On today’s episode of The Confluence: Deaths due to a drug overdose have hit a new record nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and we learn where Pennsylvania data fits into the trends; the Mid-Atlantic Mothers’ Milk Bank is trying to help facilities struggling with the infant formula shortages; and we examine a plan to create affordable housing through collective home ownership.Today’s guests include: Jennifer Smith, the state Secretary of Drug and Alcohol Programs; Denise O’Connor, founder and executive director of the Mid-Atlantic Mothers’ Milk Bank; and Margaret J. Krauss, senior reporter at WESA.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: We learn how health care executives are hoping to address an influx of hospital emergency room patients in need of behavioral health care; after a yearlong search, the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh is welcoming its new president and CEO, the first woman to lead the organization; and we ask two curators about the significance of the new Frick Pittsburgh exhibit, “SLAY,” which brings together two paintings created 400 years apart. Today’s guests include: Brett Sholtis, health reporter with WITF; Amy Haralson Kienle, the incoming president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh; Dawn Brean, chief curator and director of collections at the Frick Pittsburgh; and Kilolo Luckett, an art historian and Pittsburgh-based consulting curator.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: the future and funding of OnePGH, former Mayor Bill Peduto’s solution to local nonprofits' tax-exempt status, is unclear under Mayor Ed Gainey’s administration; we speak to BikePGH about their 20th anniversary, and preview events they’re hosting soon for “Bike Anywhere Week”; and a look at how Republican candidates for governor are advocating for greater fossil fuel production, despite the imminent threats of climate change.Today’s guests include: Charlie Wolfson, local government reporter with PublicSource; and Kéya Joseph, the director of events at BikePGH.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: As the Pittsburgh Public Schools board opens public comment on the process to find its next superintendent, we ask a founding member of Black Women for a Better Education for feedback on the search; the Pittsburgh Opera and National Opera House are teaming up to develop educational and community engagement programming; and mid-state crisis centers are concerned about their capacity to handle calls for mental health support as a three-digit helpline goes live nationwide.Today’s guests include: Allyce Pinchback-Johnson, founding member of Black Women for a Better Education; Rebekah Diaz, director of community engagement and IDEA initiatives with Pittsburgh Opera, and Jonnet Solomon, executive director of the National Opera House.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: We look at reasons why Pittsburgh is not rebounding to pre-pandemic levels of employment, even though U.S. employment overall has done so; the Allegheny County Elections division manager tells us how the county is working to meet the logistical challenges of the upcoming election; and people with criminal backgrounds, who have historically faced barriers to employment, are now finding more opportunities amid labor shortages. Today's guests include: Chris Briem, a regional economist with the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Social and Urban Research; and David Voye, Allegheny County Elections division manager.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Amy Wildermuth — the dean of the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Law, and a former U.S. Supreme Court clerk — shares her thoughts on the leaked draft of an opinion that could overturn Roe v. Wade; a Philadelphia-based research group has found the state is in need of teachers of color, and we ask Duquesne’s School of Education dean how they’re attracting students of color to take on the profession; and a look at inequities in how libraries are funded.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Mayor Ed Gainey nominated Kim Lucas, the acting director of the city’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure, to officially lead the department, and we speak with her about plans for updating Smithfield Street, and the department’s priorities under the current administration; Gwen’s Girls executive director Kathi Elliott discusses what the organization has accomplished in 20 years, and how it’s celebrating the milestone; and we’re joined by the director of a new documentary about the Tree of Life attack and the community’s recovery.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: The medical director of Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania discusses what’s it’s like offering abortions in the region, including to patients traveling from states where these services are restricted; after an immigration court in Pittsburgh closed, Casa San Jose joins us to discuss what’s next for those with immigration hearings; and our Good Question! series looks into how the Mexican War Streets got its name.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Those registered as independent or with third parties are unable to vote in state primary elections, but advocacy organizations are looking to change that; candidates running to take over Democratic Conor Lamb’s congressional seat are vying for what some see as a key swing district; and we ask Post-Gazette reporter Mike DeFabo about the Penguin’s chances in this year’s playoffs.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: the Pennsylvania Department of Health has proposed regulations that would require more inquiry into potential owners of nursing homes — Pam Walz, a supervising attorney with Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, explains why these regulations are needed; the Anti-Defamation League recently released data on the number of anti-Semitic incidents in the region, which are up compared to previous years; and how women in the workplace are often asked to do the “non-promotable tasks.”