The Confluence

On today’s program: Kathi Elliott from Gwen’s Girls explains how the closing of the Shuman Juvenile Detention Center will impact the approximately 20 young people housed at the center, and their families; a look at the track record of Kevin Sousa, a local chef who has opened four restaurants in the last decade, but left them for new ventures; and a conversation with author Damian Dressick about his latest collection of “flash” fiction.

On today’s program: The Biden administration has permanently increased the amount of assistance given to those who qualify for SNAP benefits, which Ken Regal from Just Harvest says will be a boon for families facing hunger insecurity; electric scooters have arrived in Pittsburgh, and although they’ve been a nuisance to some, the city hopes they help support mobility access; and a look at how policing has changed in the city since the death of George Floyd, when many called for fewer officers on the city’s force, and amidst a rise in violent crime.

On today’s program: State Education Secretary Noe Ortega says the department can’t mandate masks, but is urging schools to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce the spread of COVID-19; a look at one family’s struggle to care for their son’s medical needs when there’s a shortage of in-home nursing care; and WESA’s arts and culture reporter Bill O’Driscoll gives an update on how performance are phasing in COVID-19 vaccination requirements.

On today’s program: A University of Pittsburgh researcher is enrolling participants in a study to assess the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccine booster shots, even after the Biden administration has approved booster shots to be distributed at the end of September; how housing advocates helped renters in the 48 hours between one eviction moratorium ending and another taking its effect; and a look at how the city is improving its storm water capture system.

On today’s program: A debrief about the Pittsburgh Public School board’s decision to approve the delay of the start of the school year; and a conversation with a Pitt professor who is organizing students and volunteers to help Afghan residents get the paperwork they need to apply for special visas in the U.S.

On today’s program: Pitt economist Chris Briem weighs in on what Census data reveals about how Pittsburgh’s population has changed since the previous count; the city’s 311 manager explains what happens after someone submits a request, and how the process has improved over the last 15 years; and a look at the impacts of the federal student loan moratorium on the finances of residents.

On today’s program: The chair of Fair Districts PA explains how state leaders are taking different approaches to the process of drawing new maps for Congressional seats, now that census data has been released; kindergarten enrollment dropped 10% last year in the region, and some are concerned this year’s class of kindergarteners will have vastly different social and academic skills; and a look at how the state Game Commission takes census of the black bear population, a process that starts with donuts.

On today’s program: A Greene County climate activist says holding state and federal leaders accountable for supporting the transition away from fossil fuels is necessary to avoid the worst effects of climate change; the nonprofit behind new data visualizations for the state’s prison and parole population hopes it’s work improves criminal justice outcomes; and the executive director of the Tull Family Theater reflects on how the organization has weathered the pandemic, and how they’re staying optimistic despite rising COVID-19 cases.

On today’s program: The 15th extension of Gov. Tom Wolf’s opioid disaster declaration may be its last since a measure passed by voters in May limited the governor’s ability to extend emergency declarations independently; and state Secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Cindy Adams Dunn explains how the state’s recreation spending has risen in the pandemic, supporting both private and public entities.

On today’s program: A preview of the race for Pat Toomey’s Senate seat, which a pool of candidates are vying to fill, most recently including Congressman Conor Lamb; we learn what impact a year of postpartum health care coverage could have on parents when Medicaid access is expanded in April; and how Allegheny County is vaccinating raccoons against rabies.