The Spark

Reports from around the country point to a disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 virus on minority communities. That warning was sounded in Pennsylvania early in the pandemic, but data was not readily available through the Department of Health reporting system to make a conclusion. When the data was eventually reported, it confirmed that Black Pennsylvanians … Continue reading "Smart Talk: Pa health officials still failing to collect key race data"

The most recent Franklin & Marshall College state-wide poll found that only 36 percent of the state’s voters believe that Pennsylvania is “headed in the right direction.” That’s significantly lower (57 percent) than a poll taken before the COVID-19 pandemic and state-wide mitigation efforts impacted daily life. The poll indicated 67 percent of those surveyed … Continue reading "Smart Talk: Poll shows support for higher minimum wage, legal pot; Republicans hesitant to get vaccinated"

Airdate: Monday, March 15, 2021 One year into the pandemic and vaccinations are underway throughout the country, which is remarkable given the virus was unknown to medical professionals before December 2019. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention track diseases and respond with guidelines to prevent the spread and severity of outbreaks like COVID. Throughout … Continue reading "Smart Talk: COVID-19 guidelines change as vaccinations move forward"

Relations with the People’s Republic of China loom large for the new Biden Administration. International security issues, allegations of genocide, and fallout from the pandemic have stressed diplomatic relations between the two nations. China emerged internationally as a major economic power in the past 15 years and, as a result, the Asian nation has ramped … Continue reading "US/China relations – Presidential memorabilia"

Plastic pollution is everywhere and it’s getting worse. From single-use food items to plastic bags, plastic products litter communities, overburden landfills and pollute waterways. A report by the PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center paints an alarming picture of the scope of the problem. Their research found that microplastic contamination existed in 100 percent of water … Continue reading "Smart Talk: Plastic pollution prevalent in area waterways"

In a rare court action, Chief Justice John Roberts filed a lone dissent, at the same time accusing the other Justices of expanding the court’s jurisdiction. Chief Justice Roberts went so far as to accuse his colleagues of “turning into advice columnists,” after the court decided to allow a review of a case that lower … Continue reading "Smart Talk: Should the Supreme Court decide settled cases?"

The beautiful Susquehanna River is the longest river on the East Coast of the United States. It is also thought to be one of the oldest rivers in the world, even older than the Hudson, Delaware and Potomac Rivers. For many years, the Susquehanna has been targeted by environmentalists because of the excessive pollution it … Continue reading "Smart Talk: Killing the Chesapeake–Pa poisoning the Bay"

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.” Getting teachers back in the classroom and schools in session are top priorities for parents and administrators. Last week, the Wolf … Continue reading "Smart Talk: Targeting vaccines to teachers and childcare workers"

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.” Warmer temperatures this week make it seem like spring is right around the corner. Travel restrictions are loosening, to some degree, … Continue reading "Smart Talk: Travel and recreation opportunities plentiful in Pennsylvania"

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.” There are more than 25 thousand state-owned bridges in Pennsylvania; the third-largest number of bridges in the country. With the average … Continue reading "Smart Talk: Paying to cross bridges to pay for repairs"