State College
Today
Friday, May 1st, 2026
Good morning, State College. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 1st of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Central PA United will host an afternoon event on affordability issues at Sidney Friedman Park (241 S. Fraser St) on Sunday, May 3 from 1 to 4 p.m. Local advocates and nonprofits will share testimonials and survey results while a community meal is provided. StateCollege.com
- ➤ Penn State's student-run Lion's Pantry helps students get free groceries and essential household items (including toiletries) at University Park. Volunteers run regular donation drives so supplies stay available all year. Penn State
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Craig Finn and Patterson Hood will perform at The State Theatre on Saturday, July 11 as part of the Devils in the Details tour during Arts Festival weekend; tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. today with member presales underway. StateCollege.com
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Penn State Learning recognized two graduating seniors for their work leading guided study sessions in PHYS 211 and CHEM. Ankita Dasgupta and Paige Van Orden earned a $500 stipend for their clear instruction and hands-on support today. Penn State
- ➤ Five Penn State instructors from three campuses wrapped up two years of innovative work in the TLT Faculty Fellows program. The projects (including GPT-based chatbots, an interactive e-book on disability culture, VR museum exhibits, and AI literacy efforts) aimed to boost student engagement on campus. Penn State
- ➤ The Eberly Family Special Collections Library at Penn State will host a virtual program on Friday, May 8 via Zoom — featuring five presentations by the 2025–26 research grant awardees. The free event is open to all and will highlight innovative scholarly work with archival materials. Penn State
- ➤ John Mauro, department head & professor at Penn State, will serve as interim John Leone Dean of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences starting July 1, replacing Lee Kump who returns to teaching. Penn State
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Penn State Extension and nonprofit TreePennsylvania helped communities plant 1,300 bare-root trees this spring to boost the canopy — volunteers and local crews in about 40 towns quickly planted lightweight trees delivered by refrigerated trailers. The program aims to improve cooling, reduce stormwater runoff and support local business areas. Penn State
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Centre County Rep. Scott Conklin’s bill to let the PIAA hold separate playoffs for public (boundary) and private high schools passed the House on April 30 and now moves to the Senate for review. The measure could lead to fairer sports contests for students in the area. StateCollege.com
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Penn State Baseball will offer Dollar Dog Weekend during a three game series against Minnesota this weekend. The first 2,000 hot dogs sold in each game will be $1, with games starting today at 5:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. Daily Collegian
- ➤ Penn State junior softball player Brooke Klosowicz was named one of Division I softball's top-five utility players by Softball America on Thursday after posting a .357 batting average and a 0.881 fielding percentage (a key mark for the Nittany Lion 2026 squad). Daily Collegian
- ➤ Penn State secured a commitment from four-star defensive lineman Stanley Montgomery on Thursday afternoon, adding the highest-rated recruit to its 2027 class. Montgomery, from Archbishop High School in Philadelphia, is ranked No. 7 in state and helped boost the Nittany Lions' recruiting success. StateCollege.com
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Lucy Kaplansky Concert
8-11 p.m. — The State Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience the rich folk sounds of New York City artist Lucy Kaplansky.
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PUULUUP with The Wild Shoats
7-10 p.m. — Manny's Live Performance Space — $28 — Experience a unique blend of ancient sounds and modern flair as Ramo Teder and Marko Veisson showcase their musical journey.
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Natural Information Society Concert
7-9:30 p.m. — Manny's Live Performance Space — From $15 — Experience the unique sounds of Natural Information Society, creating long-form compositions since 2010.
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2026 XL Fest All-Access Pass
5:59-7:29 p.m. — Blue Brick Theatre — $99 + fees — Experience 12 shows of hilarious improv magic at the Happy Valley XL Fest.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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Reveal the authorAbout State College Today
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