News

The Right To Know and Pennsylvania's Open Records Law

Heather McClain — Fri, 24 May 2013 22:07:40 +0000

Airing Tuesday at noon on 90.5 WESA

Pennsylvania's open records law went into effect in 2009, ideally making it possible for citizens to easily search government records. But some say it hasn't made good on its promise of accessibility. WESA Capitol Correspondent Mary Wilson has written about tweaks to the law being proposed in the legislature, and those who have violated it.

Leah Samuel recently took an in depth look at the status of PA's open records law for PublicSource, including anecdotes from citizens who have been thwarted in their search for information.

Pennsylvania Office of Open Records Executive Director, Terry Mutchler says citizen requests should not be denied.

Speaking Volumes on Essential Pittsburgh: Lori Jakiela

Heather McClain — Fri, 24 May 2013 22:07:34 +0000

Airing Tuesday in the noon hour on 90.5 WESA

WESA Morning Edition Host Josh Raulerson interviews poet, memoirist and devotee of sparse, unsentimental prose, Lori Jakiela about her reading selections.

The Business of Interviewing with Rebecca Harris

Heather McClain — Fri, 24 May 2013 22:07:27 +0000

Airing Tuesday at noon on 90.5 WESA

Can you really answer the question “tell me about yourself” in an interview, while being sure to talk about skills relevant to the job? How about describing a difficult work situation and making it sound like you're a great problem solver? Effective interviewing is a skill and our business contributor Rebecca Harris offers some advice to help you ace the interview.

Local Advocates of Legalized Marijuana to Hold Moment of Silence

Jessica Nath — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:21:52 +0000

A local activist group will gather at Point State Park Saturday in an effort to “smoke out prohibition” of marijuana.

At 4:20 p.m. Saturday, the Pittsburgh regional chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws will hold a moment of silence to protest what it calls the war on cannabis. NORML promotes repealing the prohibition of marijuana.

Local Farmers Protect Their Plants from Late Spring Frost

Jessica Nath — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:24:02 +0000

April showers may bring May flowers, but what are we going to do with this frost?

With temperatures forecast to dip below the record low of 35 degrees, a frost advisory has been issued for Southwestern Pennsylvania starting at 3 a.m.

Local farmers are trying to protect their plants, strawberries in particular, from the chilling temperatures.

Ross Trax from Trax Farm in Bethel Park said it’s still early for strawberries, but the farm is trying to protect the blossoms.

Allegheny County Health Department Issues Combined Sewer Overflow Alert

Michael Lynch — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:22:59 +0000

The Allegheny County Health Department issued its second combined sewer overflow (CSO) alert of the season Thursday.

The advisories notify swimmers, boaters and other river-goers if the water has been contaminated by raw sewage after heavy rainfall clogs waste treatment facilities. The length of the advisories depends on the time it takes for the sewer systems to return to normal levels.

The CSO alerts do not prohibit recreational river activity, but advise the public to reduce water contact, especially those with weak immune systems or open cuts and sores.

8 Charged in Alleged High-Grade Pot Ring in PA

The Associated Press — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:32:51 +0000

Authorities in suburban Philadelphia say they've broken up a multimillion-dollar drug ring that trafficked in high-grade marijuana.

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman announced charges against eight suspects on Thursday.

She says nearly 3,700 pounds of potent pot was sent from California to Pennsylvania over the past 15 months. She estimated its street value at more than $14 million.

Ferman says the suspects used a freight service to ship marijuana in giant orange tool chests from Sacramento, Calif., to a Philadelphia suburb in Delaware County.

Lovers of PA’s Loyalsock Forest Fight to Limit Drilling There

StateImpact Pennsylvania — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:15:02 +0000

Deep in the Loyalsock State Forest, where no cell phone signal reaches, the sounds of rushing waterfalls and forest birds are suddenly interrupted by the sound of a helicopter.

Paul Zeph of the Pennsylvania Audubon Society says the noise could be related to gas drilling. Drillers will often drop seismic testing equipment into remote areas that are difficult to reach by roads. And that leads Zeph to cite one of the many worries that naturalists and outdoors lovers have with plans to expand drilling in the Loyalsock.

