On today’s episode of The Confluence: We learn about U.S. Senate candidate David McCormick's lawsuit on the counting of mail-in ballots; we ask a Duquesne educator how to help children and young people process the shooting in Uvalde, Texas; and we speak with the director and a member of the Tamburitzans, an 85-year-old folk music group.
Today’s guests include: Marc Levy, reporter with the Associated Press; Tammy Hughes, professor with Duquesne University’s School of Education; and Alyssa Bushunow, executive director of the Tamburitzans, and Nick Hladio, a student performer with the group.
McCormick sues to count mail-in and absentee ballots missing handwritten date
(0:00 - 6:35)
More than a week out from the primary election, it’s still unclear who will be the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate. As of Thursday morning, Mehmet Oz was ahead of David McCormick by 902 votes. This razor-thin lead comes as Acting Secretary of State Leigh Chapman has ordered a statewide recount in this race.
McCormick’s campaign filed a lawsuit in Commonwealth Court to require counties to count mail-in or absentee ballots that were received by the deadline but missing a written date on the envelope. The lawsuit cited a federal court ruling from a previous case that used the Civil Rights Act to justify counting the ballots.
“It basically said that you're disenfranchising someone for something that has no role in determining whether that ballot is eligible and legal,” said Marc Levy, a reporter for the Associated Press.
The Pennsylvania Republican Party and the RNC have backed the Oz campaign in their opposition to the lawsuit. However, even if the ballots are able to be counted, McCormick is not likely to win them at the rate he needs to pull ahead.
How adults can help children process fear and sadness after the school shooting in Texas
(6:37 - 13:25)
An elementary school in Texas is just the latest to experience a devastating mass shooting. At least 21 people were killed: 19 young students and two teachers. Yesterday, Pittsburgh Public Schools announced it would be on a modified lockdown in response to the massacre.
When these events occur, they often bring up feelings of anxiety in young students who lack the language to express their feelings.
“You will see all kinds of disruptions at home: sleep disruptions [and] irritability,” says Tammy Hughes, school psychologist and professor in the School of Education at Duquesne University. “You’ll also see that in the classroom: difficulty paying attention [and] conflict with peers and adults.
To handle these events, school districts will implement top-down crisis plans to support those in the district, as well as their families. Hughes also notes that support can come from other community pillars outside the school.
PPS uses the A.L.I.C.E. (alert, lockdown, counter, evacuate) Training Program to protect students and faculty from an attack. Hughes has concerns that active shooter drills can cause anxiety in students.
“The pairing of shooting in schools is not useful, and we want children to feel safe at their schools so that they can learn,” says Hughes.
Tamburitzans celebrate their 85th anniversary
(13:28 - 22:30)
Pittsburgh-based Tamburitzans, a live music and dance group that has performed around the world, honoring and perpetuating international cultural heritages, are celebrating their 85th anniversary this year.
“It's hard to find a country or an instrument that we don't have in our repertoire,” says the Tamburitzans’ executive director Alyssa Bushunow. “We’ll have everything from balalaika to bandura… If you have it, we'll play it.”
The group began as a trio of tamburitza players, focusing on Eastern European folk music, but it expanded over time to include other parts of the world. More recently they have moved into Latin American music, even using electronic instruments.
In response to the war in Ukraine, students in the group felt compelled to respond and honor their heritage. They chose to perform the Ukrainian hymn “Prayer for Ukraine”.
“It was just so fantastic to be able to sing this in our home country right before this situation arose,” says student performer Nick Hladio. “And so it definitely has a special place in my heart.”
The group will be hosting an “85th Celebration Gala” on June 2 to commemorate their anniversary.
The Confluence, where the news comes together, is 90.5 WESA’s daily news program. Tune in Monday to Thursday at 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. to hear newsmakers and innovators take an in-depth look at stories important to the Pittsburgh region. Find more episodes of The Confluence here or wherever you get your podcasts.
