The Confluence

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Pennsylvania Capital-Star reporter Stephen Caruso explains where the process to develop congressional district maps stands as the first day for candidates to file or circulate nominating petitions to appear on the primary ballot approaches; the new president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania talks about her experience and the future of abortion access across the country; and the executive director of the Hilltop Urban Farm discusses how it plans to expand its programming, once the 23 acres it operates on is sold to the Allegheny Land Trust.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: WESA transportation and development reporter Margaret J. Krauss explains what we know so far about Mayor Ed Gainey’s latest picks to lead city departments, and what we can learn about his approach to development; the Port of Pittsburgh Commission’s executive director Mary Ann Bucci tells us what impact the roughly $860 million will have on the Montgomery Locks; and, for our Good Question, Kid! Series, we ask a physicist if it’s possible for a meteor to be struck by lightning.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: The ACLU of Pennsylvania found some Allegheny County school districts have disproportionately arrested students of color, while significantly underreporting the number of school-related arrests to the U.S. Department of Education; families eligible for Pandemic-EBT money are struggling to access the funds amid a new wave of COVID-19 related school closures; and ornithologist Scott Weidensaul explains where it may be possible to catch sight of snowy owls migrating through Pennsylvania this season.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: UPMC Children's Hospital has a new president, Diane Hupp, who is bringing 36 years of experience with the hospital, including more than a decade as the chief nursing officer; and we speak to Pittsburgh Action Against Rape’s executive director Lisa Perry about how the organization is marking 50 years of supportive services and education.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Virologist Paul Duprex explains what we know so far about COVID-19 reinfections; PWSA CEO Will Pickering discusses the agency’s new stormwater fee and uses for the revenue; and a look at how municipalities are using American Rescue Plan funds.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Public comment on maps to redraw state legislative districts ended last night, and chair of the Legislative Reapportionment Commission Mark Nordenberg explains the steps taken to ensure transparency in the process; and the Community College of Allegheny County is welcoming veteran students who qualify for the Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program, which is meant to support those unemployed due to COVID-19.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: WHYY’s Mallory Falk updates us on a lawsuit alleging the state does not fund school districts fairly, in violation of the state constitution; Pittsburgh Magazine’s Hal B. Klein takes stock of the city’s restaurant scene, and what he anticipates in 2022; and local troupe CorningWorks resumes performances of an interactive show, ‘The Tipping Point.’

On today’s episode of The Confluence: An investigation into how state lawmakers don’t consistently disclose what the attorneys they hire are working on, despite Right-to-Know requests from journalists; the Steelers' road to the NFL Playoffs Wildcard Round; and how restaurant owners and workers are feeling about the pandemic.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: GOP candidates are attempting to set themselves apart in a crowded field for Pennsylvania’s governor; how proposed state legislation could affect the testing and production of self-driving cars; and we learn how the Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center is helping organizations honor indigenous people with land acknowledgements.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Incoming Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey talks about his goals as leader of the city, running a campaign against an incumbent, and how he’ll work with former colleagues in the state legislature.