The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education's internal review found all 14 state-owned universities are facing fiscal challenges and ever-declining enrollment.
Daniel Greenstein, the new chancellor of PASSHE, says those concerns track with schools across the country. As student needs and interests evolve, state-run universities will have to adapt, he says, potentially downsizing, eliminating majors or refocusing efforts in specific programs better able to cater to Pennsylvania's future workforce.
Greenstein says he's "not looking at closing universities at this time.”
Later in the program, new guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics finds the vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) is highly effective in young women, even for those who have not been immunized. In the study, vaccinated women saw an 80 percent decline in four types of HPV. Unvaccinated women benefiting from herd immunity saw a drop of about 40 percent in the same types.
90.5 WESA’s Maria Scapellato spoke with Dr. Todd Wolynn of Kids Plus Pediatrics in Pittsburgh about the vaccine, which can cut the risk of cervical, throat and other cancers later in life.
WHYY’s Dana Bate and Susan Phillips report that in order to track pharmaceuticals, pesticides, herbicides and other pollutants not regulated under the Clean Water Act, the law would need to be amended – a process that has not happened since 1987.
Airforce staff sergeant Dylan Elchin grew up in Beaver County and served with the 26th Special Tactics. He was due to come home when he was killed along with three other soldiers in the deadliest attack against U.S. forces in Afghanistan in 2018. WITF's Tim Lambert reports that Elchin will be laid to rest at Arington National Cemetery in Virginia on Thursday.
And Pennsylvania’s 37th District will hold a special election in April for the Senate seat formerly held by now-Congressman Guy Reschenthaler. WESA's Chris Potter breaks down the special election, explains his latest piece on state Rep. Summer Lee hiring former Pittsburgh Councilwoman Twanda Carlisle, and previews a public hearing scheduled for Thursday evening at the City-County Building about proposed gun legislation.
The Confluence, where the news comes together, is 90.5 WESA’s daily news program. Tune in weekdays at 9 a.m. to hear newsmakers and innovators join veteran journalist Kevin Gavin, taking an in-depth look at stories important to the Pittsburgh region. Find more episodes of The Confluence here or wherever you get your podcasts.
