Pittsburgh's Public Source: Deep, independent Pittsburgh news

Transportation and school culture impacts top parent minds as PPS preps for change

After a drawn-out planning and approval process, Pittsburgh Public Schools leaders are hosting a series of meetings to update and learn from parents as tough transitions approach.

by Lajja Mistry

Election 2026

Campaign spending takes off in airport-area Pa. House race

by Charlie Wolfson

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

Local Government

Mon Valley towns, schools tighten budgets after novel tax pact with U.S. Steel

by Lucas Dufalla

Election 2026

Three local races to watch on Election Day in the Pittsburgh region

by Charlie Wolfson

Pennsylvania

Lawmakers send Shapiro bill to close meeting notice loophole in Pa. transparency law

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

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

I was a PPS alum preparing to homeschool — but my daughter changed my mind

by First-person essay by Allyce Pinchback

Local Government

Sewer bills to surge 14% next year in most of Allegheny County

by Rich Lord

HIGHER EDUCATION

CCAC faculty weigh walkout amid push for wage hike

by Maddy Franklin

HEALTH

Lookback: The path to a novel paid parental leave law in Allegheny County

by Rich Lord

Local Government

Q&A: Paid parental leave law means decision time for Allegheny County businesses

by Oliver Morrison

Guest commentary

Opponents of shelters should count their own benefits

by Guest commentary by Dani Wenner

Quick Source

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More local news

Local Government

Allegheny County Council passes parental leave mandate in 11-4 vote

by Oliver Morrison

HEALTH

Here’s what happens when a $10,000 healthcare premium meets a tick-borne sickness

by Oliver Morrison

Fox Chapel

Why more Pittsburgh-area librarians are becoming ‘steelworkers’

by Octavia Liku

Education

Voting rights, Flock cameras, phone bans on students’ minds ahead of midterms

by Lajja Mistry

First person

I’m teaching my daughters consent so they can avoid what I endured. Will it be enough?

In middle school, I was sexually assaulted at a time when girls were taught self-defense while boys lifted weights. We must do better for our children.

by First-person essay by Shannon Parris

HEALTH

Can GLP-1s trim more than weight? Effect on drug use, crime to be studied in Pittsburgh.

The $13.3 million study will be one of the largest and broadest looks at whether and how the popular weight loss drugs can impact a variety of social ills.

by Oliver Morrison

Education

Homeschool program challenges cease-and-desist order as hybrid options grow around Pittsburgh

Hybrid homeschooling options touting a blend of flexibility and structure have gained ground locally since the pandemic. But when does a program become a school – or even a daycare center – and when should the state get involved?

by Lajja Mistry

NEWS PARTNERS

What happened to Pennsylvania’s hydrogen hubs?

Backed by the federal government and bipartisan leadership, Pennsylvania’s hydrogen projects were supposed to create jobs and slash emissions. Now, they’re in limbo.

by Rebecca McCarthy

Economy & Housing

Data center fears and job hopes heard at virtual meeting on Springdale proposal

Allegheny County held a virtual meeting, called a SALDO, to be followed by an in-person hearing and written comment process. Unions expressed support, while many questioned the plan’s sustainability.

by Mia Hollie

Mon Valley

Data center proves a tough sell at Elizabeth Township town hall

A developer proposing a 3 million square-foot complex above the Youghiogheny River presented to hundreds of people — many of them opponents of the plan — providing few new details.

by Lucas Dufalla

Local Government

Voter guide 2026: Where candidates stand on ICE, war and data centers

There are 17 contested legislative races in Allegheny County this year. Here’s what the candidates said on the issues you flagged.

by Charlie Wolfson

Economy & Housing

The oil market that sets today’s gas prices was invented in Western Pennsylvania

For two decades the global oil market centered in Western Pennsylvania. Today, the navigability of Persian Gulf waterways largely dictates what we pay at the pump, but echoes remain from a market system developed 90 miles north of Pittsburgh.

by Brian C. Black for The Conversation

Climate

Blackouts are getting worse. Here’s what Duquesne Light is doing — and what it won’t do.

Pittsburgh’s above-ground power lines, abundant trees and worsening storms have residents buying generators, scoping out hotel rooms — and wishing the power company would do more to prevent blackouts.

by Lissa Brennan

Trump Impacts

Timeline: Feds subpoena Pitt, others alleging visa fraud

A timeline of federal higher ed changes and responses by Pittsburgh-area colleges and universities.

by Maddy Franklin

BREAKING NEWS

Health Department: Both children with measles attended same school

Allegheny County Health Department officials initially reported no connection between a measles case and exposure at a McKnight Road Target and a school exposure. News that the infected kids share a school “significantly expands” the investigation.

by Oliver Morrison

First person

In Pittsburgh, as an autistic person, finding joy is often a challenging journey

Whether it’s visiting a friend or attending a Penguins game, I need to weigh the sensory load and energy cost of finding fun — often with little support or accommodation.

by First-person essay by Eli Kurs-Lasky

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Home

Transportation and school culture impacts top parent minds as PPS preps for change

Campaign spending takes off in airport-area Pa. House race

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

Mon Valley towns, schools tighten budgets after novel tax pact with U.S. Steel

Three local races to watch on Election Day in the Pittsburgh region

Lawmakers send Shapiro bill to close meeting notice loophole in Pa. transparency law

WHO WE ARE

I was a PPS alum preparing to homeschool — but my daughter changed my mind

Sewer bills to surge 14% next year in most of Allegheny County

CCAC faculty weigh walkout amid push for wage hike

Lookback: The path to a novel paid parental leave law in Allegheny County

Q&A: Paid parental leave law means decision time for Allegheny County businesses

Opponents of shelters should count their own benefits

Quick Source

More local news

Allegheny County Council passes parental leave mandate in 11-4 vote

Here’s what happens when a $10,000 healthcare premium meets a tick-borne sickness

Why more Pittsburgh-area librarians are becoming ‘steelworkers’

Voting rights, Flock cameras, phone bans on students’ minds ahead of midterms

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I’m teaching my daughters consent so they can avoid what I endured. Will it be enough?

Can GLP-1s trim more than weight? Effect on drug use, crime to be studied in Pittsburgh.

Homeschool program challenges cease-and-desist order as hybrid options grow around Pittsburgh

What happened to Pennsylvania’s hydrogen hubs?

Data center fears and job hopes heard at virtual meeting on Springdale proposal

Data center proves a tough sell at Elizabeth Township town hall

Voter guide 2026: Where candidates stand on ICE, war and data centers

The oil market that sets today’s gas prices was invented in Western Pennsylvania

Blackouts are getting worse. Here’s what Duquesne Light is doing — and what it won’t do.

Timeline: Feds subpoena Pitt, others alleging visa fraud

Health Department: Both children with measles attended same school

In Pittsburgh, as an autistic person, finding joy is often a challenging journey

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