Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What happens to downtown if Whitaker Center’s funding push falls short?
Coming up on the Harrisburg Patch calendar: Beers & Business at The Ball Park
Coffee in hand, Harrisburg? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- What happens to downtown if Whitaker Center's funding push falls short?
- Investigators probe deadly Lower Swatara fire that drew Harrisburg crews
- State civil-rights watchdog in Harrisburg responds to rising antisemitic incidents
Also on today's calendar: House of Heavy and 7 more events.
Today's riddle: What do evil hens lay? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Wednesday: Fog in the morning, with a high of 87 and low of 69 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Thursday: A shower and thunderstorm, temps: high: 81, low: 64.
- Friday: Partly sunny and less humid, with a high of 80 and low of 66 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Whitaker Center issues a 'call to action' amid funding challenges (witf.org) — Harrisburg's Whitaker Center says it faces immediate cash-flow pressures and needs stronger ticket sales, donations, and public funding to stay sustainable, though leaders stress it's not in crisis. With only about a decade of runway under worst-case projections, the downtown anchor is courting federal help, state grants, and regional philanthropy to keep its science exhibits, camps, and theater programming driving Harrisburg's economy and culture. 
2. Police: Two killed before third person set Lower Swatara Township home on fire (wgal.com) — A deadly house fire in nearby Lower Swatara Township left three people dead after police say one person fatally assaulted two others, then set the home ablaze and later died in the fire. Multiple departments, including Harrisburg city firefighters and Harrisburg International Airport crews, battled the flames, and Dauphin County investigators are still piecing together what happened.
3. PHRC Condemns Vandalization of Weitzman National Museum (pa.gov) — From its Harrisburg headquarters, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission is condemning a second antisemitic vandalism incident at Philadelphia's Weitzman National Museum and urging residents to report discrimination. The agency highlights a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents statewide and reminds Harrisburg-area residents that religious discrimination is illegal in employment, housing, education, and public accommodations across Pennsylvania.
4. Governors' races are being increasingly buffeted by the toxic politics of data centers (wmtv15news.com) — From Harrisburg, Gov. Josh Shapiro is tightening the rules for data center projects, saying developers must cover their full power costs, limit water use, and win local approval before getting state tax breaks or fast-track permits. The move comes as communities across Pennsylvania, including those near Harrisburg, push back against massive, energy-hungry facilities and as governors nationwide rethink generous incentives.
5. Shapiro signs executive order banning data center NDA's, adding development restrictions (shensentinel.com) — Announced from Harrisburg, Gov. Josh Shapiro has signed an executive order tightening oversight of data center development in Pennsylvania, including banning NDAs for local officials and removing projects from the state's fast-track permitting. The move responds to a surge of speculative proposals and aims to give communities more transparency and leverage before any large AI or cloud facilities move forward.
📸 Around Harrisburg
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Harrisburg
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Beers & Business at The Ball Park →
Harrisburg Senators, 1 Championship Way, Harrisburg
5:00 pm
Thursday August 27
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Stormwater Authority Meeting
Penbrook Borough 150 S 28th St, Harrisburg, PA 17103
6:30 pm - Open House Events at Elementary Schools
Harrisburg City SD Harrisburg, PA 17101
4:30 pm - Penbrook Revitalization Meeting
Penbrook Borough 150 S 28th St, Harrisburg, PA 17103
6:00 pm - House of Heavy →
Capital City Music Hall - Lower Level 234 N 2nd St Harrisburg, PA 17101
8:00 pm - Borough Budget Meeting
Penbrook Borough 150 S 28th St, Harrisburg, PA 17103
6:30 pm - Autism Open House at Ben Franklin, Downey, and Foose Schools. For
Harrisburg City SD Harrisburg, PA 17101
4:00 pm - Business Meeting
Harrisburg City SD https://hbgsd.zoom.us/j/86392550317?pwd=J77tx6EST5AH6JOMukHwXZrD8a
6:00 pm - First Day of School
Harrisburg City SD Harrisburg, PA 17101 - SilverSneakers® Classes at Juniper Village at Mount Joy →
Juniper Village at Mount Joy, 607 Hearthstone Ln, Mount Joy
11:00 am
Wednesday August 19
Thursday August 20
Saturday August 22
Monday August 24
Tuesday August 25
Wednesday August 26
Thursday September 3
📣 Harrisburg Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Open House Events at Middle and High Schools, Cougar Academy, and
Harrisburg City SD Harrisburg, PA 17101
5:00 pm - TWH - 3rd Grade Orientation
Susquehanna Township SD TH Gym
5:00 pm - Stormwater Authority Meeting
Penbrook Borough 150 S 28th St, Harrisburg, PA 17103
6:30 pm - MS Information Night
East Pennsboro Area SD East Pennsboro Area High School
6:30 pm
Wednesday August 19
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Harrisburg PatchAM possible:
- Creative Building Concepts — (717) 563-6248
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- In-Pulse Special Report: A Pennsylvania Employer's Guide to OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens and First Aid —Donna Ryan Read on Patch
- Hi I have come across a US citizen but sick and homeless.
I have given shelter now for two days. She seems to have medication for Mental issue too. Not sure where to take her for free shelter and medication… (Nextdoor Linglestown) - Update: Thank you everyone that had the positive and caring/supporting comments, I just want to update that I am currently talking to someone that I need to make a final decision but again thank you everyone for your help and support!
Hello I live in Harrisburg on Derry st and I'm looking for a good home for a bonded brother and sister (cats) I can not give them the attention they… (Nextdoor Allison Hill)
- TIBCO Software, Inc. posted a job opening for Floor Care Specialist in Harrisburg. Apply here.
- ServiceMaster Clean posted a job opening for Part Time Evening Cleaning in Middletown in Harrisburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Harrisburg here.
Ok Harrisburg! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Deviled eggs (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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