WITF Smart Talk Podcast

July 25, 2018

Rain and Finding Pennsylvania’s Solar Future

Swatara Creek crosses Sand Beach Road near Hershey 600 x 340.jpg

Photo by Scott LaMar/WITF

What to look for on Smart Talk Wednesday, July 25, 2018:

The incessant rain that started falling last weekend is still going strong. It’s causing flooding throughout Central Pennsylvania, while closing roads and damaging homes.

The rainwater doesn’t only inconvenience drivers – it also poses a serious danger to pedestrians. A woman was swept away after falling into the Conewago Creek in southern Dauphin County Monday night.

Water is running into basements and even the first floors of homes, as well.

The rain is expected to continue Wednesday and maybe taper off with a continuing chance of showers Thursday. By the time the precipitation ends, some areas could have up to a foot of rain.

Wednesday’s Smart Talk provides an update on the weather, roads and other valuable information with Eric Horst, Millersville University meteorologist, Fritzi Schreffler from PennDOT, and Jeff Thomas from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.

The Sentinel is compiling a map of flooded roads and invites people to report flooding on their form.

Also, solar energy is responsible for less than one percent of Pennsylvania’s net electricity generation, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The Finding Pennsylvania’s Solar Future project group hopes that by 2030, solar power produced in this state will account for 10 percent of retail electric sales.

A group of stakeholders with expertise in areas ranging from business to environmental advocacy met in a series of workshops to come up with ideas for increasing the state’s production of solar power. In addition, everyone is invited to comment on the plan.

As explained in the Finding Pennsylvania’s Solar Future draft plan, increased solar energy can have health, economic, and environmental benefits.

To achieve its goal of expanding solar power in Pennsylvania, the project group determined that a combination of cross-cutting, grid scale solar generation and distributed solar generation will likely be necessary.

Cross-cutting involves making solar power affordable. Grid scale (solar energy produced in large amounts at farms or plants) is expected to account for the majority of Pennsylvania solar generation, while it is anticipated that distributed solar generation (small-scale technology used to produce electricity closer to the end use of power) will account for 10-35 percent of the state’s solar energy.

On Wednesday‘s Smart Talk to discuss Finding Pennsylvania’s Solar Future is Patrick McDonnell, Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection.

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July 24, 2018

National Geographic Photographer and Issues facing Asian American/Pacific Islanders

National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore is a man on a mission, and time is running out. Not for him, but for the subjects of his work.

Sartore is the founder of the National Geographic Photo Ark, a 25-year documentary project to save species and habitat around the world by bringing attention to their plight. He hopes the photographs will encourage people to do something before it’s too late.

Sartore’s goal is to photograph the more than twelve thousand animal species currently living in the world’s zoos and wildlife sanctuaries. He is more than halfway there.

Some of his subjects are already gone. In 2008, Sartore photographed “Bryn,” the last remaining Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit. Her death marked the species extinction.

Joel Sartore’s Photo Ark will be featured at The Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art, Millersburg, Pa, through the end of August. He will be speaking there from 3-4 on Saturday, July 28.

Sartore joins us Tuesday to talk about his project and the status of at-risk species.

Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial group in Pennsylvania, according to an article in the Public Opinion reporting on census trends. In fact, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) are the fastest growing racial groups in the United States.

Like any group of people, they are not immune to the social influences and issues affecting society today. Issues such as the opioid epidemic, sexual assault, domestic violence, and bullying impact their communities without distinction.

Governor Tom Wolf’s Advisory Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs is hosting a symposium on Saturday, July 28, at the State Museum to highlight these complex issues and give participants access to local and state resources.

Joining us in the studio is Tiffany Chang Lawson, the Executive Director of the advisory commission and Dr. Sue Mukherjee, Vice Chair, Jobs that Pay Committee, to discuss the event and how they hope it will impact the AAPI community.

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July 23, 2018

Caving and “Eat First, Cry Later”

The subject of caves gained prominence in light of the Thailand cave rescue. According to cavers from Franklin and Cumberland County, Pennsylvania is home to over a thousand caves.

Caves are formed when rock is dissolved by acidic rainwater that seeps through tiny pores in the rock surface. After tens of thousands of years, a cave is formed.

Some of Pennsylvania’s largest caves extend over a mile in length and reach more than 200 feet in depth.Exploring caves is called caving or spelunking, and some area hobbyists have been practicing for over 50 years. Many are drawn to the historical and scientific significance of caves, while others seek the thrill of exploration.

Caves are essential to environmental ecosystems. Animals and plants make their homes in caves and it is where rain is filtered before returning to the earth’s water supply. When exploring, cavers are careful not to disturb the natural way of life, taking nothing but pictures and leaving nothing but footprints.

Discussing cave exploration in Pennsylvania on Monday’s Smart Talk are Franklin County caver Patrick Minnick and Kim Schwartz, general manager of Indian Echo Caverns.

Also on today’s Smart Talk, Mimi Barash Coppersmith joins us to talk about her recently published memoir “Eat First, Cry Later: The Life Lessons of a First-Generation College Graduate, Penn State Alumna and Female CEO.”

