Good morning, Harrisburg.

Organizers of Plants + Pints held a check presentation ceremony at Strawberry Square on Apr.

12 and donated $8,000 to Downtown Daily Bread, which provides meals, shelter and supportive services to those facing homelessness. The festival raised $20,000 over three years, helping fund essential services.

A Capitol service will honor five police officers who died in the line of duty, including three from Northern York County & one from Philadelphia, at 5 p.m. May 4 in the Capitol Rotunda.

The event will lead to closures on Commonwealth Avenue from North & South Drive.

Goodwill reopened a 12,000 sqft thrift store & donation center at Summerdale Plaza in East Pennsboro Township on Thursday.

The nonprofit plans raffles, giveaways, and family activities as shoppers can also drop off donations using curbside service.

Savers has begun accepting donations at its new donation center in Swatara Township at High Pointe Commons (former Christmas Tree Shops) from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, and the thrift store will open on May 28.

USA Today's 10Best Readers Choice Awards recognized Hersheypark and The Hotel Hershey, with the park ranking 10th among theme parks and the hotel winning best in its category — a nod to its 121 acres, over 70 rides, and popular attractions like Wildcat's Revenge and Candymonium.

Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg was ranked 17th in the world by TripAdvisor, making it the top U.S. park.

This family-owned park, free of admission (operating since 1926), opened for weekend hours on April 25.

On Thursday, Apr. 30, gas prices in central Pa. reached an average of $4.33 a gallon, with the lowest being $3.95 at a 7-Eleven in Enola.

High crude costs and global supply delays are driving the increase, and analysts expect relief only if tensions ease.

Harrisburg University hosted its 8th Annual Research Symposium on April 30 with over 30 students presenting research both in person and online (attracting more than 430 attendees); winners included Logan Trimmer, Swati Gupta and Christine Pierce in areas such as biotechnology, advanced manufacturing and computer science.

Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC received $400K (with $50K awarded in January and $350K from the state agency) to begin planning downtown revitalization through community outreach and improved streetscapes near the Riverfront.

Officials said more projects will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Strackhouse family has battled inherited kidney disease with living donations, beginning when sister Marsha donated her kidney to brother Bernie at UPMC Harrisburg in 2011.

Subsequent donations and a national voucher program illustrate their ongoing fight to save lives.

Hershey Bears rookie Ilya Protas won the Dudley (Red) Garrett Memorial Award as top AHL rookie after scoring 66 points in 69 games, and he credited his teammates, coaches, and family for his success.

He will now lead his team in the playoff run against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Melissa Etheridge Concert

8-11 p.m. — Hershey Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience the soulful sounds of Grammy-winning artist Melissa Etheridge during her 'The Rise Tour'.

Jimmie's Chicken Shack Concert

7-9:30 p.m. — XL Live — Ticketed event — Enjoy an electrifying alt-rock performance by Jimmie's Chicken Shack.

Fire Expo 2026

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center — Check back for units on display — Experience the latest in firefighting techniques and safety innovations.

Carlisle Brew Mixer

11 AM – 4 PM — Carlisle Fairgrounds — Check for ticket details — Enjoy a day filled with music by versatile performer Dave Gates and craft brews.

Christone 'KINGFISH' Ingram Live Concert

8-11 p.m. — XL Live — Last-minute tickets available — Experience the electrifying blues of Kingfish Ingram in an intimate setting.

Khalid - It's Always Summer Somewhere Tour

7-9 p.m. — Giant Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience Khalid's return to the stage with his celebrated hits and collaborations.

Highly Suspect Concert

7-9 p.m. — XL Live — Tickets available — Experience an unforgettable night filled with razor-edged riffs and raw vocals from Highly Suspect.

Anberlin Concert

6:30-8 p.m. — Capital City Music Hall — Experience an energetic night with Anberlin's soaring hooks and emotional performance.