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Election 2026

Special election in Butler County tests voter mood ahead of November

Pennsylvania’s 12th legislative district is gearing up for a special election on Aug. 18, giving voters a chance to weigh in before the upcoming midterms. The district covers much of Butler County, including Cranberry, Mars and Zelienople. For Democrats, it presents a chance to gain ground in the suburbs, while Republicans hope to continue their…

by Ada Perlman

Environment

Wildfire smoke is a growing threat. Pittsburgh’s industrial pollution compounds the risk.

by Cilia Catello

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ICE, immigration and local response

ICE seeks 60 parking spaces in Pittsburgh amid nationwide expansion

by Halle Stockton

First person

Pittsburgh’s Chinatown is gone, but its history showed me that I belong here

by First-person essay by Melissa Lee

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

If 9/11 changed you, we’d like to know about it

by Rich Lord

A Public Source investigation

ICE, A DATA CENTER &
A TOWN DIVIDED

In Springdale, a small borough near Pittsburgh, national battles over ICE and data centers collide with local questions about policing, power and accountability.

Investigations

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

Investigations

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

Investigations

Video: How Springdale data center moved Allegheny Valley residents

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HIGHER EDUCATION

Tuition rises at Pitt’s main campus while satellites go free

by Maddy Franklin

BREAKING NEWS

DA drops charges against Springdale man forcefully arrested at council meeting

by Charlie Wolfson

Criminal Justice

Foundation of HOPE opens doors for those leaving Allegheny County Jail

by Ada Perlman

ICE, A DATA CENTER & A TOWN DIVIDED

Cómo ICE y un centro de datos convirtieron un suburbio de Pittsburgh en un campo de batalla cívico

by Jamie Wiggan

Economy & Housing

Showdown over short-term rental rules in Pittsburgh looms

Both Pittsburgh City Council and the Planning Commission are expected to vote on proposed new rules for Airbnbs and the like after Labor Day. Operators worry that too much regulation could hurt tourism and livelihoods.

by Mia Hollie

ICE, immigration and local response

Pittsburgh nonprofit sues Trump administration for deporting abused, trafficked children

Jewish Family and Community Services brought the case on behalf of six children, largely from Allegheny County, whose cases have been fast-tracked by the Trump administration despite indications of risk.

by Oliver Morrison

First person

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

I found myself on the road from reader to writer to actor. In a time of rising materialism and artificial intelligence, young people should embrace the humanities and the empathy they bring.

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

Inside our Newsroom

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

We’re reflecting on the last six months of stories. Can you help us keep going for the next six?

by Halle Stockton

Local Government

E-bike surge powers suburban lawmaking

The explosive growth of e-bikes has led some Pittsburgh-area municipalities to limit their use in parks, on trails and sometimes beyond. Some say the regulations are ineffective and are calling on Harrisburg to update the state bike code.

by Lucas Dufalla

The Glimpse

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

Multigenerational living is on the rise, driven by high costs and limited options. The Givner Family has three generations under one roof to make ends meet.

by Claira Tokarz

Economy & Housing

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

Council amended a plan to pull new tax revenue from the Strip, North Shore and Downtown, to invest in Golden Triangle improvements around transit hubs. The amendments favor unionized building workers.

by Mia Hollie

Education

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

One family’s yearslong fight for special education services reflects what advocates say is a broader PPS failure to fix recurring problems.

by Lajja Mistry

HEALTH

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

Paid parental leave has proved healthy for families, but its economic effects are less studied. Here are the details on Allegheny County’s proposal, experiences elsewhere and research on the benefit.

by Oliver Morrison

Community storytelling

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

Your zine could end up on display at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh or published by Public Source.

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

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Home

Special election in Butler County tests voter mood ahead of November

Wildfire smoke is a growing threat. Pittsburgh’s industrial pollution compounds the risk.

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

ICE seeks 60 parking spaces in Pittsburgh amid nationwide expansion

Pittsburgh’s Chinatown is gone, but its history showed me that I belong here

WHO WE ARE

If 9/11 changed you, we’d like to know about it

ICE, A DATA CENTER &
A TOWN DIVIDED

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

Video: How Springdale data center moved Allegheny Valley residents

Quick Source

More local news

Tuition rises at Pitt’s main campus while satellites go free

DA drops charges against Springdale man forcefully arrested at council meeting

Foundation of HOPE opens doors for those leaving Allegheny County Jail

Cómo ICE y un centro de datos convirtieron un suburbio de Pittsburgh en un campo de batalla cívico

Our nonprofit newsroom needs your support.

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.

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

E-bike surge powers suburban lawmaking

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

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

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

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

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