Helen Gerhardt (she/her)

In my book, I show that an eviction can ruin someone's life *even if it never happens.* A mere eviction FILING—even one dismissed in court—can destroy your credit and lock you out of housing for years.

That's why I say people aren't "falling" into homelessness. They're being pushed.

ICE activity is rising in Pittsburgh. Know what to do. Where ICE detains people in the Pittsburgh area, how many are affected and what to do. Rights and resources from Casa San José, ACLU and other local groups.

News you can use: What to do, and not to do, at an ICE scene www.publicsource.org/resource-gui...

On the ground with the volunteers tracking ICE across the Pittsburgh region More than 250 Casa San José-trained volunteers respond to immigration enforcement at courthouses, businesses and neighborhoods.

Here's a deep look at the Rapid Response Network, which rallies to locations of ICE activity to monitor and educate www.publicsource.org/local-volunt...

ICE and allies hit Ambridge with ‘most intense’ roundup yet seen in Pittsburgh region Beaver County law enforcement partnered with federal immigration agents in the “most intense” roundup to date. Two bystanders were also arrested.

Last night in Ambridge, ICE and local allies got "gnarly" - arresting 12, including some who were observing, documenting and engaging in expression or obstruction, depending on your take. @quinnglabicki.bsky.social was on scene www.publicsource.org/beaver-count...

Study: Many Allegheny County psych hospitalizations do more harm than good Involuntary psychiatric hospitalizations — when they’re judgment calls by doctors — can lead to the kinds of harm they are intended to prevent, per a study of Allegheny County data.

Even as Trump pushes involuntary mental health commitments, researchers' deep dive into Allegheny County data says that in cases when it's not clear-cut, a "302" can raise risks of violent crime, suicide or OD, @venuri.bsky.social reports www.publicsource.org/mental-healt...

Penn Plaza 10 Year Commemoration: Rally for Justice and Action on Affordable Housing · Pennsylvania United 2025 marks ten years since the start of the mass displacement of Penn Plaza residents in East Liberty. Join us to hear their stories a decade later and to rally for affordable housing solutions for al...

I'm attending Pennsylvania United's event, “Penn Plaza 10 Year Commemoration: Rally for Justice and Action on Affordable Housing” - sign up now to jo www.mobilize.us/paunited/eve...

This is the deliberate political throttling of a resource critical to healthcare providers everywhere, but especially here in the US. It's been a critical early-warning system that has proven its value for decades. Trump got a grip on its throat the 1st go-round, RFKJr will choke it to death.

an image that defines a concentration camp as Mass detention without trial, Targeted group persecution, State or military operational control, Harsh, inhumane conditions, Isolation and surveillance, Fear as a tool of control.

All the hallmarks.

The Grand Opening of an American Concentration Camp The Republicans are proudly calling it “Alligator Alcatraz.” Let’s call it what it is.

Where we are as a country:

"The funding in the bill will make ICE the largest jailer in the world, with $200 billion at their disposal."

newrepublic.com/article/1975...

The immensity of this reporting cannot be overstated.

@propublica.org made an archive of reported, fact-checked info on each of the individuals sent to prison in El Salvador.

Trump admin knew that only *six* had been convicted of violent offenses.

Former Afghan interpreter for U.S. military detained by ICE after routine immigration appointment Zia’s arrest is the latest case of federal authorities detaining immigrants with legal status during immigration check-ins. Lawmakers call the detainment of those who helped U.S. troops at war a betra...

The man's arrest is the latest case of federal authorities detaining immigrants with legal status during immigration check-ins. Lawmakers call the detainment of those who helped U.S. troops at war a betrayal. [via @wbur.org]

No One Was Supposed to Leave Alive

By Gisela Salim-Peyer

Venezuelans deported by the Trump administration say they were tortured during four months in CECOT.

Fears swell in Oakdale as wetter climate spells increased flooding Since Hurricane Ivan, Oakdale has flooded seven times. Increased rainfall and stronger storms drive the need for flood prevention projects in the borough.

The Hurricane Ivan flood was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime event in Oakdale and many other communities. Climate change, though, has made high water a constant concern - and gov't is struggling to respond, Hannah Johansson of @publicsource.org reports www.publicsource.org/oakdale-freq...

Tell us: How could Medicaid cuts affect you and your family? Medicaid cuts could affect thousands of Allegheny County residents. Share your perspective on how these cuts may impact you.

Do you rely on Medicaid? @publicsource.org wants to know how proposed cuts could impact you & yours as Congress considers reducing the program. Email local gov't reporter @chwolfson.bsky.social (charlie[at]publicsource[dot]org) or fill out our easy form here: www.publicsource.org/tell-us-how-...

Job One How young people with special needs enter the workforce.

Hey friends, I’ve been writing a series for @publicsource.org called Job One, about the ways people with special challenges enter the workforce in and around Pittsburgh. www.publicsource.org/job-one/

Science and Democracy Under Siege Documenting Six Months of the Trump Administration’s Destructive Actions

We are six months into the second Trump administration and the scale and severity of its assault on our nation's science and democracy has been unrelenting.