The book details her life from childhood through her mid-80s. She was born during the Great Depression and grew up a Jewish Pennsylvanian girl during World War II. She attended Penn State University and has remained an active member of the Penn State community. She has also been involved in numerous charitable organizations and events. She made her way as a businesswoman when the field was largely dominated by men; she has experienced the losses of several people close to her, and she has combatted breast cancer and mental illness. During her life, she found purpose in helping people and developed into a feminist.

These experiences taught Mimi Barash Coppersmith many influential lessons, 48 of which she enumerates throughout her book. Several of these lessons involve helping and receiving help from others and the importance of interpersonal connections.

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July 20, 2018

Social Determinants of Health

What to look for on Smart Talk Friday, July 20, 2018:

Dr. Wanda Filer

On Friday’s Smart Talk, guest host Dr. Wanda Filer, Strategic Health Institute, leads a discussion on Social Determinants of Health.

There are many factors that can influence personal health. These factors are known as Social Determinants of Health (SDOH). Determinants can include race, education level, TV habits, marital status, net worth, access to healthy food and employment, amongst many others.

How can we better understand what affects health? How can this information be used to improve inequalities within communities in the region? Can funding from programs like Medicaid help improve housing, transportation and food security and thereby improve an individual or family’s health outlook?

Social Determinants may also impact your health insurance. Earlier this week, a report on Morning Edition explained how health insurers are utilizing details through social media to determine your rates.

On Friday’s Smart Talk, guest host Dr. Wanda Filer will be joined by Leesa Allen, Executive Deputy Secretary at Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Dr. Margot Savoy, Chair and Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine at Temple University, current national chair of the Commission doing the EveryONE project, and Dr. Steven Woolf, Director Emeritus of the Center on Society and Health at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Leesa Allen, Dr. Steven Woolf and Dr. Margot Savoy

Additional reading on this topic:

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July 19, 2018

Robocall Epidemic and Improving Customer Service

frustrated-angry-man-reading-a-text-message-on-his-smartphone-blowing-picture-id824614192.jpg

What to look for on Smart Talk Thursday, July 19, 2018:

It never fails, the phone rings as soon as you sit down for dinner or begin a task; those intrusive and unwelcome phone solicitations.

Automated phone calls, also known as robocalls, have doubled in the last year with more than four billion calls placed last month alone.

Consumers find these calls annoying, intrusive and unwanted. Some of the calls are scams and some are legal. Robocallers are finding unique ways to disguise numbers to appear legitimate.

Who is making all these calls and how do you stop them?

Today on Smart Talk guest host Brian Roche (WGAL News 8) examines the robocall epidemic with attorney Margot Saunders of the National Consumer Law Center and Jonathan Banks, USTelecom, Law & Policy.

Also today, we focus on customer service and customer care.

Treating customers poorly is not a crime – but it can cause significant long-term damage to a business and its reputation. The impact of a bad experience can significantly affect the bottom line. A recent online report suggests that bad customer service experiences cost U.S. businesses $75 billion dollars annually.

Companies are going back to school to address customer care. Joining us on Smart Talk is Duffy Johnson from The Etiquette School of Central PA to discuss the basics of good customer service.

Duffy Johnson

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July 18, 2018

Organ Donation

What to look for on Smart Talk Tuesday, July 18, 2018:

Medical advances in organ transplantation have progressed significantly with improvements in surgical methods and drug therapies. Yet, despite medical progress the shortage of organs remains the greatest challenge, world-wide.

In Pennsylvania alone, thousands are waiting on lists for months and even years. Every 10 minutes another person is added to the national waiting list, joining more 118,000 people across the country who also need organs. The numbers are daunting.

Organ donations can come from both living and deceased donors. One organ and tissue donor can save up to eight lives and help 75 people.

Joining guest host Valerie Pritchett (abc27) in the studio is TJ Bradley, a York county husband and father who is currently waiting for a kidney. Also, Lauren Gydosh recently donated a kidney to a former co-worker and will be in the studio to share her experience.

Dr. William Hoffman, director of the Living Donor Program at UPMC Pinnacle, joins us, along with Rebecca Brown, nurse manager with UPMC Pinnacle Transplantation services.

Rebecca Brown, Dr. William Hoffman, TJ Bradley, and Lauren Gydosh

For more on organ donation plus a deeper look at the changing tide of healthcare, check out WITF’s Transforming Health, a partnership of WITF, WellSpan Health and Capital BlueCross.

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July 17, 2018

Clergy Abuse and Harrisburg Finances; Journalists Weigh In

What to look for on Smart Talk Tuesday, July 17, 2018:

On Tuesday’s Smart Talk, guest host Katie Meyer kicks off the hour with a discussion of a grand jury report that’s hanging over Pennsylvania.

It’s an investigation of sexual abuse of children by clergy in six of the commonwealth’s eight Catholic diocese. And it’s stalled because current and former clergy are appealing to the state Supreme Court, arguing it would wrongly tarnish people’s reputations.

