These topics air Monday April 7, 2014 at noon and 8pm on 90.5 WESA. To leave a question or comment before or after the show dial 412-256-8783. Join the conversation LIVE between 12pm & 1 pm weekdays at 412-246-2002. More Essential Pittsburgh segments can be heard here.
Congressman Tim Murphy
U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair, recently proposed legislation to overhaul the nation's mental health care system. Last Thursday the House Energy and Commerce health subcommittee heard testimony on the bill. Congressman Murphy joins us by phone to discuss this legislation and hearings on the GM recall issues.
GM Recall Issues
Los Angeles Times staff writer Jerry Hirsch joins us by phone to discuss the car that seems to symbolize the problems of the old General Motors; the Chevy Cobalt. The new head of GM Mary Barra testified on Capitol Hill last week about a safety defect that's been linked to at least 13 deaths and sparked a 2.6 million-vehicle recall.
All the Way Down
In 1988, a team of juvenile delinquents in Western Pennsylvania achieved the unexpected title of regional basketball champions. The story is told in the book All the Way Down by Robert Burnett. He joins us in studio to share his teams's story and the lesson in compassion it taught everyone around them.
