The Confluence

On today’s episode of The Confluence:

A new report from the National Council on Teacher Quality found not all teachers are trained in scientifically proven strategies for teaching children to read. We speak to Heather Peske, president of the National Council on Teacher Quality, about how the review was developed, and what steps can be taken to develop better teachers and better student readers. (0:00 - 8:00)

Duquesne University’s School of Education is one of nearly 700 programs the National Council on Teacher Quality reviewed when it comes to preparing teachers for reading instruction. Duquesne got an ‘F’ grade, but questions have been raised about the review’s methods. We speak with Carla Meyer, the Reading Clinic Director and associate professor of literacy education at Duquesne’s School of Education, about how its program is making improvements to help teachers better instruct reading. (8:08 - 16:07)

The Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) is set up to combat voter fraud by identifying voters who cast ballots in more than one state, and dead people on voting rolls. However, eight states under Republican leadership have withdrawn from it because of concerns that, according to an NPR investigation, arose from misinformation. One Pennsylvania GOP lawmaker has called for the commonwealth to follow suit, even though experts say leaving would make voter rolls more susceptible to fraud. WITF’s Robby Brod reports. (16:16 - 22:30)

On today’s episode of The Confluence:

A jury found Robert Bowers guilty on all counts in the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial, but still in question is whether he will receive the death penalty. We speak to WESA reporter Oliver Morrison and David Harris, University of Pittsburgh law professor and WESA legal analyst, about what happened in the trial and what’s expected next. Maggie Feinstein, director of the 10.27 Healing Partnership, joins us to discuss how survivors have been feeling, and what resources her organization has provided to help Pittsburgh’s Jewish community process the news. (0:00 - 13:55)

Jason Jedlinski will be the next president and CEO of WQED Multimedia, which includes the FM classical music station and the PBS television station. He succeeds Deborah Acklin, who announced she would step down from the station last fall. Jedlinski joins us to talk about his appointment and developing digital resources for broadcast media. (14:03 - 22:30)

On today’s episode of The Confluence:

Monday is Juneteenth, and the anniversary of the death of Antwon Rose II, a 17-year-old killed by an East Pittsburgh police officer. We discuss the social justice movement in the city and state in the years since Rose’s death.

Today’s guests include: Michelle Kenney, Antwon Rose II’s mother and a fellow with 1Hood Media; Chad Dion Lassiter, executive director of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission; Keisha-Khan Y. Perry, the Presidential Penn Compact Associate Professor of Africana Studies; and Jasiri X, founder and CEO of 1Hood Media.

On today’s episode of The Confluence:

New data released from the U.S. Census reports that Pittsburgh’s population has held steady at about 303,000 people, but a number of suburbs have experienced decline. Chris Briem is a regional economist at the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Social and Urban Research, and he explains some of the trends around these population shifts. (0:00 - 7:48)

Rivers of Steel is offering new tours that explore the contributions of many Black workers at the Carrie Furnaces. Kirsten Paine, site management coordinator and interpretive specialist at Rivers of Steel, explains how The Black Experience at the Carrie Furnaces tour examines change in safety and roles at the site, driven by Black workers. (7:54 - 15:50)

Tree Pittsburgh has bought a property in Lawrenceville that it has been leasing from the Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority since 2015. Tree Pittsburgh executive director Danielle Crumrine tells us how the site, formerly housing Tippins’ Steel Mill, is now home to the organization’s heritage nursery and education center. (15:55 - 22:30)

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)

On today’s episode of The Confluence:

On May 24, the Borough of Rankin was declared no longer financially distressed and exited the state’s Act 47 oversight after 34 years. We speak with Rankin Mayor Joelisa McDonald and Clairton Mayor Richard Lattanzi about the work of their communities, as Clairton exited Act 47 in 2015 after 27 years of financial distress. (0:00 - 9:23)

