Jail-mail trial and Venezuela on the brink

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What to look for on Smart Talk Thursday, February 28, 2019:

Hearings are underway in a federal case over whether Pennsylvania’s prison system is violating inmates’ First Amendment Rights.

The Department of Corrections and their handling of legal mail is at the center of the legal action.

Also, the Pennsylvania legislature is well into the 2019 session. What legislation is gaining momentum and moving forward?

Katie Meyer is WITF’s Capitol bureau chief and she joins us on Smart Talk to discuss the new legislative session and the priorities for state lawmakers.

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Katie Meyer

Also, Venezuela is experiencing an unparalleled political and humanitarian crisis, and it appears to be getting worse.

The situation there is complicated and involves the near collapse of the state-controlled oil industry, hyperinflation and wide-spread food shortages. The political volatility is only making matters worse, with two men claiming the presidency.

More than three million people have fled the country in the past four years, which also threatens to destabilize neighboring countries and the region.

With humanitarian aid poised along the border, what is Venezuela’s future?

Joining Smart Talk on Wednesday to discuss the situation in Venezuela is Dr. Evan Ellis, Latin America Research Professor, U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute.

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Dr. R. Evan Ellis

The “trouble” with associations and the LatinX study

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iStock photo

What to look for on Smart Talk Wednesday, February 27, 2019:

There are nearly 90,000 associations registered with the IRS in the United States. They may all have different missions, but most struggle with similar challenges; recruiting and retaining members.

Is it more important to recruit or retain? And what will happen if an organization is experiencing problems with both?

Appearing on Smart Talk to discuss the membership challenges facing associations are Steve Grumm, Executive Director of the Lancaster Bar Association, John Kramb, past District Governor, Rotary International and Thomas Hanzes, State Commander, Pennsylvania Veterans of Foreign Wars.

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John Kramb, past District Governor of Rotary International, and Steve Grumm, Executive Director of the Lancaster Bar Association

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Thomas Hanzes, State Commander, Pennsylvania Veterans of Foreign Wars

Also, York College Senior Cody Little, was an intern with the Arthur J. Glatfelter Institute for Public Policy when he co-authored a study that is gaining a lot of attention.

The focus of the study is on the growing Hispanic population in York County, and the data the study revealed was surprising.

Joining Smart Talk to discuss the report’s impact are Cody Little, York College student and Vinny Cannizzaro, Director of the Arthur J. Glatfelter Institute for Public Policy.

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Vinny Cannizzaro, Director of the Arthur J. Glatfelter Institute for Public Policy and Cody Little, York College student.

Critical truck driver shortage/ ACLU calls state death penalty unconstitutional

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What to look for on Smart Talk Tuesday, February 26, 2019:

The nation has enjoyed a robust economy for the last few years.

Business confidence rose in tandem, and activity on the nation’s highways has increased.

The only problem, there aren’t enough truck drivers to meet the increased demand. A critical shortage that continues to challenge the industry. The American Trucking Association says 60,000 truck drivers are needed right now and that number could increase to 100,000 soon.

Trucking company owners say there are multiple reasons for the shortage, and they are finding ways to manage the problem.

Appearing on Smart Talk to discuss the driver shortage are Kevin Stewart, President and CEO of PA Motor Truck Association and Todd Long, CEO & President of Daily Express Inc., a nationwide heavy and specialized trucking company based in Carlisle, PA.

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Kevin Stewart and Todd Long

Also, the death penalty was reinstated in Pennsylvania in 1978. Since then, over one-third of the state’s death sentences have been reversed due to poor representation in court.

The ACLU of Pennsylvania recently filed an amicus brief asking the state Supreme Court to hold the entire capital punishment system in violation of the state constitution. They say the ‘extreme inequities” in representation adversely impact poor defendants.

Joining Smart Talk Tuesday to discuss the ACLU’s brief is Mary Catherine Roper, Deputy Legal Director for the ACLU of Pennsylvania.

Local’s among winners in redistricting map project and can you pass the spelling bee challenge?

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Spellers participate in the written portion of the 2019 WITF Central PA Spelling Bee on Jan. 26, 2019. (Joshua Brandt for WITF)

What to look for on Smart Talk Friday, February 22, 2019:

There’s a saying, “if you want something done right, do it yourself.”

That’s just what a statewide civic group proposed when they challenged Pennsylvania residents to take on one of the biggest issues facing the electorate: Redrawing the state’s Congressional district boundaries.

The first mapping competition just wrapped up and local contributors are among the winners. Organizers say the winners maps all have one thing in common; each offered a better solution than the state government.

Appearing on Smart Talk today to discuss the competition results are David Thornburgh, Draw the Lines PA managing director and president and CEO of the Good Government group the Committee of 70, along with Chris Satullo, Draw the Lines PA project director. Draw the Lines PA is a program led by the Committee of Seventy to get people involved in the redistricting effort.

