The Spark

What to look for on Smart Talk, Tuesday, May 7, 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 legalized the cultivation of hemp–and farmers are taking notice. Industrial hemp has a long history in the U.S. as … Continue reading "Industrial Hemp is creating a buzz in PA"

Photo by Allison Shelley What to look for on Smart Talk, Monday, May 6, 2019: Melissa Block has seen a lot of change in the more than 30 years she has worked for NPR. She began her career in 1985 as an editorial assistant for All Things Considered and rose to become senior producer, and … Continue reading "NPR Correspondent Melissa Block discusses the role of media"

WITF Smart Talk host Scott LaMar with C-SPAN’s Brian Lamb and Susan Swain./Photo Art Titzel What to look for on Smart Talk Friday, May 3, 2019: For the past 40 years, the cable TV network C-SPAN has televised floor sessions from Congress and other public affairs venues. Often, C-SPAN’s programming includes interviews with newsmakers, historians … Continue reading "The Presidents by C-SPAN’s Brian Lamb and Susan Swain"

What to look for on Smart Talk Thursday, May 2, 2019: Thursday’s Smart Talk includes conversations with a best-selling author discussing his latest book and also the author of a new book that chronicles how entertainer Bill Cosby was brought to justice after being convicted of sexual assault charges. Chasing Cosby — The Downfall … Continue reading "Best-selling author Mark Bowden on his latest book/Chasing Cosby author"

What to look for on Smart Talk, Wednesday, May 1, 2019: Last legislative session, Pennsylvania’s General Assembly came to a rare, bipartisan consensus on criminal justice and passed the Clean Slate Act–a measure that helps former inmates get their records expunged. Now, the House and Senate are trying to move the needle on other criminal … Continue reading "PA Legislators advocating for criminal justice reform"

What to look for on Smart Talk Tuesday, April 30, 2019: Ticks and mosquitos are more than just nuisance bugs. Their bites can be dangerous. Spring and summer weather means that more of us are spending time outdoors, making incidental contact with these pests more likely. The Department of Environmental Protection announced a five-year tick … Continue reading "Tick and mosquito borne illness and restoring a local cemetery"

What to look for on Smart Talk on Monday, April 29, 2019: Last month, breaking news of a huge college admission cheating scandal dominated headlines across the country. The story captured the nation’s attention because it involved allegations of cheating by the rich and powerful for their children to gain admission to prestigious colleges and … Continue reading "Getting into college through the ‘front door’"

What to look for on Smart Talk Friday, April 26, 2019: The Hadee Mosque in Harrisburg will host a unique gathering of individuals on Monday. Congregants representing numerous religious ideologies in the mid-state will join to offer prayers for justice and peace. This is the 11th annual Commonwealth Interfaith Service, which provides an opportunity for … Continue reading "Commonwealth Interfaith Service / Poetry Out Loud state champion"

What to look for on Smart Talk on Thursday, April 18, 2019: The Eastern Lancaster County school board has found itself under scrutiny for a recently approved ‘biological sex’ policy. The policy for bathroom and locker room use highlights a public debate over transgender rights in a district with more than 3100 students. Joining Thursday’s … Continue reading "Transgender rights in the spotlight and rating the air we breathe"

What to look for on Smart Talk, Wednesday, April 24, 2019: Spring has sprung, the sun is shining and flowers are in bloom. That means it’s time to plant those fruit and vegetable gardens. April showers might bring May flowers, but they also bring Smart Talk‘s annual gardening show. Mother Nature has brought Pennsylvania plenty … Continue reading "Your gardening questions answered"