I'm a resident of the part of Pennsylvania famously described as "Alabama in the middle." I teach at a university and am fortunate to count many progressives and liberal thinkers among my coworkers. Off-campus, however, is another story. I've often longed for some kind of progressive media that was connected to my region and our local events. The actions of Pennsylvania governor Tom Corbett, his plan to financially starve public K-12 and higher education, and his servile pandering to the shale gas industry have made it even harder lately to live in PA.
It was a red-letter day when, a few weeks ago, I discovered the Rick Smith Show on the radio. The show airs Monday-Friday 9pm-12am on WIOO 97.9 FM & 1000 AM (Carlisle/Harrisburg) and WEEO 93.9 & 1480AM (Chambersburg/Shippensburg). It is also streamed on the web, which is how I listen to it. He has a variety of guests every night: labor leaders, union reps, people from K-12 and higher education, journalists, and others. Rick's take on the situation faced by American workers and the goings-on in Harrisburg, Madison, Columbus, and Washington is unabashedly and unapologetically progressive. Occasional snippets of music -- sometimes whimsical and sometimes carrying a serious message -- add flavor to the show.
Whether or not you live in the Keystone state, I suggest you tune in (click in?)!
The Rick Smith Show Website