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David Thornburgh, Draw the Lines PA managing director and president and CEO of the Good Government group,the Committee of 70, and Chris Satullo, Draw the Lines PA project director.

Also, each spring WITF hosts Central PA students in grades 4th through 8th to demonstrate their spelling skills, on their way to the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

It is also the time of year when Smart Talk challenges a few of our journalists to the same test, and demonstrates how difficult these competition words are.

Joining Smart Talk for the annual spelling contest is PA Post reporter Ed Mahon and Lisa Wardle, WITF digital manager.

Vaccinations and the measles resurgence

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What to look for on Smart Talk Thursday, February 21, 2019:

The modern era of vaccines began in the late 1790’s with the development of the smallpox inoculation. This and other vaccinations are credited with eradicating some diseases world-wide and saving millions of lives.

Vaccinations are given to build up a person’s natural defense by exposing them to the disease and reducing the risk of future infection. Since the 1960s, two doses of the measles vaccine have been given to young children to prevent the disease, which causes symptoms ranging from pneumonia to vision loss, and even death.

The number of measles cases had been steadily declining due to the consistent vaccination of children worldwide. Since 2017, however, measles cases have inclined drastically. The World Health Organization reports that measles cases surged with a nearly 50 percent increase last year alone. Prior to routine vaccinations, between 400 and 500 measles deaths occurred annually in the United States.

According to Dr. Alan Melnick, director of public health for Clark County, Wash., an unvaccinated person can be in the room two hours after someone with measles has left, and still contract the disease. Moreover, a person with measles “will infect 90 percent of the folks who are susceptible around them.”

WHO officials warn that while lack of access to the vaccine is the problem in marginalized nations, wealthy countries are seeing this resurgence, as well, especially in places where vaccination coverage is high.

What is causing the upsurge in measles cases and what are the consequences if someone decides not to vaccinate?

Joining us on Smart Talk do discuss the measles resurgence are Dr. John Goldman, MD, Infectious Disease specialist at UPMC Pinnacle, and Dr. Rene’ Najera, DrPH, a Public Health medical professional and editor of the History of Vaccines, a site run by the College of Physicians of Philadelphia.

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Dr. Rene’ Najera and Dr. John Goldman

Is artificial intelligence affecting the job market?

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What to look for on Smart Talk Wednesday, February 20, 2019:

The term Artificial Intelligence elicits images of cyborgs and terminators; human-like robots intent on pursuing death and destruction. Hollywood representations distort what AI really is and the technological achievements that scientists are making.

AI is the theory and development of computer systems that can perform tasks that normally require human intelligence. Some of these tasks may include visual and speech recognition and some lower level decision-making.

The AI field began in earnest in the mid-1950’s, and in recent years has achieved remarkable growth and technological development.

Recent news articles are making dire predictions about the impact AI will have on certain career fields.

Are the predictions truth or hype?

Appearing on Smart Talk to talk about how AI will affect jobs is Stephen Herzenberg, executive director, Keystone Research Center, John McElligott, CEO of York Exponential, and Dr. Vasant Honavar, Penn State AI Research Lab Director and Chair of Information Sciences and Technology

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Stephen Herzenberg and John McElligott

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Professor Vasant Honavar

Sunday Hunting bill reaches Senate floor/ Author Adam Makos, “Spearhead”

Could hunting on Sundays be in Pennsylvania’s future? A bill that would give authority to the Pennsylvania Game Commission and take it away from the legislature has passed the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee. That’s as far as the proposal has ever gotten.

Appearing on Tuesday’s Smart Talk is Republican State Senator Daniel Laughlin to discuss the progress of the Sunday Hunting bill and its popularity among sportsmen and women in Pennsylvania. Senator Laughlin represents parts of Erie County is the prime sponsor of the bill and serves as chairman on the Game and Fisheries committee.

Also, New York Times bestselling author Adam Makos tells the story of Clarence Smoyer, an American tank gunner and “natural-born shooter,” whose bravery and courage took him into the Third Reich during World War II.

Spearhead: An American Tank Gunner, His Enemy, and a Collision of Lives in World War II illustrates the mystery and hardship of Smoyer’s experience with the 3rd Armored Division–“Spearhead”–who successfully destroyed a German Panther tank during “Endkampf,” and developed an unlikely friendship with the enemy.

Joining Smart Talk is Adam Makos, who will discuss Spearhead. Following the program, Makos will appear at Midtown Book Scholar Bookstore in Harrisburg,Tuesday at 11 AM, to continue the conversation about his most recent biography.

Smart Talk: Book explores successful cities and towns

American cities and towns have undergone significant changes over the past half-century. Many lost population, businesses shut down, jobs were lost, schools suffered and in many cases crime increased. Some didn’t suffer as much as others and some began to re-think and re-invent themselves sooner than others.

