Union negotiations at Mount Nittany, Penn State's adidas era and more top stories

Centre County saw a busy news day July 1, with developments ranging from stalled hospital labor negotiations to Penn State’s official transition to a new apparel partner. Here’s a quick look at the top stories shaping the community.

Here are key takeaways:

• Mount Nittany Medical Center and the union representing about 950 workers failed to reach a labor agreement by a Tuesday deadline, with union members set to vote Thursday on authorizing a strike notice if negotiations next week fall short. The hospital’s latest proposal includes a 4% wage increase for registered nurses in the first year and a 2% across-the-board increase for all union members, a Mount Nittany spokesperson said.
• At the annual Lift for Life event, Penn State football showcased a competitive culture under new strength and conditioning coach Reid Kagy, who arrived from Iowa State with head coach Matt Campbell and represents a break from a lineage of Penn State strength coaches dating back to Dwight Galt in 2014.
• Penn State officially ended its 33-year relationship with Nike and launched its adidas partnership with a pop-up shop at Pegula Ice Arena, kicking off a 10-year deal worth around $300 million that covers footwear, uniforms, apparel and sideline gear. Some fans at the pop-up shop said they remain loyal to their Nike merchandise.
• Alloy Kitchen has abruptly ended its partnership with Bellefonte-area venue Titan Hollow after disagreements over operations and business needs, a Titan Hollow co-owner said. Titan Hollow plans to bring in rotating food trucks and caterers while Alloy Kitchen continues takeout and delivery service from the kitchen as it explores long-term plans.
• Penn Highlands State College is challenging a Centre County assessment appeals board decision that denied its request for real estate tax exemption worth more than $785,000 annually, arguing it qualifies as a public charity that provided care to 2,565 charity or reduced-cost patients in fiscal year 2025, while the board contends the nonprofit operates like a for-profit healthcare conglomerate.
• A posthumous book by Penns Valley native Lt. Hobart “Hobie” Kistler, who died in a 2021 car crash at age 30, will be published July 4. “The War They Won: The Story of World War II, as told by Those Who Were There” is a compilation of more than 150 veteran interviews.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.