Boen Wang

On today’s episode of The Confluence: State Rep. Tracy Pennycuick introduced legislation that would allow clinical studies of psilocybin and psilocybin-assisted therapy for issues such as PTSD or depression; Rochelle Jackson from the Black Women’s Policy Center shares results from a survey of Black women in Pittsburgh that shows their pressing concerns include poverty and mental health; and self-taught Pittsburgh artist John Kane’s legacy and impact.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: a recent analysis found 456 books banned in Pennsylvania between July 2021 and March 2022, a majority of them in the Central York School District; Diamonte Walker will be the first CEO of Scholar House Pittsburgh, which looks to provide single mothers with affordable housing and support near higher education; and Pittsburgh native Cole Arthur Riley discusses her new book, “This Here Flesh: Spirituality, Liberation and the Stories That Make Us.”

On today’s episode of The Confluence: diplomacy between the U.S. and Israel has emerged as an issue in the race for Pittsburgh's Congressional seat, we speak with WESA’s Chris Potter about which super PACs are buying up ad space; Mike Dixon, the executive director of Basketball Dreamz, discusses what he heard from kids in his after-school program following the deadly shooting on the North Side; and we go foraging in Pittsburgh to see what foods can you find underfoot.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: PublicSource reporter Oliver Morrison explains his findings from a analysis of salaries at Pittsburgh Public Schools; Anya Litvak with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette tells us why large industrial producers are looking to create a “hydrogen hub” in the region; and a health care worker reflects on when her role as a caregiver was reversed in a new book, “Healing: When a Nurse Becomes a Patient.”

Mayor Ed Gainey on efforts to increase public safety, and his intention create "a city for all"

On today’s episode of The Confluence: As agencies across the country start lifting mask requirements, Philadelphia reinstates one, and local authorities are considering if now is the right time to ditch the mask; a new report details racial disparities in homeownership in the region; and a new museum looks to preserve and share the history of tattooing.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: With the May primary election a mere four weeks away, we check in with WESA government and accountability editor Chris Potter about the campaigns; cybersecurity vulnerabilities were identified in autonomous robots working in local hospitals; and Dawn Keezer with the Pittsburgh Film Office speaks with us, ahead of giving testimony to the state Senate Finance Committee, about increasing film tax credits in the state.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: A shooting at a house party in the North Side turned deadly after two teenagers were killed and eight others were injured; legislation has passed in the state Senate that would expand access to nurses trained to provide specialized care to survivors of sexual assault, and we talk with one of these nurses and a statewide organization in support of the legislation; and a new exhibit honoring August Wilson’s career opens in Pittsburgh’s downtown.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Staff at a Bloomfield Starbucks have voted to unionize, becoming the first store to do so in the commonwealth; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Kris Mamula explains how a study found the rate of deaths due to COVID-19 in 100 U.S. counties was most strongly correlated with lack of income; FBI Supervisory Special Agent Tim Wolford tells us how the agency is combatting "sextortion schemes," where an increasing number of teen boys are targeted; and officials worry about the cost of the upcoming election.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: The state’s Independent Regulatory Review Commission recently enacted regulations for charter schools and changes to wages for tipped workers, but leaders in Harrisburg are concerned the governor may be circumventing the legislative process with this body; a violence prevention program trained youth in Pittsburgh to be nonviolent community advocates; and artist and activist Lena Chen has a new art exhibit running through April 17.