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Crime rates have dropped in Pennsylvania by 45% over the past 20 years. At the same time, Pennsylvania’s prison population fell by almost 1,500 last year — the biggest one-year decline ever.

Those numbers come from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.

Pennsylvania has been at the forefront of criminal justice reform over much of the past decade. Efforts have been made to being “smarter” on crime and punishment. That includes making sentences for those of convicted of breaking the law more in line with the seriousness of the offense, taking into account whether a crime was violent or not, helping non-violent offenders to assimilate back into society and getting away from mandatory sentencing laws.

Proposals are still being considered to reform probation rules. The number of people on probation in Pennsylvania ranks number five in the nation.

Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Corrections John Wetzel appears on Wednesday’s Smart Talk to discuss the crime and incarcerations rates, along with other issues.

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The United States and China have been at odds over trade issues for the past several years. President Trump imposed tariffs on Chinese imports to the U.S., China then retaliated with their own tariffs on imports from the U.S.

The U.S. and China have finally found common ground and agreed on a Phase One trade deal.

The Phase One trade deal means an expansion of the United States’ agriculture and seafood exports, as well as China’s commitment to make substantial additional purchases from the U.S. over the next few years. However, American manufacturers, farmers, and consumers are still recovering from the impact of the tariffs imposed on them by China.

Appearing on Tuesday’s Smart Talk to discuss U.S. and China’s trade is Jef Troxell, former Research Professor, National and Military Strategy at Strategic Studies Institute at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle. Colonel Troxell will make a presentation at the Harrisburg Foreign Policy Association monthly meeting on Thursday, January 23.

Also, all 3,150 photos of the Pennsylvanians who died in the Vietnam War have been found and added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund’s (VVMF) virtual Wall of Faces, including U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Matthew Harris Jr., of Philadelphia — the last photo to be found.

Rick Hamp, special assistant to the Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans Affairs at the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veteran Affairs, along with Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund director of outreach Tim Tetz joins us on Smart Talk to discuss the virtual wall initiative.

 

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Monday is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, when the life of America’s most influential and cherished civil rights leader is honored.

Dr. King’s dream of a nation where blacks and whites lived, worked and played together in harmony has never been fully realized. Racism is still alive and well in this country – maybe not in the same form as when King was campaigning for equal rights and justice, but minorities and white Americans often don’t look at things the same way. In fact, racism itself is one of the most difficult topics to discuss in this country.

On Monday’s Smart Talk, we’re joined by Dr. Amanda Kemp, Ph.D., a Lancaster activist, performer and author of Stop Being Afraid – 5 Steps to Transforming Your Conversations about Racism, along with Erika Fitz, editor of the book and Senior Trainer for the Racial Justice from the Heart workshops.

Also on Monday’s Smart Talk is a discussion of local African-American history — Harrisburg’s “Old Eighth Ward” was the center of the African-American community at the turn of the 20th Century. By mid-century it had shifted north in the city influenced by the expansion of the Capitol Complex.

Kristian Carter, 24, is researching the history of Harrisburg’s mid-20th-century African American business community, the remnants of which, the “Old Jackson House” and the Curtis Funeral Home, are well-known landmarks, long vacant, and now undergoing renovation, under the new brand “Jackson Square.”

Carter will appear on Smart Talk.

They will be giving a presentation at Historic Harrisburg on Monday, Jan. 27, at 6 p.m.

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The flu season arrived with a vengeance and health officials are saying the U.S. outbreak this year is the worst they have seen in decades.

In the U.S., the season typically begins in October and can last as late as May, with most activity peaking in February. But this year the season started early with some cases appearing in July.

Children have been hit especially hard because of an unusual viral strain that is predominant among the reported cases. Thirty-two children have died since the flu season began; more than any recorded at this stage since the CDC began tracking data in 2004.

Also, there always seems to a question about the efficacy of the flu vaccine and that is true again this year.

Appearing on Smart Talk to discuss the flu outbreak and vaccination effectiveness is Secretary of Health for Pennsylvania Dr. Rachel Levine, M.D.

Also, health officials point out that the first three months after a pregnancy are a critical time for maternal health. Calling it the fourth trimester, it is a time when mental health and physical health may intersect.

Joining Smart Talk to discuss this critical phase in a woman’s reproductive health are Dr. Nazanin Silver, M.D., Gynecologic Psychiatrist with UPMC Pinnacle Women’s Behavioral Health Specialists, along with Secretary of Health for Pennsylvania Dr. Rachel Levine, M.D.

For a deeper look at the changing tide of healthcare, check out WITF’s Transforming Health, a partnership of WITF, WellSpan Health and Capital Blue Cross.

For anyone dealing with mental health concerns or in crisis can call the National Suicide Hotline at: 1-800-273-8255.

Click here for UPMC Pinnacle Maternal Health Awareness event.

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A healthy deer population is critical to sustaining Pennsylvania’s economic and natural resources. The health of the herd impacts the state’s forests, and the vibrant billion-dollar hunting industry.

Sustainable deer management is the responsibility of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, who recently approved an earlier start to the firearm deer-hunting season. The move broke a long-standing tradition of starting deer season on the Monday after Thanksgiving. So, what’s feedback from hunters?

Also, the Commission has been monitoring Chronic Wasting Disease for several years. CWD is a contagious, always fatal disease that affects deer, elk and moose.

CWD has spread throughout western states, is the disease progressing in Pennsylvania?

Appearing on Smart Talk to discuss these and other game management issues are Biologist Chris Rosenberry, Ph.D., head of the Deer and Elk Section, and Travis Lau Pennsylvania Game Commission Communications Director.

