The Confluence

On 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.

On 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.

On 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.

On 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.

On 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.

On 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.

On 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.

On 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.

On 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.

On 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.