Pittsburgh's Public Source: Deep, independent Pittsburgh news

How ICE and a data center turned a small Pittsburgh suburb into a civic battleground

In Springdale, a borough of 3,000 east of Pittsburgh, a year of immigration arrests, data center opposition and confrontations with local officials has fueled a new wave of organizing.

by Jamie Wiggan and Stephanie Strasburg

ICE, A DATA CENTER & A TOWN DIVIDED

ICE-allied police chief in Springdale faced lawsuits and allegations before clashes with critics

by Charlie Wolfson and Stephanie Strasburg

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

Economy & Housing

Showdown over short-term rental rules in Pittsburgh looms

by Mia Hollie

ICE, immigration and local response

Pittsburgh nonprofit sues Trump administration for deporting abused, trafficked children

by Oliver Morrison

First person

I found myself on stage. Gen Z shouldn’t forget the arts.

by First-person essay by Robert “RJ” Reed-Williams

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WHO WE ARE

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

E-bike surge powers suburban lawmaking

by Lucas Dufalla

Inside our Newsroom

Halfway through 2026: What we’ve covered and what comes next

by Halle Stockton

The Glimpse

‘Breathing room’ is a luxury many multigenerational households can’t afford

by Claira Tokarz

Digging deeper for Pittsburgh

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.

ICE, immigration and local response

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

Quick Source

Public Source stories told in 90 seconds or less. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok.

More local news

Economy & Housing

Downtown TRID investment plan draws dozens of detractors, but wins a City Council approval

by Mia Hollie

Education

PPS spent $1.4 million on special education settlements as families, advocates continue to call for services

by Lajja Mistry

HEALTH

Allegheny County’s paid parental leave proposal: 13 questions answered

by Oliver Morrison

Community storytelling

Open call: Turn your curiosity about people and places into a zine

by Public Source

Guest commentary

Congress didn’t ban shocking ambulance bills, leaving rural patients especially vulnerable

Many Americans can’t afford an unplanned $400 expense, yet when Washington cracked down on surprise medical bills, it opened a loophole big enough for a Southwestern Pennsylvania ambulance to drive through.

by Guest Commentary by Vivian Greenwood

Economy & Housing

Landlord NRM faces health code violations, judgments and now a rent strike

The owner of scores of properties with hundreds of units has lost court cases involving failed heat, air conditioning and leaks. Now its tenants are getting organized.

by Mia Hollie

Equity

Private investment in youth sports draws state, federal scrutiny

U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio, of Pennsylvania, cosponsored a bill that would ban private equity firms from investing in youth sports unless they can prove they don’t use predatory practices.

by Anna Claire Vollers

Can AI streamline government in Pittsburgh’s smaller suburbs?

While Pittsburgh and Allegheny County experiment with AI tools, many of the townships and boroughs in which most area residents live don’t yet have the knowledge or expertise to adopt time-saving tech. Some are relying on guidance from the City of Pittsburgh.

by Ada Perlman

Education

Monroeville library Pride Month display puts regional fight over LGBTQ+ books back in focus

The dispute follows a series of high-profile regional clashes since 2021 over books, displays and library policies. Here’s where a half dozen book battles stand today.

by Lajja Mistry and Cilia Catello

Inside our Newsroom

Public Source wins Pennsylvania’s top investigative journalism prize

Honors for the Pittsburgh newsroom’s examination of a local company’s efforts in Australia cap an awards season that has also brought recognition of neighborhood-level zines and more.

by Halle Stockton

HEALTH

Allegheny County, Pittsburgh nix Friday events, but smoke may clear Saturday

Air tainted by wildfires, which moved into the region Thursday, has made outdoor activity hazardous across Pennsylvania.

by Oliver Morrison

First person

My parents’ premature deaths made public health a personal reality

In 2022, I gave voice to Pittsburgh’s stark disparities through a public performance. Shortly after, I lost both my parents – and I saw in them how policy becomes personal.

by First-person essay by Tara Fay Coleman

Mon Valley

Braddock debates U.S. Steel project, amid resident transparency concerns

Mon Valley residents use a sewer permit application to seek specifics on U.S. Steel’s multi-billion-dollar investment in the Edgar Thomson plant.

by Lucas Dufalla

HEALTH

Cyclospora: What you should know about the diarrhea bug

With at least one Allegheny County person hospitalized from the diarrhea-inducing cyclospora parasite, Pittsburgh-area physicians and health officials are recommending safeguards, but not panic.

by Cilia Catello

Pennsylvania

Regional electricity price hits cap again in latest auction

PJM Interconnection CEO David Mills said the results show demand continues to grow faster than the electricity supply.

by Peter Hall, Pennsylvania Capital-Star

Education

State to explore consolidation of Duquesne, McKeesport schools

The troubled Duquesne district, long without a high school, now has a “potential partner” just across the Monongahela River.

by Lajja Mistry

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Home

How ICE and a data center turned a small Pittsburgh suburb into a civic battleground

ICE-allied police chief in Springdale faced lawsuits and allegations before clashes with critics

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

Showdown over short-term rental rules in Pittsburgh looms

Pittsburgh nonprofit sues Trump administration for deporting abused, trafficked children

I found myself on stage. Gen Z shouldn’t forget the arts.

WHO WE ARE

E-bike surge powers suburban lawmaking

Halfway through 2026: What we’ve covered and what comes next

‘Breathing room’ is a luxury many multigenerational households can’t afford

ICE, immigration and local response

Quick Source

More local news

Downtown TRID investment plan draws dozens of detractors, but wins a City Council approval

PPS spent $1.4 million on special education settlements as families, advocates continue to call for services

Allegheny County’s paid parental leave proposal: 13 questions answered

Open call: Turn your curiosity about people and places into a zine

Our nonprofit newsroom needs your support.

Congress didn’t ban shocking ambulance bills, leaving rural patients especially vulnerable

Landlord NRM faces health code violations, judgments and now a rent strike

Private investment in youth sports draws state, federal scrutiny

Can AI streamline government in Pittsburgh’s smaller suburbs?

Monroeville library Pride Month display puts regional fight over LGBTQ+ books back in focus

Public Source wins Pennsylvania’s top investigative journalism prize

Allegheny County, Pittsburgh nix Friday events, but smoke may clear Saturday

My parents’ premature deaths made public health a personal reality

Braddock debates U.S. Steel project, amid resident transparency concerns

Cyclospora: What you should know about the diarrhea bug

Regional electricity price hits cap again in latest auction

State to explore consolidation of Duquesne, McKeesport schools

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