The Spark

President Joe Biden’s announcement he is withdrawing all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by September 11 is seen as an end to America’s longest war. But is it and will there be ramifications with no U.S. military presence in Afghanistan? A conflict that was designed to drive out the ruling Taliban and eliminate a safe haven … Continue reading "The way forward in Afghanistan not a simple path – Reduction in COVID testing causing concern"

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.” If you travel to a European country in the near future, you’ll have to prove that you’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19. … Continue reading "Smart Talk: Vaccine passports raise privacy concerns"

The Byrnes Health Education Center is celebrating its 25th birthday this year. What started in York has reached out across the country and delivered seven and a half million health lessons to children and adults. Much has changed when it comes to health and health education over the past 25 years. Back then, there wasn’t … Continue reading "Smart Talk: Byrnes Health Education Center hits milestone – Five actions to help threatened and endangered species"

Last week, The Pennsylvania House of Representatives approved a bill establishing a two-year window for victims of sexual abuse to file civil claims. The legislation now goes before the Senate so it still has some hurdles to clear. Giving abuse victims an opportunity for justice has been a passion for Democratic State Representative Mark Rozzi … Continue reading "Smart Talk: Will sexual abuse survivors finally get window to sue?"

If you can’t move over, you must slow down — way down. Effective April 27, 2021, the Move Over Law in Pennsylvania will require drivers take immediate action when approaching an emergency response area along any roadway. If able, drivers should merge into a lane further away from the “response area,” but if that isn’t … Continue reading "Smart Talk: The Move Over Law puts drivers on notice"

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.” Soon after former President Donald Trump tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, he received and credited a little-known antibody treatment for … Continue reading "Smart Talk: Antibody treatments successful in preventing serious COVID outcomes"

Americans are numb to the statistics: Every day, more than 100 Americans are killed with guns and more than 230 are shot and wounded. These numbers reflect everyday gun violence, accentuated periodically by events that stand out by the number of lives lost. The number of mass shootings in 2021 is staggering: The United States … Continue reading "‘Common agenda’ needed to combat gun violence -Making Daylight Savings Time permanent"

Millions of Americans experience a common and sometimes debilitating condition called tinnitus, or ringing in the ears. Many people call the noise a ringing sound, but for others it can vary from a ringing sound to buzzing, clicking or rushing noises. It can be constant or intermittent, steady or variable, and in one or both … Continue reading "Smart Talk: Millions of Americans affected by ringing in the ears"

More than three and a half million Pennsylvanians have received at least one COVID-19 vaccination, all teachers and school staff that want a shot have received one, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Americans who are fully vaccinated can travel. The supply of vaccines in Pennsylvania has increased and appointments to get … Continue reading "Smart Talk: Vaccine distribution in Pa., what happens next?"

Children’s advocates are raising concerns about the sharp drop in child-abuse reports during the last year. As schools and care-settings closed doors because of the pandemic, child-abuse reports dropped significantly. This has been attributed to kids spending more time at home and away from teachers and caregivers, who are often the first people to note … Continue reading "Child abuse reports way down, raising concern for kids"