The Spark

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"

What to look for on Smart Talk, June 5, 2019: Pennsylvania exported $10.3 billion worth of products to Canada in 2017. Chemicals and machinery led the way. A year ago, trade relations between the U.S. and Canada had reached a critical phase. Canada had imposed tariffs on some American imports in retaliation for President Trump … Continue reading "Consul General of Canada and the 75th anniversary of D-Day"

What to look for on Smart Talk, June 4, 2019: Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman recently concluded a listening tour that made 70 stops across 67 counties to hear the opinions of Pennsylvanians on legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes. Recreational marijuana has been legalized in 10 states and decriminalized in 15 more, but federal law still … Continue reading "What Lt. Gov. Fetterman learned on pot tour/PA’s climate goals"

What to look for on Smart Talk, Monday, June 3, 2019: Philadelphia made national headlines when it implemented a tax on sugary-sweetened beverages, known more commonly as the “soda tax.” In defending the tax, Mayor Jim Kenney argued that it would not only benefit the city’s bottom line, but it would encourage people to reduce … Continue reading "Economics of a soda tax / Replacing PA voting machines"

What to look for on Smart Talk Monday, March 18, 2019: Giving birth to a child is one of the most significant events in a woman’s life. It is also one of the most dangerous. It is difficult to believe that in a modern medical era women still die from childbirth complications. In fact, while … Continue reading "Why are mothers still dying from childbirth? (Encore episode)"

What to look for on Smart Talk, Wednesday, May 29, 2019: May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Nationwide, 57.7 million Americans – nearly one-in-four – live with some type of mental health condition, and about 20 percent of children have a diagnosable mental illness during a given year. Since 1949, Mental Health America has run … Continue reading "Mental Health Awareness Month"

What to look for on Smart Talk,Tuesday, May 28, 2019: There was time when a librarian’s greatest challenge might be quieting a noisy patron or tracking down overdue materials. In modern times, everything seems more complicated, including the role of a public librarian. Libraries around the country are now adding conflict resolution to their professional … Continue reading "Libraries managing conflict resolution"

Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA. Photo by J. Fusco for VISIT PHILADELPHIA Memorial Day Weekend marks the unofficial start of the summer season and with it comes dreams of vacations and long weekends. There is so much to explore in Pennsylvania, from arts and history, to outdoor recreation and cultural events. History buffs from around … Continue reading "Explore Pennsylvania!"

Nancy Janda, left, and her new spouse Larisa Van Winkle, right, parade through the streets of downtown Pittsburgh after being one of 19 same-sex couples married by Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto in a marriage ceremony held in the Pittsburgh City Council chambers, Sunday, June 15, 2014. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) What to look for on … Continue reading "Fifth Anniversary of Same-Sex Marriage in Pennsylvania / Horse Racing Deaths"