State College
Today
Tuesday, May 12th, 2026
Good morning, State College. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 12th of May.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Climb Nittany, the only rock climbing gym in Centre County, is set to close on May 31 at 328 Discovery Drive due to unsustainable location costs. It will operate on adjusted hours through May + issue refunds for passes by June 2. StateCollege.com
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Jim Ingram delivered a commencement address at Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences on May 10 at Pegula Ice Arena, urging 500 graduates to use lessons from adversity for service and leadership (drawing on his own State College roots). Penn State
- ➤ Max Lustig, who recently graduated from Penn State (with degrees in history and African studies), will soon begin a legal internship with MLB as he prepares for law school. He built his college experience with campus involvement and hands-on internships. Penn State
- ➤ The College of Arts and Architecture announced the four winners of its Arts Business Ideas Competition in April; winners include Robert Botchway (Muze Bricks), Sofia Colonero (Sofia Renee’s), Lauren Greene (Karmawilleatu), and Rhyan Lehman (future animation studio), with awards helping launch their ventures. Penn State
- ➤ Penn State’s Chem-E-Car team placed first at the AIChE Mid-Atlantic Conference held on March 28-29 at Virginia Commonwealth University, and the win qualifies the team for the global competition at the Annual Student Conference in November (Minneapolis Convention Center). Penn State
- ➤ Penn State is partnering with Climavision to give students and faculty access to real-time radar data + expert support to boost meteorology research and improve severe weather detection. The project will enhance classroom learning for the next generation of forecasters. Penn State
- ➤ Penn State faculty can apply for two new AI Center of Excellence grant programs to integrate AI into courses; applications for the microgrant (up to $1,000) are due June 2 and for the transformation grant (up to $50,000) are due June 16, with projects planned for the 2026-27 academic year. Penn State
- ➤ A study led by Penn State finds that one in three people who believe the news will find them trust social media and algorithms as much as professional journalists; the experiment suggests high NFM mindsets may lead to misinformation + experts recommend targeted media literacy programs. Penn State
- ➤ Penn State Sustainable Labs Program concluded its fourth year today by expanding its impact to 20 labs across several colleges that saved over $100,000 and cut emissions. Applications for the 2026–27 cohort remain open through the summer for labs and student consultants to join the free initiative. Penn State
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Researchers at Penn State tested propane torch burns at Hartley Wood and found that a 35-second basal burn reduced invasive burning bush and border privet survival while combining crown and basal burns led to regrowth (observed over two years). Penn State
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Erika Machtinger, associate professor of entomology at Penn State, shared practical tick prevention tips during Lyme Disease Awareness month to help protect people, pets, and livestock from tick-borne illnesses. The public is invited to join a free webinar on Lyme disease on May 26 from noon to 1 p.m. ET. Penn State
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Former Nittany Lions picked their first NFL jersey numbers at rookie minicamps that began May 9, with Vega Ioane choosing 71 & Drew Allar selecting 16 as several players tweaked their college digits for their new teams. StateCollege.com
- ➤ Sal Wormley, a former Penn State offensive lineman, was re-signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday after a brief release following rookie Jordan White's retirement. The move is one of four roster adjustments made after the team's rookie minicamp. Onward State
- ➤ On July 1, all Penn State uniforms will display an Adidas three-stripe triangle logo replacing Nike's swoosh+ affecting players and fans. The athletic department is urged to use Pepsi bottles with tethered caps at games+ which teams hope will reduce spills and waste. StateCollege.com
- ➤ Penn State women’s basketball has hired Susan Robinson Fruchtl as senior director of advancement and strategic relations, announced on Monday. Fruchtl—who joined the athletic staff in 2021 as a player and coach—brings deep experience that supports the program’s recent leadership changes following head coach Tanisha Wright’s appointment. Onward State
-
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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Marisa Anderson Live Performance
6-9 p.m. — Manny’s Live Performance Space — $20 — Experience a unique blend of blues, country, and abstract sounds from one of the most distinctive guitar players of her generation.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The reward for conformity is that everyone likes you but yourself.
~ Rita Mae Brown
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