On today’s episode of The Confluence: WESA’s Sarah Boden discusses the rise in positive COVID-19 cases in the county and what this means for residents; a look back at the work of Pittsburgh preservationist John DeSantis, who died Saturday; and the impact of public artwork featured in the new Frankie Mae Pace Park.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Incoming Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey talks about his goals as leader of the city, running a campaign against an incumbent, and how he’ll work with former colleagues in the state legislature.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Mayor Bill Peduto reflects on his two terms as leader of the City of Pittsburgh, what he still hopes to accomplish and what’s next; and a look back at the fire at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works, which took place three years ago this week.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: WESA government and accountability editor Chris Potter reviews the latest on remapping districts for the Pittsburgh Public School board and the Pennsylvania legislature; State Treasurer Stacy Garrity tells us how a proposal to create a state-based retirement plan would take the liability off of employers to help their workers save; and a Pitt researcher has found middle-aged women who practice self-compassion have a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: A policy platform from transit, housing and disability advocates, hopes to guide Mayor-elect Ed Gainey’s early priorities; and the leader of the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators says the state needs a plan to attract and retain educators, or else, he warns, the current teacher shortage will worsen in the commonwealth.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Telehealth visits are not guaranteed to be reimbursed by private insurers in Pennsylvania, but one state senator’s bill wants to make that possible; the Pitt volleyball team has, for the first time in program history, made it to the Final Four and will square off against Nebraska tonight in the semifinals; and we hear from a researcher of storytelling based in Washington, Pa. whose latest book explores how stories can be a positive and negative cultural force.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: WESA development and transportation reporter Margaret J. Krauss explains why an 18-acre plan that includes mixed-use housing in Oakland is getting pushback from residents and scrutiny from planning commissioners; the Iris Lunar Rover, built by Carnegie Mellon University students, is one step closer to liftoff now that it’s secured to Astrobotic’s Peregrine Lunar Lander; and is Pittsburgh part of Appalachia, or something else?

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf reflects on another year in the pandemic, and his administration’s efforts to address the ongoing opioid crisis and raise the statewide minimum wage; and a look at how inflation is impacting local, organic farms.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Bill Schackner with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette explains what questions are still unanswered about the merging of six state higher education institutions; WESA reporter Kate Giammarise tells us how the county Health Department struggles to collect unpaid fines from negligent landlords and other property owners; and we hear how making agriculture less labor-intensive could help bring in a new generation of farmers.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: A new study finds a third of children nationwide are “underinsured,” meaning families, even with health insurance, could experience inadequate coverage; and Pittsburgh City Council has approved legislation to give employees their full pension, removing a 17-year-old policy that reduced pension benefits for some.