WITF Smart Talk Podcast

August 8, 2018

Road Trip to Beau’s Dream Dog Park in Lancaster

What to look for on Smart Talk Wednesday, August 8, 2018:

It’s a Smart Talk Road Trip to Beau’s Dream Dog Park at Buchanan Park in Lancaster Wednesday!

Smart Talk Road Trips are usually a lot of fun for the audience and the Smart Talk crew — even when we’re discussing serious topics. But this Smart Talk Road Trip promises to be enjoyable for a couple of reasons. First of all, the Smart Talk audience has often told us that they like the shows when we’re focusing on pets and animals. And secondly, the family dog gets to participate in this show by playing at Beau’s Dream Dog Park.

The namesake for the park — Beau — will be there Wednesday with his owner Angela Ryan, who dreamed up the plans for the dog park and submitted them to the city as part of a competition. Angela joins us this program to discuss what inspired her. Charlotte Katzenmoyer, Lancaster’s Director of Public Works also is with us.

We’ll also discuss how a dog’s brain works, training, health and where people get their dogs.

Appearing on the Road Trip are Dr. Mikk Regester with Willow Run Veterinary Clinic, Kaye Ames, a dog trainer, and Connie Kondravy, President of the Organization for Responsible Care of Animals of ORCA.

“Wednesday’s Smart Talk Road Trip LIVE remote broadcast is supported by Roof Advisory and Pleasant View Retirement Community.”

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August 7, 2018

Nurses rally for improved staffing

What to look for on Smart Talk Tuesday, August 7, 2018:

A coalition of Pennsylvania nurses hand-carried a 10-thousand signature petition to the state Capitol last week to push lawmakers to act on legislation stalled in house and senate committees.

The legislation, titled Hospital Patient Protection, mandates lower patient-to-nurse ratios. The nurse’s coalition say that current staffing levels in many hospitals ultimately hurts patients.

The proposed legislation states that hospital staffing should be based on the individual patient’s care needs, the severity of the condition, and the services needed.

Read the bills here:

The coalition is facing opposition from both the state’s Hospital Association, and their own Nurses Association.

WITF Capitol Bureau Chief Katie Meyer reported that association CEO Betsey Snook said that while the group wholeheartedly believes hospitals across the state do have a staffing problem, they don’t support mandatory ratios because, in part, they’re not flexible enough.

Instead, the group supports a proposal to create committees that would involve more nurses in staffing decisions.

Meyer reported that a spokesman for the Hospital and Health system Association of Pennsylvania said they don’t think there’s a staffing problem.

Joining Smart Talk on Tuesday is Dr. Mark Crider, President, Pennsylvania State Nurses Association, and nurses Debbie Vandover, York, and Sharon Mitchell, Wilkes-Barre.

Dr. Mark Crider, Sharon Mitchell and Debbie Vandover

Update: The conversation about nurse-to-patient ratios extended for the whole hour. President Eric Darr and Chad Smeltz are in the studio Friday to discuss The Storm.

Also on Smart Talk, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is making history as the first Pennsylvania University to assemble a varsity esports team, called The Storm.

The team is comprised of 16 full-scholarship players and will compete against other National Association of Collegiate Esports teams beginning in September. The University has invested nearly three million dollars establishing the program.

Harrisburg University President Eric Darr and Chad Smeltz, program director, are in the studio to talk about the program.

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August 6, 2018

Is new short-term insurance a good option?/Service dogs

What to look for on Smart Talk Monday, August 6, 2018:

Do changes to short-term, limited duration health insurance plans provide quality coverage to Pennsylvanians?

That’s a question Smart Talk examines Monday.

Consumers will soon be able to purchase the plans for up to three years after changes implemented by the Trump Administration. Federal regulations currently limit the plans to three months.

The STLDs are inexpensive but don’t comply with the Affordable Care Act’s consumer protection and coverage requirements.

Pennsylvania’s Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman has said she’s concerned that consumers won’t have enough coverage when they need it if they have a short-term policy. Commissioner Altman appears on Monday’s Smart Talk along with WITF’s Transforming Health reporter Brett Sholtis.

