The Spark

25/07/2024

We'll be speaking with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission about the elimination of toll plazas, as well as a phishing scam targeting EZ-Pass customers. What questions do you have?

23/07/2024

A little more than a year after a fire destroyed the Broad Street Market's brick building, we check in on the progress of recovery efforts.

Aired; July 22nd, 2024.It’s been a little after a year since the Broad Street Market in Harrisburg caught on fire. Half of the building was […]

16/07/2024

We'd like to thank Lesa Brackbill, Author for sharing her heartbreaking and inspiring story.

Aired; July 15th, 2024.Lesa Brackbill is a wife, mother, advocate, and author raising awareness about Krabbe Disease.Her daughter Victoria was bor […]

12/07/2024

Dauphin County Drug & Alcohol Services is hosting its first annual Youth Summer Sports Fest this summer.

Aired; July 11th, 2024.The Dauphin County’s Drug and Alcohol Services is hosting its first annual ‘Youth Summer Sports Fest’.It began in Jun […]

11/07/2024

The 2nd Annual Harrisburg Fringe Festival begins July 18. Check out our conversation with the festival's Co-producers Chris Gibson and Brianna Dow, plus two artists behind River City Stories, Paul Hood and Wallace McKelvey.

The Harrisburg Fringe Festival is making its return on July 18-21. The festival provides a space and opportunity for artists to emerge and showcas […]

10/07/2024

The heatwave persists in Central PA. Daniel McCunney the Communications Senior Manager for the East Region for NRG Energy recently shared some tips on conserving energy as you try to keep cool.

Aired; July 9th, 2024.The cost of keeping cool during the summer heat is expected to rise 12 percent this year, according to the National Energy A […]

09/07/2024

Learn about the Democracy Defense Project, a bipartisan group working to build confidence in our election systems.

Aired; July 9th, 2024.A bipartisan election protection group is banding together to support the security of American elections.The Spark host Asia […]

08/07/2024

Hear the fascinating story behind the SS United States or "America's Flagship." This luxury ocean liner set the trans-Atlantic speed record on her maiden voyage in 1952, and still holds it today. She's currently docked in the Delaware River at a pier in South Philadelphia but is looking for a new home. The SS United States Conservancy on was on The Spark to share her story...

Aired; July 8th, 2024.The SS United States Conversancy has issued a $500,000 emergency fundraiser to rehome America’s flagship. The SS United St […]

28/06/2024

On The Spark Today: Jason Martz, Communications Specialist at Gettysburg National Military Park & Eisenhower National Historic Site talks about the renovations at Little Roundtop as well as events of interest this summer. Plus, abc27 News Meteorologist Dan Tomaso tells us about "Tornado Alley" and its observed shift eastward. Finally, summer pet safety tips from Humane Society of Harrisburg Area.

13/06/2024

We are happy to welcome Asia Tabb to our team as the new host of The Spark. She joins us with an extensive background in television news and radio hosting. She can’t wait to dive into her new role.

“I am so excited to join the WITF team and become the next host of The Spark,” Tabb said. “I love the Central Pennsylvania community and can’t wait to host conversations about interesting topics from around the world and in the area.”

We hope you join us in giving her a warm welcome! The Spark returns on Thursday, June 20.

https://www.witf.org/2024/06/13/asia-tabb-announced-as-the-new-host-of-the-spark-on-witf-89-5-93-3/

05/06/2024

We hope you're enjoying Possible while The Spark takes a short break. Today's episode asks, "What if society completely phased out fossil fuels?" Guest Saul Griffin joins the show to discuss how this future is actually possible. Listen, today at noon.

30/05/2024

The calm before the storm! Getting ready for Scott LaMar’s final broadcast and I get to do the interview (honored!!!!)

23/05/2024

Horticulturalist Erica Jo Shaffer with gardening tips. Also on the program, spoken word artist Thunda Cat talks about new poetry showcase.

22/05/2024

Pennsylvania has a severe teacher shortage, according to a new report. One of those who worked on the report – Dr. Edward Fuller, a Professor of Education at Penn State is on The Spark. Also on the program, Ana White and Yanni Williams of Young Professionals of Color talk about next month’s Juneteenth celebration in Harrisburg.

21/05/2024

A focus on access to mental health treatment with Alison Pidgeon, CEO and Valerie McNicholl, COO of Move Forward Counseling, LLC. Also, Dr. KimberLee Mudge of UPMC York talks about the temperature controlled greenhouse she started at York Hospital.

