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Buying a home is tough: Corporate buyers make it even harder

Pittsburgh looks to bond program to address affordable housing

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Pittsburgh is planning to invest at least $25 million over several years into affordable housing using money from bonds; a look at cases coming up before the U.S Supreme Court and their potential effect here in Pennsylvania; and, in an effort to reduce maternal mortality, the state’s Department of Human Services is partnering with the Pennsylvania Doula Commission to offer perinatal certifications so doulas can get reimbursed for providing care to Medicaid patients.

Phase 1 of PRT bus rapid transit will establish 'Downtown Loop,' now that contract is approved

On today’s episode of The Confluence:Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s Board approved a $28 million contract for the first phase of its Downtown to Oakland Bus Rapid Transit Project. PRT’s Chief Development Officer David Huffaker takes us through what we can expect in the coming years. (0:00 - 9:33) It’s been about a year since the City of Pittsburgh got approval to launch a syringe services program, but a Downtown facility hasn’t yet been up and running as officials envisioned. We talk with WESA’s Kiley Koscinski about the city’s program and where it stands. (9:42 - 17:28) The City of Pittsburgh is full of infrastructure: 1,000 miles of roads, nearly 800 sets of steps, and close to 150 bridges, and much of it is in rough shape. 90.5 WESA’s Margaret J. Krauss reports the job of turning that around falls to a single city office, and it could use some help. (17:40 - 22:30)

Pittsburgh Moves Ahead With Zoning Changes for University-Adjacent Neighborhood

The implementation of a new master plan for the neighborhood of Oakland, home to the University of Pittsburgh, is moving forward despite controversy and a contentious community engagement process.

Hill District apartments may get overhaul with help from federal grant

On today’s episode of The Confluence: One of the city’s oldest public housing developments, Bedford Dwellings, could be overhauled if the city is awarded a federal grant; nearly a year after the collapse of the Fern Hollow Bridge, we discuss the region’s infrastructure needs; and the legacy of Roberto Clemente and his influence on the region. Today’s guests include: Margaret J. Krauss, senior reporter with 90.5 WESA; Jonathan Shimko, past president of the Pittsburgh Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers; and Duane Rieder, founder and executive director of the Clemente Museum.

Drug overdoses in 2021 reached a national high, Pennsylvania sees increase

How Pennsylvania Will Benefit From Federal Transit Funding

Pennsylvania is set to receive over $600 million for public transit and mobility, but state leaders have yet to make decisions about specific projects.

Federal Infrastructure Act Means a Cash Boon for Pennsylvania Public Transit This Year

Pennsylvania’s public transportation agencies will receive more than $617 million this year. WESA’s Margaret J. Krauss reports the increased funding for transit was part of President Joe Biden’s Infrastructure and Jobs Act.

Marylee Williams

Marylee is the editor/producer of The Confluence, the daily public affairs show on WESA. She got her start in journalism at The Daily Reveille and KLSU while attending Louisiana State University. She took her passion for audio journalism to UC Berkeley's graduate program and worked in public radio at WPR in Madison, WI, and WOSU in Columbus, Ohio.

A local nonprofit sells affordable housing in East Liberty as its priorities shift

On today’s episode of The Confluence: WESA senior reporter Margaret J. Krauss explains why an affordable apartment complex previously held by East Liberty Development, Inc. is being sold, leaving many low-income residents scrambling for housing; and we hear from two parents who, after losing their daughter to a drug overdose, worked with the County Medical Examiner’s Office to bring other grieving families resources and information in the aftermath of a death.