Brett Sholtis and Commissioner Jessica Altman

Also on the program, we learn about the Susquehanna Service Dogs organization who raise, train and place service dogs and hearing dogs with people throughout Central Pennsylvania. The service dogs assist people with disabilities to be more independent in living their lives.What goes into raising a service dog, what services can the dogs perform, and how are they trained?

Joining us on Monday’s Smart Talk are volunteers Lisa Slater and Gail Frassetta.

Lisa Slater, Scott LaMar and Gail Frassetta, with SSD Comet and Hermione

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August 3, 2018

Ready Set Go Kindergarten Reinforces Early Childhood Education

WITF’s Ready Set Go Kindergarten

What to look for on Smart Talk, Friday, August 3, 2018:

Early formative childhood education is important for kids and their families. WITF and other community organizations believe that it is an imperative for businesses and communities, as well.

Quality early childhood education has a measurable economic impact, which often starts as early as birth with accessible child care. Research shows that real learning is happening from birth, and what we do or don’t do when children are very young can impact their time in school and beyond.

WITF remains committed to strengthening communities through our support of school districts, families and childcare centers. We recognize that transitions can be tricky. To help support families and children in the transition from preschool to kindergarten, WITF has partnered with community agencies and sponsors to create an annual event that provides families with useful information and gives the soon-to-be kindergartners a day full of fun and memories.

Ready Set Go Kindergarten is a fun day of exploration for soon-to-be-kindergartners and a great way for families to connect to resources.

WITF lobby set for Ready Set Go Kindergarten

Organizations like Child Care Consultants, Inc. (CCC), and The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC) commit their resources to promoting early education and supporting families, as well.

Debbie Riek, Christy Renjilian, Janice Black and Jennifer Doyle

Joining Smart Talk on Friday are Janice Black, TFEC President and CEO, and Jennifer Doyle, TFEC VP of Development and Community Investment. Also in the studio is Christy Renjilian, CCC Executive Director, and the WITF Education Coordinator Debbie Riek.

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August 2, 2018

Smart Talk on Harrisburg Diocese child sex abuse

Statement Harrisburg Dicosese gave reporters on confidentiality provision waivers. (Brett Sholtis/WITF)

What to look for on Smart Talk Thursday, August 2, 2018:

Bishop Ronald Gainer, head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg, Wednesday released a list of 71 clergy members and others involved with the Church who have been accused of child sex misconduct or abuse.

Diocese attorney Matthew Haverstick says, “This list compiles, as far back as we have in our records, every individual against whom an allegation was made and that allegation subsequently was not disproven by law enforcement.” This means that the people on the list have been accused of child sex abuse, but, Haverstick says, they are not being called “sexual abusers.” The allegations date back to the 1940s, and over half of the people named are dead.

Bishop Gainer said the Diocese has taken steps to protect children and that names of the accused clergy members will be removed from buildings, facilities, rooms and memorials.

Additionally, Bishop Gainer is waiving confidentiality agreements between the diocese and survivors of child sex abuse “so that the survivors can feel free to tell their stories,” he says. A new website to address child sex abuse and policies of the Diocese of Harrisburg has also been launched by the diocese.

Bishop Gainer released the list Wednesday, a week before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has said it will release a redacted version of a grand jury report on child sex abuse by clergy members in Pennsylvania dioceses.

The grand jury investigation looks at allegations of child sex abuse in six dioceses, including Harrisburg, and identifies over 300 “predator priests.”

Identifying information of clergy members and others who are challenging the report will be blacked out to avoid infringing on anyone’s constitutional rights. Judge John Cleland, who led the child molestation trial of Jerry Sandusky, will serve as special master and help determine which information can be shared in the report.

The grand jury report will be released Aug. 8 unless there are disputes over redacted information, in which case it will be released Aug. 14 at the latest.

On Thursday’s Smart Talk to discuss the report and its aftermath are Representative Mark Rozzi (D-Berks), an abuse survivor himself, Pennsylvania Victim Advocate Jennifer Storm, and Angela Liddle, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance. Bishop Ronald Gainer was invited to participate in today’s Smart Talk, but a diocese representative declined the invitation.

Angela Liddle and Jennifer Storm, Rep. Mark Rozzi (D-Berks)

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August 1, 2018

PA firefighters in western wildfire fight/Should alligators be kept as pets?

