A yearlong investigation by PennLive and Spotlight PA found huge variations in workloads among Pennsylvania's more than 500 local judges, despite good salaries and benefits paid by taxpayers.
Sean Simmers / PennLive
Smart Talk: Investigative report raises questions about the cost of the Magisterial court system
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Merideth Bucher
Sean Simmers / PennLive
A yearlong investigation by PennLive and Spotlight PA found huge variations in workloads among Pennsylvania's more than 500 local judges, despite good salaries and benefits paid by taxpayers.
Listen to Smart Talk every weekday at 9am and 7pm on WITF 89.5 & 93.3. You can also stream WITF radio live on our website or ask your smart speaker to “Play WITF Radio.”
Airdate: Monday, 12/14/20
A yearlong PennLive and Spotlight PA investigation into the Magisterial District court system raises serious questions about how Pennsylvania tax dollars are spent.
There are 512 magisterial district judges in Pennsylvania, each elected locally within their county. Generally speaking, they adjudicate minor criminal matters, traffic violations and small civil claims, among other things.
The investigation and data analysis found that despite earning more than $90 thousand a year, there are big variations in how many days each judge has court proceedings. Some went 60 or more days without case proceedings last year and a number also have time to work second jobs.
Christine Vendel is a public safety and crime reporter with PennLive. She joins Smart Talk Monday to discuss the report she co-authored with Spotlight PA reporter Daniel Simmons-Ritchie.
Dogs rescued from the South Korean dog meat trade find new home in Central Pa
In November, the York County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) welcomed nine dogs that were saved from a Korean dog meat farm.
The rescue was coordinated by the International Humane Society and the York County SPCA is one of a number of partnering shelters to receive the dogs and help prepare them for future adoption.
Appearing on Smart Talk to discuss the rescue and how the dogs are transitioning are Steven Martinez, Executive Director and Samantha Green, the Canine Behavioral and Foster Manager, both with the York County SPCA.
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- Nara Kim, Campaign Manager of HSI Korea, caresses Nellie at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Tuesday, October 20, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- Adam Parascandola, Vice President of Global Animal Rescue and Response of HSI, holds a dog at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- The HSI Animal Rescue Team rescues Mae at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Thursday, October 22, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- Nara Kim, Campaign Manager of HSI Korea, caresses Jo, a pregnant dog, in a delivery room at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- Paz, at left, is chained to a dog house at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- Ryan is chained to a dog house at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- Boynton, at right, is shown locked in a cage along with other dogs at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- Clover, center, is chained to a dog house at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- Ari is chained to a dog house at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- Michael is chained to a dog house at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- Ryan is chained to a dog house at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- Dogs rescued from a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, by Humane Society International (HSI), arrive at Dulles International Airport on Friday, Oct. 23rd. Staff from HSI and the Humane Society of the United States help transport these dogs to shelter partners and to a HSI temporary shelter, before they are made available for adoption. Honey is shown here.
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- Dogs are shown locked in a cage at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- Baker, center, and other dogs are shown locked in a cage at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Tuesday, October 20, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- A pregnant dog, Jo, lies down inside a delivery room at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Tuesday, October 20, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- Nellie, at right, is shown locked in a cage at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Tuesday, October 20, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- Erin is shown locked in a cage at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Tuesday, October 20, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- A pregnant dog, Jo, stands inside a delivery room at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Tuesday, October 20, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- Dogs are shown locked in a cage at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- Dogs are shown locked in a cage at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- A dog is chained to a dog house at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- Dogs are either locked in a cage or chained to a dog house at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- A dog with skin problems is shown chained to a dog house at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- Dogs are shown locked in a cage at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- Nara Kim, Campaign Manager of HSI Korea, rescues a dog at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- Dogs are shown locked in a cage at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- A dog is shown locked in a cage at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Sunday, September 6, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- Dogs are shown locked in a cage at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Sunday, September 6, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- A dog is shown locked in a cage at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Sunday, September 6, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- A dog is chained to a dog house at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Sunday, September 6, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- A dog is chained to a dog house at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Sunday, September 6, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- A dog is chained to a dog house at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Sunday, September 6, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- Dogs are shown locked in a cage at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Sunday, September 6, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- A dog is shown chained and locked in a cage at a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, on Sunday, September 6, 2020. The operation is part of HSIs efforts to fight the dog meat trade throughout Asia. In South Korea, the campaign includes working to raise awareness among Koreans about the plight of meat dogs being no different from the animals more and more of them are keeping as pets.
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- Dogs rescued from a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, by Humane Society International (HSI), arrive at Dulles International Airport on Friday, Oct. 23rd. Staff from HSI and the Humane Society of the United States help transport these dogs to shelter partners and to a HSI temporary shelter, before they are made available for adoption. Prince is shown here.
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- Dogs rescued from a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, by Humane Society International (HSI), arrive at Dulles International Airport on Friday, Oct. 23rd. Staff from HSI and the Humane Society of the United States help transport these dogs to shelter partners and to a HSI temporary shelter, before they are made available for adoption.
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- Dogs rescued from a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, by Humane Society International (HSI), arrive at Dulles International Airport on Friday, Oct. 23rd. Staff from HSI and the Humane Society of the United States help transport these dogs to shelter partners and to a HSI temporary shelter, before they are made available for adoption.
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- Dogs rescued from a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, by Humane Society International (HSI), arrive at Dulles International Airport on Friday, Oct. 23rd. Staff from HSI and the Humane Society of the United States help transport these dogs to shelter partners and to a HSI temporary shelter, before they are made available for adoption. John is shown here.
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- Dogs rescued from a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, by Humane Society International (HSI), arrive at Dulles International Airport on Friday, Oct. 23rd. Staff from HSI and the Humane Society of the United States help transport these dogs to shelter partners and to a HSI temporary shelter, before they are made available for adoption.
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- Dogs rescued from a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, by Humane Society International (HSI), arrive at Dulles International Airport on Friday, Oct. 23rd. Staff from HSI and the Humane Society of the United States help transport these dogs to shelter partners and to a HSI temporary shelter, before they are made available for adoption. Coyah is shown here.
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- Dogs rescued from a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, by Humane Society International (HSI), arrive at Dulles International Airport on Friday, Oct. 23rd. Staff from HSI and the Humane Society of the United States help transport these dogs to shelter partners and to a HSI temporary shelter, before they are made available for adoption.
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- Dogs rescued from a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Korea, by Humane Society International (HSI), arrive at Dulles International Airport on Friday, Oct. 23rd. Staff from HSI and the Humane Society of the United States help transport these dogs to shelter partners and to a HSI temporary shelter, before they are made available for adoption.
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- The dogs rescued from Dog Meat Farm 17 are loaded on to a plane to fly from South Korea to the United States.
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- The dogs rescued from Dog Meat Farm 17 are loaded on to a plane to fly from South Korea to the United States.
All photos courtesy of the International Humane Society.
