Sydney Roach

Newsroom Production Assistant

I'm a senior in my last semester studying Multimedia Journalism at Westminster College. I always love learning more about environmental issues, technology, the LGBT+ community, foreign cultures, grammatical rules, and politics. Whenever I'm not asking questions or researching, I like to practice photography, play video games, make art, play flute, go birding, or hike in the woods and hope that I don't find any ticks or bears. So far, I am 0 for ticks and 2 for bears (they were baby bears, but that should still count.) 

New Aviary Insider Tour Lets You Experience Nature From Home

By • 5 hours ago
Courtesy of The National Aviary

The National Aviary is starting a new virtual program that shows the unique sides of birds’ social, feeding, and nesting behaviors. The “Aviary Insider Tour” is a 30-minute exploration of the facility’s habitats and animals, including close-up views of the birds. 

WWII Code Breaker, Who Kept Her Work Secret For Decades, Celebrates 100th Birthday

By • 17 hours ago
Courtesy Julia Parsons

Pittsburgh-native Julia Parsons wasn’t able to talk about her work code-breaking German messages during World War II for decades because her work was top secret. Parsons told WESA’s The Confluence that her father thought she just worked a desk job. 

Sexually Transmitted Infection Rates On The Rise In Pennsylvania

By , , , & • Feb 18, 2021
Reed Saxon / AP

On today's program: Statewide rates of syphilis have risen over the last five years, mirroring a rise in sexually transmitted infections nationwide; Pittsburgh journalist Mark Houser’s latest book “MultiStories” documents antique skyscrapers; and sexual abuse survivors are reeling after an administrative error halted a constitutional amendment that would have allowed survivors to sue their perpetrators.

Science Center Installation Honors 'Diverse Representation Of Female Scientists'

By • Feb 15, 2021
Katie Blackley / 90.5 WESA

Bat conservationists, biomedical engineers and NASA innovators are among the women highlighted in a new installation at Carnegie Science Center. 

Environmental Group Starts Air Quality Educational Program For Teens

By • Feb 10, 2021
Sydney Roach / 90.5 WESA

Pittsburgh’s GASP, or Group Against Smog and Pollution, is starting a new program to pair high school students in Allegheny County with peers in Birmingham, Ala. to complete projects related to air quality. The program, Fresh Voices for Clean Air, begins in March and ends in December.

IT Educators At Local Universities Direct Efforts Toward COVID-19 Tech Challenges

By • Feb 5, 2021
Katie Blackley / 90.5 WESA

Information Technology professors at Pittsburgh universities are finding innovative ways to serve the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

How Area Political Science Professors Are Teaching The Impeachment Trial

By • Feb 4, 2021
Katie Blackley / 90.5 WESA


Some Pittsburgh professors say they’re struggling to teach students about the two impeachment trials of former President Trump.

CMU Leads 'Satellite Swarm' Project To Test Satellite Capabilities

By , , , & • Jan 28, 2021
Dominic Hart / NASA/Ames Research Center

On today's program: A professor at Carnegie Mellon University explains a NASA mission he’s investigating that sent three small satellites into space; After more than 130 years in business, the owner of Carlisle’s Bridal shop is closing; and the author of “Smalltime” digs into the history of Johnstown alongside his family roots.

Carnegie Mellon assistant professor is investigating small satellite technology for NASA

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