Governor Wolf's challenges in Harrisburg, compassionate release for terminally ill prisoners and a CMU graduate's documentary on bomb removal. These topics air Tuesday, June 16, 2015, at noon and 8pm on 90.5 WESA. Join the conversation LIVE between 12pm & 1 pm weekdays at 412-246-2002.
Wolf's Worries
Acting State Police Commissioner Marcus Brown is withdrawing his name as Governor Tom Wolf's pick after coming out on the losing end of a Senate confirmation vote last week. It's a blow to the new governor who also wants his own guy for the position of Executive Director of the Office of Open Records but is stuck with former governor Corbett's 11th hour appointment, Erik Arneson, for the time being. We'll discuss these developments and what they mean with John Micek, editorial page editor for PennLive and the Patriot News of Harrisburg.
Compassionate Release
The manhunt continues for two escaped prisoners in the northeastern section of New York State. One of the men was serving a life sentence while the other 25 years to life. The escapees present a danger to the public. However, what happens when prisoners serving a life sentence are diagnosed with a terminal illness? While they may not be a threat to the public should they be released? Public Source reporter Jeffrey Benzing looked at the issue of compassionate release and joins us in studio to address the topic.
WESA Celebrates Inventing Pittsburgh
On May 31st, 1889, the South Fork Dam in Cambria County failed, sending a flood wave through Johnstown that killed 2,209 people. Margaret J. Krauss reports.
Renew Vietnam
This past December, Carnegie Mellon University graduate Benjamin Welmond went to Vietnam to film members of Project Renew in action. This organization works to remove bombs, mines, and other explosives from Quang Tri Province, considered to be the most heavily bombed place in history. Mr. Welmond joins us to talk about the film.
