The Confluence

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Allegheny County is seeking proposals from companies to run a juvenile detention center, a year after the county closed its own, but we discuss what might be implemented instead; Pittsburgh Food Policy Council is requesting the city allocate $10 million for a food justice fund; and we learn how researchers will use a $4 million federal grant for efforts to reduce racial disparities and promote a positive school climate in public schools.Today’s guests include: Kathi Elliott, chief executive officer of Gwen’s Girls; Sam Applefield, project manager with the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council; and James Huguley, associate dean for diversity equity and inclusion and project principal investigator at the University of Pittsburgh’s Just Discipline Project.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: As the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s journalists continue to strike, we look back at the city's last newspaper strike, 30 years ago; a collaboration between researchers, public and private entities are testing new technology in the Mon-Fayette Expressway; and a look at whether voters care about debates, which have been largely absent from this election season.Today’s guests include: Andrew Conte, director of the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University; and Julie Vandenbossche, professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh and director of research of IRISE.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: More than 1.2 million Pennsylvania voters have requested a mail-in ballot for this year’s midterm, we discuss how the state is preparing for November’s election with mounting legal challenges; and how might redrawn districts for state House and Senate races impact the election outcomes? Today’s guests include: Leigh Chapman, Pennsylvania’s acting Secretary of State; and Chris Potter, WESA’s government and accountability editor.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: A Berks County state Senator has introduced a package of bills to address maternal mortality; Pittsburgh residents are utilizing alternative modes of transportation, according to a report from the city on its Move PGH mobility initiative; and we discuss what newsroom workers at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette are demanding after they walked off the job midday yesterday.Today’s guests include: State Sen. Judy Schwank, D-Berks County; Jillian Forstadt, a reporter with WESA; and Zack Tanner, interactive designer at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and president of the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Researchers across the United States, including in Pennsylvania, are looking at how vaccinations could be used to prevent development of cancer in those with a high risk of the disease and treat those who are already diagnosed; and Jewish Family and Community Services has received a $300,000 grant that it will use to help its client apply for citizenship and naturalization. Today’s guests include: Dr. Olivera Finn, chair of professor in the Department of Immunology at UPMC; and Jamie Englert, director of immigration legal services at Jewish Family and Community Services of Pittsburgh.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: In 25 county jails across Pennsylvania, a WITF investigation found that almost 1 in 3 uses of force during the last three months of 2021 involved someone having a mental health crisis or who had been diagnosed with a mental illness; long-COVID continues to impact people around the world, and a recent study confirms it’s more widespread than previously thought; and a legal challenge to the Wilkinsburg annexation effort.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: We discuss the impacts of a U.S. Supreme Court decision to vacate a lower court ruling allowing mail-in ballots without a date on the return envelope to be counted in a 2021 election for common pleas judge in Lehigh County; and the leader of the food recovery organizations 412 Food Rescue and Food Rescue Hero is planning to step down from both roles in early 2023.Today’s guests include: Mark Scolforo, reporter with the Associated Press; and Leah Lizarondo, CEO and co-founder of 412 Food Rescue.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: With a limited housing stock, private developers and nonprofits are navigating the market of affordable housing units; the Penguins’ season home opener is Thursday, we talk about this year’s roster; and University of Pittsburgh professor Kathleen George's new novel is "Mirth."Today’s guests include: Eric Jankiewicz, reporter for PublicSource focused on housing and economic development; and Rob Rossi, senior writer for The Athletic covering the Pittsburgh Penguins.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Mayor Ed Gainey names the group of residents who will advise him on the selection of the city’s next police chief and explains how he hopes to spend federal dollars on infrastructure; and a preview of the city’s newest museum that plans to both highlight the past and train the future space industry workforce. Today’s guests include: Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey; and Sam Moore, executive director of the Moonshot Museum.

On today’s special episode of The Confluence: The ACLU has filed a complaint against the Central Bucks School District for allegedly discriminating against LGBTQ students; we talk with the new CEO of the Women and Girls Foundation about her goals for the organization and future of female empowerment; and biologists have published a study discovering a rare hybrid bird.Today’s guests include: Emily Rizzo, suburban reporter for WHYY; Camila Rivera-Tinsley, CEO of the Women and Girls Foundation; and David Toews, assistant professor of biology at Pennsylvania State University.