Good morning, State College.

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences will host Ag Progress Days from Aug.

12 to Aug. 14 at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs — 9 miles southwest of State College. The free event will feature commercial exhibits, field demos and research tours to highlight the latest farming technology and practices.

On July 7, Penn State honored 20 staff members who went above and beyond in their roles under the 'We Are!' feature—highlighting efforts from academic, technical and support areas—and the exhibition recognized their dedication to keeping the University running smoothly.

Beginning at 2 a.m. Wednesday, July 9 through 6 a.m. Sunday, State College will relax parking restrictions by suspending the rule against parking from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. and one hour and two hour limits in select downtown zones to ease congestion for the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts while event parking will run from 6 p.m. Wednesday until 6 p.m. Sunday—unauthorized vehicles in marked zones risk being ticketed or towed.

Researchers at Penn State found that adults with prediabetes who replaced a 15 to 30 gram carbohydrate snack with about two ounces of pistachios as a nighttime snack for 12 weeks had shifts in gut bacteria—showing more beneficial groups and fewer bacteria linked to poor health.

The study shows that pistachios may reshape the gut microbiome to support better metabolic health, although further research is needed to confirm these findings.

In a heated recruiting battle, five-star forward Gavin McKenna has committed to play for Penn State men's hockey, making him the top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft.

The Whitehorse native visited State College at the end of June and will join the team for the 2025-26 season after choosing Penn State over Michigan State.

James Franklin, hired on Jan.

11, 2014, has stayed at Penn State by adapting to staff changes and evolving college football rules—his teams have earned strong records and he now heads into his 12th season with a 10-year contract through Dec. 31. His consistent leadership has placed him among the longest-tenured coaches in the Big Ten.

Penn State women’s basketball hired Priya Sidhu as its new director of athletic performance, the team announced on July 7.

Sidhu brings experience from Utah State and Louisville—she served as an assistant strength and conditioning coach and as a graduate assistant—and her hiring is expected to boost the team’s training efforts.

On June 30 EA teased the return of its NCAA college basketball video game after 17 years without a release—reviews show that Penn State players like Talor Battle, Makenna Marisa, Lamar Stevens, Maggie Lucas and Andrew Funk would have been featured as top stars with high in-game ratings.

Open Gym

Beat the evening heat and have the kids burn off some energy at CEG's Summer Tuesday night Open Gyms! Open for ages 1–18, but please note that ages 1–5 require a parent or guardian to stay with them. 6:15pm–7:30pm at Centre Elite Gymnastics, 177 Champion Drive, Suite 200, State College, PA 16803. $5/members, $10/non-members.

Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts 2025

6 AM – 1 PM — The Pennsylvania State University — Free entry — Celebrate the arts with over 300 artists, live performances, and community festivities.

The Rocket Blasters Live

12:30-1:30 p.m. — Allen Street Pizza — No cover charge — Experience a mix of classic and modern Top-40 Rock hits spanning decades from The Beatles to Lady Gaga.

Live Music: Anchor&Arrow Performance

6-9 p.m. — HiWay Pizza Pub — Free entry — Enjoy high-energy performances from Happy Valley’s FUNked-Up duo, combining soul, funk, rock, and jazz.

Albert Cummings Live

8-11 p.m. — The State Theatre — Tickets available — Experience the electrifying blues of renowned guitarist Albert Cummings.

All About the Importers

6:00 PM — Allen Street Grill — $31 to $50 — Explore the art of importing flavors from the world’s best food and drink to local establishments.

Boalsburg Farmers Market

2-6 p.m. — Pennsylvania Military Museum — Free entry — Explore fresh produce, artisanal goods, and local specialties every Tuesday afternoon.