Pittsburgh's Public Source: Deep, independent Pittsburgh news

Missed trash pick-up complaints have jumped in Pittsburgh

The tonnage of municipal waste collected by the city — which includes trash that’s been picked up after a missed collection — has dropped below pre-pandemic levels, but garbage-related 311 requests continue to rise.

by Mia Hollie

GENDER & IDENTITY

Your guide to Pride Month events for kids and families

by Melissa Rayworth, Kidsburgh

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HEALTH

Parents say paid leave would be a savior, but employers say costs could shut them down

by Oliver Morrison

Economy & Housing

Pittsburgh planners swing behind optional affordable housing proposal

by Mia Hollie

Education

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

by Lajja Mistry

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WHO WE ARE

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

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

by Charlie Wolfson

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.

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

Digging deeper for Pittsburgh

ICE, immigration and local response

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

ICE, immigration and local response

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

by Charlie Wolfson

PPS' Path Forward

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

by Lajja Mistry

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

Pennsylvania

Small historical societies keep big stories alive

History keepers preserve Southwestern Pennsylvania’s stories as America turns 250.

by Hannah Frances Johansson

First person

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

In a world where human connection is slowly eroding, I didn’t think the antidote I needed was here in Pittsburgh. Then I enrolled at UCBurgh.

by First-person essay by Rachel Bachy

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

Political observers say Brittany Bloam’s landslide win in a suburban legislative primary wasn’t just about an anti-trans mailer, and the challenge to Pat Catena’s council presidency may bring another blow to a fading power base.

by Charlie Wolfson

Election 2026

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

The midterm elections will feature races for governor, lieutenant governor, Congress, every seat in the state House and half the state Senate. General election voting is Nov. 3.

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 2026

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

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Home

Missed trash pick-up complaints have jumped in Pittsburgh

Your guide to Pride Month events for kids and families

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

Parents say paid leave would be a savior, but employers say costs could shut them down

Pittsburgh planners swing behind optional affordable housing proposal

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

WHO WE ARE

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

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

ICE, immigration and local response

Quick Source

More local news

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

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

Our nonprofit newsroom needs your support.

Small historical societies keep big stories alive

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

Most Read

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

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

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

Citywide inclusionary zoning swapped for bonus program

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

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