Onward State

While only one current Nittany Lion was selected in the 2026 MLB Draft on Sunday, two incoming recruits heard their names called, giving them a unique decision to make in the coming weeks. High school four-star outfielder Alex Weingartner was selected with the No. 166 overall pick in the sixth round by the Chicago White Sox, while junior college transfer catcher Dalton Harper was selected No. 472 overall in the 16th round by the Atlanta Braves.

Visitors accustomed to free overnight street parking in State College’s residential neighborhoods during Penn State football weekends are in for a change this fall. State College Borough Council on Monday approved a six-month pilot program that will require payment for parking on streets in the Holmes-Foster, Highlands and College Heights neighborhoods when special event rates are in effect at downtown garages and lots.

Arts Fest 2026 is in the books! The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, or “Arts Fest”, occurred once again in State College this Wednesday, July 8, to Sunday, July 11. Students, locals, and visitors from everywhere traveled to Happy Valley to experience the variety of art that gathered here over the weekend. Amid the excitement, our photographers captured the joy, rain, and beauty of this weekend. Set-up for this annual event started downtown on Tuesday, July 7.

Penn State baseball designated hitter Michael Anderson was selected No. 149 overall in the fifth round by the Texas Rangers in the 2026 MLB Draft on Sunday. He is the highest-drafted Nittany Lion since Matthew Wood went No. 132 in 2022.

Whatever you say, coach. Former Penn State football head coach James Franklin said the school fired him without giving him a chance to fix Penn State’s challenges in 2025, per The Athletic’s Ralph Russo. “Well, it’s unheard of because people have had challenges and had a chance to fix it,” Franklin said in Russo’s story.

Penn State football’s offensive line is its largest unit, both physically and literally. The room includes 19 players who weigh in at a combined 5,919 pounds and stand at an average of 6’5″. Based on the philosophies of head coach Matt Campbell and offensive line coach Ryan Clanton, Penn State’s gargantuan gridiron gang will be tasked with setting the tone in the trenches on gamedays come fall. But who are the faces behind the Nittany Lions’ newest brigade of blockers?

Multiple Centre County fire companies responded to a fire at Penn State’s Alpha Zeta house Thursday afternoon. Alpha Fire Company was dispatched at about 3:45 p.m. to the frat house located at 360 North Burrowes Road. Boalsburg, Pleasant Gap, and Undine fire companies were also dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, heavy smoke was visible coming from the roof. Boalsburg, Pleasant Gap, and Undine fire companies later also arrived on scene.

Penn State men’s basketball will return to the historic Palestra for a matchup against Pitt on Sunday, November 8, the program announced Thursday morning. Penn State. Pitt. Palestra.

Well, folks, we’ve made it over the halfway point of summer, and you know what that means: The one weekend every summer when there is a perfect excuse to travel to Happy Valley…Arts Fest! With so many amazing activities to bring you and your friends together for an awesome weekend, what’s a better way to amplify the fun than with a playlist?

When someone comes to you to share a decades-old story, you listen. That’s exactly what happened to Michael Melillo when his wife’s grandfather sat him down and entrusted him with his war story, one he had never before shared with another soul. After he passed, Melillo set out to honor the veteran’s story by writing it down for the world to experience. Melillo grew up moving around constantly. He spent time all over the country, ultimately ending his high school years in Lawrenceville, New Jersey.