On today’s episode of The Confluence:
Lancaster County’s election office had to remark ballots in order to process them
(0:00 - 5:49)
Last week, election workers in Lancaster County were remarking 16,000 ballots that couldn’t be scanned on election day because of a printer error. The vendor, NPC Inc. of Blair County, took full responsibility for the error.
Harrisburg Bureau Chief for the Post Gazette Gillian McGoldrick reports that Lancaster County has run into this problem before, with a different vendor during the 2021 election.
“That company ended up having its contract severed … with the county,” says McGoldrick. “I'm not saying that is how they [NPC Inc. will] be penalized, but that is what Lancaster County has done in the past.”
McGoldrick says due, in part, to previous experience remarking ballots after a printing error, Lancaster County was able to mitigate the issue within two days.
COVID-19 mitigation measures continue in state correctional facilities, even though most of those incarcerated are vaccinated
(5:53 - 11:57)
State prisons enacted mitigation measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. More than two years later, some of those measures are still in effect, despite those incarcerated averaging a 88% vaccination rate.
One of the most controversial measures those incarcerated having to eat meals in their cells rather than congregate meals, which was the practice pre-pandemic.
“There have been complaints from incarcerated people and their advocates that this furthers isolation,” says Danielle Ohl, an investigative reporter with the nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom Spotlight PA. “They have fewer socialization opportunities.”
In-person visitations, which were suspended at the start of the pandemic, have also resumed in a limited capacity. Advocates are hoping the state Department of Corrections will consider soon changing these measures.
Inflation is hitting the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank doubly hard
(12:05 - 18:30)
April was the 17th consecutive month where food prices increased, and many families are feeling the squeeze. The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is also paying more for food, alongside a rise in need.
“In terms of canned and boxed meals that we would have paid $0.76 a pound for back in 2019, we're seeing closer to $0.86 a pound,” says Josh Murphy, director of Supply Chain Strategy at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
Murphy says more and more people are seeking help from the food bank for the first time, which he says has not been as prominent an issue since the Great Recession in 2009, though there was a slight bump in the early days of the pandemic.
The Confluence, where the news comes together, is 90.5 WESA’s daily news program. Tune in Monday to Thursday at 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. to hear newsmakers and innovators take an in-depth look at stories important to the Pittsburgh region. Find more episodes of The Confluence here or wherever you get your podcasts.
