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.
Airdate: August 11, 2022
Listen to Smart Talk every weekday at 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. 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.”
Last month, some 4,000 beagles – puppies and adults – were rescued from a facility in Cumberland, Virginia where they were being bred to be used in medical research.
Kristen Tullo, Pennsylvania State Director of the Humane Society of the United States was on Thursday’s Smart Talk and described the conditions the dogs were living in, “Puppies dying from cold exposure nursing, mothers being denied food, dogs being sold instead of treated for basic veterinary conditions. So as a result, these dogs are being spared a life of pain and suffering in laboratories that test subjects that most were likely destined for.”
Tullo said dogs being used for testing is not unusual,”dogs are used to test the safety of drugs, medical devices, pesticides, things like weed killer, insect repellent, deet. In Pennsylvania, there are approximately 2,800 dogs that are used in research and product testing in laboratories.”
Most of the rescued beagles have never been outside or walked on grass.
In the heat of summer, Tullo reminded everyone that Pennsylvania has a tethering law where dogs can’t be tethered outside for longer than a half-hour and must have access to food, water and shade.