Category: Uncategorized

In June, sewage testing found that Dauphin County may have had at least ten times more COVID-19 cases than reported by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. That was one of the findings in sewage tests taken by an MIT research firm — Biobot Analytics.

Those findings were conducted by Capital Region Water, one of about 400 systems across the country participating in this kind of testing, and they have recently been accepted into a CDC trial on wastewater surveillance. The goal of the trial is to detect the presence of COVID-19, monitor trends, and then alert healthcare officials of potential hotspots or viral surges.

The virus can be detected in human waste and that includes those who may have contracted the coronavirus but didn’t show any symptoms. Wastewater-based disease surveillance is a rapidly developing science that has gained momentum during the pandemic.

Appearing Wednesday’s Smart Talk to discuss joining the CDC research trial and their surveillance program are Charlotte Katzenmoyer, CEO of Capital Region Water and Jess Rosentel, Director of Wastewater Operations, Capital Region Water.

Adult Day Service Centers are closed in Pa, leaving vulnerable seniors with few options

For many seniors and families in Pennsylvania, Adult Day service centers are an invaluable part of their lives. Adult day services, also called adult care, are usually open during normal work hours. Unlike senior centers — which are usually sponsored by recreational departments and targeted at healthy older adults — adult day services are a resource for people with physical limitations or limited functioning like memory loss.

The majority of these centers in Pennsylvania closed in March leaving vulnerable seniors largely forgotten.

Leslie Gilman, is the president of PA Adult Day Services Association and she appears on Smart Talk to discuss the impact these closures are having on seniors.

Local author’s debut book lands at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list

Hummelstown resident and author Kate Baer’s debut book of poetry WHAT KIND OF WOMAN achieved a huge milestone on release – #1 on the New York Times Bestseller list. Baer appears on Smart Talk to share her story and world that inspires her poetry.

“In these confident and fearless poems, Baer suggests that the deepest and most vulnerable love is found in life’s imperfections.” Review, Publishers Weekly

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

The Pennsylvania Economy League, along with industry partners, recently surveyed state municipalities to ascertain the real-time effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The goal is to determine the statewide impact on both urban and rural areas, and specifically how they are managing resources, personnel and revenue loss.

LeeAnne Clayberger is the Chief Executive Officer of the Pennsylvania Economy League and she joins Smart Talk to share the survey findings.

The Pennsylvania Youth Congress publishes first-ever statewide legislative agenda

There are more than half a million LGBTQ people living in the state. The Pennsylvania Youth Congress is pressing the General Assembly to pass statewide nondiscrimination protections on their behalf.

The PYC made 14 legislative proposals to the state government and is urging them to pass legislative protections for LGBTQ Pennsylvanians.

Jason Landau Goodman is the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Youth Congress and he appears on Smart Talk along with Preston Heldibridle, the state policy associate of the Pennsylvania Youth Congress to provide agenda details.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

A yearlong PennLive and Spotlight PA investigation into the Magisterial District court system raises serious questions about how Pennsylvania tax dollars are spent.

There are 512 magisterial district judges in Pennsylvania, each elected locally within their county. Generally speaking, they adjudicate minor criminal matters, traffic violations and small civil claims, among other things.

The investigation and data analysis found that despite earning more than $90 thousand a year, there are big variations in how many days each judge has court proceedings. Some went 60 or more days without case proceedings last year and a number also have time to work second jobs.

Christine Vendel is a public safety and crime reporter with PennLive. She joins Smart Talk Monday to discuss the report she co-authored with Spotlight PA reporter Daniel Simmons-Ritchie.

Dogs rescued from the South Korean dog meat trade find new home in Central Pa

In November, the York County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) welcomed nine dogs that were saved from a Korean dog meat farm.

The rescue was coordinated by the International Humane Society and the York County SPCA is one of a number of partnering shelters to receive the dogs and help prepare them for future adoption.

Appearing on Smart Talk to discuss the rescue and how the dogs are transitioning are Steven Martinez, Executive Director and Samantha Green, the Canine Behavioral and Foster Manager, both with the York County SPCA.