But change took thinking and planning that was innovative and different. Many began using their physical assets like waterfronts to attract residents and visitors. Entertainment venues such as restaurants, bars and theaters increased. The arts often were the driving force behind a resurrection. Speciality schools for the arts or science and technology brought more people. As a result, there are cities and towns that have been resurrected.

James and Deborah Fallows travelled to many of these places and chronicled what they found in the best-selling book Our Towns: A 100,000 Mile Journey Into America’s Heartland. The Fallows recently discussed the book and their findings at Midtown Scholar Bookstore in Harrisburg and we hear that conversation on Monday’s Smart Talk.

During the discussion, we hear what characteristics successful cities and towns have and how specific places like Allentown, Greenville, South Carolina and the Golden Triangle of Mississippi have made comebacks.

Book explores successful cities and towns

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Deborah and James Fallows with WITF’s Scott LaMar at Midtown Scholar Bookstore/photo by Joe Ulrich

What to look for on Smart Talk Monday, February 18, 2019:

American cities and towns have undergone significant changes over the past half-century. Many lost population, businesses shut down, jobs were lost, schools suffered and in many cases crime increased. Some didn’t suffer as much as others and some began to re-think and re-invent themselves sooner than others.

But it took thinking and planning that was innovative and different than in the past. Many began using their physical assets like waterfronts to attract residents and visitors. Entertainment venues such as restaurants, bars and theaters increased. The arts often were the driving force behind a resurrection. Speciality schools for the arts or science and technology brought more people. As a result, there are cities and towns that have been resurrected.

James and Deborach Fallows travelled to many of these places and chronicled what they found in the best-selling book Our Towns: A 100,000 Mile Journey Into America’s Heartland. The Fallows recently discussed the book and their findings at Midtown Scholar Bookstore in Harrisburg and we hear that conversation on Monday’s Smart Talk.

During the discussion, we hear what characteristics successful cities and towns have and how specific place like Allentown, Greenville, South Carolina and the Golden Triangle of Mississippi have made comebacks.

Penn State Harrisburg Chancellor and a national climate lawsuit has local connection

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Dr. John M. Mason Jr., Ph.D.

What to look for on Smart Talk Friday, February 15, 2019:

Penn State’s literal and virtual influence extends far beyond State College, Pennsylvania. There are 24 campuses across the Commonwealth; a campus within practical commuting distance for virtually every resident. In the Capitol area, Penn State Harrisburg fills that role.

The Capitol Campus, as it was first named, was purchased by the University more than 50 years ago on the former site of Olmsted Air Force Base. At the time, it was the first upper division and graduate center in Pennsylvania and one of only three in the nation.

Since its founding in 1966, Penn State Harrisburg has grown from only 18 students to a comprehensive four-year college and graduate school with an enrollment of nearly 5,000.

A former undergraduate of PSU Harrisburg is now the Chancellor of the institution.

Dr. John M. Mason Jr., Ph.D., was appointed chancellor of Penn State Harrisburg in August 2018. A civil engineer, Dr. Mason earned his bachelor’s degree at PSU Harrisburg and served in higher education at both Auburn University and the Penn State College of Engineering.

Dr. Mason appears on Smart Talk Friday to discuss the role of PSU Harrisburg in the Capitol area and to Penn State University.

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Dr. John M. Mason Jr., Ph.D., Chancellor of Penn State Harrisburg.

Also, in 2015 Our Children’s Trust filed a constitutional climate lawsuit against the U.S. government in a U.S. District Court in Oregon. The Obama administration was in office when Juliana v. U.S. stated that the government’s actions “cause climate change and violates the youngest generation’s constitutional rights to life, liberty, and property, as well as failed to protect essential public trust resources.”

Our Children’s Trust was recently recognized by Dickinson College with an award for Global Environmental Activism. The 2018 Rose-Walters prize was presented to them for “elevating the voice of youth–those with most at stake in the climate crisis.”

One of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit is a current Dickinson College student. Sophie Kivlehan, a sophomore from Allentown, Pennsylvania, grew up engaged in the climate debate. Her Grandfather, James Hanson, is a professor who directs the Program on Climate Science, Awareness and Solutions of the Earth Institute at Columbia University.

Joining Smart Talk to discuss the national climate lawsuit and the local connection is Dickinson College sophomore Sophie Kivlehan, Dr. Neil Leary, Ph.D., Director of Dickinson’s Center for Sustainability Education, and Eowyn Soran, Our Children’s Trust trial outreach coordinator.

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Sophie Kivlehan, sophomore at Dickinson College, Dr. Neil Leary, Ph.D., Director of Dickinson’s Center for Sustainability Education, and Eowyn Soran, Our Children’s Trust trial outreach coordinator.