First, we head into the classroom at Harrisburg Academy, where IB English students—guided by teacher Peter Frengel—are analyzing how media bias, algorithms, and online communities shape our understanding of current events.

The episode then turns to the future of public broadcasting. Steven Bass of Oregon Public Media and Matias Vernegno of the Bucknell Institute for Public Policy discuss the pressures facing public media, the shift toward more locally focused models, and why the distinction between public and commercial news still matters.

First, we head into the classroom at Harrisburg Academy, where IB English students&mdash;guided by teacher Peter Frengel&mdash;are analyzing how media bias, algorithms, and online communities shape our understanding of current events.
The episode then turns to the future of public broadcasting. Steven Bass of Oregon Public Media and Matias Vernegno of the Bucknell Institute for Public Policy discuss the pressures facing public media, the shift toward more locally focused models, and why the distinction between public and commercial news still matters.

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>.

The Spark Weekly | March 1st | Teaching Media Literacy and Reimagining Public Broadcasting 

Ephraim's Slaughter

Cursive in Schools

(00:00:00)

We look back at Ephraim Slaughter: Freedom’s Witness, the one-act production created for the Annual Dauphin County Black History Celebration by Sankofa African American Theatre Company and Gamut Theatre, in partnership with the National Civil War Museum. Actors Marcus McGhee and Melinda Anderson help us revisit the life of Ephraim Slaughter—a man born enslaved who became a Union Army veteran, community leader, and witness to a century of American change. Through their performances, the play brings audiences into a Harrisburg room in 1943, where memory, resilience, and long-silenced truths finally speak.

(00:22:02)

Then we turn to a new Pennsylvania law requiring cursive handwriting instruction in schools. Dr. Kerry Hasler-Brooks and Dr. Sarah Fischer explore why cursive still matters—from reading historical documents to strengthening cognitive development, deepening literacy skills, and slowing down enough to think critically in a fast-paced digital world. Together, they make the case that preserving history isn’t just about the stories we tell—it’s about ensuring future generations can read them.

(00:00:00)
We look back at&nbsp;Ephraim Slaughter: Freedom&rsquo;s Witness, the one-act production created for the Annual Dauphin County Black History Celebration by Sankofa African American Theatre Company and Gamut Theatre, in partnership with the National Civil War Museum. Actors Marcus McGhee and Melinda Anderson help us revisit the life of Ephraim Slaughter&mdash;a man born enslaved who became a Union Army veteran, community leader, and witness to a century of American change. Through their performances, the play brings audiences into a Harrisburg room in 1943, where memory, resilience, and long-silenced truths finally speak.
(00:22:02)
Then we turn to a new Pennsylvania law requiring cursive handwriting instruction in schools. Dr. Kerry Hasler-Brooks and Dr. Sarah Fischer explore why cursive still matters&mdash;from reading historical documents to strengthening cognitive development, deepening literacy skills, and slowing down enough to think critically in a fast-paced digital world. Together, they make the case that preserving history isn&rsquo;t just about the stories we tell&mdash;it&rsquo;s about ensuring future generations can read them.

From Ephraim Slaughter to Cursive Literacy: Preserving Black History and the Skills to Understand It

Journalist Roundtable

Bucknell Lecture 

(00:00:00)

Sydney and Emily report on how immigration enforcement is unfolding across Pennsylvania — from a State College man taken into ICE custody immediately after his decades‑old conviction was vacated, to the rapid spread of ICE 287(g) agreements that let local police perform federal immigration functions. Their coverage looks at why these agreements are expanding, why they’re controversial, and how they’re driving community backlash and political fallout.

(00:22:30)
The episode then turns to the future of public broadcasting. Steven Bass of Oregon Public Media and Matias Vernegno of the Bucknell Institute for Public Policy discuss the pressures facing public media, the shift toward more locally focused models, and why the distinction between public and commercial news still matters.

(00:00:00)
Sydney and Emily report on how immigration enforcement is unfolding across Pennsylvania &mdash; from a State College man taken into ICE custody immediately after his decades‑old conviction was vacated, to the rapid spread of ICE 287(g) agreements that let local police perform federal immigration functions. Their coverage looks at why these agreements are expanding, why they&rsquo;re controversial, and how they&rsquo;re driving community backlash and political fallout.
(00:22:30) The episode then turns to the future of public broadcasting. Steven Bass of Oregon Public Media and Matias Vernegno of the Bucknell Institute for Public Policy discuss the pressures facing public media, the shift toward more locally focused models, and why the distinction between public and commercial news still matters.

Community, Accountability, and Information: ICE Partnerships and Public Broadcasting’s Next Chapter

Spring Planting and Gardening

Media Bias with Harrisburg Academy

(00:00:00)

We start with Penn State Extension Master Gardeners Heather Freeland and Shirley Halk, who share practical, research‑backed tips for spring planting.

(00:22:33)

Then we head into the classroom at Harrisburg Academy, where IB English students—guided by teacher Peter Frengel—are analyzing how media bias, algorithms, and online communities shape our understanding of current events.

(00:00:00)
We start with Penn State Extension Master Gardeners Heather Freeland and Shirley Halk, who share practical, research‑backed tips for spring planting.
(00:22:33)
Then we head into the classroom at Harrisburg Academy, where IB English students&mdash;guided by teacher Peter Frengel&mdash;are analyzing how media bias, algorithms, and online communities shape our understanding of current events.

The Spark Weekly | March 1st | Teaching Media Literacy and Reimagining Public Broadcasting

The Spark

In 1 playlist(s)

The Spark

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips