Rich Lord

You Have the Floor: 7 town halls in 7 days Public Source invites Pittsburgh-area residents to share what information communities need most and what local news can do for them.

What should the future of local journalism in Pittsburgh look like? We @publicsource.org want your thoughts. We're holding 7 events in 7 days starting March 12, across Allegheny County. Here are the details: www.publicsource.org/you-have-the...

Pitt shared a border patrol recruitment event. Here’s how colleges are responding to the immigration crackdown. Federal immigration agencies are recruiting at colleges nationwide, raising concerns about school policies. Here’s what Pitt and other universities are saying.

Border Patrol at Pitt? Not exactly. But after Pitt Career Central posted info on USCBP recruiting, protest followed. @publicsource.org surveyed Pittsburgh-area schools on their immigration crackdown responses and policies www.publicsource.org/pittsburgh-u...

Democrat cruises to victory in South Hills special election for state House Jennifer Mazzocco prevailed in the region’s first election of 2026 and will represent Mount Lebanon, Dormont, Castle Shannon, Baldwin Township and part of Upper St. Clair for the rest of the year.

A state House district south of Pittsburgh which usually votes around 67% Democrat went around 82% blue yesterday www.publicsource.org/live-results...

Once assaulted over his identity, Riverview school board president stood with immigrant community Antonio Paris joined the Riverview School Board after being targeted as a gay, Black man. In his role as president he seeks to defend his community.

After ICE took Jose Flores of Oakmont, Riverview School Board President Antonio Paris drew on his lawyerly skills and personal history as a gay, Black man and crafted a student safety policy. His story: www.publicsource.org/antonio-pari...

Oakmont votes against immigration enforcement role, while Springdale officials say little Two Allegheny Valley boroughs have seen high-profile detentions of immigrants. Springdale is cooperating with ICE while Oakmont has barred collaboration.

The Allegheny Valley rift over the detention of immigrants deepened last night, as Oakmont council voted against collaboration, Springdale Borough officials declined to discuss their ICE pact and another school moved to keep federal agents out www.publicsource.org/springdale-o...

Oakmont, Springdale take opposite directions amid ICE tensions Two Allegheny Valley boroughs have seen high-profile detentions of immigrants. Springdale is cooperating with ICE while Oakmont may ban collaboration.

Springdale Borough officials have defended their agreement to cooperate with ICE. Oakmont is weighing a resolution not to collaborate. Tonight, leaders of both boroughs and one of the involved school districts will meet and likely hear debate. www.publicsource.org/springdale-o...

A special election in the South Hills could set tone for midterms Candidates for a special election in Pennsylvania’s 42nd House District respond to voters’ concerns on transportation, housing, fracking, education and health care.

An election a week from today in Allegheny County's South Hills is the first local test of party energy in this hyper-partisan midterm year www.publicsource.org/pennsylvania...

Will UPMC’s ambulance gift inspire other nonprofits to contribute? UPMC just gave $10 million to the City of Pittsburgh for new ambulances. Highmark, Pitt and CMU are among other large nonprofits with no public plans to follow suit.

Will UPMC's offer to fund Pittsburgh's ambulance replacement program lead to donations from Highmark/AHN, Pitt, CMU or Duquesne? @chwolfson.bsky.social checked in with the rest of the "Big 5" www.publicsource.org/pittsburgh-n...

Ahead of UPMC ambulance deal, Pittsburgh medics rely on makeshift fixes — even using vomit bags to warm cabs A $10 million UPMC gift to Pittsburgh will bring new ambulances to an aging fleet. News stunned EMS staff and paramedics who say vehicle conditions pose dire risks.

Paramedics and emergency medical technicians use outdated, high-mileage vehicles in the field — where a few minutes of delay can mean the difference between life and death. @venuri.bsky.social reports that a UPMC gift should speed replacement www.publicsource.org/pittsburgh-u...

Punches thrown by counterprotester at Springdale anti-ICE demonstration A protest spurred by Springdale Borough’s stop, and ICE’s detention of a man originally from Peru drew a counterprotester who threatened and punched participants.

A protest against the federal immigration crackdown led to punches thrown by a lone counterprotester and a police response in Springdale Borough in the wake of the detention of a local man earlier this week. @stephstrasburg.bsky.social was there www.publicsource.org/springdale-i...

This story is part of "Clairton after the blast," a collaboration between @apnews.com and @publicsource.org . Journalists including Jessie Wardarski and Lajja Mistry got to know the community, the workers and the school. The stories: www.publicsource.org/category/cla...

After deadly explosion, safety and environmental lapses at U.S. Steel’s flagship coke works now rest with Nippon U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works is the largest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. Nippon’s plans to address safety and environmental concerns aren’t yet public.

When Nippon Steel bought U.S. Steel, it took on the Clairton Coke Works' safety record, emissions challenges and complex history with regulators. @joshkelety.bsky.social and @quinnglabicki.bsky.social explored the plant's future 6 months after a deadly explosion www.publicsource.org/us-steel-cla...

Six months after explosion, Pennsylvania mill town sees hope but a history of disappointment Six months ago, an explosion at the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works killed two people. It also heightened the stakes in the life of a western Pennsylvania mill town even as a new mayor tries to raise h...

Clairton after the blast: Six months after the fatal coke works blast, with a new mayor and a new owner at U.S. Steel, the industrial Mon Valley’s City of Prayer contemplates its future. An @apnews.com and @publicsource.org joint report apnews.com/article/us-s...

Tomorrow: Who's responsible for safety and environmental compliance at U.S. Steel's Clairton Coke Works? And will the plant change under Nippon Steel's umbrella?

Leading the Clairton dive is @quinnglabicki.bsky.social, who has been capturing the city's spirit and its skepticism through pen and lens for five years.

‘Beartopia’ boosts school spirit in the shadow of the Clairton Coke Works Six months after a mill explosion, Clairton Elementary students build leadership skills through a new program named for the Clairton Bears.

It's a grim world, but inside the walls of Clairton Elementary it's ... Beartopia! Lajja Mistry explored a school's delightful, creative push to overcome challenges and inspire achievement www.publicsource.org/clairton-ele...

Clairton sees hope but a history of disappointment six months after explosion Six months after the coke works explosion in Clairton, residents weigh hope and harm as Nippon Steel takes over U.S. Steel and a new mayor promises change.

Six months ago today, the world's eyes turned to Clairton when a blast killed two U.S. Steel workers and injured 11. Smoke cleared, media attention waned. But @publicsource.org and @apnews.com stayed with Clairton residents. Here's what they see ahead: www.publicsource.org/clairton-pa-...

Oakland danger zone sees safety upgrades, and community wants more Pittsburgh officials aim to curb crashes on Terrace Street with new bike lanes and flex posts. Oakland residents welcome the changes but say more is needed.

Terrace Street, between UPMC hospitals and Pitt's "Pete," has proved deadly for too many pedestrians. The City of Pittsburgh, Pitt and UPMC are now listening to neighbors and students, and taking measures to make it safer www.publicsource.org/oakland-terr...

The NFL Draft is juicing Pittsburgh's short-term rental market — but for how long? Bookings for Pittsburgh’s Airbnbs and VRBOs spike as the NFL Draft approaches. City Council’s efforts to regulate short-term rentals may stretch beyond the event.

The coming NFL Draft hordes are already driving a spike in short-term rental bookings. Will it lead to a long-term increase in the area's 3,500 Airbnb/VBRO/Booking.com properties? www.publicsource.org/pittsburgh-s...

Pitt ‘powerhouse’ team grapples with significant funding loss A University of Pittsburgh debate team is one of the oldest in the country. Funding cuts may shorten their chances of national competition.

Which Pitt team, among the most competitive in the country, is facing the loss of nearly half of its budget? Maddy Franklin of @publicsource.org reports on how "reallocated" funds may undermine a team's nationals dreams www.publicsource.org/william-pitt...

