Forest fires are ravaging the western US, burning more than 1.5 million acres in 12 states. Wildfire smoke is so extensive it has created hazy sky conditions as far east as New York State. Firefighters are struggling to respond to the changing fire situation, including weather forecasts that do little to improve the poor conditions … Continue reading "Forest fires rage across the western US, how vulnerable is Pennsylvania to fire risk?"

It’s not an exaggeration to say the United States has never had a president like Donald Trump. It’s also not a stretch to say that Trump’s last year in office was unlike any other. A once in a century pandemic, nation-wide protests and a racial reckoning after the murder of George Floyd and a presidential … Continue reading "Author Phillip Rucker on the final year in the Trump White House"

The Senate on Tuesday advanced a bipartisan infrastructure deal that had been hung up on finance details. The Biden administration has promoted the plan as important to creating and sustaining a green economy to create jobs and fix crumbling infrastructure around the country. Recognizing the added challenge of climate change, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey of … Continue reading "Sen. Casey proposes a revived Civilian Conservation Corps to combat climate change and create jobs"

Airdate: Wednesday, July 28, 2021 The surging COVID infection rate is being called a “pandemic among the unvaccinated.” Just as pandemic restrictions were reduced or eliminated this summer, the Delta variant of the virus became the dominant strain among those infected. Viruses constantly evolve through mutation, and sometimes the variants are more dangerous than the … Continue reading "The Delta variant is igniting a COVID-19 surge across the country as vaccination rates slow to a trickle"

A survey by Public Agenda’s Hidden Common Ground initiative continues to take on the very common belief that Americans are ideologically divided, to the point of being incapable of working together. The organization’s most recent survey was “fielded” in May 2021 and finds that most Americans believe the democracy is in trouble. The respondents differ … Continue reading "Survey results indicate many believe the “democracy is in crisis”"

Researchers who completed a study in 2015 coined a term around any medical diagnosis involving alcohol-related disorders, substance-related disorders and suicidal thoughts and behavior — calling them diseases of despair. They proposed the concept after observing a decline in life expectancy of middle-aged white men and women between 1999 and 2015. They noted this was … Continue reading "Feelings of despair found to be connected to four common personal burdens"

Wildlife managers in the northeast began receiving reports of sick birds as early as May. Dead and dying birds were exhibiting symptoms that included eye swelling, crusty discharge and some neurological signs, as well. The Pennsylvania Game Commission reports that an exact cause for the bird deaths has not been identified and diagnostics are ongoing. … Continue reading "Unknown sickness affecting Northeastern songbirds"

Renters in Pennsylvania have been protected by an eviction freeze enacted through both state and federal orders since March 2020. The final federal government moratorium on evictions will expire the last day of July 2021 and concerned housing advocates warn that a wave of evictions may soon follow. Money to fund the Emergency Rental Assistance … Continue reading "Federal eviction moratorium stops at the end of July"

Listen to Smart Talk every weekday at 9am and 7pm on WITF 89.5 & 93.3. You can also stream WITF radio live on our website or ask your smart speaker to “Play WITF Radio.” When armed men broke into the private residence of Haiti’s President Jovenel Moise, the leader had just enough time to make … Continue reading "Unrest in the Caribbean and instability in South America"

Inflation was up 5.4% last month – the highest it’s been in 13 years. Most Americans already knew prices were going up. What we’re paying for gas, many food items, cars, and homes is significantly higher than just a few months ago. Much of it has to do with supply and demand, but especially supply. … Continue reading "Could inflation slow economic recovery? – New book provides insights into political gerrymandering"