The Morning Agenda

WITF
  • 5.0 (26)
  • Daily News
  • Updated Daily

Sometimes, your mornings are just too busy to catch the news beyond a headline or two. Don’t worry. The Morning Agenda has got your back. Each weekday morning, The Morning Agenda will keep you informed, amused, enlightened and up-to-date on what’s happening in central Pennsylvania and the rest of this great commonwealth. And every Friday, The Morning Agenda includes The Bright Spot, a positive news story that may have gotten lost amid the week’s news cycle.

  1. 1d ago

    PA Headlines | Aug. 21 | Harrisburg’s Whitaker Center faces financial headwinds.

    Harrisburg’s Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts is facing financial headwinds. Leadership says the science and arts center has 10 years of financial runway left, worst-case scenario. One person is dead and two Pennsylvania State Police officers are injured following a plane crash Wednesday night in Cumberland County. Corporal Bryce Corman and Trooper Jason Mills are in stable condition and expected to be okay. We have an update on this violent crash. Earlier this week, Governor Josh Shapiro signed an executive order to force data center developers to comply with his standards for the industry. Ahead of the signing, Shapiro mentioned his visit to the borough of Archbald in Lackawanna County, which is facing the most data center proposals of any location in the state. Now, one Archbald advocate says Shapiro’s order doesn’t go far enough. Schools in southcentral Pennsylvania will receive more than $420,000 in state funding to continue providing free period products to students. The Hershey community is invited to Milton Hershey's 169th birthday party. And we have a deep dive, in our weekly segment called The Bright Spot. Every Friday, we share a positive news story that may have gotten lost amid this week's news cycle. Today’s bright spot is this: Little League World Series play is getting underway in Lycoming County. But the wider community turned out in droves on Tuesday to greet players and families during the annual Grand Slam parade in downtown Williamsport.  It’s been one year since public media's federal funding was revoked. Thanks to our community, we're still here for you and looking toward the future. Join the thousands of members who are building a stronger WITF. Go to  www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.

  2. 2d ago

    PA Headlines | Aug. 20 | Crash injures two state police troopers, kills a pilot.

    One person is dead and two Pennsylvania State Police officers were injured following a Wednesday evening crash at an airport in Cumberland County. It was a violent collision between a state police helicopter and a small airplane. Gov. Josh Shapiro on Tuesday signed an executive order to impose stricter regulations on data center development. Shapiro is the latest in a string of governors across the county shifting their stances or taking steps to crack down on data center development, as public opinion sours. The State Inspector General and Dauphin County DA are charging dozens of people in a SNAP trafficking operation. Democrats are declaring victory in a state House special election in Butler County, though the margin is razor-thin. With three months to go until midterms, Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt joined other officials last week to push back on election misinformation. In one of the most competitive congressional districts in the country, the 7th in northeastern PA, a strange fight is brewing between the Pennsylvania Green Party and a candidate who is petitioning to appear on the ballot under their label. Police say one of the three people found inside a burning Dauphin County home Monday morning killed the other two and used an accelerant to set the home on fire. State Ag Secretary Russell Redding recently honored a dozen Pennsylvania farms that have been in the same family for 100 years. The "century farms" include two in Perry County. It’s been one year since public media's federal funding was revoked. Thanks to our community, we're still here for you and looking toward the future. Join the thousands of members who are building a stronger WITF. Go to  www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.

  3. 3d ago

    PA Headlines | Aug. 19 | Pa. nonprofits win a federal lawsuit vs. the Trump Admin.

    The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, along with 21 other nonprofit organizations, has won a federal lawsuit against the Trump Administration. PCADV says new guidelines would have made them choose between its funding and its mission. More than a dozen current or former Penn State students are facing drug trafficking charges. PennDOT is finalizing plans for a project designed to improve safety for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists on one of Harrisburg’s oldest bridges. PennDOT is asking the public to provide feedback. The Pennsylvania Turnpike is seeing improving finances, but debt management and unpaid toll collection continue as challenges. That's according to an audit of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. The Pennsylvania Game Commission is ending its Deputy Warden Program. A spokesperson with the Pennsylvania Game Commission says the program is ending effective September 1st. Hope House of Cumberland Valley will break ground on the county's first transitional home this Thursday, August 20th. It will be dedicated to survivors of domestic abuse. Five school districts in the state's 100th House District will receive grant funding for school safety and mental health. Some Pennsylvania schools are cutting off charter students' access to yellow school buses after a court ruling. Triple-A is reminding parents and college students to prepare for their return to campus by making sure car maintenance and insurance are up-to-date. It’s been one year since public media's federal funding was revoked. Thanks to our community, we're still here for you and looking toward the future. Join the thousands of members who are building a stronger WITF. Go to  www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.

  4. 4d ago

    PA Headlines | Aug. 18 | How can Pa. farmers survive amid high fertilizer prices?

    A sharp increase in fertilizer prices is one of the challenges American farmers, including here in Pennsylvania, have been facing this year. The fertilizer shortage -- and a possible long-term solution -- were the focus of a session last week at Penn State’s Ag Progress Days. More than 31 thousand Pennsylvanians lost 538 million dollars last year to elder exploitation and scams. And some officials believe it’s time to update the commonwealth’s Older Adult Protective Services Act. To keep in compliance with the federal Clean Water Act, states are required to complete what's known as an Integrated Water Quality Report every two years. Spooky season is coming this fall. Haunted attraction operators now need to submit safety plans before hiring performers under 18 years old. And now a deeper dive: Northeastern Pennsylvania’s Triple-A baseball team will soon have a new name for the first time in over a dozen years. It’s been one year since public media's federal funding was revoked. Thanks to our community, we're still here for you and looking toward the future. Join the thousands of members who are building a stronger WITF. Go to  www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.