Governor Asks for Backup on His To-Do List

Mary Wilson — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:28:38 +0000

Gov. Tom Corbett is asking for help pushing through the major items on his legislative agenda: liquor privatization, transportation funding and an overhaul of the state's pension systems.

During his Thursday morning address to the capital area chamber of commerce, he banged on the podium as he issued his first call to action on the plan before the state Senate to phase out state wine and spirits stores.

World Affairs: Peter Bergen From 9/11 to Abbottabad

Heather McClain — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:00:10 +0000

Peter Bergen is a National Security Analyst for CNN, and a journalist who has reported for publications such as Foreign Affairs, The Atlantic, and The Washington Post. He's authored three New York Times best-sellers, won multiple awards for his non-fiction writing, produced the first ever television interview with Osama Bin Laden, and much more.

Bergen's most recent book is Manhunt: The Ten Year Search for bin Laden, from 9/11 to Abbottabad. He comes to Pittsburgh to be the keynote speaker for the World Affairs Council's 82nd annual meeting and leads a discussion titled Learning from Abbottabad: Combating Global Terrorism in a Post-9/11 World.

Mike Sears and the Warrior Foundation

Heather McClain — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:50:18 +0000

Mike Sears put his life on the line to save a wounded soldier in the heat of battle in Afghanistan. For his bravery, he received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. We'll begin the Memorial Day weekend with a conversation with Mike Sears covering his war experiences and his involvement with the Warrior Foundation.

Local Goodness: Farmers Market Season

Heather McClain — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:45:28 +0000

Does this week's summer-like weather put you in the mood for some fresh corn or warm, sun rippened tomatoes? How about a tote bag full of cukes and zukes? While these foods aren't quite ready at the local farm, we are definitely headed into outdoor farmers market season.

Food contributor Rhonda Schuldt stops in to talk about what to expect from Pittsburgh's many farmers markets.

Pittsburgh Kicks Off Summer With Two Weeks of Festivities

Margaret J. Krauss — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:06:58 +0000

Look alive, Pittsburgh — two of the year's busiest weeks are upon us.

On Thursday, the Pittsburgh Wow! Partnership, a collaboration between some the city’s most prominent cultural, business and civic entities, announced a two-week bonanza of events meant to highlight and contribute to the city’s vibrancy.

Taking place from June 7 to June 16, events include rededicating the Point State Park fountain, playing host to the Three Rivers Arts Festival, commemorating the completion of the Great Allegheny Passage and cheering on the Pirates at a string of home games.

Community, Corporate Leaders Pledge Commitment to Racial Equity in Business Sector

Deanna Garcia — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:10:53 +0000

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald (left) and B-PEP's Tim Stevens said the corporate community needs to be more diverse, especially in management and board positions.

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The Pittsburgh region has been doing relatively well the last few years, with the region returning to pre-recession employment levels faster than the national average.

Original Copy of Bill of Rights Coming to Pennsylvania

Kevin Gavin — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:33:09 +0000

For the first time in several decades Pennsylvanians will be able to view an original copy of the Bill of Rights.

It’s 1789 — Congress approves the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution. The states ratify the amendments December 15, 1791 and President George Washington sends a handwritten copy of the Bill of Rights to each of the 13 states. Pennsylvania’s copy goes missing in the late 1800s and New York’s copy might have been destroyed in a fire at New York’s archives.

Parents Sue Pittsburgh Zoo in Boy's Mauling Death

The Associated Press — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:10:21 +0000

The parents of a 2-year-old boy who was fatally mauled after falling into a wild African dogs exhibit last fall have sued the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, claiming officials had ample warning that parents routinely lifted children onto a rail overlooking the exhibit so they could see better.

The lawsuit filed Thursday on behalf of Jason and Elizabeth Derkosh seeks unspecified damages in the Nov. 4 death of their son, Maddox. The boy fell from a wooden railing after his mother lifted him up to get a better look at the painted dogs.

