Emma Furry

On today’s episode of The Confluence:Election irregularities from years ago could cast a shadow on the primary contest for county executive. WESA government and accountability editor Chris Potter shares how the drama in Kennedy Township pitted Allegheny county executive candidates John Weinstein and Dave Fawcett against each other. Also we touch on some endorsements for the county executive race. (0:00 - 7:26) According to a 2022 report from the CDC, almost 1 in 2 women and more than 2 in 5 men in the U.S. have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking victimization by an intimate partner. To provide more resources and support for those facing domestic violence across the country, The Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh helped launch a multinational smartphone app called Bright Sky. The Center’s CEO and president Nicole Molinaro tells us how an app can give a survivor the information they need. (7:30 - 15:31) Arcade Comedy Theater is putting on an interactive comedy experience for kids ages 4 to 8 years old called “Penny Arcade” this weekend. We catch up with Mike Rubino, director of marketing and Arcade co-founder, about how they can bring young audience members into the show. There will be four performances this weekend. (15:38 - 22:30)

On today’s episode of The Confluence:The American Lung Association’s annual State of the Air report finds particle pollution in the Pittsburgh metro area was worse by 24-hour and year-round measures, compared to 2022’s report. Allegheny County has disputed the findings of this report, noting in a statement that it meets national standards. We speak to Kevin Stewart, the Association’s director of environmental health, about the report. (0:00 - 7:22) The federal death penalty trial for the man charged in the 2018 synagogue shooting begins next week. While court rules will dictate the pattern of those proceedings, survivors of the attack say there’s no guidebook for their healing journeys. 90.5 WESA’s Kiley Koscinski reports. (7:44 - 15:17) Westmoreland County was founded 250 years ago, and to celebrate, the Westmoreland Historical Society opened a new exhibit over the weekend titled, “Westmoreland 250! Telling our Story with 25 Objects.” We speak to Joanna Moyar, collections manager at the Westmoreland Historical Society about the exhibit. (15:30 - 22:30)

On today’s episode of The Confluence:Pennsylvania is expected to receive billions of dollars in opioid settlement funds, and most of that money is going to counties and other local governments. 90.5 WESA’s Kate Giammarise and Spotlight PA’s Ed Mahon tell us what the money can – and cannot – be used for, and the concerns people have about transparency. (0:00 - 13:01) Pittsburgh native and influential jazz musician Ahmad Jamal died Sunday at the age of 92. We speak to Nelson Harrison, a longtime friend of Jamal, about his life and legacy. (13:14 - 22:30)

On today’s episode of The Confluence:The nation is experiencing drug shortages for certain medications, which could impact patients in need of antibiotics, cancer treatments, and more. What can customers do when their pharmacies don’t have the drugs they need? We speak to Dr. Rob Maher, who teaches pharmacy management at Duquesne University’s School of Pharmacy and is the pharmacy services director for a local, family-owned chain of pharmacies. (0:00 - 9:11).The death penalty trial begins in a week for the man charged with carrying out the 2018 synagogue shooting in Squirrel Hill. The proceeding is expected to last through July. 90.5 WESA’s An-Li Herring has this report on why it will take so long. (9:16 - 13:51).The Pittsburgh Penguins have fired team leaders: general manager Ron Hextall, president of hockey operations Brian Burke and assistant general manager Chris Pryor. This comes after the team broke its 16-year streak of making the NHL playoffs. We discuss the latest with Rob Rossi, senior writer for The Athletic. (13:56 - 22:30).

On today’s episode of The Confluence:We discuss the latest in state politics with our panel of reporters. U.S. Sen. Bob Casey has announced he will run for a fourth term but faces locally known contenders; Gov. Josh Shapiro hopes to lure a computer chip or electric vehicle plant to the state; and national conservative figures who have made their way to Pennsylvania. Today’s guests include: Stephen Caruso, Capitol reporter with Spotlight PA; Marc Levy, who covers Pennsylvania politics and government for the Associated Press; and Charles Thompson, who covers state government for PennLive.

On today’s episode of The Confluence:We discuss with PublicSource’s Rich Lord an analysis of police complaints under the first year of the Gainey administration, and how new disciplinary rules could impact how many people come forward with issues. (0:00 - 7:28)The University of Pittsburgh has chosen a new chancellor, the first female leader in the school’s history. We speak with Joan Gabel about her goals, safety and on-campus issues. (7:39 - 22:30)

On today’s episode of The Confluence:When Carnegie Mellon University staff and students arrived at TCS hall in 2020, a new research project had installed mites, devices that collected data, in the university building. This sparked questions about privacy, technology and research. We speak with Tate Ryan-Mosley about where this conversation stands now. (0:00-8:13)Like districts all across the country, a rural Beaver County school district is wrestling with how to respect identity – both religion and gender. Families say their kids deserve to feel safe in school. But others in the community – including a teacher – say being required to use students’ preferred names or pronouns infringes on THEIR rights. And as 90.5 WESA’s Sarah Schneider reports, the small community is debating core identity issues in a public forum. (8:14-15:53)Cherry blossom trees are blooming in North Park! We speak to Barbara Litt, a board member with the Pittsburgh Sakura Project, about where to find the trees and what these delicate blooms symbolize. (15:53-22:30)

On today’s episode of The Confluence:A new analysis finds Black and Hispanic older adults are more likely than their white peers to face cost-related barriers to healthcare when their incomes are just above the poverty level. These people face a Medicaid “cliff,” losing access to supplemental Medicaid insurance. We speak to Eric T. Roberts, co-author of this report, about how this cliff affects these adults’ health outcomes, and how it could be mitigated. (0:00 - 8:21) NPR’s All Things Considered host Mary Louise Kelly has traveled the world covering foreign and domestic affairs, helping others share their stories. In her new book, “It. Goes. So. Fast. The Year of No Do Overs,” she’s sharing her own. She joins us to discuss it. (8:23 - 17:09) Jonathan Tai is a Pittsburgh-based magician who blends magic and storytelling. With his latest production opening this week, 90.5 WESA’s Bill O’Driscoll has this profile. (17:18 - 22:30)

On today’s episode of The Confluence:Schools nationwide, including in Pittsburgh, are experiencing dangerous “swatting” incidences, where a caller falsely claims there’s an active shooter situation, drawing real resources. We talk to FBI Assistant Special Agent In-Charge Scott Argiro about how the agency addresses these events. (0:00 - 7:34) Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time (APOST) has formed a nonprofit organization to support programs serving children after school and during the summer months. The inaugural executive director, Karen Dreyer, and Leah O’Reilly, a board member of APOST, join us to talk about the new nonprofit’s work. (7:47 - 16:07) Residents in East Palestine, Ohio worry about the health impacts of vinyl chloride exposure after February’s train derailment. Seven workers with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention investigating the incident also reported symptoms. About 10 years ago, Paulsboro, New Jersey faced a similar accident when 24,000 gallons of the carcinogenic gas leaked from a derailed train in November of 2012. WHYY’s Zoë Read reports some residents are still feeling the impacts of the accident a decade later. (16:21 - 22:30)

On today’s episode of The Confluence:April showers bring May flowers, but how does one decide what to plant and when? We ask a panel of gardeners what home-growers should consider about their greenspace as the weather warms. Today’s guests include: Dina Free Blackwell with the Black Urban Gardeners and Farmers of Pittsburgh Co-op; Indira Alcantara, the farm manager with Chatham University’s Eden Hall Campus; Denele Hughson, executive director of Grow Pittsburgh; and Meg Graham, owner and operator of May Apple Gardening and an instructor with Phipps’ ecological gardening and landscape and garden design courses.