The Spark

What to look for on Smart Talk Tuesday, March 20, 2018: The U.S. Supreme Court denied an appeal by Pennsylvania Republicans Monday that upholds a new map of the state’s Congressional districts drawn by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. WITF’s Capitol Bureau Chief Katie Meyer is on Tuesday’s Smart Talk with details. Hunting is one of … Continue reading "Supreme Court upholds PA Congressional map/Felons not allowed to have guns hunting?/MLK50 events"

What to look for on Smart Talk Monday, March 19, 2018: It’s well-documented that property taxes are one of the most disliked taxes in Pennsylvania and it’s been that way for a long time.  There have been numerous efforts over the past four decades to eliminate or at least reform property taxes. Republican State Senator … Continue reading "PSBA on opposition to property tax elimination bill/Embattled Fish and Boat Commission Direector John Arway"

What to look for on Smart Talk Friday, March 16, 2018: Fifty years ago, the United States was embroiled in a protected military conflcit in Vietnam — with no clear end in sight. The Tet Offensive began in early 1968 and American and South Vietnamese forces were engaged in near constant warfare for several months. … Continue reading "Lessons learned from My Lai/Caregivers to wounded vets"

What to look for on Smart Talk Thursday, March 15, 2018: Throughout American history, the press has been criticized by those in power — often when there was a story they didn’t like or that made them look bad. While Thomas Jefferson was a champion of freedom of the press, he also had a contentious … Continue reading "How does media gain trust?/Artist with 3 exhibits in midstate"

What to look for on Smart Talk Wednesday, March 14, 2018: One month after a school shooting in Parkland, Florida left 17 people dead, students across the country are walking out of classrooms today or holding other types of gatherings — mostly to demand tougher gun laws. Some schools have embraced the walkouts as a … Continue reading "How are PA schools handling student walkouts over violence?/Bill addresses puppy mills/York County recognized as destination"

What to look for on Smart Talk Tuesday, March 13, 2018: Pennsylvania’s 500 school districts collect about $14.4 billion.  There’s a good chance that number will rise next year because property taxes increase almost every year in most school districts. It’s one of the reasons funding schools through property taxes is so unpopular. Even though … Continue reading "Is PA ready for property tax reform?/All eyes on PA Congressional race"

What to look for on Smart Talk Monday, March 12, 2018: Some 175 people died of drug overdoses in York County last year.  The county has seen a big jump in the number of deadly overdoses in the last several years.  But it is still alarming when York County Coroner Pam Gay reported there were … Continue reading "York County Opioid OD deaths jump/Coal jobs update"

Author Janice Kaplan What to look for on Smart Talk Friday, March 9, 2018: Catch a lucky break. Pick the lucky numbers. Being in the right place at the right time. Some people are just luckier than others, right? Do some people really have all the luck? The answer may be yes AND no. Joining … Continue reading "Janice Kaplan: How Luck Happens/PA Charter Day"

Steven Johnson What to look for on Smart Talk Thursday, March 8, 2018: How a flute made from the bones of extinct animals can be traced to the invention of the programmable computer?  It’s just one story from best-selling popular science author and media theorist Steven Johnson, who appears on Thursday’s Smart Talk. Johnson is … Continue reading "Steven Johnson talks innovation-ideas/Spinal leak and headaches"

What to look for on Smart Talk Wednesday, March 7, 2018: Insects that aren’t native to Pennsylvania have invaded the state’s forests, farm fields and homes and new ones appear every few years. Recently, the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug made its way from Asia. This nuisance pest was first spotted in Allentown in 1998 and … Continue reading "Invasive insects invade PA/Chesapeake Bay update"