Nara Kim, Campaign Manager of HSI Korea, caresses Nellie at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Tuesday, October 20, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

Adam Parascandola, Vice President of Global Animal Rescue and Response of HSI, holds a dog at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

The HSI Animal Rescue Team rescues Mae at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Thursday, October 22, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

Nara Kim, Campaign Manager of HSI Korea, caresses Jo, a pregnant dog, in a delivery room at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

Paz, at left, is chained to a dog house at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

Ryan is chained to a dog house at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

Boynton, at right, is shown locked in a cage along with other dogs at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

Clover, center, is chained to a dog house at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

Ari is chained to a dog house at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

Michael is chained to a dog house at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

Ryan is chained to a dog house at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

Dogs rescued from a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, by Humane Society International (HSI), arrive at Dulles International Airport on Friday, Oct. 23rd. Staff from HSI and the Humane Society of the United States help transport these dogs to shelter partners and to a HSI temporary shelter, before they are made available for adoption. Honey is shown here.

Dogs are shown locked in a cage at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

Baker, center, and other dogs are shown locked in a cage at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Tuesday, October 20, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

A pregnant dog, Jo, lies down inside a delivery room at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Tuesday, October 20, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

Nellie, at right, is shown locked in a cage at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Tuesday, October 20, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

Erin is shown locked in a cage at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Tuesday, October 20, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

A pregnant dog, Jo, stands inside a delivery room at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Tuesday, October 20, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

Dogs are shown locked in a cage at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

Dogs are shown locked in a cage at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

A dog is chained to a dog house at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

Dogs are either locked in a cage or chained to a dog house at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

A dog with skin problems is shown chained to a dog house at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

Dogs are shown locked in a cage at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

Nara Kim, Campaign Manager of HSI Korea, rescues a dog at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

Dogs are shown locked in a cage at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

A dog is shown locked in a cage at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Sunday, September 6, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

Dogs are shown locked in a cage at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Sunday, September 6, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

A dog is shown locked in a cage at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Sunday, September 6, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

A dog is chained to a dog house at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Sunday, September 6, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

A dog is chained to a dog house at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Sunday, September 6, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

A dog is chained to a dog house at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Sunday, September 6, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

Dogs are shown locked in a cage at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Sunday, September 6, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

A dog is shown chained and locked in a cage at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Sunday, September 6, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.

Dogs rescued from a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, by Humane Society International (HSI), arrive at Dulles International Airport on Friday, Oct. 23rd. Staff from HSI and the Humane Society of the United States help transport these dogs to shelter partners and to a HSI temporary shelter, before they are made available for adoption. Prince is shown here.

Dogs rescued from a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, by Humane Society International (HSI), arrive at Dulles International Airport on Friday, Oct. 23rd. Staff from HSI and the Humane Society of the United States help transport these dogs to shelter partners and to a HSI temporary shelter, before they are made available for adoption.

Dogs rescued from a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, by Humane Society International (HSI), arrive at Dulles International Airport on Friday, Oct. 23rd. Staff from HSI and the Humane Society of the United States help transport these dogs to shelter partners and to a HSI temporary shelter, before they are made available for adoption.

Dogs rescued from a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, by Humane Society International (HSI), arrive at Dulles International Airport on Friday, Oct. 23rd. Staff from HSI and the Humane Society of the United States help transport these dogs to shelter partners and to a HSI temporary shelter, before they are made available for adoption. John is shown here.

Dogs rescued from a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, by Humane Society International (HSI), arrive at Dulles International Airport on Friday, Oct. 23rd. Staff from HSI and the Humane Society of the United States help transport these dogs to shelter partners and to a HSI temporary shelter, before they are made available for adoption.

Dogs rescued from a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, by Humane Society International (HSI), arrive at Dulles International Airport on Friday, Oct. 23rd. Staff from HSI and the Humane Society of the United States help transport these dogs to shelter partners and to a HSI temporary shelter, before they are made available for adoption. Coyah is shown here.

