“Through the Cracks” examines mental health treatment/Re-thinking America

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What to look for on Smart Talk Wednesday, November 14, 2018:

WITF is launching a new project that investigates and examines how those who are living with mental illness are coping, receiving treatment, and integrating into the community. The project will also look at the services that are available to them and where the funding to pay for those services comes from.

The series is called Through the Cracks and, unfortunately, the title is often an accurate description of life for people living with mental illness.

Years after efforts to de-institutionalize those with serious mental illnesses, many can’t find the assistance or treatment they need, don’t get enough time with therapists and state funding has been stagnant.

Transforming Health’s Brett Sholtis is one of the producers of Through the Cracks and he appears on Wednesday’s Smart Talk.

Also, the book Rethinking America: From Empire to Republic takes a closer look into events leading up to the Revolutionary War. It was written by author and Yale University history professor Dr. John Murrin, Ph.D.

The book “explains why a constitutional argument within the British Empire escalated to produce a revolutionary republic.” The author looks at the politics of Anglicization from the colonial period up to the start of the American Revolution.

Dr. Andrew Shankman is a history professor at Rutgers University-Camden who contributed to the book and joins us on Smart Talk.

Climate change and loss of biodiversity

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What to look for on Smart Talk Tuesday, November 13, 2018:

A recent report from the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change paints a pretty dire picture. By 2040, the world faces myriad crises — including food shortages, extreme weather, wildfires and a mass die-off of coral reefs — unless emissions are cut sharply.

Scientists are urging world leaders to keep the warming below 1.5 celsius above pre-industrial levels. That’s half a degree less than the goal set by the 2015 Paris Climate Accord. They conceded that there is “no documented historic precedent” for such a rapid transformation of the global economy.

Additionally, climate change and other factors, including habitat destruction and invasive species, are fueling an ongoing mass extinction event rarely seen in earth’s history.

Appearing on Smart Talk to discuss the climate report is Professor Richard Alley, Evan Pugh University Professor, Penn State, department of Geosciences, and Earth and Environmental Systems Institute.

Also joining Smart Talk are Professor S. Blair Hedges, director, center for biodiversity, Temple University, and Kerry Cesareo, vice president for forests with the World Wildlife Fund, to discuss habitat loss and biodiversity.

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Joe Ulrich, engineer, and Marie Cusick, guest host

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Kerry Cesareo, Richard Alley and S. Blair Hedges

100th Anniversary of the ending of World War I

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A soldier of Company K, 110th Regt. Infantry (formerly 3rd and 10th Inf., Pennsylvania National Guard), just wounded, receiving first-aid treatment from a comrade. Varennes-en-Argonne, France, on September 26, 1918. U.S. Army / U.S. National Archives

What to look for on Smart Talk Monday, November 12, 2018:

At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month marks the time that World War I officially came to an end in 1918. One hundred years ago on Sunday, a ceasefire was signed leading to the Armistice and ending what was then called The Great War.

World War I was the first “total war of the modern period” and no one then would imagine there would be another coming of even greater magnitude.

“Europe’s War” began in 1914 after the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand. Germany and its central powers allies fought against Great Britain, France and Russia, along with other Allied Powers. From the outset of the war, the United States sought to remain neutral, which became increasingly difficult with maritime provocations and the sinking of merchant marine vessels. A final straw was the sinking of the British ocean liner Lusitania that was carrying American passengers on board.

In April 1917, the United States declared war against Germany and began an unprecedented industrial mobilization effort. It took time to assemble, train and equip the Army and by Spring of 1918 the American Expeditionary Force was ready for their first engagement. The addition of American “doughboys” helped to end three years of stalemate.

During the war, more than two million American’s volunteered for the Army and almost three million were drafted. By the end, 116,516 U.S. soldiers would die in combat or from disease and another 200,000 were wounded. In all, more than 35 million people died during the entirety of the war.

World War I was a war of firsts. It was the first time that women joined the ranks, and the first time that minorities served in considerable numbers. More than 350,000 African Americans served during the war, as did Native Americans and other minority groups. It was also the first time that trench warfare would be fought, and the first time that soldiers would experience the lethality of modern weapons like tanks, machine guns and chemical warfare.

The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, officially ending the war. Unknowingly, the Treaty would also help to set the conditions for World War II.

Joining Smart Talk for Veterans Day and a special 100th anniversary commemoration of World War I is Dr. Conrad C. Crane, the Chief of Historical Services for the Army Heritage and Education Center at Carlisle Barracks, and Dr. Doug Mastriano, Historian and author.

The election is over; what lies ahead for Pennsylvania?

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What to look for on Smart Talk Friday, November 9, 2018:

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.

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Charles Thompson, Katie Meyer and Marc Levy

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.

The state of education and ‘Going Home’ series

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A WITF original production

What to look for on Smart Talk Tuesday, November 5, 2018:

Smart Talk continues a conversation we began on Monday on the state of education in Pennsylvania. Teacher shortages and budget pressures are two issues that loom large on the public education landscape.

