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The Confluence

Telehealth access is a patchwork in Pennsylvania, one state senator is trying to fix that

By Kevin Gavin,

Laura Tsutsui, Marylee Williams, Rebecca Reese

Published December 16, 2021 at 9:20 AM EST

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With preexisting conditions that limit her mobility and increase her risk of getting seriously sick from COVID-19, Cheryl Gibson of Schuylkill Haven relies on telehealth appointments.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Telehealth visits are not guaranteed to be reimbursed by private insurers in Pennsylvania, but one state senator’s bill wants to make that possible; the Pitt Volleyball Team has, for the first time in program history, made it to the Final Four and will square off against Nebraska tonight in the semifinals; and we hear from a researcher of storytelling based in Washington, PA who’s latest book explores how stories can be a positive and negative cultural force.

The Confluence

Kevin Gavin

Kevin Gavin is the host of WESA's news interview program "The Confluence." He is a native Pittsburgher and served as news director for 90.5 WDUQ for 34 years. Since the sale of the radio station by Duquesne University to Pittsburgh EPM, Inc. (now Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corp.), he served as Executive Producer of Special News Projects prior to being named as host of "The Confluence" five years ago. kgavin@wesa.fm

See stories by Kevin Gavin

Laura Tsutsui

Laura Tsutsui is a producer for The Confluence, WESA's morning news show. Previously, she reported on the San Joaquin Valley with the NPR affiliate station in her hometown of Fresno, California. She can be reached at ltsutsui@wesa.fm.

See stories by Laura Tsutsui

Marylee Williams

Marylee is the editor/producer of The Confluence, the daily public affairs show on WESA. She got her start in journalism at The Daily Reveille and KLSU while attending Louisiana State University. She took her passion for audio journalism to UC Berkeley's graduate program and worked in public radio at WPR in Madison, WI, and WOSU in Columbus, Ohio.

See stories by Marylee Williams

Rebecca Reese

Rebecca Reese is a production assistant for The Confluence.

See stories by Rebecca Reese

Arts, Sports & Culture

The history of Squirrel Hill, Frick Park fire hydrants & the first Black and female City Councilors

Katie Blackley

Pittsburgh’s East End has some of the city’s largest parks, historic buildings and has long been home to trailblazers in city government. We’ll visit Squirrel Hill and answer some of your questions about the community’s past; we’ll hear the stories of two firsts in Pittsburgh City Council: Paul Jones, the first Black councilor, and Irma D’Ascenzo, the first female councilor; and we’ll walk through Frick Park, where old fire hydrants pop out of the woods.(The Good Question! Podcast is sponsored by Eisler Landscapes, the CPA firm Sisterson and Company and Baum Boulevard Automotive.)
Development & Transportation

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Katie Blackley

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Arts, Sports & Culture

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Katie Blackley

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Arts, Sports & Culture

Pittsburgh’s panthers, Civil War fort remnants, and a trip to West View Park

Katie Blackley

Turn right where the Isaly’s used to be! Sound familiar? Pittsburgh loves to remember things that aren’t there anymore. For this episode, we learn about actual panthers that once roamed this region and how they live on at Pitt and throughout Oakland; we travel to the woods of Stanton Heights to find the remnants of a Civil War fortification; and we ride the dips at old West View Park.(The Good Question! Podcast is sponsored by Baum Boulevard Automotive, Eisler Landscapes, and the CPA firm Sisterson and Company.)
Development & Transportation

Downtown wharfs, river depth, and the history of Czechoslovakia’s creation in Pittsburgh

Katie Blackley

If you’ve spent any time in Pittsburgh, you’ve likely been on or near its three rivers. Follow along with WESA’s Good Question podcast as we walk along the riverfront trails and remember the bustling wharfs that once occupied the space; take a dive into how river depth is measured; and, did you know the groundwork for the creation of the country Czechoslovakia took place in Downtown Pittsburgh?(The Good Question! Podcast is sponsored by Baum Boulevard Automotive, Eisler Landscapes, and the CPA firm Sisterson and Company.)

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