Stories / News, Events and Issues from Central Pennsylvania

WPSU is traveling to towns across central and northern Pennsylvania to collect oral history recordings. In March, we stopped in Altoona. Travis and Krista Etters interview their grandmother, Hilda Heacox, about her husband, her career, and Depression-era Pennsylvania.

Environmentalists aren’t the only ones who want to know the effects of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, on water quality. The drilling process pumps water and chemicals into shale rock deep underground to extract natural gas. Some worry those chemicals could make their way into local water supplies. A Pennsylvania group called the Shale Network, gathered recently…

Athletes from across the state participate in a variety of competitive events during the 2013 Summer Games at Penn State. The Special Olympics brings together the hard work and support of more than 2,000 athletes.

On Memorial Day 2013 in Boalsburg, a city that bills itself as the birthplace of Memorial Day, celebrations included Civil War reenactors to entertain the crowds.

WPSU is traveling to towns across central and northern Pennsylvania to collect oral history recordings. In March, we stopped in Altoona. Lisa Purcell talks with her sister Kathy Seiler about their family history and about growing up in Lewistown.

USA Today described him as "the closest thing to a rock star" in the graphic design world. Chip Kidd is a book jacket designer for Alfred A. Knopf Publishing. He’s also a Penn State alumnus. Among his many creations is the iconic T-Rex skeleton for Michael Crichton's “Jurassic Park,” which became one of the most iconic…

In State College, Corl Street Elementary School Principal Scott Mato organized the second annual Tour de Corl Street to promote health, safety and fun during this year's National Bike Month. On Wednesday, May 22, the event brought together first to fifth-grade students, their teachers and their families. An avid biker, Mato said he believes community events…

Thirteen medical students just wrapped up their third year of medical education at the Penn State College of Medicine Regional Medical Campus located at University Park. Created in partnership with Mount Nittany Medical Center, the goal of the program is twofold: training the next generation of physicians and improving access to medical care in Centre County.…