Keystone Crossroads’ new podcast ‘Grapples’ with issues in and out of Pa.

WHYY brings you stories of job loss and creation, urban decay and renewal, and the hey-days and the lows Pennsylvania’s cities and towns experience in a post-industrial era.

Many of these stories come from the statewide public media initiative known as Keystone Crossroads which has just launched a podcast called “Grapple.” 

The podcast gives an extended and uncensored look at these cities and towns around the commonwealth.

“The story of Pennsylvania cities is the story of the loss of coal, the coal industry, the steel industry. And as that’s happened to Pennsylvania cities, other things have tumbled,” says Keystone Crossroads’ editor Naomi Starobin.  “We’ve seen joblessness.  We’ve seen schools that aren’t up to par, and we’ve seen poverty.”

Grapple features two episodes per week.  One profiles a particular city, and the other discusses issues that emerge.  The podcast focuses on issues and solutions.

“One of the things we’ve tried to do with this project from the start is not just talk about decay and distress,” says Starobin.  “A lot of times you see small cities competing with each other, and they’re sort of wasting their dollars and effort competing with each other rather than working together regionally.

“That is one of the solutions we look at in Pennsylvania and outside of Pennsylvania.”

To listen to Jennifer Lynn’s interview about Keystone Crossroads’ “Grapple,” press play at the top of the page. You can also subscribe to Grapple on iTunes and Stitcher Radio.