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90.5 WESA: 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.
90.5 WESA: The Confluence

Podcast Directory
90.5 WESA: The Confluence

90.5 WESA: The Confluence

From 90.5 WESA

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.

Most Recent Episodes

Sylvia Poggioli leaves NPR after 41 years; reflects on her time as a correspondent

On today's episode of The Confluence:NPR's Rome correspondent Sylvia Poggioli is leaving her post after four decades with the network. We speak with Sylvia about her time as an international correspondent and what has stuck with her most through the years. (0:00 - 9:00) A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published in 2020 found the higher a family's income, the more likely children and adolescents were to participate in organized sports. We speak with Nelson Cooper IV, executive director of Pittsburgh Hardball Academy. The non-profit organization is working to reduce economic barriers and increase diversity and inclusion in baseball and softball for Pittsburgh youth. (9:06 - 17:33) Many people run on Pittsburgh streets, but what about running all of them? 90.5 WESA's Katie Blackley spoke with one man who did just that. (17:38 - 22:30)

Sylvia Poggioli leaves NPR after 41 years; reflects on her time as a correspondent

Listen · 22:30

State has cut ties with the company hired to distribute mortgage relief, applicants still in limbo

On today's episode of The Confluence:The state has ended its contract with a company hired to distribute funding and review applications for mortgage relief. Charlotte Keith, investigative reporter with Spotlight PA, says the state alleges the company, Innovative Emergency Management, Inc., actually denied assistance to some applicants in order to close applications more quickly. (0:00 - 8:47) The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's seventh artistic director has taken the helm. Adam McKinney is PBT's first artistic director of color, and joins us to discuss his vision for the role. (8:55 - 17:46) Last year, Pennsylvania legalized fentanyl test strips, which allow people who use drugs to detect the powerful synthetic opioid's presence in the drugs they consume. While advocates lauded the move, they also say it's not enough because new contaminants have already made their way into drug supplies, and the ability to test for many of those substances isn't currently available to the average person. As 90.5 WESA's Jillian Forstadt reports, that lack of access is likely costing lives. (17:54 - 22:30)

State has cut ties with the company hired to distribute mortgage relief, applicants still in limbo

Listen · 22:30

Phase 1 of PRT bus rapid transit will establish 'Downtown Loop,' now that contract is approved

On today's episode of The Confluence:Pittsburgh Regional Transit's Board approved a $28 million contract for the first phase of its Downtown to Oakland Bus Rapid Transit Project. PRT's Chief Development Officer David Huffaker takes us through what we can expect in the coming years. (0:00 - 9:33) It's been about a year since the City of Pittsburgh got approval to launch a syringe services program, but a Downtown facility hasn't yet been up and running as officials envisioned. We talk with WESA's Kiley Koscinski about the city's program and where it stands. (9:42 - 17:28) The City of Pittsburgh is full of infrastructure: 1,000 miles of roads, nearly 800 sets of steps, and close to 150 bridges, and much of it is in rough shape. 90.5 WESA's Margaret J. Krauss reports the job of turning that around falls to a single city office, and it could use some help. (17:40 - 22:30)

Phase 1 of PRT bus rapid transit will establish 'Downtown Loop,' now that contract is approved

Listen · 22:30

Telehealth expansion needs to look to hybrid model for patients

On today's episode of The Confluence:We discuss how the expansion of telehealth, or remote health care services during the lockdown, has increased access to health care. We're joined by: Dr. Ken Nischal, the medical director of digital health at UPMC Children's Hospital; Heather Tomko, disability advocate and outreach coordinator at the University of Pittsburgh; and Stephanie Wijkstrom, founder and psychotherapist at The Counseling and Wellness Center of Pittsburgh.

New AHN president Jim Benedict says they're relieving administrative burden on health workers

On today's episode of The Confluence:Allegheny Health Network has named Jim Benedict, formerly the company's chief operating officer, as its new president. Benedict is credited as being pivotal in the network's operational turnaround and in helping AHN navigate its response to COVID-19. He joins us to discuss his new role, why health care providers use non-compete clauses, and information security. (0:00 - 9:22)The state Treasurer's office is supporting legislation that would make it easier for Pennsylvanians to reclaim property that belongs to them. Treasurer Stacy Garrity explains how much property gets forgotten, from uncashed checks to items in abandoned safe deposit boxes. (9:35 - 17:08) TIME magazine recently recognized a suburban Pittsburgh school district for its work to integrate museum design into its newest elementary and middle school. Seneca Valley in Cranberry partnered with the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh to envision a building that encourages hands-on play and curiosity. (17:19 - 22:30)

New AHN president Jim Benedict says they're relieving administrative burden on health workers

Listen · 22:30

Ongoing investment in disability services needed to address backlogs, says Achieva vice president

