The Spark

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.” Autism Spectrum Disorder is an equal opportunity condition, affecting all ethnic and and socioeconomic groups. Boys, however, are four times more likely … Continue reading "Research finds that autism develops differently in girls than boys"

It is no secret that Pennsylvania nursing homes are facing great challenges. Even before the pandemic hit, advocates raised concerns about chronic underfunding and high employee turnover. Now, as the state moves into the next phase of COVID mitigation and the economy opens up those same advocates ask that nursing homes not be forgotten. As … Continue reading "Smart Talk: Nursing homes facing same challenges as before, but now on top of pandemic"

The need to improve, upgrade and modernize the nation’s infrastructure is an issue that most Americans and elected officials from both parties can agree on. The American Society of Civil Engineers 2021 Report Card gave the U.S. infrastructure a grade of C-. That’s actually up from a D+, but overall 11 of the 17 categories … Continue reading "Pa.’s infrastructure in need of an upgrade?"

There are nearly six million children reported each year for suspected child abuse in the United States and an average of five die each day from the abuse or neglect. Preventing child abuse in communities starts with observant and trained reporters. There are certain people and professions that are required by law to report suspected … Continue reading "Smart Talk: Preventing child abuse hinges on trained observers"

The disparate impact of the coronavirus on minority populations has been well-documented throughout the course of the pandemic. The consequences faced by nursing homes and to the elderly have also received attention. Pennsylvanians with disabilities, many living at home or in congregate care settings, have never received the kind of attention during the crisis that … Continue reading "Smart Talk: People with disabilities should be included in public health discussion"

After former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty Tuesday of killing George Floyd, by putting his knee on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes last spring, much of the nation felt a sense of satisfaction that justice had been done. Some saw the verdict as a turning point that could lead to … Continue reading "Smart Talk: Floyd verdict surprises those who have little faith in justice system"

Two recent polls found that close to 60% of Pennsylvanians support making marijuana legal for recreational purposes. Pollsters from both surveys say support has grown significantly in the last decade. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf is behind legalization and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman has become the face of making pot legal in Pennsylvania. However, Republicans in … Continue reading "Smart Talk: Is legal marijuana in PA’s future?"

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.” The ninth annual Muhlenberg College Public Health Program survey results were released last week and reveal how Pennsylvanians feel about a wide … Continue reading "Smart Talk: Poll finds majority of Pennsylvanians remain concerned about public health situation"

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Unlike some other awareness campaigns, the issues that get attention during this month have grown and expanded as society and technology changes. Sexual assault awareness in the past may have focused on rape or just on women. Today, there is a broader discussion of sexual violence that includes child sexual … Continue reading "Sexual assault awareness takes on many forms"

Pennsylvania is the only state in the country where municipal police departments can not by law use radar to enforce speed limits. Local police utilize painted stripes on sections of roadways, stopwatches or have to calculate a vehicle’s speed to issue a speeding citation. Pennsylvania State Police have been using radar for more than 50 … Continue reading "Smart Talk: Radar guns for Pa. law enforcement?"