In downtown Lancaster, a cozy and colorful new business is creating a buzz — not just for its coffee, but for its cuddly residents and inclusive vibe. Co-founded by Jax Lanza and John Bender, two professionals who left careers in teaching and law, the cat café is more than just a trendy hangout. It’s a passion project rooted in community, comfort, and connection.

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Harrisburg is charting a bold course for revitalizing its downtown core—one that blends short-term wins with a long-term vision rooted in community input, economic development, and local identity.

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The 69th Edition of the WITF Central PA Spelling Bee was held on March 15, 2025, at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. Over 200 spellers from 10 Central PA counties participated in this year’s Bee. After an online written test, the top 33 spellers have qualified for the Grand Championship Bee. The winner competed at the 100th Scripps National Spelling Bee in the Washington, DC area in May.

WITF and Pennon Education are excited to announce that Akshaj Somisetty is the top speller of the 2025 Central PA Spelling Bee for the second consecutive year, earning the opportunity to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May 2025.

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Coming up on this week's edition of The Spark Weekly.

June marks Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to spotlight the unique challenges men face in seeking mental health support. Dr. Luke Piper, a psychiatrist at UPMC Lititz, joined The Spark Weekly to share both professional insights and a deeply personal story.

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.

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In a time of deep political division, two leaders with vastly different backgrounds—one in marketing, the other in human resources—are helping Pennsylvanians find common ground through Braver Angels, a national nonprofit focused on depolarization.

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As Pennsylvania approaches its June 30 budget deadline, the state Capitol is bustling with legislative maneuvering, behind-the-scenes negotiations, and intense public advocacy. But according to journalists closely watching the process, it’s still early—and anything could happen.

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Long before founding Pennsylvania, William Penn Jr. was just “a guy in England,” according to historian Daniel K. Richter. But his story—and the colony he helped establish—was anything but ordinary.

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The spotlight is once again shining bright in Hershey as the 17th season of the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards kicks off—an annual celebration of high school theater talent from across Central Pennsylvania.

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