December 2025
-
Kicker Ryan Barker Reflects on Historic Season, ‘Would Love to Be’ With Penn State in 2026
—
by
A lot went wrong for Penn State in 2025 — the preseason No. 2 team endured a six-game losing streak, head coach firing and various significant injuries to key players, drawing outside criticism for underperforming, then for parting ways with James Franklin, then for a lengthy and arduous hiring process. Lost in the shuffle was…
-
Photos: Ice Sculptors Craft Creative Designs at First Night State College
—
by
First Night State College is known for its ice sculptures — one of the largest displays of its kind in Pennsylvania — and sculptors were hard at work Wednesday morning and afternoon crafting the creative designs that are an annual highlight of the New Year’s Eve celebration. Seven ice sculptors carved 120 blocks of ice,…
-
Touring Acts Coming to State College in 2026
—
by
As the calendar turns to a new year, the 2026 entertainment lineup in State College is taking shape. Here’s a look at what’s on the schedule so far to make a stop in the area — from headlining country, rock and hip-hop performers, to world music and indie bands, to comedy and musical theater productions…
-
The Junction 144: Simple … but Delicious
—
by
The Junction 144 offers satisfying, honest food to the local community and beyond.
-
The Transfer Portal Opens on Friday: A Penn State Football Primer
—
by
The NCAA calls it “the notification-of-transfer period,” when student-athletes officially inform their school, and hence, the NCAA that they are interested in changing schools. We all know it as the Transfer Portal. For Penn State and the rest of college football, the portal officially opens at one minute past midnight this Friday. Penn State may…
-
Regional Halal Restaurant Chain to Open Downtown State College Location
—
by
A growing regional chain of fast-casual halal restaurants is coming to downtown State College. Sizzling Bites Halal Grill is planning to open at 129 S. Pugh St., according to signage on the building and information presented earlier this year at a State College Redevelopment Authority meeting. The location has been vacant since Sheetz closed its…
-
Tracker: Penn State Players Returning in 2026
—
by
Last updated Jan. 10, 2026. Penn State’s roster will look a lot different next season, with players leaving for the NFL, running out of eligibility or transferring out. But a growing list of players have announced plans to return next season, providing some level of continuity amid a changing staff. Here’s a look at Nittany…
-
First Night to Welcome New Year in State College With Ice Sculptures, Performances and Resolution Run
—
by
First Night State College will return to downtown State College on Dec. 31 with an alcohol-free, all-day celebration of the arts featuring ice sculptures, live performances and the annual Resolution Run 5K. The event, produced by the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, is designed as a family-focused way to welcome the New Year with…
-
Tracker: Penn State’s Transfer Portal Departures
—
by
Updated Jan. 14, 2026. With Penn State’s 2025 season in the books, attention has turned to the transfer portal, where the Nittany Lions will undoubtedly be busy. The portal is a two-way street, and many players have already announced intentions to take their talents elsewhere, while others will likely be brought in to fill roster…
-
Detour Planned for Work on I-80/I-99 Interchange in Centre County
in Local News—
by
Work on the high-speed interchange project connecting Interstates 80 and 99 near Bellefonte will cause a detour for some travelers beginning in January. The detour will be in place starting Jan. 12 on Route 26 southbound between the I-80 exit 161 westbound off-ramp and Forest Avenue, according to PennDOT. As a result, drivers on I-80…