Smart Talk Monday: Expansion of broadband during pandemic; Should students pay full tuition of college courses on line?

• Scott LaMar/WITF
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Scott LaMar has worked in both radio and television for more than four decades.
  
  Currently, LaMar is the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
  
  Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
  
  In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar has moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
  
  LaMar often emcees or moderates local events and has gone as far as California to emcee a national event.
  
  The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
  
  LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
  
  A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.

 AP

A new broadband tower rises into the sky on Wednesday, June 6, 2012 in Plainfield, Vt.

With so many Pennsylvanians working from home, students taking their classes on-line and doctors communicating with patients through telemedicine — reliable, broadband internet has taken on more urgency during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Broadband has become an essential part of the infrastructure during the pandemic, but many areas of Pennsylvania – especially rural, but not limited to rural areas – don’t have access to the speeds and capacities needed.

There is near universal agreement that broadband should be more widely available but the cost has always been a hurdle.

Appearing on Monday’s Smart Talk to discuss the renewed push for broadband are Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) and Rep. Pam Snyder (D-Greene).

Also, there are many college students who don’t think they should have to pay full tuition if their classes are not being conducted in person. We’ll hear from one who started an online petition that is getting a lot of attention.  Millersville University senior Michael Kleine appears on Smart Talk.