Tuesday, May 19th, 2026
Good morning, Reading. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 19th of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Jackie Kull credits Habitat for Humanity of Berks and counselor Eneida Powell for helping her move from high rents to homeownership. Her house on Miltimore Street (with a dedication scheduled for June) lets her leave a long-held job to start a business and spend more time with her family. Reading Eagle
- ➤ A Spring Township restaurant hosted a dine-to-donate fundraiser on Monday night to support the fire company and the families of two fallen Berks County volunteer fire chiefs. The event offered community members a way to honor local heroes. WFMZ-TV
- ➤ Berks County will hold a series of Memorial Day events from May 21 to May 25 to honor fallen service members, with ceremonies, parades, and tributes in towns (including Robesonia, Wyomissing, and Reading) scheduled to pay respects. Reading Eagle
- ➤ Schuylkill River Greenways and Barrio Alegría invite local pedestrians+cyclists+commuters to take a survey on redesigning the 600-foot Reading Gateway Bridge at Riverfront Park; residents have until May 31 to help shape the link between Reading and West Reading. Berks Weekly
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Santander Arena announced three concerts — part of its 25th anniversary celebration; the shows will feature local and touring acts and are scheduled for later this month in Reading. WFMZ-TV
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ United Way of Berks County hosted its first Read Alliance Youth Summit on May 7 at Santander Performing Arts Center, where over 100 teen literacy tutors took part in leadership workshops and networking sessions (including a keynote by Jay Sidhu of Customers Bank) to boost early literacy. Reading Eagle
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Reading broke ground on a large solar energy project at the Public Works campus Monday. More than 4,200+ solar panels will be installed as part of the city’s plan for 100% renewable energy, and construction will continue through the summer with system activation planned later this year. Berks Weekly
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Protestors against city violence briefly disrupted Reading’s Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday as they shouted at council members, prompting concerns over the city’s approach to handling public safety. WFMZ-TV
- ➤ Robert Leonard II is the new chief of the Reading Fire Department today. He brings decades of fire service experience and plans to boost staffing, training, and firefighter safety - aiming to strengthen local recruitment and community connections. Berks Weekly
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Reading Hospital celebrated Nurses Week, Hospital Week, and EMS Week in May, praising its dedicated teams who care for neighbors every day. Dr. Charles F. Barbera thanked the hospital staff, noting their teamwork, resilience + unwavering commitment. Reading Eagle
- ➤ Tick activity is rising this May in Pennsylvania as outdoor time increases, and health officials report more Lyme disease cases; Penn State experts advise using EPA-registered repellents (like DEET) and checking for ticks on people and pets to reduce the risk. Reading Eagle
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Two local athletes are top seeds at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University. Wilson’s Maddie Henne leads in the girls 3A discus and Oley Valley’s Jacob Mackie heads the boys 2A pole vault. Reading Eagle
- ➤ Wilson senior Ben Kulp was named the BCIAA baseball player of the year on Monday after posting a .339 average and a 1.14 ERA in the Bulldogs’ championship win over Muhlenberg; his team later lost in the first round of the District 3 tournament. Reading Eagle
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SatchVai Band
7:30-9 p.m. — Santander Arena — Not specified — Experience the virtuoso guitar performance of Joe Satriani, one of the world's most commercially successful solo artists.
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Cody Tyler Live
7-10 p.m. — Bertie's Inn — Enjoy a night of music with Cody Tyler's band, offering a fusion of country and southern rock sounds.
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Arizona Juggernauts vs Pennsylvania Benjamins
6:30-7:30 p.m. — Santander Arena — Check website for ticket prices — Enjoy thrilling indoor arena football with live music and great food.
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Mid-Atlantic Air Museum WWII Weekend
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Mid Atlantic Air Museum — Admission varies — Experience the thrill of history come to life with authentic reenactments of World War II battles.
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6th Annual Paw Fest Block Party
12-5 p.m. — Reading Liederkranz — Food and activities available — Enjoy a day of fun supporting adoptable dogs with games, vendors, and raffles.
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2026 Charity Golf Invitational
7 a.m. — Golden Oaks Golf Club — Lunch included — Hit the links for a good cause benefiting FairView Counseling and The Play Therapy Center.
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Stammtisch German Speaking Group
6-7 p.m. — Reading Liederkranz — Free entry — Practice your German while enjoying a cozy atmosphere full of conversation and culture.
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Ben Folds Concert
8-11 p.m. — Santander Arena — Cost info unavailable — Experience the genre-bending music of Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter Ben Folds.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The beauty of a living thing is not the atoms that go into it, but the way those atoms are put together.
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Reveal the authorAbout Reading Morning News
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