Pittsburgh Public School District

On today’s episode of The Confluence: A WESA investigation looks at the death of 15-year-old Marquis Campbell, and a proposal for remote learning that some staff at Pittsburgh Oliver Citywide Academy say could have kept him away from harm; more living facilities are creating LGBTQ-friendly spaces for aging residents; and a preview of the second Pittsburgh International Literary Festival.Today’s guests include: Oliver Morrison, reporter with WESA; Jim Pieffer, president and CEO of Presbyterian SeniorCare Network; and Andrés Franco, executive director of City of Asylum.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Pittsburgh Public Schools sent 26 teachers furlough notices, but is having trouble filling certain positions, like special education teachers; why is there a different look and different interest level in this year's Steelers' training camp and preseason; there’s a movement by Black-led groups to bring more students of color into the tech industry in Pittsburgh.Today’s guests include: Nina Esposito-Visgitis, president of the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers; and Sean Gentille, senior writer for The Athletic.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: We ask a pediatrician about vaccinating children ahead of the coming school year; Pittsburgh Public Schools has raised property taxes to try to reduce its budget deficit, but it has little ability to collect such money from the city’s largest nonprofits; and a conversation with a religious studies professor about the rise of white Christian Nationalism in American politics.Today’s guests include: Dr. Todd Wolynn, pediatrician and CEO of Kids Plus Pediatrics; and Emma Folts, higher education reporter for PublicSource.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: We speak to a member of Black Women for a Better Education about their reaction to the announcement of Pittsburgh Public Schools new superintendent; an investigation into how a city police officer invoked a little-known law to gain legal protection from a colleague that she alleges sexually assaulted her; and how did Squirrel Hill, and some of its streets, get named? Today’s guests include: Allyce Pinchback-Johnson, founding member of Black Women for a Better Education; Megan Harris, lead producer at City Cast Pittsburgh, and Rich Lord, managing editor of PublicSource.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: As the Pittsburgh Public Schools board opens public comment on the process to find its next superintendent, we ask a founding member of Black Women for a Better Education for feedback on the search; the Pittsburgh Opera and National Opera House are teaming up to develop educational and community engagement programming; and mid-state crisis centers are concerned about their capacity to handle calls for mental health support as a three-digit helpline goes live nationwide.Today’s guests include: Allyce Pinchback-Johnson, founding member of Black Women for a Better Education; Rebekah Diaz, director of community engagement and IDEA initiatives with Pittsburgh Opera, and Jonnet Solomon, executive director of the National Opera House.

Classes at Pittsburgh Oliver Citywide Academy will be remote until Monday following the shooting death of a student Wednesday afternoon outside the North Side school.

PPS officials on Sunday cautioned parents and staff that announcements of individual building closures "may come swiftly" due to increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases and the subsequent impact on staffing.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: WESA government and accountability editor Chris Potter reviews the latest on remapping districts for the Pittsburgh Public School board and the Pennsylvania legislature; State Treasurer Stacy Garrity tells us how a proposal to create a state-based retirement plan would take the liability off of employers to help their workers save; and a Pitt researcher has found middle-aged women who practice self-compassion have a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Education reporter Sarah Schneider explains the vote taken by the Pittsburgh Public School board last night, and previews how the district plans to balance its budget; the Pittsburgh International Airport is expecting a surge in passengers this Thanksgiving holiday; and we talk about the history of why the commonwealth uses judicial retention.

On today’s program: WESA’s Lucy Perkins breaks down the latest fundraising data for candidates vying to fill outgoing U.S. Senator Pat Toomey’s seat; David Card, an economics professor from the University of California-Berkeley, will receive a Nobel Prize for his body of work of which includes a landmark minimum wage study that took place in Pennsylvania and New Jersey; and how public school districts across the country are addressing the bus driver shortage.