Education is one of the top issues for many voters heading into Election Day on Tuesday. The Allegheny Intermediate Unit plays a conduit role in making sure public school students in the region receive a quality education by working with 42 districts and multiple special needs centers.
AIU's interim executive director Roseanne Javorsky describes how the agency strategizes to get teachers the resources they need, as well as her thoughts on the future of the state's Keystone Exams. Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf recently signed legislation to postpone the Keystone Exam requirement to 2020. Javorsky praised this move, saying a standardized test doesn't lead to standardized instruction.
Later in the program, 90.5 WESA's Elaine Effort talks to Vernard Alexander, a businessman connecting Homewood residents to resources like job postings, housing and funding. His social media use earned him the nickname "Connecting King."
In the third episode of WESA's Still Working podcast, hosts Margaret J. Krauss and Kevin C. Brown explore bar work. Hear from four people whose jobs involve a bar: a ballerina, a lawyer, an ironworker and a bartender.
And WESA's Amy Sisk explains why Western Pennsylvania's fall colors have been lackluster this year. She blames the summer’s wet weather leading to the spread of anthracnose fungus on some of the region’s maple trees. The fungus caused many leaves to die and fall to the ground before they had a chance to change color this year.
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.
