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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

by Alyia Paulding

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First person

How a ‘green’ cemetery cured my fear of death

by First-person essay by Brynn Murawski

Investigations

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

by Rich Lord

Economy & Housing

As Allegheny County eyes reassessment, data points to likely winners, losers

by Mia Hollie

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WHO WE ARE

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

Springdale data center hearing draws a crowd, a chorus and regional opposition

by Jamie Wiggan and Lucas Dufalla

PPS' Path Forward

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

by Lajja Mistry

Election 2026

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

by Charlie Wolfson

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

Quick Source

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More local news

First person

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

Guest commentary

Opponents of shelters should count their own benefits

People offer many reasons for keeping emergency shelters at arm’s length. It comes down to inconvenience, but homeowners should recognize that the benefits they enjoy help put others in tents.

by Guest commentary by Dani Wenner

Local Government

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

When the leave law takes effect in a year, companies in the Pittsburgh area may choose to pay their new parent employees directly or seek coverage. One insurance pro outlines the options.

by Oliver Morrison

Local Government

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

After a monthslong debate that pitted parents and healthcare groups against local businesses, Allegheny County Council passed a first-of-its-kind paid parental leave policy.

by Oliver Morrison

HEALTH

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

For Pennsylvanians who buy Affordable Care Act health insurance, the average premium has increased more than 35% over two years. A Monroeville therapist is among those facing difficult choices about whether to pay up – or gamble on their health.

by Oliver Morrison

Fox Chapel

Why more Pittsburgh-area librarians are becoming ‘steelworkers’

Low wages, staffing shortages, funding constraints and disputes over censorship are fueling tensions across the library workforce, and so far three Allegheny County library systems have unionized. Just one has a contract.

by Octavia Liku

Education

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

The Allegheny Youth Vote Huddle brought together 200 students from Pittsburgh-area districts to discuss their priorities amid a pivotal election cycle. Organizers Allegheny Youth Vote Coalition formed four years ago to boost youth voter registration.

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

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Home

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

Gifts to Pittsburgh’s Public Source are now matched

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

How a ‘green’ cemetery cured my fear of death

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

As Allegheny County eyes reassessment, data points to likely winners, losers

WHO WE ARE

Springdale data center hearing draws a crowd, a chorus and regional opposition

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

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

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

Quick Source

More local news

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

Make a MATCHED gift of support to our nonprofit newsroom!

Opponents of shelters should count their own benefits

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

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

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

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