‘Armed queers don’t get bashed’: Pink Pistols Pittsburgh marks year as Second Amendment community Pink Pistols Pittsburgh formed one year ago, joining 50 chapters of an international LGBT gun rights group that promotes queer visibility and firearms training.

Their quest for empowered queer visibility is embodied in the Pink Pistols’ motto: “Armed queers don’t get bashed.” @stephstrasburg.bsky.social followed the Pittsburgh chapter through much of their first year www.publicsource.org/pink-pistols...

Maps: Pittsburgh has more decaying homes than it can demolish Pittsburgh saw a three-year surge in demolitions of abandoned structures, but without federal funds disrepair is outpacing the wrecking crews.

Pittsburgh has conducted between 27 and 111 demolitions per year since 2020 but has nearly 2,000 condemned properties awaiting the wreckers. @chwolfson.bsky.social of @publicsource.org maps the city's abandonment problem www.publicsource.org/pittsburgh-m...

Juvenile detention’s disparities, costs counted in Allegheny County documents Members of Allegheny County’s Juvenile Detention Board of Advisors question the prevalence of Black youth and kids with disabilities in the system.

“Where’s that money going? What are we getting? And how is this affecting youth?” Data on Allegheny County's Highland Detention Center (formerly Shuman) highlights racial disparities and costs, @venuri.bsky.social reports www.publicsource.org/allegheny-co...

On a North Side block that saw a New Year’s shooting, short-term rentals draw fire Pittsburgh’s short-term rental debate gains steam after shooting as three city councilors look to regulate Airbnbs, VRBOs and other vacation units.

The New Years shooting at an Airbnb in East Allegheny has energized efforts to regulate short-term rentals. Neighbors of the STR at which the shots were fired - and even its owner - call for new rules www.publicsource.org/pittsburgh-s...

I renovated my Pittsburgh home with grief in my toolbelt and three generations of family ties At a “beautiful intersection of grief” Jordan Stovka channels her grandfather’s craftsmanship and tool collection to renovate her Pittsburgh home.

13 years ago this month my Dad died and I poured a big part of my grief into a kitchen renovation project. Maybe that's why this essay by Jordan Stovka - about a grandpa, a house and inherited tools - struck a chord www.publicsource.org/pittsburgh-h...

Lessons of Springdale: Towns must prepare if they want any say over data centers Data centers are eying land in Western Pennsylvania. In Springdale, a 5-2 vote approved development. What can be done to mitigate noise and well-water impacts?

What did the debate over the Springdale data center teach us? That if local leaders want any real say over these giant, humming, power-and-water-sucking buildings, they have to pass smart zoning and planning ordinances before the developers show up www.publicsource.org/springdale-d...

500 show for training in rapid response to ICE in Pittsburgh Frontline Dignity provides training on individual rights and how to minimize escalation when responding to federal immigration enforcement in Pittsburgh.

With Minneapolis still on edge, hundreds of Pittsburghers turned up for training on what to do when ICE acts here www.publicsource.org/frontline-di...

Late on your student loans? There are ways to avoid garnishment. Are your student loans in default? The U.S. Department of Education is notifying 1,000 borrowers of their intent to collect on student loan debt.

In default on your student loans? Washington may be coming after your paycheck. There are ways to avert losing 15% of your pay plus facing collection costs www.publicsource.org/us-student-l...

What should Pennsylvania government tackle in 2026? Tell us your priorities. This midterm election year also brings contests for the Pennsylvania governor and the General Assembly. What do you want Harrisburg to tackle in 2026?

With control of Pa. gov't up for grabs this year, what do you want to see on Harrisburg's agenda? Let @publicsource.org know www.publicsource.org/federal-midt...

Slur accusation against city employee tests human relations panel’s clout The Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations receives claims on alleged discrimination in the city. One 2024 accusation tests the panel’s clout.

Pittsburgh's Commission on Human Relations receives few complaints related to sexual orientation. This case had the city challenging its own commission's powers www.publicsource.org/pittsburgh-c...