Pittsburgh's Public Source: Deep, independent Pittsburgh news

Tax rates may rise in most Allegheny County school districts — again

Projects, tax assessments and general economics are driving the majority of suburban school districts to hike millage. See whether your district wants to send a bigger tax bill.

by Lajja Mistry

Local Government

Inside the taxpayer-funded payroll of Allegheny County’s courts

by Charlie Wolfson

Care about Pittsburgh? Get local stories that matter from Public Source, delivered to your inbox.

First person

An MS diagnosis gave a sense of relief, and now I’m figuring out how to live with it

by First-person essay by Tabitha Weaver

Equity

Band Infinity gives voice to schizophrenia with key concert in the balance

by Bill Zlatos

ICE, immigration and local response

Video: Critic of Springdale police ICE pact did not break rule prior to rough arrest

by Charlie Wolfson

Black information icon inside a speech bubble on a yellow circular background, ideal for highlighting publicsource announcements or tips.

Have a tip?
We have secure options for sharing information confidentially.

Send us a tip

WHO WE ARE

Pittsburgh’s Public Source informs and inspires the Pittsburgh region through the power of deep, independent journalism.

PPS approves plan to close and consolidate schools, reversing board’s November rejection

by Lajja Mistry

Person holding a black t-shirt that says "Pittsburgh journalism with backbone," alongside promotional text for publicsource, highlighting independent news and the spirit of Pittsburgh reporting.

Local Government

Allegheny County Council elects environmental advocate as president, replacing Catena

by Charlie Wolfson

Education

Pittsburgh school takes last year’s 100+ fights down to single digits

by Lajja Mistry

Digging deeper for Pittsburgh

ICE, immigration and local response

Reporting on the reach and impact of immigration enforcement in Pittsburgh and across Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania

Small historical societies keep big stories alive

by Hannah Frances Johansson

First person

Please don’t laugh: Improv improved me in so many ways

by First-person essay by Rachel Bachy

Election 2026

Primary loss by Allegheny County Council president a sign of the times

by Charlie Wolfson

Election 2026

Who’s running for office in Allegheny County in 2026?

by Charlie Wolfson

Election 2026

Stacy Garrity and Josh Shapiro’s quiet primary for Pennsylvania governor is over

Incumbent Democrat Josh Shapiro and Republican state Treasurer Stacy Garrity were both uncontested in the primary, which allowed them both a long runway to ramp up their campaigns and begin fundraising.

by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA, Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA and Katie Meyer of Spotlight PA

Economy & Housing

Citywide inclusionary zoning swapped for bonus program

More than a year after Pittsburgh’s Planning Commission said yes to inclusionary zoning for affordable housing, it’s now considering an optional alternative.

by Mia Hollie

Election results: Pittsburgh-area primaries for Congress, state House and more

Pennsylvania has voted in the 2026 primary elections. Congress, the office of governor, the state House and half of the state Senate are on the ballot this midterm.

by Charlie Wolfson

Election 2026

Primary Day 2026: How to vote, what’s on the ballot

Pennsylvania’s primaries will set the stage for the midterms.

by Charlie Wolfson

Disabilities

An autistic student’s path through college shows the power, and limits, of support

People with disabilities are half as likely as non-disabled peers to get bachelor’s degrees. McDonald native Gus Psaros found the accommodations, encouragement and resources he needed to graduate. His author-father says costs can hinder many people with disabilities.

by Rich Lord

Guest commentary

Allegheny County A-Team of behavioral health crisis responders should go countywide — without delay

Barely 1 in 1,000 of the emergency calls made in Pittsburgh and its suburbs draws the 18-month-old A-Team of specialized behavioral health responders. More empathetic, less punitive 911 response can’t wait.

by Guest commentary by Mason Joiner

Economy & Housing

Affordable housing plans in Fairywood, Hazelwood, Hill District get new funding

Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority board approved millions for plans across the city that will focus on households earning less than the area median income, including seniors and public housing residents.

