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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.
July 22, 2021GOP State Senator Calls For November General Election Audit, Despite No Evidence Of FraudOn today’s program: Associated Press reporter Marc Levy explains why state Senator Doug Mastriano is calling for an Arizona-style election audit; Penn State professor Sarah Damaske discusses her new book about unemployment, and says much can be learned from the generous benefits given during the pandemic; and Troy Schooley with P3R talks about what a return to live road racing looks like ahead of the Fleet Feet Liberty Mile race....more23minPlay
July 21, 2021State Legislators To Consider The Merits Of Emergency Procurement ContractsOn today’s program: State Rep. Jason Ortitay explains why emergency procurement contracts, used extensively during the pandemic, should be considered more carefully; Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman highlights short and long-range projects defined in the organization’s 25-year draft plan that lays out the future for the public transportation agency; and Pittsburghers for Public Transit Executive Director Laura Chu Wiens weighs in on what advocates and transit users think of the plan....more23minPlay
July 20, 2021Limiting Carbon Emissions Could Eliminate About 90 Deaths A Year In The Region By 2030On today’s program: A new study found pollution-related deaths in southwestern Pennsylvania could be reduced if the Biden administration passes a plan to limit carbon emissions; how historical investigation in the Manchester neighborhood could open it up to financial funding for historical preservation of African American neighborhoods; and Carnegie Mellon University professor Swarun Kumar tells how the latest generation of wireless infrastructure is already pushing 5G networks forward....more23minPlay
July 19, 2021Pittsburgh City Council To Vote Tomorrow On COVID Relief Funds, Despite ObjectionsOn today’s program: Why some think the vote to approve the Peduto administration’s spending plan for $335 million in federal COVID relief has been rushed; a look at the new statewide police misconduct database, the creation of which was prompted by the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Antwon Rose II; and we speak to Destenie Nock, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, about how microgrids could make entities like hospitals and airports more resilient....more23minPlay
July 15, 2021Child Tax Credit Expansion Could Reduce Childhood Poverty, But Some Worry Families Aren’t Signed UpOn today’s program: Some analysts say the child tax credit expansion could greatly reduce childhood poverty, but advocates are scrambling to help low-income families who don’t file tax returns to opt in; Nicole Molinaro with the Pittsburgh Women’s Center and Shelter says the center saw an increase in survivors reaching out for services; and Pittsburgh-based photographer Mikael Owunna celebrates his first public art, portraits featured on local digital billboards....more23minPlay
July 13, 2021New FBI Special Agent In Charge Says Partnerships With Community, Local Law Enforcement Are KeyOn today’s program: Michael Nordwall, the new special agent in charge at the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office lays out his priorities to address drugs, cybercrime and domestic terrorism in the role; City Theatre’s associate artistic director Clare Drobot previews the company’s 2021-2022 season of in-person performances; and the history of how parts of the city’s riverfronts transformed from railroads supporting steel mills to pedestrian trails....more23minPlay
July 12, 2021State Attorney General Says Sackler Settlement ‘Is Not Perfect,’ But Will Help Combat Opioid CrisisOn today’s program: Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro explains why the state dropped its opposition to the now $4.2 billion settlement from the Sackler family, who owns OxyContin-maker Purdue Pharma; the state Department of Health is finalizing a $34 million contract for contact tracing services after the previous company it worked with did not properly secure private information; and a look at the latest work from musician, producer and Pittsburgh native Derek White....more23minPlay
July 08, 2021Federal Infrastructure Bill Could Expedite PWSA Lead Pipe ReplacementOn today’s program: Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority CEO Will Pickering says federal funding from the American Rescue Plan could speed up their process of replacing lead services lines; and how the Battle of Homestead and Homestead Strike of 1892 shaped labor history in the U.S....more23minPlay
July 07, 2021Pittsburgh Wants To Spend American Rescue Plan Funds To Protect City Workers, Support HousingOn today’s program: Dan Gilman with the City of Pittsburgh explains how the mayor’s office wants to use $335 million from the American Rescue Plan to raise city salaries, stalled by the pandemic, and advance affordable housing; Pittsburgh City Councilor Erika Strassburger weighs in on why the city should ban single-use plastic bags, a policy that’s now possible under the new state budget; and the state is asking residents to put away bird baths and feeders to reduce the spread of a mysterious illness among songbirds that’s causing neurological symptoms and death....more23minPlay
July 06, 2021‘They Didn’t Feel They Were Appreciated’: Pittsburgh Police Chief Scott Schubert On The Challenges Of Retaining OfficersOn today’s program: Pittsburgh Police Chief Scott Schubert talks about the challenges of retaining members of the force when many are retiring, and others are leaving for different or higher-paying positions; legal analyst David Harris discusses why Bill Cosby was released from prison after the state Supreme Court tossed out his conviction; and PublicSource reporter Charlie Wolfson breaks down his analysis of state and county spending on salaries....more23minPlay
FAQs about The Confluence:How many episodes does The Confluence have?The podcast currently has 848 episodes available.