20/05/2024

Best-selling author Eric Jay Dolan talks about his new book – Left for Dead: Shipwreck, Treachery, and Survival at the Edge of the World. Also on the program, attorney Michelle Blatte of Lancaster Bail discusses the role of bail in criminal cases.

17/05/2024

Today's episode will be hosted by Marquis Lupton-WITF and today he's bringing to the studio:

Bright Side Opportunities Center Sally Winchell and her Iron Mustangs join us in-studio to discuss the Senior Games at Spooky Nook Sports!

Also Eric Kennel of Compass Mark joins us to discuss National Prevention Week!

16/05/2024

The role of the Women, Infants and Children or WIC program. PA WIC Director Sally Zubairu-Cofield and Robin Rohrbaugh, President and CEO of the Community Progress Council are on The Spark. Also on the program, TJ Foltz whose business Humankind, focuses on providing clean water worldwide.

15/05/2024

The deadline for restoration goals of the Chesapeake Bay is in 2025. What comes next? Harry Campbell of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Pennsylvania is on The Spark. Also on the program, tomorrow is Mental Health Action Day. Dr. Matthew Hurford of UPMC Community Care Behavioral Health and Jihan Owens-Tyler from Elizabethtown College talk about advances in mental health services.

15/05/2024

On Friday we speak with Sally’s Iron Mustangs! Which is a group of women 60+ that have been participating and training for the Senior Games at Spooky Nook Sports!!!

14/05/2024

Penn State Health is working with more than 100 organizations to provide healthy food to those who are food insecure. Ashley Visco, Community Health Director at Penn State Health and Zachary Zook, Senior Policy Research Manager with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank on The Spark. Also on the program, UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital is being recognized for their work in women’s health and Black patient outcomes. Dr. Sharee Livingston is on The Spark to tell us more.

13/05/2024

WBAL NewsRadio’s Robert Lang provides an update on a major milestone today and big week in the clean-up of the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore. Also on the program, Jimmy Rosen, co-author of the new book Lost Service Stations of Central Pennsylvania. Finally, author Jennifer E. Hassel attacked life in unique ways after her husband’s death.

10/05/2024

On today's "menu":
Open Stage Harrisburg joins us to discuss their upcoming play "What The Constitution Means To Me", we then welcome Cheryl Holland-Jones and her daughter Amber to the show to discuss the upcoming stage play that'll be premiering at the Millersville University's The Ware Center - Millersville University And then our final guests are Joshua Hunter from the Crispus Attucks Community Center in Lancaster joins us with some special guests from Spring House Brewing Co. to tell us about their unique fundraiser!

Join Marquis Lupton-WITF for another Friday on The Spark!

10/05/2024

NEXT Friday (5/17) we’ll have a few ladies join us fresh from the Senior Games at Spooky Nook Sports What would you ask these strong women?

09/05/2024

New York Times best-selling novelist Jeff Shaara talks about his new book The Shadow of War center on the Cuban Missile Crisis. Also on the program, we learn about the Mid-Atlantic Intergenerational conference that aims to promote intergenerational collaboration and understanding.

08/05/2024

Terri Heck with the Pennsylvania State Working Animal Foundation talks about all that working animals do. Also, on the program, cast members from the Harrisburg Theatre production of Seussical.

07/05/2024

Today we learned a lot of important information about substance abuse and alcoholism.

Dr. Judy Grisel from Bucknell University came and spoke with us about her experience with substance abuse, as well as her research on the topic.

Grisel and her team of researchers used mice to experiment with the impact on the brain from the first time they consumed alcohol.

07/05/2024

Bucknell University psychology and neuroscience Professor Judy Grisel led new research that showed the effect a single exposure to alcohol can have on the brains of some people and their lives going forward. Also on the program, jazz musician Champian Fulton talks about her career and upcoming tour and album.

03/05/2024

Join us for ANOTHER great show:

Marquis Lupton-WITF interviews Corey Dupree of Men Raising Black Boys Conference - Powered by Black Men Heal about his upcoming conference, and why he feels as though it's needed!

Also: The dynamic duo of Sugey Cruz and Greg Poppa stop by the show to discuss Cold_Shortfilm before they take it on the road to multiple film festivals!