by Mia Hollie

Investigations

Pittsburgh cosmetology school teaches on despite state probes, complaints

Students of Fountain of Youth Academy, in Squirrel Hill and Bellevue, have long complained to state regulators, but their accounts are largely hidden from the public and almost always result in mediation, not sanction.

by Maddy Franklin

Local Government

Allegheny County may compel all employers to offer paid parental leave

County Executive Sara Innamorato’s administration has started a push for the new benefit with a briefing to the Board of Health, and a County Council vote could be months away.

by Matt Petras

Artificial Intelligence

A state task force is hunting for misleading AI chatbots as the Shapiro admin vows legal crackdown

A Shapiro administration lawsuit alleges that Character.AI, which creates fictional personalities for users, posed as a doctor and offered medical advice to a state investigator.

by Jaxon White of Spotlight PA

DEVELOP PGH

Pittsburgh restaurants face barriers, thin margins — and many don’t make it

Financing gaps, costly build-outs, uneven foot traffic and rising food prices: Restaurant operators say the real struggle begins long before the first plate hits the table.

by Aakanksha Agarwal

Economy & Housing

Pittsburgh’s comprehensive plan, explained

Pittsburgh’s planners will spend the summer drafting a blueprint for the city’s next 25 years of development. It could guide which neighborhoods are stabilized, strengthened or transformed.

by Mia Hollie

South Pittsburgh

PRT’s revamp of bus routes could change transit in southern, eastern suburbs

Pittsburgh Regional Transit is seeking feedback on its bus route update as it faces declining ridership. At a meeting Wednesday, public transit users voiced concerns over elimination of routes in Allegheny County’s southern and eastern suburbs.

by Lucas Dufalla

Public-service guides

Hungry to garden in Pittsburgh? Here’s where to start.

When crises mount, Americans garden. From greenhouses to educational workshops, Pittsburgh offers bountiful resources for the urban gardener looking to get dirty, calm nerves and eat affordably.

by Jordan Stovka

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Home

Tax rates may rise in most Allegheny County school districts — again

Inside the taxpayer-funded payroll of Allegheny County’s courts

Care about Pittsburgh? Get local stories that matter from Public Source, delivered to your inbox.

An MS diagnosis gave a sense of relief, and now I’m figuring out how to live with it

Band Infinity gives voice to schizophrenia with key concert in the balance

Video: Critic of Springdale police ICE pact did not break rule prior to rough arrest

WHO WE ARE

PPS approves plan to close and consolidate schools, reversing board’s November rejection

Allegheny County Council elects environmental advocate as president, replacing Catena

Pittsburgh school takes last year’s 100+ fights down to single digits

ICE, immigration and local response

Quick Source

More local news

Small historical societies keep big stories alive

Please don’t laugh: Improv improved me in so many ways

Primary loss by Allegheny County Council president a sign of the times

Who’s running for office in Allegheny County in 2026?

Our nonprofit newsroom needs your support.

Stacy Garrity and Josh Shapiro’s quiet primary for Pennsylvania governor is over

Citywide inclusionary zoning swapped for bonus program

Most Read

Election results: Pittsburgh-area primaries for Congress, state House and more

Primary Day 2026: How to vote, what’s on the ballot

An autistic student’s path through college shows the power, and limits, of support

Allegheny County A-Team of behavioral health crisis responders should go countywide — without delay

Affordable housing plans in Fairywood, Hazelwood, Hill District get new funding

Pittsburgh cosmetology school teaches on despite state probes, complaints

Allegheny County may compel all employers to offer paid parental leave

A state task force is hunting for misleading AI chatbots as the Shapiro admin vows legal crackdown

Pittsburgh restaurants face barriers, thin margins — and many don’t make it

Pittsburgh’s comprehensive plan, explained

PRT’s revamp of bus routes could change transit in southern, eastern suburbs

Hungry to garden in Pittsburgh? Here’s where to start.

Local events

Develop PGH

Board Explorer

Public-service guides

First-person essays