State College
Today
Thursday, February 5th, 2026
Good morning, State College. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 5th of February.
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Penn State Centre Stage will premiere its new musical 'The Morris & Essex Line' at the Pavilion Theatre from Feb. 24–March 6, featuring music by Joshua Salzman and lyrics by Ryan Cunningham. Penn State
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Penn State agricultural scientists received a four-year, $935,000 USDA grant to study how soil microbes may kill weed seeds and assist organic farmers. They will run field and vegetable experiments at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center (University Park) to find natural weed control methods. Penn State
- ➤ Fifteen Penn State student teams each received $300 (from the Prototype Phase) to advance to the upcoming Minimum Viable Product Phase of the Nittany AI Challenge, where they will further develop their AI solutions for real-world problems. Penn State
- ➤ Julianna Simon was named director of the Penn State Graduate Program in Acoustics effective Jan. 1 in University Park. She served as interim director since summer 2024 and said she looks forward to expanding research and collaboration with students and faculty. Penn State
- ➤ Gifts honoring Michael McCauley are funding a new game room and legacy scholarship at Penn State’s Student Disability Services (SDR). The memorial spaces will support students with disabilities by offering quiet areas and academic aid that reflect his enduring generosity. Penn State
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ On Wednesday, the UPUA 20th Assembly approved bills to expand AED placement in residential commons, fund a Valentine’s Coffeehouse at HUB-Robeson, sponsor the Tet event at Alumni Hall on Feb. 8, and support Basic Life Support training — steps to boost campus safety and community support. Onward State
- ➤ On Feb. 3, Gov. Shapiro proposed adding $30M to a new performance based funding model that will fund universities including Penn State + Temple + Pittsburgh, and Penn State also is set to get flat funding of $242.1M while its president meets legislators on March 11 to discuss the plan. Penn State
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Penn State Track & Field honored Handal Roban and Boh Ritchie as Big Ten Athletes of the Week after their performances at the Penn State National Open last weekend. Roban set an indoor 800-meter record at 1:44.91 and Ritchie recorded the second-fastest time in the women's 800. Daily Collegian
- ➤ On Feb. 4, three Penn State women's lacrosse players—Erika Ho, Sydney Manning and Roquette Allen—were named Big Ten Players to Watch; the team is ranked No. 5 in the Big Ten preseason poll and will start its season in three days. Daily Collegian
- ➤ On Wednesday at Beaver Stadium, coach Matt Campbell met with reporters to outline plans for Penn State's spring game and roster changes for his first offseason (further details will be released early next week) as he prepares the team for the season. StateCollege.com
- ➤ Kendall Butze recorded an assist last Saturday to join 85 career points+the highest for a Penn State defenseman, earning AHA Defenseman of the Month honors after a strong January. She will lead her team in Game 1 against the Lindenwood Lions at 5 p.m. Friday. Daily Collegian
- ➤ Team USA women's hockey, with Penn State captain Tessa Janecke, begins Olympic pool play in Italy today at 10:40 a.m. against Czechia, followed by games on Saturday against Finland and Monday against Switzerland; Janecke aims to win her first Olympic gold medal in her final career appearance at the Games. Daily Collegian
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Raphael Rogiński Plays John Coltrane and Langston Hughes
7-9:30 p.m. — Manny's Live Performance Space — From $10 — Experience the unique sound of Poland's virtuoso guitarist in an intimate setting.
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Anna Pearl Belinda Live Music Performance
6-8 p.m. — 814 Cider Works - J.L. Farm & Cidery — Enjoy cider while listening to local singer-songwriter Anna Pearl perform.
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Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Basketball
7:30-9:30 p.m. — Bryce Jordan Center — Ticket prices vary — Catch an exciting college basketball showdown between two powerhouse teams.
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Tipa Tipo with El Combo Del Valle
7-10 p.m. — Manny's Live Performance Space — From $11.99 — Experience a fresh blend of 70s soft rock and Latin rhythms with Tipa Tipo's tropical yacht rock en español.
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LaMP Live Performance
8-11 p.m. — The State Theatre — Cost info not provided — Experience the unique fusion of sounds from drummer Russ Lawton, organist Ray Paczkowski, and guitarist Scott Metzger.
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