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Hello State College! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Pa 529 fee waiver savings, kids cooking tasty treats, and How to Train Your Dragon + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Goldco, is helping folks around State College help protect their savings after a remarkable few years for gold and silver. Their free guide explains what's behind the run… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Continued savings for families: Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity waived asset-based fees for the PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan for a fifth straight year, expected to save families $5.9 million, funded by surplus earnings -- check the fee waiver savings.
Rural care gets a boost: Pennsylvania awarded $2.8 million to upgrade three central Pa. hospitals, including projects in Franklin and Union counties, adding neurosurgical technology so fewer patients must travel far for complex care -- see the hospital upgrades.
Crisis care gets a boost: Pennsylvania’s budget added first dedicated 988 funding, including $10 million for 24/7 crisis response and $5 million for stabilization centers, to double text and chat centers from three to six -- check the crisis-care funding.
The bill everyone over 50 should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $1,500 this year. Case in point: Shopping around could cut your premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy*
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Gold posted one of its strongest runs in decades...Silver has been right there with it, and after a few remarkable years both metals have become some of the most talked-about assets for those looking to stay ahead of market volatility. While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning. If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, Goldco has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how people are approaching precious metals right now. It’s free and worth reading before the next move.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Gear up, Nittany Lions: From textbooks and school supplies to White Out tees, YETI drinkware, tailgating gear, and diploma frames, Student Book Store is basically your Penn State command center. When you need a quick fix for class, game day, or grad season, they’ve got the blue and white ready.
A round worth booking: Nestled in the pines, Toftrees Golf Resort keeps the swings smooth with a PGA-rated, award-winning 18-hole course, then spoils you after with The Field’s farm-to-table comfort, piled-high burgers, and famous fries. Pencil in a tee time and treat yourself to a proper local reset.
Hidden lounge vibes: Need a spot that feels like your friend’s coolest living room, only with a proper bar? Central Reservation pours wine, beer, and cocktails upstairs, then pulls you downstairs to its Basement Lounge for low-light hangs and late-night conversations.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
The fitness trend that doesn't require leaving your living room: Chair yoga is having a moment, and for good reason. It's low-impact, easy on the knees and back, and you do the whole thing seated. No floor, no equipment, no studio. A quick quiz turns it into a personalized plan built around your body and goals, then adjusts as you build the habit. *See your plan →
One plug-in drives bugs out of your home, no spray required: For every bug you see along the baseboards, more are nesting out of sight, and traps and poison only reach so far. This one works differently: patented pulse technology runs through your home's wiring to make the whole place uncomfortable for insects and mice, so they clear out on their own. No fumes, nothing on the floor near the kids or pets, just plug it in. Over 3.5 million sold, it's silent, and there is a money-back guarantee. *Get yours 40% off →
The real retirement risk isn't a bad year. It's a long life: 40 years of saving, and the hard part is making it stretch across 30 more. SmartAsset's free quiz matches you with vetted fiduciary advisors who serve your area and are legally required to act in your best interests. The plan is built around you, not their commission. No obligation to hire anyone. *Start the quiz → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🤱 Motherhood Unfiltered: Postpartum Support Groups @ Schlow Centre Region Library | Wednesday (8/5) at 10:00 AM – Skip the glossy parenting myths and head to Schlow for a postpartum support circle that says the quiet parts out loud. Expect real talk on sleep, identity, and feeding, women who get it, and space for babies, plus siblings five and under.
🐉 How to Train Your Dragon @ The State Theatre | Wednesday (8/5) at 12:00 PM – Whether you know Berk from way back, or you're introducing the grandkids, The State Theatre's summer kids series brings the live-action How to Train Your Dragon, sweet AC, and the trusty Schlow Library partnership. Plus, there's a DelGrosso's passes drawing for the registered-and-scanned crowd.
🎤 Open Session @ Pegula Ice Arena (University Park) | Wednesday (8/5) at 8:15 PM – Open ice on the Community Rink means you, your boots, and that inner Olympian get some practice. Slide a few stones, sweep a little, laugh a lot, and finally shout "sweep" at friends without cleaning, because everyone's welcome, and the company is solid.
🎶 Penn State Summer Jam @ Nittany Valley Sports Centre (The Centre) | Saturday (8/8) – Summer’s last dance calls for squeaky sneakers, loud whistles, and bracket drama at Nittany Valley Sports Centre. Penn State Summer Jam brings two days of Big Time Balling to State College, with packed bleachers, road-trip squads, and enough hustle to shame our pickup game.
🛝 2026 Playground Build @ Autumnwood Park | Thursday (8/13) at 9:00 AM – Ferguson Township is rolling up its sleeves to build a new playground at Autumnwood Park with The League, KABOOM, and the usual small-town wizardry. Think mulch, neighbors, and that satisfying end-of-day ache you can proudly blame on community spirit, not yardwork.
🎶 Play Music on the Porch Day @ Pine Grove Hall (Pine Grove Mills) | Saturday (8/29) at 12:00 PM – Pine Grove Hall and Flour & Stone are rallying the village for Play Music on the Porch Day, a DIY symphony of stoops, patios, and proud amateurs. Step out, play a little, then mosey to Flour & Stone for a low-pressure Porch Jam with neighbors.
🎬 Movies Under the Stars: Wicked @ Sidney Friedman Park | Friday (9/18) at 7:30 PM – Trade the couch for the lawn and catch a free screening of Wicked at Sidney Friedman Park. It's part of the Borough’s Movies Under the Stars, so bring a comfy seat, the kids, and maybe a sweater. The only flying monkeys are on screen.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Skip credit card interest until nearly 2028You know the feeling: you make your credit card payment, check the balance, and it's barely moved. That's interest quietly eating most of what you pay. Here's a rare chance to stop it. This card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, so for over a year every dollar you pay goes straight to what you owe, not the bank's cut. And you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. The rewards are where it gets even better. Every purchase earns you at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories climbing as high as 5%, so the card pays you back on the spending you're already doing. Put a little on it early and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting. Between the break on interest, the cash back, and no annual fee, it's a lot of card for nothing to hold. *Take a look → |
07 — State College report Weather forecastToday — High: 82°F — Low: 67°F — Precip: 45%
Patchy fog before 8am, then patchy fog and a slight chance of rain showers between 8am and 10am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2pm and 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 4am, then patchy fog and a slight chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 85°F — Low: 68°F — Precip: 85%
Patchy fog and a slight chance of rain showers before 11am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11am and 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. This house is wildThis updated contemporary in Toftrees offers more than 3,000 square feet of bright, airy living just minutes from Penn State and downtown State College. Vaulted ceilings, expansive windows, and bamboo floors set the tone, while the granite kitchen, multiple decks, private primary suite, finished lower level, custom bar, and wooded setting keep the home stylish, flexible, and fun.
Take a peek inside → |
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