Smart Talk Monday: EPA sued over Pa. not meeting Chesapeake cleanup goals; Five counties and the coronavirus

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation and others are suing the federal Environmental Protection Agency saying EPA failed to require Pennsylvania and New York to develop plans to reduce pollution in the bay under two agreements.

According to CBF, Pennsylvania’s plan to meet the 2025 goals in the Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Blueprint contains improvements over past plans. However, it says the state will meet less than 75 percent of its 31 million-pound nitrogen-reduction commitment, and the plan is underfunded by more than $300 million dollars a year.

The Susquehanna River that runs through Pennsylvania is the largest source of fresh water that empties into the bay.

Appearing on Monday’s Smart Talk to explain the court action is Chesapeake Bay foundation President William Baker.

Also on Smart Talk, even though we all have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, every county, city, and town have had their own unique challenges over the last six months.

PennLive is profiling five counties in a series called The State of the Coronvirus. Reporter Wallace McKelvey describes what he found on Monday’s Smart Talk.

Smart Talk Thursday; Flu season set to overlap with COVID-19

The Centers for Disease Control warn that it is likely the flu virus and COVID-19 virus will both spread this fall and winter; a worse-case scenario as the nation battles the pandemic.

In the U.S., flu season typically peaks between December and February. During this same time period there are other respiratory viruses circulating, including the common cold and RSV, which is a serious respiratory illness that impacts young children and the elderly.

The challenge for everyone is that these viruses have similar symptoms and it is difficult to discern differences without medical testing. (Virus symptom similarities and differences)

As communities ease pandemic restrictions and kids return to school medical providers are advocating for flu vaccines to mitigate its impact.

Joining Smart Talk to discuss how to navigate the flu season and to answer COVID-19 questions are Dr. Matthew Silvis, MD, Professor and Vice Chair of Clinical Operations for the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Penn State Health and Dr. Jessica Ericson, MD, pediatric infectious disease specialist with Penn State Children’s Hospital.

Smart Talk Friday: Pa. restaurants and taverns struggling; Naming streams

Pennsylvania’s restaurants and taverns are struggling financially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

First came stay-at-home orders in March. Then, customers could dine outdoors and eventually seating for a limited number of customers indoors was permitted. If a diner wanted an alcoholic drink, they had to have it with food or what was called a meal.

Gov. Tom Wolf announced earlier this week that restaurants could return to 50% capacity on September 21. However, the governor also said no alcohol could be sold after 10 p.m. and sitting at a bar for just to drink was not permitted.

While some restaurants owners say the increased capacity is a step in the right direction, it still may not be enough to keep them from losing money.

Appearing on Friday’s Smart Talk to discuss one of the state’s largest industries and its struggles are Chuck Moran, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association and Jim DeLisio, owner of the Racehorse Tavern in York County and president of the York County Tavern Association.

Also, streams and creeks are an important part of Pennsylvania’s natural landscape. They provide habitat for native species, mitigate flooding, and offer boundless recreation opportunities.

There are more than 85-thousand miles of rivers and streams in the state, and protecting these waters is vital to their health. Only five percent of fresh-water creeks and streams in the U.S. are named; an important distinction for water conservation and pollution control. Water quality experts say that named streams are more likely to be protected from litter and unwanted runoff.

So, what goes into naming creeks and waterways? Joining Smart Talk on Friday is Jennifer Runyan, a researcher with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to talk about the process of naming geographic features.

 

 

Smart Talk Wednesday; What counties are doing to prepare for the election; Nursing home death data still missing

The general election is less than two months away and the stakes have never seemed higher. Election security has taken on a new urgency as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and on-going questions about mail-in ballots.

The <a href=”https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/pa-mail-ballot-deadlines-disenfranchisement-20200730.html”>primary election in June gave Pennsylvania an opportunity to test the mail-in voting process</a> and they’ve come to a sobering conclusion. <a href=”https://www.pacounties.org/Media/Lists/NewsRelease/customDisplay.aspx?ID=80&amp;RootFolder=%2FMedia%2FLists%2FNewsRelease&amp;Source=https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Epacounties%2Eorg%2FMedia%2FPages%2Fdefault%2Easpx”>Pennsylvania counties will face very real challenges in providing timely results following the election.</a> With the eyes of the nation on Pennsylvania as a key battleground state, this is a potential problem. A potentially big problem.