What to look for on Smart Talk Wednesday, August 1, 2018:

This summer is being called the worst wildfire season in over a decade in the western U.S. There are more than 60 wildfires burning in 15 states right now. There have been close to 90 this season. Millions of acres have been consumed, thousands of structures destroyed and several people have been killed, including at least two firefighters.

The weather has created perfect conditions for wildfires to start and spread. Temperatures have approached or gone over 100 degrees throughout the west, there has been little rain, the humidty levels have been low, keeping the air dry and there have been windy conditions as well.

Firefighters from all over the country have descended on the areas where the flames are burning, including dozens from Pennsylvania.

On Wednesday’s Smart Talk, we’ll speak with Pennsylvania’s Chief Forest Fire Warden Mike Kern and Chad Northcraft, a forester who just returned from fighting fires in Nevada, about the state’s contingent of firefighters and wildfires.

Pennsylvania’s Chief Forest Fire Warden Mike Kern and Chad Northcraft

Earlier this summer, an alligator was found roaming a neighborhood in Lancaster County. It was captured by East Cocalico Township police and turned over to the Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary in Manheim.

Thirty-two inch alligator nicknamed Mr. Rogers

Jesse Rothacker

The gator was probably someone’s pet, got too big and was released into the wild and found itself wandering in a residential neighborhood. It’s becoming a bigger problem recently and some are calling for banning the sale of alligators as pets.

We discuss whether alligators should be kept as pets with Jesse Rothacker, Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary on Wednesday’s Smart Talk.

Skull from an alligator estimated at 8 feet.

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July 31, 2018

US Army War College International Fellows

Courtesy of the US Army War College web site

What to look for on Smart Talk Tuesday, July 31, 2018:

The U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks is known as an educational institution for senior military officers and government civilians. It is lesser known, however, for the international contingent who comprise one-quarter of the student body each year.

The first six international officers arrived for the one-year program in 1977. Those officers represented Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Korea and Mexico. This year, 73 nations sent officers to Carlisle Barracks as International Fellows, as they are called. Their academic year consists of studying, research and fellowship, in areas ranging from US culture, military concepts and doctrine, to national and theater level strategies.

Col. Robert Connolly and Col. Elisabeth Michelsen, International Fellows/Photos: Charity Murtorff

The War College has a very competitive selection process for US participants. The qualifications and selection for international officers is equally competitive.

The United States Army Chief of Staff extends an invitation each year to approximately 80 senior military officers from different countries. Officers must meet certain criteria to attend, including that they are destined for strategic leadership positions in their military.

Since 1978, more than 1,700 International Fellows have graduated from the War College. Sixty-six have gone on to become Chief of their respective Military Service or the Chief of Defense (Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff equivalent).

There are currently two heads of state who have graduated from the program: President El Sisi of Egypt and President Buhari of Nigeria.

International officers are encouraged to bring their families for the year they spend in Carlisle, and to integrate fully into the local community and schools.

Joining Smart Talk on Tuesday to talk about their experience is Col. Robert Connolly from the United Kingdom and international program class president and Col. Elisabeth Michelsen of Norway.

Also in the studio is Kevin Bremer, Deputy Director International Fellows Program, U.S. Army War College.

Kevin Bremer, Col. Elisabeth Michelsen and Col. Robert Connolly

A list of locations represented in this year’s class is found here: International Fellows.pdf

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July 30, 2018July 30, 2018

Democratic Socialism and Whose Streets?

Activist Brittany Ferrell and crowd of protesters in WHOSE STREETS?, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.

What to look for on Smart Talk Monday, July 30, 2018:

Thursday, Smart Talk hosted Jeff Weaver, the campaign manager for Bernie Sanders. Sanders identifies as a Democratic Socialist, but what exactly does that mean?

The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) website says of the group, “We believe that working people should run both the economy and society, democratically, to meet human needs, not to make profits for a few.”

Though there is variation among people who identify as Democratic Socialists, in general, they believe that production should be in the hands of the workers and that capitalism is problematic. They also believe that some sectors, such as healthcare, should be entirely in the hands of the government.

According to the DSA website, Democratic Socialists’ perfect society would be humane, environmentally friendly, and equal for all.

More Democrats are aligning with the movement; NPR reports that DSA membership went from about 6,000 in 2015 to 43,000 in early July 2018.

