The Spark

The soldiers and families who call Fort Bragg, North Carolina, their home, live and work on one of the nation’s most prestigious military installations. Home to elite Army units like the 82nd Airborne Division, the base has trained troops for battle since World War II to the present-day conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Fort Bragg … Continue reading "Why are some U.S. Army’s posts named to honor the enemy?"

The 2019 top stories on Smart Talk series concludes Tuesday with conversations on the program this year focused on the 40th anniversary of the accident at Three Mile Island — the worst accident at a commercial nuclear plant in the nation’s history. On March 28, 1979, a combination of plant design, an equipment malfunction and … Continue reading "2019 Smart Talk Top Stories — Three Mile Island 40th"

Suicide was one of the top stories on Smart Talk in 2019 and is the focus of Monday’s program. The nation’s suicide rate has climbed dramatically in the last 20 years – especially among young people and the state formed a suicide prevention task force in response. A York County family is dealing with this … Continue reading "2019 Smart Talk Top Stories — suicide"

The 2019 top stories on Smart Talk series continues Friday with conversations that came in the aftermath of the deadly mass shooting in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio last August. On Friday’s program, we hear that mass shooters from the past 50 years all have four traits in common. That’s according to The Violence … Continue reading "2019 Smart Talk Top Stories — research on guns and mass shooters"

The 2019 top stories on Smart Talk series begins with a look back at the push to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes. Governor Wolf came out in favor of legalizing cannabis for recreational use. Wolf arrived at this position following Lt. Governor John Fetterman’s 67-county listening tour. The tour results are consistent with a March … Continue reading "2019 Smart Talk Top Stories — legalizing marijuana"

PFAS contamination is linked to toxic chemicals used in industrial and consumer products and those found around military airstrips where firefighting foam was used. PFAS have been connected to liver damage, high cholesterol, cancer and other health problems. Recent Pennsylvania water quality sample results revealed the presence of PFAS contamination in about a third of … Continue reading "How safe is Pa. drinking water?"

War wounds are not always physical. Psychological wounds caused by the traumas of war can be equally debilitating. And because the injury is not visible to friends and loved ones, those suffering often deal with it in silence or behave out of character. A mental health condition caused by trauma is called Post Traumatic Stress … Continue reading "Healing the spiritual wounds of war"

About 81% of white Evangelicals voted for President Trump in 2016 and polls of those who identify as Evangelical indicate the president continues to get their support going into the election year of 2020. Trump maintains that loyalty even though he has been accused of what many Christians would find objectionable behavior. Abortion, same-sex marriage … Continue reading "Evangelicals in the age of Pres. Trump"

The last Smart Talk Road Trip of the year takes us to the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg. Inside the Front Street home, we’ll discuss Governor Tom Wolf’s plans and priorities for the next two years. Will Wolf push for raising Pennsylvania’s minimum wage? More money for education? What about a tax on natural gas drilling … Continue reading "Smart Talk Road Trip visits the Governor’s Residence"

Tis the season with the holidays right around the corner. What better way to show friends and family that you care by giving them an amazing book to read. Smart Talk is hosting our annual book-as-gifts guide. Books come in all shapes and sizes, and in a vast array of genres, including non-fiction, fiction, mystery … Continue reading "2019 books-as-gifts guide"