Good morning, State College.

Downtown State College Improvement District is boosting local connections with its new East End Social pocket park that hosted a World Cup watch party and will soon feature full moon dances plus new mural projects in collaboration with local partners.

The DID will seek reauthorization this summer to keep these programs running.

Eric Pearson, who helped launch Happy Valley Casino, stepped down as general manager less than two months after its opening at Nittany Mall (College Township).

Assistant GM Jennifer Johnson now oversees daily operations while the casino awaits final licensing for a new manager by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

Duck Donuts at 125 S.

Fraser St. closed permanently Sunday after serving custom-made donuts for over eight years; customers now must travel to Hershey for the nearest location + leaving many locals disappointed.

Country singer Ella Langley will perform as part of her Dandelion Tour at the BJC on Sept.

11. Presale tickets go live on Thursday, June 25 at 10 a.m. + general tickets will be on sale Friday, June 26 at 10 a.m.

Don Toliver will perform at the Bryce Jordan Center on Sept.

2 as part of his Octane World Tour (Nitrous). He joins Ella Langley and John Summit in the fall concert lineup.

Country singer Ella Langley will perform at Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center at 7 p.m. on Sept.

11 as part of her Dandelion Tour (with guest artists Ernest and Gabriella Rose), and tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, June 26 with discounted student tickets on Thursday, June 25.

Penn State School of Music announced its 2026–27 Rhapsody Series with eight free faculty recitals scheduled from Aug.

30 through March 14 at the Recital Hall. The series will feature world premieres and diverse musical styles (from Baroque to contemporary) for local audiences.

Penn State’s SAFES has announced new awards through its Seed2Sustain program to boost research addressing agriculture and environmental challenges.

The grants, ranging from $2,100 to nearly $41,500, will support projects on conservation, flood management, biodiversity and more on campus.

Penn State research professor Betul Akkopru-Akgun received an Air Force Young Investigator award to study high-performance polar nitride materials in extreme environments, advancing next-generation electronics.

Her work at the Materials Research Institute (MRTI) will also provide students with hands-on experience in advanced scientific techniques.

In May, Professor Hongtao Sun hosted a two-week research program where 13 Penn State undergraduates from diverse engineering fields learned machine learning in lab visits, lectures, and hands-on projects using Penn State resources (including the Roar supercomputer) to build AI skills.

PennDOT is shifting lane closures on U.S. Route 322 in College Township as phase two begins.

The Innovation Park exit will reopen on June 30 while eastbound lanes adjust on July 2, and I-99 work remains pending — reconstruction set to finish by late August.

Penn State biomedical engineering student Ketan Dighe received a two-year predoctoral fellowship from the PhRMA Foundation to develop a rapid diagnostic test for gonorrhea that may help doctors choose effective treatments for patients.

Sips & Sounds Food and Drink Festival

4-9 p.m. — Sidney Friedman Park — Food and drink festival featuring local music and drinks — Celebrate summer with cold beverages and lively performances in State College!

Anna Pearl Belinda Concert

6:30-10:30 p.m. — Titan Hollow — Free entry — Celebrate the weekend of the 4th with local singer-songwriter Anna Pearl Belinda performing live.

The Fretliners Concert

8-11 p.m. — The State Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening of live music with The Fretliners in a vibrant venue.

Central Pennsylvania Festival for the Arts

Jul 8-12 — Downtown State College Improvement District — Free entry — Celebrate art, music, and community at one of the nation's top-ranked art fairs.

Anna Pearl Belinda

5-6 p.m. — Willard Building — Free entry — Experience the soaring vocals and storytelling of local singer-songwriter Anna Pearl as she records her debut album.

Anna Pearl Belinda Live Performance

7-9 p.m. — Tussey Mountain Ski and Recreation — Free entry — Experience a captivating solo performance by Anna Pearl, a local singer-songwriter from State College.

Craig Finn & Patterson Hood Live Concert

8-11 p.m. — The State Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening of storytelling through music with acclaimed artists Craig Finn and Patterson Hood.