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Pennsylvania in Focus

America's Talking Networkwww.americastalking.com
The podcast bringing you the most important stories out of Pennsylvania from TheCenterSquare.com. Join us as we dive into the top headlines and provide insightful commentary and analysis.
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Episodes

Episode 49: Pennsylvania Subsidizes Horse Racing With $3.5B

Join The Center Square's Pennsylvania Editor Christen Smith and Pennsylvania Reporter Anthony Hennen as they discuss Pennsylvania having a number of tax subsidy programs that boost favored industries with public funding. The state’s largest program, however, attracts less attention than many smaller programs. And it isn’t a fund for economic development, or emerging tech, or health care. Democrats cemented control of the Pennsylvania House on Tuesday after winning three special elections near Pi...

Feb 10, 202319 minEp. 89

Episode 48: How Pennsylvania Schools Hide Funds to Raise Taxes Without Breaking the Law

Join The Center Square's Pennsylvania Editor Christen Smith and Pennsylvania Reporter Anthony Hennen as they discuss how Pennsylvania schools hide funds to raise taxes without breaking the law. Local governments bring in billions of dollars from fines and fees across the country annually – and Pennsylvania localities collected more than $202 million in 2020, a new analysis shows. --- Listen to Other ATN Productions: America in Focus: A weekly feature of the top TheCenterSquare.com stories of the...

Feb 03, 202329 minEp. 87

Episode 47: ‘Harrisburg Is Broken’ Says House Speaker; Asks Residents to Fix It

Join The Center Square's Pennsylvania Editor Christen Smith and Pennsylvania Reporter Anthony Hennen as they discuss Pennsylvania House Speaker Mark Rozzi said that, despite serving as a state representative since 2012, he’s just now learned “Harrisburg is broken.” A Pennsylvania survivor-turned-lawmaker asked his fellow Republicans to unbundle three constitutional amendments. A dozen school districts in Pennsylvania exploited a legal loophole to raise millions of dollars in new taxes. --- Liste...

Jan 27, 202323 minEp. 85

Episode 46: Pennsylvania Legislative Session Stalls

Join The Center Square's Pennsylvania Editor Christen Smith and Pennsylvania Reporter Anthony Hennen as they discuss Pennsylvania lawmakers bid adieu to Harrisburg Wednesday for an unanticipated five-week reprieve from the legislative session schedule. In his first executive action since becoming governor, Josh Shapiro abolished college degree requirements for state job listings in hopes of expanding economic opportunity. Though warm feelings of bipartisanship quickly fell apart in the state Hou...

Jan 20, 202322 minEp. 83

5 Minute Focus: Taxpayers Could Shoulder $32B Cost in Childhood Sexual Abuse Cases

Take five minutes to get caught up to date with a new report in Pennsylvania that estimates opening a two-year litigation window for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file civil claims against public schools which could cost taxpayers as much as $32 billion. --- Listen to Other ATN Productions: America in Focus: A weekly feature of the top TheCenterSquare.com stories of the week out of Washington D.C. with commentary from The Center Square editors and more! America's Talking : An interview ...

Jan 17, 20235 minEp. 82

Episode 45: Pennsylvania House Speaker May Not Go Independent; Asked to ‘Immediately Resign'

Join The Center Square's Managing Editor Alan Wooten, Executive Editor Dan McCaleb, Pennsylvania Editor Christen Smith and Pennsylvania Reporter Anthony Hennen as they discuss the halls of Harrisburg being haunted by missed opportunities this week as the hope for bipartisan pragmatism has curdled. Within a week of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives choosing a surprise speaker to lead, the sense of support and unity is already fading. --- Listen to Other ATN Productions: America in Focus: ...

Jan 13, 202322 minEp. 81

5 Minute Focus: Philadelphia Again Surpasses 500 Murders, Though Down Slightly From 2021

Take five minutes to get caught up to date with the latest data that shows the number of murders that occurred in the city of Philadelphia in 2022. --- Listen to Other ATN Productions: America in Focus: A weekly feature of the top TheCenterSquare.com stories of the week out of Washington D.C. with commentary from The Center Square editors and more! America's Talking : An interview podcast hosted by Austin Berg. Guests include professors, journalists, artists, business and nonprofit leaders, auth...