Lancaster Man Adds Disney Magic to Fireworks Festival

Michael Lynch — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:59:08 +0000

It’s not likely that you’ll ever get to swim under the sea with Ariel and Sebastian or fight dastardly ghosts and ghouls with Captain Jack Sparrow alongside the other Pirates of the Caribbean, but with his explosive sights and sounds, Jon Loreto is trying to get you one step closer.

The Lancaster County resident is the inaugural winner of the “Fantasy in the Sky” Fireworks Challenge, a contest with more than 50 pyro-enthused applicants.

Corbett Says Latino Comment Taken Out of Context

The Associated Press — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:24:17 +0000

Gov. Tom Corbett's office says his comments about a lack of Latinos on his staff were taken out of context to discredit him.

The first-term Republican said in response to a question at an Al Dia newsmedia-sponsored event in Philadelphia last week that he did not have any Latinos on his staff. Then he asked people at the forum to help him find one.

His office issued a statement Wednesday that said he was only referring to his immediate staff, a small group.

Hitting the Road this Memorial Day Weekend? You're Not Alone

Deanna Garcia — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:55:18 +0000

The traditional kick-off to the summer driving season officially gets underway this weekend as millions of people travel for the Memorial Day weekend. According to AAA East Central, approximately 31.2 million motorists will hit the road starting Thursday.

“In the mid-Atlantic region, which includes Pennsylvania, there will be about 3.78 million drivers out on the roadways, so very busy if you’re heading out on a road trip,” said AAA spokeswoman Bevi Powell.

Casey Reintroduces Tax Credit Bill for Veterans

Mary Wilson — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:32:51 +0000

Pennsylvania's Democratic U.S. senator is taking another whack at knocking down the unemployment rate among military veterans with a proposed tax credit.

Sen. Bob Casey said Wednesday the tax credit would help veterans or their spouses purchase franchises. They would be able to write off 25 percent of the franchise fee, or up to $100,000.

In a conference call with reporters, Casey likened the tax credit to the GI bill funding veterans' college education, saying it's another way to help veterans establish themselves as civilians.

Bill Peduto Post Primary: Where Do We Go From Here?

Heather McClain — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:09:21 +0000

Pittsburgh City Councilman Bill Peduto has won Pittsburgh's Democratic Mayoral Primary.

Eight years after first running for mayor, he talks about what it means to be so close to realizing his dream and the "new Pittsburgh" he envisions.

Coleen Rowley: Is There a War on Whistleblowers & Journalists?

Heather McClain — Wed, 22 May 2013 22:59:34 +0000

Former FBI special agent and division counsel, Coleen Rowley made headlines with her May 2002 memo describing some of the FBI's pre-9/11 failures. She was named one of Time Magazine's "Persons of the Year" in 2002 and now says President Obama has dramatically increased governmental secrecy by declaring what she calls "a war on whistleblowers and a war on journalists."

Drawing a Crowd At The Pittsburgh Comic Arts Festival

Heather McClain — Wed, 22 May 2013 22:26:20 +0000

In the world of comic strip art, The Reuben Awards, are on par with the Oscars. Named after Rube Goldberg, the Reuben has been awarded by the National Cartoonists Society to artists such as Charles Schulz, Chester Gould and Bill Watterson.

The New Girl in Town is Hitting the Beach

Heather McClain and Marcus Charleston — Wed, 22 May 2013 21:51:08 +0000

Memorial Day is the official start to the summer season and many people will be headed to the beach. One shore town you may want to visit is Rehoboth Beach in Delaware. You'll find something for nature lovers at Prime Hook, something for sports adventurers, and for those who just want to stroll along the B oardwalk.

Peduto Says He's Ready to Make Changes, Break From Ravenstahl

Mark Nootbaar — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:39:28 +0000

Pittsburgh mayoral candidate Bill Peduto gathered reporters Wednesday just hours after Democratic voters chose him over three other candidates in Tuesday’s primary, and already he is looking at how the structure of the city will change.

As he prepares for a general election that is all but assured to go his way, Peduto said he plans to start looking at every aspect of the city’s operations.