As the year comes to a close and holiday indulgences beckon, Burg editor Larry Binda and city reporter Lizzy Hardison recap the week in news and look ahead to 2018. In this episode, they discuss the city's finalized budget, which will make some exciting project possible in the new year. They also examine the debate surrounding Harrisburg City Schools superintendent Sybil Knight-Burney, whose contract is up for renewal in 2018. The School Board isn't sure she deserves another term. Lizzy describes a showdown that took place at last week's board meeting and explains why Knight-Burney drew fire for supporting a school voucher program in 2011. Plus, Lizzy and Larry round out the year's top news stories. 

Be sure to ring in the new year with the next issue of theBurg, which comes out Friday, Dec. 29.

Read reporting mentioned in this episode: 

In the Books: Harrisburg Council makes a few tweaks, passes 2018 budget.

All Heat No Fire: Divided Harrisburg school board delays vote on superintendent’s future.

To Re-hire or Not? Pro-voucher video surfaces as Harrisburg school board considers Knight-Burney’s future.

Citing low manpower, police dial back plans for Allison Hill substation.

As Harrisburg finalizes its 2018 budget, officials hear a forecast for Act 47.

Exit Strategy: Harrisburg seeks assistance as it eyes leaving Act 47.

A lot happened at City Council this week, and it's all covered all in TheBurg's newest podcast. Burg editor in chief Larry Binda and city reporter Lizzy Hardison offer a preview of the 2018 budget, consider the city's options for exiting from Act 47 next year, and sit in slack-jawed wonder at the Harrisburg's peace treaty with National Civil War Museum. They end with a discussion about community policing techniques, which Lizzy writes about in this month's issue of TheBurg.

Stream this week's episode on SoundCloud, or download it in the iTunes or Android podcast apps.

Read coverage of the issues we discuss in this podcast at TheBurgNews.com:

HBG Budget: 2018 plan shows growing revenues, no new tax hikes.

Exit Strategy: Harrisburg seeks assistance as it eyes leaving Act 47.

Peace in Our Time: City, Civil War Museum finalize accord over artifacts, rent.

New Cops on the Block: How one police department built public trust with a community-centered approach.

Special thanks to Paul Cooley, who wrote our theme music. Check out his podcast, the PRC Show on iTunes.

TheBurg's editor in chief Larry Binda sits down with city reporter Lizzy Hardison to rehash the past two weeks in Harrisburg news. They recap what the heck happened with that election day raffle, discuss the city's new comprehensive plan, and imagine a skyline changed by Harrisburg University's new building project. 

A note to our listeners: We are working hard to bring you better audio quality! We've acquired new microphones and hope that you'll see a marked improvement in sound quality in our next episode. 

Read coverage of this week's podcast topics at TheBurgNews.com:

Thousands of dollars later, campaign yields no finance report and one unhappy candidate.

It’s Here: Harrisburg’s draft comprehensive plan released

Healthcare & a Hotel: HU plans mixed-use high-rise in downtown Harrisburg 

TheBurg Podcast returns after a long hiatus! This week, Editor in Chief Larry Binda and City Reporter Lizzy Hardison discuss why anti-abortion advocates are suing the city, the proposed changes to 2nd Street, and the revivification of Harrisburg's mysterious comprehensive plan. Plus, Lizzy breaks down the details of a proposed amendment to the state constitution, which will be on the ballot in Tuesday's elections. Listen to the end to hear your hosts' picks for "The Most Harrisburg Thing This Week." (Hint: they mostly have to do with pasta.)

Find the stories referenced in this week’s podcast: 

Abortion foes challenge Harrisburg protest buffer in court.

2-Way 2nd: Council action brings major road change nearer.

Plan of Action: Progress finally made on Harrisburg's comprehensive plan.

Property tax amendment mired in uncertainty ahead of November election.

I’ve Got a Secret: Some of the best places in Harrisburg are worth searching out.

Curious how Second Street became the mimi-highway that it is today? Read this 2013 feature from former Burg city reporter Paul Barker.

Second Thoughts: Decades ago, Harrisburg’s leaders quickly turned 2nd Street into an urban highway. Some people now think they made a big mistake.