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The Confluence ended production on Friday, August 4th. WESA thanks Kevin Gavin, Marylee Williams, Laura Tsutsui and everyone who has played a part in the program’s seven years of service.The Confluenc... more
FAQs about The Confluence:How many episodes does The Confluence have?The podcast currently has 848 episodes available.
August 10, 2021County Executive Rich Fitzgerald Says No Mask Mandate At This Time, Despite Increased COVID-19 SpreadOn today’s program: Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald explains why the county hasn’t declared a mask mandate or mitigation efforts despite rising COVID-19 cases, mandates for new and current employees, and what businesses can do; and how ending weekly free phone calls impact those incarcerated who are trying to stay connected with loved ones....more23minPlay
August 09, 2021State Lawmaker Reimbursement System Under Scrutiny, But No Clear Path For ChangeOn today’s program: The process for reimbursing state lawmakers for per diem spending has come under scrutiny, but those same lawmakers have done little to increase oversight; a bill will be heard this week in the House Transportation Committee seeks to allow undocumented residents to apply for drivers licenses in the Commonwealth; and how the Carnegie Museum of Natural History is trying to engage with visitors and community members regarding a controversial diorama that’s been on exhibit for over 100 years...more23minPlay
August 05, 2021Fentanyl Strips Could Help Prevent Overdose Deaths, But They’re IllegalOn today’s program: State Rep. Jim Struzzi is sponsoring legislation to make fentanyl strips, which are considered drug paraphernalia, legal; an explanation of how teachers actually develop lesson plans, amid attempts to limit frameworks like critical race theory; and a look at what it means for the state to be testing landfill decomposition for radium and radiation....more23minPlay
August 04, 2021UPMC’s New CEO Says No Vaccine Mandates, Will Focus On EducationOn today’s program: UPMC’s newly appointed president and CEO Leslie Davis talks about why the healthcare company is not currently requiring COVID-19 vaccines among employees, plans for expansion, and it’s work to pay a minimum of $15 an hour; and attorney Bill Maruca explains what is and is not a HIPAA violation, especially when it comes to asking about vaccination status....more23minPlay
August 03, 2021COVID-19 Cases Are Slowly Rising In PA, But So Far, No New Mandates Have Been MadeOn today’s program: An update on the latest COVID-19 news and a look at the region’s rate of COVID-19 transmission, which has started to tick up as the delta variant spreads; an exhibit on women’s attire in sports from 1800 to 1960 debuted at The Frick Pittsburgh, just in time for the world to see a full range of outfits worn by athletes in the summer Olympics; and a local Marine explains how he met his dog while deployed in the Republic of Georgia, and his journey to get her back from overseas....more23minPlay
August 02, 2021Pandemic Fuels An Explosion Of Need For Unemployment Insurance And A Wave Of FraudOn today’s program: Unemployment fraud has become a business, according to investigative reporting from ProPublica, which found users on Telegram selling “sauces” to help scammers defraud state unemployment systems, including the Commonwealth’s; in light of the county considering a Westmoreland Trail to the Great Allegheny Passage connection, a look at the history of Turtle Creek, a tributary of the Monongahela River where remains of plants that supported the region’s steel industry are still visible; and a reflection on Skibo Gym, one of Carnegie Mellon University’s oldest buildings, which is about to undergo construction....more23minPlay
July 29, 2021Affordable Housing Is Largely ‘Out Of Reach’ For Low-Income PennsylvaniansOn today’s program: A recently released report found housing is unaffordable for most Americans working minimum-wage jobs; with municipalities across the state worried about their local economies post-pandemic, Pitt’s Institute of Politics analyzed these challenges and proposed solutions in their latest report; and we learn if beetles can walk backwards....more23minPlay
July 28, 2021Pennsylvania Supreme Court To Consider Police Use-Of-Force ProvisionOn today’s program: The state Supreme Court is considering police use-of-force rules that allow officers to use deadly force when someone is escaping arrest; a study will look at how effectively the COVID-19 vaccine creates antibodies in pregnant and postpartum people; and a new book explores the impact of colonialism in higher education, from the land the institution sits on to the admissions process....more23minPlay
July 27, 2021Local Water Authorities Push Assistance Programs For Low-Income CustomersOn today’s program: With utility moratoriums ending, Oliver Morrison of PublicSource details how local water authorities are trying to help low-income customers sign up for assistance programs; roboticist William “Red” Whittaker and archivist Katherine Barbera explain how Carnegie Mellon University’s “Robotics Project” is archiving the history of robot development; and a look at how arts venues are implementing safety protocols as they reopen after a year without performances....more23minPlay
July 26, 2021Courts Are Working Through Backlogs In Criminal Cases Postponed Due To The PandemicOn today’s program: Attorney David Shrager explains why some case proceedings were postponed during the pandemic, and how courts are now getting around to the backlog; COVID-19 cases are going up in the county, with unvaccinated people at risk Dr. Maya Ragavan with the Pittsburgh Community Vaccine Collaborative explains efforts to understand why people are vaccine-hesitant; and an investigation into McKeesport apartments where residents say conditions are unlivable....more23minPlay
FAQs about The Confluence:How many episodes does The Confluence have?The podcast currently has 848 episodes available.