The Confluence

On today’s episode of The Confluence: We learn about what Gov. Tom Wolf is prioritizing in his final budget in office; an obstetric anesthesiologist is leading a clinic to support pregnant people through trauma-informed care and ultimately help with health outcomes; and a look at how some health care professionals are turning to lucrative jobs in travel nursing to deal with the stress and burnout of their jobs throughout the pandemic.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: State legislative districts and congressional districts needed updating following the 2020 U.S. Census — where do these redistricting processes stand with the clock ticking as the May primary approaches?; a recent study looks at how people follow instructions after getting results from an at-home COVID test; and Mayor Ed Gainey promised an end to over-policing — a month in office, how will he proceed?

On today’s episode of The Confluence: WESA development and transportation reporter Margaret J. Krauss explains how the Fern Hollow Bridge that collapsed was a “K-frame” bridge, 1 of only 6 such bridges in the state, and other contextual details about this structure; a Carnegie Mellon University professor will use the James Webb Space Telescope to investigate dark matter; and assessing the Penguins as they begin the unofficial second half of the NHL season.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Associated Press reporter Marc Levy explains that despite Commonwealth Court judges ruling the vote-by-mail law unconstitutional, an appeal by the Wolf administration to the state Supreme Court means it stands, for now; the state Department of Environmental Protection has found a third of Pennsylvania streams are ‘impaired,’ and is accepting public comments on a report about the quality and health of the state’s waterways; and Rhythm Sweet & Hot host Mike Plaskett shares his memories of long-time Pittsburgh record shop owner, Jerry Weber.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: WESA government and accountability editor Chris Potter updates us on the special election to replace Mayor Ed Gainey in the state legislature and other key races on the horizon; Catapult Greater Pittsburgh has committed to helping low-income and minority families become first-time homeowners with a fund to help pay closing costs; and a new game show based on a card game that encourages contestants to learn American Sign Language has just wrapped up filming in Pittsburgh.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Jonathan Shimko, past president of the local American Society of Civil Engineers, shares his insight into the collapse of the Fern Hollow Bridge; tax season is upon us and we turn to an expert in tax law about the state of the Internal Revenue Service; and we speak to North Hills middle school teacher Joe Welch about being a finalist for the National Teacher of the Year award.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: We get the latest from WESA reporter Sarah Schneider about the Fern Hollow Bridge, which collapsed into Frick Park Friday morning; Governor Tom Wolf will submit his final budget — how do state finances look heading into this process?; and a look back at the career of retiring U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Law dean, who interacted with Breyer while clerking for the high court.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Pennsylvania Capital-Star reporter Stephen Caruso explains where the process to develop congressional district maps stands as the first day for candidates to file or circulate nominating petitions to appear on the primary ballot approaches; the new president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania talks about her experience and the future of abortion access across the country; and the executive director of the Hilltop Urban Farm discusses how it plans to expand its programming, once the 23 acres it operates on is sold to the Allegheny Land Trust.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: WESA transportation and development reporter Margaret J. Krauss explains what we know so far about Mayor Ed Gainey’s latest picks to lead city departments, and what we can learn about his approach to development; the Port of Pittsburgh Commission’s executive director Mary Ann Bucci tells us what impact the roughly $860 million will have on the Montgomery Locks; and, for our Good Question, Kid! Series, we ask a physicist if it’s possible for a meteor to be struck by lightning.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: The ACLU of Pennsylvania found some Allegheny County school districts have disproportionately arrested students of color, while significantly underreporting the number of school-related arrests to the U.S. Department of Education; families eligible for Pandemic-EBT money are struggling to access the funds amid a new wave of COVID-19 related school closures; and ornithologist Scott Weidensaul explains where it may be possible to catch sight of snowy owls migrating through Pennsylvania this season.