Good morning, State College.

At Centre Foundation’s Holiday Soirée on Dec.

9 at Centre Hills Country Club, 100 supporters honored former CEO Molly Kunkel by establishing a Legacy Fund and awarded Cindy Pasquinelli and Mary Lou Bennett for community leadership. Bennett directed her Oak Tree Award grant to support local public media.

Pasti Bella will open on December 31 inside McLanahan’s Downtown Market at 116 S.

Allen Street, offering a special New Year’s Eve menu between 5 and 9 p.m. with live music (6 to 8 p.m.) and free meals for kids as part of a new local collaboration honoring the historic downtown legacy.

Centre County’s first Wawa is making progress after heavy equipment arrived last week at the site on Benner Pike and Eagle Point in Benner Township.

Construction has not started yet as developers work to secure permits for a planned store — 6,600 sqft with 16 gas pumps —.

Local chefs in State College share their holiday cooking secrets as the festive season nears.

They advise home cooks to prep ahead (like slicing ingredients early) and blend classic recipes with thoughtful twists to honor family traditions.

PA Local released a holiday playlist today that features Pennsylvanian tracks—from classic works by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra to modern covers by Philly artists—drawing on local musical heritage.

Listeners can stream the collection to celebrate Pennsylvania history.

Penn State graphic design professor Emily Burns founded Maake, an artist-run platform that connects artists through a print magazine, online interviews, and curated exhibitions.

The project, celebrating its 10th anniversary, will release Issue 17 interviews weekly (serving as a resource for emerging artists).

Researchers from the College of Information Sciences and Technology had more than a dozen papers accepted at EMNLP 2025 in November in University Park, covering topics from AI text generation to PTSD support and document analysis (including studies on bias and multi-modal safety).

Penn State Transportation Services announced free visitor parking at select campus lots from Wednesday, Dec.

24 through Friday, Jan. 2 to support winter break activities; free parking is also available for athletic events on Dec. 29, 30, and 31 + normal parking resumes on Jan. 3.

College Township Council approved final plans for the first phase of a 48-acre residential project near Pleasant Pointe.

The plan, which will add 197 housing units and a community center, is set to break ground in 2026 with phase one complete in fall.

Penn State women's volleyball head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley earned the Kathy DeBoer Courage Award at the AVCA awards celebration on Friday, Dec.

19 (her perseverance was honored following her battle with breast cancer last year).

Barstool Sports’ Spittin’ Chiclets crew, including former NHLers Paul Bissonnette & Ryan Whitney, will appear at Beaver Stadium for the Penn State men's hockey game against Michigan State on Jan.

31. Fans can expect a lively atmosphere as the game brings community excitement.

Redshirt-sophomore offensive lineman Alex Birchmeier entered the transfer portal Friday after playing 10 games this season and 16 in 2024.

He is the fourth Penn State player to transfer this offseason, joining Elliot Washington II and Chaz Coleman.

Penn State wrestlers travel to Nashville today for two dual matches at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. as they aim to break the all-time Division I winning streak record against North Dakota State and Stanford (key matchups span several weight classes).

Seven Penn State players will participate in senior bowls ahead of the NFL draft; six will join the Panini Senior Bowl in Mobile on Jan.

31 while long snapper Tyler Duzansky is set for the East-West Shrine Bowl in Frisco on Jan. 27.

Nittany Lions vs. Eagles Basketball Game

1-2:30 p.m. — Bryce Jordan Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience a new era of Penn State basketball with a fresh, talented roster.

First Night State College

3 PM – 12 AM — Downtown State College Improvement District — Button required for some activities — Celebrate the New Year with family-friendly fun including ice sculptures and performances.

Penn State Wrestling vs. Rutgers

4:00 – 5:30 PM — Rec Hall — Ticket prices may vary — Catch the excitement as Penn State takes on Rutgers in a thrilling wrestling match.

UCLA Bruins vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Men's Basketball

8:30-10:30 p.m. — Bryce Jordan Center — Ticket prices vary — Catch the exciting clash of two powerhouse college basketball teams.

Skorts Live Performance

7-10 p.m. — Manny's Live Performance Space — Ticket prices available — Enjoy live music featuring SKORTS and their catchy tunes.