To discuss Democratic Socialism on Monday’s Smart Talk are Professor Joseph Sabino Mistick, J.D., Duquesne University School of Law, and Danny Martin, Harrisburg DSA, chapter steering committee.

Danny Martin

On Monday, July 30^th at 10pm, WITF-TV will air the documentary Whose Streets? The film provides an “unflinching look” at the Ferguson uprising.

On a Sunday afternoon in August 2014, an unarmed Michael Brown was walking down a street in Ferguson, Missouri, a northern suburb of Saint Louis. Brown encountered a police officer and what happened next is disputed by law enforcement and citizens who saw the event unfold.

Within minutes, Brown lay dead in the street from multiple gunshot wounds, where his body would remain for more than four hours.

National and international media descended upon Ferguson in the hours and days following Brown’s killing. They captured and transmitted images of street protests and a grassroots movement began demanding justice for Brown and for the community.

Residents and people from around the country joined the protests and some came to Ferguson, including two filmmakers, Sabaah Folayan and Damon Davis, to lend their voice.

Folayan and Davis produced the documentary because they “felt compelled to counter the images the media portrayed that dehumanized Mike Brown and desensitized viewers to the scenes of chaos and his death.”

Sabaah Folayan and Damon Davis will join Smart Talk on Monday to discuss the film project and the impact they hope to make.

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July 27, 2018July 27, 2018

The Newspaper Industry’s Changing Landscape

What to look for on Smart Talk Friday, July 27, 2018:

The newspaper industry has undergone a transformation over the last 10 to 15 years. With the advancement of the internet, newspapers jumped on board to develop a web presence offering ready access to their customers.

While print customers paid for subscription services, the web version was free to anyone with access to a computer.

Eventually, the industry’s advertising-based business model felt the economic pressure of newspapers giving their product away for free. The thinking went that if subscribers can access the news free online, any time of day, why would they pay for a newspaper that arrives hours well after the news events occur?

Some say that by offering a free product, the industry set itself up for potential failure.

Today, some newspapers around the country, and in the mid-state, have cut staff and production schedules, while others are placing paywalls between their product and customers.

Other newspapers, including some in Central Pennsylvania south alternatives like reducing the number of print editions of their papers and putting most content on their websites or actually adding more news.

Dr. Kyle Heim, Alex Hayes, Cate Barron, Ted Sickler and Scott LaMar

Joining Smart Talk on Friday to talk about the newspaper industry’s changing landscape are Cate Barron, Vice President of Content with PennLive and the Patriot-News, Ted Sickler, LNP Media Group, Inc.’s Managing Editor of Features and Special Projects, and Alex Hayes, Managing Editor of the Gettysburg Times. Also joining the conversation is Dr. Kyle Heim, Professor of Communication/Journalism, Shippensburg University.

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July 27, 2018

China not taking recyclables impacts midstate/Bernie Sanders’ campaign manager

What to look for on Smart Talk Thursday, July 26, 2018:

Before this year, China was the largest buyer of recycled commodities, which were by volume the largest United States export. However, beginning January 2018, China stopped accepting two dozen foreign recyclables, including mixed paper and mixed plastics. In addition, it lowered the permitted amount of contaminants – non-recyclable items that are put in recycling bins – from five percent to 0.5 percent. This was seen as a nearly impossible level to achieve.

Since the U.S. can no longer sell its recyclables to China, the refuse is piling up at material recovery facilities as they try to find new outlets for the waste. To deal with this change, some counties, such as Lancaster County, are cutting down on household items that can be recycled. Other counties are considering raising fees to compensate for the loss of the foreign outlet for recycling services.

On Thursday’s Smart Talk, Kathryn Sandoe, Chief Communications Officer at Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority and Bob Bylone, Executive Director of Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center join us to talk about recycling in Pennsylvania.

For more information on this topic:

Bob Bylone and Kathryn Sandoe

Also, Jeff Weaver — the Campaign Manager for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders in 2016 has written a new book about the campaign. It’s called How Bernie Won — Inside the Revolution That’s Taking Back Our Country — and Where We Go From Here.

Weaver appears on Thursday’s Smart Talk to discuss the Sanders campaign and presidential politics.

Jeff Weaver will be at Midtown Scholar Bookstore in Harrisburg Saturday at 6 p.m.

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