Boen Wang

On today's episode of The Confluence: WESA reporter Ariel Worthy catches us up on the investigation into the death of Jim Rogers, who died after being shocked by a Taser by Pittsburgh Police; we speak to the leader of Propel Schools, which operates 13 charter locations in Allegheny County, about the impact of new state charter school regulations; and we learn whether downtown Pittsburgh workers and visitors are returning to the area after the pandemic abruptly sent everyone home.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: We find out how some disciplinary hearings have been going since the Allegheny County of Port Authority’s vaccine mandate took effect for employees; a decade after a gunman opened fire at Western Psychiatric Hospital, we speak to the program manager of the County Office of Violence Prevention about how violence is a public health concern; and we preview a new podcast from WESA, inspired by a project to answer listeners' good questions.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Two years after the first COVID-19 related restrictions were announced, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald reflects on what might have been done differently to mitigate risk in the county; a member of the Pittsburgh Brewers Guild tells us how, despite the pandemic, the region’s beer scene is expanding; and we learn about pickleball, a fairly new sport that’s gaining in local popularity.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: A new state provision says health care providers can’t receive Medicaid funds from insurers if there has been a work stoppage at the facility in the last five years, unless workers have since unionized or there’s a “labor peace agreement"; the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources wants to attract more people to the outdoors, and is targeting communities that have historically been excluded or lack resources to engage in outdoor activities; and we preview March Madness and look back on previous tournaments hosted in the city.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: An investigation by the Post-Gazette looks at why bridges in poor condition aren’t getting funds for repairs and upkeep at the same rate as bridges in better condition; the Three Rivers Arts Festival will no longer be held at Point State Park, it’s moving entirely to the Downtown Cultural District; and we hear how delays in distributing nursing licenses in the state are preventing qualified health care professionals from working on the front lines.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: WHYY education reporter Mallory Falk discusses the closing arguments in the trial over the constitutionality of Pennsylvania’s system for funding K-12 schools; Jada Shirriel, chief executive officer of Healthy Start, details the organization's plans for applying federal grants to address the region’s high Black infant mortality rate; and WITF reporter Rachel McDevitt gives a personal account of spending a week with an electric vehicle.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Pennsylvania legislators held budget hearings following Gov. Tom Wolf proposed a $43.7 billion dollar fiscal plan; Jewish Family and Community Services President and CEO on how the community is looking to support those fleeing Ukraine; and a local author discusses how different social classes are portrayed in novels written by Black women.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Pennsylvania’s expanded mail-in voting legislation is being considered in the state Supreme Court and could be ruled unconstitutional; the state has received $6.8 million in federal grants to support equitable access to unemployment insurance; and we speak to a dancer in a new local ballet company about efforts to make the industry more equitable and inclusive, and what its like to perform on stage after forming in the middle of the pandemic.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: The Pittsburgh Task Force on Public Algorithms has published its report on how effective regional local governments’ uses of these systems has been, and what's needed to prevent harmful effects; Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has chosen the companies tasked with the design and construction of a new bridge to replace the collapsed Fern Hollow Bridge; and we speak to a professor of school psychology about how adults can help children navigate changing COVID-19 risk mitigation measures.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: The executive director of A+ Schools, James Fogarty, weighs in on what can be learned from the results of the 2021 state basic education test scores, the first standardized tests after the start of the pandemic; researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found more than half of the COVID-19 exposures that occurred on public transit took place when buses exceeded capacity limits; and we speak to the creator of map that will help Pittsburghers decide where to enjoy their next fish fry during the season of Lent.