What to look for on Smart Talk Thursday, March 13, 2019: Ron Hetrick has been named the new president and CEO of WITF. He succeeds Kathleen Pavelko who is retiring after 19 years. Hetrick served as senior vice president of finance and administration since joining WITF in 2000. As president and CEO, he will oversee … Continue reading "PBS NewsHour’s Judy Woodruff / WITF picks new leader / ‘Picking up’ the Poconos"

Press gathering around Metropolitan Edison Vice President Jack Herbein March 29,1979. What to look for on Smart Talk Tuesday, March 12, 2019: WITF continues it’s coverage of the 40th anniversary of the nuclear accident at Three Mile Island Tuesday on Smart Talk by discussing how the media covered the event and its aftermath. The nation’s … Continue reading "Media coverage of TMI accident was part of the story"

What to look for on Smart Talk Monday, September 24, 2018: The opioid crisis has impacted every facet of American life and touched all socio-economic levels. Recent news reports say that overdose deaths are leveling off after two years of increasing numbers. Does this mean the opioid crisis over? Not so fast, according Jennifer Smith, … Continue reading "Is the opioid crisis over?"

Dr. Brett Delone, Surgeon, (left) and his surgical team, Kigali, Rwanda, September, 2018 (Photo by Margaret Marchaterre) What to look for on Smart Talk on Monday, March 11, 2019: A local group of medical professionals and volunteers is providing cost-free medical care in some of the poorest countries in the world. Known as Operation Medical, … Continue reading "Surgical teams take medical skills global"

What to look for on Smart Talk Friday, March 8, 2019: Sunday is Charter Day in Pennsylvania — marking the day when the Commonwealth’s founder William Penn obtained a charter in 1681 for territory that would be known as Pennsylvania from the King of England. Most Pennsylvanians learned in history classes that Penn was looking … Continue reading "William Penn’s life and the case for female superheroes"

What to look for on Smart Talk Wednesday, March 6, 2019: Americans enjoy outdoor recreation. Pennsylvania, in particular, is a natural playground to “pursue your happiness.” Activities like biking, hiking, skiing are unlimited. The federal government established the Land and Water Conservation Fund 50 years ago to preserve and protect recreational opportunities. That fund created … Continue reading "Recreation gets funding commitment and carbon credits for woodlands?"

What to look for on Smart Talk Wednesday, March 6, 2019: The number of police officers across the country is shrinking. There are more than 20,000 fewer cops on the streets today than there were in 2013. According to recent findings from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, “the U.S. population has risen from 267 million … Continue reading "Why are there fewer police officers in the U.S.?"

What to look for on Smart Talk, Tuesday, March 5, 2019: Industrial hemp is creating quite a buzz in Pennsylvania and around the country. Touted as America’s “next big cash crop,’ the 2018 Farm Bill fully legalizes the cultivation of hemp–and farmers are taking notice. Industrial hemp has a long history in the U.S. … Continue reading "Industrial Hemp is creating a buzz in PA"

What to look for on Smart Talk, Monday, March 4, 2019: The number of suicides reported in Pennsylvania county jails is troubling. In the last four years, there were 81 reported suicides in the county jail system. That number accounts for individuals who died by suicide, however, the number attempted is much higher, but may … Continue reading "County prison suicides and Human Service’s top budget issues"

What to look for on Smart Talk, Friday, March 1, 2019: The Three Mile Island accident occurred on March 28, 1979. It was and still is the nation’s worst commercial nuclear accident. TMI also was one of the most historic events in Central Pennsylvania — one that everyone living in the region at the time … Continue reading "Three Mile Island 40th anniversary — what’s ahead?"