The Spark

The U.S. Census has been called one of the most logistically complex operations ever conducted by the federal government. Counting the entire population of the country, estimated at nearly 330 million people, is a massive undertaking and involves years of planning and preparation. The Constitution requires a decennial census take place every 10 years and … Continue reading "The 2020 Census preparations are underway"

What to look for on Smart Talk, Friday, August 23, 2019: More Americans are researching their family histories than ever before. Often, they want to learn about an ancestor’s military service. Where did they serve and for how long? What units did they fight with and, perhaps, were they awarded any commendations or medals for … Continue reading "Finding your family’s military roots"

What to look for on Smart Talk, Thursday, August 22, 2019: Talking about death and dying is difficult. It becomes exponentially more difficult when death is near, and decisions need to be made during a very emotional and stressful time. Planning for end-of-life care is about deciding now how you want to be cared for … Continue reading "Planning for end-of-life and HippoCamp for writers"

What to look for on Smart Talk, Wednesday, August 21, 2019: Five men paroled from Pennsylvania prisons are accused of killing six people during a two-month period earlier this year. Two of the murders involved children. None of the cases are related. A state correction officer association is calling on the state legislature to investigate … Continue reading "Is PA’s parole system working?/Kids and the Battle of Gettysburg"

Northern Snakehead. Photo courtesy of the PA Fish and Boat Commission (Joe Perillo, Philadelphia Water Department) What to look for on Smart Talk, Tuesday, August 20, 2019: Pennsylvania is at war against invasive species. Animals with names like the Asian Carp, Northern Snakehead and the Spotted Lanternfly are in the crosshairs. In large numbers they … Continue reading "Pennsylvania’s war with invasive species"

What to look for on Smart Talk, Monday, August 19, 2019: A strong economy is characterized by steady growth, low unemployment and little inflation. Everyone benefits during a strong economy, right? Not everyone, according to top economic leaders. The trickle down of current economic prosperity has not reached all Americans. There are plenty who fall … Continue reading "Helping the economically fragile / Pain and politics in America"

Children focus on a learning activity at the WITF “Back to School Bash” event on August 11, 2019, at the Clipper Magazine Stadium, Lancaster, Pa. Photo by Joanne Cassaro. A Ready, Set, Explore educational event is scheduled for Saturday, August 17, 2019, in Harrisburg, Pa. RSVP to “Explore the Magic of Learning with Princess Presto.” … Continue reading "Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children/The Violence Project"

The Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival takes the stage this weekend in beautiful Adams County. The festival is well-known among music lovers for presenting top-notch Bluegrass music and as a place featuring entertainment for the entire family. Smart Talk broadcasts from the Granite Hill Camping resort for a look at Pennsylvania’s long legacy of musical storytelling and … Continue reading "Smart Talk road trip to the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival"

Pennsylvania’s 28th Infantry Division of the National Guard has a long and storied past. The Division battle lineage dates to military campaigns during the Civil War and to the present-day conflict in Iraq. The “Iron Division” was also the first, and only, National Guard unit to field the Stryker Combat Vehicle as part of the … Continue reading "Stryker Combat Team Iraq anniversary and Stop blaming mental illness for mass shootings"

The most recent Franklin and Marshall College poll finds that Pennsylvania voters are generally satisfied with how things are going in the state, and their personal lives. Keystone voters also agree on several key issues; overhaul the state tax framework and get rid of the current property tax system. They also agree on how and … Continue reading "Franklin & Marshall poll gauges voter satisfaction"