Democrats in Allegheny County have begun mending fences after a six candidate field in the May Primary for county executive divided support. State Representative Sara Innamorato captured the nomination for county executive, and two of her major opponents and outgoing County Executive Rich Fitzgerald came together this weekend to show their support. Innamorato will face Republican nominee and retired bank executive Joe Rockey in November. Chris Potter, WESA’s Government and Accountability Editor, joins us to discuss. (9:23 - 15:45)

Tomorrow is the last day of school for Pittsburgh Public Schools students. And while some folks might be excited to not wake up so early and get some time to rest and relax, summer can be difficult for families facing food insecurity. We sat down with Jo Deming, executive director of the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council, to discuss what resources are available for families and how to find them. (15:45 - 22:30)

This episode originally had the wrong audio file attached, it has been fixed. WESA regrets the error.

On today’s episode of The Confluence:

In April, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration announced grant funding for school districts to pilot “disability inclusive curriculum” for the new school year beginning this fall. We speak to Carole Clancy, the state Department of Education’s director of the Bureau of Special Education, about how schools applied for this funding, and how such curriculum might be incorporated. (0:00 - 9:56)

A 6,000 square foot warehouse is slated to open as a food hall in Lawrenceville. Lawrence Hall is set to open early in 2024 with a bar and six vendors in the space. Director of operations Adam Harvey joins us to discuss what a food hall experience will be like for chefs and diners. (9:58 - 17:13)

Local author Jolene McIlwain just published her debut story collection, “Sidle Creek." All 22 stories are set in rural Western Pennsylvania — that is, northern Appalachia. 90.5 WESA’s Bill O’Driscoll spoke to McIlwain about where she grew up and how that influences her work. (17:17 - 22:30)

On today’s episode of The Confluence:

The state budget is supposed to be approved by the end of the month, challenging Gov. Josh Shapiro to find a compromise between a divided legislature. We also discuss candidates for state attorney general, bipartisan legislation to improve rail safety, and more on our State Politics Roundtable show.

Today’s guests include: Stephen Caruso, capitol reporter for Spotlight PA, Marc Levy, reporter for the Associated Press covering Pennsylvania politics; and Katie Meyer, government editor and reporter for Spotlight PA.

On today’s episode of The Confluence:

Last month, the White House designated Pittsburgh one of five “Workforce Hubs,” citing the region’s innovations in robotics and biomanufacturing. We speak with Petra Mitchell, president and CEO of Catalyst Connection, about what resources Southwestern Pennsylvania already has, and still needs, to fulfill manufacturing needs today and in the future. (0:00 - 8:21)

It’s been 50 years since excavation began at the Meadowcroft Rockshelter, which found traces of nomadic Paleoindians in the region 19,000 years ago. Dr. James Adovasio, who led that initial excavation, tells us about what more has been found in the years since, and how the 50th anniversary will be celebrated the weekend of June 17. (8:28 - 17:08)

In Pittsburgh, neighborhoods are often named for historic people or geographic features. Take Stanton Heights, named for former Secretary of War Edward Stanton, or the Bluff for being a bluff. For our Good Question! series, 90.5 WESA’s Katie Blackley looks into how one uniquely-named community got its name: Fairywood. (17:10 - 22:30)

On today’s episode of The Confluence:

Pittsburgh is planning to invest at least $25 million over several years into affordable housing using money from bonds. WESA senior reporter Margaret J. Krauss reports on how the city and development entities hope to use these funds and make long term investments. (0:00 - 6:29)

The U.S Supreme Court is considering several cases who’s effects will be felt here in Pennsylvania, including a case about the right of states to decide how federal elections go, and one about affirmative action. WESA’s legal analyst David Harris weighs in. (6:35 - 14:25)

The Pennsylvania Doula Commission, in partnership with the state’s Department of Health, will offer perinatal certifications so doulas can be reimbursed for providing care to Medicaid patients. This move, according to officials, will expand the reach of these perinatal care providers and improve birth outcomes at a time when maternal mortality in America has been rising. (14:28 - 22:30)