Appearing on Wednesday’s <em><strong>Smart Talk</strong></em> to discuss what counties are doing to prepare for election day are <a href=”https://www.pacounties.org/GR/Pages/Connect-with-Us.aspx”>Lisa Schaefer, Executive Director of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania</a>, along with <a href=”https://www.dauphincounty.org/government/publicly_elected_officials/commissioners/pries.php#:~:text=Mike%20Pries%20is%20Vice%20Chairman,county%20and%20local%20government%20leader.”>Mike Pries, Dauphin County Commissioner </a>and<a href=”https://yorkcountypa.gov/county-administration/commissioners-office/2012-03-15-13-06-07.html”> Julie Wheeler, York County Commissioner. </a>

Pennsylvania’s nursing homes and long-term care facilities have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. <a href=”https://patch.com/pennsylvania/across-pa/2-3-pa-coronavirus-deaths-nursing-homes-county-breakdown”>Early reports show that nearly two-thirds of deaths in the state occurred in these facilities, but the numbers are difficult to verify.</a>

<a href=”https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2020/09/pa-nursing-home-coronavirus-deaths-cases-public-data-missing/”>According to a recent report in Spotlight PA, there is still an incomplete picture of how many lives were lost due to the virus inside these facilities.</a>

<a href=”https://www.spotlightpa.org/authors/jamie-martines/”>Spotlight PA reporter Jamie Martines</a> authored the report and will join <em><strong>Smart Talk</strong></em> to talk about the missing data.

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Smart Talk Tuesday: 5G explained; Wasp, cicadas and hornets

You’ve probably seen the commercials or heard talk of 5G technology that is being touted by mobile phone carriers.

But what is 5G and how will be different than the 4G technology most of us are now accustomed to?

In simple terms, 5G is the latest generation of technology that will be faster and allow for more data.

On Tuesday’s Smart Talk, we’ll answer questions about 5G and also the issues surrounding TikTok social media and cyber security.

Appearing on the program are Terrill Frantz, Ph.D., Ed.D., Professor of eBusiness and Cybersecurity and Bruce Young, Professor of Cybersecurity, both with Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.

Also, remember the stories last spring of the emergence of the Asian giant hornets or murder hornets as they were called? Turns out Pennsylvania has its own version of a big insect at this time of year — only it’s been around for a long time. Eastern cicada killer wasps come out at this time of year and feed off cicadas, which are making an appearance this summer.

Joining us on Tuesday’s program is Elizabeth Capaldi, Ph.D., Professor of Biology at Bucknell University and author of the book Why do Bees Buzz? Fascinating Answers to Questions about Bees.

Smart Talk Thursday: Paid sick and family leave?; Coin shortage

Gov. Tom Wolf wants all Pennsylvania employers to offer paid sick and family leave time to their employees. Under the governor’s proposal, paid sick leave can be used to recover from an illness, for medical appointments, to care for a family member, or to seek help from abuse or violence. Six weeks of family leave would also be available with the birth of a new child.

Wolf is instituting sick and family leave for state employees under the governor’s jurisdiction beginning October 15.

Small business advocates say the time is not right for another paid benefit while many employers have taken a financial hit during the COVID-19 pandemic.

There is sick and family leave legislation already in the General Assembly and the sponsor of one bill – Democratic Sen. Maria Collett of Montgomery County appears on Thursday’s Smart Talk.

Gene Barr, President of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry joins us on the program, as well.

Also, you may have heard there’s a coin shortage during the COVID-19 pandemic. Actually, there is a not a shortage of coin, but a circulation problem caused by several factors, including bank lobbies not being open.

We’ll learn more about the coin circulation issue on Thursday’s Smart Talk and what you can do to help get more coins into the marketplace.

Our guest is Hannah Walker, Vice President of Political Affairs with FMI: The Food Industry Association and a member of the Federal Reserve U.S. Coin Task Force.

Smart Talk Wednesday: 75th Anniversary of the Victory over Japan

Seventy-Five years ago, General Douglas MacArthur and representatives of nine Allied nations gathered on board the battleship USS Missouri to accept the formal surrender of Japan.

Although the surrender was announced on August 14, Japanese officials didn’t sign the formal surrender documents until September 2, 1945; ending six years of hostility with tens of millions of lives lost. The images captured that day were striking and featured the capitulation of Japan on an American warship in the country’s own harbor.

World War II and it’s aftermath made a lasting impact on the global balance of power and established a new world order that exists to this day. For the U.S., the war also ended the Great Depression and triggered an economic trajectory that few nations would ever match.

The end of the war also established the conditions for future nation-conflicts, both diplomatic and military. The legacy and threat of nuclear conflict looms even larger today as a result of the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima, and led to the Cold War.  Smart Talk will examine the history and legacy of WWII with Tami Davis Biddle, Ph.D., Professor and Elihu Root Chair of Military Studies at the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks and Retired Army Col. Don Boose, former professor of strategy of World War II in the Pacific, U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks.

