Progress Pod

Mary Beth Shank and Ian Brink are both vying to become the next Judge for the Court of Common Pleas of the 39th District of Franklin and Fulton counties. They recently took part in a judicial forum held by the Franklin Together Re-entry Coalition. The Progress Pod partnered with the coalition to record the event and we are presenting it here in its entirety. Ginny Harriger was the evening's moderator and she starts off the discussion. Primary election day is Tuesday, May 21, 2019.

Franklin County was the latest stop this week on Lt. Governor John Fetterman's recreational marijuana listening tour. Of the 250 Franklin County residents in attendance Thursday night, Fetterman says about 70% favored the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes. As the Lt. Governor was heading down to Chambersburg for the event we had a brief opportunity to talk with him about the tour.

We talk with Dr. Erika Kitzmiller of Columbia University and Chambersburg Area School District Superintendent, Dr. Joe Padasak. Dr. Kitzmiller, a native of Chambersburg, has spent the last two years performing research in schools in Franklin and Fulton Counties, as well as Philadelphia, in an effort to gain youth perspectives of inequality, mobility, and opportunity, particularly in the aftermath of the divisive 2016 Presidential election.

April is re-entry awareness month. In Franklin County the work to ensure ex-offenders can successfully re-enter society after leaving jail or prison is a cooperative effort. Listen in as we welcome back Kim Eaton of Franklin Together - the re-entry coalition of Franklin County. We'll also talk with Josh Wargo of Franklin Together who shares his own story of re-entry.

Ann Hull talks about renovations set to take place at the old jail in Chambersburg and we, of course, delve into some of our rich local history.

Dr. Diehl has conducted qualitative research on gender bias toward women leaders. Listen in as we delve into her findings. She will also be presenting a two-part series "Making the Invisible Visible: Barriers Women in Leadership Face in the Workplace" on March 18th and 25th at the Coyle Free Library in downtown Chambersburg.

A large portion of South-central Pennsylvania's economy depends on the labor of migratory agricultural workers. Unfortunately the United States' work visa system is in dire need of repair, but has long been tied up in politics that have only worsened over the last few years. The result is a system that leaves many workers facing undue hardship. In Franklin, Adams and Cumberland Counties, the Fruitbelt Farmworker Christian Ministry has made it their mission to reach out to these workers and lend a hand of support.

Listen in as we talk with Judy Chambers of Penn State Extension who hosts the "Toss Your Hat in the Ring" workshops in Franklin and Adams counties. Judy gives the political novice the lowdown on what it takes to get your name on the ballot and some of what's involved in running a campaign for public office in the Commonwealth.

We talk with Marvin Worthy and Pastor Scott Bowerman, two leaders of a local group that has been meeting to discuss race, racism, and racial reconciliation in our community. The group has two events planned in February.

It happens everywhere and Franklin County, PA is no exception. On this latest edition of the Progress Pod we talk with Andrea Meredith of She's Somebody's Daughter, an area non-profit formed to support victims human trafficking.