The Spark

Pennsylvania farms that produce dairy products have been one of the crown jewels of the state’s agriculture industry.  Pennsylvania has the second most dairy farms in the country — about 16% of the entire nation’s dairy farms.  That’s even though the state has lost about 800 dairy farms since 2010. Pennsylvania dairy farmers are facing … Continue reading "PA dairy farmers fighting for their livlihoods"

More than 71 hundred Pennsylvanians went to out-of-state drug and alcohol treatment facilities according to a 2016-2017 survey conducted by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department.  Most went to Florida.  Those seeking treatment may or may not have been treated successfully.  But the Insurance Department and the state’s Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs are raising a … Continue reading "Opioid treatment scams/Overdose hospital admissions"

What to look for on Smart Talk Friday, June 22, 2018: In a departure from about ten years of unhappy tradition, Pennsylvania lawmakers are on the brink of passing a budget before the June 30th deadline. Their proposal has made it through the House and, as of Friday morning, is awaiting final Senate consideration. It’s … Continue reading "On-time budget, behind-schedule redistricting"

What to look for on Smart Talk Thursday, June 21, 2018: This week, the U.S. Supreme Court sidestepped two cases — without ruling on whether they are Constitutional — related to how Congressional districts are drawn.  Many had hoped the Court would provide an answer to whether maps in Wisconsin and Maryland were gerrymandered.  Instead, … Continue reading "PA impacted by Supreme Court inaction?/Parkinson’s Disease"

What to look for on Smart Talk Wednesday, June 20, 2018: When the state decided five years ago to allow bars and taverns to expand the number of games of chance in their establishments, it was estimated that about two thousand bars and taverns would seek licenses to offer games such as pull tabs, raffles … Continue reading "Tavern games not popular with taverns"

What to look for on Smart Talk Tuesday, June 19, 2018: Eighteen-year-old Meredith Demko was killed in a Lancaster County car crash in July, 2014.  The driver of the other vehicle had been arrested twice previously for driving under the influence and was driving with his license suspended.  His blood-alcohol level was three times the … Continue reading "Should fatal DUI be a felony in PA?"

What to look for on Smart Talk Monday, June 18, 2018: The latest Franklin and Marshall College Poll that was released last week shows that almost three out of four Pennsylvania voters want real change and reform in how their state government operates and would like to see a Constitutional Convention formed to review the … Continue reading "F&M poll shows voters want reform"

The Raineys from the film Quest What to look for on Smart Talk Friday, June 15, 2018:  Monday night at 10 on WITF-TV,  POV presents the documentary film Quest.  The critically-acclaimed and multi-award-winning film follows a North Philadelphia family for 10 years.  Chris “Quest” Rainey brings hip hop artists from all over the city into … Continue reading "Documentary film Quest/Keeping kids safe from guns"

Consul-General of Canada Phyllis Yaffee What to look for on Smart Talk Thursday, June 14, 2018: The tariffs on steel and aluminum imported to the United States have resulted in tensions between the U.S. and its largest trading partners.  After last weekend’s G-7 Summit made up of the world’s most prosperous Democratic nations, President Donald … Continue reading "Canadian official makes trade case"

What to look for on Smart Talk Tuesday, June 12, 2018: The Centers for Disease Control reported last week that suicide rates have increased — dramatically — across the country from 1999 to 2016.  The CDC said suicide rates went up in 49 states.  Nevada had a 1% decrease during that time period and was … Continue reading "Why have suicide deaths increased so dramatically?"