On today’s episode of The Confluence: An analysis of voter registration shows Republicans could have an edge on Democrats in years to come; the executive director of Women for a Healthy Environment explains how a new ordinance introduced in city council aims to detect and remove lead in homes before exposure; and Pittsburgh City Clerk Brenda Pree is looking to create a statewide professional association for those in the profession that she describes as the jack-of-all-trades in local government.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Government and accountability editor Chris Potter previews the races that will be decided in Tuesday’s election; reporters from the Post-Gazette describe the findings of an investigation into the rising number of drug-exposed babies born in rural communities, and how neighboring West Virginia’s approach differs from Pennsylvania’s; and we hear a profile of a local artist who immigrated from Guyana as a child and now incorporates Black culture and leaders in his mixed-media work.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Rabbi Jeffrey Myers describes how his congregation is still healing since the attack at the Tree of Life Synagogue; Carol Sikov Gross, president of the congregation, explains how an architect with family ties to the Jewish community is helping restore and refurbish the synagogue; the head of the Community Day School, Avi Baran Munro, reflects on student and faculty actions to mourn the attack; and journalist and author Mark Oppenheimer explains why he focused on the neighborhood of Squirrel Hill in his book about how the community came together.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Carlos Carter, the incoming President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, explains what he sees as his priorities in the role, which he’s stepping into after Esther Bush, the longtime leader of the organization, retires; and two members of a working group to support women after incarceration tell us what challenges women face upon re-entering society, and the importance of gender-specific programming.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: A legislative panel has affirmed the school mask mandate from the state Department of Health, but reporter Stephen Caruso with the Pennsylvania Capital-Star says Republicans are still hoping to overturn the order; a University of Pittsburgh researcher will soon use NASA’s newest telescope to look at faraway objects with infrared light; and a look at how one Pittsburgh TikToker is using the platform to share stories of everyday life from neighbors and strangers.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: The state has begun to regulate harmful PFAS chemicals, but plans for federal regulation could alter the trajectory; a Duquesne professor weighs in on how K-12 schools can support students’ mental health at a time when pediatric and child psychiatric groups are declaring a state of emergency; and we visit an illegal dumpsite in the east hills with a crew of “DumpBusters” ready to clean it up.

On today’s program: State Sen. Jay Costa explains why he takes issue with the Republican party’s election audit and calls for bipartisanship on issues including hate crimes and campaign finance reform; Casa San Jose is planning to move into a new building in Beechview, which executive director Monica Ruiz says will result in more space for community-oriented programming; and a look at the life of Fannie Lou Hamer, an activist whose work is recounted in a new book from University of Pittsburgh Professor Keisha Blain.

On today’s program: WESA government and accountability editor Chris Potter adds context to Congressman Mike Doyle’s announcement that he will not seek re-election in 2022; a researcher with the Ohio Valley River Institute tells us why orphaned wells, which are abandoned oil and gas wells, are creating unchecked methane emissions; and Pittsburgh poet and educator Jan Beatty shares the types of loss she felt as an adopted child in her new memoir, “American Bastard.”

On today’s program: Education reporter Sarah Schneider explains the potential impacts of Pittsburgh Public Schools’ student enrollment declined this year, and some possible reasons why; and a discussion with two speakers of the city’s first “Eradicate Hate Global Summit,” which starts today.

On today’s program: UPMC Pediatric Infectious Diseases specialist Andrew Nowalk explains how the COVID-19 vaccine has been tested for safety among children aged five to 11 years old; U.S. Senator Bob Casey discusses a bill he is co-sponsoring to help workers transition to renewable energy industries; and Michael Rinsem with Community College of Allegheny County explains how training the new workforce in the region requires forethought and a focus on skills .