Progress in autism research, affordable local food and music therapy for vets

What causes autism and can doctors cure it? It’s just one topic we’ll be discussing this evening on NewsWorks Tonight. Turn your radio on at 6 p.m. to 91 FM for our half-hour program.

We’re leading tonight with former Sen. Vince Fumo, of course. Though he went to prison in 2009, his fraud case is back in court. We’ll hear more about the prosecution, which is arguing Fumo needs a stiffer sentence; and the defense attorneys, who say Fumo is due not just for a new sentence, but a new trial.

Health & Science reporter Maiken Scott will speak with Dr. David Mandell from the Center for Autism Research at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia about how doctors are moving forward with new autism discoveries.

Eating locally grown food is a great idea in theory, but it can be costly. FIT’s Therese Madden will tell us about an organization that’s connecting one of Philadelphia’s low-income neighborhoods with locally grown food.

Music therapy has been used for many things, and in this case, it’s benefiting war vets. Jennifer Lynn talks about local radio station WXPN’s Project Playback initiative that helps some of the region’s frail and elderly vets find therapy in song writing.

It’s every kid’s (and parent’s) dream: no weekend homework. Intern Emily Landgraf spoke with Galloway Township, N.J., schools Superintendent Annette Giaquinto about the district’s proposal to eliminate weekend and holiday homework. It’s part of a plan to help students spend more valuable time outside the classroom.

Don’t forget you can listen live to our show online, and catch the podcast after it airs.