The Confluence

On today’s episode of The Confluence:

Testimony in the federal trial of the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting continues for another week. We speak with WESA reporter Oliver Morrison about the latest witnesses to testify and what argument the defense is trying to establish. (0:00 - 6:04)

This weekend, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre are collaborating on a series of performances called “Boléro,” based on the music by Maurice Ravel. Kathryn Gigler, acting executive director of the Ballet Theatre, and Mary Persin, vice president of artistic planning at the Pittsburgh Symphony, join us to discuss the collaboration. (6:11 - 15:20)

The sport of baseball has suffered declining audiences in stadiums and television viewers over the years as games have drifted into three-plus hour affairs. However, this season, new rules have been implemented, some meant to push pitchers and batters to move the game along. The Atlantic staff writer Mark Leibovich says perhaps the MLB rule changes will save the game. (15:26 - 22:30)

On today’s episode of The Confluence:

Second Avenue Commons, a low-barrier shelter in Downtown Pittsburgh, opened in November 2022. Since then, it has provided food, shelter and more to those unhoused. We check in with Linda Metropulos, board president for Second Avenue Commons, about the shelter’s progress more than six months since it opened its doors.

Pittsburgh Pride kicked off this weekend with the annual march, and a number of other events. We recap those events and discuss the history of Pride celebration in the region with Jim Sheppard, co-creator of QBurgh, a a news outlet focusing on LGBTQ news in Western PA

Stephanie Flom joined Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures in May 2014 and has been leading the organization as executive director. Flom is retiring this month from the role. We sit down with her to discuss the lectures that have stuck with her, and what she’s planning next.

The state House has passed two gun control measures, but they still have to make it through the Senate; and the reorganized Basic Education Funding Commission has begun work to make public school funding more equitable. We ask about this and more during our state politics roundtable.

Today’s guests include: Stephen Caruso, capitol reporter for Spotlight PA; John Micek, editor-in-chief at Pennsylvania Capital-Star; and Chris Potter, WESA’s government and accountability editor.

There's a nationwide shortage of certain chemotherapy medications due to supply chain issues. and this scarcity is starting to impact the treatment of Pittsburgh-area cancer patients. WESA health and science reporter Sarah Boden discusses how physicians are navigating this growing public crisis.

The Mon-Fayette Expressway has been in progress for 50 years, and ground is finally being broken on the fourth phase in Jefferson Hills. Ed Blazina, transportation reporter for the Pittsburgh Union Progress, tells us about the long road to Monday’s ceremony.

Pittsburgh’s skyline is full of architectural history. Author Mark Hauser, who has documented antique skyscrapers in his book, “MultiStories,” is taking visitors to the rooftops of four such buildings, and joins us to discuss what makes these monuments memorable.

The prosecution and defense is set to begin striking jurors from a pool of potential jurors in the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial. Testimony is scheduled to start May 30th. We speak with Maggie Feinstein, director of the 10.27 Healing Partnership, about how the Jewish community is preparing for the impact of the recounting of events. (0:00 - 6:01)

Earlier this year, the City of Pittsburgh updated its fees for zoning reviews, and Monday, the Gainey administration announced a cap to those increased fees. We speak to Tim Schooley, reporter for the Pittsburgh Business Times, about the changes, and the response from developers. (6:11 - 11:54)

Investigative journalist and director of the Pittsburgh Institute for Nonprofit Journalism Brittany Hailer has been trying to gain access to the autopsy report of someone who died while in custody at the Allegheny County Jail. We hear from Hailer about why this request made it in front of a panel of Commonwealth Court judges. (11:56 - 18:30)

The University of Pittsburgh’s National Sports Brain Bank is looking to improve research on the impact of contact sports on all types of athletes. The bank’s director and Pitt assistant professor of pathology Dr. Julia Kofler joins the show to discuss how this research is being collected. (0:00 - 5:55)

The West Penn Hospital is implementing the CenteringPregnancy program for birthing parents in the region. The program brings together birthing parents with similar due dates for group medical appointments. We speak to Allegheny Health Network obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Grace Ferguson about the program. (6:00 - 12:08)

With spring showers comes fresh produce to the region’s local farmers markets. Pittsburgh director of the Parks and Recreation Department Kathryn Vargas joins us to discuss the recent return of farmers markets to city parks. (12:12 - 18:30)

SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania has filed an antitrust complaint against UPMC, claiming the medical system uses anti-competitive practices to suppress wages and prevent employees from advocating for better working conditions. We speak with WESA health and science reporter Sarah Boden about the complaint, and UPMC’s response.

The Pittsburgh 2030 Project has released its 2022 Progress report, documenting how well business partners have reduced carbon emissions by their 2030 deadline. Chris Cieslak, chief operating office and vice president of programs for Green Building Alliance, tells us what efforts are being made, and whether the rate of carbon reduction has slowed as workers return to offices.

The new book “American Deadline” features dispatches from four journalists living in news deserts during the 2020 election. They include Jason Togyer who runs the community news site Tube City Online, but previously worked at the now-defunct McKeesport Daily News. 90.5 WESA’s Bill O’Driscoll spoke to Togyer about the project.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Hiking, kayaking, camping and more! We discuss what to do in the state parks near Pittsburgh, and a panel of experts from the state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources shares ways we can get outdoors this summer.

Today’s guests include Joseph Franckiewicz, environmental interpretive technician at the Raccoon Creek and Hillman State Park Complex; Kelsey Hope, assistant park manager at the Laurel Hill State Park Complex, encompassing Kooser, Laurel Hill, and Laurel Ridge State Parks; and Brian Flores, assistant park manager at Moraine and McConnells Mill State Parks.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro wants to boost funding for a state program that encourages local governments to share public services, like trash pickup. Spotlight PA reporter Min Xian tells us how the Municipal Assistance Program incentivizes service sharing, and the potential impacts of increased funding.

The Pittsburgh Digital Equity Coalition has been soliciting feedback from the community about how to close the digital divide in the next five years. We speak to Kate Ulreich, engagement leader with Pitt Information Technology, about how the University of Pittsburgh, a partner of the coalition, is addressing digital equity.

This week, BikePGH is hosting a number of events to highlight the benefits of cycling and advocate to make transit safer. We speak to Kéya Joseph, director of events at BikePGH, about the organization’s advocacy efforts ahead of National Bike to Work day.

We review the results of yesterday’s election and look ahead to what they mean for the general election in November. We’re joined by Chris Potter, WESA’s government and accountability editor; Kiley Koscinski, WESA’s city government reporter; and WESA reporter Julia Zenkevich.