Pittsburgh's Public Source: Deep, independent Pittsburgh news

State penalties against Shell have failed, and a new approach is needed

“We urge the DEP to stop creating agreements that pit the community against one another for penalty money while creating loopholes that industries like Shell can exploit.”

by Guest commentary by Deb Smit

Economy & Housing

Polish Hill shelter proposal called ‘damaging’ and ‘minimal’ in heated hearing

by Mia Hollie

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NEWS PARTNERS

Democrats have gained control in more states. That could change the way the U.S. elects its president.

by Nicholas Riccardi, Associated Press and Scott Bauer, Associated Press

Election 2026

After 30 years in the minority, Jay Costa steps into Senate spotlight

by Charlie Wolfson

ICE, immigration and local response

ICE detention surge tied to pacts with police in Beaver County, says congressman

by Oliver Morrison

Investing in electrification: DLC helps Pittsburgh-area properties add EV charging

November 7, 2026

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WHO WE ARE

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

CMU, Pitt embrace AI as region debates data centers

by Maddy Franklin

Local Government

O’Connor defends shakeup of housing, antiviolence funding in budget speech

by Charlie Wolfson

Addiction

Gambling problems in Pa. used to be near casinos. Now they’re everywhere.

by Oliver Morrison

First person

I believe my wheelchair may be cursed

by First-person essay by Monica Albert Still

Election 2026

Q&A: Summer Lee wants to send Trump ‘all of our top priorities’

by Charlie Wolfson

Wilkinsburg

Earned income taxes to rise in Wilkinsburg following borough council vote

by Octavia Liku

Economy & Housing

A house just sold for $600,000 in Larimer. What will it mean for a changing neighborhood?

by Mia Hollie

Election 2026

What will Pennsylvania Democrats do with control of Harrisburg?

by Whitney Downard

Election 2026

Election maps: How the blue wave rippled in Allegheny County

In a political year marked by energy on the left, the Democratic Party racked up improved margins across Allegheny County, while flipping one of five Republican-held state House seats.

by Charlie Wolfson

Election 2026

Gov. Shapiro and Democrats clinch control of Pa. House, Senate, governor’s mansion

Republicans’ 32 years leading the Pennsylvania Senate came to an end last night amid a blue wave that swept the state and the country.

by Whitney Downard

Election 2026

Democrats win the U.S. House and Senate as voters deliver a strong rebuke to Trump and Republicans

In the Pittsburgh area, incumbents Summer Lee, D-Swissvale, and Chris Deluzio, D-Aspinwall, cruised to reelection by margins of more than 25 percentage points.

by The Associated Press

Election 2026

Live election results: Democrats win U.S. Senate, AP says, along with Pittsburgh-area House seats, Pa. governorship

by Charlie Wolfson

Election 2026

Democrat Josh Shapiro easily secures second term as Pennsylvania governor

The incumbent Democrat built on a massive fundraising advantage to deliver a clear win over Republican challenger Stacy Garrity.

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Jaxon White of Spotlight PA

Election 2026

It’s a heated election in a divided town, but in Springdale neighbors still say, ‘Love you’

The Allegheny Valley borough is the epicenter of Pittsburgh-area data center angst, and that was just about the only thing neighbors agreed on as they warmly shared Election Day sentiments around a picnic table.

by Charlie Wolfson and Stephanie Strasburg

Election 2026

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

Pennsylvania will choose its next governor and decide which party controls the state legislature next year.

by Charlie Wolfson

Local Government

Wilkinsburg council proposes doubling earned income tax

The proposal aims to bridge a $1.5 million budget shortfall by increasing the earned income tax paid by borough residents to 2%, and instating a non-resident income tax. The increase may place a greater burden on households struggling to make ends meet.

by Octavia Liku

Food

After a spring freeze, Pittsburgh-area fruit farmers face a hard fall

Apple-picking is a rite of autumn, but dramatic swings in weather have made fruit farming in Southwestern Pennsylvania more difficult. Science may bring some relief, but a return to respect for our food supply may be essential.

by Lissa Brennan

Inside our Newsroom

Gifts to Pittsburgh’s Public Source are now matched

For a limited time, your support of independent, nonprofit Pittsburgh journalism goes up to 12x as far.

by Alyia Paulding

First person

How a ‘green’ cemetery cured my fear of death

My grandmother’s decline was heartbreaking, and it only worsened a decade of death anxiety. So why was I wandering around a burial park?

by First-person essay by Brynn Murawski

Investigations

Springdale Borough’s failure to release records draws Public Source legal action

The Allegheny Valley borough is in the midst of public debate over a proposed data center and immigration enforcement. A state office ruled that Pittsburgh’s Public Source has a right to records, but the borough has not complied.

by Rich Lord

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Home

State penalties against Shell have failed, and a new approach is needed

Polish Hill shelter proposal called ‘damaging’ and ‘minimal’ in heated hearing

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

Democrats have gained control in more states. That could change the way the U.S. elects its president.

After 30 years in the minority, Jay Costa steps into Senate spotlight

ICE detention surge tied to pacts with police in Beaver County, says congressman

Investing in electrification: DLC helps Pittsburgh-area properties add EV charging

WHO WE ARE

CMU, Pitt embrace AI as region debates data centers

O’Connor defends shakeup of housing, antiviolence funding in budget speech

Gambling problems in Pa. used to be near casinos. Now they’re everywhere.

I believe my wheelchair may be cursed

Quick Source

More local news

Q&A: Summer Lee wants to send Trump ‘all of our top priorities’

Earned income taxes to rise in Wilkinsburg following borough council vote

A house just sold for $600,000 in Larimer. What will it mean for a changing neighborhood?

What will Pennsylvania Democrats do with control of Harrisburg?

Make a MATCHED gift of support to our nonprofit newsroom!

Election maps: How the blue wave rippled in Allegheny County

Gov. Shapiro and Democrats clinch control of Pa. House, Senate, governor’s mansion

Democrats win the U.S. House and Senate as voters deliver a strong rebuke to Trump and Republicans

Live election results: Democrats win U.S. Senate, AP says, along with Pittsburgh-area House seats, Pa. governorship

Democrat Josh Shapiro easily secures second term as Pennsylvania governor

It’s a heated election in a divided town, but in Springdale neighbors still say, ‘Love you’

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

Wilkinsburg council proposes doubling earned income tax

After a spring freeze, Pittsburgh-area fruit farmers face a hard fall

Gifts to Pittsburgh’s Public Source are now matched

How a ‘green’ cemetery cured my fear of death

Springdale Borough’s failure to release records draws Public Source legal action

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