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

On this episode, Laura sits down with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Al Schmidt to discuss the 2024 Presidential Primary.  There's a move afoot among some state lawmakers to move the primary from its current date of April 23rd, 2024 to an earlier date.  Supporters say it will make Pennsylvania more important when the major political parties pick their standard bearers.  But can it be done at this point?

Also, in our "PA-mazing" segment, we'll take a trip to remote Stewart Township, Fayette County, to discover one of the Smithsonian Institution's "28 Places to See Before You Die."  Of course, we're talking about the Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece, Fallingwater.  find out about  up the current ,  date in Harrisburg to move up the date of the primary 

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

On this episode, Laura sits down with Pat Halpin-Murphy, Founder and President of the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition.  Since her diagnosis and successful treatment of Late Stage III Breast Cancer, Pat has dedicated her life to helping Pennsylvania women get through the ordeal of this disease.  She has successfully advocated getting women free mammograms, and making insurance companies doing business in the state cover genetic testing and ultrasounds for women in need of those additional tests to determine if they have breast cancer.  She is a true inspiration and her work has saved countless lives.  

Then, a very candid conversation with PA Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis.  At just 34 years old, he is the youngest Lt. Governor in the nation and already has a world of political experience to his credit.   

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In advance of the November 7th election, WLBR's Laura LeBeau, host of "Talk of the Town," conducted a one-on-one interview with local attorney Megan Ryland Tanner,  a registered Republican who cross-filed during the primary election and won the Democratic Party Primary for the open seat on the Lebanon County Court of Common Pleas.  

This year's election of a new judge will be historic, in that the winner of the election will be the first female elected judge to the Court of Common Pleas in Lebanon County. 

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 In advance of the November 7th election, WLBR's Laura LeBeau, host of "Talk of the Town," conducted a one-on-one interview with local attorney Donna Long Brightbill, the Republican candidate for the open seat on the Lebanon County Court of Common Pleas.  

This year's election of a new judge will be historic, in that the winner of the election will be the first female elected judge to the Court of Common Pleas in Lebanon County.

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In advance of the November 7th election, WLBR's Laura LeBeau, host of "Talk of the Town," conducted a one-on-one interview with Democrat Lebanon County Commissioner JoEllen Litz, as she seeks reelection for another term.  

Litz is a lifelong Lebanon County resident who has served as a County Commissioner for one term from 1996-2000, and consecutive terms from 2004 to present, for a total of six terms in office. 

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In advance of the November 7th election, WLBR's Laura LeBeau, host of "Talk of the Town," conducted a one-on-one interview with Republican Lebanon County Commissioner Bob Phillips, as he seeks re-election to one of the 3 seats up for election this year. 

Phillips has served three terms (12 years) on the board, most of them as the Chairman County Commissioner.  He is also the owner of a local State Farm Insurance office  and is active in a number of philanthropic activities, including serving on the board of the Francis J. Dixon Foundation.  

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In advance of the November 7th election, WLBR's Laura LeBeau, host of "Talk of the Town," conducted a one-on-one interview with Democrat Lebanon County Commission candidate Michael Schroeder, as he seeks election to one of the 3 seats up for election this year. 

Schroeder is a retired professor of history and has an extensive record of community service with several organizations, including the Lebanon County NAACP, Friends of Old Annville, Quittapahilla Watershed Association and several others. 

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In advance of the November 7th election, WLBR's Laura LeBeau, host of "Talk of the Town," conducted a one-on-one interview with Republican Lebanon County Commissioner Mike Kuhn, as he seeks election to a 4 year term.   

Kuhn was appointed by Lebanon County's President Judge John Tylwalk in early 2022 to fill the remainder of the unexpired term of Bill Ames, who died in December, 2021 from Covid-19.  

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

On this episode, Laura discusses issues related to farming, farmland preservation, food banks and food insecurity in the Keystone State with the Secretary of the PA Department of Agriculture, Russell Redding.  

Then, we focus in on the issue of Open Primaries in Pennsylvania.  Currently, the Commonwealth  is one of only seven states in the nation that still has closed primary elections, meaning only registered Democrat or Republican voters can participate.  For years, groups like Ballot PA have been working to change that, and make Pennsylvania an open primary state.  We speak with David Thornburgh, who heads Ballot PA for the latest news on this front.  

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

On this week's Show, Laura delves into the world of school transportation.  You've no doubt seen school buses rolling down the roads in your community, transporting children of all ages to and from school or school-related activities.  But how much do you really know about school transportation companies, or the people who drive those school buses.  In the wake of a statewide school bus driver shortage, the Executive Director of the PA School Bus Association, Gerry Wosewick discusses these issues.  

Then, in an extended P-Amazing segment, you'll head to the Philadelphia Zoo,   It's the nation's oldest, and over the years has been home to quite a cast of iconic, and historic animals.