Reading
Morning News
Friday, March 20th, 2026
Good morning, Reading. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 20th of March.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The YMCA of Reading & Berks County appointed Ken Borkey Jr. as its new president and chief executive officer. With nearly 15 years of leadership experience, he is set to guide the organization into its next chapter. Reading Eagle
- ➤ Hamburg Area High School hosted its third annual Charity Basketball game on Feb. 20 in the school gym. About 450 people attended the event, raising $3,000 and collecting nearly 350 canned goods for Blessed Beginnings and the local food pantry (organized by Student Council chair Kyla Rogers). Reading Eagle
- ➤ Acacia Flower and Gift Shop in Spring Township got help from Oscar Mayer’s Wienermobile to deliver bouquets to locals last Thursday — owner Adaila Rios said the special delivery brought joy to the community, and the vehicle will join the Allentown St. Patrick's Day Parade on Sunday. WFMZ-TV
- ➤ Wilson High School Interact Club and West Reading-Wyomissing Rotary Club will host their 5th annual special needs egg hunt tomorrow at Gurski Stadium — the event starts at 1:30 p.m. with the hunt at 2, featuring over 6,000 eggs, prizes and giveaways. Reading Eagle
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The Foundation for the Reading Public Museum returned a 10th- or 11th-century Khmer sculpture to Cambodia today after staff identified it as high-risk. The repatriation involved Cambodian officials and cultural experts (including attorney Bradley J. Gordon) and shows the museum’s commitment to ethical stewardship. Berks Weekly
- ➤ The 35th annual Berks Jazz Fest kicked off Thursday night with an awards ceremony in Reading — marking the start of a week filled with local jazz performances. WFMZ-TV
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Reading School District opened the new Innovation Academy today. The 144,000 sqft building + a 2.6-acre campus at Ninth and Douglass streets will serve about 700 students in engineering, technology, and health sciences. WFMZ-TV
- ➤ Kutztown University has received a $100K grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education to launch a new 4+1 Graduate Special Education Intern Pathway in the 2026-27 school year. Twenty students will earn their certification with paid placements from five school districts — helping address the teacher shortage. Berks Weekly
- ➤ Hundreds of middle and high school students are competing in the Central Eastern Regional Science Olympiad at Kutztown University. The top teams will move on to the state tournament scheduled for Saturday, Apr. 25 after taking part in 26 science events from nine counties. WFMZ-TV
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Dog wardens will canvass homes in Berks County from spring through summer to check that dog owners have valid licenses and current rabies vaccinations. Owners can purchase licenses in person, by mail, or online (check details from the Treasurer’s office) to avoid fines and support local services. Berks Weekly
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Reading’s new arena football team, the Pennsylvania Benjamins, finalized a 12-game schedule with the first matchup on April 26 at Santander Arena. The team announced two players from West Chester University and will host a try-out on Sunday at Alvernia at noon. WFMZ-TV
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Phil Wickham Concert
7-8 p.m. — Santander Arena — Ticket prices vary — Experience uplifting worship music with Phil Wickham live in Reading.
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Gerald Veasley's Unscripted Jam
3:00 p.m.–1:00 a.m. — DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading — Buy ticket — Celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Berks Jazz Fest with a night of unscripted jazz featuring renowned artists.
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Berks Sinfonietta: Gershwin Comes Alive
6-9 p.m. — Miller Center for the Arts — Ticketed event — Experience Gershwin's magic brought to life with the Berks Sinfonietta and Lars Potteiger, plus a performance by the Berks High School All-Star Jazz Band.
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Norfolk Admirals vs. Reading Royals
3-4 p.m. — Santander Arena — Cost info not specified — Watch an exciting hockey game as the Norfolk Admirals take on the Reading Royals.
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Romeo Santos & Prince Royce Concert
8:00 – 9:30 PM — Santander Arena — Cost varies — Enjoy an evening of captivating Latin music from two of the genre's biggest stars.
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MTB Try-it Day!
6-7:30 p.m. — The Nature Place at Angelica Park — Free event — Perfect for students to discover mountain biking, regardless of experience level.
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Wheeling Nailers vs. Reading Royals
7-8 p.m. — Santander Arena — Stream available — Watch an exciting hockey clash as the Nailers take on the Royals live.
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Wheeling Nailers vs. Reading Royals
7-10 p.m. — Santander Arena — Watch the game live on FloHockey with replays available for subscribers.
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Lamb Of God Concert
6-9 p.m. — Santander Arena — Ticket information available online — Experience an electrifying evening with Lamb Of God as they rock Reading with an unforgettable performance.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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