On today’s episode of The Confluence:



The state legislature spent $12.6 million on private lawyers to fight a challenge to the state’s education funding. Spotlight PA investigative reporter Angela Couloumbis shares the details about which firms were hired and other details about what was paid. (0:00 - 6:40)



Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) has secured a $150 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration to help fund the bus rapid transit project that will connect Downtown to Uptown and Oakland. Katharine Kelleman, CEO of PRT, joins us to explain the process of acquiring a federal grant, and what impact the BRT will have for riders. (6:50 - 15:08)



More than 175,000 square miles of old growth and mature forests exist on U.S. government lands, including in parks near Allegheny County. One definition of old growth considers these to be trees ranging from 125 to 400 years old. Brian Kane, outreach coordinator and mid-Atlantic regional manager for the Old Growth Forest Network, explains what such forests can tell us about an ecosystem and how they affect climate change. (15:12 - 22:30)

State legislature, governor’s office spent millions on private law firms during school funding suit

The Confluence is 90.5 WESA’s daily news program. Tune in weekdays at 9 a.m. to hear newsmakers and innovators take an in-depth look at stories important to the Pittsburgh region. Find more at wesa.fm.

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Daily News

On today’s episode of The Confluence:



We speak with Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey about the latest in his Plan for Peace, his administration’s new Office of Equal Protection, and his thoughts about the now-public staffing study of the city’s police force.

Gainey administration plans months of community activities to help curb violence

On today’s episode of The Confluence:



Yesterday, a jury of his peers decided the man they convicted of carrying out the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting in 2018 should be put to death. The formal sentencing hearing takes place this morning. David Harris, WESA’s legal analyst and law professor at the University of Pittsburgh, joins us to explain why survivors and victim’s family members get to share statements at this point in the trial, and if the case is likely to be appealed. (0:00 - 4:53)



Joe Rockey is the Republican nominee for Allegheny County Executive, and he will face off against Sara Innamorato, the Democratic nominee. Although Rockey has no previous political experience, he says he will bring his experience as a “problem solver” to lead from a centrist perspective. (4:57 - 16:00)



The City of Pittsburgh received $335 million dollars from the federal government through the American Rescue Plan Act. This week, Council approved shifting $21 million around, in order to meet a federal deadline. WESA’s Kiley Koscinski explains why the council is reallocating the funds and what’s left to spend. (16:01 - 22:30)

County Executive candidate Joe Rockey’s top priorities include reducing crime, bringing jobs

On today’s episode of The Confluence:



With Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald term-limited, the county will see new leadership. Sara Innamorato served two full terms as state representative for the 21st district, and is now running as the Democratic nominee for County Executive. She joins us to discuss her priorities, from the jail to homelessness. (0:00 - 12:00)



Summer is slowly winding down and fall is around the corner, but still there is plenty of time to check off activities on your Pittsburgh Bucket List. Rossilynne Culgan, author of “100 Things to do in Pittsburgh Before You Die,” shares her favorite activities and updates to her Pittsburgh bucket list. (12:08 - 22:30)

County Executive candidate Sara Innamorato’s top priorities include housing, addressing disparities

On today’s episode of The Confluence: There seems to be slight movement in the budget stalemate, with Senate Republican leaders indicating they might return in August instead of September; local Republicans have nominated Erin Connolly Autenreith to run for the 21st House District seat left vacant by the resignation of Sara Innamorato; and Point Park University’s Board of Trustees has appointed Chris Brussalis as the university’s ninth president.

Pa. state budget stalemate may be easing, senators could get called back this month

On today’s episode of The Confluence:



Since the pandemic, communities have been questioning how to better use office space, as some employees are still working remotely or in person only a few days a week. Strip District Neighbors recently published its latest “State of the Strip District 2023 Report,” which points out how that neighborhood is facing the same problem. Pamela Austin, president of the Strip District Neighbors, says there’s so much residential and retail growth in the area that she’s confident office occupancy will rise, and others are developing office spaces for flexible needs. (0:00 - 10:30) 



William “Red” Whitaker is known as the father of robotics, and as such, has many robot children: He’s built dozens of robots for various purposes. He’s also the founder and director of Carnegie Mellon University's Field Robotics Center. Whitaker joins us to discuss his latest project, the MoonRanger, which is an autonomous rover destined to search for ice on the moon. (10:35 - 22:30)

State legislature, governor’s office spent millions on private law firms during school funding suit

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