Author: julrich

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

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<div class=”user_photo_nocap image-center” style=”width: 600px;”><img src=”http://www.witf.org/smart-talk/capitol-building-at-sunset-pennsylvania-ave-washington-dc-picture-id1059915344.jpg” alt=”capitol-building-at-sunset-pennsylvania-ave-washington-dc-picture-id1059915344.jpg” width=”600″ height=”340″ /></div>
<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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What to look for on Smart Talk Wednesday, October 31, 2018:

The countdown is on and the rhetoric is heating up. In less than a week, voters will go to the polls for what is shaping up to be an historic midterm election.

These midterm elections take place in the middle of President Donald Trump’s first term. Nationally, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate will be contested. Pennsylvania voters will go to the polls for the Governors’ office, as well.

Smart Talk invited 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.

On Wednesday’s Smart Talk is former Pennsylvania state Senator Scott Wagner, a Republican running for Governor against incumbent Tom Wolf (D) and two others. Governor Wolf was also invited to appear on Smart Talk before the election but declined the opportunity.

Also, tis the season for tricks and treats and all things scary. Are ghosts real? What is the difference between a ghost and a haunting?

Wednesday is Halloween and we’re focusing on ghosts and hauntings with Dr. Rich Robbins, a Bucknell University associate dean of Arts and Sciences and a certified parapsychologist, who will attempt to demystify the truth behind paranormal phenomena.

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What to look for on Smart Talk Tuesday, October 30, 2018:

Smart Talk takes another Road Trip for Tuesday’s program — this time to Bethany Village in Mechanicsburg where we’ll discuss aging and more specifically aging well.

One of the highlights of the program is hearing from four Bethany Village residents who range in ages between 71 and 80 about their life experiences, what they like and don’t like about getting older and what younger people can learn from them.

Improving how people age is one of the goals of the Embracing Aging project in York County. Embracing Aging seeks to improve attitudes toward aging and reducing barriers to aging well. What does it mean to “age well?” Is there ageism in our society and how do we stop it? Baby-boomers are retiring or getting near retirement age. This is a generation that has constantly been on-the-go. Will the baby-boom generation change how we think about and behave in our older years?

Cathy Bollinger, the Managing Director of the Embracing Project of the York County Community Foundation is with us along with Ray Landis of AARP.

Finally, many want to travel when they retire or get older. Craig Haberle of AAA Travel is on the program to discuss traveling when we retire or get older.

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The shooting that left 11 people dead at a Pittsburgh synagogue Saturday is being called the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in U.S. history. Robert Bowers, who railed against Jews on his social media accounts is charged with the murders and federal hate crimes.

Nationally, anti-semitic hate crimes and vandalism increased more than against any other groups in 2016 according to the Anti-Defamation League.

Vigils were held in Pittsburgh and around the country last night decrying anti-semitism and hate. Once again, after a mass shooting, questions as to why and what can be done stop it are being asked.

On Monday’s Smart Talk, WITF’s Katie Meyer joins us from Pittsburgh. Also with us is Robin Burstein, the Senior Associate Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).

The ADL posts up-to-date information on ADL H.E.A.T. Map. It is the first-of-its-kind interactive and customizable map detailing extremist and anti-Semitic incidents around the nation.

Also, on Monday’s Smart Talk is Candidate Dan Meuser, a Republican running for U.S. House of Representatives in the 9th District. The 9th Congressional District is made up of Lebanon, Schuylkill, Columbia and parts of Berks, Carbon, Northumberland, Luzerne, and Montour Counties.

Note: Incumbent Republican Congressman Scott Perry was scheduled to appear on Monday’s Smart Talk to discuss his re-electioin efforts. Congressman Perry will be on Thursday’s program.

 

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What to look for on Smart Talk Friday, October 26, 2018:

Election day is now less than two weeks away. These midterm elections take place in the middle of President Donald Trump’s first term. Nationally, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate will be contested. Pennsylvania voters will go to the polls for the Governors’ office, as well.

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

On Friday’s Smart Talk is Congressman Lou Barletta, a Republican running for Senate against incumbent Senator Bob Casey (D). Barletta serves as a U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania’s 11th congressional district since 2011.

Also, this year is the 200th anniversary of the publication of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. The book has legions of fans across the globe and inspired scores of movie adaptations; more than any novel in history. The general theme involves a mad scientist raising a “creature” from the dead; spooking generations of horror enthusiasts.

The National Endowment for the Humanities is commemorating the bicentennial of the novel by launching “Frankenreads”: a “Bloomsday”-style collection of events celebrating Frankenstein. Events are taking place at libraries and universities around the world, culminating in a series of full-length live readings of the novel on Halloween, October 31, 2018.

Joining Smart Talk to discuss the novel and some of the misconceptions surrounding the story is Professor Ashton Nichols, a 19th and 20th century British literature scholar from Dickinson College.

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What to look for on Smart Talk Thursday, October 25, 2018:

Pennsylvanians have the right to clean air and water, thanks to the efforts of a young legislator named Franklin Kury. Nearly 50 years ago, Kury and other environmental advocates led the initiative to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution guaranteeing these rights.

The Environmental Rights Amendment was added to the state Constitution in 1971, as article 1, section 27. A new documentary produced by StateImpact Pennsylvania called Generations Yet to Come: Environmental Rights in Pennsylvania airs Thursday, October 25 on WITF-TV at 8pm and Friday, October 26 on WQED-TV at 8:30pm.

“Generations Yet to Come: Environmental Rights in Pennsylvania”- Promo

StateImpact Pennsylvania reporter and documentary producer Marie Cusick is in the studio to talk about the program.

Also, enthusiasm for the upcoming election is translating into an increase in voter registrations.

Democrats, Republicans and unaffiliated or third-party voters’ registration increased during 2018, which hasn’t happened for any other midterm in at least the past two decades, according to a PA Post analysis of Pennsylvania Department of State archived registration data going back to 1998.

Pa Post reports the trend seems to “quantify excitement among voters in Pennsylvania and across the country amid national political polarization.”

Keystone Crossroads reporter Emily Previti joins Smart Talk to discuss the trend. Previti produces The Context, a PA Post daily newsletter and is the senior reporter for statewide public media collaboration Keystone Crossroads.

Also, 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

Appearing on Thursday’s Smart Talk is Democrat Jess King, running for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 11th Congressional district that encompasses Lancaster County and the southern part of York County.

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What to look for on Smart Talk Wednesday, October 24, 2018:

Seventy-three years after World War II ended, we’re finally hearing about thousands of young American women who saved lives and helped defeat the enemy. In her latest book Code Girls – the Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II, best-selling author Liza Mundy describes the secretive duties of the women who were able to break down and interpret codes sent by the Japanese and German militaries, diplomats and governments.

Their efforts led to knowing the enemies’ plans, where their troops were located, troop strengths and supply chains.

One of the reasons the story hasn’t been told over the last seven decades is the code breakers were sworn to secrecy — even from spouses, family and friends. Many of them were reluctant to break their silence even now.

Liza Mundy recently appeared at Midtown Scholar Bookstore for their Harrisburg Bookfest. Smart Talk host Scott LaMar interviewed her about the book and a recording of that conversation is on Wednesday’s Smart Talk.

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