Rebecca Reese

On today’s episode of The Confluence: The head of the State Ethics Commission discusses why now might be the time for elected leaders to put limits on gifts to public officials, despite years of failed efforts; researchers found evidence of the virus that causes COVID-19 in white-tailed deer; and Pennsylvania residents who received additional unemployment compensation benefits, at no fault of their own, are getting sent confusing, and what some call “threatening,” letters from the state.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Heading into the holidays, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is seeing increased costs for food and transportation, but is still able to meet the community’s need; Amazon is looking to develop a distribution center in Churchill, but it’s causing tension among residents; and the challenges new farmers face finding and purchasing land.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Heading into the holidays, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is seeing increased costs for food and transportation, but is still able to meet the community’s need; Amazon is looking to develop a distribution center in Churchill, but it’s causing tension among residents; and the challenges new farmers face finding and purchasing land.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Fenway Sports Group, which owns professional sports teams including the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool Football Club, is in discussions to purchase the Pittsburgh Penguins, although co-owner Mario Lemieux is expected to take a minority ownership role; a new study has found people under 30 who recover from COVID-19 have fewer antibodies than those recovered people who are older; and a look at how mental health experts are preparing to treat an increasing number of young patients with “climate anxiety.”

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Fenway Sports Group, which owns professional sports teams including the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool Football Club, is in discussions to purchase the Pittsburgh Penguins, although co-owner Mario Lemieux is expected to take a minority ownership role; a new study has found people under 30 who recover from COVID-19 have fewer antibodies than those recovered people who are older; and a look at how mental health experts are preparing to treat an increasing number of young patients with “climate anxiety.”

The Carnegie Science Center unveiled several new additions to its Miniature Railroad and Village Wednesday, including a model of a real-life Pittsburgh favorite.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: A bill in the state legislature could limit elected officials and state employees from accepting certain gifts, a stark contrast to the state’s current lax regulations, but state Sen. Jake Corman has yet to weigh in on the bill, despite his GOP counterparts supporting the legislation; Pittsburgh Mercy has opened their winter shelters to accommodate homeless people in dangerously cold weather with COVID-19 mitigation measures in place; and a look at how mental health experts are treating anxiety around climate change.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: We hear from A+ Schools’ James Fogarty about the organization’s annual report to the community, which this year focuses broadly on Pittsburgh schools’ challenges and how the pandemic highlighted disparities; although school board races may have seemed more partisan than usual amid masking and curriculum debates, political action committee spending wasn’t as decisive as one might believe; and a dance project based in Pittsburgh's historic neighborhoods brings viewers to performances through virtual reality.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald is requesting employers require COVID-19 vaccines by January 1, 2022; and City Councilor Rev. Ricky Burgess explains why he put forth an ordinance to stop police from pulling over drivers for low level traffic offenses, such as broken taillights and brake lights, which he says disproportionately impact people of color.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: The Peduto administration has proposed creating an Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs to city council, which could expand services the Welcoming Pittsburgh initiative has put in place; Rev. Dr. Ketlen Solak will soon be installed as the first woman and person of color to become a bishop in the Pittsburgh Episcopal Diocese; and a look at how the disrupted global supply chain is affecting local breweries and distilleries.