Jan 11, 20235 minEp. 80

Episode 44: Pennsylvania House Elects Democrat as Speaker, Who in Turn Changes to Independent

Join The Center Square's Managing Editor Alan Wooten, Executive Editor Dan McCaleb, and Pennsylvania Reporter Anthony Hennen as they discuss that after delays, motions to adjourn, and much uncertainty, the narrowly divided Pennsylvania House of Representatives chose Democrat Mark Rozzi of Berks County as Speaker of the House. Philadelphia has again failed to stop murders in the city, as it repeats a homicide toll that surpasses 500 deaths. While murders are down compared to a year ago, the level...

Jan 06, 202326 minEp. 79

5 Minute Focus: Pennsylvania’s Population Plummets by 40,000 in a Year

Take five minutes to get caught up to date with the data out of Pennsylvania that shows a significant drop in population in 2022. --- Listen to Other ATN Productions: America in Focus: A weekly feature of the top TheCenterSquare.com stories of the week out of Washington D.C. with commentary from The Center Square editors and more! America's Talking : An interview podcast hosted by Austin Berg. Guests include professors, journalists, artists, business and nonprofit leaders, authors, and more. Eve...

Jan 03, 20235 minEp. 78

Episode 43: Overdose Deaths Up 14% Nationally, Pennsylvania #3 Overall & Pennsylvania 2022 Year in Review

Join The Center Square's Executive Editor Dan McCaleb and Pennsylvania Reporter Anthony Hennen as they discuss the top news stories in the state of Pennsylvania in the year 2022. CDC: Overdose deaths up 14% nationally, Pennsylvania #3 overall. As Shapiro prepares for office, Pennsylvania GOP sees chance for school choice. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pennsylvania-in-focus/support...

Dec 30, 202220 minEp. 77

Episode 42: For Pennsylvania Inmates, Phone Calls Are Three Times More Expensive

Join The Center Square's Executive Editor Dan McCaleb and Pennsylvania Reporter Anthony Hennen as they discuss the fact that for Pennsylvania inmates, phone calls are three times more expensive. Philadelphia transit workers endorse Democrat Jeff Brown for mayor. Report: Pennsylvania tax credit programs' annual growth is $200M. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pennsylvania-in-focus/support...

Dec 23, 202220 minEp. 75

Episode 41: Both Parties Now Claim a Majority & Authority to Set Election Date in PA House

Join The Center Square's Executive Editor Dan McCaleb, Managing Editor Alan Wooten, and Pennsylvania Reporter Anthony Hennen as they discuss how in the PA House, both parties now claim a majority and authority to set election date. Eight Pennsylvania GOP senators urge Toomey to support cannabis banking. CVS, Walgreens to pay out $450M to Pennsylvania in opioid settlement. Report: Reliability, low fares, short trips key to transit in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia. Support this podcast: https://podcast...

Dec 16, 202221 minEp. 73

Episode 40: Licensing Report has Pennsylvania 31st for Burdens on Workers

Join The Center Square's Managing Editor Alan Wooten, Executive Editor Dan McCaleb, and Pennsylvania Reporter Anthony Hennen as they discuss Philadelphia, Pittsburgh struggle to fill open police positions. Licensing report: Pennsylvania 31st for burdens on workers. Pennsylvania natural gas price up 95%, new wells up 42%. Pennsylvania counties adopt demolition fee to deal with blighted homes. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pennsylvania-in-focus/support...

Dec 09, 202222 minEp. 71

Episode 39: Pennsylvania Public Schools Adding Racial, Cultural Bias Rules for Teachers

Join The Center Square's Managing Editor Alan Wooten and Executive Editor Dan McCaleb as they discuss Pennsylvania public schools adding racial, cultural bias rules for teachers. Report: Pennsylvania coal ash site sixth-most polluted in nation. Pennsylvania education assessment scores regress in COVID-19 pandemic era. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pennsylvania-in-focus/support...

