Author: julrich

What to look for on Smart Talk Thursday, May 24, 2018:

Wine is the subject of Thursday’s Smart Talk during a Smart Talk Road Trip to Nissley Vineyards in Bainbridge, Lancaster County.

In particular, we’ll be focusing on Pennsylvania wines and the state’s wine industry.  There are more than 200 wineries across the state that produce 1.6 million gallons of wine each year.  Pennsylvania is the nation’s sixth largest wine producer.

On Thursday’s Smart Talk, we’ll discuss the history of winemaking in Pennsylvania.  William Penn actually had the colony’s first vineyard — planting grapes for wine in 1683 in what is now Philadelphia.  It was almost 300 years later before wineries became common in the state.

Among the topics Smart Talk addresses are the different types of wines produced in Pennsylvania’s six wine regions, the economic impact wine has in the state, how wine has helped increase tourism, wine vocabulary and how to buy wine with confidence.

Our guests come from the Pennsylvania Winery Association, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, the Pennsylvania Wine Society and Nissley Vineyards.

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What to look for on Smart Talk Wednesday, May 23, 2018:

In an ideal world, medications, medical devices or procedures could be developed in a laboratory and be ready for use by doctors in a short amount of time.

That may be ideal, but it’s not realistic.  Today, many drugs, devices and procedures are developed through the use of clinical trials that involve human beings who volunteer to be part of them.

Even though there are clinical trials going on all the time and the need for more volunteers, there is a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding about them.

For example, most clinical trials take 15 to 17 years before they get approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  Actually, only about 10% do make it through the clinical trial stages and are approved by FDA.  Clinical trials related to hematology (the study of blood and blood-related diseases) are the most successful while oncology (cancer) trials are the least.

On Wednesday’s Smart Talk, we’ll answer questions about clinical trials like what they involve, if a volunteer has to have the illness or disease being studied and how people can volunteer for a clinical trial?

Our guests are from Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center — a teaching hospital.  Dr. Neal Thomas is associate dean for clinical research and a pediatrician and Dr. Christopher Sciamanna is an internal medicine physician, who is exploring whether exercise is a way to prevent reinjury in older adults.  He’s looking for clinical trial volunteers.

Interested in participating in a clinicl trial?  Go to studyfinder.psu.edu.

For more on clinical trials plus a deeper look at the changing tide of healthcare–check out WITF’s Transforming Health. From policy to personal choices we’re taking a  comprehensive look at today’s health system. Online at TransformingHealth.org. A partnership of WITF, Penn State Health and WellSpan Health.

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What to look for on Smart Talk Friday, May 18, 2018:

Immigration is a hot issue in the political landscape and a divisive topic in communities around the country. How do American’s feel about immigration today? A Bucknell University survey finds that American’s views on new immigrants have improved significantly since the last presidential election.

The nationally representative survey was conducted by YouGov for the Bucknell Institute for Public Policy from March 26 – April 1. The survey results show that perceptions of new immigrants and the perceived value they bring to the country have improved across all measures, since a similar survey was conducted in July 2016.

The survey results do reflect some political differences among respondents, but findings demonstrate that most Americans hold some positive views about new immigrants.

There are partisan divides — with Democrats viewing immigrants more favorably than Republicans — but Americans of all political leanings hold at least some positive views about new immigrants. The results also show that as a group, Trump voters are not an anti-immigration bloc.

Bucknell Political Science Professor Chris Ellis directed the polling for the Bucknell Survey Research Laboratory and he will be on Friday’s Smart Talk to talk about the results. 

Royal wedding watchers have waited for Saturday’s big event for months. One wonders if Prince Harry and Megan Markle have taken that time to plan for more than what they’ll be wearing. Have they discussed financials? According to family wealth advisors, money is the number one reason that people seek marriage counseling today and it plays a prominent role in most divorce proceedings.

With June as the most popular month to get married, we’ll discuss the top three must-dos for newlyweds of any age to secure their financial future. Kim Kenawell-Hoffecker is a family wealth advisor and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and she will be in the studio to discuss how important it is to protect your financial future in marriage if the unexpected happens.