While fewer WWII veterans are living today to bear witness to their experience, Smart Talk is joined by Herb Morrow, 93, of Carlisle, Pa., who served as a Seaman First Class on the USS Birmingham from 1944 – 1946 in the Pacific Theater.

 

Herb Morrow, 93, of Carlisle, Pa., Seaman First Class, who served on the USS Birmingham from 1944 – 1946 in the Pacific Theater.

 

Smart Talk Tuesday: Contact tracing app unveiled and alcohol sales up everywhere but PA

Contact tracing that is utilized to identify and inform those who have come into contact with another person who has contracted COVID-19, has been described as one of, and maybe, the best way to control spread of the virus.

However, Pennsylvania still has not met goals for the number of people employed or acting as contact tracers.

The state is introducing a new mobile phone app that could be a tool to identify those who have been exposed to the virus. The app, called Covid Alert Pa, will be available later in September for download through app providers. Pennsylvanians seeking help finding testing or information can call 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258).

Tuesday’s Smart Talk features Pennsylvania Department of Health Deputy Secretary for Health Innovation Meghna Patel and Communications Director April Hutcheson to discuss the app and contact tracing.

Also, during the past five-and-a-half months when many Pennsylvanians were home from work and restaurants and bars were either closed or had limited capacities, it appeared, at least anecdotally — as if more wine, beer and other alcoholic beverages were being consumed.

However, a report on June sales figures from the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association found that Pennsylvania was the only “control” state in the country where spirit sales didn’t increase by double digits and actually only went up by less than 1%.

State Wine and Spirit stores were closed for the first weeks of the pandemic and curbside sales were initially the only avenue for liquor purchases.

Was it the only factor?

Alex Baloga, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association is on Smart Talk with his take.

Smart Talk Monday: COVID biggest issue according to F&M poll; TMI emergency planning scaled back; COVID-19 testing takes to the road

 

The latest Franklin and Marshall College poll of registered voters released last week found that respondents consider the COVID-19 pandemic the most important problem facing Pennsylvania and may, as a result, feel less optimistic about their finances.

The 2020 general election and voter intentions were also key poll questions, and more voters plan to cast their ballot in person than by mail.

Franklin and Marshall College political analyst and pollster Dr. G. Terry Madonna, Ph.D., appears on Monday’s Smart Talk to discuss the results and provide perspective.

The legacy of Three Mile Island Nuclear Power plant will be forever marred by the partial meltdown of one of the reactors more than forty years ago.  

The reactors sit along the Susquehanna River near Harrisburg and are owned by the Exelon Corporation. Exelon shut down the generating station almost a year ago to begin the decades-long decommissioning process 

The corporation recently appealed to the federal government to scale back some of their emergency response planning; a move that alarms an area watchdog group.  

Joining Smart Talk to share their concerns is Eric Epstein, Chairman of the Harrisburg-based group TMI Alert 

Finally, the Coronavirus pandemic has hit people of color living in under-served communities particularly hard. One organization’s solution is to launch a COVID-19 mobile testing and education RV to tour the state are reach out to these communities 

George Fernandez is the Founder and CEO of Latino Connection and he appears on Smart Talk to share the plan to offer a needed service tailored to this demographic.   

Smart Talk Thursday; Women in elected office after the 19th Amendment

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote. The fight for women’s suffrage was a decades-long battle that took more than 70 years to win.

Women representation in elected office didn’t happen quickly after the passage, particularly at the national level. An entirely male Congress passed the 19th Amendment, but 50 years later there were still only one female senator and ten representatives. Today in 2020, only a quarter of the legislature is comprised of women.

What happened in Pennsylvania after the ratification? Did women take advantage of this new right to run for elected office to represent voters? For the women who did seek office, how were they received by the electorate and once in office, did their gender help or hinder their role?

Pennsylvania and the nation are now preparing for the 2020 general election, which features the first-ever black woman on a Presidential ticket. Smart Talk Thursday will focus on the role of women as voters and in elected office over the past 100 years. Joining the conversation are Dr. Curtis Miner, Ph.D., senior history curator at the State Museum of Pennsylvania, Dana Brown, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics at Chatham University, retired Republican state Senator Pat Vance of Cumberland County and Democratic state Representative Patty Kim of Dauphin County.

After Suffrage, Pennsylvania’s Inaugural Class of Women Legislators, by Dr. Curtis Miner, is available here.