  5. 5d ago

    PA Headlines | Aug. 17 | Opposition to data centers grows, according to Pa. researchers.

    State Sen. James Malone and Lancaster County officials are asking the Pennsylvania Senate to pass legislation that would allow a pause on data center development.  A recent survey from the University of Pennsylvania finds opposition to data centers has jumped significantly among both Democrats and Republicans. Why is the Green Party trying to have a candidate for the US House from the Green Party removed from the ballot? Even though Labor Day weekend is three weeks away, a national crackdown on impaired driving is kicking off now - and stretching through Labor Day on September 7th. PennDOT and Pennsylvania State Police are taking part. A new law in Pennsylvania aims to resolve a long-standing legal battle over natural gas rights, but it might have sparked more complications.  The NFL Draft generated $177 million in economic impact across the Pittsburgh region, according to reports released last week. Today we take a deep dive into one of today’s most pressing chronic health issues, obesity. How doctors talk about weight gain with patients can mean difficult conversations. If you already support WITF with an ongoing monthly contribution, thank you. If every member of WITF's Sustaining Circle increased their gift by as little as $12 a month, we could close the budget gap caused by cuts in federal funding and keep this programming going strong. Increase your monthly gift today athttps://witf.org/increase or become a new sustaining member at www.witf.org/givenow. And thanks!

  6. Aug 14

    PA Headlines | Aug. 14 | Violent crime rates are falling – but there’s one uptick in Pa.

    Violent crime in the commonwealth has fallen to pre-COVID-19 pandemic rates almost across the board. State Attorney General Dave Sunday says there’s some good news in those numbers but warned about upticks in drug trafficking. Dauphin County Commissioners have approved another year of free evening parking in Downtown Harrisburg from 5 to 7 pm. But they say they want feedback and data on whether it's helping businesses. Businesses say it is. Norfolk Southern says federal investigators will look into the cause of Tuesday’s train derailment at the Horseshoe Curve in Altoona.  A former PennDOT employee is charged with embezzling more than $33,000 by overcharging her department-issued credit card. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is adding a forest in Schuylkill County to the national Old-Growth Forest Network. Kyle Robinson, a Waterways Conservation Officer covering Mifflin and northern Huntingdon counties, is receiving statewide recognition  A memorial service this Sunday will honor the life of Dick Knoebel. The former President of Knoebels Amusement Resort passed away on July 16th at the age of 87. And now it’s time for our weekly segment called The Bright Spot.   Every Friday, I’ll share a positive news story that may have gotten lost amid this week's news cycle.    Today’s bright spot is this:  Mini-THONs from across Pennsylvania and neighboring states raised more than $6.4 million during the 2025-26 school year to support Four Diamonds. It’s been one year since public media's federal funding was revoked. Thanks to our community, we're still here for you and looking toward the future. Join the thousands of members who are building a stronger WITF. Go to  www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.

  7. Aug 13

    PA Headlines | Aug. 13 | Pa. Democrats kick off “100% MAGA” press tour.

    Election day is less than three months away. Both candidates for Pa. Governor are ramping up their campaigns with strong messaging.  A Cumberland County man named Ashish Patel is the top donor to the super PAC of Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday is suing TikTok. The AG accuses the platform of being addictive and exposing children to mature content. At this time last year, Pennsylvania lawmakers were still embroiled in budget negotiations, which ended up going 135 days. But the state’s 2026-27 spending plan was resolved much sooner. A big factor in how long budget talks last... seems to be whether an election is coming up.  ICE is apparently considering buying immigration detention facilities in Pennsylvania. Governor Josh Shapiro recognized the Department of Labor and Industry's PennSERVE team for preserving AmeriCorps funding in the state. PennDOT is finalizing plans for its Route 30 bypass slated to be rerouted through a nature preserve. A major Cumberland County roadway will be closed to traffic this weekend. In uncertain times, our community counts on facts, not noise. Support the journalism and programming that keep you informed. Donate now at www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.

  8. Aug 12

    PA Headlines | Aug. 12 | Central PA parents worry about measles - and proposed changes to Head Start.

    The Trump Administration is trying to overhaul standards for Head Start, the early childhood education program for low-income families. Central PA experts and parents are concerned the changes will make it less effective. Measles continues to spread in Lancaster County and surrounding communities in Pennsylvania, causing officials to sound the alarm ahead of back-to-school season. They're asking residents to look out for their neighbors. A federal Board ruled US Steel’s ineffective safety procedures and siting decisions were factors in last year's fatal August 11th explosion at one of the company’s plants near Pittsburgh. The board found the explosion, which killed two workers, could have been prevented with proper safety protocols. Pennsylvania’s 500 school districts are sharing 565-million-dollars in supplemental funding, called for in the new state budget. All Pennsylvania State Police stations now have at least five sensory aid bags. They include things like headphones, fidget items, and a nonverbal communication board to help support people with autism and sensory sensitivities. The National Football League's preseason is underway. What to expect from Pennsylvania's teams – including a game on the schedule today. It’s been one year since public media's federal funding was revoked. Thanks to our community, we're still here for you and looking toward the future. Join the thousands of members who are building a stronger WITF. Go to  www.witf.org/givenow. And thank you.

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5
out of 5
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About

Sometimes, your mornings are just too busy to catch the news beyond a headline or two. Don’t worry. The Morning Agenda has got your back. Each weekday morning, The Morning Agenda will keep you informed, amused, enlightened and up-to-date on what’s happening in central Pennsylvania and the rest of this great commonwealth. And every Friday, The Morning Agenda includes The Bright Spot, a positive news story that may have gotten lost amid the week’s news cycle.

Information

  • Creator
    WITF
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    181
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 WITF
  • Show Website
    The Morning Agenda