The Spark

A growing conflict in Israel and Gaza has entered its second week with no de-escalation in sight. More than 180 people have died since the fighting began, including 55 children. The fighting surprised many Americans who are mired in pandemic news, but it was not a surprise to those who follow news in the Middle … Continue reading "Conflict in Israel and Gaza – State Sen. Franklin Kury"

Pennsylvania legislators are among the highest paid in the country but spend taxpayer dollars on transportation, meals, offices and other perks with little documentation. That’s according to a year-long investigation by Spotlight PA and The Caucus, an LNP watchdog publication, found more than 200 million dollars in spending over a four-year period that is difficult … Continue reading "Hidden costs of Pa. Legislature – Cicadas"

Diabetes as a medical disorder was recognized hundreds of years ago. It is a dangerous disease and treatment is imperative to stave off long-term complications. The earlier a patient can access treatment, the better. Treatments have ranged from starvation to strict diet therapies, but the discovery of insulin in 1921 transformed diabetes from a death … Continue reading "Insulin – Hiking with diabetes – Culinary apprenticeships"

The pain of losing a loved one can be overwhelming. The grief is often centered on the person’s emotional response, but loss has other dimensions, too, that can affect the physical, social, and spiritual facets of a person. “Reflections on grief and child loss” through the lens of Mary Todd Lincoln, is an exhibit at … Continue reading "Understanding grief through Mary Todd Lincoln’s life and experience"

The vaccination program in the United States is ushering in a return to normalcy. Perhaps not completely, but the pandemic may be solidly behind us not far in the future. Still, lockdowns remain in place and infection rates are climbing in many parts of the world. India, in particular, is experiencing a surge of COVID-19 … Continue reading "Pa. families seek ways to help as coronavirus surges in India; Author Kevin J. Weddle on his book “The Compleat Victory: Saratoga and the American Revolution”"

Voters in the May 18 primary will have a unique opportunity to decide how Pennsylvania will respond to state-wide emergencies in the future. Two ballot measures are seen as a response to the Wolf administration’s mitigation measures to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Republican legislators are frustrated with having no input to the … Continue reading "Voters to decide how the state will respond to future emergencies"

It’s not an exaggeration to say writers like books. Reading led to writing. But best-selling author and New Yorker staff writer Susan Orlean really likes books, and the public library in her Ohio hometown is where her love grew. In fact, one of Orlean’s most popular books was 2018’s The Library Book, about a fire … Continue reading "Author Susan Orlean on her book and the important role libraries played in her life"

A Pennsylvania high school cheerleader’s tirade on social media landed her in hot water with her coaches and into the national spotlight. The teen was suspended from the squad after uploading a profanity-laced post on Snapchat, venting frustration for not making the varsity cheer squad. Nearly five years later, a lawsuit questioning the authority of … Continue reading "Free speech case involving Pa. cheerleader goes to Supreme Court"

President Joe Biden made his case for multi-trillion dollar infrastructure and safety net plans to Congress and the American people last week, to mixed response. Democrats hail the history-making spending proposal as a boost to working Americans, while Republicans say the plan is less about traditional infrastructure and more about big government programs. Both sides … Continue reading "Biden takes infrastructure and safety net plans public: a look at the cost and details of the proposal"

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.” Pennsylvania will have one fewer electoral vote to offer presidential candidates in the next election. Census counts have consequences and the … Continue reading "Pennsylvania to lose a congressional – The rise in vaping – Pennsylvania reopening historic sites and museums"