into the election season.

(00:22:28)

Finally, we shift to community health with Kirsten Burkhart, Executive Director of AIDS Resource and Founder & Executive Director of AR Health. Kirsten traces the organization’s evolution from its founding in 1988, providing compassionate support for individuals dying from AIDS in Lycoming County, to its current role as a comprehensive primary-care provider for people living with HIV and members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. She highlights ongoing challenges, expanded services, and the life-saving work happening in Williamsport, State College, and beyond.

 

In this episode, we dive into three critical conversations shaping Pennsylvania&rsquo;s political, economic, and public-health landscape.
(00:00:00)
First, Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA joins us to discuss her reporting on the use of taxpayer dollars for security upgrades at Governor Josh Shapiro&rsquo;s private residence. She explains what her investigation uncovered, why the spending matters, and how it fits into larger questions of transparency and public trust.
Then, we turn to national politics with Roger DuPuis of WVIA, who breaks down former President Trump&rsquo;s recent visit to northeastern Pennsylvania and his messaging on the economy. Roger shares on-the-ground insights, voter reactions, and what this visit signals heading into the election season.
(00:22:28)
Finally, we shift to community health with Kirsten Burkhart, Executive Director of AIDS Resource and Founder &amp; Executive Director of AR Health. Kirsten traces the organization&rsquo;s evolution from its founding in 1988, providing compassionate support for individuals dying from AIDS in Lycoming County, to its current role as a comprehensive primary-care provider for people living with HIV and members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. She highlights ongoing challenges, expanded services, and the life-saving work happening in Williamsport, State College, and beyond.
&nbsp;

Pennsylvania Upgrades Flood Monitoring System with iFLOWS 2.0

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