Dec 02, 202223 minEp. 69

Episode 38: Highest Natural Gas Price Since 2010 Drives a Spike in Pennsylvania Home Energy Costs

Join The Center Square's Managing Editor Alan Wooten and Pennsylvania Reporter Anthony Hennen as they discuss Democrats taking 102-101 majority in Pennsylvania House; GOP chooses Senate leaders. Highest natural gas price since 2010 drives a spike in Pennsylvania home energy costs. Pennsylvania set to receive $120 million from Walmart opioid settlement. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pennsylvania-in-focus/support...

Nov 23, 202224 minEp. 67

5 Minute Focus: Shrinking Pennsylvania Workforce Endangers Budget Surplus, Reserves

Take 5 minutes to get caught up to date with the shrinking number of workers in the state of Pennsylvania, the implications that could have on the state's economy, and what the state can do to try to incentivize more work in the Keystone state. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pennsylvania-in-focus/support

Nov 22, 20225 minEp. 66

Episode 37: Pennsylvania House Votes to Impeach Philly D.A. Larry Krasner

Join The Center Square's Managing Editor Alan Wooten, Executive Editor Dan McCaleb, and Pennsylvania Reporter Anthony Hennen as they discuss the Pennsylvania House voting to impeach Philly DA Larry Krasner. Shrinking Pennsylvania workforce endangers budget surplus, reserves. Pennsylvania to spend $100 million on mental health treatment, worker recruitment. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pennsylvania-in-focus/support...

Nov 18, 202223 minEp. 65

Episode 36: Keystone State Remains Competitive, Swings Blue in ‘22

Join The Center Square's Managing Editor Alan Wooten, Executive Editor Dan McCaleb, and Pennsylvania Reporter Anthony Hennen as they discuss the results of the midterm elections in the state of Pennsylvania as the Keystone State remains competitive, swings blue in '22. Fetterman victory in Pennsylvania signals importance of candidate quality, metro vote. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pennsylvania-in-focus/support...

Nov 10, 202218 minEp. 64

Episode 35: Previewing the Pennsylvania Gubernatorial Election

Join The Center Square's Managing Editor Alan Wooten and Pennsylvania Reporter Anthony Hennen as they discuss the Pennsylvania race for Governor between Democrat Josh Shapiro and Republican Doug Mastriano. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pennsylvania-in-focus/support

Nov 04, 202223 minEp. 63

Episode 34: Recap of Fetterman - Oz Senate Debate

Join The Center Square's Managing Editor Alan Wooten, Executive Editor Dan McCaleb, and Pennsylvania Reporter Anthony Hennen as they discuss the Pennsylvania U.S. Senate debate between John Fetterman and Mehmet Oz. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pennsylvania-in-focus/support

Oct 28, 202220 minEp. 62

Episode 33: Pennsylvania Weighs Parental Bill of Rights as Gender, Race Issues Flare in Schools

Join The Center Square's Managing Editor Alan Wooten, Executive Editor Dan McCaleb, and Pennsylvania Reporter Anthony Hennen as they discuss: Concern grows in schools for mental health, 'erosion of the social fabric'. Pennsylvania weighs parental bill of rights as gender, race issues flare in schools. Pennsylvania considers letting counties create tourism districts, levy hotel fee. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pennsylvania-in-focus/support...

Oct 21, 202221 minEp. 61

Episode 32: Crime Big Topic for PA Gubernatorial Candidates, but Not All Policies Are Clear

Join The Center Square's Managing Editor Alan Wooten, Executive Editor Dan McCaleb, and Pennsylvania Reporter Anthony Hennen as they discuss: Senate candidates Oz, Fetterman vow more support for police. Pennsylvania's mail-in ballots, legal uncertainty to cause future election headaches. Crime big topic for gubernatorial candidates, but not all policies are clear. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pennsylvania-in-focus/support...

Oct 14, 202225 minEp. 60
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