On today’s episode of The Confluence: Advocates argue that Mayor Ed Gainey’s budget proposal allocating funds from a parks tax to purchase trucks, tractors, and other vehicles isn’t the tax’s intended purpose; in a report from University of Pittsburgh’s School of Social Work, many Black families said they struggle to find a school environment that fulfills social needs and academically challenges their students; and a look at how the National Aviary is implementing special glass to protect birds in and outside of the building. Today’s guests include: Kiley Koscinski, city government reporter with WESA; Esther Mellinger Stief, executive director of the Crossroads Foundation, and Anthony Williams, head of school at The Neighborhood Academy; and Robert Mulvihill, ornithologist at The National Aviary.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Local officials blame city violence on an influx of guns, but advocates say guns acquired illegally, stolen or bought through straw purchases are a big part of the problem; the position of Allegheny County Executive is up for election in 2023 — whoever wins the seat will have control over a number of critical issues, such as tax assessments and air quality; and a look at how Black farmers are turning to urban agriculture to support the community.Today’s guests include: Jonathan D. Silver, reporter with the Tribune-Review; and Charlie Wolfson, local government reporter with PublicSource.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Pennsylvania judges are now allowed to dismiss charges against defendants who would not be deemed competent to participate in their own trial, but there are still some flaws; a new book chronicles the rise of the Kaufmann family, which owned the department store of the same name in Pittsburgh; and outgoing Congressman Conor Lamb talks about what's next for him after his term ends in January. Today’s guests include: Danielle Ohl, investigative reporter with Spotlight PA; Laura Malt Schneiderman and Marylynne Pitz, co-authors of “Kaufmann's: The Family that Built Pittsburgh's Famed Department Store.”

On today’s episode of The Confluence: With air travel passengers consistently rising compared to 2021, we speak to the Allegheny Airport Authority about what to anticipate with holiday travel; the Democrats will hold the state House by a slim majority, but have to get through the first few months of 2023 with vacant seats; and a conversation with acclaimed theater and television director Sheldon Epps, who graduated from Carnegie Mellon 50 years ago and has a new memoir.Today’s guests include: Christina Cassotis, CEO of the Allegheny Airport Authority; and Stephen Caruso, Capitol reporter for Spotlight PA.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: With a new governor and state representatives, we discuss what business leaders are hoping legislators prioritize in the coming session; food costs have been rising over the last year, and we check in with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank about how they’re supplying families for the holidays; and a regional startup funder gives their take on how businesses will fare in the current economic downturn. Today’s guests include: Matt Smith, president of the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce; and Chris West, director of community connections at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Pittsburgh Public Schools has put forth a preliminary budget for 2023 to its board, totaling $675 million, a slight increase from the current year’s budget; the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania has a new president and CEO who is coming to the organization from the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership; and a look at how low-income neighborhoods can improve without losing residents. Today’s guests include: Sarah Schneider, education reporter for WESA; and Chris Watts, president and CEO with the Boys & Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: The Shell ethane cracker plant is now in operation, but some are concerned about it’s environmental impact; we speak to the lead designer behind the Tree of Life synagogue’s renovation and expansion; and a conversation with a high school math and computer science teacher who’s one of five educators nationwide being honored for their work.Today’s guests include: Reid Frazier, energy reporter at The Allegheny Front; Daniel Libeskind, architect and lead designer for the renovation of the Tree of Life Synagogue; and Kevin Gallagher, a teacher at Keystone Oaks High School.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: We break down what’s in Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey’s $822 million fiscal plan, which he presented to city council earlier this week; the Pennsylvania Department of Health is disciplining a doctor for violating rules of the state medical marijuana program — what this shows the public about the program; and a company looking to build a manufacturing plant for alternatives to plastic straws and utensils considers Pittsburgh versus Austin. Today’s guests include: Kiley Koscinski, WESA city government reporter; Ed Mahon, investigative reporter Spotlight PA.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: The Allegheny County Jail is implementing a new health care program for incarcerated people, we discuss how will this improve access in a facility that’s seen five inmate deaths this year; a look at voter turnout this midterm election; and how one company is trying to build a manufacturing plant for plastic alternatives in the region. Today’s guests include: Dr. Ashley Brinkman, health systems administrator at the Allegheny County Jail; and Kadida Kenner, chief executive officer of the New Pennsylvania Project.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: We speak to retiring U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey about his time in office; control of the state House of Representatives could flip to be held by Democrats; and a look at a library expanding services after cutting back in the midst of the pandemic. Today’s guests include: U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey; and Sam Dunklau, WESA capitol bureau chief.