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The Sentinel offers nonprofit and other community organizations an opportunity to promote upcoming events for free in the community calendar for three days before the event. Events requiring reservations may be promoted for up to two weeks before the reservation deadline. Events that require a purchase from a for-profit business, even if a donation is made to the organization, are not eligible for the calendar. Please be brief and include only basic details. If possible, provide a phone number or email address to be published with contact information. Submit items at least one week ...

Elections over, Shapiro quiet on commitment to federal school choice program

PA News

(The Center Square) – Roughly 1.8 million students in Pennsylvania are potentially impacted by Gov. Josh Shapiro’s waffling over joining the federal school choice tax credit program. With elections in the rearview, its unclear when the administration will publicize its decision. The Center Square was unsuccessful in reaching the governor’s communications team on Thursday. In the meantime, a vocal coalition of program supporters sent a letter to Shapiro encouraging him to opt-in giving families access to educational support long financially out of reach. “That’s what makes ...

Key federal panel is expected to approve Trump's arch

National News

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal panel was expected Thursday to approve President Donald Trump's proposed memorial arch in Washington at the end of a meeting that drew dozens of opponents to a key part of the president's push to leave his imprint on the nation's capital. The approval would ...

How Reading schools expanded recess ahead of state mandate

PA News

READING — Students in kindergarten through fourth grade in Reading School District now get 30 minutes of recess each day, a change implemented ahead of a statewide mandate. The law requires schools across Pennsylvania to provide at least that much recess — which must consist of unstructured play and social time, ideally outside — to students through fifth grade, beginning in fall 2027. Reading School District's middle schools, which include fifth through eighth grades, currently give all students — even those who won't be covered by the law — 15 to 20 minutes of daily recess. ...

Playhouse to present ‘A Christmas Carol’ Nov. 20-29

Local News

McCONNELLSTOWN — The Playhouse at McConnellstown will conclude its 2026 season with a production of “A Christmas Carol,” running Nov. 20 through 29. The production features Michael Paller’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic holiday story, with Michael Kane serving as director. Set in London on Christmas Eve in 1843, the adaptation begins with Dickens working on his Victorian ghost story. He is visited by The Child, a spirit representing his childhood, who offers insight into his life and inspirations. When Dickens’ family and friends arrive for a Christmas ...

From ancient texts to modern practices, Daoism provides a profound framework for understanding

Religion

(THE CONVERSATION) Daoism, China's indigenous religion, is one of the country's five officially recognized religions today. Practiced by millions of people in China and around the world, Daoism takes on many forms, stretching back from ancient roots to the modern world. It challenges the conventions of how people often define religion. Unlike many other faiths, Daoism does not necessarily center on a deity, though there are many Daoist deities. Nor does it have a unified system of beliefs or follow a singular authoritative doctrine. In fact, followers say the Dao, which literally ...