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The Commonwealth Beat with Laura LeBeau is a statewide Public Affairs program airing on all Seven Mountains Media Pennsylvania radio stations. 

In this "Best Of" episode, Laura discusses with PA State Fire Commissioner Thomas  Cook  the very urgent need for Pennsylvania's volunteer fire companies to replenish their ranks and attract younger men and women to become firefighters in their communities.  

In the PA-mazing segment, we take a trip to America's first zoo, The Philadelphia Zoo!

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The Commonwealth Beat with Laura LeBeau is a statewide Public Affairs program airing on all Seven Mountains Media Pennsylvania radio stations. 

In this episode, Laura discusses another successful wave of applicants to the Pennsylvania State Police with Lt. Adam Reed.  This new interest in becoming a State Trooper comes in the wake of  Gov. Josh Shapiro's decision to drop the 60 college credits requirement that had been in place until last year.   Also, Lt. Reed discusses the public comment period the PSP is in, for re-accreditation with CALEA, a law enforcement accreditation service.  

In the PA-mazing segment, a discussion about the Brandywine Museum of Art, and its collection of works by famed American artists, Andrew Wyeth and his equally famous father, illustrator N.C. Wyeth.  The Brandywine is a must-stop for Wyeth fans and those who study American art.   

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The Commonwealth Beat with Laura LeBeau is a statewide Public Affairs program airing on all Seven Mountains Media Pennsylvania radio stations. 

A new report out this week details some very disturbing findings regarding students of color at the Commonwealth's public universities.  They're facing racial harassment, racial stereotypes and all out racism on their campuses, making them feel unwelcome at school.  The report was compiled by PA Senator Art Haywood and PA Human Relations Commission Executive Director Chad Dion Lassiter, who talks about what it all means.  

In the PA-mazing segment, it's off to Pottsville, Schuylkill County, to hear all about America's oldest brewery, D. G. Yuengling & Sons.  Debbie Yuengling, part of the 6th generation of that family discusses her the company and its legacy, some 195 years after the founding of the brewery.  

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The Commonwealth Beat with Laura LeBeau is a statewide Public Affairs program airing on all Seven Mountains Media Pennsylvania radio stations. 

With Pennsylvania one of the most critically important swing states in this year's election, Laura discusses the "Trump Effect" on politics, and how it will impact not only the Presidential election but also this year's U.S. Senate race with Muhlenberg College Political Science Professor, Dr. Christopher Borick.  

There's also a discussion with Jake Peck of Dauphin County.  He's started a charity that takes folks with disabilities on outdoor excursions.  Hear more about it, and how you can help make this charity flourish.  

In the PA-mazing segment, a discussion with Kristy Bell, Tourism Director of Jefferson County, which is home to Pennsylvania's #1 Groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, in advance of his annual weather forecast. 

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The Commonwealth Beat with Laura LeBeau is a statewide Public Affairs program airing on all Seven Mountains Media Pennsylvania radio stations. 

On this episode, Laura discusses drug addiction with a noted expert on the subject, Dr. Deirdre Dingman, who teaches this very subject at Temple University in Philadelphia.  

Then, a much lighter subject in the PA-mazing segment, actually talking about the dark.  In particular, we head back to "God's Country," and the internationally-recognized Dark Sky Location at Cherry Springs State Park.  

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The Commonwealth Beat with Laura LeBeau is a statewide Public Affairs program airing on all Seven Mountains Media Pennsylvania radio stations. 

On this episode, the importance of Agriculture in Pennsylvania.  Hear PA Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding, Governor Josh Shapiro and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack discuss the importance of the work done by the Commonwealth's farmers.  Their speeches came during Public Officials Day at the 2024 Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg.   

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The Commonwealth Beat with Laura LeBeau is a statewide Public Affairs program airing on all Seven Mountains Media Pennsylvania radio stations. 

On this episode, Laura discusses the prospect of the General Assembly raising the state minimum wage, as 22 other states did, effective January 1st.  Currently, the Pennsylvania minimum wage sits at the same rate as the federal government's minimum wage, $7.25/hour.  Luke Bernstein, President of the PA Chamber of Business & Industry is not a fan of another government mandate being foisted upon business owners, even though most already pay their employees far more than that.  

Also on this episode, Laura delves into Pennsylvania's statewide historic preservation plan, administered by the state's Historic Preservation Office.  These are the folks who determine whether sites across the Commonwealth are historic, and not just old.  The plan is wrapping up, after five years of study.  Find out what was discovered.  

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The Commonwealth Beat with Laura LeBeau is a statewide Public Affairs program airing on all Seven Mountains Media Pennsylvania radio stations. 

On this episode, Laura focuses on the statewide employee shortage across all job sectors with  Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry President, Luke Bernstein. While it's easy to blame the shortages on the Covid pandemic, employee numbers were already trending down before that.  A conversation about the causes and what can be done.  

Also, perhaps you've heard of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, but do you really know its core mission.  Laura discusses that with Commission Executive Director Chad Dion Lassiter, who was just recently named to City & State's 2023 Impact 75 List.  

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The Commonwealth Beat with Laura LeBeau is a statewide Public Affairs program airing on all Seven Mountains Media Pennsylvania radio stations.

On this special episode, Laura speaks with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro about his first year in office.  The 50-year old is the 48th Chief Executive of Pennsylvania and has faced a myriad of challenges, right out of the gate, including a major train derailment, the murder of a State Trooper, a divided state legislature (the only one in the nation) and the literal collapse of a portion of I-95 in Philadelphia. 

How's he holding up?  And what about his name be bandied about as a possible presidential candidate?  The governor tackles those issues and more on this special Gubernatorial edition of The Commonwealth Beat with Laura LeBeau.  

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The Commonwealth Beat with Laura LeBeau is a statewide Public Affairs program airing on all Seven Mountains Media Pennsylvania radio stations. 

On this episode, Laura shines the spotlight on the Address Confidentiality Program of the Pennsylvania Office of Victim Advocate.  It's a state-funded service that gives victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and stalking an opportunity to begin their lives anew, without their abusers tracking them down.  

In the PA-mazing segment, another Pennsylvania treasure is highlighted.  It's the world-famous Wanamaker Organ, located at the Macy's department store in Center City Philadelphia.  The organ is the largest, working pipe organ in the world, with over 27,000 pipes.  There are free organ concerts Monday-Saturday year round, but at Christmas time, the organ is also part of a dazzling light show that's been entertaining shoppers since the 1950's.