On today's episode of The Confluence:The Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has an initiative to utilize up to $40 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to help address gaps in services for residents with autism and intellectual disabilities. We discuss where the gaps are and what additional funding could do with Nancy Murray, senior vice president of Achieva. (0:00 - 9:30) State Sen. Katie Muth wants to mandate automated external defibrillators in school buildings and training for staff in case of sudden cardiac events. We discuss Sen. Muth's proposed bill, which is currently being considered by the Senate Education Committee. (09:35 - 17:10) This week the Pittsburgh Glass Center group breaks ground on a $15 million expansion of its headquarters, in Friendship. 90.5 WESA's Bill O'Driscoll has more on the Glass Center's remarkable growth over the years. (17:22 - 22:30)

Ongoing investment in disability services needed to address backlogs, says Achieva vice president

Listen · 22:30

RAND report on opioid use looks at how 'silos' affect the country's ability to address addiction

On today's episode of The Confluence:The RAND Corporation recently published a comprehensive report on the nation's opioid ecosystem. We ask Bradley Stein, director of Rand's Opioid Policy, Tools, and Information Center (OPTIC) about what conclusions or solutions are put forth, and what can be learned about the crisis in Pennsylvania. (0:00 - 8:36) A Pittsburgh couple questions if an artificial intelligence tool used by Allegheny County's Department of Human Services played a part in the removal of their baby and deeming their child at risk of harm due to both parents having developmental disabilities. We talk to AP investigative correspondent Sally Ho, who co-reported the piece with Garance Burke, about how this and similar tools are affecting families. (8:46 - 17:13) Workers aged 65 and older experienced some of the greatest job losses in the wake of the pandemic. But since the economy reopened, they've shown exceptional resilience — at least in the Pittsburgh area, experiencing some of the fastest job growth locally since 2020. (17:25 - 22:30)

RAND report on opioid use looks at how 'silos' affect the country's ability to address addiction

Listen · 22:30

Financial downturns can provide opportunity for startups, says CMU professor of entrepreneurship

On today's episode of The Confluence:Silicon Valley Bank, which attracted startup founders and venture capitalists in the tech industry, collapsed on March 10. We talk to Dave Mawhinney, executive director of the Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University about how tech entrepreneurs can adapt and grow in this financial environment. (0:00 - 8:45) Casa San Jose is celebrating 10 years of serving Pittsburgh's Latino community. We speak to founding director Sister Janice Vanderneck about the work accomplished, and what more she would like to see. (8:55 - 17:30) Despite the city's many hills and valleys, Downtown Pittsburgh is pretty flat. But it wasn't always that way. For our Good Question series, 90.5 WESA's Katie Blackley reports on the history of Grant's Hill in the Golden Triangle, and what happened to the so-called "Hump." (17:34 - 22:30) The Confluence, where the news comes together, is 90.5 WESA's daily news program. Tune in Monday to Friday at 9 a.m. to hear newsmakers and innovators take an in-depth look at stories important to the Pittsburgh region. Find more episodes of The Confluence here for wherever you get your podcasts.

Financial downturns can provide opportunity for startups, says CMU professor of entrepreneurship

Listen · 22:30

State House has finally approved rules, including broader sexual harassment protections

On today's episode of The Confluence:We discuss the latest in state politics, including reaction to Governor Shapiro's proposed budget, the resignation of a state house lawmaker following sexual harassment accusations, and the equitable funding of public education. Today's guests include: Katie Meyer, government editor and reporter with Spotlight PA; Gillian McGoldrick, Harrisburg reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer; Marley Parish, who covers the state Senate for the Pennsylvania Capital Star; and Charles Thompson, who covers state government and public policy for Penn-Live.

State House has finally approved rules, including broader sexual harassment protections

Listen · 22:30

Rivers of Steel discovers the namesake of the Carrie Blast Furnaces

On today's episode of The Confluence:Norfolk Southern has hired a company to conduct testing of air in residents' homes near the derailment of the company's train in East Palestine, Ohio. A ProPublica investigation finds the testing may not be capturing the whole picture of the health and environmental impact from the derailment. Reporter Sharon Lerner tells us what concerns experts and residents still have. (0:00-8:20)The historians at Rivers of Steel, which supports heritage and tourism at the Carrie Blast Furnaces National Historic Landmark, have long known the furnaces' namesake was likely a family member, but it wasn't until recently they confirmed Carrie's identity. Ron Baraff, director of historic resources and facilities at Rivers of Steel, gives us the backstory. (8:20-17:28)As part of our Good Question, Kid! Series, we answer the question: Where do primary colors come from? Clayton Merrell, a professor of art at Carnegie Mellon University tells us about red, yellow and blue, or as he clarifies, "magenta, yellow and cyan." (17:28-22:30)

90.5 WESA: The Confluence

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