Pittsburgh's Public Source: Deep, independent Pittsburgh news

‘It’s not going to be the same.’ Back-to-school in Pittsburgh bittersweet ahead of closures.

With 12 schools set to shutter next year or beyond, PPS parents brace for different teachers, class-sizes and cultures from those they and their children have known.

by Lajja Mistry

Economy & Housing

The risk of eviction may be higher than you think. Here’s what you should know.

by Mia Hollie

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Guest commentary

What Germany’s ‘school cone’ tradition can teach us about childhood literacy

by Guest Commentary by Mary Denison

NORTH SIDE

Troy Hill is still waiting for its new rec center, five years after a $6M pledge

by Charlie Wolfson

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

Timeline: First half of 2026 brings more research cuts to Pitt

by Maddy Franklin

Economy & Housing

Caught between a river, a water project and a railroad, a marina community tries to hang on

by Feixu Chen and Jason Alpert-Wisnia

The library was there when she needed it. Now, she’s paying it forward.

At first, it was just a fun experiment. In 2024, avid reader Brittany Mihalko Bozak started tracking how much money she was saving by borrowing books from the library instead of purchasing them for her personal collection. The number kept climbing. By the fall, Brittany realized she’d saved hundreds of dollars. Eventually, those savings would…

August 30, 2026September 1, 2026

Pennsylvania

What Shapiro’s new data center order does — and doesn’t — force developers to do

by Katie Meyer of Spotlight PA

Community storytelling

Childcare’s high cost, low supply pushes Pittsburgh families to get creative

by Matt Petras

Quick Source

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More local news

ICE, A DATA CENTER & A TOWN DIVIDED

Springdale police chief says he has ‘overwhelming support’ amid petition for resignation

by Charlie Wolfson

Investigations

Pittsburgh’s summer of teen restrictions raises transparency questions

by Maddy Franklin and Lajja Mistry

Guest commentary

How anti-SNAP rhetoric is doing real damage

by Guest commentary by Kelly Wild and Heather Seiders

Election 2026

Does Democrat’s surprise win in red Butler County predict a wave? Experts urge caution.

by Ada Perlman

Pennsylvania

Shapiro shifts course on data centers as governor campaign ramps up

Pennsylvania’s Democratic governor excoriated “aggressive” developers during a press conference Tuesday, in which he announced an executive order imposing a slate of new guardrails.

by Marc Levy, Associated Press

ICE, immigration and local response

Decision on charges in Daphy Michel’s death, after release by ICE, in DA’s hands

The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police has completed its investigation of the March death of the Charleroi resident from Haiti, and the decision on whether to charge sits with Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala.

by Rich Lord

MENTAL HEALTH

As patients turn to AI, Pittsburgh’s mental health providers adapt

The use of AI chatbots for mental health support is growing faster than research and professional guidance. Some local providers are embracing the technology alongside patients, while others remain cautious.

by Oliver Morrison

Environment

Elizabeth Township punts gas well permit decision until September

Nearing a 45-day deadline, township commissioners said they needed more time to decide on a permit that would keep the gas flowing at an EQT well site in the community.

by Lucas Dufalla

Economy & Housing

New tax figures complicate the picture of the NFL Draft’s $177M impact

A week after an economic impact study estimated a regional boost, city and county figures show gains in hotel tax revenue, declines in parking tax revenue and no clear public windfall.

by Mia Hollie

Local Government

Court: Allegheny County must reassess property, changing tax bills by 2032

A judge’s three-page order gives the county until July to pick a contractor to reevaluate the taxable values of hundreds of thousands of properties, on the way to a future of reassessments every five years.

by Ada Perlman

South Hills

Dormont housing proposal draws debate — and AI-assisted misinformation

As Dormont weighs a major housing development, residents are sorting through competing claims about traffic, taxes and the project itself.

by Lucas Dufalla

Community storytelling

How Homewood is sustaining itself after decades of disinvestment

In Homewood, business challenges, hidden history and a music tradition show what it takes for a community to endure.

by Ervin Dyer

Community storytelling

Open call: Turn your curiosity about people and places into a zine

Your zine could end up on display at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh or published by Public Source.

by Public Source

Pittsburgh groups teach AI skills, including when not to use them

The push reflects growing concern that people without trusted guidance could be more vulnerable to scams, misinformation and widening inequities.

by Ada Perlman

Local Government

‘Let’s depoliticize it’: Commission recommends routine property assessments in Allegheny County

After years of irregular and contentious property assessments, commission members on Wednesday voiced support for routine property reassessments in Allegheny County and the state.

by Ada Perlman

HEALTH

Federal safety agency issues final report into 2025 blast that killed 2 at Clairton plant

The blast occurred after a gas valve being flushed with pressurized water ruptured, according to the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board.

by John Raby, Associated Press

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Home

‘It’s not going to be the same.’ Back-to-school in Pittsburgh bittersweet ahead of closures.

The risk of eviction may be higher than you think. Here’s what you should know.

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

What Germany’s ‘school cone’ tradition can teach us about childhood literacy

Troy Hill is still waiting for its new rec center, five years after a $6M pledge

WHO WE ARE

Timeline: First half of 2026 brings more research cuts to Pitt

Caught between a river, a water project and a railroad, a marina community tries to hang on

The library was there when she needed it. Now, she’s paying it forward.

What Shapiro’s new data center order does — and doesn’t — force developers to do

Childcare’s high cost, low supply pushes Pittsburgh families to get creative

Quick Source

More local news

Springdale police chief says he has ‘overwhelming support’ amid petition for resignation

Pittsburgh’s summer of teen restrictions raises transparency questions

How anti-SNAP rhetoric is doing real damage

Does Democrat’s surprise win in red Butler County predict a wave? Experts urge caution.

Our nonprofit newsroom needs your support.

Shapiro shifts course on data centers as governor campaign ramps up

Decision on charges in Daphy Michel’s death, after release by ICE, in DA’s hands

As patients turn to AI, Pittsburgh’s mental health providers adapt

Elizabeth Township punts gas well permit decision until September

New tax figures complicate the picture of the NFL Draft’s $177M impact

Court: Allegheny County must reassess property, changing tax bills by 2032

Dormont housing proposal draws debate — and AI-assisted misinformation

How Homewood is sustaining itself after decades of disinvestment

Open call: Turn your curiosity about people and places into a zine

Pittsburgh groups teach AI skills, including when not to use them

‘Let’s depoliticize it’: Commission recommends routine property assessments in Allegheny County

Federal safety agency issues final report into 2025 blast that killed 2 at Clairton plant

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