The Confluence

On today’s episode of The Confluence:Black pregnant women delivering babies are more likely to get tested for drugs when delivering than white women, suggests a new study of a health system in the commonwealth. We speak to Marian Jarlenski, author of the paper and an associate professor of health policy and management at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, about this disparity. (0:00 - 6:53) The Pittsburgh Public School board approved using grants to cover the cost of police training for school security guards. We speak to Ghadah Makoshi, an advocacy and policy strategist with the ACLU of Pennsylvania, about the implications of interactions between students and law enforcement. (7:00 - 14:38) The Steelers have completed their 2023 college football draft, picking up Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones in the first round. We speak with The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo about the team’s choices. (14:43 - 22:30)

On today’s episode of The Confluence: The state’s Human Relations Commission released its first whitepaper on the state of Pennsylvania’s affordable housing, which included recommendations on how state and municipal governments can better serve those in need of housing. Adrian Garcia, the director of fair housing and commercial property, discusses the recommendations the report offers. (0:00 - 7:53) A University of Pittsburgh professor received the prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship. Adam Lowenstein will use the grant for his book, which will focus on Jewish horror films and their cultural significance. (7:56 - 14:43) Bill Hillgrove, the play-by-play announcer, remembers his friend Pirates great, National League MVP, and longtime broadcast partner Dick Groat, who died Thursday at the age of 92. (14:52 - 22:30)

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Pennsylvania House Democrats had their first full week of session since solidifying their majority. We discuss what priorities are on the table. Also, we are less than three weeks from the May primary where voters in Allegheny county will choose their candidate for the November election. Today’s guests include: Katie Meyer, government editor and reporter at Spotlight PA; John Micek, editor-in-chief at Pennsylvania Capital Star; and Chris Potter, WESA’s government and accountability editor.

On today’s episode of The Confluence:Legislation that would expand discrimination protections for LGBTQ Pennsylvanians has passed a second vote in the House and is expected to face one final vote before being considered by the state Senate. Meanwhile, lawmakers have also introduced new legislation to address hate crimes. We speak with state Rep. Dan Frankel (D - Allegheny) about this package of bills. (0:00 - 8:13) As warm weather returns, so do seasonal bugs, like the invasive spotted lanternflies. We speak to Pennsylvania State University entomologist Kelli Hoover about their return. (8:16 - 14:21) The state of Pennsylvania is the only one in the country to not fund public defense; that responsibility falls to counties. Spotlight PA investigative reporter Danielle Ohl reports Governor Josh Shapiro is proposing $10 million in his budget to fund public defense. (14:25 - 22:30)

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Jury selection continues in the capital murder trial of the man accused of shooting and killing 11 worshippers at a Pittsburgh synagogue on October 27, 2018. WESA’s Oliver Morrison reports that so far, no jurors have been selected. (0:00 - 6:01) Property owners in Allegheny County have made 11,660 appeals to their 2023 tax assessments. Rich Lord, managing editor with PublicSource, and Julia Zenkevich, reporter with WESA, explain who is making the appeals and what that will mean for local services. (6:05 - 13:23) We discuss how courtrooms and judges can better help those with autism when they interact with the judicial system. Judge Jennifer McCrady, who sits on the Court of Common Pleas, tells us what accommodations Allegheny County courtrooms have made, and how they’re sharing these tools with courtroom staff. (13:30 - 22:30)

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Some are questioning if Pennsylvania’s laws are strong enough to protect the elderly from fraud when they are declared legally incapacitated and appointed a guardian. Angela Couloumbis, investigative reporter with Spotlight PA, tells us what she’s learned about the issue. (0:00 - 6:32) Film Pittsburgh’s annual JFilm Festival kicked off last week. This year’s lineup includes, “The Cure for Hate,” a documentary about a former Holocaust denier, Tony McAleer, who is telling his story to combat extremism and white supremacy. We speak with McAleer ahead of tonight’s film screening, and an in-person discussion with McAleer and director Peter Hutchison. (6:37 - 13:38) University of Pittsburgh alumnus and Olympic-medal winner Herb Douglas passed away Saturday at the age of 101. The Confluence spoke to Douglas in 2019 after a book about his life and legacy entitled “Launched: The Life of Olympian Herb Douglas” was published. We revisit that interview. (13:48 - 22:30)

On today’s episode of The Confluence: The Allegheny County Controller’s office recommended new standards to the county jail regarding notifying families of death, injury, or illness for incarcerated people. Ankur Sakaria, legal counsel with the Controller’s office, joins us to explain this policy and what it could do for those with loved ones incarcerated. (0:00 - 10:43) Chatham University’s board of trustees voted unanimously to appoint Rhonda Phillips as its 20th president. Phillips is currently dean of the Purdue University Honors College, and joins us to discuss her next role in Pittsburgh. (10:52 - 22:30)

On today’s episode of The Confluence: The federal trial of the man charged with carrying out a mass shooting at the Squirrel Hill Tree of Life Synagogue, affecting three congregations in 2018, begins next week. We ask a panel about how the city’s Jewish community is preparing, and what the community can expect as the trial unfolds. Today’s guests include: An-Li Herring, reporter with WESA; Kiley Koscinski, reporter with WESA; Maggie Feinstein, director of the 10.27 Healing Partnership; and David Harris, professor of law at the University of Pittsburgh, and the legal systems advisor and educator for the 10.27 Healing Partnership.

On today’s episode of The Confluence:Election irregularities from years ago could cast a shadow on the primary contest for county executive. WESA government and accountability editor Chris Potter shares how the drama in Kennedy Township pitted Allegheny county executive candidates John Weinstein and Dave Fawcett against each other. Also we touch on some endorsements for the county executive race. (0:00 - 7:26) According to a 2022 report from the CDC, almost 1 in 2 women and more than 2 in 5 men in the U.S. have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking victimization by an intimate partner. To provide more resources and support for those facing domestic violence across the country, The Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh helped launch a multinational smartphone app called Bright Sky. The Center’s CEO and president Nicole Molinaro tells us how an app can give a survivor the information they need. (7:30 - 15:31) Arcade Comedy Theater is putting on an interactive comedy experience for kids ages 4 to 8 years old called “Penny Arcade” this weekend. We catch up with Mike Rubino, director of marketing and Arcade co-founder, about how they can bring young audience members into the show. There will be four performances this weekend. (15:38 - 22:30)

On today’s episode of The Confluence:The American Lung Association’s annual State of the Air report finds particle pollution in the Pittsburgh metro area was worse by 24-hour and year-round measures, compared to 2022’s report. Allegheny County has disputed the findings of this report, noting in a statement that it meets national standards. We speak to Kevin Stewart, the Association’s director of environmental health, about the report. (0:00 - 7:22) The federal death penalty trial for the man charged in the 2018 synagogue shooting begins next week. While court rules will dictate the pattern of those proceedings, survivors of the attack say there’s no guidebook for their healing journeys. 90.5 WESA’s Kiley Koscinski reports. (7:44 - 15:17) Westmoreland County was founded 250 years ago, and to celebrate, the Westmoreland Historical Society opened a new exhibit over the weekend titled, “Westmoreland 250! Telling our Story with 25 Objects.” We speak to Joanna Moyar, collections manager at the Westmoreland Historical Society about the exhibit. (15:30 - 22:30)