The opioid epidemic has devastated families and communities across Pennsylvania, leaving countless individuals searching for answers, accountability, and support. As the state receives billions of dollars in settlement funds from opioid manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, the question remains: How will this money be used to address the crisis effectively?

The opioid epidemic has devastated families and communities across Pennsylvania, leaving countless individuals searching for answers, accountability, and support. As the state receives billions of dollars in settlement funds from opioid manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, the question remains: How will this money be used to address the crisis effectively?

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>.

Voices of the Epidemic: A Call for Transparency in Opioid Settlement Spending

At least two more Pennsylvania residents have been deported to Bhutan. That brings the total to eight Bhutanese refugees from Pennsylvania and 20 from across the country who have been deported back to Bhutan, according to leaders from those communities who have been tracking cases. 

In early March, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents began arresting members of the Bhutanese refugee community in Central Pennsylvania. The first deportation flight came on March 26, less than three weeks after the initial arrests, with the next flights on March 28 and April 10.

On this special episode of The Spark, Democracy Reporter Jordan Wilkie spoke with Bhutanese refugee community leaders Narad Adhikari in Pennsylvania and Sudarshan Pyakurel in Ohio, Dauphin County Commissioner Justin Douglas, veteran immigration attorney and former Department of Homeland Security appointee Kerry Doyle, Nepal-based human rights activist Gopal Krishna Siwakoti, and Craig Shagin, a lawyer for one of the recently deported men.

 

If you want to read the full story, check out Jordan's article here.

At least two more Pennsylvania residents have been&nbsp;<a href="https://www.witf.org/2025/04/02/dauphin-commissioner-calls-for-ice-to-pause-deportations-of-bhutanese-refugees/">deported to Bhutan</a>. That brings the total to eight Bhutanese refugees from Pennsylvania and 20 from across the country who have been deported back to Bhutan, according to leaders from those communities who have been tracking cases.&nbsp;
In early March, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents began arresting members of the Bhutanese refugee community in Central Pennsylvania. The first deportation flight&nbsp;<a href="https://www.witf.org/2025/03/27/kicked-out-decades-ago-4-refugees-deported-en-route-to-bhutan/">came on March 26</a>, less than three weeks after the initial arrests, with the next flights on March 28 and April 10.
On this special episode of The Spark, Democracy Reporter Jordan Wilkie spoke with Bhutanese refugee community leaders Narad Adhikari in Pennsylvania and Sudarshan Pyakurel in Ohio, Dauphin County Commissioner Justin Douglas, veteran immigration attorney and former Department of Homeland Security appointee Kerry Doyle, Nepal-based human rights activist Gopal Krishna Siwakoti, and Craig Shagin, a lawyer for one of the recently deported men.
&nbsp;
If you want to read the full story, check out Jordan's article <a href="https://www.witf.org/2025/04/16/two-more-former-refugees-deported-to-bhutan-to-be-made-stateless/">here.</a>

Two more former refugees deported to Bhutan to be made stateless 

Every June, hundreds of riders saddle up for an epic journey spanning eight states and nearly 2,000 miles — all in the name of history. On a recent episode of The Spark, host Asia Tabb caught up with Petra Keller and Linda Jenny of the National Pony Express Association to talk about the enduring legacy of the legendary Pony Express and how it continues to ride strong today.

Every June, hundreds of riders saddle up for an epic journey spanning eight states and nearly 2,000 miles &mdash; all in the name of history. On a recent episode of The Spark, host Asia Tabb caught up with Petra Keller and Linda Jenny of the <a href="https://nationalponyexpress.org/">National Pony Express Association</a> to talk about the enduring legacy of the legendary Pony Express and how it continues to ride strong today.

The Pony Express Rides Again, Pa rider shares how she got involved

As part of National Library Week, we took a closer look at the critical and evolving role libraries play in our lives. To help us understand, we welcomed two local leaders in library services—Ryan McCory, Executive Director of the Dauphin County Library System, and Carolyn Blatchley, Executive Director of the Cumberland County Library System. Together, they painted a vibrant picture of how libraries have become vital hubs of connection, learning, and community.

As part of National Library Week, we took a closer look at the critical and evolving role libraries play in our lives. To help us understand, we welcomed two local leaders in library services&mdash;Ryan McCory, Executive Director of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dcls.org/">Dauphin County Library System</a>, and Carolyn Blatchley, Executive Director of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org/">Cumberland County Library System</a>. Together, they painted a vibrant picture of how libraries have become vital hubs of connection, learning, and community.

Voices of the Epidemic: A Call for Transparency in Opioid Settlement Spending

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