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WITF, Transforming Health, and PA Post are launching a series on mental health called Through the Cracks. Over a number of months, we’ll be covering the realities of people who live with mental illness, the stigmas involved, and how public policy can help—or, often, hurt—vulnerable people.
The first installment was reported by Brett Sholtis, who took a close look at why people with serious mental health issues often wait a really, really long time for the services they need.
We’ll explain the wide-ranging impact of state’s transition away from institutionalizing the mentally ill, toward integrating patients into communities. We’ll discuss why state mental health funding has declined over the last 25 years, and we’ll preview some of the stories Brett is tackling later in the series.
Plus, Kiera McGuire, a producer for WITF and Transforming Health, will discuss a story she recently reported about one all-to-common side effect of chronic mental health issues: homelessness.

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The election is over, and you may have heard, Pennsylvania Democrats picked up some new congressional seats–and helped flip the U.S. House of Representatives.

Meanwhile, Democrats in the state House and Senate also made progress. The Senate flipped at least five seats and ended a Republican supermajority–and the House snagged at least eleven–thought to be their largest pickup since 1974.

That’s not enough to give them majorities in either chamber, but it will mean some changes in how Harrisburg operates.

Appearing on Smart Talk are journalists Marc Levy, Associated Press, and Charles Thompson, Pennlive to discuss the implications.

Democratic State Representative Patty Kim and Republican Representative Greg Rothman also join Smart Talk to explain how their caucus’s prospects will change–and what the shifting numbers mean for collaboration between the parties.

Also, this election saw four states voting to change their redistricting methods–Carol Kuniholm with Fair Districts PA will discuss what that will mean for stalled efforts to do the same in Pennsylvania.

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On Saturday, eleven people were murdered in a Pittsburgh synagogue, and six others were injured. A man named Robert Bowers was arrested and has been charged with anti-Semitic hate crimes. He has pleaded not guilty.

In the days since, members of Pittsburgh’s robust Jewish community have been grappling with the sudden deaths of their own, the hatefulness of the crime, and being thrust suddenly into a national political spotlight.

Lucy Perkins, Virginia Alvino Young, and Margaret Krauss—all of Pittsburgh public radio station WESA—join us this week to explain what’s going on, what people are feeling, and what the weeks ahead look like for the city.

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At the time of this podcast recording, we’re less than two weeks from an important election. Nationally, Democrats are trying to take back the congressional majority—and Pennsylvania is a huge part of that effort.

This week, WITF and Keystone Crossroads reporter Emily Previti joins us to explain how voter registration is shaking out in the commonwealth—and to assess whether this is, in fact, an exceptional year for the left. WHYY’s Jim Saksa will also drop in to talk about why any inroads Democrats make in Congress probably won’t extend to state House and Senate races.

Plus, PA Post’s Ed Mahon will help answer a bunch of listener questions. If you have a question of your own, shoot us an email at podcast@papost.org.

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The state House and Senate ended their legislative session with a bang Wednesday night. Negotiations on a priority statute of limitations bill—which aimed to make it easier for victims of child sexual abuse to sue abusers—melted down. Plus, polling!

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Joining us to explain which congressional races to watch is Associated Press political reporter Marc Levy. Public radio reporters Lindsay Lazarski (of WHYY) and An-Li Herring (of WESA) will also give their input on a couple of interesting, individual races they’ve been following.

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When it comes to funding public defense for poor—or indigent—people, Pennsylvania is an outlier. The commonwealth leaves that funding totally up to the counties, and provides no statewide oversight. Reporters Emily Previti, Lindsay Lazarski, Annette John-Hall, and Min Xian join us to explain the situation.

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After a long summer recess, the House and Senate are officially returning to Harrisburg on Monday. There won’t be much time for lawmakers to tie up all their loose ends before the session ends and all bills have to be started from scratch. However, there are a couple things that are high on the agenda.

John Baer of the Philadelphia Inquirer Daily News and Marc Levy of the Associated Press join us to explain two bills that have a real shot at passing: one that would increase protections for domestic violence victims, and another that would make it easier to sue sexual abusers of children.

Plus, the PLS Reporter’s Stephen Caruso fills us in on some of the more overlooked initiatives he’s come across during his last few months keeping tabs on the largely-vacant Capitol.

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Our introductory episode with guest Kathleen Pavelko, President & CEO of WITF.

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