Dogs rescued from a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, by Humane Society International (HSI), arrive at Dulles International Airport on Friday, Oct. 23rd. Staff from HSI and the Humane Society of the United States help transport these dogs to shelter partners and to a HSI temporary shelter, before they are made available for adoption.

Dogs rescued from a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, by Humane Society International (HSI), arrive at Dulles International Airport on Friday, Oct. 23rd. Staff from HSI and the Humane Society of the United States help transport these dogs to shelter partners and to a HSI temporary shelter, before they are made available for adoption.

The dogs rescued from Dog Meat Farm 17 are loaded on to a plane to fly from South Korea to the United States.

The dogs rescued from Dog Meat Farm 17 are loaded on to a plane to fly from South Korea to the United States.

All photos courtesy of the International Humane Society.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

This interview is an encore broadcast that originally aired in March 2020

Millions of Americans learned about The Negro Motorist Green Book when the motion picture Green Book played in theaters and went on to win the Best Picture Oscar last year. What the film depicted and what many white audiences saw for the first time is how African-Americans were discriminated against, segregated and treated poorly — sometimes violently — while traveling in Jim Crow America.

In her new book Driving While Black — African-American Travel and the Road to Civil Rights, author Gretchen Sorin writes about how automobiles gave blacks more freedom to travel than ever before and even provided them with more physical protection when they were traveling. African-Americans who often traveled on segregated trains and buses were able to go places in their cars in the mid-20th Century.

However, black travelers often were turned away at hotels, restaurants and gas stations, were not allowed in so-called “sundown” towns after dark and even were prohibited from using public rest rooms.

The Green Book provided information to African-American travelers on businesses that were open to black motorists.

Gretchen Sorin covers all this history in her book. She appeared earlier this year at Midtown Scholar Bookstore in Harrisburg and we hear that conversation on Smart Talk.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Airdate: 12/10/20


While a virus-weary world waits expectantly for a coronavirus vaccine, military and industry planners begin launching the largest-scaled vaccine distribution plan ever conducted.

The White House announced Operation Warp Speed on May 15, with a mission to “accelerate the development, production, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines” with a target of January 2021 for the initial doses. In the six months since that announcement, several vaccine candidates have been developed and a distribution plan made ready. The FDA is expected to make a decision on an emergency-use vaccine authorization very soon, triggering OWS’s plan.

Operation Warp Speed is comprised of experts from across the federal government and private industry, including a Pennsylvania native. Army Lt. Col. Matthew Yiengst is the Chief of Plans for Operation Warp Speed and he joins Smart Talk to share details of his involvement and how the plan will proceed.

COVID-19 has revealed the uneasy truth about obesity

More than 40% of Americans are considered obese, as defined by a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or greater.

Medical studies have documented the serious health risks of obesity, to include coronary heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Now it seems the COVID-19 pandemic is highlighting another pressing health concern — obesity not only increases complications from a coronavirus infection, but it may also increase the risk of infection in the first place.

Dr. Catherine Varney, DO., is a family medicine and obesity specialist with the University of Virginia and she joins Smart Talk to discuss the risks posed by obesity.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus recently released a COVID-19 relief funding plan that would allocate $4 billion to help Pennsylvanians and, they say, shore up the Commonwealth’s economy.

The Pennsylvania Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security Act of 2021 would provide direct aid to workers, families, small businesses and “vulnerable populations.” The plan would continue funding for already existing aid programs and would establish new programs, as well.

Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa appears on Smart Talk to lay out details of the funding plan and the proposed priorities.

As hospitals and ICU’s fill up with COVID patients, one local ICU nurse pleas for Pennsylvanians to take the pandemic seriously

Lancaster County intensive care unit nurse Nikkee Asashon believes we all have a responsibility to heed health recommendations to stop the spread of the Coronavirus.

From her perspective, though, there are many people not taking this responsibility seriously enough and that is why she took pen to paper in a local newspaper last weekend.

“What is it going to take? When will people get the message? When will people understand and listen?,” LancasterOnline.com

Nurse Nikkee Asashon joins Smart Talk to share her perspective from the ICU wing of a local hospital.