Kim Kenawell-Hoffecker, Avantra Family Wealth

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photo by Scott LaMar WITF files

What to look for on Smart Talk Thursday, May 17, 2018:

Earlier this week, the U.S. Supreme Court made a ruling on a New Jersey case that essentially legalizes gambling on sporting events.  The decision was met with happiness by many who play fantasy sports games or have bet on games illegally in the past.

Pennsylvania lawmakers approved expansion of gambling last year and sports betting was taken into consideration, but that doesn’t mean the state is ready to roll it out immediately.  In fact, it may be some time before bets can be placed on sporting events in Pennsylvania.  New Jersey has indicated in could be ready to accept bets within the next few weeks.

Regulators in Pennsylvania still have to decide how odds and point spreads will be set, whether wagers can be placed on line and what minimum and maximum bets will be taken.

The state’s casinos can apply for licenses to offer betting on sports.  Those licenses may cost upwards of $10 million.  There will be a 34% tax rate on the house’s winnings.

Sports wagering comes on the heels of a significant gambling expansion last fall in Pennsylvania.

Appearing on Thursday’s Smart Talk to discuss sports gambling and the expansion of other games in the state are Doug Harbach of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and Josh Ercole, Chief Operating Officer at Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania’s businesses are optimistic about the national and state economies and the prospects for their own businesses.  That’s according to the PNC Economic Outlook Survey of Small and Middle Market Business Owners.

PNC Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Gus Faucher is on Thursday’s Smart Talk with details and analysis.

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What to look for on Smart Talk Wednesday, May 16, 2018:

Wednesday’s Smart Talk features Franklin and Marshall College political analyst and pollster Dr. G. Terry Madonna breaking down Tuesday’s primary election results and looks ahead to the fall campaigns.

The primary was noteworthy for several reasons.  New Congressional district boundaries, ordered by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, drew more candidates than in past years and more women candidates than ever before.  Several incumbent Congressmen are leaving office too.  Many voters had choices they haven’t had before.

State Senator Scott Wagner won the Republican nomination for governor and will challenge Democratic incumbent Gov. Tom Wolf this fall.

Democrat John Fetterman defeated incumbent Lieutenant Gov. Mike Stack — the first time an incumbent lieutenant governor has lost a primary and Republican Jeff Bartos will be Wagner’s running mate on the Republican side.

Republican Congressman Lou Barletta faces Democratic incumbent U.S. Senator Bob Casey in November. 

In the new Congressional districts, Republican John Joyce won in the 13th, Democrat George Scott in the 10th, and Democrat Denny Wolff and Republican Dan Meuser will face off in the 9th, incumbent Republican Lloyd Smucker emerged in the 11th and the Democrat facing Republican incumbent Tom Marino in the 12th hasn’t been determined because the race is too close to call.

Smart Talk will speak with the candidates again this fall leading up to the November election.

Dr. G. Terry Madonna

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What to look for on Smart Talk Monday, May 14, 2018:

Robert Costa, the moderator of Washington Week on PBS and national political reporter for the Washington Post joins us on Monday’s Smart Talk to discuss a host of issues.

Tuesday is primary election day in Pennsylvania when Republicans and Democrats will be nominating candidates for governor, the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Pennsylvania House of Representatives and half the State Senate.  Even the primaries for the mid-term elections are getting national attention because control of Congress and the Trump Administration’s agenda are at stake.  Most Republican candidates in the region are running in full support of President Trump while Democrats are energized to oppose him.

President Trump is scheduled to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un next month.  The president is seeking the denuclearization of North Korea.  What Kim wants is only speculation at this point.

These are just two of the issues we’ll discuss with Costa on Monday’s program.

Robert Costa, Host Washington Week on PBS

Also, the Mifflin House in Hellam Township, York County was (and may be still) in danger of being demolished.  A coalition of historic preservationists have campaigned to save the structure that is said to have been on stop on the Underground Railroad that helped escaped slaves on their way to freedom.

What may ultimately save the Mifflin House is a mini-casino that Penn National Gaming will bring to the area.

Historian Randolph Harris is on Monday’s Smart Talk to explain.

