The Spark

Social media giant Facebook is facing allegations of putting profit over safety. A previously anonymous whistleblower recently revealed thousands of pages of internal documents alleging the company “deceived the public and investors about their ability to deal with hate speech and misinformation on the platform.” Allegations of misinformation on the social media site have plagued … Continue reading "Misinformation and false statements continue to plague social media sites"

The Christopher Columbus statue at Marconi Plaza in Philadelphia was “boxed” after the site became a location for violent protests in the wake of the George Floyd murder. A Commonwealth court recently ruled it will remain covered for the time being. The ruling comes at a time when monuments around the country are garnering public … Continue reading "Audit of U.S. monuments reveal common traits and a reverence for war-fighters"

Changes are coming to the way flood insurance rates are determined under the Federal Flood Insurance Program, which could raise rates significantly for some policy owners. The Federal Emergency Management Agency administers the program for the Federal government and they contend that changes to the pricing method will mean that policy prices will be more … Continue reading "Federal flood insurance rates changing and policy owners could feel the pinch"

The Supreme Court 2021 term began this month and it has been called the most important term in decades. Court watchers are zeroing in on several cases with big impact potential. Abortion rights and gun rights are two cases getting the most attention, mainly because conservative Justices are in the majority on the court. Abortion … Continue reading "The U.S. Supreme Court term begins with several high-profile, controversial cases on the docket"

There is a ‘crisis of care’ for those afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease. The problem is emerging as a public health threat in the U.S. and Pennsylvania doesn’t appear to be ready to face the crisis, either. In the next 30 years, the number of Americans age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s dementia may grow to … Continue reading "As Alzheimer and dementia cases rise health officials express concern about a lack of care options"

There is still so much we don’t know about the universe. In fact, scientists have only identified about a million solar system objects in space, and expect to find millions more in the next decade or so. National Geographic science writer Michael Greshko authored the magazine’s September 2021 cover story, Mysteries of the Solar System. … Continue reading "National Geographic explores the biggest mysteries of the universe"

Forensic Science-based TV programs are very popular on cable television channels, bringing out the inner sleuth in viewers hoping to solve the crime alongside the lead characters. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology opened a new state-of-the-art experience for students there, that includes crime scene evaluations and evidence testing in a lab setting. Appearing on … Continue reading "Forensic science program brings a state-of-the art experience to students"

The pandemic fueled an interest in pet ownership, emptying animal rescue centers and straining veterinary care facilities. Pet ownership has actually experienced huge growth in the past twenty years, nearly doubling since 1998. Pets provide comfort and companionship, as well as an economic impact in excess of $220 billion dollars. PET NATION: The Inside Story … Continue reading "Pet ownership at an all-time high"

The Wolf Administration says a new plan can help the commonwealth reach its greenhouse gas reduction goals by 2050 and help avoid the worst effects of climate change. Gov. Tom Wolf is pushing to cut the state’s emissions 80 percent by 2050, compared to 2005 levels. Emissions have already fallen nearly 20 percent, but the … Continue reading "Pa. won’t hit climate goals unless changes come soon, report warns"

[box]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.”[/box] Between April and June of 2021 more than 11 million people quit their jobs. A Gallup poll found that almost half … Continue reading "‘The Great Resignation’ and the impact on the American workplace"