With cases and deaths mounting, why do some people shrug off the risk of contracting the virus? Smart Talk is joined by two psychologists to examine why some continue to ignore the risks and live life as normal.

Melissa Auerbach, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychology with Temple University and Elizabeth Gosch, Ph.D., Psychology Professor, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine appear on Wednesday’s program.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

A federal eviction moratorium was issued by the Centers for Disease Control in early September.

The CDC initiated the action to help stop the spread of the virus by allowing people to isolate in their homes. They also cited housing stability as a reason because homeless shelters and places where people live in group settings put them at higher risk for catching the virus.

The order protects renters from eviction for not paying their rent, however, unless the moratorium is renewed that protection ends the last day of December.

Local housing advocates say that since November, nearly 1300 evictions were filed in Dauphin County alone and unless something changes there will be hundreds of people evicted from their homes at the end of the month.

Appearing on Smart Talk to discuss the issues are Caleb Cossick, a volunteer organizer with Greater Harrisburg Tenants United, Brittany Mellinger, with Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership and the Director of the Housing Equality and Equity Institute, and Todd Capitao, Tabor Community Services, Director of Financial Empowerment.

Also on the program is Rita Dallago, Executive Director with the Pennsylvania Residential Owners Association who will address the other side of the issue; if landlords can’t collect rent, they can’t pay their bills, either.

Iran and the assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh

Iran’s top nuclear scientist was killed in November in what is reported as a targeted assassination. Iran blamed Israel for the murder and vowed to retaliate.

Mehdi Noorbaksh Ph.D., Professor of International Affairs and Business Harrisburg University of Science and Technology and Vice President, World Affairs Council Harrisburg will join Smart Talk to offer his perspective on the recent events in the region.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

A Central Pennsylvania County is making a collaborative effort to mitigate climate change.

Beginning with a series of three forums, the Cumberland County climate action group will look at the changing climate, and how citizens, municipalities, organizations and colleges and universities can get involved to expand and accelerate their efforts.

The series is a partnership between the Cumberland Conservation Collaborative, the South Mountain Partnership, Cumberland County Planning Department, the Center for Land Use and Sustainability at Shippensburg University, the Center for Sustainability at Dickinson College, and the Carlisle Borough.

Joining us on Monday’s Smart Talk to share details of the series are Cumberland County Commissioner Jean Foschi, Carlisle Borough Councilman Joel Hicks, and Katie Hess, Director, South Mountain Partnership, Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Navigating the Holidays with Alzheimer’s

An Alzheimer’s diagnosis is life changing and understandably difficult for patients and their families. During the pandemic, the challenges have become much more complicated.

Families are managing concerns about safe travel and attending gatherings, in addition to the isolation of individuals with high COVID risk factors.

The Alzheimer’s Association created a planning tool to help families navigate the holidays.

Clay Jacobs, Executive Director, Greater Pennsylvania Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association appears on Smart Talk with factors that families should consider. For more information you can also call 1-800-272-3900

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

One of the keys to the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s strategy to slowing the spread of the COVID-19 virus was to use contact tracing – identifying people who have come into contact with another person who had contracted the virus. That person would be asked who they had contact with and precautions or treatments would be advised.

However, the state has less than 1,700 contact tracers after setting a goal of hiring 4,500 last spring and many people contacted aren’t cooperating.

In the meantime, coronavirus cases are surging.

PennLive investigative reporter Wallace McKelvey recently wrote extensively about contact tracing and joins us on Thursday’s Smart Talk.

Lancaster author discusses his book on monuments to Confederate general and their influence today

Lt. General Nathan Bedford Forrest was a cavalry officer in the Confederate army during the Civil War, who became legendary in much of the South. He also was the first Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan after the war.

Lancaster native Connor Towne O’Neill stumbled upon Forrest at a time when Confederate monuments were being removed because they were seen as symbols of a racist past.

O’Neill appears on Thursday’s Smart Talk to discuss how Forrest’s memory is still being felt today and his new book Down Along With That Devil’s Bones – A Reckoning with Monuments, memory, and the Legacy of White Supremacy.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS