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🌱 How can your students join October’s free STEM Day in State College?

And on the State College Patch calendar - 3 Dots Downtown State College

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Hello State College! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How can your students join October's free STEM Day in State College?
  • What new gear and programs are coming to SCASD this year?
  • Why Centre County's overdose rate is among Pennsylvania's lowest.

Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Rain and a t-storm; cooler, with a high of 70 and low of 58 degrees.
  • Friday: Pleasant with periods of sun, temps: high: 77, low: 60.
  • Saturday: Humid; a stray p.m. t-shower, with a high of 74 and low of 60 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Free STEM Day opens its doors for middle schoolers (lewistownsentinel.com) — Middle schoolers can dive into hands-on STEM activities at a free STEM Day for Schools on Oct. 2 at the State College YMCA, organized by Discovery Space and Kid Tech. Sessions are divided by distance and include interactive exhibits from educators, businesses, and universities. Schools and homeschool groups must register in advance, and space is limited.
   

2. School board prepares for new school year with purchase approvals (statecollege.com) — State College Area school leaders just approved a long list of purchases that will shape classrooms, athletics, and transportation for the 2026/27 year, from wrestling uniforms to robotics kits. The board also backed new culinary, engineering, and agriculture lab equipment, plus updated van contracts, meaning students will see fresh technology, hands-on learning tools, and transportation options across the district.
   

3. '...in the bottom ten:' How prevalent is drug activity, overdose cases in Centre County? (wjactv.com) — State College is again in the spotlight as investigators say cocaine tied to a recent Penn State fraternity case was brought here from Philadelphia and New York, yet Centre County's opioid overdose rate remains among the lowest in Pennsylvania. Officials explain how this unusually low rate even reduces the county's share of national opioid settlement funds, offering a nuanced picture of local drug issues.
   

4. Two Penn State Fraternities Tied To Alleged Cocaine Trafficking Ring (wabcradio.com) — Authorities say an alleged cocaine trafficking ring tied to two Penn State fraternities funneled drugs into the State College area, leading to charges against 14 people. Prosecutors allege bulk cocaine came from Philadelphia and New York, with some fraternity pledges reportedly helping package the drugs, underscoring the scale of the operation near campus.
   

5. Mount Nittany navigates loss of Medicare community hospital status, other federal changes (centredaily.com) — Mount Nittany Health is bracing for major financial strain in the State College area after losing its special Medicare Sole Community Hospital status, a change tied to the opening of Penn Highlands State College. Hospital leaders and union workers are clashing over wages, staffing, and priorities as Mount Nittany sues federal officials and warns that reduced reimbursements could reshape services and budgets locally.
   

📸 Around State College

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Other local events
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    • Wednesday August 26
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📣 State College Shout Outs!

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Pennsylvania State University posted a job opening for Part Time Technical Service Farm Operations Worker in State College. Apply here.
  • CVS Pharmacy, Inc. posted a job opening for Store Associate in State College. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near State College here.

Ok State College! 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: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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