The Confluence

Kevin Gavin
  • 4.5 (25)
  • DAILY NEWS
The Confluence

The Confluence is 90.5 WESA’s daily news program. Tune in weekdays at 9 a.m. to hear newsmakers and innovators take an in-depth look at stories important to the Pittsburgh region. Find more at wesa.fm.

  1. 08/04/2023

    Gainey administration plans months of community activities to help curb violence

    On today’s episode of The Confluence: We speak with Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey about the latest in his Plan for Peace, his administration’s new Office of Equal Protection, and his thoughts about the now-public staffing study of the city’s police force.

    30 min

  2. 08/03/2023

    County Executive candidate Joe Rockey’s top priorities include reducing crime, bringing jobs

    On today’s episode of The Confluence: Yesterday, a jury of his peers decided the man they convicted of carrying out the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting in 2018 should be put to death. The formal sentencing hearing takes place this morning. David Harris, WESA’s legal analyst and law professor at the University of Pittsburgh, joins us to explain why survivors and victim’s family members get to share statements at this point in the trial, and if the case is likely to be appealed. (0:00 - 4:53) Joe Rockey is the Republican nominee for Allegheny County Executive, and he will face off against Sara Innamorato, the Democratic nominee. Although Rockey has no previous political experience, he says he will bring his experience as a “problem solver” to lead from a centrist perspective. (4:57 - 16:00) The City of Pittsburgh received $335 million dollars from the federal government through the American Rescue Plan Act. This week, Council approved shifting $21 million around, in order to meet a federal deadline. WESA’s Kiley Koscinski explains why the council is reallocating the funds and what’s left to spend. (16:01 - 22:30)

    23 min

  3. 08/02/2023

    County Executive candidate Sara Innamorato’s top priorities include housing, addressing disparities

    On today’s episode of The Confluence: With Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald term-limited, the county will see new leadership. Sara Innamorato served two full terms as state representative for the 21st district, and is now running as the Democratic nominee for County Executive. She joins us to discuss her priorities, from the jail to homelessness. (0:00 - 12:00) Summer is slowly winding down and fall is around the corner, but still there is plenty of time to check off activities on your Pittsburgh Bucket List. Rossilynne Culgan, author of “100 Things to do in Pittsburgh Before You Die,” shares her favorite activities and updates to her Pittsburgh bucket list. (12:08 - 22:30)

    23 min

  4. 08/01/2023

    Pa. state budget stalemate may be easing, senators could get called back this month

    On today’s episode of The Confluence: There seems to be slight movement in the budget stalemate, with Senate Republican leaders indicating they might return in August instead of September; local Republicans have nominated Erin Connolly Autenreith to run for the 21st House District seat left vacant by the resignation of Sara Innamorato; and Point Park University’s Board of Trustees has appointed Chris Brussalis as the university’s ninth president.

    23 min

  5. 07/31/2023

    NASA will carry CMU-made MoonRanger to search for lunar ice

    On today’s episode of The Confluence: Since the pandemic, communities have been questioning how to better use office space, as some employees are still working remotely or in person only a few days a week. Strip District Neighbors recently published its latest “State of the Strip District 2023 Report,” which points out how that neighborhood is facing the same problem. Pamela Austin, president of the Strip District Neighbors, says there’s so much residential and retail growth in the area that she’s confident office occupancy will rise, and others are developing office spaces for flexible needs. (0:00 - 10:30) William “Red” Whitaker is known as the father of robotics, and as such, has many robot children: He’s built dozens of robots for various purposes. He’s also the founder and director of Carnegie Mellon University's Field Robotics Center. Whitaker joins us to discuss his latest project, the MoonRanger, which is an autonomous rover destined to search for ice on the moon. (10:35 - 22:30)

    23 min

  6. 07/28/2023

    Pennsylvania looks to new school funding formula, but the timeline is unclear

    On today’s episode of The Confluence: Pennsylvania Senate Republican leaders have decided not to appeal to the state Supreme Court a ruling that the state’s education funding system violates the state constitution. We ask a panel of education experts where the state’s school funding policies could go next.Today’s guests include: Ron Cowell, founder and senior fellow at the Education Policy and Leadership Center; Michael Griffith, senior researcher and policy analyst at the Learning Policy Institute; and Matthew Kelly, assistant professor of education at Pennsylvania State University.The Confluence, where the news comes together, is 90.5 WESA’s daily news program. For those who have enjoyed listening to the show, find more episodes of The Confluence here, or wherever you get your podcasts.

    23 min

  7. 07/27/2023

    Allegheny County jail inmates have long waits for mental health care

    On today’s episode of The Confluence: Over the weekend, 59 year old Douglas Bonomo of McKeesport died in the Allegheny County Jail’s mental health unit. He was facing charges of indecent assault and was awaiting court ordered transfer to Torrance State Hospital for treatment. Torrance State Hospital is a public psychiatric facility about 50 miles east of Pittsburgh. Vic Walczak, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, explains the process incarcerated people go through to get treatment, and how so many are facing long wait times. (0:00 - 9:14) Members of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania, an indigenous tribe in the region, are urging state lawmakers to formally recognize their existence. They are circulating a petition to bring attention to the issue. Chief Adam Waterbear DePaul, is the tribal story keeper and director of education for the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania, and he tells us how the members have persevered, maintaining traditions and education of the community, despite lacking recognition from the state. (9:26 - 18:07) Bedford Dwellings, a housing complex in the Hill District, has received a $50 million neighborhood revitalization grant. The funds will go toward rebuilding the city’s oldest housing development and adding new housing on the site. WESA reporter Kate Giammarise covered the announcement of this funding and tells us how it will be used. (18:23 - 22:30)

    23 min

  8. 07/26/2023

    New study finds bacterial test helps pediatricians limit overprescribing antibiotics for sinusitis

    On today’s episode of The Confluence: A new study reveals that a test can help prevent overprescription of antibiotics when treating a common childhood malady, sinusitis: the inflammation of the tissues in our sinuses in the forehead, cheeks and nose. Dr. Nader Shaikh, a pediatrician at UPMC Children’s Hospital and lead author of this study, says the test can tell physicians if children have a certain bacteria that would render an antibiotic helpful to the child’s recovery or not. (0:00 - 7:15) This year, the Etna Borough council has approved a package of animal protection legislation, including a measure prohibiting tethering unattended cats, which is a first in Pennsylvania. Jessica Semler and Colleen Schaefer, members of the Etna council, brought forward this legislation and explain why it matters for the borough to set these protections. (7:20 - 14:30) Three exhibits now in Pittsburgh explore the challenges and dangers faced by Black Americans on the road, and how, historically, they have coped. 90.5 WESA’s Bill O’Driscoll spoke to one Pittsburgh resident who lived that history. (14:32 - 22:30)

    23 min
See All (22)

4.5
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

The Confluence is 90.5 WESA’s daily news program. Tune in weekdays at 9 a.m. to hear newsmakers and innovators take an in-depth look at stories important to the Pittsburgh region. Find more at wesa.fm.

Information

  • Creator
    Kevin Gavin
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2023
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    The Confluence

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