Historian Randolph Harris

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What to look for on Smart Talk Friday, May 11, 2018:

Spring is here, and that means flowers are in bloom, trees are leafing out and it is time to plan and plant vegetable gardens. It also means it is time for Smart Talk’s annual gardening show.

Erica Jo Shaffer, the nursery manager at Highland Gardens in Camp Hill, joins us to answer your questions about gardening, planting, and maintaining your flowers, plants, and trees.

Erica Jo Shaffer

The early bloomers were a little later than usual this year in Central Pennsylvania, due to cooler temperatures that seemed to hang on longer.  But spring has indeed arrived, and trees and perennials are blooming at the same time. That means beautiful colors, but also, a tough one-two punch for allergy sufferers. 

The pests that take a toll on your plants are also making their first appearances, so you may need to think about strategies for dealing with them, as well.

Do you have a question for Ms. Shaffer?

Three Weed Salad

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What to look for on Smart Talk Thursday, May 10, 2018:

Penn State University has been criticized after its decision to disband the school’s outdoors or outing club, the Nittany Grotto Caving Club and the Nittany Divers Scuba Club. Penn State said the clubs were being eliminated because they presented an “unacceptable safety risk.” 

Speculation is the university was concerned about possible lawsuits over any injuries students in the clubs could sustain. Is it an example of a society that is more concerned about being sued than the benefits the activities may have?

The Pennsylvania Coalition for Civil Justice Reform says it is “dedicated to bringing fairness to our courts by elevating awareness of civil justice issues and advocating for legal reform in the legislature. Pennsylvania’s civil justice system faces increasing challenges – with a lack of balance in certain laws, legal precedents and courtrooms.”

The organization’s Executive Director Curt Schroder appears on Thursday’s Smart Talk.

Curt Schroder

Just five days before Pennsylvania’s primary election, WITF’s Capitol Bureau Chief Katie Meyer is on Smart Talk to describe following the three Republicans running for governor and joins us to provide some insight as well as talk about a few other issues at the Capitol.

Katie Meyer

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What to look for Smart Talk Wednesday, May 9, 2018:

We’re down to the home stretch before next Tuesday’s primary election In Pennsylvania.  Smart Talk has featured conversations with the candidates who have opponents in the primary.  They include those running for the U.S. Senate, governor and U.S. House of Representatives.  More than 20 candidates have spoken with us and all those interviews are posted on www.witf.org on the Elections web page.

Two more candidates appear on Wednesday’s Smart Talk  Shavonnia Corbin-Johnson is a Democrat running for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 10^th Congressional District.  The 10^th District is made up of Dauphin County, the northern half of York County and eastern Cumberland County.

Bernard Washabaugh, is a Republican running for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 13^th Congressional District.  The 13^th District includes Adams and Franklin Counties and western Cumberland County in the WITF listening area.

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What to look for on Smart Talk Tuesday, May 8, 2018:

Social media use has exploded in the past ten years, with more than half of all users saying they visit sites daily — some multiple times a day.

Municipalities are jumping on board, leveraging platforms to engage constituents and push important information to the public.

Social media experts say that cities, boroughs and counties now have an easy, low-cost way to hold two-way conversations with residents and reach previously disengaged populations. Municipalities also use social media to help gauge public opinion, get feedback, and analyze posts so they can make more informed decisions about services.

Which social media platforms work best for information dissemination, and how can residents take advantage of these two-way communication sites?

Should you tweet, snap or post your way to more information?

Rachel Bryson, the director of communications for Cumberland County, is on Tuesday’s Smart Talk to discuss how the county uses social media to reach residents.

Janelle DelSignore is the Marketing Director of LaunchUX, a firm specializing in online digital marketing and social media. She is in the studio to talk about how the platforms differ and the industry trends. 

Janelle DelSignore & Rachel Bryson

Also, Pennsylvania’s primary election is scheduled for a week from Tuesday on May 15^th.  Smart Talk is speaking with candidates on the ballot before the primary.

Denny Wolff, Democratic candidate for U.S. House of Representatives in the 9^th Congressional District appears on Tuesday’s program.. The new 9th Congrssional District is made up of Lebanon, Schuylkill, Columbia and parts of Berks, Carbon, Northumberland, Luzerne, and Montour Counties.

Denny Wolff

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