The Confluence

On today’s episode of The Confluence:The RAND Corporation recently published a comprehensive report on the nation’s opioid ecosystem. We ask Bradley Stein, director of Rand’s Opioid Policy, Tools, and Information Center (OPTIC) about what conclusions or solutions are put forth, and what can be learned about the crisis in Pennsylvania. (0:00 - 8:36) A Pittsburgh couple questions if an artificial intelligence tool used by Allegheny County’s Department of Human Services played a part in the removal of their baby and deeming their child at risk of harm due to both parents having developmental disabilities. We talk to AP investigative correspondent Sally Ho, who co-reported the piece with Garance Burke, about how this and similar tools are affecting families. (8:46 - 17:13) Workers aged 65 and older experienced some of the greatest job losses in the wake of the pandemic. But since the economy reopened, they’ve shown exceptional resilience — at least in the Pittsburgh area, experiencing some of the fastest job growth locally since 2020. (17:25 - 22:30)

On today’s episode of The Confluence:Silicon Valley Bank, which attracted startup founders and venture capitalists in the tech industry, collapsed on March 10. We talk to Dave Mawhinney, executive director of the Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University about how tech entrepreneurs can adapt and grow in this financial environment. (0:00 - 8:45) Casa San Jose is celebrating 10 years of serving Pittsburgh’s Latino community. We speak to founding director Sister Janice Vanderneck about the work accomplished, and what more she would like to see. (8:55 - 17:30) Despite the city’s many hills and valleys, Downtown Pittsburgh is pretty flat. But it wasn’t always that way. For our Good Question series, 90.5 WESA’s Katie Blackley reports on the history of Grant’s Hill in the Golden Triangle, and what happened to the so-called “Hump.” (17:34 - 22:30) The Confluence, where the news comes together, is 90.5 WESA’s daily news program. Tune in Monday to Friday at 9 a.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 for wherever you get your podcasts.

On today’s episode of The Confluence:We discuss the latest in state politics, including reaction to Governor Shapiro’s proposed budget, the resignation of a state house lawmaker following sexual harassment accusations, and the equitable funding of public education. Today’s guests include: Katie Meyer, government editor and reporter with Spotlight PA; Gillian McGoldrick, Harrisburg reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer; Marley Parish, who covers the state Senate for the Pennsylvania Capital Star; and Charles Thompson, who covers state government and public policy for Penn-Live.

On today’s episode of The Confluence:Norfolk Southern has hired a company to conduct testing of air in residents’ homes near the derailment of the company’s train in East Palestine, Ohio. A ProPublica investigation finds the testing may not be capturing the whole picture of the health and environmental impact from the derailment. Reporter Sharon Lerner tells us what concerns experts and residents still have. (0:00-8:20)The historians at Rivers of Steel, which supports heritage and tourism at the Carrie Blast Furnaces National Historic Landmark, have long known the furnaces’ namesake was likely a family member, but it wasn’t until recently they confirmed Carrie’s identity. Ron Baraff, director of historic resources and facilities at Rivers of Steel, gives us the backstory. (8:20-17:28)As part of our Good Question, Kid! Series, we answer the question: Where do primary colors come from? Clayton Merrell, a professor of art at Carnegie Mellon University tells us about red, yellow and blue, or as he clarifies, “magenta, yellow and cyan.” (17:28-22:30)

On today’s episode of The Confluence:Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal allocates $20 million to counties to boost mental health efforts. We speak with Erin Dalton, Allegheny County’s director of the Department of Human Services about what such support could mean for the county. The county just launched a Behavioral Health Fellows program to help those pursuing careers in behavioral health funds for educational loan repayment, which could help address staffing issues. (0:00 - 7:38) City Theatre has announced its upcoming 2023-2024 season. We discuss with Co-Artistic Director Monteze Freeland the productions, some featuring familiar stories and characters. (7:46 - 16:48) The Environmental Protection Agency and Norfolk Southern have begun testing for dioxins near the site of its train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. These long-lived chemicals can lead to serious health problems, including cancer, and fears over dioxins have many near the site anxious about their long-term health. (16:59 - 22:30)

On today’s episode of The Confluence:A physical altercation between a striking Pittsburgh Post-Gazette worker and delivery driver for the paper sent one person to the hospital. We ask WESA’s Jillian Forstadt for the latest news on rising tensions between unionized workers still on strike and the paper. (0:00 - 6:55) A joint investigation found nearly 700 people in Pennsylvania have undergone competency proceedings to assess if they’re able to participate in their own defense. But Brittany Hailer from Pittsburgh Institute for Nonprofit Journalism and Danielle Ohl with Spotlight PA report a fractured system means those people, often with mental health issues, may spend more time behind bars than getting help, as the system intended. (7:06 - 17:11) Two Pittsburgh Public School students are headed to a national competition this summer to test their knowledge of African American history and culture. Both spent years preparing to qualify for it, thanks to a local event that’s both a competition and a celebration. (17:22 - 22:30)

On today’s episode of The Confluence: The County elections division has released the unofficial list of candidates running in the May primary for county and city offices. We talk to WESA’s government and accountability editor Chris Potter about last minute additions and who is no longer in the running. (0:00 - 9:13) Rates of colorectal cancer are rising among people under the age of 50, which is concerning doctors. We talk to Dr. James McCormick, the Allegheny Health Network Chairperson of the Colon and Rectal Cancer Program and professor of surgery at Drexel University. (9:18 - 17:36) During his nearly 12 years in office, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald has largely avoided making any changes to the county’s property tax assessment system. The next county executive will have to decide what’s next for an assessment system with damaged credibility. A joint reporting project by WESA and Public Source asks where county executive candidates stand on the issue. (17:38 - 22:30)

On today’s episode of The Confluence:Fridays during the Lenten season means fish fry events at many church parishes and fire halls, and the creation of brackets to decide whose fish is the best, and an online map to help plan your pursuit of this meal. We talk about this springtime ritual, and its origins. Today’s guests include: Rossilynne Culgan, freelance journalist and Things To Do editor at Time Out New York; and David Schorr, creator of “The Codfather” Facebook group.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Allegheny County Jail has surpassed a year of implementing Sublocade injections into its medication-assisted treatment programs. We speak with Dr. Ashley Brinkman, the jail’s health services administrator, about ongoing efforts to reduce opioid overdose related deaths at the facility, and health care staffing following news of the jail medical director’s reassignment. (0:00 - 7:58) Pittsburgh-based chef Nik Forsberg has been nominated as a semi-finalist for Best Chef in the Mid-Atlantic Region by the James Beard Foundation for his work at Fet-Fisk, which hosts pop-up dinners at other locations. We talk with Forsberg about this recognition and plans to open his own brick-and-mortar location. (8:02 - 13:19) Father James R. Cox was a Catholic priest from Pittsburgh who became a nationally known champion of the poor and jobless during the Great Depression. The musical “Shantytown” celebrates his life, and is making its local debut this week with the Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company. (13:23 - 18:30)

On today’s episode of The Confluence:Governor Josh Shapiro announced his first budget yesterday. We talk about his priorities with Sam Dunklau, WESA’s capitol bureau chief, and Stephen Caruso, capitol reporter with Spotlight PA. (0:00 - 10:52) The U.S. Supreme Court is considering whether President Joe Biden exceeded his authority by enacting a student loan forgiveness program. We talk to Laura Perna, professor in the graduate school of education at the University of Pennsylvania and vice provost for faculty, about how student loans affect student outcomes. (10:58 - 18:30)