 

Also, wildfires are devastating the countryside throughout Australia. Lebanon County native Jordan Brown is studying in Australia and joins us on Smart Talk with his personal observations and photos of the bush fires.

All photos: Jordan Brown for WITF

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Tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated markedly over the past several weeks following the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani by a U.S. drone.

The Trump administration initially said Soleimani was targeted because he was planning imminent terrorist attacks. Now, the administration says the killing of Soleimani was part of a strategy to fight worldwide threats against U.S. interests. There was great concern in the aftermath of his death that the two nations could go to war.

Then, global attention shifted to Iran after Iranian forces shot down a passenger jet, killing all on board and drawing world-wide condemnation. Iran says the plane was shot down accidentally. Demonstrations against the government have followed in Iran leading many to hope this is a sign of mass public dissent.

The situation with Iran remains very unstable even while the broader threat of war appears to have dissipated.

Appearing on Smart Talk Wednesday to help put the events into context are Dr. Mehdi Noorbaksh, Ph.D, Professor of International Affairs at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology and PA Post reporter Joseph Jafaari.

 

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It’s a new year and maybe you have set a few resolutions. Perhaps you’ve decided to make a resolution not to make any more resolutions?

In either case, health and wellness are always top of mind after the holiday season and all the indulgences.

Maybe you plan to start a new exercise plan or purchase a gym membership? There are many fitness programs and activities available in Central Pennsylvania. There outdoor activities, of course, in addition to fitness boutiques that are new on the scene. How do you know what the best options are for you and your lifestyle?

Joining Smart Talk to discuss fitness trends and the benefits of an active lifestyle at any age are Brittany Holtz, registered yoga instructor and founder of Studio B Power Yoga with studios in Annville, Hershey and Mechanicsburg, and Laura Deitch, owner of Pure Barre in Mechanicsburg and Lancaster, and a certified Pure Barre Instructor.

Also, if you are committed to being active and healthier in the New Year that may mean taking a closer look your nutrition and diet.

There are a lot of buzz words out there like Keto, anti-inflammatory, no carbs, and intermittent fasting. What does it all mean and how should you eat for a healthy and active lifestyle?

Appearing on Smart Talk to shed some light on healthy eating as part of a healthy lifestyle are Mary Swindlehurst, registered nurse and diabetes educator with WellSpan Health and Peggy Lovelace, Dietitian, also with WellSpan Health.

 

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The Millennial generation often gets a bad rap.

Millennials, also known as Generation Y, or simply Gen Y, are the generation after Baby Boomers and Gen X, generally individuals born between 1981 to 1996.

They are sometimes characterized in popular culture as lazy, entitled ‘snowflakes;’ disrespectful labels that carry over into the workplace.

The Millennial generation faces more than just pervasive stereotypes, they also deal with an employment climate that is much different than their parents. Gone are the days of full-retirement pensions, theirs has been called a do-it-yourself retirement system.

They may also bring with them a distrust of the financial sector. When Millennials entered the job market it was the height of the recession and all the “rules” had changed.

Now that Millennials make up the largest portion of the U.S. labor force they also bear the tax burden for older generation’s pension benefits – benefits they will never enjoy.

So, given the changing climate, how are Millennials preparing for retirement?

Joining Smart Talk to provide insight on retirement and career planning for Millennials are Jonathan Turner, author of Stop Faking It Start Making It, James Honchar, senior Human Resource Business adviser with PHEAA and Catherine Azeles, investment consultant with Conrad Siegel, a Retirement, Investment, and Healthcare employee benefit and investment advisory company.

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The 2019 top stories on Smart Talk series concludes Tuesday with conversations on the program this year focused on the 40^th anniversary of the accident at Three Mile Island — the worst accident at a commercial nuclear plant in the nation’s history.

On March 28, 1979, a combination of plant design, an equipment malfunction and human error led to a loss of cooling water that resulted in the partial meltdown of TMI’s Unit 2 reactor. But it wasn’t until years later the full scope of damage at the plant was known. At the time in March 1979, there were many guesses, estimates and unknowns.

There also was a lot of fear. Thousands of Central Pennsylvanians living near Three Mile Island left the area. No official evacuation was ordered but then Gov. Dick Thornburgh suggested that pregnant women and families with young children leave.

Tuesday’s Smart Talk takes a look back at what happened at TMI and behind the scenes with William Dornsife, a nuclear engineer with the state at the time of the accident. Also on the program are David Solleneberger, a radio reporter at the time, and Eric Epstein of TMI Alert who talked about the accident’s legacy.

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Suicide was one of the top stories on Smart Talk in 2019 and is the focus of Monday’s program.

The nation’s suicide rate has climbed dramatically in the last 20 years – especially among young people and the state formed a suicide prevention task force in response.

A York County family is dealing with this reality, after the death of their 25-year-old daughter in May.

Chip and Jackie Bieber’s daughter Shawn Shatto died by suicide with the help of an on-line chat room. They want to raise the alarm that these internet sites exist and are legal in Pennsylvania and most of the country. The Biebers joined us on Smart Talk to share their story.

Appearing on Smart Talk to talk about their vision and prevention strategy are Govan Martin, Chair/Board of Directors of Prevent Suicide PA and a member of the Suicide Prevention Task Force, Dr. Perri Rosen, PA office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, and Caitlin Palmer, Special Adviser to the Secretary of the Department of Human Services and lead agent for the Suicide Prevention Task Force.

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