Today, @ucs.org releases a detailed assessment of the damage so far and where we go from here: www.ucs.org/resources/sc... #ProtectScience

DOJ requests for voter data from Pa., other swing states raise concerns among election law experts The agency has asked states for voter rolls, information on election crimes, and procedures for checking voter eligibility, among other records. State officials question the scope of the requests.

The agency has asked states for voter rolls, information on election crimes, and procedures for checking voter eligibility, among other records. State officials say privately they have been struck by the scope of the requests and uncertainty around what the administration plans to do with the info.

In midnight move, CMU students roll in new fence to protest closure of free speech icon Under the cover of darkness, CMU students erected a new ‘fence’ to demonstrate free speech after university leadership restricted a mainstay of student expression.

Late last night CMU students - upset at the school's curbs on a century-old free speech landmark - rolled a fence on to campus and thoughtfully decorated it with their defense of academic expression. Of course, @stephstrasburg.bsky.social was there www.publicsource.org/cmu-students...

A U.S. citizen and former Marine detained.

A 15-year-old boy with no criminal record held at "Alligator Alcatraz."

A father who has lived here for 30 years. No criminal record. Still held by ICE after nearly 6 months.

We are witnessing the cruelty of Trump's police state.

Allentown grandfather’s family was told he died in ICE custody. Then they learned he’s alive — in a hospital in Guatemala, they say Family of Allentown grandfather Luis Leon, 82, said they were headed to a Guatemala hospital to reunite with him after he was taken into custody at a Philadelphia immigration office and disappeared…

We have two Pennsylvania senators who constantly talk about putting politics aside to solve problems. I expect them to set everything aside to help this man.

If anyone knows the family and they need help, legal or otherwise, I’ll do anything I can.

www.mcall.com/2025/07/18/l...

The IRS Is Building a Vast System to Share Millions of Taxpayers’ Data With ICE ProPublica has obtained the blueprint for the Trump administration’s unprecedented plan to turn over IRS records to Homeland Security in order to speed up the agency’s mass deportation efforts.

“If this program is implemented in its current form, it’s extremely likely that incorrect addresses will be given to DHS and individuals will be wrongly targeted,” said an IRS engineer who reviewed the blueprints.

By @williamturton.bsky.social, @chrisbing.bsky.social, and Avi Asher-Schapiro

This man’s great sin was losing his green card and asking for a replacement

we’re past “you had a dui in 1984” into “if you appear at any ICE office anywhere you’re a quota target”

4.6 Billion Years On, the Sun Is Having a Moment In the past two years, without much notice, solar power has begun to truly transform the world’s energy system.

Globally, roughly a third more power is being generated from the sun this spring than last. If this exponential rate of growth can continue, we will soon live in a very different world, @billmckibben.bsky.social‬ writes.

Trump's 'big' bill puts Medicaid on the chopping block. Here's what that means in Pittsburgh. Trump's "big" bill puts Medicaid on the chopping block. From work requirements to loss of coverage, here are Pittsbughers' concerns.

New: Hear from Pittsburghers who fear dire consequences of the Medicaid cuts in Trump's 'big, beautiful bill.' www.publicsource.org/trump-big-bi...

Lawsuit calls on Pa. to change 'grossly non-uniform' property tax assessment system A lawsuit filed by a public-interest group says the state's rules for property reassessment are unconstitutional, because it permits counties to go years or decades without revaluing properties — a pr...

With my colleague Kate Giammarise: A local economic-justice group has sued the state over its rules for property tax reassessment, which allow counties to go years or decades without revaluation -- a practice the suit says creates inequities that punish the poor.

www.wesa.fm/politics-gov...

Trump's 'big' bill puts Medicaid on the chopping block. Here's what that means in Pittsburgh. Trump's "big" bill puts Medicaid on the chopping block. From work requirements to loss of coverage, here are Pittsbughers' concerns.

The $1 billion Medicaid cut will affect millions of Americans - maybe you, maybe someone you love. @chwolfson.bsky.social outlines what we know, and what's tbd, in the wake of "One Big, Beautiful Bill" www.publicsource.org/trump-big-bi...

When courts compel mental health care, due process is crucial — but hard to ensure As Allegheny County considers involuntary, outpatient mental health care, can understaffed public defenders protect patients’ rights?

Say someone filed a petition to compel you to get mental health care. Would you have the resources to lawyer up? If not, would the public defender be able to represent you? @venuri.bsky.social explores the due process issues www.publicsource.org/allegheny-co...

This is a really thoughtful piece. Personally I tend toward the doomier side, but in the words of Andrew Boyd, “I want a better catastrophe” and will devote all my efforts to making it so.

Casa San Jose to get new home in sale by Pittsburgh agency A URA property with a long history of promised development may soon house Casa San Jose’s social and after-school programs for Pittsburgh families.

You know Casa San José, the Pittsburgh organization doing so much work with Latino and immigrant families? It's getting a new HQ in Beechview, thanks in part to the city's Urban Redevelopment Authority www.publicsource.org/casa-san-jos...

Trump officials axed an online portal for its key climate report. Read it in full here Guardian makes legally mandated gold standard report widely available after administration deleted website

Trump officials axed an online portal for its key climate report. Read it in full here on @theguardian.com

- "The effects of human-caused climate change are already far-reaching and worsening across every region of the US”

#climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...