The first biography of Pittsburgh icon Fred Rogers was released last week. “The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers” traces Rogers' early days through the all-important launch and subsequent generations of fandom created by “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” broadcast through the Pittsburgh public television station WQED.
Maxwell King, author and CEO of the Pittsburgh Foundation, says he'd been calling for a biography on Rogers for years when a colleague challenged him, asking, "Why don't you write it yourself?"
Later in the program, the competition between two health care giants in Pittsburgh extends far beyond city borders. Highmark-affiliated Penn State Health is moving forward with plans to build a 108-bed hospital in Cumberland County -- right across the interstate from a UPMC Pinnacle hospital. WITF’s Brett Sholtis looks at what the move means for consumers.
NPR's David Greene shares his hopes for the college football season and why his allegiances don't align with his own storied alma mater.
Plus, a look at what it would take to make Pittsburgh a proper music city. WYEP general manager Abby Goldstein and Texas-based consultant Don Pitts present their findings from a recent report on the potential for Pittsburgh's budding "music ecosystem.” The 86-page study lays out five areas of improvement -- leadership, career, industry, policy and audience -- that artists, leaders and advocates could harness to better develop its music scene.
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.
WESA receives money from the Pittsburgh Foundation.
