Essential Pittsburgh Archives

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Excessive Antibiotic Use Could Lead To Future 'Superbug,' But Not Anytime Soon Jun 21, 2016

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According to our guest, Joseph McCormick of Duquesne’s Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences , “more than 99 percent of all bacteria in this world are our friends.” Is the nation's first antibiotic-resistant superbug evidence that constant hand sanitizing and antibiotics are putting us at risk?

For Low Income Pennsylvanians, Solar Energy Doesn't Shine On All Households Jun 21, 2016

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Most homeowners have heard about solar energy, but few in Pennsylvania are actually taking advantage of the option. Many are aware of the cost-saving potential, however some demographics, especially low-income residents, who can’t afford the more than $20,000 in installation fees, being left out. New state incentives and advocacy from solar energy organizations are hoping to change the narrative for solar-powered homes, making them more accessible.

2016 Pittsburgh Jazz Live International Celebrates City's Growing Hispanic Community Jun 20, 2016

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After a week of Stanley Cup celebrations, Pittsburgh’s Cultural District will again be full of music and celebration. The Pittsburgh JazzLive International Festival will showcase local, national and international acts in a Pittsburgh context with free music filling the Cultural District. Bob Studebaker, WESA’s Jazz from the South Side host , said that Pittsburgh’s jazz festival has a special draw, and for good reason.

'The Business Of Amateurs' Tackles Complicated Relationship Between Student Athletes And NCAA Jun 20, 2016

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The class schedule of a full-time student, hours of homework and 40 to 80 hours a week of practice, all while balancing extracurricular and social activities. This is the life of a student athlete, or really, an “athlete student” according to Bob DeMars, former University of Southern California defensive end and creator of the documentary “The Business of Amateurs.”

Educational Partnership Celebrates Young Bilingual Students Jun 20, 2016

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Learning a foreign language is about more than the language itself. At Duquesne University’s Department of Modern Languages , students are encouraged to immerse themselves in cultural communities outside their own to enhance their experience. For many Spanish language students recently, this community manifests in the form of 4-and-5-year-olds at Beechwood Elementary School i n Beechview.

Loss Of Revenue Taxing PA's Rural Communities Jun 19, 2016

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The commonwealth is making more land tax-exempt. However, this action is having a significant impact on the state’s rural communities which could cause a ripple effect. What can be done to help these areas? We’ll pose that question to Potter County commissioner Paul Heimel .

Portraits Of An Artist: John Riegert On Display Jun 17, 2016

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A painting done by a grandmother for her grandchild, at a birthday party planted an idea in curator Brett Yasko’s mind. The artwork reminded him of paintings by Joseph Yoakum he had just seen at the Carnegie Museum of Art . “Why is one artist in this gallery and his work will be seen by thousands of people, and this other artist, her painting might be seen by a handful of people. It will sit on a night stand,” Yasko wondered.

1904 Olympic Medals Displayed At Oakmont Jun 17, 2016

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Later this Summer golf tournaments are taking place at the Rio Olympics. It will be the first time for golf to be played at the Olympics since the 1904 games held in St. Louis. The long lost silver medal of former U.S. Amateur Champion H. Chandler Egan , along with his team gold medal from those long ago games, are on display this week during the U.S. Open at Oakmont. We'll get the fascinating story behind these medals from USGA Historian Mike Trostel .

Pittsburgh Artist Jasiri X Performs Live Score To 1925 Film 'Body And Soul' Jun 17, 2016

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"Body and Soul," the seminal work of the first major African-American filmmaker Oscar Micheaux is being given new life in a showcase tonight at the Hollywood Theater in Dormont . The screening of this feature length melodrama starring Paul Robeson comes with an original hip-hop score performed live by Pittsburgh artist Jasiri X. We'll talk with Jasiri X about how this project came together. Joining the conversation is black film scholar Joseph Kennedy.

Delirium Prevention Program Helps Patients At West Penn Hospital Jun 16, 2016

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Often overlooked or misdiagnosed, delirium is a condition where patients experience an abrupt change in mental status. While it’s typically a short-term problem, medical officials are finding the condition can cause serious brain damage, especially to older individuals. At West Penn Hospital, a new program has been developed aimed at finding treatment and reverse delirium’s impact. Dr. Christine Herb, director of geriatric education for Allegheny Health Network and Dr. Allan Philp, Trauma Program Medical Director for Allegheny Health Network join us to talk about the new program.