State College
Today
Friday, January 16th, 2026
Good morning, State College. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 16th of January.
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Ticket sales for pop-punk band The Paradox debut at Eisenhower Auditorium go on sale Wednesday, Jan. 21 (10 a.m. for members and noon for the public) as the band will perform on April 1 at 7:30 p.m. with the Center for the Performing Arts Spotlight Collective. Penn State
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Penn State earned the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification on Jan. 12, recognizing the efforts of its faculty, staff and students in local programs (such as the mobile clinic and climate action initiatives). The designation is valid until 2032 and follows a review that involved over 250 community partners. Penn State
- ➤ Penn State Global partners with EPPIC and the Schreyer Institute to offer the Global Learning Summer Institute and Faculty Fellows Program for full-time faculty interested in integrating global learning into courses taught in Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 (courses need not have international content). Applications close Feb. 8. Penn State
- ➤ Smeal’s Business Career Center advised students to prepare and network at upcoming career events, including Penn State Spring Career Days at HUB-Robeson Center (Jan. 21–22) and fairs at Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Atrium from Jan. 26 to Jan. 29. Penn State
- ➤ A new STEM master’s program in Global Economic & Business Relations has launched at Penn State School of International Affairs to equip students with analytical and international skills. Applications for fall 2026 are now being accepted with a final scholarship deadline on March 31. Penn State
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Penn State microbiologist Estelle Couradeau (College of Agricultural Sciences) is leading a $1.15M NSF-funded study on how dryland soil microbes adapt to shifting monsoon patterns, with research focused at Saguaro National Park in Tucson and plans to shape an immersive climate change video game. Penn State
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Calder Way project Phase 2 will begin Tuesday, Jan. 20 in downtown State College, with contractors replacing and improving sewer, stormwater, water main, and gas main lines on West Calder Way. Work set from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday & may extend Friday if weather delays arise. StateCollege.com
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ A new Penn State study published in Health Psychology showed that fathers who were warm and supportive with their 10-month-old babies helped promote better heart and metabolic health in children when they reached age seven. The study indicates that father engagement and positive co-parenting are important for long-term child health. Penn State
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Penn State wrestler Luke Lilledahl faces Iowa’s Dean Peterson in a rematch today at 7 p.m. at Carver Hawkeye Arena (Big Ten dual meet) as he aims to show his growth after last season's close contest. StateCollege.com
- ➤ Henry Lustig, a preferred walk-on wide receiver and son of special teams coordinator Justin Lustig, committed to Penn State football Thursday night as the team builds depth for its 2026 roster. Onward State
- ➤ Penn State’s 2025 football season featured high attendance and strong early ranking, but ended with unexpected coaching changes and key player departures (including interim head coach Terry Smith taking over) that have left local fans watching closely. StateCollege.com
- ➤ No. 2 Penn State travels to West Point (New York) today for the season-opening two-day tournament, where team competitions start and individual finals follow on the second day. Daily Collegian
- ➤ Coach Jason Nickal is building a strong wrestling program at State High by linking the youth, junior high, and varsity teams to prepare them for state tournament qualification + he has increased the number of matches to help boost team readiness and growth. StateCollege.com
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Skorts Live Performance
7-10 p.m. — Manny's Live Performance Space — Ticket prices available — Enjoy live music featuring SKORTS and their catchy tunes.
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Anna Pearl Performance
6-8 p.m. — The Lodge at Tussey Mountain — Tickets available — Enjoy an intimate evening of music with local singer/songwriter Anna Pearl.
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Big Lazy Live Performance
7-10 p.m. — Manny's Live Performance Space — From $11.99 — Experience two decades of noir and twang music from New York's underground scene.
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Minnesota Golden Gophers at Penn State Nittany Lions Women's Basketball
6-9 p.m. — Bryce Jordan Center — Ticket prices vary — Catch an exciting women's basketball showdown between the Gophers and Nittany Lions.
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Jason Aldean Concert
6:00-9:30 p.m. — Bryce Jordan Center — Tickets available — Experience an inspiring night of country music with Jason Aldean and Nate Smith.
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Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Michigan State Spartans
1-10 p.m. — West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium — Ticket prices vary — Cheer on the Nittany Lions as they take on the Spartans in a thrilling college football matchup.
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TWEN w/ Dogwood Tales and Euphoria Again
7-10 p.m. — Manny's Live Performance Space — Check out an emotional alt-country band from Virginia inspired by the Shenandoah Valley.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Well done is better than well said.
~ Benjamin Franklin
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