Angela Couloumbis of the Philadelphia Inquirer, and Liz Navratil of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette join us to discuss what might be in the report, and the legal intricacies keeping it from release.

Liz Navratil and Angela Couloumbis

And in the second part of the show, we turn our attention to local issues. Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse recently declared a fiscal crisis, amid an effort to exit the “distressed city” classification while keeping the special taxing authority that came with it.

WITF’s Keystone Crossroads reporter Emily Previti helps fill in the backstory of Harrisburg’s financial woes. And city reporter Lizzy Hardison of The Burg brings us up to speed on the latest developments.

Lizzy Hardison and Emily Previti

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July 16, 2018

Attorney General Shapiro, Auditor General DePasquale, and PA Chamber

On Monday’s Smart Talk guest host G. Terry Madonna welcomes a variety of guests to cover recent news and events in Pennsylvania:

G. Terry Madonna

Attorney General Josh Shapiro will discuss “No-Poach” agreements in fast-food franchise contracts and a new initiative to combat the opioid epidemic with help from local law enforecement.

Kevin Sunday, Director of Government Affairs with the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, will talk about Russian meddling in American businesses and in Pennsylvania.

Josh Shapiro, Kevin Sunday, and Eugene DePasquale

Auditor General Eugene DePasquale will talk about his action plan to help fix the system to keep kids safer, how he is looking at the integrity of our voting system, working to improve school safety and help low-income residents stay warm in the winter.

G Terry Madonna is kicking off a week of special guest hosts while Smart Talk’s Scott LaMar enjoys a much deserved vacation.

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July 13, 2018

New report: PA air is polluted/Police crack down on aggressive-distracted drivers

What to look for on Smart Talk Friday, July 13, 2018:

Millions of Americans are exposed to polluted air, a recent report by the Environment America Research & Policy Center found and released by the environmental group Penn Environment.

Air pollution can cause respiratory and cardiovascular problems, which may lead to premature death. The report, titled “Trouble in the Air,” found that even at levels considered “good” or “moderate” by the Environmental Protection Agency, pollution can still be harmful to people’s health.

After detailing the magnitude and dangers of air pollution in the United States, “Trouble in the Air” offers recommendations for future improvement. These suggestions include supporting government initiatives to reduce global warming and decrease pollution from vehicles.

The report found that the Central Pennsylvania region has some of the most polluted air in the country. Particulate matter is a particular problem in the region.

Stephanie Wein from PennEnvironment joins us on Friday’s Smart Talk to discuss pollution and “Trouble in the Air.”

Stephanie Wein

Also, Pennsylvania police are cracking down on aggressive and distracted driving with an aggressive driving enforcement initiative. They are watching for people tailgating, running red lights, speeding, and not steering clear of emergency vehicles. During the last enforcement period in March and April, over 4,000 citations were issued.

Speeding, an aggressive driving habit, was responsible for over ¼ of traffic deaths in 2016. Congested roads and running late are some of the most common reasons people drive aggressively.

Distracted driving often involves texting, though it can include any behavior that requires drivers to take their focus from the road. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that texting causes drivers to look away from the road for five seconds, which, at a speed of 55 mph, is equivalent to driving the length of a football field with one’s eyes closed. This organization estimates that 481,000 people use cell phones while driving during the day.

Joining us on Friday to talk about the aggressive driving enforcement initiative are Co-Coordinators Barbara Zortman and Jeff Bowman, Region 2 Law Enforcement Liaison for the Pennsylvania Aggressive Driving Enforcement & Education Project, and Corporal Eric Carter from the Harrisburg Bureau of Police.

Jeff Bowman, Barbara Zortman, and Corporal Eric Carter

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July 12, 2018

How will Supreme Court Janus decision impact unions?

What to look for on Smart Talk Thursday, July 12, 2018:

Last month the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that non-union government employees are not required to pay dues or fees in order to keep their jobs. The Court said that an Illinois teacher’s First Amendment freedom of speech rights were being denied when he was forced to pay even though he wasn’t in the union. The teacher — Mark Janus — said he didn’t agree with the political positions the union was taking and shouldn’t be forced to contribute money to fund political activity he didn’t support. That’s even though non-union members’ dues or fees aren’t permitted to be used for political activity anyway.

However, the argument for requiring non-union workers to pay dues or fees was that even though the employee may not be in the union, they benefitted from the contract the union negotiates.

The ruling overturns the 1977 Supreme Court case Abood v. Detroit Board of Education in which the justices made a distinction between two kinds of required payments: agency fees, which were found to be constitutional, and voluntary union dues, which were not.

Some predict that organized labor unions will take a hard hit financially and will likely see a decrease in membership.

On Thursday’s Smart Talk, we discuss the Janus decision and what it means for the future of unions with Stephen Herzenberg, Executive Director at the Keystone Research Center and Nathan Benefield, Vice President and COO of the Commonwealth Foundation.

Stephen Herzenberg and Nathan Benefield

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