The Spark

What to look for on Smart Talk, Wednesday, June 19, 2019: Sickle cell disease is a blood disorder that causes red blood cells to take on an abnormal sickle shape, which can result in a range of health challenges including severe pain, clogged arteries and a heightened risk of stroke. The disease affects approximately 100,000 … Continue reading "Wilson College Sesquicentennial and World Sickle Cell Day"

What to look for on Smart Talk, Tuesday, June 18, 2019: Child marriage is something that happens in other countries, right? Not so fast, advocates say, because there are young people getting married in the U.S. Around the world, nearly 12 million girls marry before the age of 18 every year. Numbers in the U.S. … Continue reading "Ending child marriage in Pennsylvania/Lobbying for renewables"

St. Joseph Prep’s Justin Montague holds the championship trophy after a PIAA, Class AAAA championship football game against Pine-Richland in Hershey, Pa. on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014. St Joseph won 49-41. (AP Photo/Ralph Wilson) What to look for on Smart Talk, Monday, June 17, 2019: A 1972 Pennsylvania law requires the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association … Continue reading "Proposed changes to PIAA playoff and transfer rules / Changes in emission test rules"

What to look for on Smart Talk, Friday, June 14, 2019: Today’s father comes in many forms. Fathers are not always the primary source of income or the main disciplinarian in a household. Fathers can be single or married, self-employed or stay-at-home, gay or straight. Ahead of this Father’s Day, Smart Talk discusses the changing … Continue reading "The changing role of fathers and ending animal suffering"

A hunter on State Game Lands (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) What to look for on Smart Talk, June 13, 2019: The Pennsylvania Game Commission was established in 1895 to manage, protect, and preserve PA wildlife. The Commission also regulates the hunting and trapping of game, operates game farms, and employs state game wardens. On May 30, … Continue reading "Pennsylvania Game Commission audit / PA insurance marketplace takeover"

What to look for on Smart Talk, Tuesday, June 11, 2019: When you or a loved one is diagnosed with a serious illness, taking time off from work for treatment can be costly, or even impossible. Families can risk financial hardship when faced with long-term treatments or even for routine medical events like the birth … Continue reading "The proposed Family Care Act"

What to look for on Smart Talk, Wednesday, June 12, 2019: For years, there has been a steady increase in the demand for health and human service programs in the Capital Region. A partnership, led by United Way of the Capital Region, is working to face that growing demand. In 2014, UWCR partnered with Harrisburg … Continue reading "Pilot programs show promise in the Capital Region"

What to look for on Smart Talk, Monday, June 10, 2019: A good book is the best sidekick to any summer vacation, whether it’s a beach weekend, family road trip, or faraway escape. Smart Talk welcomes a panel of area wordsmiths to share their summer book recommendations, from popular new releases to literary classics. We’d … Continue reading "Smart Talk’s books for summer reading"

What to look for on Smart Talk, June 7, 2019: Founded in 1783 by Dr. Benjamin Rush, Dickinson College was the first college chartered in the new United States of America. Today, the Carlisle liberal arts institution has just over 2200 students to whom the college seeks to provide a “useful” education.  Some of Dickinson’s current areas of … Continue reading "Dickinson President Margee Ensign / Being a generalist / Gov. Steve Bullock"

What to look for on Smart Talk, June 6, 2019: Seventy-five years ago today, General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s order set in motion a massive ground, sea, and air invasion of Europe called Operation Overlord. As the Supreme Commander of Allied Expeditionary Forces in WWII, he spearheaded the planning and eventual success of the invasion that would turn … Continue reading "Smart Talk road trip to the Eisenhower National Historic Site"