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Caught between a river, a water project and a railroad, a marina community tries to hang on

Thomas Grubbs woke up on a Monday, checked the group chat and felt it in his stomach. “Oh, I’m actually trapped,” he said. “Like, I can’t leave.” His 50-foot houseboat floats in an Allegheny River marina that’s feeling pinched by a railroad and the water authority.

by Feixu Chen and Jason Alpert-Wisnia

Trump Impacts

Timeline: First half of 2026 brings more research cuts to Pitt

by Maddy Franklin

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Pennsylvania

What Shapiro’s new data center order does — and doesn’t — force developers to do

by Katie Meyer of Spotlight PA

Community storytelling

Childcare’s high cost, low supply pushes Pittsburgh families to get creative

by Matt Petras

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

Springdale police chief says he has ‘overwhelming support’ amid petition for resignation

by Charlie Wolfson

Investigations

Pittsburgh’s summer of teen restrictions raises transparency questions

by Maddy Franklin and Lajja Mistry

Guest commentary

How anti-SNAP rhetoric is doing real damage

by Guest commentary by Kelly Wild and Heather Seiders

Election 2026

Does Democrat’s surprise win in red Butler County predict a wave? Experts urge caution.

by Ada Perlman

Pennsylvania

Shapiro shifts course on data centers as governor campaign ramps up

by Marc Levy, Associated Press

ICE, immigration and local response

Decision on charges in Daphy Michel’s death, after release by ICE, in DA’s hands

by Rich Lord

MENTAL HEALTH

As patients turn to AI, Pittsburgh’s mental health providers adapt

by Oliver Morrison

Environment

Elizabeth Township punts gas well permit decision until September

by Lucas Dufalla

Economy & Housing

New tax figures complicate the picture of the NFL Draft’s $177M impact

A week after an economic impact study estimated a regional boost, city and county figures show gains in hotel tax revenue, declines in parking tax revenue and no clear public windfall.

by Mia Hollie

Local Government

Court: Allegheny County must reassess property, changing tax bills by 2032

A judge’s three-page order gives the county until July to pick a contractor to reevaluate the taxable values of hundreds of thousands of properties, on the way to a future of reassessments every five years.

by Ada Perlman

South Hills

Dormont housing proposal draws debate — and AI-assisted misinformation

As Dormont weighs a major housing development, residents are sorting through competing claims about traffic, taxes and the project itself.

by Lucas Dufalla

Community storytelling

How Homewood is sustaining itself after decades of disinvestment

In Homewood, business challenges, hidden history and a music tradition show what it takes for a community to endure.

by Ervin Dyer

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

AI

Pittsburgh groups teach AI skills, including when not to use them

The push reflects growing concern that people without trusted guidance could be more vulnerable to scams, misinformation and widening inequities.

by Ada Perlman

Local Government

‘Let’s depoliticize it’: Commission recommends routine property assessments in Allegheny County

After years of irregular and contentious property assessments, commission members on Wednesday voiced support for routine property reassessments in Allegheny County and the state.

by Ada Perlman

HEALTH

Federal safety agency issues final report into 2025 blast that killed 2 at Clairton plant

The blast occurred after a gas valve being flushed with pressurized water ruptured, according to the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board.

by John Raby, Associated Press

ICE, immigration and local response

ICE considering buying immigrant detention facilities, other options to maintain capacity in Pa.

The federal agency, which currently runs the Moshannon Valley Processing Center through a contract with Clearfield County and a private owner, may try to buy the facility when the agreement expires next month.

By Melissa Pérez-Carrillo for Spotlight PA

Economy & Housing

Stowe residents came to fight a data center. Township officials say none is planned.

A zoning change, social media posts and gaps in township communication helped fuel months of confusion over a large industrial site along the Ohio River.

by Mia Hollie

Election 2026

Special election in Butler County tests voter mood ahead of November

On Aug. 18, voters in Pennsylvania’s 12th legislative district will head to the polls to vote for either Democrat Brandon Dukes or Republican Scott Timko. The red-leaning district will see the state’s last balloting until the midterms.

by Ada Perlman

Environment

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

The Pittsburgh region suffers from elevated cases of asthma and other chronic respiratory conditions. When wildfires degrade the air, the population is more vulnerable.

by Cilia Catello

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Home

Caught between a river, a water project and a railroad, a marina community tries to hang on

Timeline: First half of 2026 brings more research cuts to Pitt

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

What Shapiro’s new data center order does — and doesn’t — force developers to do

Childcare’s high cost, low supply pushes Pittsburgh families to get creative

WHO WE ARE

Springdale police chief says he has ‘overwhelming support’ amid petition for resignation

Pittsburgh’s summer of teen restrictions raises transparency questions

How anti-SNAP rhetoric is doing real damage

Does Democrat’s surprise win in red Butler County predict a wave? Experts urge caution.

Quick Source

More local news

Shapiro shifts course on data centers as governor campaign ramps up

Decision on charges in Daphy Michel’s death, after release by ICE, in DA’s hands

As patients turn to AI, Pittsburgh’s mental health providers adapt

Elizabeth Township punts gas well permit decision until September

Our nonprofit newsroom needs your support.

New tax figures complicate the picture of the NFL Draft’s $177M impact

Court: Allegheny County must reassess property, changing tax bills by 2032

Dormont housing proposal draws debate — and AI-assisted misinformation

How Homewood is sustaining itself after decades of disinvestment

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

Pittsburgh groups teach AI skills, including when not to use them

‘Let’s depoliticize it’: Commission recommends routine property assessments in Allegheny County

Federal safety agency issues final report into 2025 blast that killed 2 at Clairton plant

ICE considering buying immigrant detention facilities, other options to maintain capacity in Pa.

Stowe residents came to fight a data center. Township officials say none is planned.

Special election in Butler County tests voter mood ahead of November

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

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