Public schools across the commonwealth will celebrate American Education Week November 12 – 16. Great things are happening in schools today and organizers hope to highlight some of these during this nation-wide event.

Joining Smart Talk on Tuesday to continue the conversation about the challenges in education are Jeff Ney, Pennsylvania State Education Association treasurer and Ronald Cowell, from the Education Policy and Leadership Center.

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Jeff Ney

Also, individuals with intellectual disabilities face many challenges in life, including the right for social inclusion. For decades, many were forced to live in state institutions without the right to leave. Today, most people with intellectual disabilities are living in the community. But, does living in the community mean you’re truly a part of it?

Going Home is a WITF original production and a follow up to the award-winning documentary i go home. The documentary examines the journey towards inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities and asks the question, are we there yet?

Appearing on Smart Talk is Keira McGuire, Going Home producer and Dr. Dennis Downey, Ph.D., Millersville University Professor emeritus of history and disability advocate.

Watch Going Home on November 8, at 8pm on WITF-TV.

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Keira McGuire and Prof. Dennis Downey

Open enrollment underway and American Education Week

What to look for on Smart Talk Monday, November 5, 2018:

The Affordable Care Act’s six-week open enrollment period began November 1 and runs through December 15.

In Pennsylvania, enrollees will find more choices and rates are lower than last year, on average. Pennsylvania’s enrollment period is also shorter this year, so if you are in the market for insurance it is important to enroll before the deadline.

Appearing on Monday’s Smart Talk is the Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman, to discuss in-state trends in enrollment and changes to the program.

Also, nearly 100 years ago, the National Education Association sponsored the very first American Education Week (AEW). The weeklong event was a way to generate support for public education during an era of wide-spread illiteracy.

Historically, AEW is celebrated the week prior to the week of Thanksgiving and this year is no different. Events will take place in schools around the country and our area November 12-16, 2018.

Joining us to talk about the week-long recognition and the challenges in education today are Jeff Ney, Pennsylvania State Education Association treasurer and Ronald Cowell, from the Education Policy and Leadership Center

Democracy Works / Candidate Dale Kerns (Lib)

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<p><b>What to look for on Smart Talk Friday, November 2, 2018:</b></p>
<p>”If you’re looking for partisan bickering or hot takes on the news, this is not the podcast for you. We aim to rise above the daily news grind to take a broader look at issues impacting democracy.”</p>
<p>That’s how the <a href=”https://www.democracyworkspodcast.com/”><em>Democracy Works</em></a> podcast created by the <a href=”http://democracy.psu.edu/” target=”_blank”>McCourtney Institute for Democracy</a> at Penn State University is described. The podcast points out that we often hear about how democracy is failing today, but how does it actually work?</p>
<p>The McCourtney Institute for Democracy examines democracy from multiple angles, saying they are “partisan for democracy” and that they don’t take sides on the political spectrum. </p>
<p>Appearing on Friday’s <em>Smart Talk</em> to discuss <em>Democracy Works</em> and why and how it works are Michael Berkman (Ph.D), director of the McCourtney Institute for Democracy (MID), Christopher Beem (PhD), Managing Director of MID and Jenna Spinelle, communications specialist at MID. </p>
<p>Also<i>, Smart Talk </i>hosts our final candidate conversation with <a href=”https://dalekerns.com/”>Dale Kerns</a>, a Libertarian running for the U.S. Senate.</p>
<p><i>Smart Talk</i> invited the candidates for the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives and the Governor’s office to appear on the program so that voters can hear where they stand on the issues. <a href=”http://www.witf.org/news/2018-elections-voter-guide.php” target=”_blank”><b><i>Hear the candidates here.</i></b></a></p>
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Congressman Scott Perry (R) / Why is everyone so angry?

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What to look for on Smart Talk Thursday, November 1, 2018:

Smart Talk continues candidate conversations today with Congressman Scott Perry, a Republican incumbent running for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 10th District. The 10th District includes portions of Cumberland, Dauphin, and York counties.

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Congressman Scott Perry (R)

Smart Talk invited the candidates for the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives and the Governor’s office to appear on the program so that voters can hear where they stand on the issues. Hear the candidates here.

Also, have you wondered why everyone seems so angry? Politics are often polarizing but it seems there is more hostility than ever before. What is causing the blatant anger in the political discourse? How can we speak with civility while still disagreeing with one another?

Joining Smart Talk is Darcy Maier, co-chair of the Better Angels Alliance of Gettysburg, along with members Kerr Thompson and Chad Collie. Better Angels is a bipartisan citizen’s movement working to unify individuals with different political outlooks.

Also, on Smart Talk is Lanae Ampersand, clinical program manager for psychiatry at the outpatient psychiatry clinic, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center who counsels patients with anger management issues.

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Darcy Maier and Lanae Ampersand

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Kerr Thompson and Chad Collie