Pittsburgh Explainer

Pittsburgh Explainer

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Life is busy, and it can be hard to keep up with the news. Every Friday morning, 90.5 WESA's Pittsburgh Explainer brings you the biggest news stories of the week in about 20 minutes. Hosted by WESA's Liz Reid, you’ll hear from the reporters who cover politics, education, tech, health, arts and more, and get the real stories behind the headlines.It’s the news you need, in the time you have.Pittsburgh Explainer is hosted by Liz Reid and produced by Katie Blackley. New episodes come out every Friday. Listen on the NPR One app or subscribe on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Liz Reid


    • Sep 13, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 22m AVG DURATION
    • 21 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Pittsburgh Explainer

    What Does Hamlet's Resignation Mean For Students?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2021 22:30


    On today's program: James Fogarty with A+ Schools shares his thoughts on the resignation of Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Anthony Hamlet; we look at how people on the autism spectrum struggle in the justice system, and what's being done to make conditions better in Pennsylvania; and we speak to a STEM educator about how the state's science education standards are being updated to address climate change.

    Inclusionary Zoning Becomes Permanent In Lawrenceville, Some City Officials Eye Expansion

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2021 22:30


    On today's program: Inclusionary zoning, which requires some developments to create affordable housing units, will be a permanent requirement in Lawrenceville following a pilot project. Now, city leaders look to other parts of Pittsburgh; a public health and filmmaking collaboration looks at mental health among teenagers during the pandemic; and businesses across the state are deciding if to require their employees receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

    June 12-18 Explained: Election Law Changes, UPMC's Hospital Costs & A Plan To Outsource Medicaid Services

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2021 20:11


    On this week's Explainer: Sam Dunklau on GOP efforts to change the state's election laws; Sarah Boden on what it costs for care at UPMC Presbyterian; and Kate Giammarise discusses concerns among some lawmakers over a proposal to outsource some Medicaid services.

    June 5-11 Explained: DA Zappala Could Face Ethics Charges, PPS Wants A Relationship With Ed Gainey & New Unemployment System Launches

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2021 20:09


    District Attorney Stephen Zappala could face ethics charges; Pittsburgh Public Schools hopes to find an ally in presumptive mayor-elect Ed Gainey; and Pennsylvania's upgraded unemployment system had a rocky start.

    Summer In The City: A Special Episode Of Pittsburgh Explainer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2021 11:21


    Summer has arrived in Pittsburgh and we've asked a handful of residents to share their favorite foods, events and activities this season in the city.

    May 22-28 Explained: Parnell Waffles On 2020 Election, Dems Intro Fracking Bills & Land Banks Await Help

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2021 15:10


    Republican Sean Parnell goes back and forth about an audit of 2020's election results; a bill in the state House would make it easier to revitalize main streets; and Democratic state Senators are pushing to increasing accountability for natural gas companies.

    Bonus Episode: Land & Power Wins Regional Murrow

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2021 19:17


    May 15-21 Explained: Primary Results, Roadblocks Getting Meals To Schoolchildren & Vaccinating Non-English Speakers

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2021 24:17


    This week on Pittsburgh Explainer: an analysis of local primary election results, an investigation into why $1 billion in food aid for families was delayed and a look at the unique challenges of getting non-English speakers vaccinated against COVID-19.

    May 8-14 Explained: The Candidates And Issues On Your Primary Ballot

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2021 37:10


    From Pittsburgh's mayoral and council races to what those statewide ballot initiatives really mean, this week's Pittsburgh Explainer talks with political reporters from around Pennsylvania about what you can expect at the ballot box next week.

    May 1-7 Explained: COVID Mitigations Relaxed, School Board Races & Tree Of Life Redesign

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2021 19:28


    Host Liz Reid talks with education reporter Sarah Schneider about the upcoming Pittsburgh Public Schools board races; health and science reporter Sarah Boden on upcoming COVID-19 mitigation changes; and arts and culture reporter Bill O'Driscoll on the future of the Tree of Life Synagogue.

    April 24-30 Explained: GOP Vaccine Hesitancy, PPS's Busing Quagmire & PGH Mayor's Race Gets Heated

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2021 20:27


    On this week's Explainer: WITF's Brett Sholtis on a push to get conservative voters vaccinated in Pa.; Government and accountability editor Chris Potter brings the latest on Pittsburgh's mayoral race; and education reporter Sarah Schneider says students are coming back to classrooms, but a bus shortage could complicate their return.

    April 17-23 Explained: Activism After Chauvin Verdict, County Police Oversight & Blight 'Deconstruction'

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2021 15:35


    Black activists react to the Chauvin verdict, a proposal for a county-wide police review board moves forward, and the city aims to deconstruct homes instead of tearing them down.

    April 10-16 Explained: Who's Running For Pittsburgh Mayor, The Vaccine Distribution Process & An Affordable Housing Lawsuit

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2021 22:36


    A look at the candidates who hope to be Pittsburgh's next mayor and how they plan to change the city; what it takes to get the vaccine to providers; and legal challenges to a city affordable housing law.

    Bonus Episode: WESA Hosts Pittsburgh Mayoral Debate

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2021 59:09


    WESA and the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation hosted a debate among four Democratic candidates for the office of Mayor of Pittsburgh on Tuesday, April 13.

    April 3-9 Explained: More Vaccine Eligibility, Eviction Law Changes & News At A PA Detention Center

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2021 20:10


    On this week's show: vaccine eligibility expands for Pennsylvanians; an update on a state detention center; and the latest changes to the city's eviction moratorium.

    March 27-April 2 Explained: Biden's Infrastructure Plan, Policing Under Peduto & Vaccine Eligibility

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2021 20:20


    March 20-26 Explained: Solidarity With Asian Americans, Unemployment Turmoil & PA's Solar Future

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2021 15:55


    March 13-19 Explained: Vaccines For Prisoners, Help For Restaurants & Fetterman On Fracking

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2021 16:59


    March 6-12 Explained: Isolation In Nursing Homes, Paid Sick Leave & Pittsburgh Politics

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2021 20:20


    Feb. 27-March 5 Explained: Vaccinating Educators, Port Authority's Future & Fossil Fuels In PA

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2021 17:04


    Feb. 20-26 Explained: Labor's Mayoral Endorsements, Fracking Waste & An Affordable House Quagmire

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2021 21:55


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