The Spark

WITF’s Election 2020 coverage on Smart Talk continues Friday as we’re joined by Democrat Lee Griffin, who is running for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 12th Congressional District. The 12th District is the largest in the state and also one of the most rural. It encompasses Perry, Juniata, Mifflin, Union, Bradford, Clinton, Lycoming, … Continue reading "Smart Talk Friday: 12th Congressional District Democrat Lee Griffin"

A little more than 60 percent of eligible voters cast a ballot in the last presidential election in 2016. Minnesota had the highest voter turnout at about 75 percent and Hawaii had the lowest at 43 percent. In Pennsylvania, more than 63 percent voted for a presidential candidate. With the exception of just a couple … Continue reading "Smart Talk Thursday: Why doesn’t the non-voter vote?; Surprise medical bills"

A coalition of central Pennsylvania restaurant and bar owners are encouraging lawmakers to support a bill that would make changes to Gov. Tom Wolf’s latest coronavirus mitigation restrictions. Earlier this week, the establishments were allowed to host half as many customers as normal inside their businesses — if they certify with the state. The bars … Continue reading "Smart Talk Wednesday: Restaurant/bars want restrictions loosened"

Tuesday’s Smart Talk includes conversations with two candidates for office this fall. Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District race is one of the amostly closely watched in the nation this year. That’s because Democrats think they have an opportunity to flip the district. The 10th District is made up of all of Dauphin County and portions of … Continue reading "Smart Talk Tuesday: Dem Congressional candidate Eugene DePasquale; Green Treasurer candidate Tim Runkle"

The general election is a little more than a month away. Smart Talk‘s Election 2020 coverage begins with a conversation with Democratic candidate Dr. Gary Wegman DDS, who is running for Pennsylvania’s 9th Congressional District. The 9th District includes Carbon, Columbia, Lebanon County, Montour, and Schuylkill Counties, as well as parts of Berks, Luzerne, and … Continue reading "Smart Talk Monday: Conversation with Congressional candidate Wegman (D), and illegal dumping a problem throughout Pa."

Doctors at the University of Pittsburgh/UPMC say they have discovered antibodies that may be able prevent and treat COVID-19. The antibodies have worked in laboratory animals but human trials may not begin until early next year. We’ll learn more on Friday’s Smart Talk from UPMC Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. John Goldman, MD. Meanwhile, on a … Continue reading "Smart Talk Friday: Pitt researchers find new antibody that may prevent and treat COVID; HS football begins; POW/MIA Remembrance Day"

WITF-TV will air a feature length documentary Thursday night that investigates the cultural practices, beliefs and policies that impact Black girls in America’s schools. PUSHOUT: THE CRIMINALIZATION OF BLACK GIRLS IN SCHOOLS underscores the challenges Black girls face with insight from experts across the country who have worked extensively in the field of social justice, … Continue reading "Smart Talk: Criminalization of Black girls; Pa. joining Greenhouse Gas Initiative?"

A police officer in Lancaster shot and killed a man who was charging him with a knife Sunday afternoon. The family of the man who was killed — 27-year-old Ricardo Munoz — said he suffered from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and had stopped taking his medications. Police were called to Munoz’ mother’s home after he … Continue reading "Smart Talk Wednesday: Focusing on issues surrounding police shooting in Lancaster"

In early August, President Trump signed a memorandum allowing for the deferment of employees payroll taxes. This action was intended to “put money directly in the pockets of workers,” while Congress deliberated a new stimulus package. Employers have the option to defer withholding the employee portion of social security tax payments from September 1, 2020 … Continue reading "Smart Talk Tuesday: Payroll Tax deferment questions raised and ‘severe’ blood shortages hit mid-state"

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation and others are suing the federal Environmental Protection Agency saying EPA failed to require Pennsylvania and New York to develop plans to reduce pollution in the bay under two agreements. According to CBF, Pennsylvania’s plan to meet the 2025 goals in the Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Blueprint contains improvements over past … Continue reading "Smart Talk Monday: EPA sued over Pa. not meeting Chesapeake cleanup goals; Five counties and the coronavirus"